The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

I can't wait for On the Waterfront. A few years ago it would've been unthinkable that CC would get the rights for it.

That said, any guesses on which Columbia/Sony film will get released next? Perhaps one of these: It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or From Here to Eternity.

[Scottie]

Just watched The Night Of The Hunter - wow what a great film!

I really enjoy these simple plots. It's nice to see how easy and simple life was back in the day. Robert Mitchum gave a great performance.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

What pre-order price did you find? It should only be $15 before any member discounts or coupons at the next B&N sale.

$19.99

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

$19.99

Well, it's a decent price or those that don't care about bonus features and consider these types of releases practically the same as others.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by joie

One way to settle the aspect ratio debate over "On the Waterfront" may be to decide how much of Eva Marie Saint's left leg one prefers to see.

1.33:1:


1.66:1:


1.85:1:


I'll go with 1.66:1, which, by the way, gives the film a certain continental, european air.

Originally Posted by Roninblues

I don't see it any more or less in any shot.

I'm shocked you can't see the it :S the difference between the aspect ratios is pretty big. There's plenty of space above her head in 1.33:1 that's missing in 1.85:1 aswel as her whole thigh, knee and half her shin/calf visable in 1.33:1 and only part of her thigh is visable in 1.85:1

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

There's a Hong Kong blu-ray I'm thinking of ordering, it's less than 27 dollars at this time.

That's still a lot more than I'm willing to pay for any single Blu-ray at this time. Plus I don't have a region-free player. Good luck with your purchase though.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I can't wait for On the Waterfront. A few years ago it would've been unthinkable that CC would get the rights for it.

That said, any guesses on which Columbia/Sony film will get released next? Perhaps one of these: It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or From Here to Eternity.

In a Lonely Place.

[andsoitgoes]

Watched Ivan's Childhood last night, finally, and I was incredibly surprised, as well as impressed. It was a truly sweet and moving film, but man... I won't spoil it, but it's well worth a watch. The more I watch older movies, the more I realize that less REALLY was more. Nowadays, there are 30 cameras everywhere with a billion different angles. It's annoying and so incredibly unnessary what they do today, evern with GOOD movies. There are so many cuts, it's like a rave party for our eyes. There's so much more power in these kinds of films...

Anyway, I need to vent about an Amazon marketplace sale I made for The Last Metro that has me incensed.

I ordered it from a very highly reviewed seller, and it was Used, but I figured used, at least it'll be somewhat decent.

Well I went to pick it up yesterday, as I'm Canadian I had to ship it to my mailbox in the states ($3 shipping versus $14)... I opened it up and was treated oh such a nice surprise.

- While it came in the Criterion case, the case was for the DVD VERSION!
- The DVD version case wasn't even close to being in good condition, it was beat to hell with major, MAJOR damage, stickers all over it, etc.
- Inside, thankfully the blu-ray was there, but it has a rental sticker covering the center hole.
- Being that it's a DVD case, there's space for 2 discs, as well as it being way too large.
- The booket inside has a sticker on the back with another something from the rental.

My biggest issue is that due to me being in Canada and shipping it to my US mailbox, it's already cost me even if they refund it, not including the time and energy to go and get it (though I mean, really, I DID have other things to pick up as well) but I get charged per delivery. So even if the seller says "Sure, send it back!" I'm out the entire process, including the extra money. The only other solution would be to buy the replacement case from Criterion, but of course I'd either have to ship it here and pay the incredibly high delivery cost, or ship it to the states, pay the delivery fee and organize another trip to pick up the replacement case, making it be far more expensive than what it would have cost to buy a new copy and have it delivered in Canada.

I've emailed the seller with the pictures and such, but I'm just really frustrated right now. This is just infurating, I knew there would be a risk buying used, but I never thought it would be THIS bad! I figure it he at least cuts the price down by at least half, MAYBE I could justify buying a replacement case, but man... I think this'll be the last "used" movie I buy... ugh.

Anyone have any suggestions, been in any similar situations?

