The Criterion Collection

[octagon]

If the restoration feature is the short that was making the rounds several weeks ago that might be an overly optimistic interpretation of the various lists at the end.

The fact that Universal (or any other studio, for that matter) is remastering/restoring a given catalog title doesn't necessarily mean a BD release is definite let alone imminent.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a lot of those films get BD releases. I'm just not getting my hopes up yet.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by octagon

If the restoration feature is the short that was making the rounds several weeks ago that might be an overly optimistic interpretation of the various lists at the end.

The fact that Universal (or any other studio, for that matter) is remastering/restoring a given catalog title doesn't necessarily mean a BD release is definite let alone imminent.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a lot of those films get BD releases. I'm just not getting my hopes up yet.

Maybe so, but the list of films was was titled something to the effect of look for these Universal classics coming soon to blu-ray. So there is hope.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by oildude

Creature from the Black Lagoon

my fav film as a kid.

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by oildude

There is an extra on the blu-ray of All Quiet on the Western Front where they discuss restoring Universal classics. At the end of the piece, there is a list of films they are currently working or have completed for release on blu-ray.

Can u tell us the which films are on the list?
Any mentioning of High Plains Drifter,Lonely Are the Brave or The Day of the Jackal?
Cheers.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Can u tell us the which films are on the list?
Any mentioning of High Plains Drifter,Lonely Are the Brave or The Day of the Jackal?
Cheers.

I put the disc on again and saw that High Plains Drifter is on the list. Did not see The Day of the Jackal, also one of my most wanted. Many of the titles on the list are already out. The list is not long, so it may not be complete.

Also, reviewing the list again makes me realize I can be a real idiot and am guilty of wishful "reading". It is the remake of Scarface with Al Pacino that is on the list, not the original. Sorry for getting any hopes up needlessly, including mine.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

I've been really curious about that image of Nick Cave, so I just Googled it and found it attached to a story about his rejected pitch for a Gladiator sequel

I would love to see that film made, although they'd probably have to get someone else to play Maximus now.

I'm sure it's been talked about before, but does anyone think Criterion will be releasing a BD of Spartacus at all? I just watched it the other day and really loved it, but I don't want to buy that hunk of crap Universal released unless it's all I can get for a long time.

[Presence]

Originally Posted by oildude

I put the disc on again and saw that High Plains Drifter is on the list. Did not see The Day of the Jackal, also one of my most wanted. Many of the titles on the list are already out. The list is not long, so it may not be complete.

Also, reviewing the list again makes me realize I can be a real idiot and am guilty of wishful "reading". It is the remake of Scarface with Al Pacino that is on the list, not the original. Sorry for getting any hopes up needlessly, including mine.

High Plains Drifter. Nice. That's very good news.

[octagon]

La Grande Illusion Bluray Review

I don't know exactly where or when I'll order it but I don't like my chances of holding out on this one for too long. I've been pretty restrained with region B pickups so far but that refurbished Black Friday region-free Insignia is going to start costing me some serious cash sooner or later and reviews like this make sooner seem like the smart bet.

Eh, I'll just eat cheaper cat food when I'm old...

[octagon]

Universal Centennial - Restoring the Classics - A Lifetime of Memories - YouTube

I'm not sure if this is the exact feature on All Quiet on the Western Front (and presumably other 100th releases) but it's a pretty interesting watch for those who haven't seen it.

They say some unnerving things about 'fixing distractions' but for the most part they hit pretty much all the right 'responsible steward' chords.

And it's just plain fun to watch.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by jayputter

I'm really curious about the Lean/Coward set, but it would be a quadruple blind buy for me. I've only seen David Lean's big epics. Does anyone have any opinion? Is it worth it?

I suppose it's quite fashionable for some to dismiss Lean's masterful epics in favor of his smaller British films. With that said, Brief Encounter is excellent and I look forward to seeing the others in the best presentation available (outside of on the big screen).

Still waiting for the Lawrence of Arabia announcement though...

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by octagon

La Grande Illusion Bluray Review

I don't know exactly where or when I'll order it but I don't like my chances of holding out on this one for too long. I've been pretty restrained with region B pickups so far but that refurbished Black Friday region-free Insignia is going to start costing me some serious cash sooner or later and reviews like this make sooner seem like the smart bet.

Eh, I'll just eat cheaper cat food when I'm old...

Why does the review mention a possible Criterion release? I thought they lost the rights to this forever ago? Is there new information?

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by octagon

La Grande Illusion Bluray Review

I don't know exactly where or when I'll order it but I don't like my chances of holding out on this one for too long. I've been pretty restrained with region B pickups so far but that refurbished Black Friday region-free Insignia is going to start costing me some serious cash sooner or later and reviews like this make sooner seem like the smart bet.

Eh, I'll just eat cheaper cat food when I'm old...

Yes. This looks to be an absolute must-buy...I'll probably wait for the UK release, though I like the fact that the French release has the actual French title on the cover. I might just wait until April to pick that one up, conveniently. Or just wait 'til the next Group Buy opportunity.

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Why does the review mention a possible Criterion release? I thought they lost the rights to this forever ago? Is there new information?

