The Criterion Collection

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

I have a question for the PQ experts:

I am watching Howards End and notice there is a lot of very noticeable, pulsating grain. Is that normal for this BD? I also noticed it on my copy of The Makioka Sisters. I can't imagine it is my player, since these are the only two instances of it. I just want to know if the BD itself is likely messed up, or if what I'm seeing is normal. It's more than just your everyday grain...as I don't believe grain is supposed to pulsate this strongly. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Thanks!

I don't know if it's what you're seeing, but both Howards End and the Makioka Sisters have a layer of digital noise that isn't part of the original film.

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by Pyoko

I don't know if it's what you're seeing, but both Howards End and the Makioka Sisters have a layer of digital noise that isn't part of the original film.

I was wondering if "Digital Noise" was a better description of what I am seeing. I checked the sharpness level on my tv and noticed it was set high. I lowered it and already notice a massive difference. (in other words, it was probably an operator's error)

[Pyoko]

Yeah, sharpness is basically a useless setting and there's really no reason to have it higher than 0. It doesn't actually do any good and instead works by trying to trick the brain, but usually what you end up with is just an image where grain, noise and other artifacts have been accentuated.

[ProgKing]

Need some advice...

I ordered Pierrot Le Fou during the recent B&N sale but it's backordered and isn't expected to ship until the end of September. I know it's out of print and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this title from B&N recently? I fear that B&N may never get it in and cancel my order when they realize they can't ship it and I'd lose out on the sale price. I was considering cancelling the order before the sale ends and applying the credit towards something different but hate to pass up the opportunity to get the movie at such a good price.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

me too

Just checked my email, and they are all on the way.... none backordered....

Glad that got worked out!

Originally Posted by ProgKing

Need some advice...

I ordered Pierrot Le Fou during the recent B&N sale but it's backordered and isn't expected to ship until the end of September. I know it's out of print and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this title from B&N recently? I fear that B&N may never get it in and cancel my order when they realize they can't ship it and I'd lose out on the sale price. I was considering cancelling the order before the sale ends and applying the credit towards something different but hate to pass up the opportunity to get the movie at such a good price.

They don't charge until they ship.... so there would be no "credit" etc.... I'd definitely just wait it out and hope for the best.

[ProgKing]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

They don't charge until they ship.... so there would be no "credit" etc.... I'd definitely just wait it out and hope for the best.

I used a gift card and thought maybe I could have the credit reapplied to my balance, but you're probably right...I'll just wait it out. The November sale's just around the corner anyway and I've got a ton of stuff to get caught up on.

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Still waiting for a shipping notification for the "75,000 seconds" sale. I ordered my titles within the first 5,000 seconds of the sale or so too...... hmm.

I ordered mine about 1/2 way through the 75,000 seconds sale. I got an email about 4:00pm MT and it said that my order had shipped. I only ordered 1 movie.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I think Belle de Jour is the only 'hint' we will probably get in December. Usually December is a quiet month for Criterion regarding releases. It may only be 2 or 3 titles.

After a year of 5 to 6 releases every month, I think there'll be disappointment if only 2 or 3 get released...

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

After a year of 5 to 6 releases every month, I think there'll be disappointment if only 2 or 3 get released...

I think last year looked more or less the same and we only end getting Cronos and Videodrome. I hope we are getting more films. I am waiting for at least an upgrade and a new release .

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

After a year of 5 to 6 releases every month, I think there'll be disappointment if only 2 or 3 get released...

I'm just looking back at Criterion's recent history. They did not release more than 2 or 3 titles. I hope I am wrong and they give us more this year.

[dwane5]

Originally Posted by BHolst

Got that too as well as Cul-de-Sac, Orpheus, Secret Sunshine, If... and The Complete Jean Vigo.

I should have waited for the November sale, but I found a 10% off coupon so the price for the killing came down to $17.99 and $21.59 for the others, I can live with that since there was no idea in ordering only The Killing and paying shipping for that...

