The Criterion Collection

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Yeah, but it's not a necessary release for me because I already have the film and am happy with it. If Criterion had started with Profound Desires of the Gods as their first Japanese UHD? Then that would have been an instant purchase for me because I don't have it on any format as it's never been released in HD in the US at least. I don't need another Branded to Kill when I already have one that I'm 100% content with. I'll double dip in a heartbeat if the current transfer has a lot of room for improvement, but Branded to Kill already looked very nice.

The blu ray of Branded to Kill is over a decade old, pulled from an older scan. Sure it looks pretty good, but the new 4k scan is sure to blow it out of the water. This is not one of those instances of Criterion using an existing 4k scan blu ray and just releasing a UHD out of it.

If you feel satisfied with the blu ray and are not inclined to upgrade that's perfectly understandable, but this is a chance at using our buying power towards a common goal: showing Criterion that their Japanese releases are appreciated.

In short I'm in agreement with aim4theacez that it's an opportunity at "putting our money where our mouth is".

Originally Posted by aim4theacez

To everyone whos going “where the Japanese films? Want the Japanese films,” you’ve got a shot coming up to show support: Branded to Kill.

Meanwhile I second that thought that I'd get Profound Desires of the Gods UHD in a heartbeat.

[dvining]

The big test on Japanese cinema is going to be the Kurosawa boxset which seems guaranteed to happen next year or so with Toho releasing the individual 4Ks in Japan this year.

It probably won't be a full 4K boxset (has Toho paid for a 4K restoration of The Most Beautiful or One Wonderful Sunday?), but it'll be big and carry all of his major Toho stuff.

That, I imagine, will end up being their best selling boxset ever.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

If you feel satisfied with the blu ray and are not inclined to upgrade that's perfectly understandable, but this is a chance at using our buying power towards a common goal: showing Criterion that their Japanese releases are appreciated.

Believe me, I would love to show my appreciation and have with Branded to Kill. I've bought the film three times on DVD (2 from Criterion) and again on Blu-ray from Criterion, so they got three sales from me for one film. For me it's finding a sweet spot of where I'm nearly 100% content with a transfer and the last one did it for me. Everything can and probably will look better, but there has to a point, at least for myself where I say, ok, enough is enough, this looks great which in fact the previous Branded to Kill does.

Criterion played it safe and released a title they have released 3 times prior as their first UHD. I think they should have taken a chance and released something new, or at least something that doesn't have a Blu-ray or HD release in the US period. Like the Profound Desires of the Gods.

I'm not going to support releases where I feel there is a good enough release already on the market otherwise it will never end and at some point that's all we are going to see is more upgrades over and over, where titles that haven't gotten a single release in HD languish away. I want to see an increase of Japanese films from Criterion, but not a constant influx of Japanese films that already have a good Blu-ray.

[Kyle15]

I'm going to get Branded to Kill because it is begging for an upgrade and Seijun Suzuki is fabulous and I want Criterion to release as many of his films on the format as they possibly can.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dvining

The big test on Japanese cinema is going to be the Kurosawa boxset which seems guaranteed to happen next year or so with Toho releasing the individual 4Ks in Japan this year.

It probably won't be a full 4K boxset (has Toho paid for a 4K restoration of The Most Beautiful or One Wonderful Sunday?), but it'll be big and carry all of his major Toho stuff.

That, I imagine, will end up being their best selling boxset ever.

I think everyone wants this set to happen and it's looking more likely, but who knows who graceful Toho will be to deal with. They may not want anyone using the 4K transfers for 5 years or 10. Who knows, but it's given me some home that we'll finally get a good chunk of his films missing here in HD. I can't even imagine what the price tag will be and if each film will get its own disc or will it be something like the Godzilla/Zatoichi set where some discs had multiple films? Plus, it's probably going to be 4K/BD combo, so it's going to be big no matter what.

[Mindfather]

Planning to pick up these:

Inland Empire,
Last Hurrah for Chivalry,
Mildred Pierce 4K,
Dazed and Confused 4K
Three Colors 4K,
Cooley High.


Then which of these would you say is the least likely to make the jump to 4K?

Tokyo Story,
3 Women,
Harakiri,
Frances Ha,
High and Low,

[Scottie]

Tori and Lokita

https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2115

[M A]

Originally Posted by Mindfather

Planning to pick up these:

Inland Empire,
Last Hurrah for Chivalry,
Mildred Pierce 4K,
Dazed and Confused 4K
Three Colors 4K,
Cooley High.


Then which of these would you say is the least likely to make the jump to 4K?

Tokyo Story,
3 Women,
Harakiri,
Frances Ha,
High and Low,

I would say from least to most likely:
Frances Ha
Harakiri
Tokyo Story
3 Women
High and Low

[javy]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

Kino strikes again.



https://kinolorber.com/product/the-n...e-hunter-4kuhd

If Criterion had announced it people would have just b!tched.

[Rayjg]

Criterion just tweeted no more Japanese releases unless Duke buys the Branded to Kill to 4K.

