The Criterion Collection

[RTJakarta]

I've yet to get a Criterion Blu-ray, personally. I recently traded in my long-loved copy of Fritz Lang's "M" for the forthcoming Blu-ray release.

How good are Criterion BDs in comparison to the DVDs? I'll always remember the DVDs having typically great insert booklets and special features. Don't know how much of that I expect to lose when I start getting Blu-ray Criterions.

[Indyjones]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Yes, I hope that you're aware that March 23rd marks what would've been Akira Kurosawa's 100th birthday. And TCM will be having a 24-hour marathon of Kurosawa films that day, as well. Good stuff!

CC

Yup, I'm aware! They mentioned that during the airing of the films that were on that night. I'll be there!

And yeah, Arkadin, I'm fully aware of the SW connection. I immediately picked up on it at the beginning of the film, even though I knew of the SW connection prior to watching it.

Any word on other Kurosawa films coming to blu, like Ikiru and The Seven Samurai?

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

you do realize that that film was the basis for Star Wars right?

Well, a basis. He took elements from The Hidden Fortress, The Dam Busters, the Flash Gordon serials, etc. Star Wars is a real hodgepodge.

[Sukuri]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I hoping Criterion can acquire PERSONA from MGM and release on blu-ray.

holy quote for truth

[Q?]

I don't know much about how Criterion gets the rights to release a movie, but would it be possible for CC to release The Good The Bad & The Ugly?

The US release is simply horrible! horrible horrible transfer!
I don't have a region A player at the moment I will get one in the future...

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by Q!

I don't know much about how Criterion gets the rights to release a movie, but would it be possible for CC to release The Good The Bad & The Ugly?

The US release is simply horrible! horrible horrible transfer!
I don't have a region A player at the moment I will get one in the future...

Is it really? I've been thinking about picking it up but I keep hearing bad new about the transfer. Criterion has done great transfers for films from the time period so I hope it gets picked up by people who care for a film like that.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by Idioteque...

Is it really? I've been thinking about picking it up but I keep hearing bad new about the transfer. Criterion has done great transfers for films from the time period so I hope it gets picked up by people who care for a film like that.

Well, if you don't care wether a movie has been processed with fairly much DNR, it would simply look wonderful to you.

I prefer transfers with details intact.

[Idioteque...]

Originally Posted by Q!

Well, if you don't care wether a movie has been processed with fairly much DNR, it would simply look wonderful to you.

I prefer transfers with details intact.

I thought the transfers of the Godfather movies were excellent even with their grain.

[charnier]

Would assume the DVD's will be encoded in PAL?

I do not know for sure, but it looks like they will, judging from comments on Criterion forum and Amazon.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Q!

Well, if you don't care wether a movie has been processed with fairly much DNR, it would simply look wonderful to you.

It's not just that. Old low quality transfer (which clearly wasn't meant for HD release), wrong colors, heavily DNR-ed encode, etc. It looks like a crap when compared to Italian release. Too bad it only has Italian audio and no English subtitles...

[Codyblaze]

Originally Posted by RTJakarta

I've yet to get a Criterion Blu-ray, personally. I recently traded in my long-loved copy of Fritz Lang's "M" for the forthcoming Blu-ray release.

How good are Criterion BDs in comparison to the DVDs? I'll always remember the DVDs having typically great insert booklets and special features. Don't know how much of that I expect to lose when I start getting Blu-ray Criterions.

You'll be stunned when you see the quality of Blu from CC. It has become quite the expensive little addiction...

[JediFonger]

all you "new" Kurosawa fans checkout 7 Samurai =). that is the ultimate Kurosawa movie =)

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

all you "new" Kurosawa fans checkout 7 Samurai =). that is the ultimate Kurosawa movie =)

The "ultimate" Kurorawa movie is a matter of opinion, wouldn't you agree? For me, "Seven Samurai" is certainly not my favorite Kurosawa film that I've seen. Maybe, in the top 7, but not the "ultimate," for sure.

CC

[los53]

Is it ok to collect Criterions Blu-rays even if you don't like some of the films? Because I'm an addict of collecting Criterions some people say I should stop I just pre-ordered Yojimbo and Sanjuro collection and I can't wait for Walkabout !

[JediFonger]

well it is certainly the longest, from which you can see a variety of techniques that he has employed. but u know... picking an 'ultimate' Kurosawa movie is like going to Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory and proclaiming which chocolate is the best

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by los53

Is it ok to collect Criterions Blu-rays even if you don't like some of the films? Because I'm an addict of collecting Criterions some people say I should stop I just pre-ordered Yojimbo and Sanjuro collection and I can't wait for Walkabout !

I think it's safe to say there will always be a market for Criterion discs. This is especially the case when a title goes OOP. Personally, I either love or hate most Criterion titles, so it's a mixed bag for me. I recently saw the Yojimbo/Sanjuro Blu-ray on eBay. I quit bidding at $17 (it sold for $17.08) because, since it hasn't been released yet, the whole thing seemed fishy.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

well it is certainly the longest, from which you can see a variety of techniques that he has employed. but u know... picking an 'ultimate' Kurosawa movie is like going to Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory and proclaiming which chocolate is the best

To some people. Not everyone is pulled into Kurosawa because they like Star Wars and someone told them about Seven Samurai. I like some Kurosawa films but I don't see him in the light as everyone else. I get why he is very much liked because when alot of people start out in either the Criterion Collection or "artsy" films, they did so because Kurosawa's Samurai is like the gateway between Star Wars type films and better films. Alot of people don't go beyond him in the collection because they didn't actually want to adventure in the collection in the first place. They just wanted to watch his films. They don't care about Melville, Clouzot, Resnais, Godard, Fuller, Reed, Oshima, Cassavetes, etc. They just care/know about Kurosawa, Bergman, Fellini, Malick, Wes Anderson and some Truffaut. So that is why alot of people gets stuck on him and ignore better releases in the month of March because of re-release films of his came out.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by wmermine1

I read on another forum that people were briefly experiencing the problem you describe. However, now it seems to be working at 25% off. I received an email order confirmation that included the 25% off on it, for whatever that's worth.

It seems unlikely that it would be a mistake since it was working, then giving the wrong percentage, and now working again. Why would they make it work again if it were a mistake?

I guess we'll know whenever someone gets a shipping confirmation email!

Yes...but isn't shipping around $6-$7?

I guess if you're willing to be patient, you can hit Barnes and Noble in about one to three months (best guess is in June) and get any BD or DVD for 50% off. I dare say that Amazon will PM during that time as well.

I plan to wait and pick up Che and Paris, Texas (at least) myself.

[wmermine1]

Originally Posted by rkish

Yes...but isn't shipping around $6-$7?

I guess if you're willing to be patient, you can hit Barnes and Noble in about one to three months (best guess is in June) and get any BD or DVD for 50% off. I dare say that Amazon will PM during that time as well.

I plan to wait and pick up Che and Paris, Texas (at least) myself.

Shipping was free for me. I think it is if you spend more than $50.

[los53]

Originally Posted by repete66211

think it's safe to say there will always be a market for Criterion discs. This is especially the case when a title goes OOP. Personally, I either love or hate most Criterion titles, so it's a mixed bag for me. I recently saw the Yojimbo/Sanjuro Blu-ray on eBay. I quit bidding at $17 (it sold for $17.08) because, since it hasn't been released yet, the whole thing seemed fishy.

Interesting, I Wouldve given it a chance for 17.08 I bought it on Amazon after being issue $25 Certificate so I payed $26 not bad