Originally posted by: Mielr

Regarding Criterion and the types of movies they typically release, it's true that they're associated with smaller, "artsy" films nowadays, but I think Criterion did a lot more mainstream-type movies back in their laserdisc days. I still have my criterion LD of Blade Runner (though not a blockbuster like SW was, it wasn't a "little" film either).

Back in the laserdisc days they were the only game in town doing special editions. They hit mainstream a bit more often back then (and even then tended to present versions of films not typically available or in ways not available otherwise-like letterboxing and directors cuts or original versions) but they were still primarily involved with classics and foreign films. Now, with DVD special editions being quite ubiquitous, Criterion has focused almost exclusively on more obscure classics and foreign films and eschewed blockbusters (with the maddening exception of the two Michael Bay films and perhaps a couple early releases before DVD special editions became the norm such as Silence of the Lambs and Spinal Tap). Considering all the good work that Criterion does in preserving and presenting obscure and overlooked masterpieces, it almost cheapens Criterion to be associated with one of the highest grossing mainstream blockbusters in history. As much as I love Star Wars, it doesn't belong with Bergman, Cocteau and Truffaut.

Don't get me wrong. I adore ArnieD's and Strangelove's covers. They are about as classy as I've ever seen and would be honored to have them as covers on my own personal copies, but the Criterion Collection appellation strikes me as twee fanboyishness (not that I don't delve into fanboyism, myself of course). I'd love to see the same covers without the affectation of putting Criterion on them.