The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jayembee

If not for the fact that there are too many other films I need to get first, I've been very tempted to pick by the Lionsgate/StudioCanal BD even though I already have the Criterion BD simply to get the extras that aren't on the Criterion.

I will continue to seek out the Criterion Blu-ray of The Third Man, because I love this movie enough to want a superior transfer.

The picture quality of the StudioCanal edition is impressive in its own right, though, and the movie looks better than I've ever seen it. The audio presentation has some shortcomings, sadly, and there are no English subtitles on the StudioCanal Blu-ray to fill in the gaps (although I did not really need them simply for having seen the movie so many times). There are a few pops and crackles about in the audio.

The Third Man is one of the most visually spectacular movies that I have ever seen, and the use of shadows is just extraordinary. All of this comes to light quite brilliantly on the StudioCanal Blu-ray, but I've always read that the Criterion Blu-ray has more "oomph" with the video quality.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

+ highest possible number

You just had to one-up me, didn't you?

[dorothyv]

Fyi, for those thinking of picking up the StudioCanal version of The Third Man, it is currently on sale for $9.99 at B&N (or even cheaper than that with a likely coupon this weekend).

[mdonovan]

Just finished

Loved it ... Was this part of a series ? Very existential.

Really lived up to the reviews here !

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

You just had to one-up me, didn't you?

Psyched to have huge fans of that film around .. I absolutely loved it.

[Scottie]

The March titles are surprisingly already available for pre-order.

A Brief History Of Time
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Freshman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

George Washington
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Great Beauty
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Hidden Fortress
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Persona
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I'm tempted to see it because I've heard that Hirokazu Kore-eda, one of my favorite directors, has said he's influenced by that film's director.

Since we got Still Walking, think there's a chance we'll eventually get I Wish? Or, for that matter, ANYTHING ELSE by him on blu? I know some dismiss his work as sentimental, but he looks like an Ozu heir to me. I don't find Kore-eda's work at all cliche or manipulative. In fact, I'm generally moved by it.

Maybe we'll get Like Father, Like Son since Criterion seem to be recently releasing more films right after their theatrical release. It has gotten a lot of festival buzz.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by RojD

Since we got Still Walking, think there's a chance we'll eventually get I Wish? Or, for that matter, ANYTHING ELSE by him on blu? I know some dismiss his work as sentimental, but he looks like an Ozu heir to me. I don't find Kore-eda's work at all cliche or manipulative. In fact, I'm generally moved by it.

Maybe we'll get Like Father, Like Son since Criterion seem to be recently releasing more films right after their theatrical release. It has gotten a lot of festival buzz.

Me, I'm hoping for Nobody Knows. Outstanding piece of work.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The March titles are surprisingly already available for pre-order.

A Brief History Of Time
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Freshman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

George Washington
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Great Beauty
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Hidden Fortress
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Persona
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I just saw these and was stunned. Great stuff there.
Here's hoping more Bergman will follow.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My $70 Samsung Blu-ray player is a Region A player, but it plays the region free (or "all regions") Blu-rays as well, like all Region A players do. I've deliberately avoided buying a player that will allow me to play Region B Exclusive discs, because God knows that I spend enough on Blu-rays already.

That's IMO a silly argument. Did you make sure you got a region locked DVD player when you bought DVD's? The idea of having a region-free player is that your choices are not restricted by some arbitrary limitation, and you can get the (in your view) BEST version of a film you want, the most economically suitable version* or in some cases get a film you absolutely love but for whatever reason is not available in your region. You still have your discretion as to what titles you think are essential to your collection. Also, titles that are less essential can be sold off to recoup your costs. Anyway, that's just my view.


For instance, if you got the region B version of Third Man, you'd have had I think all the extras other then the Soderbergh commentary and could have sold off your Criterion DVD for a solid chunk of change

[GentleGiant]

Anybody seen The Great Beauty? From what I've read I gather it must be something special.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by RojD

Maybe we'll get Like Father, Like Son since Criterion seem to be recently releasing more films right after their theatrical release. It has gotten a lot of festival buzz.

