The Criterion Collection

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I am sure this has been discussed, but in a 5,000 post thread it will be difficult to find. I just ordered Kagemusha, and would like to know the opinion of people that own the BD. I have never seen the movie itself, and would appreciate your views of the film itself, and of the Criterion release. Thanks!

Originally Posted by underoath

No offense intended, but why wouldn't you first watch the film, and THEN ask for opinions.

By asking for opinions first you are inherently affecting your expectations for the film, which quite possibly could ruin your final opinion and enjoyment of the picture.

Well if you still want to hear an opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It can be a little slow, but if you stick with it, then it's quite an experience. It's one of Kurosawa's greats, but not quite considered his best. I like it more than Ran, but not near as much as Seven Samurai. If you like Kurosawa, then you should enjoy it, no doubt.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I noticed the Pierre Le Fou blu, a Studio Canal title is going OOP. The Man Who Fell To Earth and Last Year At Marienbad blu's also have the Studio Canal on the back cover. I guess those two are'nt affected, right? At least for right now, but things can always change.

The whole Studio Canal situation stinks. I don't like it that they're pulling these titles from Criterion, mostly because they did a horrible job with "Ran". That kinda gives me a terrible first impression of the Studio Canal Collection, but we'll see because I plan on picking up "Contempt".

[McCrutchy]

From the Criterion web site (currently the top (main) post:

JOHN FORD, HARVARD MAN

Boston-area cinema lovers should saddle up and head over to the Harvard Film Archives this weekend, when a major series, Classic Ford: A John Ford Retrospective, begins. The first installment of this multipart celebration of a singularly American auteur will run from February 6 to March 29 and feature twenty-two films, including a certain Monument-al western coming soon in Criterion DVD and Blu-ray editions and Young Mr. Lincoln (what better way to spend Presidents’ Day?)

It seems Stagecoach is close to release (May?) and confirmed on BD.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

The whole Studio Canal situation stinks. I don't like it that they're pulling these titles from Criterion, mostly because they did a horrible job with "Ran". That kinda gives me a terrible first impression of the Studio Canal Collection, but we'll see because I plan on picking up "Contempt".

Did they really butcher Ran? I have not seen any reviews on the Blu-ray U.S. version of the film. Hopefully that's not the case.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Did they really butcher Ran? I have not seen any reviews on the Blu-ray U.S. version of the film. Hopefully that's not the case.

The disc for the US release will be 100% identical to the UK disc (the UK disc is AB coded, has a "US" option, and shows Lionsgate logos if you say you're in the US).

And yes, it sucks. I know this gets thrown around a lot, so I want to preface this with the statement that I know how older films are supposed to look and Blu-ray is almost always a substantial upgrade just due to resolution - but Ran on BD from StudioCanal truly looks like a DVD upconvert.

[JediFonger]

Ran IS an upconvert. i have the Ran Criterion DVD and the Studio Canal Blu-Ray.

re: Kagemusha, it depends on how much of a Kurosawa fan you are =P. i have every single one of his movies =). he's my fav. dir. of all time.

re: pierre le fou, i reconsidered and have now just ordered the movie =P.

re: john ford, yes this is great, cause i live in Boston =P. now i'm just hoping i have enough time. i missed The Searchers (but this is on BD already) that just played... but hopefully will catch as many as i can =P. there's nothing like John Ford on the big screen...

[kndy]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

From the Criterion web site (currently the top (main) post

It seems Stagecoach is close to release (May?) and confirmed on BD.

Good to hear. Actually purchased the John Ford box set (non-Criterion) earlier this morning as I wanted to see his earlier '30s films (actually would love to watch his '20s films).

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Not affected for now - but we don't know the full situation. It certainly seems like StudioCanal is trying to get control of all their titles for some new initiative, so I wouldn't be surprised if these two also go out of print sometime in the future whenever Criterion's current agreement for them ends.

Actually, the StudioCanal/Lionsgate deal is good business sense for them. As the companies took Criterion's "special features" from their LD years and made that a part of their business scheme for DVD releases, if they can release a product and reap the benefits, all power to them.

As much as I purchase a lot of Criterion titles, Its about time that more and more companies learn why Criterion has a dedicated fanbase. We are seeing good things from Eureka/MoC, KINO and hopefully StudioCanal via Lionsgate.

I want to see what StudioCanal brings to the table and from this recent article from Variety, It looks like there may be good things to come.

