The Criterion Collection

[eatingclass]

reposting the following because i really need opinions about the packaging of my 'new' copy of the third man digipak bluray:

"i'm comparing as best as i can to the photos on that site, but if you'd all be so kind, perhaps you can give me a second opinion with these snaps:

1) http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8...01205at740.png

i was worried that the word/fading print on the Blu-Ray logo in particular meant it was used or a bootleg, but it seems like it's the same in that criterion site's pics for the digipak.

2) TOP: http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/8...01205at740.png

and

3) SIDE: http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/7...01205at739.png

actually the sealing point seems to be along the top and down the right side, sort of forming an L-shape. and in comparison to MWFTE where the sealing point is soft, the sealing point is 'crispier'/harder in texture with TTM.

4) http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7...01205at739.png

there seems to be damage there, like someone made a long indented mark. standalone, i would say it's just the luck of the draw wear and tear, but because of the lack of the blue sticker on the plastic wrap and my unfamiliarity with early Criterion BD shrinkwrapping, i was wary about that being a sign of something worse.

as far as you can tell would you say this wasn't a resealed item passed off as new?"

thanks again

EDIT: i tried to take detail photos - if wider shots would help, just let me know

[Beta Man]

I can't get your pictures to show up......

[VideoPhonic]

I really want an updated response from Criterion RE: The Leopard, its sad to admit but Criterion's work was clearly bested by this new transfer

[eatingclass]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I can't get your pictures to show up......

sorry, i guess imageshack was quick on the draw - i'll reup them

EDIT: fixed last post with working pictures; didn't want to spam page with repost. please let me know if there's any kind of photo that would help you make a judgment. really appreciate it, Beta Man - don't know how the early Criterion Blu's were packaged.

[HumanMedia]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

The whole Leopard debacle got me thinking about other examples in which Criterion's BD isn't far and away the superior release (mainly with regards to transfer). The only others I could really think of are M (Many prefer the less contrast-y MoC transfer, myself among them); Easy Rider from the BBS set (Sony's transfer appears more or less identical); Antichrist (doesn't look discernibly better/worse than the French BD, going by dvdbeaver's grabs); and maybe Breathless (some seem to prefer the more 'naturalistic' look of the Studio Canal BD). Most of these are highly debatable, of course. Any others?

I would agree that all of these alternatives are better than the Criterion release (feature only and extras aside). I would also add the European BD release of "Modern Times" which is far less cropped and a way better tone curve.

[eatingclass]

Originally Posted by keldons

Here are some photos of the original Digipak packaging for The Third Man blu-ray, if you haven't seen them already. I hope thats at least somewhat helpful.

thanks - someone else linked to them earlier.

they help somewhat but the sealing points can't be seen clearly and it's difficult to discern the texture of the shrinkwrap (soft or brittle) from the photo.

unfortunately, there don't seem to be any tutorials regarding spotting professional heat wraps and amateur ones. i wish every BD would just be y-folded.

[Woodstove]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

If you want Godard font:

http://www.carvalho-bernau.com/jlg/

CG, this made my day.

[keldons]

Ah yeah I noticed and I deleted my post because I felt like a doofus

I'm not an expert and I'm sure some more experienced people here could chime in with greater authority, but from what I can tell, your copy looks fine from what i have seen of the old digipak criterions still available in my local B&N. The shrinkwrap from those is pretty similar to what I can see from your photos, and I tend to pay attention to minutia like this.

[eatingclass]

Originally Posted by keldons

Ah yeah I noticed and I deleted my post because I felt like a doofus

I'm not an expert and I'm sure some more experienced people here could chime in with greater authority, but from what I can tell, your copy looks fine from what i have seen of the old digipak criterions still available in my local B&N. The shrinkwrap from those is pretty similar to what I can see from your photos, and I tend to pay attention to minutia like this.

oh, no - i appreciate the effort! i'll go out on a limb and say these sort of details are pointless to many so i'm very grateful for anyone taking the time out to help.

i went out to my local b&n to find something in a digipak of a similar size (the last metro) and although the seals were on different side of the package, they were similar in construction. the only thing that throws me off is that the plastic on this copy of the third man feels very hard and brittle as opposed to the soft wrap on the last metro.

your vote of confidence helps lifts some of this ocd burden from my shoulders (brain?) though, so again, thanks!

