The Criterion Collection

[romuald121]

Originally Posted by BadBart

Thanks romuald121. Link pops up as "Page not found". Will try to hunt down the info on their site still...

Fixed sorry

[deadheadbill]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

What's your opinion on Bigger than Life? I'm considering blind-buying it because I'm a fan of Ray's other works like In A Lonely Place and Johnny Guitar.

If you like those, grab They Live by Night if you don't have it. Another great Nicholas Ray film.

[Scottie]

There is a TCM event tonight with John Waters beginning at 8 PM ET.

I wonder if he'll announce any upcoming collaborations with Criterion.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by Scottie

There is a TCM event tonight with John Waters beginning at 8 PM ET.

I wonder if he'll announce any upcoming collaborations with Criterion.

We desperately need that Criterion "Desperate Living".

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I'm in the same boat. I will pick up Mean Streets, but any others can wait. According to past orders, seems that March and October are the 2 Flash Sale months, but I could be wrong.

What makes me want to give Mean Streets a chance is

1. The color timing was supposedly based on two older prints that Scorsese supervised years ago, that were not only his intended way of viewing the film but they were never used or consulted for a home video release.

2. I've only seen the film on a Beta from the 70s, so I'd look like a fool standing here saying "what the film is supposed to look like". Clearly the two Criterion discs look nothing like the Beta. The various old Blu-rays (same master, different tweaks), look like a cleaner version of the Beta.

The same two things could be said about another controversial 4K, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Constantly hated by some for being "too dark", it was timed to match the OCN and the 1968 70mm prints, which no home video release had done. The old Blu-ray of that movie also looked like a cleaner version of the Beta instead of a fully restored version of the movie. And that is one of my favorite 4Ks ever.

If Mean Streets sucks I'll be the first to say it, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by Scottie

There is a TCM event tonight with John Waters beginning at 8 PM ET.

I wonder if he'll announce any upcoming collaborations with Criterion.

So many good ones. I think I'd personally root for Desperate Living (please in 1.37), since there's not really much that could go wrong with it.

Obviously the ones I'd really like are uncut, unedited versions of his early stuff including Mondo Trasho, but sadly those will likely never happen. I wonder if the songs themselves enter the PD, will the films then be okay. If so, then between 2060 (latest Hag In A Black Leather Jacket is in the clear) and 2070 (latest Female Trouble is in the clear) they could finally do his films, or at least make some deal with the few protected acts left.

[IDF]

We are waiting for Palestinian films)

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I don't think the impact of changes should be measured in terms of timing (you could remove the entire reference to "Rosebud" from Citizen Kane and hardly lose any running time). There's also the question, if they are so minor, why make them at all? They were requested to approve the transfer, not try and "improve" the film.

With Miller's Crossing, I would say there's a certain egregiousness that comes in because there was a previous blu-ray from Fox that contained the original cut. The Criterion edition came with no / negligible difference to the video for a disc that came more than a decade after its predecessor (so much so for seeking director approval), so there was no "sweetening of the deal" so to say, other than a bunch of interviews.

^this.

Let's call a spade a spade with Miller's Crossing: that's the same 2K transfer from the 2011 Blu-ray, with minimal if any changes in the PQ/AQ department (I couldn't see or hear any difference), with the only noticeable difference being that the movie is now two minutes shorter. Worst of all, there's no indication on the box that the movie is any different than it was on the last disc. We only found out what an egg that disc was the hard way.

If they'd just drop the original movie and stop the bullshit everyone would be happy. It's not rocket science.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by CRASHLANDING

Don't disagree with any of this. But I'll stick by my original comment that the edits don't materially change or diminish the film in my opinion, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the CC edition. There were a lot of changes here (70+, I believe) but most of them were really minor - literally just a few frames removed or added on a particular shot. I think there were barely any that even affected dialogue, and certainly nothing at the level of your "Rosebud" example (which I recognize was hyperbole, and that you weren't trying to say that happened here).

I still feel that most people who dislike the changes are mainly opposed to the idea of filmmakers revisiting their works later. That's an opinion and they're entitled to have it - I just don't share it. Subsequent changes don't bother me unless they're so dramatic as to substantially change the film - again, I'll use the WKW example. And I think we can all agree that it's important for labels to inform buyers when they are getting a revised edit from prior versions.

Another great point.

The earliest tape I know of with a "this film has been changed" message was An Officer And A Gentleman, which had music issues in the early 80s and the box said so. This was nearly a decade before the pan-and-scan disclaimer showed up, which is one that I think every person on this site is painfully familiar with.

How hard is it in 2023 to put "This film has been modified from it's original version: some material had been changed for this home video release." on a box? They can put truly dogshit cover art on a box, but they can't put a disclaimer on the box that the movie you want isn't the movie you're gonna get. It's ridiculous.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It's a no hesitation buy since you enjoy those other films, imo.

Re: Johnny Guitar - Years ago I owned a shabby Olive release (not the signature release but the one before it) but still watched the disc a few times. Great film. It doesn't appear Olive is still releasing films? Would like to see this film get a UHD from someone because there is an available 4k scan.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yeah, Olive officially closed shop earlier this year (though they've essentially been defunct for years). If not from Paramount directly, Kino is the next likeliest to re-release Johnny Guitar I'd say.

1. Olive officially closed this year, but they've been slowly receding for a while now. They're now doing business as Sandpiper (the ones who did all those Woody Allen movies and Twilight Time reprints), but they have no paper trail and some including me think they're doing something shady.

