The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Halation

And I think both Full Metal Jacket and The Deer Hunter are wildly mediocre, so...different strokes.

Can't say I didn't see that response coming.

[Halation]

good post bro

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Night and the City Blu-ray REVIEW



Absolutely magnificent restoration and presentation from Criterion.

Is this an in-house restoration? Do we have any information on what source the BFI will use for their release?

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

I understand disliking the Scanners box simply on digipack g.p., but just as a piece of design, I think it's one of the Collection's best offerings.

Videodrome's faux-VHS slipbox is really clever, too.

Yea I like the designs & stuff on the Scanners set just don't like its a digipak like you said.

[The Great Owl]

On a lighter note, and faintly Criterion-related...

Last night, I watched my Scream Factory Blu-ray of Tentacles (1977), which stars Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men, My Darling Clementine), Shelley Winters (The Night of the Hunter), and John Huston (director of Wise Blood, among many other more famous films).

It's always fun to see many notable Criterion-related actors and directors giving their 100% in a movie that does not necessarily stand up to their greatest fare.

That said, Tentacles holds up better in 2015 than I thought that it would.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Since you put it that way, then yes, it is one of the greatest short films in history, but that's not saying much.

If pressed I'm sure I can think of segments of film that are complete within themselves. The first 40 minutes or so of The Deer Hunter, for example. The first half of Full Metal Jacket although that pushes an hour, I think.

I had mentioned it again:
First episode of Fanny and Alexander for me.
it seems a self-sufficient film that can stand on its own..

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On a lighter note, and faintly Criterion-related...

Last night, I watched my Scream Factory Blu-ray of Tentacles (1977), which stars Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men, My Darling Clementine), Shelley Winters (The Night of the Hunter), and John Huston (director of Wise Blood, among many other more famous films).

It's always fun to see many notable Criterion-related actors and directors giving their 100% in a movie that does not necessarily stand up to their greatest fare.

That said, Tentacles holds up better in 2015 than I thought that it would.

I agree and Reptilicus was a lot more fun than I remember it being. I just love the great, serious acting paired with the goofy FX.

[ShellOilJunior]

Pather Panchali - Part 1 of The Apu Trilogy a three-part chronicle of the early life of a Bengali village boy, Apu, from a poor family.

Nearly 10 years ago I borrowed Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali on DVD from my local library. I got home and shut it off after 2 minutes. I was well aware of the film's reputation and couldn't bear to watch it the first time on such a poor transfer.

Nearly 10 years later I saw it today in 4K at the brand new Cleveland Cinematheque (The same people that calibrated Scorsese's personal viewing room set up the cinematheque to handle both 4K and analog formats.).

Pather Panchali has some minor print damage and light-banding at times but largely the restoration is a miracle. It's some of the most beautiful black-and-white cinematography my eyes have seen. Ray's camera always seems to be in the right place and scenes are impeccably framed. Nature set to Ravi Shankar's music is beautifully realized as well.

The film is a slow burn with its novel-like structure and seems to move at the pace of Shankar's music. Pather Panchali starts slow but is ultimately rewarding and I left the theater smiling with a great sense of joy.

Future 4K viewings:

The Third Man
Tess
Tales of Hoffmann (The restoration trailer looks terrific! Might have to see this twice)

[tisdivine]

Getting ready to watch Night and The City when I noticed there are two versions. Generally I watch longer versions when available but I know thats not always the case.

Anyone seen both versions? I would only be able to watch one tonight which is better first viewing? Whats cut for the shorter version?

[darkness2918]

I just bought the BD of Le Cercle Rouge, it's the most $ I've ever spent for just 1 film I'm hoping I really love it as much as I did Le Samourai & that my wife doesn't kill me lol.

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Getting ready to watch Night and The City when I noticed there are two versions. Generally I watch longer versions when available but I know thats not always the case.

Anyone seen both versions? I would only be able to watch one tonight which is better first viewing? Whats cut for the shorter version?

Based on the Blu-ray.com review, the British version is longer, but the American version is what the director preferred. There are also different scores in each version.

[D2Girls]

Originally Posted by repulsed

To me the worst packaging are the box sets. They have very nice art and I like the idea but not for owning. It's so hard to keep them in good shape if you can even find them that way in the first place. I had to just give up on getting a few (Demy, Three Colors, BBS) in decent condition. Plus the way they look when you face the set with the separate titles out it's all wonky. All the cardboard cases are angled in different directions

I'd rather have them do something like Che or Yojimbo/Sanjuro with an outer sleeve and actual cases. They could just use clear multi-disc cases and it would still allow for nice artwork inside the case.

And I'm definitely getting replacements for the Last Metro, The 400 Blows, and El Norte very soon

I think its an inherent design flaw in the packaging. The slim cases seem to get all warped and jut out at these angles. It's not flush with the outside packaging, as it should be... looks kinda stupid. At least if you have it facing the other direction, you really cant tell.

but 'm holding off getting the jacques tati set for this reason. the three colours isn't so bad, but yeah, the tati set has the problem I just described but much worse.

i took a picture of it, to show what I mean. now that I think about it, I really don't like it.





and as you can see the corner of the cheap cardboard is already frayed a bit. like literally the only way to keep these in mint condition is to never open the wrapping. im pretty sure i didnt even do anything to make it look like that. jeez. this is why I prefer the regular plastic cases. they not only look more uniform, (some digipacks seem to be slightly larger, thinner, etc than other digipacks) but they're much more sturdy and don't damage as easily.