All 6 got an expected shipping date of September 14th, so here's hoping they actually keep it this time and everything going smoothly!

i have purchased about 7 titles, and paid roughly, $13.59 for them all except battle algiers $18.99

[italy12]

Criterion Cast is tweeting about early spined Criterions and asking about which Hitchcock film would people like to see upgraded to blu...

I'm going out on a limb and will predict #3 The Lady Vanishes...

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by italy12

Criterion Cast is tweeting about early spined Criterions and asking about which Hitchcock film would people like to see upgraded to blu...

I'm going out on a limb and will predict #3 The Lady Vanishes...

The Lady Vanishes would be one really nice surprise. Can't say it is one of my most anticipated upgrades. To be honest, I hope Criterion gives us some more Russian/Soviet Union films, they are seriously missing. The Cranes are Flying by Mikhail Kalatozov and Andrei Rublev and Ivan's Childhood by Andrei Tarkovsky are my most anticipated upgrades . Looking at how close we are to the 15th, which "predictions" have we made so far ?

[larry47591]

Originally Posted by italy12

Criterion Cast is tweeting about early spined Criterions and asking about which Hitchcock film would people like to see upgraded to blu...

I'm going out on a limb and will predict #3 The Lady Vanishes...

I saw that and hope it's true

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by italy12

Criterion Cast is tweeting about early spined Criterions and asking about which Hitchcock film would people like to see upgraded to blu...

I'm going out on a limb and will predict #3 The Lady Vanishes...

I saw that tweet also.
Considering the only Hitchcock's on blu-ray are North By Northwest, Psycho and The 39 Steps (which is apparently pretty ordinary), I'd have to nominate the rest of them!
I'm amazed that the studios have not released The Birds, Vertigo, Rear Window, and a whole host of potential money-makers.
I guess the real question in regard to that tweet is, which Hitchcock films can Criterion actually get the rights to?

[bugsy_pal]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

I have a question for the PQ experts:

I am watching Howards End and notice there is a lot of very noticeable, pulsating grain. Is that normal for this BD? I also noticed it on my copy of The Makioka Sisters. I can't imagine it is my player, since these are the only two instances of it. I just want to know if the BD itself is likely messed up, or if what I'm seeing is normal. It's more than just your everyday grain...as I don't believe grain is supposed to pulsate this strongly. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Thanks!

The issue with noise on the Howards End bluray has been discussed in some detail over at the Home Theatre forum. Robert Harris gave the disc a glowing review, but then some folks piped in with complaints about the strange digital noise. Harris hadn't noticed it and he came to the conclusion that it was player-dependent.

I bought the bluray last year and only recently watched it. On my Panasonic BD-60, the digital noise was very apparent in darker scenes. The final credits looked like a blizzard. There's is something a bit weird with the disc. I find it hard to believe something like this is player-dependent, but I suppose if others are not seeing the problems, it must be. For the most part the disc looks good, but it's some of the darker scenes that look bad.

[TriuneImpurityRites]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I saw that tweet also.
Considering the only Hitchcock's on blu-ray are North By Northwest, Psycho and The 39 Steps (which is apparently pretty ordinary), I'd have to nominate the rest of them!
I'm amazed that the studios have not released The Birds, Vertigo, Rear Window, and a whole host of potential money-makers.
I guess the real question in regard to that tweet is, which Hitchcock films can Criterion actually get the rights to?

Notorious please

[octagon]

1. Notorious
2. Rebecca
3. The 39 Steps
4. The Lady Vanishes
5. Spellbound (the only one I probably wouldn't buy)

That said, I love Hitchcock but all of these are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down on my list.

[PowellPressburger]

Not a Facebook person here, but does anyone want to post the image Criterion tweeted on Facebook earlier today of the WHSE 50% off Orders?

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by octagon

1. Notorious
2. Rebecca
3. The 39 Steps
4. The Lady Vanishes
5. Spellbound (the only one I probably wouldn't buy)

That said, I love Hitchcock but all of these are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down on my list.

Same here. I completely love the Master of Suspense , but for some reason, I just don't have the urge for most of his films to receive the BD treatment. There are many films with minor to non-releases that deserve some love too .