The Criterion Collection

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by rkish

No argument from me on Anatomy...I just wonder how they got this one from Sony? I would have figured they would have jumped all over this themselves.

In 2011, two of the biggest American studios - Fox and SPHE - moved decisively toward a licensing model for catalogue titles on Blu-ray, instead of running the retail gauntlet themselves rkish. In the current big box 'race to the bottom' sales environment, their numbers showed that Blu-ray catalogue titles were especially vulnerable to soft landings, with lower demand, and deep discounting kicking-in after mere days in the marketplace. For larger corporations needing runs in the hundreds of thousands or millions to justify a retail release, the numbers just weren't adding up...especially with the Blu-ray market share still stalled in the 20% - 25% range. It simply wasn't worth their while to invest in the authoring, production, and promotion of premium quality Blu-rays of catalogue titles unless something really special could be done with them, like anniversary special edtions or ultimate collector editions. Obviously, a lot of the deep catalogue titles that movie fans like us cherish most, simply weren't worth studio investment for a mass market release. And yet these titles still had considerable collector demand and value in the marketplace, just not in the numbers the studios needed to stop hemorrhaging red ink via retail.

For many catalogue titles, studios like Fox and SPHE already had great high def masters from their ongoing improvement programs for VOD, cable, and streaming services. So their solution for Blu-ray was to license smaller runs to niche labels like Criterion (at the high end of unit runs), Olive, Severin, Legend, and Image (in the mid-range), and Twilight Time at the low end (3000 units only). Anatomy of a Murder no doubt fell somewhere in between in terms of demand - not high enough for SPHE to justify going retail with it themselves, but at the other end of the scale, Twilight Time's 3000 limited runs would have been too low, and the mid-rank houses would have yielded mediocre numbers with sometimes questionable quality. So Criterion was the perfect fit - they could offer high-ish numbers with equally high quality production and features. SPHE's fine Grover Crisp transfer could be monetized without any production/distribution/promotion responsibilities; all they'd have to do is cash the cheque. And Criterion would get its hands on a relatively high profile studio catalogue title with superb AQ/PQ specs that could be offered to its built-in collector market. Win. Win.

As we discovered on several of the TT boards - especially the infamous Fright Night thread - many folks still don't know, or don't seem to want to believe, that this new limited/low run licensing model for Blu-ray even exists, much less represents the future for high-def in 'hard' media form.

[rkish]

Thanks for the explanation...that explains a lot of things. It's nice when some of the big boys wake up and realize the treasures that they possess. Glad that we can add Universal to that list...hopefully they will be more consistent with quality control on their future releases...but I'd like to think that "All Quiet..." is a step in the right direction...

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by joie

Have you seen "Paranoiac," from Eureka, originally from Hammer Studios? I don't recall seeing a better looking B&W picture ... Cinemascope ... well, Hammersope, anyway.

Unfortunately not yet joie, but those screen caps do look fine.

Actually, I've had my hands full keeping up with the Region A Blu-ray titles that interest me. My theory is that Hammer movies will eventually all end up available in Region A editions anyway...although I'm sure there will be some debate here about that.

[dag]

Originally Posted by rkish

And the one Universal title that they should have KILLED to get...All Quiet on the Western Front. I watched it Saturday morning..., it looks simply amazing!...major kudos to Universal on one hell of a restoration!

Watched this myself on Friday night, and I was incredibly impressed by the film - outstanding camera work and courageous script, and on the BD side of things, the PQ was outstanding.

[bugsy_pal]

I'm not chomping at the bit about the latest releases. I just picked up a region-free Australian copy of Being Jon Malkovich for $10, so that'll do me... But I must agree with those who've taken issue with some of the cover designs. Certified Copy looks like a placeholder - either that or the designer did a rush job, didn't care or is backhandedly giving us the finger.

On the other hand... a new aesthetic...?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by bugsy_pal

But I must agree with those who've taken issue with some of the cover designs. Certified Copy looks like a placeholder - either that or the designer did a rush job, didn't care or is backhandedly giving us the finger.

On the other hand... a new aesthetic...?

[Show spoiler]

Echoes of vintage 70s IBM Mainframe Administrator's Guide???

