The Criterion Collection

[Clare2904]

What do you mean by "disc security"?

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Here's my epic haul today...

Pale Flower
Nashville
Shane (non-Criterion, but it was finally available at Barnes & Noble and the price was right)
Mary Poppins ($5 at Best Buy, since I had $20 of Rewards Certificates after my MacBook purchase last month)

Woo hoo!

I'm actually going way out on a limb with the blind buy of Nashville, because I've never been particularly jazzed up about Robert Altman films for some reason. I've seen so much universal acclaim for this particular film, though, that curiosity got the best of me.

Before I watch any of these tonight, though, I'm going to watch Man of Steel, because I just rented it from the Redbox dollar booth down the street.

Even if you don't like Nashville on first viewing, it's like a fine wine. You'll get there. Definitely get a Pale Flower viewing in ASAP and post your thoughts.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

What do you mean by "disc security"?

There are lots of complaints since they've released the double format editions of discs coming loose, getting scratched etc. Tokyo Story, Zatoichi etc, now they're having issues with the cases themselves breaking under normal transit condition?

Makes me concerned about the ones I have on order.

[StLouisRibs]

Watched High and Low this afternoon.

Regardless of my feelings about the film itself, a bit baffled at the 3.5 it got for a Video Quality rating in the review on here - it has some amazing definition for the objects, and the whites (which are used astoundingly, dominating the frame in every shot as part of the film's visual style) vibrant. There was some bits towards the 90 minute mark that I noticed some tearing due to deterioration that probably could have been fixed with a little more time but to me it's definitely a 4.5/5 for video quality caliber title.

[The Great Owl]

My copy of the StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man arrived today. Woo hoo!

I'm keeping my 2008 Criterion DVD digipack of The Third Man so that I'll have the extras for both editions, and, of course, the thrill of the hunt will continue for a somewhat reasonable-expense copy of the Criterion Blu-ray.

I'm going to save the viewing of the StudioCanal Blu-ray for a special day later this week, since I'm a bit tired tonight, but soon...


I also received the Twilight Time Blu-rays, Picnic and Book, Bell and Candle. I shall watch Book, Bell and Candle later tonight, since there aren't any extensive extras for me to go through.

I'll have plenty of time tomorrow afternoon and evening, so that'll be a great opportunity to check out Nashville in all its 160-minute glory.

[Gusto-Guus]

Picked up Letter Never Sent and Ministry of Fear. Took advantage of the B1G1, at the 29$ price point. Other options at that price were Three Samurai Outlaw (Never seen that but it does look sweet) and The Organizer. Overall, I'm satisfied.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I have never really used RT, something about the site just screams amateur

The most amateurish thing about RT is how many times you can read a review that's supposed to be "Fresh" and it's a pan and/or "Rotten" and it praises the film. Also, many of the reviewers are not professionals (becoming something of an endangered species as print media contracts) but just people with movie review blogs.

I generally go to external reviews on imdb and read the reviews from totalfilm, slantfilm, etc. and indiewire. That's usually enough to give me an idea whether or not to spend time with a film.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Just watched Seconds (1966) and wow, what a film. Depressing but amazingly well made. Kind of like a top notch twilight zone episode at times with a 70's paranoid vibe. The transfer is marvellous however the grain was unusual for a film so sharply shot in 35mm.

Usually the grain is much finer and less obtrusive. Instead it's really heavy with a swarming and pulsating look almost all the time. I still rank it 4.5/5 because other than the distracting nature of the grain, it's stunning.

[joie]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Watched High and Low this afternoon.

Regardless of my feelings about the film itself, a bit baffled at the 3.5 it got for a Video Quality rating in the review on here - it has some amazing definition for the objects, and the whites (which are used astoundingly, dominating the frame in every shot as part of the film's visual style) vibrant. There was some bits towards the 90 minute mark that I noticed some tearing due to deterioration that probably could have been fixed with a little more time but to me it's definitely a 4.5/5 for video quality caliber title.

