The Criterion Collection

[Bronson13]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Hopefully, Lolita. The existing Universal version of Spartacus is top notch, I don't understand why people keep wanting a Criterion release?

Because who doesn’t want a great movie to get the Criterion treatment 🙂 Especially a Kubrick one. Im hoping for Criterion to eventually have his whole filmography (excluding Fear and Desire). That’s my dream. And you can make a case for every single one of his films to be on Criterion so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

Because who doesn’t want a great movie to get the Criterion treatment

People who want to see great films that haven't had proper releases or any releases at all?

[Bronson13]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

People who want to see great films that haven't had proper releases or any releases at all?

Ah here we go with this. Why can’t we have both??? There’s nothing wrong with someone wanting a certain film on Criterion even if it’s already got a good transfer somewhere else. It’s like every movie nerds dream to have their favorite film on Criterion. As long as it’s a “Contemporary and Culturally significant” film anything is fair game.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

Ah here we go with this. Why can’t we have both??? There’s nothing wrong with someone wanting a certain film on Criterion even if it’s already got a good transfer somewhere else. It’s like every movie nerds dream to have their favorite film on Criterion. As long as it’s a “Contemporary and Culturally significant” film anything is fair game.

I mean if your favorite movie was treated right by another label, why does it need Criterion's stamp of approval?

And I'm not saying you can't have "both", but I'm pointing out the very obvious fact that the time and resources allocated to a particular title could be spent on something comparatively ignored or maligned.

[Bronson13]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

I mean if your favorite movie was treated right by another label, why does it need Criterion's stamp of approval?

And I'm not saying you can't have "both", but I'm pointing out the very obvious fact that the time and resources allocated to a particular title could be spent on something comparatively ignored or maligned.

Maybe it’s just me but in my eyes Criterion is like the holy grail of physical media. And I’m one of the few that care just as much about the packaging and extras then the actual transfer so that’s probably why I feel that way.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Out of all of the SK films I would like an upgrade from the LaserDisc for 2001 A Space Odyssey more than anything though. Especially if they did it like the Princess Bride as a DigiBook.

If you've read the drama in this 449-page thread, you might change your mind out of kindness to Criterion...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=301874

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

Maybe it’s just me but in my eyes Criterion is like the holy grail of physical media. And I’m one of the few that care just as much about the packaging and extras then the actual transfer so that’s probably why I feel that way.

Criterion's great, which is why we're all here. But there's plenty of labels out there doing superlative work at the moment. You think I was wringing my hands when I put my Indicator release of The Last Detail back on my shelf the other night because it wasn't Criterion?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

Ah here we go with this. Why can’t we have both??? There’s nothing wrong with someone wanting a certain film on Criterion even if it’s already got a good transfer somewhere else.

He didn't say there was anything wrong with it. You asked who wouldn't want a great movie to get the Criterion treatment and he answered.

And it's a reasonable answer, too.

I don't totally look at this a zero sum game where every release significantly impacts all other potential releases. I don't, for instance, think their Wes Anderson fixation has an appreciable impact on their release schedule.

But it almost certainly has some impact. And to paraphrase Everett Dirksen, a re-release here and a re-release there and pretty soon you're talking about serious resources.

But who knows how it all shakes out at the end of the day. I'm sure somebody will say the phat stacks generated by, say, The Princess Bride might even make the release of overlooked titles more likely.

Maybe. I dunno. Who knows.

[WeeBey]

IMO, it's difficult to hope that Criterion gets more Kubrick titles while they continue to avoid UHD. It would have been unfortunate if we got 2001 from Criterion rather than the Warner UHD.

This year is the 20th anniversary of Eyes Wide Shut and the best case scenario is a Warner UHD in the fall. Next best scenario is a Criterion release.

Other upcoming anniversaries:

The Shining - 2020 (this is also the release year of Doctor Sleep so I'm hopeful)
Spartacus - 2020
A Clockwork Orange - 2021

I hope we see Warner/Universal UHDs for these.


