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So, anyone else having problems with recent Criterion batches? Four of the titles I've bought recently have issues, as follows:
1. BREATHLESS - DVD disc 1 has several very deep scratches on it. This is because it is impossible for the "bunkbed" spindle case to hold the top disc without the bottom disc damaging it. The top disc hovers only millimetres above the spindle that holds the disc below it in place. As soon as you try in any way to remove the top disc, it's going to touch the spindle below it. (This is unfortunate because there are DVD cases out there that double-decker like this but have a half-moon spindle for the disc below, which allows the DVD above it to clear this hard, damaging plastic.)
2. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT - same as above.
3. IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD - the paper slipcase this comes in has damaged not only all the DVDs (which are very easily scratched) but also one of the Blu-rays (which because of their extra coating are usually not that easy to scratch, but these horrid cases managed to do it anyway).
4. CITY LIGHTS - seems to have a slightly altered version of the "bunkbed" design but with a softer plastic and with a slight incline to the top disc holder. This has (for now) prevented the Blu-ray from being damaged by coming into contact with the DVD spindle below it, but unfortunately there's not enough room for the booklet, which was horribly mangled when I opened the case for the first time. (I requested a replacement copy from Amazon, which arrived with a similarly mangled booklet. Such a bummer, man. This aspect has always been a problem with Criterion titles, though.)
Criterion are the absolute tops when it comes to DVD and Blu-ray content, as well as in championing film restoration, but the choices they've made for the dual-format cases are an extreme disappointment, to say the least. I've sent correspondence to Criterion but so far no response.
Film preservation and restoration are definitely more important than cosmetics, no question, but if one's discs are badly scratched (either now out of the gate, or down the road when they've sat on a shelf or been put in and out of the case), the people who love them so much won't be able to actually play them any more. And by that time they'll either not be eligible for replacement or they'll no longer be in print.
As I mentioned, one of these discs was purchased on Amazon, but the rest were purchased at retail where they only get in a few copies. Waiting for my local store to get more copies in, hoping they're not scratched (unlikely to get one's hope up given this horrid packaging) is such a shame.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this, wondering if any of you have experienced the same issues.
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My only problem with Criterion is how overpriced they are.
True. And now they're about to become overpriced table coasters - at least for me; I've so far had no response from Criterion customer service.
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Hmmm. Never had a problem with a Criterion DVD or Blu-Ray.
Laserdisc, on the other hand....
As mentioned, it's the most recent batch and, I suspect, anything coming out in the dual-format.
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I also don't have a specifically fundamental problem with the dual format; my issue is the cases they've decided to use for them. Horrid and surprisingly lunkheaded choices for an awesome label like Criterion.
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Finally managed to get all my scratched discs and mangled booklets exchanged. Luckily one retail store I bought titles from didn't mind exchanging one of the discs I bought at another retail store, since the latter wasn't getting more in for a long time.
In any case, for now I'm not buying any Criterion titles unless it's one I can't live without. Just too much hassle getting 4 of the 6 titles exchanged that I recently purchased.
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