The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

I think at this point Criterion is just f*cking with fans of Life Aquatic. Each and every month, it seems to be the most requested title and when the announcements are made, there's always a good half-dozen people asking for it. Instead, they announce Fantastic Mr. Fox which already has a pretty decent blu-ray release.

It may well have to do with the amount of work required for a release. FMF has a terrific existing HD master from Fox or even the original digital files of the film, which will likely require much less work in generating a quality encode.
Life Aquatic was released in 2005, at least 1-2 years before movies were coming out on BD, and it may be that the HD master prepared at the time may not stand up to the current expectations from a BD release. In that case they will require to do a new scan of the film or a new mastering that they can use to bring out a respectable blu-ray encode.

[Hubunkey]

Originally Posted by ravenus

It may well have to do with the amount of work required for a release. FMF has a terrific existing HD master from Fox or even the original digital files of the film, which will likely require much less work in generating a quality encode.
Life Aquatic was released in 2005, at least 1-2 years before movies were coming out on BD, and it may be that the HD master prepared at the time may not stand up to the current expectations from a BD release. In that case they will require to do a new scan of the film or a new mastering that they can use to bring out a respectable blu-ray encode.

It's also possible that The Life Aquatic is up to Disney to upgrade. I know they also released Rushmore and it was upgraded but then Disney also had The Rock and released it themselves instead of allowing CC, and I believe Disney even used almost all of the CC DVD features for The Rock Blu-ray. I think a lot of it depends on 1. If CC has a HD master that they approve of 2. They have the rights to release said film on Blu-ray.

Has The Life Aquatic been released anywhere in HD or even aired in HD anywhere?

[mdonovan]

Originally Posted by gate

i am so sick and tired of criterion's hard-on for wes anderson.

+2

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I think it's just the herd mentality going on. The collective hating on that film makes it appear "worse" than it really is. Kind of like the hate partying against Prometheus.

Originally Posted by tylergfoster

I don't think it needs a Criterion, but Ocean's Twelve is the best of the series. A wonderful, sly movie that people have a bizarre hatred for. Thirteen is the empty one -- fun, but just going through the motions. http://blogs.indiewire.com/criticwir...a-great-sequel

Disappointed with these responses. Very dismissive and almost insulting. Yeah, I guess those of us "haters" who don't like Ocean's Twelve have no minds of our own and our hatred for the movie is so "bizarre" that there's no basis for it in reality.

I was surprised to find out that Ocean's Twelve has its staunch defenders but wasn't expecting them to be so snobby about it.

Originally Posted by EPlay

Me, too. I've seen "Bottle Rocket", "Rushmore", and "The Royal Tenenbaums" and did not like any of them. HATED the trailers for "Life Aquatic" (which I probably saw 10 times before other films at the theater) and "The Darjeeling Limited" so did not see them. I have "Fantastic Mr. Fox" but have not viewed it yet. I've pretty much concluded Wes Anderson is just not a writer/director that appeals to me. (Peter Greenaway is another.) I'm sure we all have directors that are just not for us.

So yeah, it disappoints me because Wes Anderson takes another slot that could have gone to someone else (a Kore-eda, or first-timers for Almodovar, Solondz, Tykwer. BTW, why is Sidney Lumet not represented in the Criterion collection? Is it because of which studios have the rights? I’m not knowledgeable on who won’t license to Criterion.)

Exactly! At this point it's beyond obvious to everyone that Criterion gives Wes Anderson special treatment, preference and consideration because they're BFFs and in some cases, because it's just easier to release another one of his movies than just about anyone else's.

[Mansinthe]

i dont mind 10-20 wes anderson movies (while i dont own one of them myself), there are so many criterion movies (bluray+DVD) that i can easly ignore his movies for a long long time ;D

really happy about tess and blue is the warmest color.

kore-eda would be nice , but if you look at other labels you will find alot of movies you want from criterion that are already avaible (yes they are most likly more expensiv or region B)

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

kore-eda would be nice , but if you look at other labels you will find alot of movies you want from criterion that are already avaible (yes they are most likly more expensiv or region B)

I don't have a region-free Blu-ray player and let's be honest, seeing more of his films get the Criterion treatment would be preferable to any other label's release.

