The Criterion Collection

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I doubt anyone is surprised by that.

Well surely no one thought I wanted to spend $30 on a film that was done 2 times before it, nor thought I didn't want to explorer more than what is already in my dvd collection instead of rebuying the 1 or 2 films of a director's filmography that take the rounds through people more than a prostitute. Surely.

[retablo]

It's nice that Criterion includes Murder a la Mod, but since they offer no subtitles on it, I doubt I'll be able to check it out.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by retablo

It's nice that Criterion includes Murder a la Mod, but since they offer no subtitles on it, I doubt I'll be able to check it out.

That I find stupid on their part as it's a full length film. Maybe someone has/can make subtitles online if you want to try to find out.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

So you would or wouldn't otherwise?

Or if MoC did it...

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Any reason why you don't comment on the picture quality of "Murder a la Mod," pro-b? I know it's a supplement, but it's still a full-length film.

CC

If a classic or foreign film has previously appeared on SDVD in the U.S./UK (and in many cases in France), 95% of the time if I would review it I would have a copy in my library -- recent examples are Le Amiche, Kes, Le Cercle Rouge, Shanghai Triad, etc; so, it is very easy for me to compare and tell how much of an improvement the BD release is. Unfortunately, in this case, I never owned Murder a la Mod.

This said, you are right, and I should have probably sacrificed 2 screencaptures from Blow Out for it. I will upload two in the database shortly.

Murder a la Mod looks very, very good. I watched it on Thursday night. There are a couple of flecks that pop up, but the entire film has definitely been given the Criterion treatment. And without even having seen the SDVD release, I cannot possibly imagine that it comes even remotely close to the 1080p transfer Criterion have provided.



Pro-B

p.s.
McCrutchy, I am not ignoring you . I am very busy at the moment, but I will respond to your questions later on.

[pro-bassoonist]

Update:

Screencaptures 17, 18, 19, 20 are from Murder a la Mod.

Pro-B

[SpiderBaby]

Thanks.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Not Criterion-related, but film-related with a dash of Netflix...

Before I contact Netflix, I'm hoping that some other Netflix streamers out there will take the time to verify something for me (I'm looking at you, rkish).

I just finished streaming Abbas Kiarostami's "Shirin," which I found to be a great exercise in film, on Netflix. Anyway, according to Cinema Guild's DVD release, the film's aspect ratio is 1.85:1 and DVDBeaver's review lists the film at 1.78:1. So, from this information we know the film should be in a widescreen format. However, my Netflix stream had the film in some kind of cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio with the subtitles partially off-screen, at times, on the bottom and left. My TV settings are correct, so I'm just hoping that someone else out there can confirm one way or another that their streaming of the film is the same as what I saw on my TV. Thanks.

CC

I just got back from a day out at the mall with the family...will go into my B & N shopping trip later.

As far as I can see CC...It looks to be 1.85:1 as it fills my entire screen, except about an inch or so on the right and left sides of the screen. 1.78:1, as we all know, would fill the entire screen. Definitely not 1.33:1! And in HD ... looks pretty good.

The OAR is now based on my recently purchased Panny 300 BDT and I finally get an HDMI connection for my NetFlix streaming, as I had been using my Wii for NetFlix streaming for the most part. The Wii uses component and a lot of times I would notice some films that I knew were "widescreen" looking like 1.33:1

[Monty70]

I took the trouble to watch Odd Man Out on Youtube in 15 min. segments last night. Without a doubt one of the my favorite films from the noir genre that I've ever seen. I can't remember ever being effected by the fate of a character the way this film did. James Mason's performance was sublime.

Obviously this would make a fine Blu ray addition to the Criterion line up.

[rkish]

Well...as I'm waiting on going out with a buddy for a few beers...

I made use of the member and non-member coupons I had for B & N.

(Off Topic)...I got The Twilight Zone Season 3 for $43.78 and the Silent Naruse Eclipse set for $19.70.

I'm looking forward to the Silent Naruse...my first Eclipse series purchase ever! I would normally wait to see if a blu-ray version was due on the horizon, but it seems that Naruse doesn't garner the same love as Ozu.

[SpiderBaby]

I forgot, is the 50% off the online price or the list price online?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I thought the coupon was only good in-store. In-store, they are taking the 50% off of the already discounted (10% off) price, so likely it would work the same online. I've used it at two stores with the same result. The coupon applies to the most expensive item in your purchase if you are buying multiple items.

Thanks. I'll try it after the Cats game.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I thought the coupon was only good in-store. In-store, they are taking the 50% off of the already discounted (10% off) price, so likely it would work the same online. I've used it at two stores with the same result. The coupon applies to the most expensive item in your purchase if you are buying multiple items.

I don't believe the coupons work online. I know the member ones don't. I didn't try the non-member ones though.

[The Theory]

While this isn't really a Criterion wishlist thread, I just watched Kin-Dza-Dza today and it blew me away. As far as I can tell there hasn't been a DVD release in the US (all the ones on amazon looked suspiciously like bootlegs to me). It's just a great, minimalistic sci-fi film with interesting characters, engaging storyline, and a wry sense of humor which really works well. Any of you familiar with it? Seems like it would fit in really well with the Criterion collection and general aesthetic.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by rkish

As far as I can see CC...It looks to be 1.85:1 as it fills my entire screen, except about an inch or so on the right and left sides of the screen. 1.78:1, as we all know, would fill the entire screen. Definitely not 1.33:1! And in HD ... looks pretty good.

Sounds like yours may be 1.66:1.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by captveg

Sounds like yours may be 1.66:1.

You're right capt...I had my AR mixed up.

Sounds like I may have an issue as well.

[fkbrun]

This weekend I got to watch two of my unseen Criterion blu-rays: Chungking Express and Everlasting Moments.

The first one was a complete surprise. When I thought I was starting to get the hang of the story, it shifts to a completely different and, shall I say, more satisfying one. It simply left me amazed when it was over, I just love it when a movie has the power to leave me with a smile long after it's finished.

The second one was another huge surprise, I had no idea what to expect, and I must say it was a nice one at that. It reminded me of Bergman's Fanny and Alexander (at least in the look and feel department). By the way, that's one that's urging to be released.

And folowing the "I-want-this-movie" line, does any one here know if there's any chance Criterion can get the rights to release Cabaret on blu-ray? That's an excellent movie that's never had a decent home video release, and it would be a sight to behold on a properly worked blu-ray. I know Warner had the DVD rights, but I don't really know who had it theatrically.

And another one "wish", I'd appreciate a lot if Criterion also got the rights to "The bride wore black", one of my favorite from Truffaut's and that, IMHO, has a nice chance of seeing a release in the CC.

[Gremal]

Chungking Express is a great one. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Quilty]

I watched Videodrome before work today. Mesmerizing work that was way ahead of it's time and served as inspiration on so many films I've seen that have come after it. I have been touting Pi as one of my favorite psychological thrillers to anyone who listens, and its evident Cronenberg has influenced that film greatly. Requiem for a dream as well, pales in comparison to the accomplishment of Videodrome. I was disturbed, perplexed, and creeped out by the end of it - and I loved it. Very good use of my Barnes and noble coupon

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Just wait until the next time you randomly hear "California Dreamin'".

I suggest watching "Fish Tank" next.


I watched Au Revoir Les Enfants tonight, and other than some apparent print damage, the transfer was great..... and of course the film is great, albeit depressing.