The Criterion Collection

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I purchased The Long Good Friday 4K from OrbitDVD for cheaper than Criterion will charge for their 4K by launch (B&N Sale aside).

It has a slipcover, art cards, a poster, a booklet, high quality case, reversible art with "poster" art, and most likely better encode/transfer.

Every single person on the planet with an internet connection is "in a position to import".

The issue is, most of the people buying these titles are well versed in boutique releases. By releasing a title someone else already did, you risk the market already being cannibalized.

Spot on mate. It’s easy to import both ways. I usually import around 50 discs from the US to the UK every couple months via Stackry. Easy as you like.

[Flex_MythoMass]

My preorder of Blue Velvet 4K just shipped from GHV!

[MifuneFan]

Film Forum's July-September Schedule (PDF) is up. Plenty of exiting screenings, and programs included. There's going to be a retrospective on Jean-Pierre Melville, including a recent 4K restoration of Army of Shadows. Hopefully a Criterion 4K follows. In Late Summer, there's also going to be a 16-film Blaxploitation program, and a 19-film Spielberg retrospective including the 4K restoration of Sugarland Express.

As far as Criterion titles, and potentials. We have the new 4K restorations of Seven Samurai, and Burden of Dreams, which were already discussed. They're also showing Ann Hui's July Rhapsody. A film made in 2002, but never released. Criterion released her film Boat People, so I could see them licensing this one too.

There's also two Robert Bresson films from new 4K restorations: The Devil, Probably (1977), and Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac) (1974). The former is currently on the Criterion channel.

[halationsummer]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Film Forum's July-September Schedule (PDF) is up. Plenty of exiting screenings, and programs included. There's going to be a retrospective on Jean-Pierre Melville, including a recent 4K restoration of Army of Shadows. Hopefully a Criterion 4K follows. In Late Summer, there's also going to be a 16-film Blaxploitation program, and a 19-film Spielberg retrospective including the 4K restoration of Sugarland Express.

As far as Criterion titles, and potentials. We have the new 4K restorations of Seven Samurai, and Burden of Dreams, which were already discussed. They're also showing Anna Hui's July Rhapsody. A film made in 2002, but never released. Criterion released her film Boat People, so I could see them licensing this one too.

There's also two Robert Bresson films from new 4K restorations: The Devil, Probably (1977), and Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac) (1974). The former is currently on the Criterion channel.

Pretty sure The Devil, Probably will be getting a release via OCN.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by halationsummer

Pretty sure The Devil, Probably will be getting a release via OCN.

Oh yeah, most likely. I forgot Film Desk is a partner label.

[dwk]

I know this discussion crops up every time Criterion releasing something already available in the UK, but what are they supposed to do not release films, even though the vast majority of customers don't import? Sorry whoever owns TITLE X, no US release because there is a UK disc isn't going to go over well with licensors.

[Shanghai Express]

Originally Posted by dwk

I know this discussion crops up every time Criterion releasing something already available in the UK, but what are they supposed to do not release films, even though the vast majority of customers don't import? Sorry whoever owns TITLE X, no US release because there is a UK disc isn't going to go over well with licensors.

It's not that. It's them doing it several years behind their region B counterparts

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

It's not that. It's them doing it several years behind their region B counterparts

Long Good Friday came out from Arrow in late May. There are obvious double-standards when it comes to Arrow, and Criterion on this forum, that's all I'll comment on the matter.

[Shanghai Express]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Long Good Friday came out from Arrow in late May.

On 4K. The Arrow Blu-ray has been out for six or seven years, no?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

On 4K. The Arrow Blu-ray has been out for six or seven years, no?

Yeah, but Criterion had lost the rights to the title for several years.

[Taylor3978]

Originally Posted by dwk

I know this discussion crops up every time Criterion releasing something already available in the UK, but what are they supposed to do not release films, even though the vast majority of customers don't import?

It's the redundancy: While they're releasing titles already easily available e.g. via Rarewaves and Amazon, there are many other titles (e.g. Powell & Pressburger B&W films) that still only exist on DVD. And even worse, all kinds of indications that Criterion are sitting on the releases of many titles that people would like to see, preventing others from releasing them, while they chase titles already released by others, and in some cases better than the Criterion release.

[Flex_MythoMass]

Despite having around 750 films, I think I only have four imported. And it's for a very petty reason I don't have more: I don't like the age rating on the spines.

[Matt89]

I really hope The Long Good Friday isn't one of the Criterion announcements. I just bought the Arrow 4K which will likely remain the definitive edition.

Personally I haven't been all that excited for Criterion's announcements lately but Repo Man is a good sign, would def pick that up. Just hope we get some more interesting titles and not UHDs that have already been released by Arrow.

[dwk]

I assume they've held off on some stuff, like the Powell & Pressburger titles, while they wait for newer restorations. It makes perfect sense to wait if you know something is in the restoration piipeline. Even if it is a few years off.

Everyone assumes that TITLE X is the reason that TITLE B hasn't been released, but that really isn't the case.

[BoydR12]

Originally Posted by Matt89

I really hope The Long Good Friday isn't one of the Criterion announcements. I just bought the Arrow 4K which will likely remain the definitive edition.

Personally I haven't been all that excited for Criterion's announcements lately but Repo Man is a good sign, would def pick that up. Just hope we get some more interesting titles and not UHDs that have already been released by Arrow.

- 2 Albert Brooks films in 4K in August
- Risky Business 4K in July
- Perfect Days 4K in July
- Le Samouri 4K in July
- A slam packed show stunner 4K of Pat Garret and Billy the Kid in July

None of that has you excited, really?!

