The Criterion Collection

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by retablo

So there's now glitches on White, Carlos, and The Thin Red Line? What's the deal with Criterion lately?

White -- The "glitch" here is far more complicated than what has been said thus far. The problem is definitely with the manner the audio track is encoded/decoded. If you bitstream, and I do, the two-channel split is as it should be. The problem is with the Pro-Logic encoding which can only be identified if you do not bitstream. In other words, you do have to go into your set-up and do the necessary adjustments. The fact remains that it would have been a lot easier to have the surround track made to work with bitstraming (or compromise somehow). As it is, anyone that bitstreams and gets a perfect two-channel split would assume that the presentation is fine. And White is the most problematic of the three films because there is hardly any surround activity there.

Che - I still own the Optimum discs and today did a couple of direct tests with the Criterion release. Kudos to Fanboyz for actually identifying this glitch because his note that one has to be on some sort of medication to catch the glitch is actually quite true. It really is next to impossible to catch during normal viewing. I went back and forth between the two releases and I don't know how you get to identify this unless you have the surround speakers right next to you -- in the village sequence at the end, for example, I am not hearing anything different on the Optimum disc from where I sit and watch my films. I am pretty sure that for something like this the major studios won't bother at all, because whoever tests the discs there, and if he does it in a larger room of some sort, would likely have the same experience like everyone else did after they purchased the set in January 2010.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

White -- The "glitch" here is far more complicated than what has been said thus far. The problem is definitely with the manner the audio track is encoded/decoded. If you bitstream, and I do, the two-channel split is as it should be. The problem is with the Pro-Logic encoding which can only be identified if you do not bitstream. In other words, you do have to go into your set-up and do the necessary adjustments. The fact remains that it would have been a lot easier to have the surround track made to work with bitstraming (or compromise somehow). As it is, anyone that bitstreams and gets a perfect two-channel split would assume that the presentation is fine. And White is the most problematic of the three films because there is hardly any surround activity there.

Carlos - I still own the Optimum discs and today did a couple of direct tests with the Criterion release. Kudos to Fanboyz for actually identifying this glitch because his note that one has to be on some sort of medication to catch the glitch is actually quite true. It really is next to impossible to catch during normal viewing. I went back and forth between the two releases and I don't know how you get to identify this unless you have the surround speakers right next to you -- in the village sequence at the end, for example, I am not hearing anything different on the Optimum disc from where I sit and watch my films. I am pretty sure that for something like this the major studios won't bother at all, because whoever tests the discs there, and if he does it in a larger room of some sort, would likely have the same experience like everyone else did after they purchased the set in January 2010.

Are you talking about Che or Carlos?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

White -- The "glitch" here is far more complicated than what has been said thus far. The problem is definitely with the manner the audio track is encoded/decoded. If you bitstream, and I do, the two-channel split is as it should be. The problem is with the Pro-Logic encoding which can only be identified if you do not bitstream. In other words, you do have to go into your set-up and do the necessary adjustments. The fact remains that it would have been a lot easier to have the surround track made to work with bitstraming (or compromise somehow). As it is, anyone that bitstreams and gets a perfect two-channel split would assume that the presentation is fine. And White is the most problematic of the three films because there is hardly any surround activity there.

Che - I still own the Optimum discs and today did a couple of direct tests with the Criterion release. Kudos to Fanboyz for actually identifying this glitch because his note that one has to be on some sort of medication to catch the glitch is actually quite true. It really is next to impossible to catch during normal viewing. I went back and forth between the two releases and I don't know how you get to identify this unless you have the surround speakers right next to you -- in the village sequence at the end, for example, I am not hearing anything different on the Optimum disc from where I sit and watch my films. I am pretty sure that for something like this the major studios won't bother at all, because whoever tests the discs there, and if he does it in a larger room of some sort, would likely have the same experience like everyone else did after they purchased the set in January 2010.

Regardless, they are mistakes confirmed by Criterion (never heard the outcome of the encoding glitch in TTRL) and the last 2 are within, what, 2 months of each other? Doesn't bode well for Criterion's quality control.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Are you talking about Che or Carlos?

Carlos, not Che. I made a typo. The secret operation at the end.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

BFI is releasing the original British X cut of the film that was originally shown in British cinemas, which is good news, yet isn't the full uncut version of the film.

This will most likely be the best you will get, as Warner is standing firm on not releasing it here in the states in the full uncut version. So if you want it, get on the BFI DVD next year.

And as for Savage Messiah that's already been relegated to the Warner Archives. So not much chance of anything else beyond that either, at least in the US. (The Boy Friend also has found its way into Warner Archives hell.)

