The Criterion Collection

[SammyJankis]

Oh well. It is disappointing that Criterion gave the thumbs up for the release, but I don't care much for the title.

Still..

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Doh! Yes, it is. And Jubal as well. I don't expect to see "top-tier" Sony releases from Criterion (like Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Strangelove, Taxi Driver, et alia), but it would be nice if the two Daves' film were an indication that Criterion will be able to license some of the other older Columbia titles.

I'd love to see Criterion take on some classic Columbias like His Girl Friday, Lady from Shanghai, Beat the Devil, Suddenly Last Summer, and a host of others.

You mean no top tier releases like On The Waterfront? :P
My most desired sony release is Gilda as I think its one of the best noirs ever.
I pray that it never falls into the hands of Twilight Time.

[Archedamian]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Earrings of Madame de... Blu-ray REVIEW

I love this film and this news makes me sad.

[jw007]

I just watched Fish Tank for the first time last night. Wow, what an intense movie. At times it felt like a Ken Loach film, at other times a Mike Leigh film, at other times a Danny Boyle film and almost at other times a Guy Ritchie film. It's got some serious sequences and the characters are brutal but very realistic.

Kind of wonder why it was filmed in 1:33 instead of 1:78 or 1:85 aspect ratio though. Maybe it makes the film feel more claustrophobic that way. There are some beautiful scenes in there though.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Earrings of Madame de... Blu-ray REVIEW

I was looking forward to buying this film as one of my primary picks during the fall season's B&N sale. How unfortunate that the video of this blu-ray couldn't score a higher rating. I may still buy it on the strength of the film if I can find a way to pay a much lower price for it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Earrings of Madame de... Blu-ray REVIEW

Wow, I can't believe my eyes at some of those screencaps when I look closely. They look so unnatural. Like all the detail is washed out and you have these digital gradients over the details instead. I thought I was looking at a matte painting but instead that is supposedly a real shot of trees and grass. This is by far the most unrealistic transfer Criterion has ever put out. What happened over there?!

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just watched Fish Tank for the first time last night. Wow, what an intense movie. At times it felt like a Ken Loach film, at other times a Mike Leigh film, at other times a Danny Boyle film and almost at other times a Guy Ritchie film. It's got some serious sequences and the characters are brutal but very realistic.

Now, please watch Red Road if you haven't already.

[Jobla]

My five favorite Altman films:

COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN
THREE WOMEN
NASHVILLE
A PERFECT COUPLE (nobody else will agree with this choice, I know)
McCABE AND MRS. MILLER

His worst: O.C. AND STIGGS

Altman was all over the map, but I believe that his triumphs far outweigh his failures.

[Idiot E. Que]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Earrings of Madame de... Blu-ray REVIEW

NOOOOOOOOO, COME ON! This was one of my big upcomings. Damn the French! Wait, what? :P

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Oh well. It is disappointing that Criterion gave the thumbs up for the release, but I don't care much for the title.

Still..

Ill still be buying though

[UNCMT9]

What are some other Criterion titles that have essentially had some PQ and or AQ issues?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by UNCMT9

What are some other Criterion titles that have essentially had some PQ and or AQ issues?

Children of Paradise

and

In the Mood for Love

are the only ones I can think of.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Naturally I have yet to see this transfer with my own eyes, but I do not understand why Criterion, once again, decides to give the green light to such a subpar release. Why not wait until a better transfer is available, or even better, pay for a new one? Criterion's reputation is based on solid supplements, and that they'll go that extra mile to provide the high-paying customers stellar transfers. The only assumption I can make, is that Children of Paradise sold well enough, so why bother with this one either?

It's not really in their hands. They are a company with licenses. They use the prints given to them in certain circumstances. Nothing they can do about it. I'm sure they'd much rather use a restoration master (albeit a bad one) than fork over the money to pay for a brand new restoration. You know how much that costs?? Generally $50,000-$100,000 minimum for a black and white film (potentially more for a 2K or 4K restoration), and that's depending on the condition of the source materials. They'd never make their money back.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

It's not really in their hands. They are a company with licenses. They use the prints given to them in certain circumstances. Nothing they can do about it. I'm sure they'd much rather use a restoration master (albeit a bad one) than fork over the money to pay for a brand new restoration. You know how much that costs?? They'd never make their money back.

Thank you. I was just about to post something similar.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Thank you. I was just about to post something similar.

I'm as disappointed with Children of Paradise as anyone, and while I don't think it's as bad as some people do, it cold certainly be substantially better. I'm holding out for the 4K version. Maybe then they will get it right.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Ill still be buying though

You'd buy it if it had a one star rating.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

I'm as disappointed with Children of Paradise as anyone, and while I don't think it's as bad as some people do, it cold certainly be substantially better. I'm holding out for the 4K version. Maybe then they will get it right.

I think it is important to remember that it is perfectly fine to be disappointed, and that none of us have to buy the releases. What doesn't make sense to me is people who post about Criterion's decision making, without knowing anything about what their licensing agreements say or what it would cost to create a new, restored master on their own.

[Stud Spider]

Originally Posted by Jobla

My five favorite Altman films:

COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN
THREE WOMEN
NASHVILLE
A PERFECT COUPLE (nobody else will agree with this choice, I know)
McCABE AND MRS. MILLER

His worst: O.C. AND STIGGS

Altman was all over the map, but I believe that his triumphs far outweigh his failures.

I don't agree with A Perfect Couple at all but his worst is most certainly O.C. and Stiggs.

My top 5, no wait, 6:
California Split
The Long Goodbye
A Wedding
Cookie's Fortune
Nashville
Popeye

Still need to see Come Back to the Five and Dime, HealtH, Streamers, Prêt-à-Porter and Kansas City. Oh and The Company.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

You'd buy it if it had a one star rating.

I do own Footloose afterall

I adore the film, so if is only a notch above a TCM HD recording, I'll be happy. Max Ophuls was a deity among men

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

This is another case where I will be curious to see the actual release. Pro-B sounds pretty disappointed, but dvdbeaver calls the print "gorgeous, thick, rich and film-like." I will be curious to see where I fall on the spectrum (although things like digital correction are pretty hard to argue with).

Hopefully I will get a chance to watch it soon, but it probably will have to wait until the next sale...

I know I am biased, but pro-b knows what he is looking at .