2 important tidbits of information for all of you cinematic consummate consumerists out there looking to click-and-purchase good movies this (pre) holiday season:
1. On the high-end side of things: Criterion Collection (bless their perfect-transfer soul) is offering a 40 percent discount on everything they have in stock (including that 50 movie Janus Collection, that if you know me you know I’ve been staring at longingly for forever now). Some of the recent releases include Altman’s terrific “Short cuts”, the absolutely horrifying “Last Days of Sodom” and Cassavetes’ “A Woman Under the Influence” though if you are a newbie to the wonderland that is the Criterion catalogue, good luck picking and choosing between all the Antonionis, cult classics like “The Eyes Without a Face”, all the special Wes Anderson editions, terrific documentaries such as “Grey Gardens” and “Gimme Shelter” to all the French New Wave you can (and cannot) handle.
2. On the lower-end scale of things: as of this weekend (more precisely Nov. 30th) Netflix will no longer be offering their previously viewed movies for sale. The reason includes something about “focusing on their primary purpose, which is delivering you movies you want promptly”, if I remember correctly.
This is both good because all that “just-click-and-you-are-all-set” system has resulted in me purchasing things like “The Wedding Date” (a not-so-seminal Debra Messing/Dermot Mulroney male version of “Pretty woman”) and bad because I also got my “Blueberry Nights” and “Volver” for 5.99 on it, but no matter what, IT IS ALL OVER. So-stock up.
On the lower end of things as well: VHS tapes are making a comeback. VCRs are $6 at the Unique thrift store and movies can be procured for as little as .50-.99. The analog quality brings back nostalgic memories. Also lab tests have proven NFL Films Blooper highlight tapes are more watchable on the VHS format.
November 24, 2008 at 11:57 amin these hard economic times, I managed to make 3 orders (all over 50 bucks in order to qualify for free shipping)within 5 days. sheesh.
November 24, 2008 at 12:01 pmAs much as enjoyed this collection’s selection, it didn’t include the timeless classic of all times and my personal favorite. What an omission!..
November 24, 2008 at 12:04 pmI have purposefully left my cards at home today so as not to be tempred during leisurely lunch hours.
November 24, 2008 at 12:05 pmSvet,
So you saw “The 120 Days of Sodom”? I’m too terrified to rent it. What did you think?
November 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm‘Jaws’, no doubt. Right, Ern?
November 24, 2008 at 12:30 pmGrey Gardens is so creepy and depressing.
November 24, 2008 at 1:30 pm“The Night Porter”
November 24, 2008 at 1:36 pmThe Night Porter is creepy, depressing and so amazing.
One of my favorite movies ever though I really don’t think I have it in me to see it again.
Charlotte Rampling in it though-AN ICON.
I have actually not seen the “120 days of Sodom” ever in full. Just tidbits in shows and stuff. Not feeling masochistic enough to put myself through it.
November 24, 2008 at 1:54 pmThat puts me in mind: Has anyone seen ‘Dupont Circle: 365 Days of Sodomy’? It’s a new documentary, extremely wicked and totally subversive.
November 24, 2008 at 5:17 pmAlso, pretty exciting new Criterion news as of today:
The Cinemateque just got launched allowing you to rent any movie for 5 bucks a week (unlimited viewings) which then goes towards your purchase should you choose to purchase it, kind of a test drive.
And a bunch of other stuff, that I am certain to become addicted to promptly.
I just went through and added to my queue all the Criterion noir I haven’t seen. Cool site!
One of these days I’ll be able to afford the Art House collection.
November 24, 2008 at 10:10 am