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I purchased The Long Good Friday 4K from OrbitDVD for cheaper than Criterion will charge for their 4K by launch (B&N Sale aside).

It has a slipcover, art cards, a poster, a booklet, high quality case, reversible art with "poster" art, and most likely better encode/transfer.

Every single person on the planet with an internet connection is "in a position to import".

The issue is, most of the people buying these titles are well versed in boutique releases. By releasing a title someone else already did, you risk the market already being cannibalized.

Listen, you can define your purchase drivers how ever you choose and buy accordingly, but to somehow suggest that someone else is misguided by choosing to buy, or wait for, a US release in place of a UK release is a bit unfair.

While the monetary difference between a US release and UK release may not seem like much and here it's only a few dollars, $25 for a Criterion on sale versus the $29 from Orbit, there is the question of a US Blu-ray Disc and Criterion support/rewards.

So why not give the guy a break, and while we're at it, how about acknowledging the fact Criterion is introducing a wealth of new titles while many other labels are simply cashing in on the same ol' same ol' with 4K and swag cash grabs, and this is from someone who bought the Arrow version and owns many UK releases.

[MifuneFan]

New to 4K with Criterion's announcement:

1. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
2. Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
3. After Hours
4. The Apu Trilogy
5. Blood Simple
6. Blow Out
7. Blue Velvet
8. Bound
9. Branded to Kill
10. Citizen Kane
11. Days of Heaven
12. Dazed and Confused
13. Devil in a Blue Dress
14. Double Indemnity
15. The Fisher King
16. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
17. For All Mankind
18. Hard Day's Night
19. I Am Cuba
20. The Last Waltz
21. Lone Star
22. Lost Highway
23. Malcolm X
24. McCabe & Mrs Miller
25. Mean Streets
26. Menace II Society
27. Mildred Pierce
28. Moonage Daydream
29. Mother
30. Mulholland Drive
31. Night of the Living Dead
32. Okja
33. One False Move
34. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
35. The Piano
36. The Power of the Dog
37. Raging Bull
38. Real Life
39. The Red Shoes
40. The Roaring Twenties
41. The Ranown Westerns (5-films)
42. Risky Business
43. Shaft
44. Sound of Metal
45. Thelma and Louise
46. Time Bandits (Arrow release came after)
47. To Die For
48. Trainspotting
49. Uncut Gems
50. The Virgin Suicides
51. Walkabout
52. Werckmeiser Harmonies

(Previously released in the US by a studio: Wall-E, The Last Picture Show)

Previously released/announced internationally (not necessarily English friendly):

1. Breathless
2. Le Cercle Rouge
3. Don't Look Now
4. Farewell My Concubine
5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Arrow)
6. In the Mood for Love
7. La Haine
8. The Heroic Trio / Executioners
9. The Last Emperor (Arrow)
10. The Others
11. Peeping Tom
12. Perfect Days
13. Picnic at Hanging Rock
14. The Princess Bride
15. The Rules of the Game
16. Le Samourai
17. The Seventh Seal
18. The Trial
19. Three Colors Trilogy
20. Triangle of Sadness
21. Videodrome (Arrow)
22. Wings of Desire

So 52 new to 4K at the time of their announcement, 22 previously released/announced internationally, and only 3 of which were from Arrow. Don't recall anyone saying Arrow were getting Criterion's sloppy seconds when they announced Time Bandits months after Criterion announced theirs.

[Brad1963]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Film Forum's July-September Schedule (PDF) is up. Plenty of exiting screenings, and programs included. There's going to be a retrospective on Jean-Pierre Melville, including a recent 4K restoration of Army of Shadows. Hopefully a Criterion 4K follows. In Late Summer, there's also going to be a 16-film Blaxploitation program, and a 19-film Spielberg retrospective including the 4K restoration of Sugarland Express.

As far as Criterion titles, and potentials. We have the new 4K restorations of Seven Samurai, and Burden of Dreams, which were already discussed. They're also showing Ann Hui's July Rhapsody. A film made in 2002, but never released. Criterion released her film Boat People, so I could see them licensing this one too.

There's also two Robert Bresson films from new 4K restorations: The Devil, Probably (1977), and Lancelot of the Lake (Lancelot du Lac) (1974). The former is currently on the Criterion channel.

Some amazing films to look forward to.

[dallywhitty]

I think it's less that Criterion are releasing titles already available in the UK, and more that the UK titles are already excellent and that Criterion's releases are usually inferior, lmao. There's also this Anerican attitude that things don't exist outside their own home. I remember seeing people react to the likes of Peeping Tom and Don't Look Now like, "OMG FINALLY!!!" as if they hadn't already received releases by StudioCanal and Arrow respectively.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by AreaFive

Speaking of Jude Law, I'd be thrilled to see A.I. get the Criterion treatment.

Absolutely! A great performance from Jude combined with Spielberg with a Kubrick back story. While A.I. has its flaws, there are a number of scenes in this film that are exemplary, followed by one or two devastating gut punches to my core even after repeated viewings.

Originally Posted by AreaFive

I'd also be quite pleased to see a western 4K release of Enemy at the Gates.

Yes, and another flawed film with some great performances from the cast.

While Gattaca remains one of my favorite Law performances and is in my opinion one of the best films of the past 30 years and would have been a great Criterion release, there a number of other great Law performances in films that ultimately didn't match his talent. If you've never seen King Arthur Legend of the Sword, do yourself a favor and give it spin.

Law simply eats up the script and spits it out as Vortigern, devouring the screen in the process.