The Criterion Collection

[JackSkellington]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Can’t go wrong with Chaplin.

Not all. Been a fan of his for a while now. Next I need to go after those Flicker Alley sets.

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by JackSkellington

Not all. Been a fan of his for a while now. Next I need to go after those Flicker Alley sets.

Seeing as you appear to be region free, the BFI releases can be had at much cheaper prices. You can even grab them on Amazon US. They still get imported from the UK, but even with shipping, still far more economical the FA's. Just some FYI.

[randian]

Flicker Alley seems to charge higher than Criterion prices without the reputation to justify it. I’d like to get a couple of their noirs but $35/disc is nuts. I don’t know why the Film Noir Foundation partners with them, a Flicker Alley release will have a fraction of the exposure of a Criterion, Kino, or Olive release.

[dr727]

Originally Posted by randian

Flicker Alley seems to charge higher than Criterion prices without the reputation to justify it. I’d like to get a couple of their noirs but $35/disc is nuts. I don’t know why the Film Noir Foundation partners with them, a Flicker Alley release will have a fraction of the exposure of a Criterion, Kino, or Olive release.

Flicker Alley is a very small company with a much more academic, quasi-nonprofit-preservation bent. I don't have that many FA releases due to the cost but I do feel like I'm supporting an important initiative with FA more than many other labels. I also expect the highest caliber of restoration and contextual materials--that's their reputation IMO.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I've been waiting so long for CC to drop Cabiria on us that it had to be done. Curious of others that have the set, is it a nice upgrade from the dvd?

I don't have the set yet, but Beaver seems very happy with it (only other site I read reviews from):

"The package has "New 4K restorations" but the biggest issue with Nights of Cabiria was the digitization, artifacts and DNR of the DVDs going back more than 20-years ago to Criterion's. This has been replaced with a scintillatingly textured, darker and highly attractive 1080P image that looks beautiful in-motion. It shows more information in the top and sides over the SD transfers with a shade less on the bottom edge. I've been waiting for this title for as long as the BD format has existed. I have not been let down. This is a stunning film-like presentation that leaves the DVDs in the dust. I couldn't be more pleased."

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by Reddington

I don't have the set yet, but Beaver seems very happy with it (only other site I read reviews from):

"The package has "New 4K restorations" but the biggest issue with Nights of Cabiria was the digitization, artifacts and DNR of the DVDs going back more than 20-years ago to Criterion's. This has been replaced with a scintillatingly textured, darker and highly attractive 1080P image that looks beautiful in-motion. It shows more information in the top and sides over the SD transfers with a shade less on the bottom edge. I've been waiting for this title for as long as the BD format has existed. I have not been let down. This is a stunning film-like presentation that leaves the DVDs in the dust. I couldn't be more pleased."

Yeah, I was so happy about Nights of Cabiria when I watched the Studio Canal disc (same master) early this year, having wanted a better version for many years. Took a screenshot at the time.



My boxset is supposed to arrive tomorrow, but it's in my city. Hoping it comes early.

[JackSkellington]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Seeing as you appear to be region free, the BFI releases can be had at much cheaper prices. You can even grab them on Amazon US. They still get imported from the UK, but even with shipping, still far more economical the FA's. Just some FYI.

I appreciate the heads up. Thanks!

[BluLobsta]

Somewhat Criterion-related. Is anyone planning on catching the 3-part mini-series "Black Narcissus" on FX tonight? Sounds interesting. Seeing a contemporary adaptation. One of the last performances of Diana Rigg.

[ravenus]

The Gunfighter

Henry King's western with Gregory Peck is a good bookend to the celebrated High Noon. Both have a plot, most of which is just a guy waiting for something to happen, but they make it work. Peck's Gunfighter is a man on the run, tired of having to constantly face challenges to his reputation as a fast draw. Just ahead of some folks who want to avenge the death of a brother that rashly prodded Peck into a duel, he wants a last meeting with an ex-flame before he rides off into an uncertain future. Time ticks as he waits for her to show up, his pursuers get closer, and around every corner is yet another upstart that thinks he has a shot at dethroning the Gunfighter. Edited like smooth clockwork by King's favorite collaborator Barbara McLean, with almost no music apart from the credit sequences, this one keeps you from glancing at your watch throughout its runtime.

