The Criterion Collection

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Kndy,

I saw that you have Ingmar Bergman: Four Masterworks. A question, since I own all those movies already, in that set does the movies have their old cover art, or are they updated with the wacky C? I was always curious of that.

Hey CG, the DVD's inside use the older Criterion artwork. It's just that slip case cover that uses the more modern C.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

Hey CG, the DVD's inside use the older Criterion artwork. It's just that slip case cover that uses the more modern C.

Got ya. I only asked because I love that slip case on your shelf and the cover on Criterion's site. I have all the movies, so I didn't want to re-buy the dvds. I don't know what I was thinking. Hey maybe if I e-mail Criterion that "my slipcase for the set I have" is damaged, they'll give me one. No, I won't do that to them.

[Deviation]

Originally Posted by SolutionbubbleS

What is your take? Mineis: The grain structure seems a little more prominent on the SC, but the Criterion being a little lighter shows of more detail...

So I will get both

Looks to me like the Optimum version is contrast boosted, whereas the Criterion version looks appropriate.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Got ya. I only asked because I love that slip case on your shelf and the cover on Criterion's site. I have all the movies, so I didn't want to re-buy the dvds. I don't know what I was thinking. Hey maybe if I e-mail Criterion that "my slipcase for the set I have" is damaged, they'll give me one. No, I won't do that to them.

You can do that. They'll charge you $5 for it probably, so you're still having to pay for that case part anyway. Hehe.... Btw, hope you're taking advantage of that Kino BD sale right now on DD...that's like $11 per Blu-ray.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

You can do that. They'll charge you $5 for it probably, so you're still having to pay for that case part anyway. Hehe.... Btw, hope you're taking advantage of that Kino BD sale right now on DD...that's like $11 per Blu-ray.

I could. I'll prob will then sometime.

Other than the Pandora movie, there isn't any other Kinos I want/need (got all the silents, etc). If that is in the sale, I could maybe add some other blu in the sale too.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by kndy

Criterion removing 66 titles from Netflix on September 22nd. Will Criterion go for Hulu, Mubi or resign with Netflix or all three?

Update:

Update 8/27/10 - I went back to InstantWatcher.com to check on the status of upcoming expiring Criterion films, and it appears that this entire list has disappeared from their listings. I checked on a few of the titles, and it looks like their streaming end dates have been extended! I will be updating this post later, with the correct dates, but it looks like something happened between this post going up, and now.

[bytor]

You guys scared me, I glanced at this and at first I thought they were removing the criterion blu rays from Netflix. Streaming.. pfft, who cares, a lot of them were SD anyway.

[bugsy_pal]

Re the DVD Beaver comparison of Breathless... from what I can see, I prefer the Criterion. It seems to have more natural grey levels (no contrast boosting?) and there is a bit more information on the left side of the frame.

Strangely, the SC version does show more detail in some shots - look at the book titles in the capture of Belmondo sitting on the bed. I can't imagine that this would be due to the slightly higher bitrate.

I wonder whether the SC has had sharpening or edge enhancement done. The grain looks a little unnatural to me. There's obviously a lot of grain in the print, but the SC seem to have almost given some shots a solarised look.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by bugsy_pal

Re the DVD Beaver comparison of Breathless... from what I can see, I prefer the Criterion. It seems to have more natural grey levels (no contrast boosting?) and there is a bit more information on the left side of the frame.

Strangely, the SC version does show more detail in some shots - look at the book titles in the capture of Belmondo sitting on the bed. I can't imagine that this would be due to the slightly higher bitrate.

I wonder whether the SC has had sharpening or edge enhancement done. The grain looks a little unnatural to me. There's obviously a lot of grain in the print, but the SC seem to have almost given some shots a solarised look.

They also show the Blu-Ray packaging for Breathless. Looks like a very nice digipak. Almost identical to the DVD packaging.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/breathless.htm

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

They also show the Blu-Ray packaging for Breathless. Looks like a very nice digipak. Almost identical to the DVD packaging.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/breathless.htm

This was never my fav Godard (though isn't bad at all, just like more better), but the dvd packaging is my fav of Criterions'. Glad the blu is the same. Makes me want Vivre sa vie in a digi.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

This was never my fav Godard (though isn't bad at all, just like more better), but the dvd packaging is my fav of Criterions'. Glad the blu is the same. Makes me want Vivre sa vie in a digi.