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

I am sure this has been discussed, but in a 5,000 post thread it will be difficult to find. I just ordered Kagemusha, and would like to know the opinion of people that own the BD. I have never seen the movie itself, and would appreciate your views of the film itself, and of the Criterion release. Thanks!

If you don't mind, please let me ask these two questions to you. Do you want to purchase "Kagemusha" because it's a Kurosawa film on Blu-ray? Or do you want to watch the film because you have an interest in samurai/jidaigeki or Kurosawa films?

Anyway, everyone have a great/safe Superbowl Sunday!

[Kevtronn]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Did they really butcher Ran? I have not seen any reviews on the Blu-ray U.S. version of the film. Hopefully that's not the case.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare2/ran.htm

Quote from dvdbeaver:

So, this being my 9th edition of Kurosawa's film, I must admit that this new Lions Gate Blu-ray is the best one I own. It is hard to accept, especially for films we reveres so highly, that this may be the best it will look with available elements. I don't have any information to suggest that it will look better with more restoration - or that the original elements are not irrevocably compromised although only 25-years old. At times the presentation is less than satisfying but for the most part it looked better than I have ever seen - digitally speaking.

[captveg]

I'm really hoping Stagecoach is one of the May titles. I've been itching for this release since the newsletter hint last year.

[captveg]

Having now seen the Ran comparison, it is nowhere near the disaster I had been led to believe. I was thinking Gangs of New York bad. This is definitely not that situation. Ideal? Maybe not. Best yet home video version of the title? Most likely.

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by captveg

Having now seen the Ran comparison, it is nowhere near the disaster I had been led to believe. I was thinking Gangs of New York bad. This is definitely not that situation. Ideal? Maybe not. Best yet home video version of the title? Most likely.

I have defended the Optimum Blu in the past as not being nearly as bad as others have claimed. It seemed to me at the time that many were basing their opinions of Ran on blu-ray of the HD-DVD since that was also from Studio Canal. Many assumed it would be a port of that transfer which it clearly is not. Gary (DVDBeaver) also has been writing about his thoughts in his listserv, and he mentions that the new (SC Collection) blu ray has the most accurate colors as well, based on many different sources but predominantly shots of the films from Kurosawa and Japanese film books that show that the Criterion is too orange in the flags/uniforms of the "red" army. Many people have been reviling Studio Canal for their releases, but it seems to me that they have been doing the best they can with these, and their overall packages have been on par (in my opinion) with many Criterion releases. I believe that many people are upset that CC lost the rights o some of these films, and would like to believe that no other company can possibly do them justice, but the truth of the matter is that not every older film can possibly look like Casablanca or Last Year At Marienbad for that matter.

[ksc2303]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

Ran IS an upconvert. i have the Ran Criterion DVD and the Studio Canal Blu-Ray.

Since you have both, is there really no reason to buy the SC blu if I have the CC dvd? The dvdbeaver review didn't make it out to be as bad as many on the forums have said (still not as good as Kagemusha though)

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

I have defended the Optimum Blu in the past as not being nearly as bad as others have claimed. It seemed to me at the time that many were basing their opinions of Ran on blu-ray of the HD-DVD since that was also from Studio Canal. Many assumed it would be a port of that transfer which it clearly is not. Gary (DVDBeaver) also has been writing about his thoughts in his listserv, and he mentions that the new (SC Collection) blu ray has the most accurate colors as well, based on many different sources but predominantly shots of the films from Kurosawa and Japanese film books that show that the Criterion is too orange in the flags/uniforms of the "red" army. Many people have been reviling Studio Canal for their releases, but it seems to me that they have been doing the best they can with these, and their overall packages have been on par (in my opinion) with many Criterion releases. I believe that many people are upset that CC lost the rights o some of these films, and would like to believe that no other company can possibly do them justice, but the truth of the matter is that not every older film can possibly look like Casablanca or Last Year At Marienbad for that matter.

It has better colors simply because BD has better color support than NTSC ever did. Reds looking kind of orange has always been a DVD flaw. That alone doesn't mean the Ran BD is "the best it could ever look." I look at that BD, and it looks nothing like film. This isn't even that old a film, it's one of Kurosawa's last made! I obviously don't have proof, but as far as I'm concerned Ran could look a hell of a lot better with some true effort put into it.

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

It has better colors simply because BD has better color support than NTSC ever did. Reds looking kind of orange has always been a DVD flaw. That alone doesn't mean the Ran BD is "the best it could ever look." I look at that BD, and it looks nothing like film. This isn't even that old a film, it's one of Kurosawa's last made! I obviously don't have proof, but as far as I'm concerned Ran could look a hell of a lot better with some true effort put into it.