I don't know, but this is not the first review to mention a line like that about an OOP Criterion title. Particularly in the case of Studio Canal titles like this one though I would not hold out long hope for a Criterion release seeing how they've created their own line and such.

They could probably do as they've done with The Third Man, Le Mepris, Ran, and others in the line and release them in US versions.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Why does the review mention a possible Criterion release? I thought they lost the rights to this forever ago? Is there new information?

I'd disregard it. The reviewer did that for the MGM Hitchcock films, too -- those probably won't ever see Criterion blu-ray upgrades.

[BohemianGraham]

Well, looks like I have some extra pocket money to buy Criterions each month, since I just cancelled my TV package. I'll miss TCM, but it's a waste of cash just to pay 40 bucks a month for TCM.

A few quick questions for my American counterparts, how much is US Netflix for just streaming? Also, what's the difference between regular Hulu and Hulu Plus? I'm now looking at paying 5 bucks a month for Unblock US, which will allow me to use the US Netflix (have to pay for it of course) and the Hulu services. I know Hulu Plus is a pay service, but does regular Hulu include the Criterion films people say they view on Hulu? My parents currently have a Canadian Netflix account, and from my understanding, I'll be able to use it with the US version, according to my friends who currently use Unblock US. Is Hulu better than Netflix?

Sorry for the questions, and appearing to be off topic, but I know you guys have better VoD services that include a lot of Criterion titles, and I want access to those.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I suppose it's quite fashionable for some to dismiss Lean's masterful epics in favor of his smaller British films.

What does this even mean, Shell? Is it the "in thing" right now for people to choose an earlier part of a filmmaker's career as opposed to their later career? Is it considered a "film snob's" perspective to personally enjoy a particular period from a filmmaker instead of another? In my opinion, your chosen phrase, "quite fashionable," comes off to mean to someone might say it just to get noticed or be "outside of the box." Yes or no?

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Well, looks like I have some extra pocket money to buy Criterions each month, since I just cancelled my TV package. I'll miss TCM, but it's a waste of cash just to pay 40 bucks a month for TCM.

A few quick questions for my American counterparts, how much is US Netflix for just streaming? Also, what's the difference between regular Hulu and Hulu Plus? I'm now looking at paying 5 bucks a month for Unblock US, which will allow me to use the US Netflix (have to pay for it of course) and the Hulu services. I know Hulu Plus is a pay service, but does regular Hulu include the Criterion films people say they view on Hulu? My parents currently have a Canadian Netflix account, and from my understanding, I'll be able to use it with the US version, according to my friends who currently use Unblock US. Is Hulu better than Netflix?

Sorry for the questions, and appearing to be off topic, but I know you guys have better VoD services that include a lot of Criterion titles, and I want access to those.

Hulu Plus is definitely better if you're interested in Criterion titles. There are a few here and there on Netflix, but Criterion worked a deal with Hulu, and they have their own section on the service. Granted not everything in their catalog is on there, but it's a damn good start.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

A few quick questions for my American counterparts, how much is US Netflix for just streaming? Also, what's the difference between regular Hulu and Hulu Plus? I'm now looking at paying 5 bucks a month for Unblock US, which will allow me to use the US Netflix (have to pay for it of course) and the Hulu services. I know Hulu Plus is a pay service, but does regular Hulu include the Criterion films people say they view on Hulu? My parents currently have a Canadian Netflix account, and from my understanding, I'll be able to use it with the US version, according to my friends who currently use Unblock US. Is Hulu better than Netflix?

Netflix... $7.99/month for streaming

Hulu Plus... $7.99/month

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Well, looks like I have some extra pocket money to buy Criterions each month, since I just cancelled my TV package. I'll miss TCM, but it's a waste of cash just to pay 40 bucks a month for TCM.

A few quick questions for my American counterparts, how much is US Netflix for just streaming? Also, what's the difference between regular Hulu and Hulu Plus? I'm now looking at paying 5 bucks a month for Unblock US, which will allow me to use the US Netflix (have to pay for it of course) and the Hulu services. I know Hulu Plus is a pay service, but does regular Hulu include the Criterion films people say they view on Hulu? My parents currently have a Canadian Netflix account, and from my understanding, I'll be able to use it with the US version, according to my friends who currently use Unblock US. Is Hulu better than Netflix?

Sorry for the questions, and appearing to be off topic, but I know you guys have better VoD services that include a lot of Criterion titles, and I want access to those.

Netflix is 7.99 a month. If you wanna get all the Criterion titles you have to get Hulu Plus. I think a couple of Criterion titles were streaming on Hulu but they might have expired. But yea, I highly recommend Hulu Plus for Criterions. I've seen alot of great films threw this service.

[NeoMaximuz]

Quick question: does anyone know where I can get one of those blue circular stickers that come on the wrapping of Criterion Blu-Rays? I like to take them off the wrapping and put them on the Blu-Ray case so they look the way they're displayed online, but one of my Criterions came without one.

[blkhrt]

My thoughts on a couple of the day's topics:

I don't think it is impossible that Criterion will get the rights back to the Studio Canal films. It depends on how their versions are selling. At some point it might be more cost effective to renegotiate the rights than it is to produce their own versions.

Also, since someone mentioned the Universal restorations, I just saw on twitter that they are working on a new restoration of Vertigo, which is exciting.