The Criterion Collection

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Great list, but regarding Sword of Doom there is no Nakadai vs Mifune in the film. They do square off in Samurai Rebellion, Sanjuro, and Yojimbo.

According to Criterion’s site Toshiro Mifune plays
Toranosuke Shimada. I think he is the leader of a fencing club. He trains the brother of the guy Nanadai killed in the tsuki thrust.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

According to Criterion’s site Toshiro Mifune plays
Toranosuke Shimada. I think he us the leader of a fencing club. He trains the brother of the guy Nanadai killed in the tsuki thrust.

He's in the movie, but I'm talking about this: "Tatsuya Nakadai vs Mifune epic sword fight"

There is no interaction with Nakadai and Mifune in the film in terms of combat. They have one brief scene together and Nakadai watches Mifune fight in the distance later so there is no epic battle between the two in the film.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by rodrigosanche55

What Japanese movies would you recommend? Better in 4k, or blurays with remote possibilities of being upgraded soon.
So far I got Lady Snowblood, Lone wolf & Cub, Onibaba.
Thinking about the Godzilla boxset..

If you're talking about Criterion only Japanese films or just Japanese films in general?

If you're talking about Criterion, most of what has already been suggested is pretty good.

Hara-Kiri: one of the best Japanese films ever made
Kagemusha: One of Kurosawa's best epics with some of the best use of color in ANY film
The Human Condition Trilogy: The best WWII films made out of Japan. Gripping stuff
Fires of the Plain: A good companion piece to the Human Condition trilogy and one of the most brutal anti-war films ever made.


Outside of Criterion, there are TOO many to mention, but highly suggest Sympathy for the Underdog and Yakuza Graveyard which might be two of the best crime films ever made.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by nNark

Also, why would they want the cover of Del Toro’s NIGHTMARE to look like it’s made for the 1947 one??

For the same reason that Del Toro did a black and white version of the film. It’s expressly supposed to feel like a throwback.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

He's in the movie, but I'm talking about this: "Tatsuya Nakadai vs Mifune epic sword fight"

There is no interaction with Nakadai and Mifune in the film in terms of combat. They have one brief scene together and Nakadai watches Mifune fight in the distance later so there is no epic battle between the two in the film.

I think I got them mixed up in my head

[Egbert Souse]

While I guess there's a chance of an upgrade since it's a 4K restoration, Tampopo is one of my favorite Japanese releases from Criterion.

Ozu also has the highest "average" for me in terms of Japanese directors. Every single one of his films I've seen is at least close to greatness, if not masterpiece. Only other filmmaker with that sort of consistency for me has been Kieslowski.

[Member-922335]

Originally Posted by rodrigosanche55

thank you! my only worry with the Zatoichi boxset is: can we expect an update soon, only bluray box?

Have to agree with @Vinyl on this one, I can't imagine we will see a 4K set of all 25 Zatoichi films. Although now that there is a 4K set for Knight Rider (4189 minutes) I guess anything is possible lol but still, I HIGHLY doubt Zatoichi (2203 minutes) is worth the massive undertaking for how many people would actually buy it. As it is now, the $99.98 sale price makes it about $4 a film which is amazing value.

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by playsignal76

Have to agree with @Vinyl on this one, I can't imagine we will see a 4K set of all 25 Zatoichi films. Although now that there is a 4K set for Knight Rider (4189 minutes) I guess anything is possible lol but still, I HIGHLY doubt Zatoichi (2203 minutes) is worth the massive undertaking for how many people would actually buy it. As it is now, the $99.98 sale price makes it about $4 a film which is amazing value.

The difference is that Universal remastering shows in 4K isn't just for physical media, but also for streaming. They fully own the material. Criterion/Janus aren't doing 4K restorations of the series on their own, they'll have to wait for Toho and Kadokawa.

[Ishai]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

The difference is that Universal remastering shows in 4K isn't just for physical media, but also for streaming. They fully own the material. Criterion/Janus aren't doing 4K restorations of the series on their own, they'll have to wait for Toho and Kadokawa.

Even with streaming it's still surprising they did a 4K transfer for it. Especially when they recently licensed shows like Columbo and Monk out to Kino, both would probably do better than Knight Rider.

I guess the existing version was really bad so they had to do new scans just to get it on streaming.

[latehong]

Originally Posted by rodrigosanche55

what japanese movies would you recommend? Better in 4k, or blurays with remote possibilities of being upgraded soon.
So far i got lady snowblood, lone wolf & cub, onibaba.
Thinking about the godzilla boxset..

My no.1 favorite Japanese release from Criterion:



Trailer and introduction videos:

[Show spoiler]

PALE FLOWER (1964) Trailer - The Criterion Collection - YouTube

Patton Oswalt on PALE FLOWER - YouTube

Noir Alley - Pale Flower (1964) intro 20250622 - YouTube

Noir Alley - Pale Flower (1964) outro 20250622 - YouTube

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by latehong

My no.1 favorite Japanese release from Criterion:



Trailer and introduction videos:

[Show spoiler]PALE FLOWER (1964) Trailer - The Criterion Collection - YouTube

Patton Oswalt on PALE FLOWER - YouTube

Noir Alley - Pale Flower (1964) intro 20250622 - YouTube

Noir Alley - Pale Flower (1964) outro 20250622 - YouTube

Just finished watching this! I’ll add onto it being really fantastic!

[Doomhunter]

Originally Posted by aladdin123

Criterion's blu-ray of Only Angels Have Wings is so beautiful. The photography and grey-scale are so heavenly!

A 4k of this would be nice with a branched cut that fixes someone bumping into the background prop

[Scottie]

Could any owners of the following BD releases help with some info?

The Last Picture Show - booklet or leaflet?
Malcolm X - booklet or leaflet?
Moonage Daydream - inner print/art?

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Ozu also has the highest "average" for me in terms of Japanese directors. Every single one of his films I've seen is at least close to greatness, if not masterpiece.

I agree with this. Ozu is my favorite director. Practically everything he made, starting with Late Spring, is a masterpiece to me. Only exception is The Munekata Sisters. But everything else is a 10 to me.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Well, took a second bite of the current sale apple:



And that'll do...at least until the next sale.

[speedracer5]

For this month's sale I got:



Winchester '73 was a blind buy. I watched it last night and loved it. I'm not usually a big Westerns person, but I did like the cast and the director, so I gave it a chance. This film was also described as a Western film noir and I love film noir, so it was another reason to take a chance on it. I'm glad I did.

For the Criterion flash sale in October, I plan to get This is Spinal Tap, Flow, and Carnal Knowledge.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

You know, I don't see that happening at this point. It's now been around for 20 years, much longer than any of its other brand identification, and the style carries over into its entire aesthetic. Plus I think it was developed for a certain efficiency and timelessness, where the choices were designed to age well. I suppose they might update someday, but it's hard for me to see unless a new honcho comes in and wants to stamp their own identity on the business.

I agree that it would be silly for many of the reasons you state here, but I also never underestimate the idiocy of people.

[Sommerswerd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEkSirbDU2E

[Jope]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEkSirbDU2E

he looks like mrs. doubtfire in the thumbnail.

[sfmarine]

These two got to visit the closet, too!




Their picks.