The Criterion Collection

[PowellPressburger]

That ZOOM mode is how I am able to watch the "classic" versions of Star Wars on laserdisc and those god awful non 16:9 "BONUS" DVD feature versions.

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by italy12

My DVD player has one of those zoom modes. I forget what it is called, but it can take the image and blow it up to the correct aspect ratio...usually cutting some info off the left and right sides, but not much.

It helped with a bunch of non-anamorphs that I owned or rented. Yes, the pic wasn't nearly as clear is it would have been if it were anamorphic, but I'd rather watch it that way than in a small box in the center of my screen.

The modes were something like: normal mode, zoom mode, vertical mode, and something else I think.

Vertical mode was cool because the player automatically stretched 4:3 images. Vertical mode would pillar box it correctly for me.

My player has that option as well but when I compared it to the native setting I noticed it was actually stretching it horizontally, which is why I just stuck with black bars all around. I guess it depends on the capabilities of the player.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by s00perd00per

My player has that option as well but when I compared it to the native setting I noticed it was actually stretching it horizontally, which is why I just stuck with black bars all around. I guess it depends on the capabilities of the player.

I have seen some that do what you described. My Sammy zooms in, so a 2.35:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratio'd film looks quite normal. As close as its ever going to get for a non-anamorph.

[whbinder]

Originally Posted by s00perd00per

My player has that option as well but when I compared it to the native setting I noticed it was actually stretching it horizontally, which is why I just stuck with black bars all around. I guess it depends on the capabilities of the player.

Almost all widescreen TVs have a stretch mode and a zoom mode. The zoom mode should keep the aspect and not lose any information on the sides (unless you have a small overscan). Try cycling through your modes.

EDIT: The stretch mode is for folks watching reruns of Mama's Family and don't want them durn black bars on the sides.

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by whbinder

Almost all widescreen TVs have a stretch mode and a zoom mode. The zoom mode should keep the aspect and not lose any information on the sides (unless you have a small overscan). Try cycling through your modes.

EDIT: The stretch mode is for folks watching reruns of Mama's Family and don't want them durn black bars on the sides.

I'll have to check it out again. I think I played with those settings but didn't really compare the picture because I usually just put it on the Just Scan setting.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by whbinder

EDIT: The stretch mode is for folks watching reruns of Mama's Family and don't want them durn black bars on the sides.

Which reminds me, I had a customer in Best Buy ask me if the Blu ray version of Gone With the Wind bag was going to fill her screen. She paid all this money for a widescreen TV, so she didn't want a box in the middle. I told her the movie would play the way it was filmed, and because of that, there would be black bars on the sides.

She wasn't havin' it...actin' like it was all my fault.

I love people.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by italy12

Which reminds me, I had a customer in Best Buy ask me if the Blu ray version of Gone With the Wind bag was going to fill her screen. She paid all this money for a widescreen TV, so she didn't want a box in the middle. I told her the movie would play the way it was filmed, and because of that, there would be black bars on the sides.

She wasn't havin' it...actin' like it was all my fault.

I love people.

You should've then referred her to the steelbook section. Any film's perceived "shortcomings" are overcome by the fact the film comes in a steel case!

[PowellPressburger]

Just for those curious my copy of CHUNGKING EXPRESS that I ordered from Criterion's site yesterday has been confirmed thru e-mail that it has shipped USPS (Meaning it will be picked up tomorrow Priority Mail)

[italy12]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

You should've then referred her to the steelbook section. Any film's perceived "shortcomings" are overcome by the fact the film comes in a steel case!

[JediFonger]

a Criterion steel/iron book would be totally amazing >) you'd have to combine 2 groups of krazies!

[italy12]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

a Criterion steel/iron book would be totally amazing >) you'd have to combine 2 groups of krazies!

If you put a slip cover on that I think I'd have to change my shorts.

[aggienader08]

This thread is outta control with the Criterion Steelbook slipcover baby-making.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by s00perd00per

I'd say they're newly released DVD's are probably close enough in quality to blu-ray that I don't really mind it. The trick for me is just sitting farther back when watching a DVD.

They're nice (Dillinger is Dead was quite good) but on a larger display you really appreciate the increased resolution. PQ and AQ are terrible reasons to buy/not-buy something though.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Now don't get mad at me for asking you this, but did you even see the film? Your comments resemble the kind of person that is on the fence about seeing the film, but not sure how they can make a 2 hr. film about Facebook. After all, it is just about Facebook isn't it?

I agree with what you're saying about the older AMPAS voters though. But honestly The King's Speech was seemingly the only film of the year to attract any attention from the older crowd. I haven't seen it; I really want to though. But I can't convince myself, the way you have, that something like the age of the AMPAS voters would prevent The Social Network from winning anything. Black Swan would be the one to do that, but I don't think it's the "better film". Natalie Portman will win Best Actress, and I'll be happy for that because she was dominant in her role. Nuf said.

Just for the record, yes, I did see the film. I was also highly amused that Saverin's girlfriend

[Show spoiler]seemed to be suffering from some sort of psychosis or mood disorder (when he was about to leave to join Zuckerberg in California, and she set something on fire after having a tantrum)

but the film never did anything with that.

Now, back to Criterion...

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

They're nice (Dillinger is Dead was quite good) but on a larger display you really appreciate the increased resolution. PQ and AQ are terrible reasons to buy/not-buy something though.

PQ/AQ are perfectly valid considerations when making a purchasing decision. They shouldn't be the only considerations but since we're not talking about our home reading rooms valuing PQ/AQ fairly highly seems only reasonable.

And frankly, it's about time consumers used their market impact. In the past we were a little too eager to snap up favortie catalog releases regardless of quality and this time around we're being a little more selective and studios know it.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

They're nice (Dillinger is Dead was quite good)

Did you like the film though?

[BasicGreatGuy]

If anyone is still looking for "Pierrot le Fou," bsweetness has a sealed copy for sale for $24.00 in the Trade Forum.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Well I'm glad I held off buying Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on Blu-ray. Especially the Universal but I do own it on HD DVD. Is there anywhere online where one could buy 2-Disc Criterion style Blu cases? Would be a nice idea to make a 2-disc for the upcoming Criterion Blu with the second disc being the Universal. Or should I put the OST CD as the second disc?
One of my favorite Terry Gilliam films. Just wish Criterion would get the go ahead and start working on Time Bandits and Brazil. ALSO, here's hoping but never know, Criterion would get the license to The Fisher King again. Of course you fellow Criterions know what I'm typing about.
How convenient actually since I was listening to the soundtrack CD yesterday and I read not even 15 minutes ago Criterion will be releasing it on Blu.

Question though, are the booklets as good as the DVD counterparts for the Blu releases or do they omit pages? How about slipcovers? At Best Buy I've seen Blus there without them.
Order online from Amazon for Criterion Blus? Pity I never took advantage of the Barnes & Noble sale.

The only slipcover I have ever seen for a Criterion release, was "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

I have been pleased (overall) with the booklets provided by Criterion.

A lot of us use Amazon. Some buy directly from Criterion. Wherever you can get a good deal with good service I say.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Did you like the film though?

I'm adding all the Ferreri Netflix has to the queue...... I thought it was great!

[SlickDamian]

I really want Pierrot le Fou! How reliable is it buying from this forum? I'm in Canada.