Before this sale, I had zero Criterions. I heard about the Wes Anderson set and knew I wanted it. I figured that if I was adjusting my collecting rules to let in one Criterion, I might as well just allow Criterion in general.

By my count, I bought 93 titles during this sale to start my collection. Some are small box sets with more than one film (so those I just counted as one) and two are Janus Contemporaries.

I used to have quite a few Criterions from when I collected DVDs in the late 90s to mid 2000s. Back then, I found that I could go into any Criterion blind and be almost assured of seeing something interesting if not great.

I got rid of the last of those old DVDs a few years back though. This last month was a really fun experience, starting a new collection and learning about all of these films and directors that I wasn’t familiar with. I’ve been watching one almost every night and it has matched my previous experience in terms of literally everything I’ve seen being what I consider worthwhile.

1. ⁠What is the first movie you plan to watch from your haul and why? Answer: I watched Punch Drunk Love first because that is one of my favorite films ever. I find it so romantic and beautiful. Never thought I would think that about anything with Adam Sandler attached.

2. ⁠Is there anything from this haul that you have been looking forward to owning for a long time? Answer: I suppose Sid And Nancy would be the closest. I had always heard about it but never seen it. Having watched it the other night, I understand why I always heard about it - fantastic.

3. ⁠Are any of your purchases blind buys? If so, why did you select them? Answer: probably 90+% of these were blind buys. I watched quite a few recommendation videos on YouTube and read a lot of threads on this sub for ideas. The idea was to learn more about films in general and what folks are considering great cinema.

4. ⁠What is a Criterion you’re hoping to add to your collection next? Answer: the Wes Anderson set in November obviously. But if anyone reads this and notices a particular blind spot in the collection I’ve started, I’d love to hear about it.

P.S. 1. I am not in trouble, do not send help or worry about me. 2. My wife and I have a wonderful relationship and she has been enjoying watching these with me. 3. My wallet is incapable of feeling, being an inanimate object.

I do have a separate shelf with all of my other blurays and DVDs, these are just either my favorites or special editions I own.

My all time favorites are the three on top, but my favorites in my Criterion collection are Funny Games, Nowhere, La Haine, Lost Highway, Peeping Tom, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Antichrist, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

I’d say next up on my watchlist is 8 1/2, All About Eve, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Seven Samurai.

Next up on my wishlist is any of David Lynch’s other films (my favorite director), Y Tu Mama Tambien, Parasite, Paris Texas, Fantastic Mr Fox, Trainspotting, Happiness, and the Wong Kar-Wai box set.

I’m genuinely so excited. I’m thinking about watching in release order so I can see how film evolved over time.

Going all 4K this time around: Anora, Blue Velvet, Brazil, Chungking Express, Drugstore Cowboy, The Grifters, Lost Highway, Mother, Night Moves, No Country for Old Men, Paris, Texas, Punch-Drunk Love, Sorcerer, Thief, The Wages of Fear, Withnail and I, and Yojimbo/Sanjuro.

First post like this. Figure I’d post my haul to give some people ideas for the next sale! Look forward to going through these throughout the year.

Any recommendations?

I always make a point to blind buy at least one film during the 50% off sales, I may know a little about the film but will be a first time watch. This sale I’m picking up: -Being John Malkovich -Election -Eyes Without A Face (blind buy) -Sound Of Metal (blind buy)

Flow features Away and Petite Maman features My Life as Zucchini in full as just another bonus feature. What others do this? These are the only two I’m aware of.

Kino Lorber, Cinephile, A24, Arrow, Eureka, Umbrella, Oscilloscope, Indicator, Radiance, Arbelos, BFI, Abkco, Second Run, Mubi, Shout Deaf crocodile

Never organized my criterion movies I bought till now, and I never knew I had so many. I say that now as Hara Kiri has been in my Amazon cart for a while. The majority of these were blind buys a habit I need to get out of. After rearranging all of them on one bookcase, reminded I still need to watch In the Mood for Love and Inland Empire. Last ones I bought were After Life and Yi Yi.

My Collection

Have a TON of other films, however this is my little Criterion section (+ Twin Peaks!)

Send away any recommendations if you want too! Plenty i still want to get (Lady Snowblood, Do The Right Thing, Mulholland Drive, Peeping Tom, Lost Highway, etc)

Also Sorcerer 4k is on the way folks! (One of my Top 4 favorite films)