(Like most not into festivals, I CAN"T be the only one who did a double take and pictured Kirk Cameron and Dudley Moore... )

[Meek12345]

I haven't seen any of the titles that were recently announced. That might be a first for me. I almost feel bad about it. Although, I guess one of the great things about keeping up with Criterion releases is that they will expose you to a wide variety of "new" films. I'm most interested in The Great Beauty and Persona.

Also, I have been wondering if I'm the only member on this forum that loves The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Another member mentioned that it was their first Criterion blu-ray and then stated that they didn't want any comments about it. Almost like they were afraid of having tomatoes thrown at them. Do you all think it is the red-headed step child of the collection? Nothing is as bad as Border Radio right? I think that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a wonderful although flawed film. I view it as an experimental film for David Fincher. So, even the flaws are fascinating to me.

By the way, I will be watching The Game for the first time later this week.

P.S. Pale Flower is awesome . I recommend that all collectors have a copy of that one.

[pro-bassoonist]

Thief Blu-ray REVIEW



People are in for a very special treat with this new release of Michael Mann's Thief. The new 4K makeover is outstanding. It is the spectacular Tangerine Dream score, however, that makes this release so special.

Blu-ray was created to deliver exactly this kind of quality in the video and audio departments. Terrific

Dr. Destructo - Tangerine Dream - Thief Soundtrack - YouTube

Pro-B

[ravenus]

^I have never seen Thief in any format, so this is a wholly uninformed opinion, but the Criterion transfer seems to lean towards teal, and I am a little surprised that an 80's American film has that sort of color scheme. Is this how the film looked in theatrical or previous Home Video releases or is it a cases of director approved re-grading?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by RojD

Since we got Still Walking, think there's a chance we'll eventually get I Wish? Or, for that matter, ANYTHING ELSE by him on blu? I know some dismiss his work as sentimental, but he looks like an Ozu heir to me. I don't find Kore-eda's work at all cliche or manipulative. In fact, I'm generally moved by it.

Maybe we'll get Like Father, Like Son since Criterion seem to be recently releasing more films right after their theatrical release. It has gotten a lot of festival buzz.

I Wish is the Kore-eda film I was most affected by on an emotional level so I'd love to see that one on Blu-ray, as well as Nobody Knows and After Life (seriously, After Life seems like a no-brainer release for Criterion).

I've never come across criticisms of Kore-eda's films as "sentimental, cliche, manipulative", etc. Personally, I find them to be the opposite of all three and fail to see how someone could make such a statement but whatever.

I of course want to see Like Father, Like Son (I've watched Kore-eda's eight previous feature length fictional films). It appears to be headed for US theatres on January 17th according to IMDb so if I can catch it in the cinema, great! If not, a home video release better be in the works.

Originally Posted by jayembee

Me, I'm hoping for Nobody Knows. Outstanding piece of work.

I always try to temper my praise (and criticism) so as not to seem prone to hyperbole but I really agree that Nobody Knows is indeed outstanding. Brilliant, even.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by ravenus

^I have never seen Thief in any format, so this is a wholly uninformed opinion, but the Criterion transfer seems to lean towards teal, and I am a little surprised that an 80's American film has that sort of color scheme. Is this how the film looked in theatrical or previous Home Video releases or is it a cases of director approved re-grading?

Hi Ravenus

I have the R1 MGM DVD which also has the prominent neon look (though frequently you would not be able to tell as the colors are all over the place; that disc is not anamorphic). Reds are perhaps pushed up a bit more on it, but I would discard them.

This new release comes with a new transfer from the digital 4K resto. This transfer is approved by Mr. Mann.

Pro-B

[tonylopez]

Ooo, the review for THIEF has me so excited. I'm looking most forward to the Tangerine Dream score blaring in glorious HD.

[Mansinthe]

@ Kore-eda topic here


people should go region free and import the arrow release of "i wish" and the upcoming release of "like father like son" as well

[I KEEL YOU]

Pro-B, great review. Is there a slow motion effect at the end of the movie? Also, do you know what cut it is?