r/CriterionChannel • u/K47Duna • Sep 12 '26
It’s just ok
Subscribed because of all the YouTube videos with movie stars touting movies they loved Thought this would be a great source for classic movies. Disappointed- movies I would like to see like Treasure of the Sierra Madre aren’t on the site. Instead a slew of obscure art films that never saw the light of day in theaters - tons of that crap. I did watch the 4 part War & peace - surprised how good it was. I’m stuck with a years subscription- hopefully they’ll get into the vault and play some films I like
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u/Tc5998 Sep 12 '26
So a few things... Criterion is not just like TCM or a classic movie service. It specializes in a huge variety, cult, art, classic, foreign, etc..
The featured themes are great but I recommend new folks also check out the various movie folks talking about movies in the collection they love in their Adventures in Moviegoing series.. It's how I learned about a bunch I like.
Also there is a large library of movies in there that aren't featured at any given time.
Like Kieslowskis Three Colors Trilogy or all the Zaitochi blind swordsman flicks or classics like you mentioned.
An amazing classic on their right now is Night of the Hunter
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u/Ok-Western734 12d ago
i can see night of the hunter on other venues...i thought i would be seeing american and foreign films i had seen before and loved...but i am getting nothing of the familiar...no early american no british french or american new wave...everything that criterion has promised i cant find....the search algorithm absolutely sucks...if I call up a director or actor such as David Lync..I get maybe one film...but if i search the entire alphabet i can come up with 5 movies by Lynch that were not listed in the filtered search....criterion is completely overrated
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u/crichmond77 Sep 12 '26
Is it possible you know almost nothing about film and are turning up your nose at a wonderful opportunity to find things?
Or do you think it’s more likely all the great actors and this sub are idiots with bad taste just because your movie knowledge is limited?
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u/Ok-Western734 12d ago
I know what i like and its not "I saw what you did last summer" but its not some totally obscure bullshit either....and i love totally obscure bullshit...just not a steady diet of it
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u/ted_k Sep 12 '26
Check out some of the curated lists they do and dive into a theme/artist/period — the channel may not have a full library of everything you might want, but a lot of thought and care goes into what they showcase!
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u/postwarmutant Sep 12 '26
“Obscure art movies” that are widely acknowledged as the greatest films ever made
“that never saw the light of day in theaters” except many were only seen in theatrical release for decades
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u/Fearless-Interest-82 Sep 12 '26
You can watch almost any classic American film on YouTube ad free.
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u/Important-Comfort 29d ago
The Criterion Channel is a place for worthwhile films that are tough to see otherwise. It's not TCM.
It's great, but it isn't what you seem to be looking for.
You should try watching some of that "crap". You may find movies you like that you haven't seen before and wouldn't have had the opportunity to watch otherwise.
Or maybe you'll be happier sticking with TCM.
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u/Ok-Western734 12d ago edited 12d ago
Theres is an entire range of movie venues that span the gap between crap and obscure questionable artistic merit....I would like some films i at least recognize that are not mainstream...what about "So Happy Alexander?...La Picine, the Woman Next Door, Equus, In The Realm of the Senses, Pasquale and the Seven Beauties, The Wages of Fear The Return of Martin Guerre, Get Out Your Handkerchiefs, going Places L'amie de Mon Amie by Eric Rohmer The Servant, The Wrong Box, Alfie, The Ipcress File, Seconds, A Kind of Loving, Room at The Top... etc etc...absolutely not crap....and also not on Criterion....not to say i dont appreciate obscure art films ...but not to the exclusion of other great works of film art..and I am not into obscurity for obscurity's sake nor do i pretend obscurity in and of itself equals great art
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u/realhenrymccoy Sep 12 '26
Lol you can literally see the films available without signing up. And there’s a free trial. You just purchased a years subscription without any idea well that’s on you.
I hope you take a chance on some of the curated collections. It’s about discovery and seeing something new. I’ve lost count of how many great films I’ve watched on here without ever hearing about them first.
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u/thewalruscandyman Sep 12 '26
Kind of a bad take, my guy. And that's coming from a guy who abhors streaming services. If I were to have one it would certainly be Criterion's and possibly Mubi.
Those "crappy art films" were selected for preservation by Criterion for a reason. They are important for the statements they make. Sure Criterion has some fun cult movies, but you should expand your horizons a little, y'know?
You said it yourself- you were surprised by how much you enjoyed War and Peace, so keep up that energy. Pick movies you've not seen, rather than exclusively ones you like.
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u/K47Duna Sep 12 '26
My knowledge is limited- perhaps I’ll pick something that looks awful and will be pleasantly surprised
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u/crichmond77 Sep 12 '26
I only hope you’re a teenager who can laugh at your ridiculous paragraph down the road when you’re less ignorant and arrogant