Criterion vs. Arrow - Which is the best to you?

[Mr. Odessa]

I've always loved Criterion even back in the stupid idiotic Laserdisc days. But it seems that Arrow steps their game up and is even more indiscriminative in their releases.

From what I've seen, Arrow releases for Dressed To Kill and Branded To Kill are superior to the Criterion releases also, in terms of PQ and special features. Thoughts?

[Filmmaker]

Arrow. So much.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Mr. Odessa

From what I've seen, Arrow releases for Dressed To Kill and Branded To Kill are superior to the Criterion releases also, in terms of PQ and special features. Thoughts?

I like both for different reasons, but the US release of Branded to Kill is the better one for sure. Why? It might have the funniest and most memorable Jo Shisido interview in existence. PQ and AQ are about the same, but the Criterion has a better cover too.

[Mr. Odessa]

I know that Arrow has also released Thief, though I've not seen either version. I know the Criterion BR has a director's cut. Unsure about Arrow, though.

I wished that Criterion kept the rights to certain films that they'd release on LD (Menace II Society: The Director's Cut, The Killer, Boyz N Tha Hood, etc.

I like Arrow's packaging a lot better. It also seems that Arrow adds more special features, instead of adding old Commentaries from decades ago, which Criterion does a lot of. I also love how Arrow is more versatile and brings out movies worldwide (though I have yet to see them crank out Hong Kong films) and not limit themselves to a bunch of old 1930s, 1940s and 1950s movies or French and Japanese titles more than they do films from other countries.

[Mr. Odessa]

I also noticed how the Criterion version of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls IS better than the Arrow version. Especially in terms of PQ, though some may not notice it.

[Member-222782]

I love both but Arrow does more of the type of film I crave. I never actually look forward to Criterion announcements but am generally happy with the final product when they release something I want. Both labels do stellar work, especially in the PQ dept.

[Mr. Odessa]

I DO like the fact that Criterion is starting to crank out more movies from Hong Kong and more black cinema as well. Some of their box sets are nice, but it'd be nicer if they'd release some films individually as well instead of box sets only. Like Wong Kar Wai films.

[Scottie]

I will always be a Criterion fanboy, but I have to give Arrow more credit. At least they've jumped on the 4K UHD bandwagon.

[Modren]

I think they tend to target different audiences. Criterion seems to gravitate towards "film buff" type movies (ie a lot of pre-1950s films, silent films, and art house type fair), whereas Arrow goes for more cult-classic and sci-fi/horror films. Like, I don't think anyone would expect Criterion to put out "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" or a Bill Rebane box set.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Odessa

I know that Arrow has also released Thief, though I've not seen either version. I know the Criterion BR has a director's cut. Unsure about Arrow, though.

Arrow’s Limited Edition release has the director’s cut, with better compression than Criterion’s, as well as the theatrical cut, which isn’t even included on the Criterion.

[dylrichard02]

Arrow all the way. Still love Criterion extras and their ability to pull big names for interviews, but Arrow has gotten on board with that too. Arrow however hasn't released some of my favorites like Blue Velvet or The Graduate.

Both have advantages, but I think Arrow is superior.

[Mr. Odessa]

Originally Posted by never_post

Arrow. No question. Better encodes in the majority of cases, better prices, more titles I'm interested in, and no pretentious nonsense from the company.

I also rate Eureka, Indicator, BFI, and Studio Canal's Classic Cinema and World Cinema lines way over Criterion.

I have no interest in special features whatsoever, so whoever wins in that area doesn't even register. And anybody at all has better cover art than most of what Criterion comes up with, which I tend to ivariably hate.

Wow, really? Special features are extremely vital. I hate bare as bones discs. I also hate the fact that every released of Scarface does not have any of the trailers or photo gallery, except the 1998 release. No special features? I'm better off with a DVD and I don't care about upgrading from DVD to BD if the special features are nonexistent.

I'm not familiar with the other companies, but Shout Factory! does excellent work, too. Like Arrow, their BDs are loaded with extras as has reversible covers. ARA (a Korean company) is ON-FKKKING-POINT!!! I just bought their release of The Lover (a movie with Jane March) and let me tell you: They are loaded with extras, uncut versions with huge booklets, slipcases and postcards!!! Criterion doesn't have slipcases and postcards and movie posters from them? Might as well forget it.

I just don't care that some Arrow releases do not have booklets.

[Mr. Odessa]

Originally Posted by dylrichard02

Arrow all the way. Still love Criterion extras and their ability to pull big names for interviews, but Arrow has gotten on board with that too. Arrow however hasn't released some of my favorites like Blue Velvet or The Graduate.

Both have advantages, but I think Arrow is superior.

I can't stomach Blue Velvet, but Criterion did release it. Now if only they released Wild At Heart...

[SpazeBlue]

Originally Posted by Mr. Odessa

I'm better off with a DVD and I don't care about upgrading from DVD to BD if the special features are nonexistent.

I mean, I love special features and all, but really?

[Mr. Odessa]

Originally Posted by SpazeBlue

I mean, I love special features and all, but really?

Really.

Olive Films released Jamon Jamon. As much as I love that movie, both DVD and BD versions has zero features at all. Only the movie with optional subtitles. So in my mind, if I already have the DVD, what's the point (unless there's a major difference in PQ - and My new Blu-Ray player already has PQ conversions). The same goes for Full Contact (a Chow Yun-Fat/Ringo Lam collaboration) - the new CN Entertainment release only has notes and a photo gallery. The same you can find on older DVD releases.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by never_post

Arrow. No question. Better encodes in the majority of cases, better prices, more titles I'm interested in, and no pretentious nonsense from the company.

I wish Arrow's essays were a little less scholarly. You need a degree in Literature to fully grasp what some of those guys write

[Mr. Odessa]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I wish Arrow's essays were a little less scholarly. You need a degree in Literature to fully grasp what some of those guys write

King of New York isn't like that. But yes. Even in the books I read, unless it deals with history, I hate books that are over scholarly!

[beamish13]

Criterion has seriously skimped on special features they once excelled at, especially commentaries. I frankly don’t trust most of their colour grading anymore, and I wait to read multiple reviews before pulling the trigger on titles

[beamish13]

Originally Posted by Mr. Odessa

Really.

Olive Films released Jamon Jamon. As much as I love that movie, both DVD and BD versions has zero features at all. Only the movie with optional subtitles. So in my mind, if I already have the DVD, what's the point (unless there's a major difference in PQ - and My new Blu-Ray player already has PQ conversions). The same goes for Full Contact (a Chow Yun-Fat/Ringo Lam collaboration) - the new CN Entertainment release only has notes and a photo gallery. The same you can find on older DVD releases.

Don’t get me started on how ignored Bigas Luna has been. Poor guy didn’t even get a mention at the Oscars’ “In Memoriam” segment, the bastards

[Mister_Kidd]

Criterion’s catalogue destroys Arrow’s, IMO. Arrow does a better job in almost every other facet, but there is no competing with Kurosawa, Fellini, Ozu, Bergman, and Truffaut.