Criterion Question (Alky? Fortunato? _V_?)

[The_Return]

So, I've been looking to get more into the Criterion Collection of films for quite some time now, but now that I'm actually in the position where I'd actually be able to make some online purchases, my disposable income has dropped well below the point of picking up even half the films I'm interested in (That said, I was just browsing their site and a bunch of them are way less expensive then I'd thought...)

Anyway, while I was browsing the site I noticed that they host a fair amount of films online, available to watch for $5. I was just wondering if anyone here has used this service before, and if it's worthwhile?

I've got a great setup for watching movies on my computer - comfy, decent sized screen, really good speakers, ect. - so that part doesn't bother me. I'm more concerned about the quality and such. Are the streamed, or would I be downloading the file? Picture and sound up to snuff? How about the foreign films: they offer subtitles, right?

Couldn't find much info at all on their site, so figured I'd post here and see if anyone has feedback. I'd rather not shell out $5 on Solyaris or something, only to have to learn Russian before I can watch it :p

Here's the link for anyone else that might be interested:

http://www.criterion.com/library/online

[alkytrio666]

I have not used that service before, but Criterion is English-oriented and dedicated to only the best quality- hence their high, sometimes unfathomable prices. It's a "try-before-you-buy" thing so I would imagine that the streams are DVD-quality, and if you like one of them enough you get that much off your purchase.

Of the featured films available to watch online, I highly recommend Antonioni's L'avventura, Ramsay's Ratcatcher, Bergman's The Virgin Spring.

But I especially recommend Sluizer's The Vanishing (Spoorloos). The damn thing is creepy as hell, and very underrated.

[fortunato]

Yeah, they pretty much uphold their standards on their online viewing site, too. I've watched a few and haven't had any problems.

I say go for it.

[The_Return]

Very cool guys, thanks.

L'avventura and The Virgin Spring were two of the main ones I was looking at anyway, and I've been itching to see Spoorloos ever since the Unsung Top 100. Thanks for the suggestion on Ratcatcher though, never really heard of it but I'll be sure to give it a look!

[alkytrio666]

Originally Posted by The_Return

Very cool guys, thanks.

L'avventura and The Virgin Spring were two of the main ones I was looking at anyway, and I've been itching to see Spoorloos ever since the Unsung Top 100. Thanks for the suggestion on Ratcatcher though, never really heard of it but I'll be sure to give it a look!

I would have never seen Ratcatcher had a teacher not recommended it last year. It's very touching, very poetic.

[_____V_____]

Havent used the service either. But going by Criterion's track record (which is the best in the business in terms of sheer quality), I d say $5 is a damn good offer.

Streaming movies are stored on your computer for a brief period, once the streaming length is over when you are done watching, it deletes itself automatically. And you can always choose which ones to buy after checking out the film itself.

Indulge yourself, Return. This is a pretty solid service, and very good value for money.

I d recommend - Harakiri, Spirit of the Beehive, Vengeance Is Mine, Thirst and Wooden Crosses, alongwith seconding the recs for Virgin Spring and Spoorloos.

[The_Return]

Thanks again for the feedback guys.

Just watched Clean, Shaven through this and was really impressed. Not only with the movie itself - which was fantastic, by the way - but also with the service itself. DVD quality image and audio, quick download, no hassles in the payment system, no bugs or glitches...I can see myself using this quite a bit.

[neverending]

Not to mention you can watch that movie for 7 days.

[novakru]

Just watched Hara kiri
Mesmerizing