The Criterion Collection

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by professorwho

In terms of restoration, and best when first released? Sure. Encoding? Not really.

those caps-a-holic screenshots are pretty self-explanatory!

[s-hell]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Is 'M' The Criterion Collection edition any better than the German edition of the same title?

Originally Posted by ravenus

German edition comes from a later restoration and is supposed to have improved video (less damage) and especially audio (less hiss).

Usually Universum editions are a definite second choice if there is a Eureka or Criterion alternative. M is not particularly bad, however - the main film takes over 35 GB on the BD. Keep in mind though that the main extras are on the PAL DVD (disc 2). The blu-ray (disc 1) at least seems to contain no 50 Hz videos.

The extras are not bad on both editions so it's up to you to compare. The Universum was first released in 2011, it's the same restoration. The sound is quite tinny of course - it's an early sound film after all. But the second audio option just filters out a bit of the hiss.

[PBateman87]

Picked up Smithereens, Cold Water, and then Ratcatcher (that last one DVD only of course, and backordered) for the flash sale.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by s-hell

Usually Universum editions are a definite second choice if there is a Eureka or Criterion alternative. M is not particularly bad, however - the main film takes over 35 GB on the BD. Keep in mind though that the main extras are on the PAL DVD (disc 2). The blu-ray (disc 1) at least seems to contain no 50 Hz videos.

The extras are not bad on both editions so it's up to you to compare. The Universum was first released in 2011, it's the same restoration. The sound is quite tinny of course - it's an early sound film after all. But the second audio option just filters out a bit of the hiss.

So the only difference is that the German BD is higher bitrate than the Criterion Collection BD?

[u2popmofo]

Just the below two for me this sale. I've wanted both for years, not sure why I waited so long.

Badlands
Days of Heaven

[Spider-Fan]

I didn't have as much to spend this go as I would have liked, but I did score the Before Trilogy. That was my main want for the sale.

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by Hazel Motes

Hopefully Mikey & Nicky leads to Husbands and Minnie & Moskowitz getting a Criterion release. I know its technically an Elaine May film, but its done in the style of Cassavetes and stars John and Peter Falk. If it does well maybe we'll finally get the rest of JC on blu.

I would LOVE for Husbands and M&M to get a solid blu treatment. Are these able to be released by Criterion? Or would another label have the rights?

I believe (and could be wrong) Minnie and Moskowitz is Universal and Husbands is Sony/Columbia.

[cropduster]

Originally Posted by Hazel Motes

Hopefully Mikey & Nicky leads to Husbands and Minnie & Moskowitz getting a Criterion release. I know its technically an Elaine May film, but its done in the style of Cassavetes and stars John and Peter Falk. If it does well maybe we'll finally get the rest of JC on blu.

I can't believe some label hasn't licensed both of these Cassavetes films and released them on Blu-ray already. Both films are incredible.

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

So the only difference is that the German BD is higher bitrate than the Criterion Collection BD?

Nope. A more thorough restoration was done, partially cut shots are now fully restored, audio is clearer, and it has a higher bitrate.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by professorwho

Nope. A more thorough restoration was done, partially cut shots are now fully restored, audio is clearer, and it has a higher bitrate.

That's unfortunate. Wish CC would revisit this title.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

Total order is still above $50, $10 GC made it under $50. It will qualify for free shipping.

[Show spoiler]I ordered

Thanks, I ended up ordering four titles anyway.

[edmoney]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

PSA: It would appear that Janus has lost the rights to El Norte. I would recommend picking it up as it is a great film and it may not be around much longer.

Do you have a source for that? I heard that as a rumor before but then thought it got debunked.

[MifuneFan]

It's not on Janus' website anymore, so perhaps that's the basis for his post.

[Crow T. Robot]

Ordered Two Upgrades from DVD:

Wild Stawberries
La Dolce Vita

and Three Blind Buys

Orpheus
For All Mankind
Here is Your Life

Steve

[s-hell]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

So the only difference is that the German BD is higher bitrate than the Criterion Collection BD?

I don't want to tell you something wrong and I don't have the Criterion at hand, just the Eureka. The Universum M restoration is from 2011, done by TLEFilms and CNC. The Eureka has a Ritrovata restoration dated from 2000 (but I think it was finalized a few years later).

