The Criterion Collection

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by octagon

So basically the only downside to waiting is you don't get to watch it now?

Am I missing anything?

I think you are missing the fact that you are probably not a fan or really interested in the film/filmmaker after all. Stating that someone is a 'favorite', but not wanting to experience what that person has done as frequently as you can, goes against being a fan, no?

I think this is as simple as I can get. If you are a fan of football, regardless of team, would you not want to watch the Superbowl, because your buddy doesn't have HD....

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

There is a possibility that you never get to watch it. Do people really believe everything will be available on BD to the extent that DVD has saturated?

GIVE ME BLU-RAY OR GIVE ME WHITE NOISE....

[IronWaffle]

Blu-ray is soooooo 2007.


http://www.red.com/products/redray

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

We aren't talking about out-of-focus, unintelligible images here. Seriously. DVD versus BD? There is a distinction but let's not get carried away.

I don't believe I have. I think my comments re: BD quality have been pretty measured.

Originally Posted by jcs913

I think you are missing the fact that you are probably not a fan or really interested in the film/filmmaker after all. Stating that someone is a 'favorite', but not wanting to experience what that person has done as frequently as you can, goes against being a fan, no?

I think this is as simple as I can get. If you are a fan of football, regardless of team, would you not want to watch the Superbowl, because your buddy doesn't have HD....

So that's what this all boils down to then? 'Real' fans don't wait?

Okay.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

There is a possibility that you never get to watch it. Do people really believe everything will be available on BD to the extent that DVD has saturated?

Is that really a possibility, though? DVDs and streams and broadcasts aren't going anwhere. If somebody decides to wait for a title and that title doesn't materialize all those alternate options will still be there, won't they?

[insert standard Mayan Calendar disclaimer here]

[klauswhereareyou]

I think most Criterion releases from when they started doing duel releases (same day dvd/bluray) look good. in either format The blu ray still looks better, but there are some instances where it's not a huge leap from the dvd, and that's because the dvd looks really good, not because the blu rays look bad. When it comes to titles released by Criterion pre-blu ray now being released on blu ray, the blu rays usually look way better. The Criterion Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas dvd and Rushmore come to mind. Both dvds are preaty weak looking, especially Fear and Loathing.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by octagon

So basically the only downside to waiting is you don't get to watch it now? Am I missing anything?

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

There is a possibility that you never get to watch it.

Yeah what if you get hit by a bus one day...seriously. I'm sure there is more important things you would have probably missed out on but just saying.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

I think most Criterion releases from when they started doing duel releases (same day dvd/bluray) look good. in either format The blu ray still looks better, but there are some instances where it's not a huge leap from the dvd, and that's because the dvd looks really good, not because the blu rays look bad. When it comes to titles released by Criterion pre-blu ray now being released on blu ray, the blu rays usually look way better. The Criterion Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas dvd and Rushmore come to mind. Both dvds are preaty weak looking, especially Fear and Loathing.

This is a very good point which I have said to people many times. Like you said it is not that the blu-ray's are weak it's just that the Criterion DVD's were just soooo damn good. Other company's DVD's... ummm not so much but Criterion had some fantastic looking discs. Also like you said I still look forward to the upgrade's to blu none the less.

[klauswhereareyou]

I think we're all lucky that we live in a time where most films have been released on either dvd, blu ray, or both. I remember 10 years ago there were still tons of titles that I hoped would make it to dvd, and the only way to watch them was either on VHS, or not at all because they hadn't even been released on that format.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Not sarcasm. My statements aren't meant as anti-BD or anti-HD. Of course I prefer to own BD. But moreso than previous formats I think we have an expectation of perfection from BD. Any seeming or real flaw gets amplified. I marvel at how good some of the Universal Monsters titles look on BD. It's a distraction in that it takes me out of the film a bit, but it's a nice distraction. I had no issue with dumping my DVDs of those films, but I'll continue to marvel at how eerily pristine some of those films look on BD for some time (whereas before my attitude was that I was watching a movie from the '30s -- few expectations in terms of image quality, so just enjoy the motion picture).

I chalk it up to being raised on TV/VHS. In a few years from now I'll probably be less awed (distracted) by or expectant of BD/HD quality.

OK now I can understand where you are coming from on this.