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by retablo

Regardless, they are mistakes confirmed by Criterion (never heard the outcome of the encoding glitch in TTRL) and the last 2 are within, what, 2 months of each other? Doesn't bode well for Criterion's quality control.

Cripes. I hope we're not seeing a replay of the laser rot scandal retablo, only this time at the mastering stage instead of production. It's encouraging, I suppose, that Criterion seems at least willing to acknowledge these mastering deficiencies and is being more pro-active about replacement without a lot of bitter back-and-forth drama. I mean, how many of us watched our $125 Criterion CAV Laserdiscs gradually fade into a blizzard of multi-coloured 'snow'? After less than 2 years, my Blade Runner CAV became unwatchable, and I never got a dime of that back, nor even a replacement set. Everyone - including the retailers - washed their hands during that debacle.

My only point is, quality control issues are not unprecedented with this label. Their consistency with DVDs simply lulled me into believing they learned their lesson from the Laserdisc era, and had finessed QA. So I find it equally disquieting that two very recent high profile Criterion Blu-ray releases are now on the recall/replacement block.

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose?"

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Carlos, not Che. I made a typo. The secret operation at the end.

Nothing wrong with a typo, although can't say I'm a fan of others editing my posts.

What confused me was the bit at the end, since that is when Che was released by Criterion. Carlos was last November in the UK and this September in the states, and I'm not sure would be described as a set.

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Che - I still own the Optimum discs and today did a couple of direct tests with the Criterion release. Kudos to Fanboyz for actually identifying this glitch because his note that one has to be on some sort of medication to catch the glitch is actually quite true. It really is next to impossible to catch during normal viewing. I went back and forth between the two releases and I don't know how you get to identify this unless you have the surround speakers right next to you -- in the village sequence at the end, for example, I am not hearing anything different on the Optimum disc from where I sit and watch my films. I am pretty sure that for something like this the major studios won't bother at all, because whoever tests the discs there, and if he does it in a larger room of some sort, would likely have the same experience like everyone else did after they purchased the set in January 2010.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Nothing wrong with a typo, although can't say I'm a fan of others editing my posts.

Nothing is edited in your post . I only responded to it to let you know that I was thinking about Carlos but typed up my reply referring to Che. I think this it is pretty clear now.

Originally Posted by rock, stone

What confused me was the bit at the end, since that is when Che was released by Criterion. Carlos was last November in the UK and this September in the states, and I'm not sure would be described as a set.

See above.

Pro-B

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by leonardb

I ordered Kuroneko from Barnes and Noble and it shipped on November 4th, but it still hasn't arrived. I'm in Manitoba. Are there any other Canadians waiting on their orders?

I got The Four Feathers, The Wages of Fear, and Kuroneko yesterday, and they shipped on the 2nd. I'm still waiting for Dazed and Confusesd, which also shipped on the second, The Magician, Island of Lost Souls, and Amarcord, which shipped on the 3rd, as well as Stagecoach and Kiss Me Deadly, which shipped on the 13th. Mail's been slower since the postal issues in July, and it's the holiday season.

Originally Posted by DionJP

Merriam-Webster

snob noun \ˈsnäb\
Definition of SNOB
: one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
: one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior
: one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

Someone obviously can't take a joke.

Originally Posted by DionJP

Pointing out that the majority of you are tried and true snobs who rejoice in making people feel bad for liking Wes Anderson does not make me a "hellion". Nice word choice though.

Yep, definitely someone who can't take a joke, or accept that people have different opinions. I hate Michael Bay films, in addition to disliking 4/6 of Wes Anderson's films I've watched, guess I'm a snob now. Poor Michael Bay just can't live with the fact that I think his films are crap, and would rather watch a good Billy Wilder film. Wes Anderson is crying into his Chunky Monkey ice cream because I chose a Mike Nichols film over watching one of his again. Boo hoo.

[ikms]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Is it a bad idea that I'm planning on blind-buying both 'Branded to kill' and 'Tokyo Drifter' without having seen either one, or even anything by Suzuki?

I am more partial to Branded to Kill. I find it the "definitive" Suzuki (he had his stinkers all right, but this one is out-and-out OTT madness), he had nothing to lose, and all but dared Nikkatsu to fire him.

That said, Tokyo Drifter (being color) has to the most to gain from the upgrade to blu (colors and resolution). Both the original Criterions were non-Anamorphic, sourced from their not-so-hot LD masters. Maybe 720x256 with awful early-generation mpeg-2 (Japanese anamorphic DVDs are miles better). The new blu comes several years into their HD run, and with AVC @ 1920x720ish to boot. Best upgrade for sure.

[trombone dixie]

Originally Posted by retablo

So there's now glitches on White, Carlos, and The Thin Red Line? What's the deal with Criterion lately?

