The Criterion Collection

[tyrone_slothrop]

Originally Posted by Volume11

You couldn't be more wrong with your take. I collect films from Criterion, Masters of Cinema, Kino (A company just a few months ago I lambasted for terrible DVD releases over the years whom I now support due to all of the post General blus looking fantastic), and, well, any movie I want from any label. I love these collections as much as the next guy but when I want a movie I buy it irregardless of who put it out IF its a solid release. For example, I pre ordered the OZU BFI and MoC Vengeance Is Mine blus knowing that its highly likely Crtierion would eventually get around to them.

The Ran blu looks terrible, period. Perhaps it is source related and the very best it will ever look...who knows? But in the back of my mind I cant help but think they are culling the blu from an old master. For a title with the weight Ran has you would think at some point a full restoration would be in order...If not, why release it when the Criterion DVD can give it a run for its money?

And Contempt...some parts look great...other parts look like a Fox Lorber DVD...

And most of their "solid" releases have noise and consistency issues...which I can swallow...but when you add the aforementioned titles to the mix its hard to take them seriously when they have 4 to 5 competitor's whom they often license to that do a much better job.

See I just don't understand how one can say that Ran looks "terrible." I have owned this movie on Laserdisc, VHS, and multiple DVD editions over the years. I have also seen it projected theatrically (although this was years ago, so I won't bring those impressions into this discussion). The blu-ray by Studio Canal is the film's best home video presentation, period. Like others have said, it's not perfect, there is noise, a restoration would improve its quality tremendously, etc. None of this changes the fact that if you could only choose 1 version of this film to own on disc, the blu ray is the only reasonable choice.

[42041]

Originally Posted by tyrone_slothrop

It's a 25 year old film whose elements aren't in great shape.

Is it a fact, or a supposition based on a series of crappy transfers? I don't know if criterion would've done a better job, but I'm a bit shocked when people think a hair better than SD is "perfectly adequate"

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by tyrone_slothrop

See I just don't understand how one can say that Ran looks "terrible." I have owned this movie on Laserdisc, VHS, and multiple DVD editions over the years. I have also seen it projected theatrically (although this was years ago, so I won't bring those impressions into this discussion). The blu-ray by Studio Canal is the film's best home video presentation, period. Like others have said, it's not perfect, there is noise, a restoration would improve its quality tremendously, etc. None of this changes the fact that if you could only choose 1 version of this film to own on disc, the blu ray is the only reasonable choice.

It does look terrible on, IMO. Its one dimensional, noisy, and looks riddled with EE or artificial sharpening of some sort. It looks to be culled from a master that was never intended for HD home viewing.

And my personal take varies from company to company and title to title...but Blu Rays are expensive. And we vote with our wallet. I'd rather give another company my hard earned cash for a title that got the treatment it deserves. And the sad part is that Moc (although backed by Eureka) and Criterion have a lot less flow to throw around and they do a better job.

And in Ran's case, the blu isn't a huge upgrade over the Criterion release.

This whole debate reminds me of the Fox Lorber DVD titles, like 400 Blows and Breathless, looking absolutely terrible. I told people then I refuse to buy them and lo and behold the rights went back to Criterion and superior versions were released. I can do the same for the SC collection...there are plenty of films from around the world that I haven't bought yet that would be more deserving of my cash.

[tyrone_slothrop]

Originally Posted by 42041

Is it a fact, or a supposition based on a series of crappy transfers? I don't know if criterion would've done a better job, but I'm a bit shocked when people think a hair better than SD is "perfectly adequate"

A valid question. I think because Criterion's DVD was not exactly eye-popping it was generally assumed that if that was as good as Criterion could do, the film elements must be compromised.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Deep Discount is known for their pricing however their shipping is the worst. Anyone who ships anyone anything media mail needs hit upside their head. Media Mail can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a month and it isn't that much cheaper than first class.

Or just a few days. (Like 4 for me. Exception rather than the rule, but it doesn't necessarily take weeks or months.)

[ieatedjessicalba]

WHERES THE NAKED PREY!?! that movie was badass!! i remember it came on hbo one night and i was like "yeeahhh... some nudie flick!" and was disappointed when it was an old schoOl flick

... but i thought ehh, may have some tribal boObies!! and i watched it and it was AWESOME! bought it for like 45 bucks on criterion collection DvD. Money well spent!!

