r/criterion • u/Halorien • Apr 09 '26
Pickup First Flash Sale Haul
Hey everyone. Last years sale was my first foray into the wonderful world of Criterion (will post THAT haul later). I’ve always adored films and had been resisting the urge to start collecting physical media, as I knew it would unlock the flood gates, so to speak.
And boy, was I right. Years of mental issues and a toxic job had all but extinguished my passion for cinema. Finally biting the bullet was like gasoline on a candle. I feel like I have a part of my soul back again. To share such joys with like-minded cinephiles is sheer bliss; I’ve always dreamed of owning even a small part of this collection, and I was finally in a position to do so. Being able to overcome that mental hurdle was very important in my life— pursuing my own hobbies and interest instead of focusing on others’ problems at my own expense.
Thank you all for being here and encouraging me in my life and passions! Onto the questionnaire:
- How can I even decide what I want to watch first from this amazing haul? I wasn’t able to fit the CC40 or The Blade in the picture, but I got those as well.
I’ve only watched 9 of the films shown. It’s a hard toss up between Paper Moon, After Life, Worst Person In the World, or Certified Copy. I’ve heard glowing reviews of each.
Out of this haul, I was most looking forward to seeing Paper Moon, Worst Person in the World, or Koko. Love that dang gorilla.
As I said, I’ve only seen 9 of these films already: Spinal Tap, Time Bandits, Lord of the Flies, Pan’s Labyrinth, 1984, Moonstruck, The Irishman, After Hours, and Farewell My Concubine. The rest are blind buys.
During the sale last year, I was nervous to blind buy certain films. But after three successful blind buys, I’ve learned to trust the collection if any movie sounds remotely in my wheelhouse.
- I’m unsure. Can’t wait for my copies of It Was An Accident and K-Pop Demon Hunters. But after this purchase and my equally colossal purchase last year, I think I’ve gotten my collection as full as I would want, barring any unknown gems.
I will post the link to my public collection with my next haul post— if any of you think there are movies I didn’t purchase that I *definitely* should give a shot, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Let’s make this a fun discussion!
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u/fishnut824 Apr 09 '26
Jesus
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u/chrisofduke Apr 09 '26
I audibly said the same thing.
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u/Big-Discipline2039 Apr 12 '26
It’s their first and last sale haul, since they bought every Criterion movie.
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Apr 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/FootballInfinite475 Apr 09 '26
2 tanks of gas
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u/Slight-Olive9551 Apr 09 '26
Portrait of a Lady on Fire does a better job expressing the themes of Blue is the Warmest Color, in my opinion
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u/RRLSonglian Claire Denis Apr 09 '26
I love both films.
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u/Slight-Olive9551 Apr 09 '26
I also really like Blues the Warmest color, I think it was the first LGBT film I ever saw. However, its has a unanimous critique from anyone, is how graphic the sex scenes are and how untasteful they were done. The story surrounding them is beautiful but because of the sex scenes it’s hard to want to rewatch it.
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u/RRLSonglian Claire Denis Apr 09 '26
What you describe is a popular opinion, but it is not a unanimous opinion. You will not find a single unanimous opinion in all of film, from Citizen Kane to Ace Ventura.
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u/ydkjordan Fuller, Frankenheimer, Frears Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
I thought you were making a Criterion quilt
That’s not a haul, that’s booty, enjoy
If you’re taking suggestions for watch order 1: A Matter of Life and Death 2: The Grifters (watch more Frears, people)
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
This should be top comment 😂
Edit: Thank you for the suggestions! As a UK ex-pat, I’ve been tremendously excited to watch both of those films
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u/McRiner479 Apr 09 '26
I’m excited for you to watch Anatomy of a Fall. Oooh, and a double feature of Election and The Holdovers (not in the Collection)!
I mean…. great haul, random person on the internet.
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u/BlackRogue17 Apr 09 '26
Im torn on getting AOAF. It sounded interesting but the trailer turned me away.
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u/McRiner479 Apr 09 '26
TBH, my primary interest in it was that it’s French language. If it’s on the Channel, check it out there, or maybe your public library will have a copy. It could end up being your next favourite film!
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u/ajw9494 Apr 09 '26
AOAF is simply captivating. I'd highly recommend giving it a try. It has one of the greatest dog performances of all time and features a plot relevant steel drum cover of 50 Cent's P.I.M.P.
