The Criterion Collection

[Beta Man]

Everyone interprets themes and certain aspects of films differently, hence the arguments and 'snobbery' when it comes to movies with plots/themes/etc. that aren't as obvious up front. A big-budget shooter film may have the same amount of "layers" for interpretation, but those layers either aren't delved upon by the viewer, or seem to offer up an explanation much more readily.

People argue ad naseum about The Dark Knight being politically/culturally rooted etc... and I can certainly see where they extrapolate that from, but give some of the same people something like Polanski's "Repulsion" and they just focus on the big "Ah ha" moment or theme of paranoia.

As a highly trained film-snob, I have many more complicated and sophisticated take-aways from "Repulsion", with the main element of the film being: (spoilers for those not in the know)

[Show spoiler]
Catherine Deneuve is dead-sexy!

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Last Days of Disco Blu-ray REVIEW




.

Originally Posted by jayputter

I'm a little bummed and confused by the video review. I know this isn't a top tier release for a lot of people, but I've come to expect so much from Criterion, anything less than perfection is a but disappointing. I'll still be getting it, though.

Yeah...this is my favorite Whit Stillman film (although, I found Damsels in Distress to be absolutely delightful)...and the only one I want to own. So the PQ situation makes me a bit sad...but, like you said, I'll still be getting it.

[Jef Costello]

:Looks like Playtime BD stocks ran out at BN. Still bought it at a 1-2 weeks delivery sched. Not keeping my hopes high on this.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jayputter

I'm a little bummed and confused by the video review. I know this isn't a top tier release for a lot of people, but I've come to expect so much from Criterion, anything less than perfection is a but disappointing. I'll still be getting it, though.

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

Yeah...this is my favorite Whit Stillman film (although, I found Damsels in Distress to be absolutely delightful)...and the only one I want to own. So the PQ situation makes me a bit sad...but, like you said, I'll still be getting it.

From the sound of it, it seems like Criterion just recycled the same master they used for the DVD release three years ago. Kind of surprising that they didn't give it a remaster (wasn't expecting a restoration), but I'm still blind buying this regardless. It's not like I can pass up on Kate Beckinsale's debut in the Criterion Collection.

No offense to the reviewer as I read every single one of his reviews for Criterions I'm interested in, but the review could have done without the repeated rental suggestions in it. The PQ is still an upgrade of course, and given the movie's disco soundtrack, the lossless upgrade will likely be much appreciated.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

From the sound of it, it seems like Criterion just recycled the same master they used for the DVD release three years ago. Kind of surprising that they didn't give it a remaster (wasn't expecting a restoration), but I'm still blind buying this regardless. It's not like I can pass up on Kate Beckinsale's debut in the Criterion Collection.

No offense to the reviewer as I read every single one of his reviews for Criterions I'm interested in, but the review could have done without the repeated rental suggestions in it. The PQ is still an upgrade of course, and given the movie's disco soundtrack, the lossless upgrade will likely be much appreciated.

This is my favorite Stillman too and I think I will be saying goodbye to my dvd regardless. I think Pro-B wrote it how he saw it and that is fine and respected as usual.
On the other side of the coin, you can take the beaver reviewer and he quotes: "Another great Criterion Blu-ray package. This film in 1080P makes for a significantly more film-like presentation. Highly Recommened"

That's why its a 'review'.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Last Days of Disco Blu-ray REVIEW




.

Thanks for the review.

Given that I'm very interested in The Last Days of Disco and am planning to blind-buy during the current B&N sale, it's too bad the picture quality is not quite up to the same standards typical of Criterion. But, I doubt it's so terrible that I would regret having it in my collection, especially when it's discounted at $17.98 (before tax). I'll take a risk on the blind buy, even though the way the story is told may be a bit uneven.

I'm even more interested in Metropolitan, which will be released on the same day as Disco. Looking forward to reading the review for that, too.

[Arkadin]

does the The Samurai Trilogy bd have a new later spine number or do they keep the three numbers of the earlier dvd releases?
If they did decide to give it a new later number that would be the first time they have done that on an upgrade title.
thanks in advance.

[HyperRealist]

Originally Posted by arkadin

does the the samurai trilogy bd have a new later spine number or do they keep the three numbers of the earlier dvd releases?
If they did decide to give it a new later number that would be the first time they have done that on an upgrade title.
Thanks in advance.

