The Criterion Collection

[hoytereden]

Since Criterion has gone 4K, I wish The Third Man would make a triumphant return to the CC in that format.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

Severin Films is releasing All or Nothing by Mike Leigh. Which I thought would've been a Criterion release.

Originally Posted by jshaide

I did a double take when I just saw the announcement

Gorram marauders at Severin! Criterion should retaliate by announcing a brand new restored 4k UHD/Blu combo of The Inglorious Bastards






...but it would be so awesome if true.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Vigojean

I just mentioned this on the Amadeus thread. I've been Googling "Amadeus 4K" for the past few weeks, and I was so excited when I saw this. I hope the rumors are true. If so, this is going to be one of the best releases of the year.

I just have a random question. Being an Orion theatrical release, how did Amadeus end up with Warner Bros. when most of the other Orion Pictures releases from that era like Silence of the Lambs, Platoon, and Hannah and Her Sisters ended up with MGM?

[ravenus]

Last night I re-watched Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry on the Criterion blu (UK release, which I got off Zavvi's 2 for 25 quid offer, but I assume is identical to the US release). My previous viewing had been more than a decade ago on their DVD, which a friend had gifted me.

Houmayun Ershadi plays Mr. Badii, a man who for a good part of the film's beginning we see as a rather suspicious character cruising around in his car, looking to pick up isolated men. At least one of them openly tells him to scram, falling to the obvious conclusion that Mr. Badii is inviting him for a gay tryst. But as we learn later he has a different motive. Mr. Badii has decided to commit suicide; he has even dug his own grave. What he wants is for someone to confirm his death and then spade in earth to bury him, for which he is willing to pay handsomely. He courts in succession a young Kurdish military cadet, an Afghani seminarian, and a lab employee among others to do this deed for him. He is not interested to explain his reasons or to listen to justifications about why he shouldn't go ahead with his plan. A good part of Kiarostami's film is about the conversations between Mr. Badii and his prospects, how he inveigles himself to ask his favor, and how they ultimately respond to him. ToC is a rhythmic existential film; what happens at the end is a lot less important than the experiences along the way.

This is not a film for the impatient or plot-focused. I remember, when I first watched it I was fidgeting through the initial part when he is propositioning various men before we know his purpose. I was better placed in this re-watch since I knew where it led. I don't know if it was shot that way, but the finished film does suggest some improvisation in the dialog and its use of non-experienced actors in pivotal roles.

ToC was one of the early DVD's in the Criterion label, with a non-anamorphic transfer. Not surprisingly, the blu-ray sourced off a new 4K restoration simply blows away the SD release. There are levels of detail and contrast that were entirely absent on the DVD. While there may be some push of blues towards teal in the grading, it does not take away from the overall superiority of the new master and this is a must-have upgrade for fans of the film. The Farsi audio is presented as LPCM mono and sounds very clear, with surprising presence for ambient effects. I have not checked the extras as yet but they are definitely more than what was present on the previous DVD.

[monorail91]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

All rumors of course but the before mentioned Last Tango in Paris, Burn!, Sixteen Candles and C.H.U.D., just to name a few.

What’s the story with Burn!?!

[MifuneFan]

I think Burn! is still coming, nothing to suggest it isn't.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by mande2013

I just have a random question. Being an Orion theatrical release, how did Amadeus end up with Warner Bros. when most of the other Orion Pictures releases from that era like Silence of the Lambs, Platoon, and Hannah and Her Sisters ended up with MGM?

Amadeus is owned by the Saul Zaentz Company, who have continually renewed distribution for it through WB for a long while now.

[MifuneFan]

For anyone lookng for a good deal on the Zatoichi set. Deep Discount has it available right now, and combined with their 15% off coupon (ends today at noon central time) it goes down to $93.49.

Apply code AUTUMN15

https://www.deepdiscount.com/zatoich...kId=3703082174

[MifuneFan]

Janus' poster for Cure



Full res link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-p...r_original.jpg

[DukeTogo84]

Can't wait for Cure. Easily one of the best Japanese films from the 90's.

[jordan-r]

DVDBeaver's review of The Damned is up.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by jordan-r

DVDBeaver's review of The Damned is up.

I knew when the title was announced whites would now look teal.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I knew when the title was announced whites would now look teal.

Not all of them at least. It's actually nowhere as bad as I thought it might be with Cineteca doing the restoration.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For anyone lookng for a good deal on the Zatoichi set. Deep Discount has it available right now, and combined with their 15% off coupon (ends today at noon central time) it goes down to $93.49.

Apply code AUTUMN15

https://www.deepdiscount.com/zatoich...kId=3703082174

The best price most of us will ever see.

[BunyipPouch]

Melvin Van Peebles has passed away at 89. Just 6 days before the box set release. RIP to a legend.

Hollywood Reporter article:

Melvin Van Peebles, Godfather of Black Cinema, Dies at 89

[dr727]

Originally Posted by BunyipPouch

Melvin Van Peebles has passed away at 89. Just 6 days before the box set release. RIP to a legend.

Hollywood Reporter article:

Melvin Van Peebles, Godfather of Black Cinema, Dies at 89

Yes—I hope that he passed knowing his art was well preserved and all set to find many new audiences. I also hope that brings comfort to his family and friends as they celebrate his life and grieve their loss.

[traths]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Janus' poster for Cure

[Show spoiler]

Full res link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-p...r_original.jpg

Any relation to Akira Kurosawa or is it just a coincidence?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by traths

Any relation to Akira Kurosawa or is it just a coincidence?

Nope, no relation.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Since Criterion has gone 4K, I wish The Third Man would make a triumphant return to the CC in that format.

That would be a Day 1 purchase!

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by monorail91

What’s the story with Burn!?!

Speculation that they’re sitting on it because of the Brando/Last Tango in Paris controversy.