What's the glitch on The Thin Red Line? I noticed some strange coloring on faces( that's apparently shadows) when they land on the beach.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Wrong. Keep talking about Asian cinema
Have you seen Johnnie To's Sparrow?
There's a nice Hong Kong blu-ray available from YesAsia.
It's my favourite film of the last decade.

My list of "have to buy or see" for Asia is now past the 50 movies It's difficult to keep up as a lot of them are not always available for rentals.

I had not heard about Sparrow, just had a quick look about it, another one to had to the list, thanks!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by DionJP

Merriam-Webster

snob noun \ˈsnäb\
Definition of SNOB
: one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
: one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior
: one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

Just because certain people do not like Wes Anderson movies does not mean you have to dislike him as well. I like the Star Wars prequels, can you imagine the flak I take for that? Do I care? Nope I like them I don't care what others may think about it.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, always remember that!

[ikms]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Just because certain people do not like Wes Anderson movies does not mean you have to dislike him as well.

I always thought "film snobs" loved Wes Anderson, that he was ignored by the masses for being too "quirky," "ironic," and "focused on intellectual elites." All my film snob friends/relatives seem to love him. In fact, until I read this very thread, I thought I was somewhat alone in feeling his work vapid, pretentious (to put it mildly), and basically soulless.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ikms

I always thought "film snobs" loved Wes Anderson, that he was ignored by the masses for being too "quirky," "ironic," and "focused on intellectual elites." All my film snob friends/relatives seem to love him. In fact, until I read this very thread, I thought I was somewhat alone in feeling his work vapid, pretentious (to put it mildly), and basically soulless.

I can't judge per say as I have never seen any of his movies but nothing I see when I look at trailers and read about them make's me come even close of wanting to see them. His style just seem to turn me away more than making me want to watch.

What I don't quite get his the reaction of fans who seem to feel I (along with others) put them down because they enjoy his movies and we don't agree? I never understood that way of thinking, how one become's such a fan of someone or something that they just want everyone else to be a fan as well. Sure some people are rather hard on their comments of Anderson and his movies but in the end what does it really matter? Does it invalid his work because a few people in a thread on the Internet like to make fun of his movies?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I can't judge per say as I have never seen any of his movies but nothing I see when I look at trailers and read about them make's me come even close of wanting to see them. His style just seem to turn me away more than making me want to watch.

What I don't quite get his the reaction of fans who seem to feel I (along with others) put them down because they enjoy his movies and we don't agree? I never understood that way of thinking, how one become's such a fan of someone or something that they just want everyone else to be a fan as well. Sure some people are rather hard on their comments of Anderson and his movies but in the end what does it really matter? Does it invalid his work because a few people in a thread on the Internet like to make fun of his movies?

Exactly. This kind of fighting happens all the time. Just look at the movies forum at the Hugo and The Muppets threads, you have people going on and on about how those films suck without having seen them, or because Hugo's nothing like the previous output of Scorcese, etc.

Apparently my tastes in film are garbage because I hate Forrest Gump, and though Inception was only about a 7/10.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Exactly. This kind of fighting happens all the time. Just look at the movies forum at the Hugo and The Muppets threads, you have people going on and on about how those films suck without having seen them, or because Hugo's nothing like the previous output of Scorcese, etc.

Apparently my tastes in film are garbage because I hate Forrest Gump, and though Inception was only about a 7/10.

Be quiet about Inception, please you will bring the "in Nolan we trust" group out of The Dark Knight Rises thread in here will the full force of their wrath

Was wondering if you received all of your movies from the sale? I like the sale but I swear B&N shipping as got to be the slowest in history when it come's to sending stuff to Montreal

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I voted for Binoche for best performance.
Would've put Jacob for sexiest actress

Based on how they look in the films, my vote for sexiest would've been Julie Delpy. She looks ethereal in those flashback scenes.

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Exactly. This kind of fighting happens all the time. Just look at the movies forum at the Hugo and The Muppets threads, you have people going on and on about how those films suck without having seen them, or because Hugo's nothing like the previous output of Scorcese, etc.

Apparently my tastes in film are garbage because I hate Forrest Gump, and though Inception was only about a 7/10.

The Muppets was one of the most joyous experiences I've had in a cinema since I was a child.

I'm pretty such I'll hate Twilight Part 4A without having seen it.

I like everything I've seen of Wes Anderson's work, but I really love Life Aquatic and Mr. Fox.

I'll see Hugo just because Scorsese is involved.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Based on how they look in the films, my vote for sexiest would've been Julie Delpy. She looks ethereal in those flashback scenes.

Next poll: sexiest male and female actors appearing in a Criterion blu-ray.
(I'm assuming you have nothing better to do with your life )