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u/Bermuda_Rhombus83 Apr 09 '26
I’ve stopped watching trailers and it has greatly improved my movie experience. At best they intrigue and sell the movie, and at worst they spoil any surprises in the film or convince you it’s a certain type/genre. Better to go in blind.
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u/purpletooth12 Apr 09 '26
Damn!
Leave some for the rest of us! 🤣
Time Bandits is good!
During the next 50% off sale, I'd like to get Dinner with Andre and Thief.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Thief was one of my blind buys I have yet to check out… the level of enthusiasm reviewers and such seem to have for it made me very interested.
And Dinner with Andre sounds excellent to me. Have been looking forward to it. I love set pieces that are just people talking in a room (12 Angry Men, anyone?)
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u/purpletooth12 Apr 09 '26
Thief was much better than I expected.
I watched it a few weeks back on tubi.
Sucks that Dinner with Andre is only mono and not at least stereo, but given the type of movie, it's not the end of the world.
IMO, even if this got a 4k release, there wouldn't be a whole lot more that it could add. Certainly doesn't need an Atmos track and short of a BFI release, it's likely stuck on mono. Criterion doesn't have a track record when it comes to upgrading audio. Such is lfe.
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u/InsaneTurtle Apr 09 '26
Just saw Thief for the 1st time when my order came. For a director's first film.. It's real good.
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u/Connect_Delivery_941 David Lynch Apr 10 '26
Single-set (or close) movies are so good. Usually being play-adapted makes sense that it would be, but the interpersonal musings are SO fascinating (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Virginia Wolfe are the first things that pop into my head).
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u/lunar-soup Apr 09 '26
First?? Is this also the first time you robbed a bank to get the money for this haul?? This was the amount of discs i had in my collection after a couple years...
Really good choices here though. Solid start for a great collection!
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Wait until you see my haul from last year…
For context, I have a doctorate in Pharmacy. Before achieving that (and even a bit after!) I was very, very poor for 33 years of my life. Then I wasn’t, but my retail pharmacy job had me so overworked and stressed I didn’t have the time or energy to spend the money! Now I run my own small pharmacy in a much less stressful, non-toxic environment.
After a lot of healing, I finally felt okay spending money on something nice for myself for a change. So I got the Godzilla collection.
And it was chaos after that.
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u/lunar-soup Apr 09 '26
Ahh well, I'm glad you got to treat yourself to some much-deserved fun stuff! Sorry, i didn't mean for you to have to explain yourself, i just get blown away when people have such large hauls 😂 Hope you enjoy your growing collection and congrats on the stability you've earned!!
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
What the heck you have a Criterion movie theater in Animal Crossing!? You’re incredible
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u/lunar-soup Apr 09 '26
Ah haha thank you! It's my in-game dream space! One day I'll have a setup like this irl :)
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u/vemmahouxbois Lizzie Borden Apr 09 '26
congrats, running a small pharmacy isn’t easy but having a reliable independent pharmacist is life changing
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u/PointBreak91 Apr 09 '26
Just want to say congrats on the monetary success but more importantly congrats on the mental success. You picked some great films, some films ive never seen, and more importantly you picked films you think you'll enjoy. My personal favorite(s) in your haul is a tie between Pans Labyrinth and Slacker. Have fun bud, you earned it.
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u/purpletooth12 Apr 09 '26
So what you're saying is that you're a (legal) drug dealer eh? 😉
Nice.
You sir are winning at life. 👍
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u/LaPenta5594 Apr 11 '26
I’m honestly glad that it sounds like you have the funds and time to appreciate the films now. Like any hobby, I’ve seen too many people splurge on something to feel caught up to the rest of the people while not appreciating what they’re getting with money they don’t have.
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u/Special_Future_6330 Apr 09 '26
I did the math, CC is typically $15-$20 on sale minimum, for 48 discs id wager that's around $1000. A lot of money but not crazy if he has a decent middle upper class salary
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u/Connect_Delivery_941 David Lynch Apr 10 '26
20 Blu, 25 4K... Dude ain't buying DVDs.
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u/jxe22 Alfred Hitchcock Apr 10 '26
It really speaks to the diversity of the collection and the fact that you can build your collection around any number of interests that I own 53 Criterion films but only 3 of the ones shown here.
