The Criterion Collection

[Blu-Velvet]

This month's Criterion releases are like a classic month (or week) of a 1970s-80s film society or revival-theatre program. I've seen all but two and I expect to buy them all at some point, although probably not all at once unless it's during a half-price sale. I, too, saw "Judex" and immediately thought "great -- I'd love to see that silent serial in HD, as it's much better than LES VAMPIRES" but then saw it was the 1960s film (which I've never seen but probably should). I last saw HEARTS & MINDS at a 16mm college screening way back when, so I'm a bit doubtful on a 1.85 transfer of newsreel material that was largely shot at 1.33, but would still like to see it again. As for the Antonioni, I was of course hoping for L'AVVENTURA, but L'ECLISSE was certainly a great second choice. The Sirk film I've actually never seen and will look forward to a first-time viewing in Criterion-quality HD. I've always loved PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK but haven't seen that one in maybe 30 years either and I'm not sure what the differences are in this shorter director's cut from the original theatrical version. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT is a no-brainer for its 50th anniversary, another one I haven't seen in over a decade or two. (Need to order GOOD OL' FREDA to go along with it and the recent HELP! release!)

Though I very much enjoy recent indie and foreign titles, it's a welcome change to see a month with no post-2000 or even post-1980 films in the lineup, but it's a shame to see nothing earlier than the 1950s. A few more 1910s-20s silents and "pre-code" late 20s/early 30s talkies would be great to see.

[ShellOilJunior]

Amazon Links are up:


A Hard Day's Night

http://www.amazon.com/A-Hard-Days-Ni...+ray+criterion

L'eclisse

http://www.amazon.com/Leclisse-Blu-r...+ray+criterion

Picnic at Hanging Rock

http://www.amazon.com/Picnic-at-Hang...rock+criterion

Judex

http://www.amazon.com/Judex-Blu-ray-...udex+criterion


All That Heaven Allows

http://www.amazon.com/All-That-Heave...lows+criterion

Hearts and Minds (listing is incorrect, should be Blu-ray not DVD. There's no DVD only release of the film)

http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Minds-G...inds+criterion

[TJS_Blu]

Thanks to June's slate, barring some unexpected sale, I'm up to 15 titles for the next B&N sale and that's not including the July titles (which will probably boxed set city). If you need me, I'll probably be at the blood bank.

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Hopefully, it will be re-released on blu-ray next year as an "unlimited" edition with a significant amount of special features. ... but I think I will wait and see if it is released again.

(slight Twilight-Time threadcrap) See what happens with Mysterious Island, it's contract is up in November (I think it sold out really fast). There are some people who think the contracts will just be renewed and we'll get a 2nd pressing of the "big" sellers.

[Beta Man]

This thread is a constant reminder of why I go to work every day.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

This thread is a constant reminder of why I go to work every day.

lol alot of our future money spent wiht these announcements..

[the sordid sentinel]

Watched The Leopard Criterion blu for the 1st time last night. All of the raves about this title's picture quality are certainly well founded. Amazing. Love period films with the huge epic sweep. I had only seen the movie once previously and had forgotten what a great performance Lancaster gives. Plus you have Delon being charismatic and Cardinale being hot. Glad I finally own this one.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

This thread is a constant reminder of why I go to work every day.

Ain't that the truth?

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Watched The Leopard Criterion blu for the 1st time last night. All of the raves about this title's picture quality are certainly well founded. Amazing. Love period films with the huge epic sweep. I had only seen the movie once previously and had forgotten what a great performance Lancaster gives. Plus you have Delon being charismatic and Cardinale being hot. Glad I finally own this one.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it! There's one scene in The Leopard that blows me away every time, and it's the scene where Prince and Don Ciccio are talking on a hilltop during a rabbit hunt while valleys below can be seen in the background.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Watched The Leopard Criterion blu for the 1st time last night. All of the raves about this title's picture quality are certainly well founded. Amazing. Love period films with the huge epic sweep. I had only seen the movie once previously and had forgotten what a great performance Lancaster gives. Plus you have Delon being charismatic and Cardinale being hot. Glad I finally own this one.

haven't seen the movie, but the best Bluray out there is not the Criterion one (which is cropped), but the Pathe one:

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

haven't seen the movie, but the best Bluray out there is not the Criterion one (which is cropped), but the Pathe one:

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich

No English subtitles = no deal

I would not mind if Criterion re-released The Leopard with this latest restoration, though.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Looks to be the director's cut only (based on the running time listed). On the other hand, the release also includes an early film, Homesdale.

What's interesting about their new Picnic release is the aspect ratio. Their original DVD release (from back in 1998!) was a Director Approved Edition in 1.66:1, and they stated that it was Weir's preferred ratio. This new release is also described as a Director Approved Edition, with the transfer "supervised and approved by director Peter Weir", but it's listed as being 1.77:1.