When I watched the Blu-ray I stopped and went to the library to get the DVD to check, because the Blu-ray didn't look much better than what I remembered from seeing with the upscaled DVD, earlier. The Blu-ray is a little better. Not a lot.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by smoss469

There are lots of complaints since they've released the double format editions of discs coming loose, getting scratched etc. Tokyo Story, Zatoichi etc, now they're having issues with the cases themselves breaking under normal transit condition?

Makes me concerned about the ones I have on order.

Given the reputation of Criterion and reading other posters thoughts, mainly on here & the last B&N thread, I hope they reconsider their packaging.

Returning any item will be a pain in the arse, especially if bought outside the US.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by joie

When I watched the Blu-ray I stopped and went to the library to get the DVD to check, because the Blu-ray didn't look much better than what I remembered from seeing with the upscaled DVD, earlier. The Blu-ray is a little better. Not a lot.

It's definitely better. However, the difference will vary depending on the size of your display.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergl...ID=869#auswahl

[Brad1107]

I read reviews of films on http://www.avclub.com

They are notoriously harsh and even stuff that is getting all the praise this year like Out of the Furnace and Nebraska got a C+.

That way you know they take it seriously and don't just slap on a big A+ for something that was enjoyable but middling (like most critics).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Brad1107

I read reviews of films on http://www.avclub.com

They are notoriously harsh and even stuff that is getting all the praise this year like Out of the Furnace and Nebraska got a C+.

That way you know they take it seriously and don't just slap on a big A+ for something that was enjoyable but middling (like most critics).

They gave an A- to my favorite movie of 2013, All Is Lost. This made me smile.

With respect to trusted critics, I generally go by the actual prose and not just the quantitative ratings. I dislike the star ratings for the User Reviews on this site, for instance, because that can often be misleading. If I like something enough to purchase it, then I'm generally going to rate the film content at least four stars on a User Review anyway.

The Internet Movie Database overall ratings are fairly trustworthy, but I prefer to read a few individual user reviews to ascertain exactly why somebody might like or dislike the particular film.

[smoss469]

My biggest gripe with Amazon is they combine all ratings for a movie under each listing. Look at the stuff that's just been released on BD, there are 1 star reviews based on public domain releases 10 years old on DVD. It really sucks.

[dizzy4111]

Question:

Is this current Barnes & Noble sale an extension of the 50% off sale or is it a separate sale?

B1G1 is essentially the same thing, correct? May be a dumb question but it seems strange to me that they're having another sale so quickly.

Looks like I'll be snagging Investigation of a Citizen... and Nashville tomorrow.

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by dizzy4111

Question:

Is this current Barnes & Noble sale an extension of the 50% off sale or is it a separate sale?

B1G1 is essentially the same thing, correct? May be a dumb question but it seems strange to me that they're having another sale so quickly.

Looks like I'll be snagging Investigation of a Citizen... and Nashville tomorrow.

It's functionally identical if you buy two at a time, but using a coupon is not possible.

[dizzy4111]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

It's functionally identical if you buy two at a time, but using a coupon is not possible.

Ahhh, OK. Thanks.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by smoss469

My biggest gripe with Amazon is they combine all ratings for a movie under each listing. Look at the stuff that's just been released on BD, there are 1 star reviews based on public domain releases 10 years old on DVD. It really sucks.

When I'm trying to ascertain whether or not to purchase a particular Blu-ray, I search for reviews on these sites after looking at Internet Movie Database in a cursory way to gauge the film content quality if I have not already seen the film...

Blu-ray.com
DVDTalk
Movie Metropolis
DVDBeaver
High Definition Digest
Slant
The A.V. Club

Blu-ray.com is the best in terms of the technical specs, but it's worth noting that they are noticeably more critical on video and audio presentation than any other site. That's a good thing.

[Clare2904]

Only difference for me is that you have to buy in multiples of 2 to gain full discount.

[Clare2904]

And thanks to all who have replied to my post about review sites. I have a few to go at but I will always trust my guts instincts too. Everyone knows what they like and more importantly, what they don't. All help is welcome when I'm spending my money