I will share a little story of the only time I was kind of off put by blu-ray quality and that was with the Evil Dead blu-ray. After seeing that film countless times on VHS and DVD popping in the blu-ray and seeing such a high def image and boost in clarity kind of had me baffled(kind of like "this shouldn't look like this"). I was just so used to seeing the film one way that it was a little off putting. This is the only time this has really ever happened though. I do remember when I purchased the Taxi Driver blu-ray I was hoping that the film being in high def wouldn't take away from the feel of the film or how I was used to seeing it but thankfully I was nothing but astonished and very pleased when I popped that disc in.

[ShellOilJunior]

I think I need to explain my position better. I'm very very fortunate to live within a few miles of one of the best cinematheques in the country. It's Cleveland but the programming rivals (in some cases tops) that of cinematheques in LA and NY. A great % of films that eventually get a Criterion Blu-ray release are shown at the c'theque. There have been many times where I see the film at the c'theque then if I like it enough I buy the Criterion blu-ray shortly thereafter.

Several years ago I was desperate to see Marienbad but it was out of print on region 1 dvd. I waited and waited and finally it came to the cinematheque. I saw it twice -- on consecutive nights! It was an absolutely incredible experience.

I'm very fortunate. I wish you guys had access to the place. You'd be going nearly every weekend. Blu-ray is great but nothing tops the big screen. It's just really tough for me to watch SD these days. I think a new standard has been set and in place for a few years now. 480 is no longer acceptable. If I want to see a film then I'll wait for it to hit the c'theque or send them an email suggesting it. I love supporting them because the place isn't run for profit and their goal is to screen a diverse assortment of great cinema.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Several years ago I was desperate to see Marienbad but it was out of print on region 1 dvd. I waited and waited and finally it came to the cinematheque. I saw it twice -- on consecutive nights! It was an absolutely incredible experience.

You lucky devil you.

Two years ago I saw Night of the Hunter at the AFI Silver. (Silver Spring, MD)

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Monty70

You lucky devil you.

Two years ago I saw Night of the Hunter at the AFI Silver. (Silver Spring, MD)

I saw The Red Shoes restoration twice on the big screen, too. There are just certain films that cannot be missed. Sitting back and watching a beautiful 35mm print on a giant screen never gets old. I just hope film as a physical medium never goes away. DCP can be very nice but analog, oh, sweet analog - don't ever go away!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think I need to explain my position better. I'm very very fortunate to live within a few miles of one of the best cinematheques in the country. It's Cleveland but the programming rivals (in some cases tops) that of cinematheques in LA and NY. A great % of films that eventually get a Criterion Blu-ray release are shown at the c'theque. There have been many times where I see the film at the c'theque then if I like it enough I buy the Criterion blu-ray shortly thereafter.

Several years ago I was desperate to see Marienbad but it was out of print on region 1 dvd. I waited and waited and finally it came to the cinematheque. I saw it twice -- on consecutive nights! It was an absolutely incredible experience.

I'm very fortunate. I wish you guys had access to the place. You'd be going nearly every weekend. Blu-ray is great but nothing tops the big screen. It's just really tough for me to watch SD these days. I think a new standard has been set and in place for a few years now. 480 is no longer acceptable. If I want to see a film then I'll wait for it to hit the c'theque or send them an email suggesting it. I love supporting them because the place isn't run for profit and their goal is to screen a diverse assortment of great cinema.

Jealous. Sooooo Jealous. We were gonna get 2001 At our Plaza Theater last month but, alas, they cancelled. El Paso does however have an awesome classic film festival during the summer (even though theyve been shifting to digital presentations).

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I saw The Red Shoes restoration twice on the big screen, too. There are just certain films that cannot be missed. Sitting back and watching a beautiful 35mm print on a giant screen never gets old. I just hope film as a physical medium never goes away. DCP can be very nice but analog, oh, sweet analog - don't ever go away!

I was in Los Angeles this summer on my annual trip there and some of the repertory theaters were freaking out because studios are making less and less prints available for screenings. The push for digital is very strong and the theaters have to adapt to ensure that their doors stay open. Without private collectors offering up prints, screenings of actual film are going to be less and less as time goes on. Truly heart-breaking. It is like saying we should look at a scan of the Mona Lisa rather than the actual thing.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

I was in Los Angeles this summer on my annual trip there and some of the repertory theaters were freaking out because studios are making less and less prints available for screenings. The push for digital is very strong and the theaters have to adapt to ensure that their doors stay open. Without private collectors offering up prints, screenings of actual film are going to be less and less as time goes on. Truly heart-breaking. It is like saying we should look at a scan of the Mona Lisa rather than the actual thing.