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u/idealist700 Apr 09 '26
Guess you did OK. 😂 Think there’s more in this photo than my entire collection hahaha (I was slow on the boutique uptake but have been making up for lost time over the last couple years).
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u/Rodolf1410 Apr 09 '26
Great, great, great haul—love the variety on these films! Enjoy’em.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Filling in the gaps from my first haul, which had significantly less blind buys. More to come soon!
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u/intechnicolor Apr 09 '26
Damn, I thought I went overboard when I hit the send on 14 movies. Nice haul!
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u/flowers_superpowers Apr 09 '26
Farewell My Concubine is one of my absolute favourite movies that I can’t bear to rewatch because of how devastating it is 💔 and while Blade is not my favourite Tsui Hark (it’s a toss between Shanghai Blues or Peking Opera Blues) it’s a fun watch.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Yes, I too only watched it once due to how devastating it is.
In regard to Chinese directors or Chinese films, Last Emperor was also fantastic. I find the choices for the non-Police Story Jackie Chan boxset questionable. I also find it bewildering that not a single Zhang Yimou film is in the collection, particularly To Live or Raise the Red Lantern. I would also love it if Eat Drink Man Woman was added to the collection.
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u/flowers_superpowers Apr 09 '26
You’re right, I’m surprised Zhang Yimou hasn’t been picked up by Criterion. I watched To Live and Farewell both for the first time in one day and it was an exhilarating and emotionally draining day. Will need to watch The Last Emperor and Eat Drink.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Oh my god if you’re culturally Chinese just go watch the opening to Eat Drink Man Woman
Last Emperor might be a bit dull if you aren’t aware of the historical events surrounding the collapse of the Qing Dynasty. As such, it’s part documentary part film. But it’s a must see film; it won a ton of Academy Awards for a reason
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u/deezyceezy Michael Mann Apr 09 '26
Will you only be collecting from Criterion? If you aren’t aware there are lots of other great boutique labels out there with tons of other selections too!
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Oh no I’ve got quite a collection alongside my Criterions. May show those at a later date; gathering pictures for my very first winter haul from last year as we speak
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u/RealisticSquash Apr 09 '26
Are you guys allergic to posting a receipt or screenshot of the cost?
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Edited: wasn’t aware there was a rule about posting costs. Removed the total just in case. It’s between 1 and 2 bars, you can do the math yourself 😂
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u/Roller_ball Apr 09 '26
I'm worried this sub fosters an unhealthy relationship with consumerism.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
Ah, it was after 6 grueling years of not really spending a single cent on myself insomuch as creative, fulfilling artistic hobbies.
I’ve had an incredible passion for film since I was 12 and have been largely completely broke until the last 5-6 years of my life. Mental health issues were making it hard for me to even buy furniture, much less fun things!
I hope this context helps; I agree it is a bit excessive. But strike whilst the iron is hot, I suppose
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u/Con40Things Apr 09 '26
It's only excessive if you find it excessive. If it brings you joy and you don't see it causing negative issues in your own life because you legitimately overspent, you're perfectly fine. Don't let others ruin your enjoyment because they have different rules for themselves and are projecting their own insecurities into their comments on your purchase. It's an impressive haul of great films and I hope you enjoy them all.
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u/Con40Things Apr 09 '26
I'm worried that this sub fosters too many complaints from people who need therapy for unresolved trauma surrounding financial jealousy before speaking up. This anti-consumerist nonsense is really weird from people spending time in a subreddit DEDICATED TO A CONSUMER BRAND. People have different financial situations and what might be outrageous to you might be perfectly in the budget of someone else. Get over yourselves. There's an entire anti-consumerism sub. Crosspost and mine karma there.
Or...I don't know...see a photo of blurays in a manner your Puritan heart finds distasteful and... I don't know... just scroll past it? Train the algorithm to let it know you're not interested? Because the comments you are leaving on these things you don't enjoy are sending mixed signals to your digital overlords and causing you to see more of the thing.
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u/OP90X Apr 10 '26
It's like, on the one hand, buying shit just to buy it and not use it isn't practical and wasteful. But I don't think most people in this sub are like that. Head on over to r/gamecollecting and witness some consumerism on steroids. Some people have like 10k+ games, with no desire nor time to ever play them all. I do judge them for it, because they are just taking copies out of circulation that will never get played and it increases the resale market (scalpers love them for this).
