The Criterion Collection

[DimitriL]

So I just got my copy of Spinal Tap. I haven’t watched it yet, but I was just thinking about the ongoing debate about how “Criterion doesn’t try like it used to” and what not. I still have my original Criterion DVD of Spinal Tap, and the comparison is instructive. The new edition has a beautifully done booklet that looks like an 80s fanzine. I cracked open the old DVD and…it’s basically a one page insert with a smidge of an essay (which I’m pretty sure was ported over from the old LD’s back cover). It’s a hell of a design upgrade.

[Juan de Internet]

Originally Posted by queen_kitty

Romances set in gorgeous locations are almost always a winner for me! Only bad part is that it will most likely release just after the B&N 50% off sale is over.

I feel that keenly. I’m still waiting what will be six months to pick up Chungking Express (and even longer for Paris, Texas) because I got a Criterion GC in April and I want to max out what I can get at a Flash Sale. Not sure I can wait four months for I Know Where I’m Going!

Then again, it took them four years to release this on disc after it was restored.

BTW, Film Foundation and Lucas were behind Shoeshine as well in 2023. I wonder if there is a list of their recent restorations that gives a hint of upcoming Criterion releases now that they seem to be getting out some of their backlog.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

So I just got my copy of Spinal Tap. I haven’t watched it yet, but I was just thinking about the ongoing debate about how “Criterion doesn’t try like it used to” and what not. I still have my original Criterion DVD of Spinal Tap, and the comparison is instructive. The new edition has a beautifully done booklet that looks like an 80s fanzine. I cracked open the old DVD and…it’s basically a one page insert with a smidge of an essay (which I’m pretty sure was ported over from the old LD’s back cover). It’s a hell of a design upgrade.

The packaging looks like the best thing about it by far. My main concerns with the release are the lack of any previously unreleased archive material - and indeed the omissions from and editing down of some of what's there. The disc itself seems very thrown together in a hurry, and what's worst is that the new master of the film it's built upon looks pretty awful - much too dark and weirdly yellow. It's a shame they never had got to have a go at it 10 years ago.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

The packaging looks like the best thing about it by far. My main concerns with the release are the lack of any previously unreleased archive material - and indeed the omissions from and editing down of some of what's there. The disc itself seems very thrown together in a hurry, and what's worst is that the new master of the film it's built upon looks pretty awful - much too dark and weirdly yellow. It's a shame they never had got to have a go at it 10 years ago.

If it’s any consolation, the other forum of interest to Criterion fans gave the image a glowing review, noting just a smidge of a greenish-tint that they thought made it seem more like celluloid. (They also note most of the archival material appears newly scanned, which indicates some measure of substantial effort.) They can be fairly lacerating over there, so thought that was notable.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

If it’s any consolation, the other forum of interest to Criterion fans gave the image a glowing review, noting just a smidge of a greenish-tint that they thought made it seem more like celluloid. (They also note most of the archival material appears newly scanned, which indicates some measure of substantial effort.) They can be fairly lacerating over there, so thought that was notable.

That's good about the rescanned extras (presumably the outtakes and The Final Tour) but I've seen enough of the new master to pass judgement on how bad it looks. I still don't know who did it (it's not Criterion's master, it was commissioned by Spinal Tap LLC) but I'd be surprised if it wasn't Ritrovata as it has that same, shot-through-a-tank-of-urine look as makes the current master of The Producers look equally unwatchable. When someone puts some caps up it should show how radically different (and radically worse) it now looks.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

That's good about the rescanned extras (presumably the outtakes and The Final Tour) but I've seen enough of the new master to pass judgement on how bad it looks. I still don't know who did it but I'd be surprised if it wasn't Ritrovata as it has that same, shot-through-a-tank-of-urine look as makes the current master of The Producers look equally unwatchable. When someone puts some caps up it should show how radically different (and radically worse) it now looks.

So, I take it, you don't actually have the disc?

[yoloswegmaster420]

The restoration for This is Spinal Tap doesn't look anything like a Ritrovata grade. I don't know how anyone can look at this screenshot and think that Ritrovata were behind the colour grade:



Criterion were also behind the restoration per their transfer notes.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

The restoration for This is Spinal Tap doesn't look anything like a Ritrovata grade. I don't know how anyone can look at this screenshot and think that Ritrovata were behind the colour grade:

Yep, that grab shows everything wrong with it. It has never had that dark, seasick look before - and there is colour reference VT for the Flower People section to compare other transfers against. Hopefully some cap comparisons will show up online to measure the significant changes against.

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Criterion were also behind the restoration per their transfer notes.

That's a surprise as this is the same master that was released theatrically and is currently available digitally, so it must have been a mutual deal between the two parties to provide a new master for Tap LLC in addition to video rights for Janus. I do not understand the thought process behind the re-grade whatsoever, it looks awful.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

So, I take it, you don't actually have the disc?

Here he is, off his meds again. I have this new master digitally via Amazon, so if you are gearing up for the same heehawing at me as you seem to prone to, go ahead, you seem to feel a frequent need to.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

Yep, that grab shows everything wrong with it. It has never had that dark, seasick look before - and there is colour reference VT for the Flower People section to compare other transfers against. Hopefully some cap comparisons will show up online to measure the significant changes against.



That's a surprise as this is the same master that was released theatrically and is currently available digitally, so it must have been a mutual deal between the two parties to provide a new master for Tap LLC in addition to video rights for Janus. I do not understand the thought process behind the re-grade whatsoever, it looks awful.



Here he is, off his meds again. I have this new master digitally via Amazon, so if you are gearing up for the same heehawing at me as you seem to prone to, go ahead, you seem to feel a frequent need to.

I asked a simple yes or no question. You don't have the Criterion 4K disc, got it. Why you feel the need to go to personal attacks is beyond me, but you do you, I guess.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I asked a simple yes or no question. You don't have the Criterion 4K disc, got it. Why you feel the need to go to personal attacks is beyond me, but you do you, I guess.

Bit late to be disingenuous. You always do this, and it's not just to me - get needlessly confrontational and start policing.