I'm wondering if this is a case where the director is changing his mind about the ratio based on the fact that nowadays 16x9 TVs are the norm rather than 4x3 TVs. The original DVD release, after all, wasn't anamorphic.

On a 4x3 TV, all widescreen ratios are letterboxed with 1.66:1 being the narrowest and the letterbox bars being the smallest. Criterion's 16x9 transfer of The Last Wave (approved by Weir) was 1.78:1 way back in 2001.

[edcresdee]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

haven't seen the movie, but the best Bluray out there is not the Criterion one (which is cropped), but the Pathe one:

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich

Is there a release of The Leopard available anywhere in the world that uses the better transfer/aspect radio AND has English subtitles?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by edcresdee

Is there a release of The Leopard available anywhere in the world that uses the better transfer/aspect radio AND has English subtitles?

I wish, but i don't think so, no.

edit: Hmmmm.. the italian has the same aspect ratio with the Pathe one (+ English subtitles) but it's a lot darker! :-(
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

No English subtitles = no deal

I would not mind if Criterion re-released The Leopard with this latest restoration, though.

I'd double dip for upgrades of The Leopard and The Earrings of Madame de... with the newer remasters.

I watched the CC BD of The Leopard before hearing of the Italian restoration, and thought it rather relatively poor.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Looks to be the director's cut only (based on the running time listed). On the other hand, the release also includes an early film, Homesdale.

What's interesting about their new Picnic release is the aspect ratio. Their original DVD release (from back in 1998!) was a Director Approved Edition in 1.66:1, and they stated that it was Weir's preferred ratio. This new release is also described as a Director Approved Edition, with the transfer "supervised and approved by director Peter Weir", but it's listed as being 1.77:1.

I'm wondering if this is a case where the director is changing his mind about the ratio based on the fact that nowadays 16x9 TVs are the norm rather than 4x3 TVs. The original DVD release, after all, wasn't anamorphic.

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

On a 4x3 TV, all widescreen ratios are letterboxed with 1.66:1 being the narrowest and the letterbox bars being the smallest.

Yes, I'm quite aware of that. That's what I was referring to in the last paragraph. My point was that Weir might've preferred a less letterboxed image at a time when 4x3 TVs were the norm, and with a non-anamorphic DVD (which the original 1998 Criterion release was). But now, in a time when 16x9 TVs are the norm, he might've rethought which ratio would look better.

Criterion's 16x9 transfer of The Last Wave (approved by Weir) was 1.78:1 way back in 2001.

Now that I didn't know. I didn't realize that Criterion later released an anamorphic transfer on DVD, and at that ratio. That seems to support my suspicion.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

haven't seen the movie, but the best Bluray out there is not the Criterion one (which is cropped), but the Pathe one:

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ess=#vergleich

It definitely does look better, surprisingly so. That has to be one sweet image in motion, because like I mentioned previously the Criterion pic quality is very good.

[Quinni]

A Hard Day's Night will be mine, no question. I might also be interested in Hearts and Minds and Picnic at Hanging Rock. Anyone else recommend them?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Quinni

A Hard Day's Night will be mine, no question. I might also be interested in Hearts and Minds and Picnic at Hanging Rock. Anyone else recommend them?

I saw Picnic once recently.
It's a very good film, and although it may be very slow, it surely is visually great!
But I'm not sure if I would buy it, since I have dozens of others that are in priority.

[Polaroid]

Really not sure whether to get Picnic, recently bought the UK release (still not watched) but so intrigued by it, only putting it off because ins cared I will be disappointed (always feel this way and end up regretting it haha).

I'll probs upgrade but I think I prefer the artwork for UK release :/, then again its probably much nicer in person like The Great Beauty which looked a bit ughh on screen, but in person its stunning. I think if Criterion used similar typeface as this one then it would have looked better :/

[svecaj]

Originally Posted by edcresdee

Is there a release of The Leopard available anywhere in the world that uses the better transfer/aspect radio AND has English subtitles?

Yes, the Australian release, which I have, but I'm not sure if it's still in print.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by svecaj

Yes, the Australian release, which I have, but I'm not sure if it's still in print.

Oh yes??
Can we find any screenshots of this Australian release?


* * *

By the way, i had started a thread about "spring" movies, in the movies section, but maybe i could find here what I'm looking for.
Can anyone suggest Criterion Blurays that show movies held in spring with beautiful spring landscapes etc.?
eg. one that comes in mind, and I think I'll be watching every spring is Howards End.
Maybe Tess fits too? haven't seen it. Or is it more like summer?