The Criterion Collection

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by jw007

I wish there was a feature on this website that would rate the quality of commentary tracks on each blu-ray release (if there is a commentary track that is). I've heard some good ones back in the day but also some absolutely atrocious commentary tracks. Still, it would be interesting if the blu-ray.com reviewers would include commentary track rankings for Criterions (0 - 5 star scale). I wonder if this has ever been proposed? I realize its part of the extras/supplements, but a standalone rating for commentary tracks would be beneficial and possibly determine whether or not I want to buy the release.

I hardly ever agree with Svet's reviews of any Criterion releases, so I see little value in having them review the commentaries, especially where there are sociopolitical discussions.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by bsend

I would love to see Criterion release some more director's box sets like Severin did for Al Adamson, Andy Milligan, etc. They did it with Bergman,Fellini (not complete) and Wong Kar Wai. They also did it with some series like Zatoichi and Bruce Lee. I think it would do really well for Juzo Itami.

Severin just barely outbid Criterion on Adamson and Mulligan, sad to say.

[Flex_MythoMass]

Thanks to all for your recommendations on feel good movies. I could only pick up one, so most of your recommendations got added to my wish list, but my copy of History is Made at Night is one its way!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

I hardly ever agree with Svet's reviews of any Criterion releases, so I see little value in having them review the commentaries, especially where there are sociopolitical discussions.

Yeah, I guess its impossible to rank or rate a commentary in an objective fashion.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yeah, I guess its impossible to rank or rate a commentary in an objective fashion.

your original idea was a good one. it is literally impossible to evaluate anything related to performance art or the critique of performance art in an objective manner. but a collection of expressed opinions could be a starting point to know whether or not one should spend 2 hours listening to people talk over a film they love.

no one here has to have to have Thanksgiving dinner with Svet. nor do they have to have it with Polanski, Woody Allen, Mel Gibson, etc.

for me, I sometimes disagree w/ his reviews and frequently disagree w/ his expression of political opinions, but I still find plenty of value to his reviews.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

no one here has to have to have Thanksgiving dinner with Svet. nor do they have to have it with...Mel Gibson

Who here would dare turn down Thanksgiving at Mel's? I'd pony up a pretty penny for that!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mmarczi

There are some films with 5 commentaries out there. Who the hell is going to sit through five different commentaries of a modern movie?

Candyman (1992) has four commentary tracks.

…and I watched them all with attention.

I was pretty happy to embark on a new title after that, though.

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who here would dare turn down Thanksgiving at Mel's? I'd pony up a pretty penny for that!

ugh, no thanks

[yoloswegmaster420]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

I hardly ever agree with Svet's reviews of any Criterion releases, so I see little value in having them review the commentaries, especially where there are sociopolitical discussions.

Don't forget that it would extra pointless since there's been multiple instances where it's been clear that he hasn't even watched the extras.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

Lots of discussion in the official thread here

Normally I would check for a thread specifically about a Criterion title, but you do get discussion in the general Criterion thread, hence why I asked in here.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Matt89

I think it looks fantastic for the most part. The opening credits are a bit soft (as to be expected) and there are a few hiccups in the compression during the party scene that I noticed, but honestly, it's one of Criterion's best encodes in some time. Like another member mentioned, there's a good amount of discussion regarding the disc in its relevant thread. There are also some comparison shots here: https://caps-a-holic.com/c_list.php?c=6398

The colour in it is absolutely gorgeous and the film looked really great on my OLED. There's a nice uptick in detail compared to the previous French blu-ray (which came from a dated master) and the transfer is very filmic with some fine grain visible throughout. Overall, I think they did a really good job. Well worth picking up.

~Matt

Many thanks for your assistance and help. The release by Criterion's UK branch is next week, but I probably won't get it straight away (last year, I decided to get the Criterion US branch's release of Blue Velvet (based both on the positive comments about the transfer etc. and because the UK release by a different label was possibly not as good as Criterion's release). I may end up getting the Criterion US releases of The Asphalt Jungle and Until the End of the World.

[shaysaysHAHA]

Desperately oping for House (Hausu), Dressed to Kill, NotLD, and Blue Velvet 4Ks once Criterion [hopefully] starts putting out more 4K UHD BDs.
(And Rosemary's Baby if they're able to license it again from Paramount).

[Sommerswerd]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Don't forget that it would extra pointless since there's been multiple instances where it's been clear that he hasn't even watched the extras.

Are the reviewers on this website paid?

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

Are the reviewers on this website paid?

I would love to know too, but much of this site’s operation is still a mystery to me. My assumption is the reviewer is paid in promo copies of the movies they’re reviewing. Hardly anyone gets paid for such work anymore.

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by shaysaysHAHA

Desperately oping for House (Hausu), Dressed to Kill, and Blue Velvet 4Ks once Criterion [hopefully] starts putting out more 4K UHD BDs.
(And Rosemary's Baby if they're able to license it again from Paramount).

Dressed to Kill is already getting a 4k release from Kino, no date set yet though.

[shaysaysHAHA]

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

Dressed to Kill is already getting a 4k release from Kino, no date set yet though.

Oh wow, I didn’t know that, thanks for the heads up! Will definitely be picking that up.
Nice username, by the way

[TolerancEJ]

The film Rushmore was mentioned a few days ago in this thread, so the title was on my mind. I am also a Disney Movie Club member. To my surprise, I noticed this film is available in DMC, albeit DVD only. I am in the Canadian DMC and the DVD price is listed at a regular price of $16.95CAD, but there's a promotion now and the next selections are 60% off, making this title $6.78CAD.

However, my preference will be Blu-ray, but I was just surprised to see the single Criterion title available via DMC.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

your original idea was a good one. it is literally impossible to evaluate anything related to performance art or the critique of performance art in an objective manner. but a collection of expressed opinions could be a starting point to know whether or not one should spend 2 hours listening to people talk over a film they love.

no one here has to have to have Thanksgiving dinner with Svet. nor do they have to have it with Polanski, Woody Allen, Mel Gibson, etc.

for me, I sometimes disagree w/ his reviews and frequently disagree w/ his expression of political opinions, but I still find plenty of value to his reviews.

Yet I wonder if there is a way to judge a commentary not based on sociopolitics, but strictly on whether or not the commentary adds further insight to the making of the film. Let's say its based on technical knowledge as opposed to story/characters/viewpoints. There are a number of technical commentary tracks (ie. Aliens is one I can think of) where special effects were talked about in great detail.

After a quick Google search, I found this list! I guess it IS possible! http://www.ratethatcommentary.com/top100.php

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who here would dare turn down Thanksgiving at Mel's? I'd pony up a pretty penny for that!

Speaking as a Jew, if there is alcohol at his gathering, I would have to decline.

[Jaymole]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Candyman (1992) has four commentary tracks.

…and I watched them all with attention.

I was pretty happy to embark on a new title after that, though.

You are lucky...If you had listened to five commentary tracks, Candyman would have appeared