The Criterion Collection

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

I received my Valentines Day sale order yesterday and I watched "Life During Wartime' last night. Is it me or is the PQ & AQ horrendous

I had to turn it up so high to get a clear sound of the dialogue & the picture looks like a 4th generation VHS that was computer digitalized

The first time I've been so disappointed in a Criterion release. The master can't be that bad, its a newer film. Or was this supposed to be this bad?? Anyone?

I haven't seen the film so I can't speak from experience, but given that this site gave the video a perfect score, and the beaver calls the video "immaculate," I imagine it was a stylistic choice on Solendz' part. As for the audio, it also gets perfect marks, so it is strange that you had a problem with the levels. Maybe you got a bad disc?

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

I received my Valentines Day sale order yesterday and I watched "Life During Wartime' last night. Is it me or is the PQ & AQ horrendous

I had to turn it up so high to get a clear sound of the dialogue & the picture looks like a 4th generation VHS that was computer digitalized

The first time I've been so disappointed in a Criterion release. The master can't be that bad, its a newer film. Or was this supposed to be this bad?? Anyone?

I got my order in on Saturday also and cracked into 3 Outlaw Samurai and was very pleased. Maybe not the same super strong Kurosawa undertones on theme, but close. The presentation was fantastic too. Too bad there were no supplements, but the price was right. I also dug into La Jetée for the 3rd or 4th time and am always amused at what I think about it every time. It is one of those experiences that you just cannot find an answer for. I guess that is why you keep coming back. The PQ is very good, but not earth shattering for me to get rid of the DVD. I also picked up Godzilla to see if my son would like it. After about 2 minuted trying to get it out of the case (I know, I read the others comments on the packaging) the pop-up made me laugh. Criterion has to cater to everyone I guess. Anyways, the presentation was good, but not the best. Just a fun buy. My .02 cents on my CC weekend.

As for the Solondz film, frankly, I think the film is bad, but the presentation was about as clear as you will find. If I remember correctly, it was filmed with a digital camera, so it does not have that film look and I don't think it was supposed to. It doesn't have that modern Wes Anderson looking presentation at all, more like Transformers.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

I received my Valentines Day sale order yesterday and I watched "Life During Wartime' last night. Is it me or is the PQ & AQ horrendous

I had to turn it up so high to get a clear sound of the dialogue & the picture looks like a 4th generation VHS that was computer digitalized

The first time I've been so disappointed in a Criterion release. The master can't be that bad, its a newer film. Or was this supposed to be this bad?? Anyone?

The reviews give full marks for PQ and such, but a low mark for the film itself. The film isn't well liked, yet it doesn't seem to get as much hate as other films.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by jcs913

As for the Solondz film, frankly, I think the film is bad, but the presentation was about as clear as you will find. If I remember correctly, it was filmed with a digital camera, so it does not have that film look and I don't think it was supposed to. It doesn't have that modern Wes Anderson looking presentation at all, more like Transformers.

I believe it was filmed with a Red One, so yeah.

I also watched Three Outlaw Samurai and Godzilla recently. I really liked both, and am glad to have them in my collection. If anyone is interested, Greg Ruth, the artist who did the drawings for Three Outlaw Samurai is selling them (he is also selling signed copies of the movie). If I had more money, I would be very tempted by these:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Gregthings?ref=seller_info

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by octagon

This may or may not be a goofy question but bear with me.

When I watch Psycho these days I find that more often than not I'm only really interested watching Janet Leigh get to the motel. For me the best part of the film is her driving in the rain at night.

The 'good stuff' is obviously still pretty good but the forty-five miinute setup is what keeps me coming back.

Is rewatching Wages of Fear anything like that?

I'm in complete agreement about Psycho, Octagon. As much as I admire the second half of the movie, the dramatic tension of the Janet Leigh sequences can't be beat. On repeat viewings, once that tension is..."pierced" in the shower, it takes a while to recover. Still think it's 100% brilliant, blah blah, etc.