Lolita doesn't seem like a title Warner will give much attention to, so it's a good candidate for Criterion. If Warner doesn't show Eyes Wide Shut any love this year, that's also a good candidate. I'm not sure about Full Metal Jacket, we could see a UHD in a couple of years but I can also see them licensing it. The same is true for A Clockwork Orange, if Warner decides they don't want to put it out in UHD.

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by octagon

He didn't say there was anything wrong with it. You asked who wouldn't want a great movie to get the Criterion treatment and he answered.

And it's a reasonable answer, too.

I don't totally look at this a zero sum game where every release significantly impacts all other potential releases. I don't, for instance, think their Wes Anderson fixation has an appreciable impact on their release schedule.

But it almost certainly has some impact. And to paraphrase Everett Dirksen, a re-release here and a re-release there and pretty soon you're talking about serious resources.

But who knows how it all shakes out at the end of the day. I'm sure somebody will say the phat stacks generated by, say, The Princess Bride might even make the release of overlooked titles more likely.

Maybe. I dunno. Who knows.

Well said. Now where the hell is Freaks (1932) ?

[jedidarrick]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

What's the next Kubrick film to come to Criterion? Lolita? A Spartacus upgrade? Eyes Wide Shut?

Lolita is probably most likely, as that was on Filmstruck, but I'd be more excited for Eyes Wide Shut or Clockwork Orange (there's a 4k transfer of the latter that WB is just sitting on).

[Cremildo]

I could think of just a few films in less need of the Criterion treatment than Spartacus or 2001, both of which already have high-quality, stacked releases in the format. By all accounts, however, Eyes Wide Shut could use a much-improved transfer, and Lolita, more bonus materials. Personally, I'd love to own a top-notch Blu-ray of EWS that is faithful to its intended look.

[nitin]

Yeah someone needs to redo Eyes Wide Shut, don’t care if it’s Warner (via UHD) or Criterion personally as both will do a good job. It’s not exactly the next Kubrick title I can see coming from Warner though.

Speaking of some earlier Warner titles that could do with a redo, a 4k remaster of Body Heat would also be very welcome.

[Burt Lancaster]

A Criterion of Body Heat would be excellent.

I too agree Lolita is perhaps the most likely choice for a Kurbick Criterion . . . though is there any confirmations or news or hints that will happen?

[StarDestroyer52]

Preferably I like to see Lolita and A Clockwork Orange(I believe the Warner DigiBook is OOP, also). In the case of Spartacus, it already has a great restoration by Universal, and I least would prefer them to release material that has been overlooked or is badly in need of restoration. Admittedly, I haven't seen Eyes Wide Shut or Barry Lyndon(which I really need to pick up BTW).

I love all the Criterion extras and I watch them all at least once, but it's not like I go back and re-watch them multiple times, sometimes there are exceptions but generally, I watch them usually once and that's it. Also, least IMO, Arrow and Indicator do just as great work as Criterion with there extras, booklets, and cases. I love all three of the labels.

[zoodermin]

What's your opinion on A Face in the Crowd? I've never seen it but the plot synopsis got me really intrigued and I'm a fan of Kazan's Streetcar and On the Waterfront. Does it merit a blind-buy?

[nitin]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

What's your opinion on A Face in the Crowd? I've never seen it but the plot synopsis got me really intrigued and I'm a fan of Kazan's Streetcar and On the Waterfront. Does it merit a blind-buy?

It's a great film and one of Kazan's best. I think it's better than Streetcar personally (which is also excellent).

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

What's your opinion on A Face in the Crowd? I've never seen it but the plot synopsis got me really intrigued and I'm a fan of Kazan's Streetcar and On the Waterfront. Does it merit a blind-buy?

Absolutely. It's nothing less than a distinctly American classic, and its relevance only continues to increase.

[The Great Owl]

I found White Material in perfect condition for $14 at a used movie store down the street earlier today, so I grabbed it at long last.

I have been intrigued by this movie for a while now, but somehow never picked it up before.

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by Reddington

If you've read the drama in this 449-page thread, you might change your mind out of kindness to Criterion...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=301874

I don't really care all that much I just want an excuse to have the special features on a newer format which will last longer since working LD players and servicing are getting pretty rare these days.