[kolosomo]

Originally Posted by bugsy_pal

I'm not chomping at the bit about the latest releases. I just picked up a region-free Australian copy of Being Jon Malkovich for $10, so that'll do me... But I must agree with those who've taken issue with some of the cover designs. Certified Copy looks like a placeholder - either that or the designer did a rush job, didn't care or is backhandedly giving us the finger.

On the other hand... a new aesthetic...?

The Certified Copy cover is based on the book in the film:



Oh, this is my first post in this thread. Hey.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Querelle

I'm sure it's been said before (newcomer to this thread), but I wish Criterion would spend less time upgrading in-print DVDs, and focus more on stuff that doesn't have a current, domestic DVD release, e.g. Robbe-Grillet's L'homme qui ment. This way more people (the folks who can't afford to import it from Italy and/or speak French/Italian) could be seeing these films instead of, say, having to watch a sub-par, illegally downloaded copy on their laptop.

Man, that's one scary pic. I crossed my legs when I saw that.

Happy to see Anatomy of a Murder get the 4K restoration from Criterion. Not many Criterion releases have been done in 4K. (Sweet Smell of Success, Bigger than Life, and some of the films in the BBS Story set)

[retablo]

Originally Posted by kolosomo

The Certified Copy cover is based on the book in the film:



Oh, this is my first post in this thread. Hey.

Awesome.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by kolosomo

Oh, this is my first post in this thread. Hey.

Thanks for the post... I wasn't aware of that.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by kolosomo

The Certified Copy cover is based on the book in the film:



Oh, this is my first post in this thread. Hey.

Yup, and it's a dreadful book cover as well
And welcome aboard

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Happy to see Anatomy of a Murder get the 4K restoration from Criterion. Not many Criterion releases have been done in 4K. (Sweet Smell of Success, Bigger than Life, and some of the films in the BBS Story set)

Not to forget Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence...still among of my favourite films and Blu-rays in the collection.

EDIT: Ooops, I read it wrong folks. A Datacine 4K scanner was used, but in 2K mode, working from a 35mm IP. But the film still looks superb.

[jrsl76]

I watched Tiny Furniture today along with Creative Nonfiction & Lena's short films and I don't get all the hate for this title.

I actually thought it was rather well done. Mumblecore, yes, but an assured film. Was it a masterpiece? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes. I thought it was quite witty, had nice naturalistic performances and I laughed out loud a few times. Lena made some quite brave performances particularly with her own character.

In the end, I thought it was a wonderful package. I felt like I was seeing a girl with some innate talent growing in the work from short to mid-length feature and to first full length (and quite professional looking) film.

[TwelveMind]

Not sure if anyone is familiar with Criterion's blu-ray replacement case? They have it for those initial titles released in paper digipak. I'm after the replacement case for The Third Man. I saw it even after they discontinued the title, but now it's no longer available. Can somebody please shed a light?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

I watched Tiny Furniture today along with Creative Nonfiction & Lena's short films and I don't get all the hate for this title.

I actually thought it was rather well done. Mumblecore, yes, but an assured film. Was it a masterpiece? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes. I thought it was quite witty, had nice naturalistic performances and I laughed out loud a few times. Lena made some quite brave performances particularly with her own character.

In the end, I thought it was a wonderful package. I felt like I was seeing a girl with some innate talent growing in the work from short to mid-length feature and to first full length (and quite professional looking) film.

See, here's the thing, you actually took a chance to watch it. Also, you forgot to mention The Godfather.

I think that all the "controversy" surrounding this release is helping Dunham more than it's hindering her. She's actually done a few interesting interviews on this as well.

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Yup, and it's a dreadful book cover as well
And welcome aboard

It is, but at the same time, doesn't the film matter more than the cover? Also, it is highly amusing that people are going on abot how Criterion doesn't give a shit about the release and went with the ugliest cover possible because of the TF kerfluffle, yet Criterion's actually using a reference from the film. At least it looks like they actually watched the film.

