The Criterion Collection

[octagon]

Random Question: Has Criterion always been so directorcentric?

I barely knew their name during the laser disc days (didn't have a player and titles in general were waaaaay too expensive anyway) and really only started paying attention to them on dvd and even then my primary impression was 'cool films, great preservationists'. I paid a little attention to extras (particularly those dealing with restoration - I ate those up) but none to what or how or why they added this title or that.

It seems like they focus pretty heavily on directors these days but I'm wondering if that was always the case.

(or maybe it just seems like they focus heavily on directors because that's all we yammer about - i'm open to that line of thinking too)

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm 32, but don't think I've ever prefaced it with "Only"

Wait, aren't you slightly older than I am? If that's the case, you can't still be 32, Beta.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by octagon

Random Question: Has Criterion always been so directorcentric?

Yes. Their releases seem to generally adhere to the auteur theory.

[Show spoiler]In my opinion.

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I'm finally beginning to think that you're the pickiest person on the internet, Pyoko.

That's very likely.

For me it's about getting the best possible/closest to original release for the money. Criterion ran into similar trouble with Berlin Alexanderplatz (and will again if they decide to release it in HD). It was shot at 25fps for European TV, so they had to decide whether to slow it down to 24fps, or do a framerate conversion to 60i, with artifacts and ghosting/blended fields as possible side-effects. The Decalogue is the same by the way, which is why I would wait for European releases of those two, even if Criterion happened to release them on Blu. Also waiting for a UK release of Battleship Potemkin for the same reason (US Kino release is slowed down from 25 to 24fps.)

[Banned User]

Speaking of TCM. August 15th they are showing a full day of Lon Chaney's films from 6AM to 6AM the next day. In case your not familiar with Lon Chaney he is one of the best silent screen actors IMO and I highly recommend seeing a few of his movies.

Although I hate they don't have 'The Penalty' on their list. One of my favorites. Its amazing how his character has no legs in the film.

http://www.tcm.com/schedule/index.ht...ate=2011-08-15

anyway back on topic. I've gone from saying 'I'm only' to 'I'm in my late 30's'.
Also when it comes to age I always lie about it. In the next discussion of age I will be 42 and then 17.

Also for you M fans out there
http://www.dvduell.de/artikel/blu-ra...31-fritz-lang/

[r0pe]

I'm interested in the coming "The Battle of Algiers", but why is it more expensive than other titles? I know it's a 2-disc release, is there some special extras on it?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by r0pe

I'm interested in the coming "The Battle of Algiers", but why is it more expensive than other titles? I know it's a 2-disc release, is there some special extras on it?

It's because it's a 2-disc release. Two blu-ray discs equates to more costly for Criterion to release... same deal with their blu-ray releases of Seven Samurai, The Leopard, Che, and The Night Of The Hunter. There is nothing "special" about the extras... there is just a lot of them time-wise.

Obviously, the use of two blu-ray discs is Criterion's rationale of the main feature having a decent bitrate while also allowing room for the extras. If the film has a long length plus an extensive list of features, then it's necessary for them to use two discs without sacrificing the quality of the main film. When it comes to their blu-ray upgrades, quite a few of the 2-disc DVD releases are now only 1 blu-ray disc. In the case of The Battle of Algiers, though, the DVD has 3 discs so it's unlikely that Criterion would be able to convert 3 DVD discs worth of material down to one single blu-ray disc without sacrificing the film's transfer.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm 32, but don't think I've ever prefaced it with "Only"

I am 43 and I usually say I am only 43

[SpiderBaby]

And I am getting old. 22, 23 in August.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I am 43 and I usually say I am only 43

I'm 52 (53 in August)...no way of sugarcoating that!

[Hendershot737]

I wish I had been younger when the "classic/foreign movie" appreciation set in, but I guess the bug hits when it hits. I'm 28 now, but probably didn't really get into collecting/appreciating until I was more like 25 or so. Congrats to you youngins who are jumping right into it

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I am 43 and I usually say I am only 43

Originally Posted by rkish

I'm 52 (53 in August)...no way of sugarcoating that!

Ahhhh, I feel a bit younger now
(39 in a couple of weeks)

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

And I am getting old. 22, 23 in August.

I sometimes wonder if it would be nice to be young like that once more and then I just think, not sure I would like to redo all of those years once again.
Still enjoy them while they last, 30 come's so fast and a few years later 40 is already there knocking at the door

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by rkish

I'm 52 (53 in August)...no way of sugarcoating that!

bof! It's only a number, what matter's is how young you feel inside.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

Keep on with what you're doing. Don't take my comment (or any others) as an indication that your approach is somehow wrong or what you buy isn't up to "standards". It isn't our taste or money, but yours. I was curious what movies you watched at your age that were older and found they were under-represented based on what was listed. There are many self-appointed "experts" on the forums that feel the need to comment on everything but there is also some good information and things to be investigated as well. Your posts are welcomed and questions will usually be responded to.

Well, he didn't lie or misrepresent anything. He stated that he watches more films from the 50's and earlier. Nothing to do with what he owns.

But you're spot-on about the self-proclaimed "experts." They're a hoot to read!

[Louisville Slugger]

Originally Posted by rkish

I'm 52 (53 in August)...no way of sugarcoating that!

What day in August? I'll be 24 on August 27. I have an aunt that lives in Dutchess County.

Hopewell Junction.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Wait Amazon is using DHL instead of using UPS or USPS or their equivalent?



Thanks Banned User! I wish TCM would only show titles which aren't available on factory pressed discs instead of showing titles which're readily available on DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray disc. Would be nice if they had HD options for film titles to watch.
Even IFC isn't even true HD it's only upconverted. From what I could tell.

That's a tad extreme, don't you think? Gone would be TCM staples like Casablanca, the Hope/Crosby pictures, Marx Brothers films, Astaire/Rogers films, Annie Hall, etc

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by rkish

I'm 52 (53 in August)...no way of sugarcoating that!

I was expecting you to ask us to get off your lawn..

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

What day in August? I'll be 24 on August 27. I have an aunt that lives in Dutchess County.

Hopewell Junction.

HOT DAMN! August 27 as well...1958.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I was expecting you to ask us to get off your lawn..

"He used to cut the grass...he was a very nice boy!"