Thanks much

Nick

[BobbyMcGee]

Anyone know if Criterion will have a sale this month?

I placed an order last Feb 15 (2012) due to their 50 percent off sale and was curious if they planned to have another sale this year.

[MattvonSyborg]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

Anyway, I need to vent about an Amazon marketplace sale...

Anyone have any suggestions, been in any similar situations?

I've gotten refunds immediately when I've had trouble on the Amazon marketplace. Once I ordered from a seller that had a listing for "Diabolique (the Criterion Collection)" - condition listed as "Very Good". When I opened the package I found a beat up copy of the remake with Sharon Stone! But as soon as i emailed the seller, they just gave me a refund and I didn't even have to send the dvd back (maybe 'cause it's a dvd with a 10 cent value ).

I also ordered a couple of Masters of Cinema steelbooks from Bestmediagroup (Eurekas name on Amazon.co.uk). One of the packages was empty, the blu had gotten lost in transport. Amazon gave me a refund, no questions asked. Now I feel very confident getting stuff from Amazon, there seems to be very little risk involved...

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

This is actually a much more interesting debate to have, retablo

Because the more I see from this film (I've now seen the majority of the 1.85:1 version as well), the less convinced I am that this was the case.

What Columbia wanted the film to be is one thing -- and there is actually photos of documents in the featurette I mentioned earlier proving so -- but what Elia Kazan and Boris Kaufman had in mind when they shot On the Waterfront appears to be an entirely different thing.

This truly is an issue for film historians and Kazan experts to argue -- which they have been doing for years -- but once you actually see these different versions, the 1.85:1 version often appears strangely, let's use Criterion's description here, "intense". I agree with this description. Columbia might have paid for a widescreen film, but what Kazan and Kaufman were shooting appears to have been something entirely different. Which, I must speculate, is also the reason why you have this 1.66:1 version - a "middle ground" of sorts.

But as I said earlier, this debate has been around basically since the film was released back in the 50s. At least now this two-disc set gives everyone the opportunity to be "right", and watch the version of the film he or she believes Kazan and Kaufman had in mind.

Pro-B

Hi Pro-B, I haven't actually read your review yet, but just quickly: which ratio do you prefer for On the Waterfront?

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Thanks, time to open up Amazon.uk I think

Definitely do it.
Between Masters of Cinema, Artificial Eye, BFI and other companies, there are so many great titles to choose from.
Speaking of MoC, and because this thread has been dangerously on topic for a few pages , I watched my UK edition of Fritz Lang's Die Nibelungen over two nights. Holy Freaking Wow! Extraordinary epic. Amazing production design.
If anyone is hesitating on either the MoC or Kino editions, stop wasting time and grab it. You won't regret it.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by joie

One way to settle the aspect ratio debate over "On the Waterfront" may be to decide how much of Eva Marie Saint's left leg one prefers to see.

If only all of life's problems were so easy to resolve

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Between Masters of Cinema, Artificial Eye, BFI and other companies, there are so many great titles to choose from.

I'm dying to get BFI's release of French Cancan for around 10 GBP, gah. Waiting this out is torture.

[drbikeshorts]

Here's some interesting trivia on Richard III

[ShellOilJunior]

For what it's worth IMDB lists Blu-ray for The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. It's been listed like that for a year.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by metaridley

That's still a lot more than I'm willing to pay for any single Blu-ray at this time. Plus I don't have a region-free player. Good luck with your purchase though.

I'll make a note of your price-point preferences. In other news, HK blu-rays are region A, just like Criterion.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Here's some interesting trivia on Richard III

That's a great story. Thanks!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by BobbyMcGee

Anyone know if Criterion will have a sale this month?

I placed an order last Feb 15 (2012) due to their 50 percent off sale and was curious if they planned to have another sale this year.

We're all patiently hoping for one

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I'll go with The Lady From Shanghai.

The Original Director's cut maybe?

[COLD_COBRA_]

Criterion Sale? He is ready