The Criterion Collection

[tama]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

On the Waterfront Blu-ray REVIEW

Proving again why there one of the best niche labels out there.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Oh god. As if I wasn't anticipating it enough.

If you need something to tide yourself over watch (or rewatch, as the case may be) the Boris Kaufman supplement on 12 Angry Men. It's a great feature (and it makes me think A Fugitive Kind will be getting an upgrade sooner rather than later).

Originally Posted by Wizard-of-Wars

Might I ask your guys' favorite Criterion in your collection?

Top of my head: Three Colors

Ask tomorrow it will be something else.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by tama

Proving again why they're the best niche label out there.

Fixed.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Which Criterions on blu-ray contain your favourite audio commentary?

Don't feel obligated to pick your favourite movie from the criterion collection if you've listened to a funner, more interesting and engaging track for another movie.

This isn't a question of which movie is your favourite, its all about the commentary track. I want to listen to some more from my collection and would like some recommendations.

I'll listen to them all EVENTUALLY but I'd like to know which ones you guys had the most fun listening to.

[EddieLarkin]

David Kalat's Godzilla commentaries are hands down the best Criterion commentaries I've heard. They are essential listening and for me are now the the main draw of pulling out my Godzilla BD, rather than the films themselves. If you do give them a listen don't ignore the King of Monsters commentary just because it's King of Monsters. The commentaries essential make up one long 3 hour experience.

Honourable mentions:

Stephen Prince on Yojimbo
Michael Jeck on Throne of Blood

[mrjohnnyb]

I'm sure that this question has been asked and answered here, but I will ask it again:

Does anybody know where to look on the Criterion Collection website to find the replacement case purchase link for The Third Man?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I'm sure that this question has been asked and answered here, but I will ask it again:

Does anybody know where to look on the Criterion Collection website to find the replacement case purchase link for The Third Man?

They no longer sell them. Sorry.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

The past.

I laughed haha

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Glad we could help! Don't forget that Criterion's STAGECOACH Blu-ray includes the delightful John Ford silent western-comedy-romance BUCKING BROADWAY, and THE LADY VANISHES includes the amusing spy comedy CROOK'S TOUR starring the Charters & Caldicott characters. I'd probably start off with something like CHARADE and THE FOUR FEATHERS, then one or more of the David Lean set, LADY VANISHES, 39 STEPS, and maybe STAGECOACH if you have more men than women in your audience or THE RED SHOES, THE MIKADO, and BLACK NARCISSUS if you have more women than men. Good luck!

FWIW, the "audience" is my mother. So whatever I get would have to be tolerable to both of us, since I'd be watching the films with her.

[Show spoiler](maybe I need an emoticon of a smiley face with a crooked halo right about here. )

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've got Jour De Fete on my DVr, any good?

No idea - I only got Les Vacances... and Mon Oncle.
I read a review somewhere that talked about a problematic transfer for Jour de fete.
Perhaps someone else knows about this...

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

How much they it cost you? What is the quality?

I think I paid less than £10 each for Les Vacances... and Mon Oncle.
I've only watched Les Vacances... and it looked very good to me.

[R o d]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Hi retablo,

Last night I watched the entire film alone in 1.66:1. Today I saw it with the family in 1.33:1. I only compared different segments with the 1.85:1 version.

There is a very nice video essay on the release that explains why Criterion felt that it was important to present the film in three different ratios. You should see it. I personally prefer the 1.66:1 version, though the 1.33:1 version is the one I am used to because of the DVD release.

As the gentleman from Criterion explains, however, all three look very good, because the film was lensed by a master cinematographer. It is difficult not to agree with this observation because once you get the BD set and start comparing, you will quickly realize that all three versions have a very natural flow.

ps. Preacher

Which version was shown theatrically?

For comparisons sake, it would have been nice to show the different aspect ratios side by side. But thank you for the fine review and follow up comments.

[COLD_COBRA_]

They say that if you watch every Criterion 5 times, you end up learning French and Spanish. Japanese seems to be a little tougher

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by R o d

Which version was shown theatrically?

All of them, technically. 1.85:1 in widescreen capable theatres in America, 1.66:1 in widescreen capable theatres in Europe, and 1.37:1 in theatres across the world that had yet to convert. The directors preferred ratio is unknown, is likely 1.85:1 but there is a good argument to be made for 1.37:1. 1.66:1 is presented as the main presentation because it is a compromise between the two competing ratios.

[retask]

Why is On the Waterfront twice as expensive as all other titles? Doesn't make sense..

[retablo]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I laughed haha

You should be watching a foreign film. Go, shoo.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

All of them, technically. 1.85:1 in widescreen capable theatres in America, 1.66:1 in widescreen capable theatres in Europe, and 1.37:1 in theatres across the world that had yet to convert. The directors preferred ratio is unknown, is likely 1.85:1 but there is a good argument to be made for 1.37:1. 1.66:1 is presented as the main presentation because it is a compromise between the two competing ratios.

It's like Skyfall... 1:85 is what they framed for, because that was the new standard. The other sare just open matte. I don't consider open matte to technically be an aspect ratio — and luckily there's not open matte atrocity on the new Skyfall disc, it's straight 2.40:1. Although it seems odd to me that they chose the 1.66:1 to be on the MAIN disc.

To me, it feels like a ploy for them to raise the MSRP $10. ANY film could be released both OAR and open matte, but they never do that. I hope it's not the start of a trend.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by retask

Why is On the Waterfront twice as expensive as all other titles? Doesn't make sense..

Maybe because there are three separate copies of the movie on two separate Blu-ray discs? Just a thought.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by retask

Why is On the Waterfront twice as expensive as all other titles? Doesn't make sense..

SRP for two-disc releases is generally (always?) $49.95 compared to $39.95 for full-feature single-disc releases.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by retablo

It's like Skyfall... 1:85 is what they framed for, because that was the new standard. The other sare just open matte. I don't consider open matte to technically be an aspect ratio — and luckily there's not open matte atrocity on the new Skyfall disc, it's straight 2.40:1. Although it seems odd to me that they chose the 1.66:1 to be on the MAIN disc.

To me, it feels like a ploy for them to raise the MSRP $10. ANY film could be released both OAR and open matte, but they never do that. I hope it's not the start of a trend.

Not unless the DP/camera operator protected for a full frame composition. Otherwise you have the boom microphone in the shot.