• Flash Sale!

    For twenty-four hours starting today at noon EST, all in-stock Blu-rays and DVDs will be 50% off the suggested retail price (SRP). Just enter the promotional code FLASH on your shopping cart page and click on UPDATE CART to apply the discount. The code expires at noon tomorrow, September 25, so don’t delay!

    If you need some help deciding what to buy (and have two and a half minutes), check out this video by Jonathan Keogh, which features 637 films from the collection, each in the blink of an eye.

    Video, Announcements

37 comments

  • By Arlene Herring
    September 24, 2012
    01:03 PM

    http://www.criterion.com/library/expanded_view?b=Criterion&p=1&pp=25&s=spine
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  • By christopher
    September 24, 2012
    01:27 PM

    this fills me with an almost overwhelming delight.
    Reply

  • By Brian
    September 24, 2012
    01:48 PM

    I'm trying to stray away from buying more movies, and this sale is just bringing me back to the habit.
    Reply

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    • By ballewes
      September 24, 2012
      03:52 PM

      Same boat, man... I would say resist, but go for it!

  • By IG
    September 24, 2012
    02:07 PM

    there's a criterion for robocop? cool.
    Reply

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    • By FiveInches
      September 24, 2012
      04:38 PM

      An out of print DVD: http://www.criterion.com/films/542-robocop

  • By Joel Bocko
    September 24, 2012
    02:10 PM

    I ran with a similar concept last fall: http://youtube.com/watch?v=N-hxH8DOoB0 Although in this case it was a coda to a one part of a long video series and hence assembled rather speedily (excuses, excuses). I also followed it up with a 'decoding' video featuring screen-caps and titles for those who wanted to identify the films. I'd encourage Jonathan Keough to do the same: I'd love to know where some of these great images come from!
    Reply

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    • By FiveInches
      September 24, 2012
      04:37 PM

      The clip description clearly indicates the clips to be in spine order, with some minor placement issues.

    • By FiveInches
      September 24, 2012
      04:39 PM

      PS. I enjoyed your clip too!

    • By Joel Bocko
      September 24, 2012
      05:09 PM

      Thanks, 5. Yeah, I saw that after I wrote this - helpful though it'll still take several pauses and consultations to determine mystery clips. I'm particularly curious about the animated skeleton... But Criterion's smart to jump on this. I was already tempted to spend money I don't have on this flash sal but a few more glimpses of treasures I didn't even know existed, and temptation may well become reality. I always felt there was kind of a foreplay element to 'discussing' movies - if seeing a film is 'going all the way' than reading about it is first base, seeing a picture is second, and actually watching a clip is third. In this case we're in the shortstop position it seems. ;)

    • By John G.
      September 25, 2012
      01:09 AM

      The animated skeleton is from the Japanese horror film "House" from 1977.

  • By arvesda
    September 24, 2012
    03:52 PM

    I can buy out of print titles?!
    Reply

  • By FiveInches
    September 24, 2012
    04:36 PM

    The clip description, for those not computer savvy enough to find it: This video is a series of over 600 clips from over 600 different films from The Criterion Collection library as of September 1st, 2012. There are no repeats, each film is represented by one clip each, in numerical order by Spine number. It begins with Jean Renoir's "Grand Illusion" (spine #1) and ends (technically), with the currently announced release of Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate" (spine #636). I have not included any of the Janus Art House or Eclipse series, just the straight up Criterions. The last shot is from one of the most famous films ever made, and is an Essential Art House release, but needed to be in the montage...so this is 637 different films in under 2 1/2 minutes. One minor issue is the placements of the films "Downhill Racer" (spine #494), "Secret of the Grain" (spine #527) and "Underworld" of the Josef Von Sternberg trilogy (spine #529). The clips were lost and I was too pleased with the layout of the clips to return them to there chronological order, so they appear after "A Hollis Frampton Odyssey" (spine #607). I did not want to change any of the aspect ratios, so the video should be presented in a 4:3 ratio. This is to honor the diligent efforts of the Criterion Collection, who have devoted decades to restoring, preserving and exposing some of the greatest cinema the world has to offer. If you're not familiar with them, I urge you to check them out and take a look at 637 of the most incredible images cinema has ever displayed, courtesy of The Collection. To follow the ordinance of the films, you can see the complete list of films at www.criterion.com. "Music For A Found Harmonium" performed by Patrick Street. Enjoy....
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    • By Craig J. Clark
      September 25, 2012
      12:01 PM