The greatness of Wages of Fear sort of eluded me until I saw it a second and third time. And yes, it's much the same idea -- the time spent showing the guys languishing in their poverty is remarkably textured and vivid. The characters are fascinating, and varied. I couldn't even say just how much of the film has elapsed by the time they get in the trucks, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were more than 50%.

However, when I first saw it, I was already madly in love with Friedkin's Sorcerer, so the incredible critical reputation of the original worked against it for me. I still prefer Sorcerer, frankly, and would consider giving my eye teeth if Criterion would take a crack at it. It certainly needs a little HD TLC.

[imnotready]

Very strange question: I just got my Valentine's day haul in the mail and for some strange reason inside the Three Colors blu-ray boxset, in the case where the first film, Blue, should be, is a DVD copy of the film 'Secret Sunshine'. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by imnotready

Very strange question: I just got my Valentine's day haul in the mail and for some strange reason inside the Three Colors blu-ray boxset, in the case where the first film, Blue, should be, is a DVD copy of the film 'Secret Sunshine'. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

isn't that the disc that was reissued in the set?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

isn't that the disc that was reissued in the set?

[Jr7936]

just got my 2 criterions preorders when they were 16.99 each as well as a copy of tora tora tora. i do want to watch world on a wire tonight but i am not sure due to the length of it

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

isn't that the disc that was reissued in the set?

White was the reissued disc and he got screwed. Better send an e-mail to Criterion about it.

[aherron]

Originally Posted by Jr7936

just got my 2 criterions preorders when they were 16.99 each as well as a copy of tora tora tora. i do want to watch world on a wire tonight but i am not sure due to the length of it

Yes I got mine as well World On A Wire and Anatomy Of A Murder. Will be watching it this weekend. Busy week for me.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by imnotready

Very strange question: I just got my Valentine's day haul in the mail and for some strange reason inside the Three Colors blu-ray boxset, in the case where the first film, Blue, should be, is a DVD copy of the film 'Secret Sunshine'. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

I haven't had an issue like this with Criterion before, but I experienced the same problem.

My copy of "Blue" was missing and instead I got Secret Sunshine on DVD.

[imnotready]

Originally Posted by GenPion

I haven't had an issue like this with Criterion before, but I experienced the same problem.

My copy of "Blue" was missing and instead I got Secret Sunshine on DVD.

I don't know if you'll have the same luck, but I actually put in the copy of Secret Sunshine on DVD after I posted here and it's actually totally Three Colors Blue on blu-ray. The disc just says it's Secret Sunshine on DVD. So strange.

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by FaceInTheLeaves

I for one love Godzilla's pop-up packaging. It made me smile.

If you can't get the disc out of the slipcase it helps if you shake it (violently).

ditto, on both

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by imnotready

I don't know if you'll have the same luck, but I actually put in the copy of Secret Sunshine on DVD after I posted here and it's actually totally Three Colors Blue on blu-ray. The disc just says it's Secret Sunshine on DVD. So strange.

Just checked the disc. Your right... it is Blue on Blu-ray. But I'd still like a disc labeled properly as it's supposed to be. I think since I need to exchange the disc for White anyway I might as well correct both issues.

[DLizzle]

That seems like an error I'd actually keep for some reason. It seems amusing.

[dwane5]

Originally Posted by FaceInTheLeaves

I for one love Godzilla's pop-up packaging. It made me smile.

If you can't get the disc out of the slipcase it helps if you shake it (violently).

haha thats sort of what i did.

too tight is better than too loose

[Josh5890]

Is there usually a criterion sale at B&N during the summer? I'm tired of missing out on these Under $20 sales and I'm going to start saving up for a big haul next time.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Josh5890

Is there usually a criterion sale at B&N during the summer? I'm tired of missing out on these Under $20 sales and I'm going to start saving up for a big haul next time.

July usually.

[trombone dixie]

Originally Posted by jcs913

White was the reissued disc and he got screwed. Better send an e-mail to Criterion about it.

Has Criterion fixed the issue with WHITE? I never heard about a replacement option.