The Criterion Collection

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I would suggest you try out the Stephen Prince commentaries on the Kurosawa releases and the Tony Rayns commentaries (I recall In the Realm of the Senses and Vampyr, there could be others). They are great at providing analysis and context. Prince's Kagemusha commentary is especially a tour de force, providing a lot of the historical background and comparing it with the story that Kurosawa was telling, while also discussing the stylistic techniques.

All of Howard Suber and Peter Cowie’s commentaries from back in the day are fantastic - don’t know how many of them are still on in-print discs, but they’re terrific and informative. The one I especially revere that’s not from a film scholar/historian was John Sturges’ one for Criterion’s Bad Day at Black Rock LD. Paul Thomas Anderson said everything he ever learned about directing came from that commentary, and it was a treat. The Criterion Channel had it up for awhile, and I hope they put it up again sometime.

Of course, we’re all in agreement that the best commentary ever was Ben Affleck’s withering dissection of Armageddon, no?

[Rayjg]

I could see Criterion re-releasing Bad Day at Black Rock just to include that famous commentary. Too bad, but not surprising, that Warner didn’t include it.

[moviesaremylife]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

All of Howard Suber and Peter Cowie’s commentaries from back in the day are fantastic - don’t know how many of them are still on in-print discs, but they’re terrific and informative. The one I especially revere that’s not from a film scholar/historian was John Sturges’ one for Criterion’s Bad Day at Black Rock LD. Paul Thomas Anderson said everything he ever learned about directing came from that commentary, and it was a treat. The Criterion Channel had it up for awhile, and I hope they put it up again sometime.

Of course, we’re all in agreement that the best commentary ever was Ben Affleck’s withering dissection of Armageddon, no?

Correct, commentaries peaked with Affleck and Armageddon, objectively.

[LPMA]

Other than the 3 Fassbinder series (Eight Hours, World on a Wire, Berlin) and Dekalog, are there any other Criterion discs that have been slowed down to 24fps?

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by LPMA

Other than the 3 Fassbinder series (Eight Hours, World on a Wire, Berlin) and Dekalog, are there any other Criterion discs that have been slowed down to 24fps?

Huh? World on a Wire, Eight Hours and Dekalog are 23.976. Berlin appears to be interlaced 29.97.

[ukulelemonster]

Originally Posted by jw007

How many Criterion fans here listen to audio commentaries?

If the commentary has SDH, then yes, I listen/watch with audio commentery. Unfortunately Criterion doesn’t include SDH with their supplemental features. If they started with their more recent releases, I’ll be happy to be corrected on my statement.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by ukulelemonster

If the commentary has SDH, then yes, I listen/watch with audio commentery. Unfortunately Criterion doesn’t include SDH with their supplemental features. If they started with their more recent releases, I’ll be happy to be corrected on my statement.

It is very unlikely. No boutique label provides SDH subs for English commentaries/extras. They feel that the effort and expense would not be sufficiently rewarded in terms of additional sales.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by ukulelemonster

If the commentary has SDH, then yes, I listen/watch with audio commentery. Unfortunately Criterion doesn’t include SDH with their supplemental features. If they started with their more recent releases, I’ll be happy to be corrected on my statement.

They have not. But at least most of the items on the Criterion Channel do.

[mattyp4]

John Cameron Mitchell posted about Shortbus coming to Blu-ray and being re-released in theaters and on streaming this fall. I know he's teased a Shortbus Blu-ray release for a while and it was discussed on this forum a few years back, but I think these are the clearest comments he has made regarding a timeline for the release. I suspect some sort of official announcement soon.

https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/

I was hoping the Blu-ray would be part of the Criterion collection, even though the fall months have already been announced, but still hoping it happens. (Maybe streaming will happen this fall and the disc would come later?)

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Huh? World on a Wire, Eight Hours and Dekalog are 23.976. Berlin appears to be interlaced 29.97.

LPMA is referring to their original 25fps frame rates.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I could see Criterion re-releasing Bad Day at Black Rock just to include that famous commentary. Too bad, but not surprising, that Warner didn’t include it.

BDaBR would be a great candidate for UHD. With director commentary.

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by fdm

LPMA is referring to their original 25fps frame rates.

Correct, thanks!

I stand correct for Berlin Alexanderplatz, I had assumed it was also in 24fps but it appears to have been released as 1080i50. Odd decision, considering I could have sworn that Criterion insisted on releasing Dekalog a few years prior at an altered 24fps because they thought North American players wouldn't be able to play 1080i50.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by LPMA

Correct, thanks!

I stand correct for Berlin Alexanderplatz, I had assumed it was also in 24fps but it appears to have been released as 1080i50. Odd decision, considering I could have sworn that Criterion insisted on releasing Dekalog a few years prior at an altered 24fps because they thought North American players wouldn't be able to play 1080i50.

BA is 1080i/60 on the Criterion release not 1080i/50 as North American TVs cannot play 1080i/50. Blended frames have been inserted so it is not slowed down, see more here:

https://www.criterionforum.org/Revie...ection-blu-ray

As for your original question, Baal is another one like BA (presented on the Criterion as 1080i/60 with blended frames inserted so it is also not slowed down). The one I have always wondered about is Meantime since it was made for UK tv, but don’t know a definitive answer.

[dukiejosh54]

Has anyone else got the wrong insert booklet inside their Blu-ray? i just got the standalone release of The Umbrella's of Cherbourg. It's was factory sealed but the booklet is for the movie La Poison.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by dukiejosh54

Has anyone else got the wrong insert booklet inside their Blu-ray? i just got the single edition of The Umbrella's of Cherbourg. It's was factory sealed but the booklet is for the movie La Poison.

Never heard of a situation like that before personally. I would send an email over to Criterion (mulvaney@criterion.com) and see if they can provide you the right booklet.

[dukiejosh54]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Never heard of a situation like that before personally. I would send an email over to Criterion (mulvaney@criterion.com) and see if they can provide you the right booklet.

I will shoot them an email, Thanks you!

[TheArgentinian]

Am I the only one who dislikes that a text about the restoration is included in the movie (usually at the start)? Not that I don't care about the subject but it should be in the booklet.

The one in La Dolce Vita is ridiculously long. Most people don't give a shit who did what and the story of the original negative.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by TheArgentinian

Am I the only one who dislikes that a text about the restoration is included in the movie (usually at the start)? Not that I don't care about the subject but it should be in the booklet.

The one in La Dolce Vita is ridiculously long. Most people don't give a shit who did what and the story of the original negative.

I tend to agree. Include the information in the booklet, but don't force me to watch it.

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by TheArgentinian

Am I the only one who dislikes that a text about the restoration is included in the movie (usually at the start)? Not that I don't care about the subject but it should be in the booklet.

The one in La Dolce Vita is ridiculously long. Most people don't give a shit who did what and the story of the original negative.

No, I don't mind. What I mind is the end credits being extended with music for the restorers. Or their credits being displayed over exit music that should have a black picture. Thankfully, there are very few movies that do this. Several of Robert Harris' restorations were among them. The way Criterion does it is pretty tasteful, because it doesn't feel like a part of the movie in any way.

[Warm Gun]

Also, many of us don't read the booklets. So having some context about the basis for the restoration for us isn't bad.