1080p isn't always just 1080p. Different prints, different tweaks, and Criterion pretty much always bests any other transfer. That's why.

If you are happy with just "more than competent" instead of top of the line, then that's your thing, man.

And in regards to Brazil, which Uni has also put out but is rumored by Criterion, it's a different cut of the film.

To be honest, I don't see anything bad with the rumored releases (I mean, if they are actually real). Gojira is an important film that fit perfectly in the mission of Criterion. This is Spinal Tap is a film I would gladly take and that would be welcome. I know there is another release but a it is one of those Criterion titles that I think should be in the Collection but are sadly OOP. I can't find something wrong with Belle de Jour. It is new, it is the first Bunuel in BD from Criterion and it is a great film :rock:.

I sure as shit hope so.

RE: Le Samouraï - coming at the end of the year.
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7444
You need a region-free player ;)

Thanks for the heads up! There is hope at last. Come on, Criterion!

Criterion gives us Army of Shadows, The Red Circle and Leon Morin, Priest and people are still thirsty for Melville....

I own all three but how about some love for Rivette or another release for Resnais? Speaking of French directors only.

On a side note; The Night Porter is coming out Oct. 25 with a region 2 blu release in France. I have this on Criterion DVD and it's one of my favorites. Any chance Criterion releases this soon? Anybody heard much about this new French release?

Review for The Phantom Carriage is up! :rock:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Ph.../25341/#Review

I have viewed this BD four time since I received it in the mail last week. One of Criterion's best Blu-ray release yet. (IMO)

I just ordered this yesterday with some B&N coupon for 20% off. I'm excited to see it as I have heard great things about it.

Also excited about the prospect of some really cool titles being announced on whatever day CC chooses this month since the 15th is on a Saturday.

If Sid & Nancy is released on Blu, that gives us hope that they may renegotiate other MGM titles that they have since lost, like RoboCop (or is that Fox???) and Silence of the Lambs. I held off on the RoboCop BD b/c of the quality, and I know CC would give it the love and attention it requires :)

No transfer is ever going to be perfect, as people are too fickle and frankly just assume that Criterion will be the best. The joke is that the overwhelming majority of people will not be able to tell the difference in the Universal and Criterion releases of Fear and Loathing, Dazed, etc. But because it has the wacky C on it people will buy it. Criterion knows their version will sell better even though it is 3 times the price of the other issue... Frankly, it is a very good business model.
What I want are new films to be put out by Criterion, not ones that are already available on BD. I see post after post of what people wish Criterion would put out or upgrade from dvd, yet these same people rejoice when Criterion upgrades a film like Fear and Loathing, Dazed, etc.. :confused:

Italy, Sid and Nancy is out. I viewed my copy the other day. I thought it was a more than fair transfer. A couple of soft shots, but resolution and clarity were very good for such a dark. This is another example of what I am discussing. Fox has put it out and I highly doubt 98% of people would notice a difference between this release and if Criterion were to put one out. I will keep my dvd for the extras, as Criterion would just port over the same extras, as they seem to consistently do, if they were to release it.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sid-an...Blu-ray/30511/

Being new to CC after the rollout to Blu, I would much rather an upgrade vs. a new title. Because for me, any release, whether new to the collection, or an older spine #, would be new to me (besides my first CC DVD, Vanishing).

So, other people may have their reasons for why they want certain upgrades vs. others. Your rationale for why you want new titles is logical and makes sense to people who have purchased lots of CC DVDs or other company's Blus (Dazed, Fear & Loathing...) prior to their CC release.

Also, CC's business model makes sense to the consumer who wants to go strictly Blu and upgrade their older DVDs, which are, for the most part, inferior in terms of audio and video. Yes, I know some may make the argument that mono audio sounds the same whether in DD or PCM, but most home theatre enthusiasts with the equipment to decode the uncomplressed format and can hear the differnce will almost always pick the BD over the DVD. Same with video quality. There are some reference DVDs put out by CC, but for the majority of their BD releases, the PQ almost always offers a significant jump in quality.

Simple solution...buy only what you need, and let everyone else enjoy the rest!

Criterion is doing a great job.

Yes, I understand that as well...I know I ignored that point in my response, but I didn't mean to! :eek:

I guess my only response to that is that there are people who love the collection, whether for the sake of collecting or the sake of the art of film. For me, it is both, and I would rather have the CC edition over any other any day. I would also rather give my $ to Criterion so that they may continue to do what they do for a long time! The other studios make enough money on their own...

I agree with what you are saying, as Criterion certainly gives its customers a quality package every time and the following has been there for many years, as I too am a victim of it. I am also not naive to the fact that the titles the masses want are the revenue that helps get films like The Phantom Carriage. I just find it amusing that people rejoice when titles that are already out on BD get CC treatment, but continue to complain why certain releases are not being put out or upgraded. If they didn't work on the rehash titles, they would put out new titles, it's just common sense. Maybe its my warped sense of humor, or cynicism, but I guess everyone has a vice....

Finally got around to watching Harakiri last night. 3 words: Brutal, Haunting and Beautiful. Amazing film!. The image looked exceptionally sharp and has to have one of the best minimalistic soundtracks in existence. Everything about this release was top notch. Makes me anticipate a future Criterion Kwaidan and Samurai Rebellion Blu release.

Oh man, I don't think I can wait for the B&N sale for Harakiri. The cropping isn't too distracting, is it?

That's great to hear. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one. November can't come soon enough. On another note watched Carlos last night. What a great movie. Edgar Ramirez's acting was amazing.

I hear his thickness is amazing too.

HAHA Yeah :D I watched Part I so far... I have had so much to watch lately I can't decide.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7211

I really hope this film gets a new U.S. release as well, the current DVD isn't a very good one and to make matters worse isn't Anamorphic, with Criterion taking older films from their catalogue and re-releasing them with new transfers hopefully Night Porter isn't too far off into the future, heck just an Anamorphic DVD with less screen artifacts would suffice for now.