[Mose Harper]

Originally Posted by M A

I would say from least to most likely:
Frances Ha
Harakiri
Tokyo Story
3 Women
High and Low

Isn't 3 Women a Fox title? Has anyone been releasing Fox catalog in 4K recently, other than direct from Disney (if they even are), apart from perennial titles like Predator or Alien)?

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by dvining

The big test on Japanese cinema is going to be the Kurosawa boxset which seems guaranteed to happen next year or so with Toho releasing the individual 4Ks in Japan this year.

It probably won't be a full 4K boxset (has Toho paid for a 4K restoration of The Most Beautiful or One Wonderful Sunday?), but it'll be big and carry all of his major Toho stuff.

That, I imagine, will end up being their best selling boxset ever.

Criterion 4Ks of AK films being trapped in a box set is the last thing we need. Please don’t encourage it. I know I’m not expressing a popular sentiment but what’s wrong with CC just trickling out “good ol’ fashioned” standalones of AK films on 4K with all the traditional Criterion bells and whistles. I’m sorry, but I just don’t get the (overpriced) box set craze. Imagine if I had to spend 100 bucks on an anthology to get a physical copy of Faulkner’s Sanctuary just to use an example. I’m sure in that context the concept seems ridiculous. I’m not anti boxset per se, but I’m anti-the newest restoration of a given film being locked in a hideously expensive boxset. Granted, the Mexican pressing plant issues probably amplify my anti-boxset sentiment.

[NeoNical]

Still surprised that Criterion's first Japanese 4K was Branded to Kill. Would've expected a Kurosawa film but I'm still very happy that a Suzuki film made it to 4K and, even better for me, my favorite film in the collection getting that upgrade. This is the only film that I can recall rewatching at least once a year so I don't have any problems having to upgrade this, although I wouldn't recommend it to those new to Suzuki's works and steer newcomers towards Detective Bureau to get used to his chaotic action-packed visuals and then go chronologically (Tokyo Drifter and Youth of the Beast are also good starters).

Side Note: Duras joining the collection already for the February 2023 releases makes this one of the most exciting years for me. Whether the 2K restorations are good or not, I'm relieved that it's now possible to revisit these films without having to search extensively online for them.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Granted, the Mexican pressing plant issues probably amplify my anti-boxset sentiment.

That's my fear of boxsets as well. Getting a giant set of titles and one doesn't work. I've been pretty lucky when it comes to boxsets, but luck doesn't always last.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Still surprised that Criterion's first Japanese 4K was Branded to Kill. Would've expected a Kurosawa film but I'm still very happy that a Suzuki film made it to 4K and, even better for me, my favorite film in the collection getting that upgrade. This is the only film that I can recall rewatching at least once a year so I don't have any problems having to upgrade this, although I wouldn't recommend it to those new to Suzuki's works and steer newcomers towards Detective Bureau to get used to his chaotic action-packed visuals and then go chronologically (Tokyo Drifter and Youth of the Beast are also good starters).

Side Note: Duras joining the collection already for the February 2023 releases makes this one of the most exciting years for me. Whether the 2K restorations are good or not, I'm relieved that it's now possible to revisit these films without having to search extensively online for them.

I thoroughly enjoyed Branded to Kill and Tokyo Drifter. I am looking forward to seeing Branded to Kill in 4K UHD. I recently picked up Detective Bureau from an Arrow Video sale, blind buy, and expect I'll enjoy that one a lot too.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

Criterion just tweeted no more Japanese releases unless Duke buys the Branded to Kill to 4K.

Yep, confirmed. DukeTogo it's in your hands.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

That's my fear of boxsets as well. Getting a giant set of titles and one doesn't work. I've been pretty lucky when it comes to boxsets, but luck doesn't always last.

Honestly Criterion's customer service is so good I wouldn't be that worried. Any discs with issues and they'll send you a new one fairly fast.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Yep, confirmed. DukeTogo it's in your hands.

Ok, I'm buying 50 copies. Hopefully this brings about the Kurosawa set for November.

[theater dreamer]

Sorry for the lateness of my reply.

It came automatically. The original came at 11:05 am, and the follow up 41 minutes later.

6735F769-B639-4A6C-976B-E58F290AC129.jpg

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Did you have to ask for it or did they just send it automatically? I have mine but wasn't sure whether it was safe to test prior to actually using it (I'm waiting for the sale).

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Honestly Criterion's customer service is so good I wouldn't be that worried. Any discs with issues and they'll send you a new one fairly fast.

True, although they sometimes make you jump through a few "not a known issue" hoops. Thankfully, they didn't make me do that when my Blow Out UHD had issues in November. Likewise, one or two discs in the Fellini set that were problematic. On the other hand. I had issues with disc 2 of The Leopard, which wasn't a "known issue", but they eventually sent a replacement after I jumped through a few hoops.

However, a lot of Criterion 4K discs pressed this past fall seemed to have playback issues.