[repulsed]

Originally Posted by D2Girls

I think its an inherent design flaw in the packaging. The slim cases seem to get all warped and jut out at these angles. It's not flush with the outside packaging, as it should be... looks kinda stupid. At least if you have it facing the other direction, you really cant tell.

but 'm holding off getting the jacques tati set for this reason. the three colours isn't so bad, but yeah, the tati set has the problem I just described but much worse.

i took a picture of it, to show what I mean. now that I think about it, I really don't like it.





and as you can see the corner of the cheap cardboard is already frayed a bit. like literally the only way to keep these in mint condition is to never open the wrapping. im pretty sure i didnt even do anything to make it look like that. jeez. this is why I prefer the regular plastic cases. they not only look more uniform, (some digipacks seem to be slightly larger, thinner, etc than other digipacks) but they're much more sturdy and don't damage as easily.

I think something that could've helped would be to do what they did with the Lord of the Rings extended set. How it magnetically clips in place. That could have at least kept everything uniform.
Would not have helped with the fraying of the cardboard though[emoji53]

[fuzzymctiger]

I wonder if Criterion will rerelease Tokyo Olympiad on blu ray either this year or next? This year would make sense, being the 50th anniversary of the film, or next year being an Olympic year, they could tie it in.

I saw the 4K restoration of it, completed in 2013, yesterday, and not only is it an absolutely amazing movie, it's a seriously beautiful restoration, that needs to be out on blu ray. I hope someone does it soon.

[jrmac2000]

I don't post on here very much, but I just had to post this. After years of searching and verifying authenticity, I have finally tracked down all the oop titles! The last one, diary of a country priest should be here by next Friday! Sorry just had to celebrate!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jrmac2000

I don't post on here very much, but I just had to post this. After years of searching and verifying authenticity, I have finally tracked down all the oop titles! The last one, diary of a country priest should be here by next Friday! Sorry just had to celebrate!

Congrats. It must have taken a lot of precious time and money to track them down. Are those OOP Blu-Rays you found, or DVDs (or LD's even)?

I'm still not sure if I should kick myself for letting go of my Criterion DVD for RoboCop. I had it once, and it was only a few bucks. When I popped it in, I was let down the actual video quality, and decided to stick with the 25th Anniversary edition (now amended by the remastered BD). Unless I'm mistaken, I think the one thing I'm missing from the Criterion version is a commentary.

[jrmac2000]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Congrats. It must have taken a lot of precious time and money to track them down. Are those OOP Blu-Rays you found, or DVDs (or LD's even)?

I'm still not sure if I should kick myself for letting go of my Criterion DVD for RoboCop. I had it once, and it was only a few bucks. When I popped it in, I was let down the actual video quality, and decided to stick with the 25th Anniversary edition (now amended by the remastered BD). Unless I'm mistaken, I think the one thing I'm missing from the Criterion version is a commentary.

Dvd and blu where applicable, I haven't started laserdiscs yet!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jrmac2000

Dvd and blu where applicable, I haven't started laserdiscs yet!

That's definitely an admirable effort, I figure those OOP DVDs must be getting rarer and rarer all the time.

[Polaroid]

Am I only one that has never received a damaged digipak >.>? Majority of my damaged Criteriosn are the plastic cases, either being chipped, Sliced in half by customs or the plastic wrap melted to the case (I don't even know how).

Maybe I am just lucky? But the DF digipaks are much better quality except Fantastic Mr Fox which isn't as sturdy.

I just wish Criterion would follow other companies and do the limited edition sets and use higher quality materials. Yes they are limited but if they are higher quality more people will buy + they will also make profits on the standard releases.

Arrow + MoC have amazing quality digipak style cases.

Also for me, the only titles in the Three Colours + Qtasi style case doesn't bother me, it adds texture to the release and also if you put the right spine out you don't even see those :P

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Am I only one that has never received a damaged digipak >.>? Majority of my damaged Criteriosn are the plastic cases, either being chipped, Sliced in half by customs or the plastic wrap melted to the case (I don't even know how).

Maybe I am just lucky? But the DF digipaks are much better quality except Fantastic Mr Fox which isn't as sturdy.

I just wish Criterion would follow other companies and do the limited edition sets and use higher quality materials. Yes they are limited but if they are higher quality more people will buy + they will also make profits on the standard releases.

Arrow + MoC have amazing quality digipak style cases.

Also for me, the only titles in the Three Colours + Qtasi style case doesn't bother me, it adds texture to the release and also if you put the right spine out you don't even see those :P

I've also had good luck on receiving Criterion digipaks in good shape but their plastic cases are a different story. No matter which retailer I order from or what kind of packing they come in the first thing I do is shake (gently) and hope I don't hear that sound. Case chips, pieces of hubs, sometimes those tiny little pieces at the top and bottom that help keep the booklets (now pamphlets) in place, etc. Their cases look like they should hold up better than the standard Blu ray cases the other companies use but percentage wise I'd say I've had more damaged Scanavos.