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I have much worse traits


I had no idea there were Phish references in this movie until now.....

for confessional purposes,

[Show spoiler] I've seen Phish 55-60 times in concert.... and my 1 year old has already seen them 3 times

I hope your one-year old wears hearing protection at rock concerts. 20 minutes exposure in most cases can damage hearing permanently. Most rock concert audio levels exceed OSHA standards for workers.

[Trekkie313]

Criterion still has the rights to The Naked Lunch don't they?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I hope your one-year old wears hearing protection at rock concerts. 20 minutes exposure in most cases can damage hearing permanently. Most rock concert audio levels exceed OSHA standards for workers.

Wearing hearing protection isn't "rocker" enough, even for a one-year old. But then again, it was Phish, so it wasn't going to make a difference on your coolness if you were seen with protection.

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by HumanMedia

I would agree that all of these alternatives are better than the Criterion release (feature only and extras aside). I would also add the European BD release of "Modern Times" which is far less cropped and a way better tone curve.

I wasn't aware of the Euro MT release. I'll have to look into that. I was this close to picking up MT during the B&N sale, so maybe it's better I held off. On the other hand re: Breathless I did forget that the Criterion supposedly has a far superior subtitle translation. Can anyone fluent comment on the accuracy of that?

[HumanMedia]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

I wasn't aware of the Euro MT release. I'll have to look into that. I was this close to picking up MT during the B&N sale, so maybe it's better I held off. On the other hand re: Breathless I did forget that the Criterion supposedly has a far superior subtitle translation. Can anyone fluent comment on the accuracy of that?

I prefer the Kino, but you can make up your own mind:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcom...oderntimes.htm

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by eatingclass

reposting the following because i really need opinions about the packaging of my 'new' copy of the third man digipak bluray:

there seems to be damage there, like someone made a long indented mark. standalone, i would say it's just the luck of the draw wear and tear, but because of the lack of the blue sticker on the plastic wrap and my unfamiliarity with early Criterion BD shrinkwrapping, i was wary about that being a sign of something worse.

as far as you can tell would you say this wasn't a resealed item passed off as new?"

It looks like a used copy that's been resealed, eatingclass. The plastic wrap doesn't look right to me from what I recall. The new copies should definitely have the blu-ray sticker on the front, as well.

CC

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I hope your one-year old wears hearing protection at rock concerts. 20 minutes exposure in most cases can damage hearing permanently. Most rock concert audio levels exceed OSHA standards for workers.

Only outdoor venues, and always in the back (way up on the hill ) My kids aren't allowed to catch any of the winter concert dates with me.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

It looks like a used copy that's been resealed, eatingclass. The plastic wrap doesn't look right to me from what I recall. The new copies should definitely have the blu-ray sticker on the front, as well.

CC

Yep.... No sticker was the first thing that would tell me something isn't right.

[deadkidsean]

Originally Posted by VideoPhonic

I really want an updated response from Criterion RE: The Leopard, its sad to admit but Criterion's work was clearly bested by this new transfer

And? It doesn't take away from the fact that the Criterion version looks absolutely amazing ...

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

...The new copies should definitely have the blu-ray sticker on the front, as well...CC

Originally Posted by Beta Man

...No sticker was the first thing that would tell me something isn't right...

When I picked up the Seven Samurai Blu at B&N during the last sale, none of the in-store copies of that particular title had the Blu-ray stricker.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by JamesN

When I picked up the Seven Samurai Blu at B&N during the last sale, none of the in-store copies of that particular title had the Blu-ray stricker.

They were probably covered either by the B&N price tag or the 50% off sticker.

[keldons]

Originally Posted by JamesN

When I picked up the Seven Samurai Blu at B&N during the last sale, none of the in-store copies of that particular title had the Blu-ray stricker.

My copy of Modern Times had no sticker either. Plenty of the ones I saw in-store had no sticker.