The Criterion Collection

[drbikeshorts]

Harakiri comparison

It concerns me that the Criterion is noticeably cropped. In one screenshot, a person visible on the left of the MoC's frame is completely missing from the Criterion.
However, I think the MoC looks a little soft. Perhaps others will think the Criterion looks artificially sharpened.
Any thoughts?

[Sukuri]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Harakiri comparison

It concerns me that the Criterion is noticeably cropped. In one screenshot, a person visible on the left of the MoC's frame is completely missing from the Criterion.
However, I think the MoC looks a little soft. Perhaps others will think the Criterion looks artificially sharpened.
Any thoughts?

I think it's silly for people to lose sleep, or panic, or become outraged because an inch of print is missing from the side of the film.

[AlbinoPriest]

Originally Posted by Sukuri

I think it's silly for people to lose sleep, or panic, or become outraged because an inch of print is missing from the side of the film.

I think the thing is that it seems like there's no reason for something like that to happen, however, I do feel like the Criterion looks noticeably better than the MoC, and as you imply, it doesn't take much away from the experience. I think the Criterion is the one I'll go for.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Sukuri

I think it's silly for people to lose sleep, or panic, or become outraged because an inch of print is missing from the side of the film.

How about concern? Is that silly? I only ask because that's, well, what he actually said.

Concern - or at the very least interest - isn't exactly unreasonable either. One of the things I really about Criterion is the confidence that they're willing and able to do all the homework for me. I don't have to read page after page of debate over something like aspect ratio for one their releases - I can just buy it.

I'm not suggesting this shakes that confidence but I am curious as to what went into their decisions.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by octagon

How about concern? Is that silly? I only ask because that's, well, what he actually said.

Concern - or at the very least interest - isn't exactly unreasonable either. One of the things I really about Criterion is the confidence that they're willing and able to do all the homework for me. I don't have to read page after page of debate over something like aspect ratio for one their releases - I can just buy it.

I'm not suggesting this shakes that confidence but I am curious as to what went into their decisions.

Exactly - a bit of information about why it's been cropped would be useful.
Like you say, I'm hardly panicked about it.
I'm personally leaning towards the Criterion, because I feel the image looks nicer and I'm sure I'll forget all about the missing edges when I'm watching the film.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Exactly - a bit of information about why it's been cropped would be useful.
Like you say, I'm hardly panicked about it.
I'm personally leaning towards the Criterion, because I feel the image looks nicer and I'm sure I'll forget all about the missing edges when I'm watching the film.

Same for me there.

There seems to have some differences between the Criterion and the MoC, while we would have thought it would have been the same (since they are highly likely to come from the same source).

The thing is more to understand why than to have something to bash about.

Personally, I think I will go for the MoC, since it's easier and cheaper to get it for me than the Criterion.

[42041]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Perhaps others will think the Criterion looks artificially sharpened.

:raises hand:
MoC release has a nice analog texture based on the blu-ray.com screengrabs (don't trust the Beaver) and I prefer the less pumped up highlights. Also a bit cheaper for me.

[AlbinoPriest]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Exactly - a bit of information about why it's been cropped would be useful.
Like you say, I'm hardly panicked about it.
I'm personally leaning towards the Criterion, because I feel the image looks nicer and I'm sure I'll forget all about the missing edges when I'm watching the film.

Completely agree with everything in this post. I just noticed that, of all the different releases shown in that dvdbeaver comparison page, the MoC is th only one that has the fuller frame. I think that one may have been restored from a different source than all the others.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I think the MoC looks a little soft. Perhaps others will think the Criterion looks artificially sharpened.

I personally think the Criterion images of Harakiri on Blu-Ray.com look very "digital" as compared to the MoC - textures like hair (look at Nakadai's beard in the comparable closeups in the Criterion and MoC versions) look distorted and unnatural in the Criterion version. MoC may be a tad softer but it's a far more natural looking image going by the screens.

[SlickDamian]

Blind buying a Criterion today and need some help deciding between these. Feel free to base a recommendation on what I have in my collection.

Solaris
The Killing
3 Women
If...
High & Low
Beauty and the Beast

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Blind buying a Criterion today and need some help deciding between these. Feel free to base a recommendation on what I have in my collection.

Solaris
The Killing
3 Women
If...
High & Low
Beauty and the Beast

I really like em' all, but my fave of those six you listed would be "The Killing" (plus the CC blu has Kubrick's full legnth film:"Killer's Kiss" added as bonus feature)

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

If they announce The Lady Vanishes tomorrow I will explode. One of my top 10 favorite movies ever.

Thank you for the warning, I will make sure to take cover as I am quite sure that it will be quite messy

[melo4mvp]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I really like em' all, but my fave of those six you listed would be "The Killing" (plus the CC blu has Kubrick's full legnth film:"Killer's Kiss" added as bonus feature)

Only one I've seen so far on the list is The Killing and I have to say I find it quite good. Also like mentioned you can't beat two movies for the price of one.

[majorkonig41]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Blind buying a Criterion today and need some help deciding between these. Feel free to base a recommendation on what I have in my collection.

Solaris
The Killing
3 Women
If...
High & Low
Beauty and the Beast

The Killing is one of the greatest movies ever. If you don't want that one, then go with Beauty and the Beast.

[ShellOilJunior]

Revised

lock- The Lady Vanishes
Gold Rush
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Bitter Rice

2 new, 2 upgrades

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Blind buying a Criterion today and need some help deciding between these. Feel free to base a recommendation on what I have in my collection.

Solaris
The Killing
3 Women
If...
High & Low
Beauty and the Beast

My choice is Solaris. Great film. After all...you seem to like stories about people in and from space.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I personally think the Criterion images of Harakiri on Blu-Ray.com look very "digital" as compared to the MoC - textures like hair (look at Nakadai's beard in the comparable closeups in the Criterion and MoC versions) look distorted and unnatural in the Criterion version. MoC may be a tad softer but it's a far more natural looking image going by the screens.

Going by the screenshots, the Criterion is taken from an older master, which would also explain the windowboxing it has. If the bonus material the Criterion had were very extensive, it would have been harder to choose between the two, but the way it looks now, I went for the MoC, and I probably won't be sorry about that.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Blind buying a Criterion today and need some help deciding between these. Feel free to base a recommendation on what I have in my collection.

Solaris - Haven't seen it, so no comment
The Killing - 2nd Buy it, it's fantastic, Killer's Kiss is pretty good too, I blind bought it.
3 Women - Wasn't too fussy about this one, don't blind buy, try to watch it first
If... - I blind bought it, but won't be able to watch it until this weekend, as it arrived at my parents place, and I'm not going home until Saturday
High & Low - Top Choice! One of the Best Kurosawa films! Awesome Blind Buy
Beauty and the Beast - Haven't seen it, so no comment

See quoted post for my comments.

[P@t_Mtl]

Everyone ready for the big day? Let the speculation begin

[JHas]

I'm sure none of these will be announced today, but one can hope!

Hoping for...
Andrei Rublev
Z
Walker
Le Samourai