2. The best bet is Kino, since they're doing Blu-rays and 4Ks of tons of Paramount stuff. While I don't know if they have a deal with Paramount, Sandpiper might release it too.

[MifuneFan]

Film Forum's December / January schedule (PDF) has been posted. Most notable for Criterion is the screening of Chaplin's A Woman of Paris (1923) for its 100th anniversary, from a new 4K restoration. Hopefully a Blu-ray follows. Other films being shown include Coup de Torchon (1981) from a new 4K restoration (Rialto Pictures is credited, though its possible Criterion got it back from Studiocanal), the new 4K restoration of Days of Heaven, and a one-week screening of The Third Man for its 75th anniversary. Future Janus Contemporaries title Tótem (2023) will also be screened.

[jshaide]

Man, about time for another Chaplin. I almost forgot they had a couple things left.

Also: oh god, I'm old enough to see The Pianist on the Film Forum rep calendar, oh god.

[trobrianders]

Criterion are in the process of withdrawing dual format releases that did not have a digipack release starting from around spine number 680. Many have already seen the release of one disc replacements. Criterion are mopping up the stragglers. Pickpocket and Tie Me Up Tie Me Down are currently withdrawn awaiting one disc replacements so you can expect the last few, A Brief History of Time, Master of the House and Judex to soon follow. If anyone wants them before they go now's the time.

I have dual format releases of all the Scanavo-only releases in question and was always happy about that. Lately I'm thinking I'll sell them as long as a one disc release is already out. The dual format digipacks I have are staying put. No way I'm selling them. They're lovely.

Happy for any errors to be corrected.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Other films being shown include Coup de Torchon (1981) from a new 4K restoration (Rialto Pictures is credited, though its possible Criterion got it back from Studiocanal).

[Show spoiler]

Great chances it's back with Criterion if you ask me. I recall seeing this on the Criterion Channel a year or two ago and it pops up with the Criterion logo. Hopefully this 4K restoration will bring in more new fans 'cause this really is an amazing film in which it's popularity in the States was tempered because of its OOP status (But probably moreso a lack of interest in Tavernier's works). The only other company that could possibly be competing for this film is Kino Lorber since I'm confident that Lionsgate wouldn't care about releasing a Tavernier film.

This film has been on the top of my list of OOP Criterions to buy but I think it's a smart choice I didn't go for it now.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Film Forum's December / January schedule (PDF) has been posted. Most notable for Criterion is the screening of Chaplin's A Woman of Paris (1923) for its 100th anniversary, from a new 4K restoration. Hopefully a Blu-ray follows. Other films being shown include Coup de Torchon (1981) from a new 4K restoration (Rialto Pictures is credited, though its possible Criterion got it back from Studiocanal), the new 4K restoration of Days of Heaven, and a one-week screening of The Third Man for its 75th anniversary. Future Janus Contemporaries title Tótem (2023) will also be screened.

[Show spoiler]

I'm more stoked about The Third Man. It's one of my top ten OOP titles, and I can't figure out why SC/Lionsgate won't work something out. The non-Criterion Blu-ray is still fairly good, but that Criterion Blu was a stunner. A new 4K restoration on a UHD disc would be better though. I still say blowing up Criterion's emails would maybe get somewhere.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Criterion are in the process of withdrawing dual format releases that did not have a digipack release starting from around spine number 680. Many have already seen the release of one disc replacements. Criterion are mopping up the stragglers. Pickpocket and Tie Me Up Tie Me Down are currently withdrawn awaiting one disc replacements so you can expect the last few, A Brief History of Time, Master of the House and Judex to soon follow. If anyone wants them before they go now's the time.

I have dual format releases of all the Scanavo-only releases in question and was always happy about that. Lately I'm thinking I'll sell them as long as a one disc release is already out. The dual format digipacks I have are staying put. No way I'm selling them. They're lovely.

Happy for any errors to be corrected.

The only two I've seen in stores in recent years are Scanners and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I know there were at least a few dozen combo packs, but those are the only two I've seen outside of eBay. And because they know the combo packs are OOP, they're usually pretty expensive too.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

The only two I've seen in stores in recent years are Scanners and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I know there were at least a few dozen combo packs, but those are the only two I've seen outside of eBay. And because they know the combo packs are OOP, they're usually pretty expensive too.

I was specifically referring to dual format editions still available on Criterion's site which were Scanavo-only releases; A Brief History of Time, Master of the House and Judex. If you want them be quick.

The two you mention were available as dual format digipacks and are now only available as single format.

[Egbert Souse]

Worth noting that the World Cinema Project sets will likely be an exception as they're all dual format.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

I'm more stoked about The Third Man. It's one of my top ten OOP titles, and I can't figure out why SC/Lionsgate won't work something out. The non-Criterion Blu-ray is still fairly good, but that Criterion Blu was a stunner. A new 4K restoration on a UHD disc would be better though. I still say blowing up Criterion's emails would maybe get somewhere.

I did my part earlier in the year and was told-“There are no current plans to bring back The Third Man in the foreseeable future.”

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

[/SPOILER]

I'm more stoked about The Third Man. It's one of my top ten OOP titles, and I can't figure out why SC/Lionsgate won't work something out. The non-Criterion Blu-ray is still fairly good, but that Criterion Blu was a stunner. A new 4K restoration on a UHD disc would be better though. I still say blowing up Criterion's emails would maybe get somewhere.

The 2015 revised UK blu-ray based on a 4k restoration is currently the best looking version of the film and region-free, just saying.