[pro-bassoonist]

The Uninvited Blu-ray REVIEW



(I am sorry for the late review, but we never received a screener/market copy. If one was mailed, it is either lost or ended up in someone else's mailbox. We had to purchase a copy after the street date).

Pro-B

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Off topic but related to scifi cult classics am I the only one out there that liked Gattaca?

Gattaca is one of my favorite films along with Dark City and Strange Days. I sent an email to Criterion (suggestions@criterion.com) requesting their special treatment for Gattaca and Strange Days. I didn't suggest Dark City because it appears to have a great blu already according to the review on this site.

Also, have you been able to watch Quiz Show yet iScottie? I think that you were one of the members that intended to check it out soon. I hope Criterion will consider releasing it some day.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Uninvited Blu-ray REVIEW



(I am sorry for the late review, but we never received a screener/market copy. If one was mailed, it is either lost or ended up in someone else's mailbox. We had to purchase a copy after the street date).

Pro-B

Thanks for the review! This paragraph in particular makes me anxious to finally see the film:

Lensed by the great cinematographer Charles Lang (Frank Borzage's A Farewell to Arms, Joseph L. Mankiewicz's The Ghost and Mrs. Muir), the film frequently impresses with tremendous panoramic vistas. Shadow and light are also treated with a degree of seriousness that seems a lot more appropriate for a lush noir film. The second half, in particular, has some wonderfully shot sequences that give the film its identity.

---------------

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Gattaca is one of my favorite films along with Dark City and Strange Days. I sent an email to Criterion (suggestions@criterion.com) requesting their special treatment for Gattaca and Strange Days. I didn't suggest Dark City because it appears to have a great blu already according to the review on this site.

Also, have you been able to watch Quiz Show yet iScottie? I think that you were one of the members that intended to check it out soon. I hope Criterion will consider releasing it some day.

I will definitely send an email about Strange Days. Love that film!

[Bucky]

Am not surprised they are re-releasing Breathless as a combo pack. I had ordered it a couple months ago from Barnes & Noble when they had the Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale and had still not received it because it is not currently in stock. Guess I will have to wait until February to finally get it.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It's great. It's honestly like nothing that I've ever seen before. I have a rather large extended family so the film definitely feels extra personal to me.

Also, expect the ending to leave you wanting more. While I personally would have preferred it to be about 5-10 minutes longer, I felt satisfied overall.

Re. THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN

I wanted at least another hour or two of the film. The whole film is brilliant, but the final act is mesmerizing.

Finished up Le Cercle Rouge and I enjoyed it a lot but the abrupt ending seemed out of place with the rest of the film which was careful and calculating.

[Meathead]

Originally Posted by Hubunkey

y.

Has The Life Aquatic been released anywhere in HD or even aired in HD anywhere?

HDNEt Movies showed it a few months ago

[14728]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The dual-format edition they're releasing in February won't likely be "worth something in the future" as long as Criterion keeps it in print. The BD-only and DVD-only editions that will be going OOP will be the ones that might get an uptick in price on the collector's market, but probably not by much.

No, I was talking about the BD or DVD only releases. They won't be much, but they'll be worth something

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jcez28

so anybody know what spine #699 is ?

Originally Posted by moviesaremylife

Not 100% sure, but maybe "The Underneath" as it's part of "King of the Hill" which is spine number 698.

That hadn't occurred to me. I just assumed it was a title intended for February that got bumped by production issues.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by vader4

It's only special features are a tv spot and a trailer. They are planning to do a special edition later on.

I'm planning on buying both because I don't want to wait. I loved the movie and I'm willing to buy it twice instead of waiting forever for that to happen. I'm actually ecstatic because I was expecting to wait til August like I did for Amour.