      I'd like to compliment you on the choice of music. I'm a big Penguin Cafe Orchestra fan and this was a fine cover version.

  • By Cody A.
    September 24, 2012
    04:50 PM

    I'm guessing preorders count as "out of stock". Theres a couple I've been waiting to buy.
    Reply

  • By Alan O.
    September 24, 2012
    04:57 PM

    HATE NANO-SECOND EDITING
    Reply

  • By Joel Bocko
    September 24, 2012
    05:03 PM

    Hate all-caps more.
    Reply

  • By Ingred C.
    September 24, 2012
    06:21 PM

    Joel, the animated skeleton scene is from House (Hausu). You can find it here: http://www.criterion.com/films/27523-house
    Reply

  • By Garry W.
    September 24, 2012
    06:36 PM

    I can't post to the UK.?! It's because of Danny Boyle 'directing' the opening Olympics ceremony isn't it? I'm going to protest by throwing cases of Criterion DVDs in to Plymouth harbour!!!!
    Reply

  • By Scottie
    September 24, 2012
    07:29 PM

    Why can't I purchase the Criterion of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on the Criterion website? Amazon doesn't allow the FLASH promo....
    Reply

  • By Joel Bocko
    September 24, 2012
    08:05 PM

    @ Ingrid, thanks; I've actually see. That one but didn't remember that scene.
    Reply

  • By FRANS VANDENBURG
    September 24, 2012
    08:45 PM

    Great Clip! Editing and Content! BUT!... Like someone else commented from England, I still can't believe I can't buy direct from Criterion or take part in a sale because I don't live in the US. Incredible! Best, Frans V. Sydney Australia.
    Reply

  • By Niels V.
    September 24, 2012
    10:24 PM

    Am I the only one to notice that the sale is actually not 50% off? I wanted to purchase Paul Fejos' Lonesome, which is $23.96 at full price. After the Flash "50%" discount, the DVD comes at $14.97. Perhaps Criterion needs to take some math classes?
    Reply

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    • By Gord
      September 25, 2012
      05:03 AM

      I paid $40 for that in town so stop complaining and take that very good deal dude! : )

    • By Charlie C.
      September 25, 2012
      11:16 AM

      It's 50% SRP, which is Suggested Retail, which is $29.95. So it *IS* 50%. But warning - you can apparently only use the FLASH coupon once - I forgot 3, tried to buy, and it didn't work. Still waiting to hear why.

  • By Jeff Stills
    September 24, 2012
    10:27 PM

    Maybe you need to take some reading classes, Niels. It's fifty percent off of the SRP, as it says above, on the banner, and in the emails they sent around. The SRP is 29.95.
    Reply

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    • By Cold_Cuts
      September 24, 2012
      11:26 PM

      Sounds nice but you can find just about all these titles cheaper on Amazon.

  • By Alphonse
    September 25, 2012
    01:01 AM

    I like how it is only with the 50% discount that these titles actually become affordable. Slash those prices permanently, papa bears at Criterion!
    Reply

  • By Zappafan
    September 25, 2012
    02:03 AM

    If it says back order is it still 50 percent off? Criterion, will you consider still offering 50 percent off Even if it says backorder. Pleeeease....
    Reply

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    • By Gord
      September 25, 2012
      05:01 AM

      It's those extra 3 Es that'll do it.

  • By Dia
    September 25, 2012
    02:35 PM

    Ending the sale on eastern time is really lame, guys. Oh well, no money from me.
    Reply

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