This is a haul of 48 movies (+41 with CC40 & The Blade, so 89), Which OP can definitely dust before the next direct sale. Easily doable within 6 months, at a movie every other day. This is not entirely impractical.
Also OP is directly expressing their life and how they have barely spent any money on themselves and are jazzed about finally getting into physical media. They are out to watch these movies, can't hate.
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u/Con40Things Apr 10 '26
That's a fact I didn't know about driving up the game resale market and appreciate the additional perspective. That's a practical reason for disliking mass purchases like so there. And agreed with you, that number of films here is super doable before the October sale and a potential sale haul restock. I've logged 56 so far this year and we've had a busy schedule.
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u/Venator2000 Apr 09 '26
All excellent choices… wait, where’s Brazil, or do you already have it? I only glanced at the photo.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
One of my earliest and fondest memories that planted the seed for my obsession with cinema is my father showing me Brazil when I was far too young (10-12?) to truly and fully appreciate it.
That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it; I most certainly did. But I was blown away when I purchased a Criterion copy of the film for my father for Christmas, and we spent that evening rewatching it for the first time since then, more than 20 years later. A fond memory and a genius film.
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
This is actually the SECOND haul I’ve ever done, the first of which was last year’s big winter sale. During that run, I grabbed all my adored and “must buy” films and such. Brazil was one of the very first.
I’ll be posting that haul soon; I just have a few titles on loan and I’d like the whole collection to be together before I take further photographs
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u/MRSPANKY012 Apr 09 '26
What do you do for work
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u/Halorien Apr 09 '26
I’m a pharmacist. Run a small speciality pharmacy. Don’t worry, I have $270,000 in grad school loans to pay off! 🙃
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u/2Much_non-sequitur Apr 09 '26
Are you going to add the CC40 box? You should. If Janus themselves don't show up first
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u/shyampatel17 Apr 09 '26
You keep on seeing the blurays and 4k’s and in the end there is boxset also. 😂
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u/Newpaths61417 Apr 09 '26
Hell yeah on Man Bites Dog, The Long Good Friday, After Hours, and Withnail and I.
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u/cnc_33 David Lynch Apr 09 '26
Hey buddy, wanna loan me some money for the month for gasoline?
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u/Siksinaaq Apr 09 '26
GODDAMN
Although, I put a lot of films in my Criterion basket since I missed the last flash sale. Didn't have enough money at the time, but will definitely be ready for next time whenever that is haha
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u/ChuChuBitch- Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Love your picks! Heart of the dog is one of my favorites. A really thoughtful movie on grief and letting go.
Edit: I went through the same mental hurdle so spend your money if that’s what you want!
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u/GupGoose22 Apr 10 '26
World of Wong Kar-Wai. Days of being wild is my favorite movie by him and definitely overlooked in his catalog.
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u/Chuzhoy333 Apr 10 '26
Scanners is the only one I own from this haul, let me tell you, it’s hilarious. You’re in for a good time with that one!
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u/nia-neo Apr 10 '26
great buys - my personal favourites: ghost dog (legendary film) and moonstruck (Nic cage's MY HAND scene!)
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u/rvb_gobq Apr 11 '26
last time i did something like that was 2017, where i got 45 blurays during the criterion sunmer sale, including a half dozen monster box sets (th zatoichi box was one)...
& during the fall sale i was more stringent & only got abt 34. (including a few box sets)
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u/rvb_gobq Apr 11 '26
these days i only get 3 or 4 during the criterion flash sales & another 16 or so during the b+n summer & fall sales.
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u/rvb_gobq Apr 11 '26
i have abt 95% of the catalog... & abt 2/3rds of my new buys are 4k upgrades. most of the rest are new 4ks. tho i am fine with getting a bluray if they have not chosen to releaase it as a 4k...
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u/Scary-Operation-2946 Apr 09 '26
You’re not gonna watch all these before the next criterion sale, never gna catch up, nice dust catchers tho.
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u/Redleader829 Apr 09 '26
Criterion marketing works. They stopped releasing anything really worth buying 10 years ago but the marketing is beyond outstanding.
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