Collector's take note. While I certainly don't know for sure, I think it's a reasonable bet that Criterion will let this stopgap release go OOP once the special edition comes out.

Just sayin'.

[Tin Drum]

I will wait Blue...Color out for the next edition but I will definitely pick it up if it is the special edition does not include the theatrical cut.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Whoooooo. I just completed a double bill of Stromboli and Babbette's Feast. Too much greatness for one night!

Both films are excellent!

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Also, have you been able to watch Quiz Show yet iScottie? I think that you were one of the members that intended to check it out soon. I hope Criterion will consider releasing it some day.

Hey, yes I was one of the members!

I haven't watched it yet, but it's set on my DVR for a recording within the next couple of days. I shall check it out then.

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

Re. THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN

I wanted at least another hour or two of the film. The whole film is brilliant, but the final act is mesmerizing.

Finished up Le Cercle Rouge and I enjoyed it a lot but the abrupt ending seemed out of place with the rest of the film which was careful and calculating.

I think Le Cercle Rouge is my favorite Melville film.

It's brilliant to see how everything goes full circle by the end.

[Bruisermoore]

Originally Posted by 14728

No, I was talking about the BD or DVD only releases. They won't be much, but they'll be worth something

Well, people are already getting $40-50 for Breathless on eBay, since it's OOS almost everywhere......until February anyway.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by Gate

Disappointed with these responses. Very dismissive and almost insulting. Yeah, I guess those of us "haters" who don't like Ocean's Twelve have no minds of our own and our hatred for the movie is so "bizarre" that there's no basis for it in reality.

I was surprised to find out that Ocean's Twelve has its staunch defenders but wasn't expecting them to be so snobby about it.

So let me get is straight. You make a grandiose, hyperbolic statement on the Internet in classic anonymous message board posting fashion and state (and I quote):

"

That was one of the worst films I've ever seen."

First of all, Oceans 11, 12, and 13 are all competently made films and while art is subjective, I find it impossible that any of those movies are amongst the worst you have ever seen. Of all movies to pick on, you go with Oceans? This is coming from someone who is not a fanboy of them and merely think they are "Ok".

Second, you make the statement that it is amongst the worst films you have ever seen yet it is the defenders who are being "snobby". Really? Have a look in the mirror for a few minutes. Also re-read some of the people's comments. Is "Boo" really snobby?

We get it. You are not a fan of the movies and nor am I. But unless you were raised on nothing but Sight and Sounds Top 100 Films of all time (and many of those I would open to criticism before an " Oceans" film) then I am sure you have seen at least a dozen films worse then Soderberg's hommage to heist films, the Rat Pack and golden era Hollywood films.

Please, give the late 90s/early 00s forum posting a rest and try to be part of a constructive community.

[The Narrator]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

So let me get is straight. You make a grandiose, hyperbolic statement on the Internet in classic anonymous message board posting fashion and state (and I quote):

"

That was one of the worst films I've ever seen."

First of all, Oceans 11, 12, and 13 are all competently made films and while art is subjective, I find it impossible that any of those movies are amongst the worst you have ever seen. Of all movies to pick on, you go with Oceans? This is coming from someone who is not a fanboy of them and merely think they are "Ok".

Second, you make the statement that it is amongst the worst films you have ever seen yet it is the defenders who are being "snobby". Really? Have a look in the mirror for a few minutes. Also re-read some of the people's comments. Is "Boo" really snobby?

We get it. You are not a fan of the movies and nor am I. But unless you were raised on nothing but Sight and Sounds Top 100 Films of all time (and many of those I would open to criticism before an " Oceans" film) then I am sure you have seen at least a dozen films worse then Soderberg's hommage to heist films, the Rat Pack and golden era Hollywood films.

Please, give the late 90s/early 00s forum posting a rest and try to be part of a constructive community.

And let's keep in mind that, even if you don't like Ocean's Twelve, it has a scene where Vincent Cassel uses capoeira skills to pass through a laser field, which alone disqualifies it from being the one of the worst films you've ever seen.