[VideoPhonic]

From Amazon:

[Beta Man]

That's interesting...... usually Criterion's site is the first to have them up......

Originally Posted by ieatedjessicalba

WHERES THE NAKED PREY!?! that movie was badass!! i remember it came on hbo one night and i was like "yeeahhh... some nudie flick!" and was disappointed when it was an old schoOl flick

... but i thought ehh, may have some tribal boObies!! and i watched it and it was AWESOME! bought it for like 45 bucks on criterion collection DvD. Money well spent!!

Be right back...... going to make sure my doors are locked.......

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by VideoPhonic

From Amazon:

Hopefully these are accurate. I loved the box art for the 3 disc edition of Seven Samurai, so to do that again is only a good thing. The Videodrone art is also cool, and the same as the old dvd release. Can't wait to see the art for The Thin Red Line.

[AnimeOnBlu]

HiRes Covers:
Seven Samurai:


Videodrome:

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Hopefully these are accurate. I loved the box art for the 3 disc edition of Seven Samurai, so to do that again is only a good thing. The Videodrone art is also cool, and the same as the old dvd release. Can't wait to see the art for The Thin Red Line.

Those two covers are identical to the DVD version covers. Could just be cut and paste jobs.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Those two covers are identical to the DVD version covers. Could just be cut and paste jobs.

B-I-N-G-O.

I didn't want to say it first (I got a rep for that so I'll try to stay in the background on this one), but very nice custom work. The Seven Samurai one could look like that, but we don't even know 100% by Criterion that Videodrome is even coming out (just Amazon link and rumors. No e-mail newsletters or anything.) But if it is, I hope they keep that old cover.

I could actually see these being September releases along with Hausu.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Those two covers are identical to the DVD version covers. Could just be cut and paste jobs.

Well obviously. I'm just hoping they retain the awesome old covers. But honestly, I can't think of a bad Criterion cover art in recent memory

[captveg]

If there's no new DVD counterparts there's no reason Criterion would change the covers (aside from the new logo / spine for Videodrome).

I'd wager these are legit.

[platform]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

B-I-N-G-O.

I didn't want to say it first (I got a rep for that so I'll try to stay in the background on this one), but very nice custom work. The Seven Samurai one could look like that, but we don't even know 100% by Criterion that Videodrome is even coming out (just Amazon link and rumors. No e-mail newsletters or anything.) But if it is, I hope they keep that old cover.

I could actually see these being September releases along with Hausu.

These two are not custom made but are direct copies of Amazon's high res stock pictures, which I think are legit.

[neo78956]

So it's pretty quiet in here. Let's talk!

What do you guys think of the June releases? Planning on getting any of them? Which ones are you favorites?

For me, I plan on getting Mystery Train, Close-up, and The Leopard. I'll Netflix Red Desert and Everlasting Moments.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by platform

These two are not custom made but are direct copies of Amazon's high res stock pictures, which I think are legit.

BUT, this never happened before.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

So it's pretty quiet in here. Let's talk!

What do you guys think of the June releases? Planning on getting any of them? Which ones are you favorites?

For me, I plan on getting Mystery Train, Close-up, and The Leopard. I'll Netflix Red Desert and Everlasting Moments.

RED DESERT 100%.

Close-up 2nd.

[Knapsack]

I'm most interested in Red Desert and The Leopard.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by neo78956

So it's pretty quiet in here. Let's talk!

What do you guys think of the June releases? Planning on getting any of them? Which ones are you favorites?

For me, I plan on getting Mystery Train, Close-up, and The Leopard. I'll Netflix Red Desert and Everlasting Moments.

I've got Mystery Train on pre-order...the wife has an interest in Everlasting Moments, which I will probably NetFlix with Night Train to Munich.

Strange thing with Red Desert on NetFlix...it'll come up into my queue fine as a DVD, bit when I request BD, it goes into a "save" area below my queue and reads as availability "unknown".

As mentioned earlier, I ordered The Man Who Fell to Earth, since it's 25.99 on Amazon.

I haven't wanted to purchase any DVDs, but if I like Night Train enough, I might make an exception.