I didn't say it looked as good as it possibly could. I just don't think that it is terrible. It looks better than the dvd upconverted in my opinion, and I like to have the best edition available of a film such as this, which at he moment, (short of owning a 35mm projector and print) is this BD. I guess the only way anyone would be happy with this one is if Criterion had released it and it looked the same/ similar as their version. At this point it just seems to me that people are quick to hate Studio Canal and their releases, but I am just happy that another company is releasing these types of film at all on BD, as Criterion is only doing 3 a month at the moment. The releases are very good in terms of audio/extras too, and it just seems to me that the company is getting quite the bad reputation for this singular release which is a shame. (I will concede their issue with Deer Hunter's 5.1 soundtrack, but apart from that, I'm just getting really tired of the criticism)

I just have a hard time listening to constant *****ing and moaning over even the slightest imperfection on a BD (which this admittedly is not slight), as it seems that people are more interested in showing off their fancy home theaters than actually enjoying the FILM. Blu-Ray is just another vehicle to deliver these great cinematic works to their audiences, and in my eyes, this BD of Ran is the best that I've ever seen it, which is a POSITIVE to me. I am sorry for the length of this rant, but I am growing extremely tired of nitpicking and complaining. How about we all just TRY to enjoy it... it's a great film and its looking better than ever for home viewing.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

I didn't say it looked as good as it possibly could. I just don't think that it is terrible. It looks better than the dvd upconverted in my opinion, and I like to have the best edition available of a film such as this, which at he moment, (short of owning a 35mm projector and print) is this BD. I guess the only way anyone would be happy with this one is if Criterion had released it and it looked the same/ similar as their version. At this point it just seems to me that people are quick to hate Studio Canal and their releases, but I am just happy that another company is releasing these types of film at all on BD, as Criterion is only doing 3 a month at the moment. The releases are very good in terms of audio/extras too, and it just seems to me that the company is getting quite the bad reputation for this singular release which is a shame. (I will concede their issue with Deer Hunter's 5.1 soundtrack, but apart from that, I'm just getting really tired of the criticism)

I just have a hard time listening to constant *****ing and moaning over even the slightest imperfection on a BD (which this admittedly is not slight), as it seems that people are more interested in showing off their fancy home theaters than actually enjoying the FILM. Blu-Ray is just another vehicle to deliver these great cinematic works to their audiences, and in my eyes, this BD of Ran is the best that I've ever seen it, which is a POSITIVE to me. I am sorry for the length of this rant, but I am growing extremely tired of nitpicking and complaining. How about we all just TRY to enjoy it... it's a great film and its looking better than ever for home viewing.

Can someone tell me if the StudioCanal U.S. releases are going to have the same unique packaging they have in Europe? The Euro releases appear to have something similar to a Digibook style with booklet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?rh...qid=1265589977

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

The disc for the US release will be 100% identical to the UK disc (the UK disc is AB coded, has a "US" option, and shows Lionsgate logos if you say you're in the US).

And yes, it sucks. I know this gets thrown around a lot, so I want to preface this with the statement that I know how older films are supposed to look and Blu-ray is almost always a substantial upgrade just due to resolution - but Ran on BD from StudioCanal truly looks like a DVD upconvert.

Just a heads up as well... the US disc is missing an extra feature as well. The UK one has that (15 min. Akira Kurosawa supplement), as well as the book style packaging for those who like that.

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Can someone tell me if the StudioCanal U.S. releases are going to have the same unique packaging they have in Europe? The Euro releases appear to have something similar to a Digibook style with booklet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?rh...qid=1265589977

No, they are in BD Cases with a Studio Canal colelction Slipcover rather than the digibook style cases.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

No, they are in BD Cases with a Studio Canal colelction Slipcover rather than the digibook style cases.

Gah... I really liked that look. Oh well, I'll probably pickup Ran when the price drops.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Can someone tell me if the StudioCanal U.S. releases are going to have the same unique packaging they have in Europe? The Euro releases appear to have something similar to a Digibook style with booklet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?rh...qid=1265589977

UK releases are mini digibook (SLIGHTLY shorter than US digibooks).
US releases are going to be in a regular blu case with slipcover.

*beat me to it, took too long to respond due to the Super Bowl!

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Gah... I really liked that look. Oh well, I'll probably pickup Ran when the price drops.

Just import them!
They are only $24.87 shipped ordering from amazon.co.uk.
Most are region A/B.
That's cheaper than the US releases!