Which ironically ties into James' thesis in Certified Copy that a copy of an original is just as good as the original. Consider: Was the 4k restoration of Lawrence as good as the first run, unedited 70mm Lawrence back in 1962? Can it be as good?

I think it's up to the art houses, cinematheques and collectors to never let analog die.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think I need to explain my position better. I'm very very fortunate to live within a few miles of one of the best cinematheques in the country. It's Cleveland but the programming rivals (in some cases tops) that of cinematheques in LA and NY. A great % of films that eventually get a Criterion Blu-ray release are shown at the c'theque. There have been many times where I see the film at the c'theque then if I like it enough I buy the Criterion blu-ray shortly thereafter.

Several years ago I was desperate to see Marienbad but it was out of print on region 1 dvd. I waited and waited and finally it came to the cinematheque. I saw it twice -- on consecutive nights! It was an absolutely incredible experience.

I'm very fortunate. I wish you guys had access to the place. You'd be going nearly every weekend. Blu-ray is great but nothing tops the big screen. It's just really tough for me to watch SD these days. I think a new standard has been set and in place for a few years now. 480 is no longer acceptable. If I want to see a film then I'll wait for it to hit the c'theque or send them an email suggesting it. I love supporting them because the place isn't run for profit and their goal is to screen a diverse assortment of great cinema.

Shell - Is there a good link you use to keep track of what they are showing? I'm in the Buffalo area which is close enough for a trip there if the film is exciting enough.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Sorry, I can't subscribe to the idea that watching something in standard definition so degrades the experience that it equates to a significant loss of content.

Is anybody asking you to?

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Not after having watched lots of letterboxed VHS tapes on a 13" CRT and still being able to sort out their significance.

Those were the days, weren't they? If I watching in my bedroom that CRT would have been black-and-white. And many of the VHS tapes I watched back then weren't even letterbox - they were pan-and-scan. I might have even watched a few colorized films in my day.

And while adding color or losing color or cropping frames didn't keep me from sorting out what I was watching I'm not sure I would say those changes were trivial or superficial.

What with film being such a visual medium and all.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I'm not the one who made the proclamation that I can't watch something if it isn't in HD,...

Nor am I. In fact, I explicity said otherwise.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

...or that I buy something on BD blind rather than watch it first in SD,...

It's just money, Joe and in the grand scheme of things not a lot of money at that.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by retablo

As a Lean fan myself, I simply don't think it's as good as Zhivago, Kwai, or even Brief Encounter. It's grand, and the first hour or so is my favorite. That last hour, though, is a bore to me, and the ending sort of peters out. But hey, I respect it's achievement and even lesser Lean is better than many filmmakers' best.

Major Lean fan here, too. Rewatched Kwai recently and was surprised at how complex it is. And I find that doubly true for Lawrence, which is in my top 10 all time. Brief Encounter is as perfect as a chamber piece. Really disliked Zhivago, though -- erratic pacing, plot holes like in Prometheus, flat characters. It's like a film made by a committee.

Wouldn't it be nice if Criterion pushed out more Leans on blu to piggyback on the new Lawrence? I'd start with the Dickens' films.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Jealous. Sooooo Jealous. We were gonna get 2001 At our Plaza Theater last month but, alas, they cancelled. El Paso does however have an awesome classic film festival during the summer (even though theyve been shifting to digital presentations).

The Plaza? Aham ah heerin' a suthin' voace?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RojD

Major Lean fan here, too. Rewatched Kwai recently and was surprised at how complex it is. And I find that doubly true for Lawrence, which is in my top 10 all time. Brief Encounter is as perfect as a chamber piece. Really disliked Zhivago, though -- erratic pacing, plot holes like in Prometheus, flat characters. It's like a film made by a committee.

Wouldn't it be nice if Criterion pushed out more Leans on blu to piggyback on the new Lawrence? I'd start with the Dickens' films.

Have you seen Zhivago on the big screen? It may sway your opinion.

Also can you reccomend happy breed from the box set?