Isn't Breathless one of Godard's most praised, best reviewed films? I've heard a good deal about it but believe it or not never actually seen it. I'm sure I'll buy it soon after release on Blu. Sounds like a ton of neat supplements with this release as well.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Isn't Breathless one of Godard's most praised, best reviewed films? I've heard a good deal about it but believe it or not never actually seen it. I'm sure I'll buy it soon after release on Blu. Sounds like a ton of neat supplements with this release as well.

Because it's his first, so it's always his most popular. Just like other directors' work. Early work is always looked at as the best. His other work isn't watched as much, then Breathless becomes his "best". If I would ask someone what 2 Godard films do they know, without knowing much Godard, they would say Breathless (his first, what brought about the New Wave) and Contempt (prob biggest picture). So in this case, popular=good. Like a IMDB list.

It's just my opinion that I like Vivre sa vie, Le Petit Soldat, Pierrot le fou, Masculin féminin and prob Band of Outsiders better. Then comes Breathless for me. It's just taste. It also helps that a whole fashion statement came about because of Breathless.

[retask]

Too much Godard-discussions here, there are other directors out there. Anyone fancy Werner Herzog? To me he´s one of the best, most fearless and experimental directors living today. Fitzcarraldo is one of the greatest epic films ever made, and he´s two newest films Bad Lieutenant and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done are great alternates to most american films being made. Especially Bad Lieutenant.

[alen_shime]

Originally Posted by retask

Too much Godard-discussions here, there are other directors out there. Anyone fancy Werner Herzog? To me he´s one of the best, most fearless and experimental directors living today. Fitzcarraldo is one of the greatest epic films ever made, and he´s two newest films Bad Lieutenant and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done are great alternates to most american films being made. Especially Bad Lieutenant.

I'm a big Herzog fan, and I think the most fascinating thing about him is not only the fact that he is a great director, but the fact that he has done everything, from documentaries, epic movies, a brilliant remake, to a digitally shot movie, and nearly all of them are awesome. He is IMHO one of the few directors who can make a great movie whenever they want or feel the urge to.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by retask

Too much Godard-discussions here, there are other directors out there. Anyone fancy Werner Herzog? To me he´s one of the best, most fearless and experimental directors living today. Fitzcarraldo is one of the greatest epic films ever made, and he´s two newest films Bad Lieutenant and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done are great alternates to most american films being made. Especially Bad Lieutenant.

To be fair, Godard does have a film coming to CC blu-ray in two weeks whereas Herzog is only in the collection indirectly (Burden of Dreams).

I'd love to see CC somehow get the rights to a film like Fitzcarraldo or Aguirre. These would probably make 2-disc blu sets because Herzog would def. do commentary tracks.

[wolffuncut]

Originally Posted by retask

Anyone fancy Werner Herzog?

There are rumours of a possible BD Release of Herzog/Kinski Collection in Germany..
In the meantime, Trailer for the new Herzog Documentary Happy People

[ShellOilJunior]

Despite Beaver's review I prefer the Criteron Blu over the SC. The Criterion looks much more film-like whereas as the SC version has had some sharpening and contrast-boosting applied. It may not seem like a huge difference in the caps but in motion I'm sure it's much more pronounced.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by wolffuncut

There are rumours of a possible BD Release of Herzog/Kinski Collection in Germany..

Hmmm... it probably wouldn't have English subtitles.

[Juiceboxjerry]

I don't know how people take so much away from screenshots. I might be a little weird, but I need to actually see the moving picture on screen in order to make any determination. It helps a little when they do side by side comparisons, but I still can't tell how much I like it.

As for Herzog, they really do need to get some of his stuff in the collection. It makes no sense at all. Not just for the great films, but I'm sure they could do some awesome things in regards to supplements.

[ksc2303]

I was actually very fortunate to see the 35mm print of Breathless yesterday. The Criterion screenshots have the same look as the 35mm print, the SC pictures show too much contrast boosting.