The Universum has a better encode with richer grey levels, and both the original sound and a slightly improved sound, but it also seems to fill a few short gaps from a French print. The film lengths are 1:51:26 (Universum) vs. 1:50:39 (Eureka) and 1:49:45 (Criterion), but the initial text titles with info about the restoration vary in length (0:01:55 Universum, 0:01:16 Eureka).

I'd need to get the Criterion and compare the editions, but from the Universum and Eureka I'd say: The Universum may be the best and most complete version of the film available, but don't expect a much improved restoration. The restoration was a work in progress which was finished in 2011, one year after Criterion released the film. That's probably why Eureka and Criterion haven't updated their releases.

The playlist report for the Universum main film anyway is:

Name:                   00021.MPLS
Length:                 1:51:26.096 (h:m:s.ms)

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description     
-----                   -------             -----------     
MPEG-4 AVC Video        0 kbps              1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
Presentation Graphics           German          0,000 kbps                      
Presentation Graphics           German          0,000 kbps                      
Presentation Graphics           English         0,000 kbps

[King Crimson]

Easy Rider, The Brood, Videodrome, Andrei Rublev and Repo Man.

[Daveismyhero]

After the big haul last year, I only grabbed a few titles this time around:
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
The Awful Truth (blind buy)
My Man Godfrey (blind buy)

I would have loved to have grabbed The Philadelphia Story, but I either missed it or it was not in stock when the sale went live. Was anyone able to grab it?

I also would have liked to grab The Blob, but that wasn't too high on my wishlist.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by s-hell

I don't want to tell you something wrong and I don't have the Criterion at hand, just the Eureka. The Universum M restoration is from 2011, done by TLEFilms and CNC. The Eureka has a Ritrovata restoration dated from 2000 (but I think it was finalized a few years later).

The Universum has a better encode with richer grey levels, and both the original sound and a slightly improved sound, but it also seems to fill a few short gaps from a French print. The film lengths are 1:51:26 (Universum) vs. 1:50:39 (Eureka) and 1:49:45 (Criterion), but the initial text titles with info about the restoration vary in length (0:01:55 Universum, 0:01:16 Eureka).

I'd need to get the Criterion and compare the editions, but from the Universum and Eureka I'd say: The Universum may be the best and most complete version of the film available, but don't expect a much improved restoration. The restoration was a work in progress which was finished in 2011, one year after Criterion released the film. That's probably why Eureka and Criterion haven't updated their releases.

The playlist report for the Universum main film anyway is:

Name:                   00021.MPLS
Length:                 1:51:26.096 (h:m:s.ms)

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description     
-----                   -------             -----------     
MPEG-4 AVC Video        0 kbps              1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             German          0 kbps          2.0 / 48 kHz / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
Presentation Graphics           German          0,000 kbps                      
Presentation Graphics           German          0,000 kbps                      
Presentation Graphics           English         0,000 kbps

Great info!

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Daveismyhero

After the big haul last year, I only grabbed a few titles this time around:
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
The Awful Truth (blind buy)
My Man Godfrey (blind buy)

I would have loved to have grabbed The Philadelphia Story, but I either missed it or it was not in stock when the sale went live. Was anyone able to grab it?

I also would have liked to grab The Blob, but that wasn't too high on my wishlist.

I think The Awful Truth is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I first saw it on the big screen at a revival festival, and the entire audience roared with laughter throughout the entire film. The screenplay is sharp and witty; the performances by Irene Dunne, Cary Grant and Ralph Bellamy are screwball perfection; and Leo McCarey's Oscar-winning direction keeps the whole film zipping right along at a breakneck pace. There are many scenes to be treasured; my favorite is the one in which Irene Dunne poses as Cary Grant's brassy, socially tacky sister. The good news is, the film is just as enjoyable the fifth time you see it as it is the first. Avoid the 1953 musical remake starring Jane Wyman, Ray Milland, and Aldo Ray; it's not without a certain charm of its own, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original. You've got a treat in store!

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by edmoney

Do you have a source for that? I heard that as a rumor before but then thought it got debunked.

There was a rumor floating around about it in the summer during the Barnes and Noble sale but I don't remember it being debunked. The film disappearing from Janus's site altogether is usually a bad sign.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's not on Janus' website anymore, so perhaps that's the basis for his post.

Correct, it must have gone away within the past 2 weeks since I check it every other.