The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I saw “Repulsion” last night for the first time. I’d be interested to know if ppl here in the community like this film. Some of the photography is nice and the soundtrack is full of some pretty cool effects that help establish the tone, but I got bored with it after about 45 minutes. I did a keyword search on this thread and if I did it correctly, the title “Repulsion” hasn’t been mentioned since 2009.

I prefer Rosemary's Baby, but I do love Repulsion. I sold my Criterion DVD a few months back with the intent of upgrading to Blu-ray, but have not got around to doing so yet. Maybe in October if I can, because that'll be a fun month to revisit the film. Repulsion is low-key, but it really works.

[Hypnosifl]

Originally Posted by octagon

Disappointment is reasonable. Displeasure is childish.

There's a world of difference between 'oh well, nothing for me this month' and 'this month sucks, there's nothing for me'.

This distinction doesn't make any sense to me--disappointment is by definition a form of displeasure, there's no such thing as a pleasurable disappointment! And "this month sucks" is just a more slangy way of saying "I feel a sense of disappointment at this month's selection", it's not like someone who says that is making an argument that this month objectively sucks and that anyone who is happy is wrong to feel that way.

[GentleGiant]

Would anyone recommend The Four Feathers Blu-ray? I'm a bit of a fan of Technicolor movies but haven't seen this film yet.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by GentleGiant

Would anyone recommend The Four Feathers Blu-ray? I'm a bit of a fan of Technicolor movies but haven't seen this film yet.

I used to own the Criterion DVD, and it's another one that I have not made my way around to upgrading yet.

I like The Four Feathers. It comes across as a second-rate lower-tier-level Lawrence of Arabia to some extent, and the nationalism might throw some people off, but it's still a captivating flick with great visuals.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by onetet

Essential viewing, both as one of Altman's very best and as a pivotal film in 70s cinema. No need to enjoy country music or know anything about that scene to enjoy the movie, BTW.

It's probably Altman's best expression of the style that would come to be known as "Altman-esque"--a cast of dozens who pop in and out of the frame just as they pop in and out of the narrative, all of them grounded in realism but most of them also saddled by very-human (often bumbling and comic) foibles and flaws. The way the film makes the viewer feel the interconnectedness of his massive cast of characters is brilliant.

Even the opening credits are wonderful,

[Show spoiler]done in the style of an old K-Tel record ad, similar to the end credits of MASH where they are spoken aloud on the P.A. system.

[ccg1978]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

I'm probably in the minority, but I think I prefer the remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much. I sort of feel bad comparing them; same story but the movies are totally different in tone.

same here though the first is very early Hitch but still delivers a solid movie. Doesn't help that I'm a huge Jimmy S fan. The only annoying part of the remake is the ca sara sara throughout the movie

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

same here though the first is very early Hitch but still delivers a solid movie. Doesn't help that I'm a huge Jimmy S fan. The only annoying part of the remake is the ca sara sara throughout the movie

I thought the remake's Albert Hall scene drug on too long, it seemed unnecessarily long.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I used to own the Criterion DVD, and it's another one that I have not made my way around to upgrading yet.

I like The Four Feathers. It comes across as a second-rate lower-tier-level Lawrence of Arabia to some extent, and the nationalism might throw some people off, but it's still a captivating flick with great visuals.

Thanks, I might check it out. It's always amazing to see how great those old classic movies can look after all these years.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I thought the remake's Albert Hall scene drug on too long, it seemed unnecessarily long.

I like the original Man Who Knew Too Much better, probably because the kid and Doris Day in the remake are awful, and that singing....ugh.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

I like the original Man Who Knew Too Much better, probably because the kid and Doris Day in the remake are awful, and that singing....ugh.

Nice avatar, about the only Nicholas Cage movie I really enjoy. Of course I've always been a huge fan of the "let it play out and then flash back to get more info or spot crucial plot clues" type of story telling

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

I like the original Man Who Knew Too Much better, probably because the kid and Doris Day in the remake are awful, and that singing....ugh.

I'm with you lol. Don't forget that whistling.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Judex

That's what Masters of Cinema are doing over here. We get Martin Scorcese Presents WCF: Volume 1 in November. They're aiming to release 2 WCF boxsets a year.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Criterion's set is labeled as "No. 1" on the cover.

Thanks...I should have clicked on the BD artwork because now I see it clearly.

[jw007]

I have a question regarding Criterion's choice of using 2k or 4k restoration/mastering in their releases.

What determines whether a release receives a 4k treatment as opposed to 2k? Why not just restore everything in 4k? If this is where the trend is heading, wouldn't it make logical sense to just use 4k on every forthcoming release now?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I was just thinking this morning about how I want to try to rewatch Fanny and Alexander at Christmas time. Great minds must think alike.

Not only is Fanny and Alexander one of my favorite Bergman films, it is also probably one of my favorite films from any director.

It's in my top three Bergman. A number of Bergman films are among my all time favorites, though. Guy has a record like no other.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by jw007

I have a question regarding Criterion's choice of using 2k or 4k restoration/mastering in their releases.

What determines whether a release receives a 4k treatment as opposed to 2k? Why not just restore everything in 4k? If this is where the trend is heading, wouldn't it make logical sense to just use 4k on every forthcoming release now?

Wondering the same thing, unless these 2k masters were done a little while ago and the studios/Criterion have been waiting for the right time to relese them.

[atfree]

Originally Posted by GentleGiant

Would anyone recommend The Four Feathers Blu-ray? I'm a bit of a fan of Technicolor movies but haven't seen this film yet.

I would unconditionally recommend "The Four Feathers" Blu-Ray. Great video, one of my favorites movies. When you consider when it was made, the location photography and color are superb.

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

One of my favorites in the collection.

Far superior to Rosemary's Baby, in my opinion.

Repulsion is indeed far superior to Rosemary's Baby, and in a class with The Pianist. The last 45 minutes is unbelievable. I saw it when it first came out on the big screen in the East Village in NYC. The ending still sends chills up my spine. Give it a second shot.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by jw007

I have a question regarding Criterion's choice of using 2k or 4k restoration/mastering in their releases.

What determines whether a release receives a 4k treatment as opposed to 2k? Why not just restore everything in 4k? If this is where the trend is heading, wouldn't it make logical sense to just use 4k on every forthcoming release now?

Hello jw

A couple of answers:

1. The actual restoration work is typically done in 2K.

2. The scanning could be done in 2K, 4K, etc. There are different factors that would determine how and where the actual work is done - the project, finances available to operate with, the people involved with the project, etc.

3. 4K does not automatically equate top quality. Projects such as Les enfants du paradis are a prime example why. On the other hand, scanning technology and the scanning/resto jobs in general have become incredibly good during the last 2-3 years. I personally have been very impressed with a number of 2K transfers done on ARRISCANs.

4. Many restorations, including the scanning which you are concerned with, are done overseas. So in many cases the final master Criterion would have to work with is already done by a different party. The overwhelming majority of these jobs have been outstanding. Examples: See A Night to Remember for a top 2K job, and Marketa Lazarova for a top 4K job.

The projects Criterion have undertaken and have been supervised by their team have been outstanding. See Purple Noon.

All in all, in the hands of the right people 2K and 4K jobs could be equally impressive.

I hope this helps

Pro-B

[demonknight]

I forget... Did Criterion put out a limited edition BD of Salo? I can't find it on the site, but thought that I saw it in several stores.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by demonknight

I forget... Did Criterion put out a limited edition BD of Salo? I can't find it on the site, but thought that I saw it in several stores.

It is not limited



Pro-B