As far as Anatomy of a Murder is concerned, I have to wait about 2 weeks to get it. Amazon.com stuff usually takes about a week to arrive, and I won't be able to get it until the weekend of the 3rd. I'm slightly saddened by this fact, but I'll get over it, and I have so many other films to catch up on.

[octagon]

I can't remember if this was a newsletter item or facebook post or the like but when they added The Third Man and The Man Who Fell to Earth to the list of replacement cases they basically said 'once these are gone, they're gone'.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Man, that's one scary pic. I crossed my legs when I saw that.

Happy to see Anatomy of a Murder get the 4K restoration from Criterion. Not many Criterion releases have been done in 4K. (Sweet Smell of Success, Bigger than Life, and some of the films in the BBS Story set)

Going by Pro-B's review, here are the 4K treatments the films mentioned received

Head - Spirit 4K Datacine from a new 35 mm interpositive

Easy Rider - 4K resolution on a Northlight 2 Scanner

Five Easy Pieces - 4K resolution on a Northlight 2 Scanner

A Safe Place - Spirit 4K Datacine from a 35 mm interpositive

Drive, He Said - Spirit 4K Datacine from a 35 mm interpositive

The Last Picture Show - Spirit 4K Datacine from a new 35 mm fine-grain master positive

King of Marvin Gardens - Spirit 4K Datacine from a new 35 mm interpositive

Bigger Than Life - 4K resolution on an Oxberry 6400 Liquid Gate scanner and color graded and restored at 2K resolution

The Sweet Smell of Success - SCANITY Film Scanner in 4K resolution from the original 35mm camera negative

Anatomy of a Murder - Spirit 4K in 4K resolution from a new 35mm fine-grain master



Looks like Anatomy of a Murder got the same treatment as The Last Picture Show, which doesn't really surprise me, since Sony was initially going to release the BBS box set themselves, but gave it to Criterion instead.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

It is, but at the same time, doesn't the film matter more than the cover? Also, it is highly amusing that people are going on abot how Criterion doesn't give a shit about the release and went with the ugliest cover possible because of the TF kerfluffle, yet Criterion's actually using a reference from the film. At least it looks like they actually watched the film.

As far as Anatomy of a Murder is concerned, I have to wait about 2 weeks to get it. Amazon.com stuff usually takes about a week to arrive, and I won't be able to get it until the weekend of the 3rd. I'm slightly saddened by this fact, but I'll get over it, and I have so many other films to catch up on.

It doesn't bother me either way - I'm happy with my Artificial Eye edition of Certified Copy and won't be double-dipping. But, like it or not, people do judge by covers and I think the consensus is that Criterion's cover for Certified Copy is not very inspiring.
I didn't mind the Tiny Furniture cover - I think the dislike for that cover was part of the animosity the film engendered.
But, look at the cover for Anatomy of a Murder - I know nothing about that film, but that cover is exciting and I jumped on that pre-order low price straight away.
Actually, someone asked recently what were the Criterion covers that people disliked, so I'll list mine:
Army of Shadows
Complete Jean Vigo
The Leopard - the title is right across Lancaster's face!
Le Beau Serge - Gérard Blain doesn't quite look like Gérard Blain.
I'm not really sure about La Haine, The Music Room, Solaris. They're not my favourites.
Obviously, the cover isn't a deciding factor and many of these are films I love, but I think people should feel free to express dissatisfaction with the cover artwork if they want. After all, Criterion do go out of their way to commission specific artwork for their covers...

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Querelle

I'm sure it's been said before (newcomer to this thread), but I wish Criterion would spend less time upgrading in-print DVDs, and focus more on stuff that doesn't have a current, domestic DVD release, e.g. Robbe-Grillet's L'homme qui ment. This way more people (the folks who can't afford to import it from Italy and/or speak French/Italian) could be seeing these films instead of, say, having to watch a sub-par, illegally downloaded copy on their laptop.

[Show spoiler]

Would love to see this happen. A few years ago the local C'theque screened half of his films and I missed them.

Also, have there been any news on Rivette entering the collection lately? I seem to recall Criterion saying "We know you guys want it. We're working on it" around a year ago...

[ShellOilJunior]

[Show spoiler]Yeah, I know IMDB isn't always accurate. They were correct on Certified Copy though...