From the description, GF is a 4K restoration, and it looks very good indeed. The BW photography is amply respected by the excellent transfer, and the film's modest sound design comes across well in the mono track. I saw the two video supplements, one focusing on the film, and the other on Barbara McLean who was apparently quite the powerhouse at Fox, being invited right for pre-production meetings and location shoots where she would provide input for coverage she deemed necessary for her edits. There are also separate audio interviews with Henry King and McLean.

[castor]

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

Somewhat Criterion-related. Is anyone planning on catching the 3-part mini-series "Black Narcissus" on FX tonight? Sounds interesting. Seeing a contemporary adaptation. One of the last performances of Diana Rigg.

I've got my DVR set for it.

[gbm82]

Summer with Monika was not what I was expecting... While I've enjoyed the earlier Bergman films (by date of production) that I've watched, specifically Summer Interlude, this might be his first great film.

[javy]

I received my copy of The Irishman today. Thank you Criterion for making this great film available on Blu-ray.

And if you're reading this, Criterion, I will purchase Kaufman's I'm Thinking of Ending Things on release day if you decide to release it. 🖤

[traths]

Originally Posted by gbm82

Summer with Monika was not what I was expecting... While I've enjoyed the earlier Bergman films that I've watched, specifically Summer Interlude, this might be his first great film.

I'm still going through the boxed set I got during the flash sale and that's my favorite one so far.

[Psychosmeg]

I went back for a second helping -

The Apu Trilogy
The Tin Drum

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by gbm82

Summer with Monika was not what I was expecting... While I've enjoyed the earlier Bergman films that I've watched, specifically Summer Interlude, this might be his first great film.

Originally Posted by traths

I'm still going through the boxed set I got during the flash sale and that's my favorite one so far.

I'm following it in program order - just started a few weeks ago and Monica was the one I just watched. For me the two stand outs so far are Smiles of a Summer Night and Wild Strawberries - but they're also two I've seen before and seen the most often of his films, if that means anything.

One I really enjoyed that I wasn't supposed to was Crisis

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

I'm following it in program order - just started a few weeks ago and Monica was the one I just watched. For me the two stand outs so far are Smiles of a Summer Night and Wild Strawberries - but they're also two I've seen before and seen the most often of his films, if that means anything.

One I really enjoyed that I wasn't supposed to was Crisis

I should clarify, I was talking about date of production... Wild Strawberries is up there with Persona and The Seventh Seal as my favorite Bergman film... Smiles of a Summer Night isn't far behind; though re-watches of his trilogy, along with The Serpents Egg and Hour of the Wolf might change up my order...

[Sifox211]

Yes, the disadvantage of following the program order is getting confused by the chronology!

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by JackSkellington

I have quite a few titles I want to get during the current sale, but with money being tight, I opted for these right now from B&N:



Can't wait for delivery.

I notice you don't have THE GREAT DICTATOR on your list. I've been wrestling with getting that one. To be honest, I admire it much more than I like it and I really don't think it has much repeat value. I saw it once and have never had any desire to see it again, but sometimes I wonder if I should give it another go. I have all the ones that you bought except for THE KID. I'm sticking with my original cut DVD of that one because I enjoy the extra scenes a lot and it's my tiny personal stance against Chaplin or any other Director's revisionism. YMMV.

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by castor

I've got my DVR set for it.

Same here. Will be watching it this weekend.

[Ranger517]

Criterion should try and get a hold of Warren Beatty's Bulworth. That movie is primed and made for Criterion. Great comedy with great political satire with an absolute mint soundtrack.