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Criterion Gold, Blind Buys & Shelf-Worthy Directors

Summer Thrift Picks #1

Hey cinephiles,

This week’s Thrift Picks runs a little longer than expected—but trust me, it’s worth it. From dusty dollar finds to rare Criterion upgrades, I had a pretty unforgettable haul, thanks to a day out thrifting with friends in NYC. Let’s take a look at what came home with me.


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🎥 Here’s what’s in the stack:

From Academy Records

  1. 🎞️ Young and Innocent / The Chaney Vase – A special-edition Hitchcock two-pack with a Tony Curtis intro.

  2. 🎞️ Murder Was the Case – Snoop Dogg’s acting debut, Dr. Dre’s directorial debut, and a total blind buy.

  3. 🎞️ Revolver – Factory-sealed Guy Ritchie pickup starring Statham, Andre Benjamin & Ray Liotta.

  4. 🎞️ The Dark Knight Trilogy – Finally found a Blu-ray set for just $18—been waiting on this one for years.

  5. 🎞️ Amarcord – A gorgeous Fellini release (Spine #4) with essays, booklets, and new eyes ahead.

  6. 🎞️ Twenty-Four Eyes – Beautiful Criterion edition (Spine #442) sadly scratched in transit—still a keeper for the booklet.

  7. 🎞️ Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project Vol. 2 – A dream find for $46. Six rare global films preserved and restored.

  8. 🎞️ Annie Get Your Gun – A serendipitous freebie after a Newsroom rewatch.


From Barnes & Nobles

  1. 🎞️ Breathless – Godard’s essential French New Wave entry (Spine #408), finally on my shelf.

  2. 🎞️ My Own Private Idaho – Keanu, River, and a long-time bucket list film.

  3. 🎞️ Thief – James Caan, Michael Mann, and a gateway into a Mann summer rewatch.

  4. 🎞️ Police Story / Police Story 2 – Jackie Chan action classics, restored and looking sharp.

  5. 🎞️ No Country for Old Men – Coen Brothers’ masterpiece, now part of the Criterion Collection.


Which one caught your eye? Got a favorite Criterion from your own collection? Hit reply and let me know.


💬 THRIFT THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

When Criterion has a sale, the real treasures show up in the secondhand bins. Keep your eyes open—especially when everyone else is trading up.

🛎️ COMING UP

I’ll be back Thursday with another Thrift Picks drop—this time, we’ll dig into a few titles from the ever-growing director shelf. And don’t forget, Sunday brings another round of Two for the Shelves.

Until then,

Stay curious and keep digging,

—E. A. Bland


Seen any of these? Got a favorite forgotten title hiding on your own shelf? Drop it in a reply—I’m always hunting.

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Here’s the video essay I was referencing.

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