14
15
16

[Arkadin]

ok great thanks.

[Shout92]

Any thoughts on the America Lost and Found: The BBS Story box set? I just noticed it was on blu-ray and am interested in it, particularly Easy Rider and Last Picture Show. Is it worth it over the individual releases?

It's too late for me money wise to seriously consider it for the 50% sale, but maybe in November.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Shout92

Any thoughts on the America Lost and Found: The BBS Story box set? I just noticed it was on blu-ray and am interested in it, particularly Easy Rider and Last Picture Show. Is it worth it over the individual releases?

It's too late for me money wise to seriously consider it for the 50% sale, but maybe in November.

There are no individual releases except an OOP Easy Rider with the same transfer.

[Lutz]

Received the Gaumont Querelle bluray.

It's region free - I ejected the disc and toggled my player and it played in region A and B.

The image is extremely soft. I put in my old Columbia Tristar DVD to compare and while the image on that one looks extremely old and washed out I would say the very small jump in detail is only apparent in the slightly better rendering of textures e.g. The fringing on the lamps in the bar or the model ship in the background.

The real jump is that the movie now looks 100% natural and film like with extremely vivid colours. It's hard to tell if it's maybe just the colour tints used on the picture that makes the image so soft?

It certainly isn't sharp as a tack like the Olive release of Despair. But maybe they were filmed differently?

[CoenP]

Watched 'Summer Hours' recently. I really liked it the first time, but absolutely loved it this time. A very honest film about family dealing with life & death.

[blujazz]

Originally Posted by CoenP

Watched 'Summer Hours' recently. I really liked it the first time, but absolutely loved it this time. A very honest film about family dealing with life & death.

Agree!

It's such a wonderful film. And that ending packs a subtle gut-punch.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Shout92

Any thoughts on the America Lost and Found: The BBS Story box set? I just noticed it was on blu-ray and am interested in it, particularly Easy Rider and Last Picture Show. Is it worth it over the individual releases?

It's too late for me money wise to seriously consider it for the 50% sale, but maybe in November.

I'm biased, heavily biased towards this release, because my absolute favourite film is in the set. However, all of the other films are interesting to view:

Head - that absolute favourite I mentioned
Easy Rider - good, but I expected too much from the hype and was a bit letdown
Five Easy Pieces - another excellent film
Drive, He Said - not the best, but by far, not the worst. Interesting to see Nicholson's directorial debut
A Safe Place - hate this film, worst in the collection. Too bad it shared a disc with Drive, He Said. I wouldn't have split the set up if it hadn't though.
The Last Picture Show - Great, I'm going to read the novel soon and rewatch thr film for comparison
The King of Marvin Gardens - excellent and criminally underrated.

I highly recommend the set, and if you're waiting until November, watch the films before you buy because too many people try to break up the set, which is a bit silly since you can buy it on sale quite a bit.

[ShellOilJunior]

Anyone else plan on see Batman soon? It seems quite a few fanboys are in a tizzy with all the negative reviews out there.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Anyone else plan on see Batman soon? It seems quite a few fanboys are in a tizzy with all the negative reviews out there.

Perhaps on home release, as I still haven't watched Batman Begins. I only watched The Dark Knight because of all the hype surrounding it, bad reason, I know, and was indifferent towards it. I'm not much of a superhero film fan to begin with, in addition to not being utterly enamoured with Nolan, as there's never really been any I absolutely love, with the exception of Pixar's The Incredibles.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Anyone else plan on see Batman soon? It seems quite a few fanboys are in a tizzy with all the negative reviews out there.

If by "tizzy" you mean critics receiving death threats... I will definitely see it, but I am not sure when I will have the time.

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Anyone else plan on see Batman soon? It seems quite a few fanboys are in a tizzy with all the negative reviews out there.

I already bought my tickets for a screening on Sunday. I saw the Dark Knight 3 times in IMAX, and several times since.

I find it's best to avoid reviews until after I've seen a film, especially it's a film I'm really looking forward to.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by exolstice

I already bought my tickets for a screening on Sunday. I saw the Dark Knight 3 times in IMAX, and several times since.

I find it's best to avoid reviews until after I've seen a film, especially it's a film I'm really looking forward to.

I'm with you. I never read reviews of films before seeing them, although I will see what the numbers are on RT and Metacritic out of curiosity.