The Criterion Collection

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I'm almost ashamed to say I've never seen it. Would you say it's in the vein of something like "Secret of NIMH", or is it even darker and more adult themed?

It's considerably darker, the characters are drawn realistically and it's got a lot of bloody violence and it deals with a lot of themes like religious fanatacism. I don't think it's inappropriate for children, but it's probably more of an age 11+ movie since it's definitely dark and violent. I watched it many times as a kid and read the book around that age.

[fahrenheit290]

Your post was incredible helpful on animation. Fascinating to see how little care goes into the periodic re-releases of Disney animated classics. We only have three Disney DVDs--Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King. I've never considered getting any in blu-ray. I wonder if the Pixar releases are more highly regarded.


The Princess Mononoke stills were great---I have the DVD, but there has yet to be a Blu-Ray release in the U.S. (and I have no idea if one is coming). I cherish that film, and hold it as Miyazaki's greatest work.

[tigerstrp1]

I wish we could get the Val Lewton films on blu from criterion...

wishful thinking!

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Your post was incredible helpful on animation. Fascinating to see how little care goes into the periodic re-releases of Disney animated classics. We only have three Disney DVDs--Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King. I've never considered getting any in blu-ray. I wonder if the Pixar releases are more highly regarded.


The Princess Mononoke stills were great---I have the DVD, but there has yet to be a Blu-Ray release in the U.S. (and I have no idea if one is coming). I cherish that film, and hold it as Miyazaki's greatest work.

The Pixar releases are fine, since they were digital to begin with they don't feel a need to scrub them clean of grain or anything.

The Ghibli movies tend to come out in the US about a year and a half after they're released in Japan. Once it comes out in England it will be another several months for us.

[fahrenheit290]

If Disney is responsible for the Ghibli releases in the U.S., I wonder how the blu-ray qualities stack up against their Japanese versions. I think the Mononoke blu-ray's been around for awhile in Japan...I think there was a forum post earlier in the year saying the American version is coming:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=235538

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

If Disney is responsible for the Ghibli releases in the U.S., I wonder how the blu-ray qualities stack up against their Japanese versions. I think the Mononoke blu-ray's been around for awhile in Japan...I think there was a forum post earlier in the year saying the American version is coming:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=235538

You might find this thread very useful:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=198117

Generally the Japanese releases have higher bitrates.
But at least the Disney US releases haven't degrained the films or anything.
Someone suggested that maybe they had "orders" from the Ghibli studio itself, not to "touch" their films.
Well, I'm buying the Japanese Blurays little by little, because except for the excellent quality they have magnificent digipack cases!
They're quite expensive but they're really worth it. I'm proud of my purchases..
(not my photos):

[Show spoiler]

[brandon_260]

Well, I've got a new favorite Jarmusch film after watching Down by Law this morning. Oddly enough, this was probably the film of his I was least interested in, by synopsis alone, but it is an absolute blast. The use of tension for comedic effect when Bob is first introduced is genius. I also like how Jarmusch was able to strike genuinely hilarious moments using the language barrier, rather than the flat jokes typically written when that type of character is present.

[kaseaver]

So a fun question for everybody, what are the 5 Criterion films you'd like to see upgraded to BluRay the most?

Le Samourai
The Killers
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Le Deuxieme Souffle
Naked City

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by kaseaver

So a fun question for everybody, what are the 5 Criterion films you'd like to see upgraded to BluRay the most?

Le Samourai
The Killers
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Le Deuxieme Souffle
Naked City

Scroll back a few pages, that same question was already asked.

edit: Sorry thought you were asking the same question to everyone again, rather than answering it yourself

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Scroll back a few pages, that same question was already asked.

pretty sure he/she is just quoting and providing his/her 5 choices.

[fahrenheit290]

Thanks for the link to the Ghibli topic. Maybe I would get the Japanese release too. Does it come with English subtitles?/have you watched it yet? I wouldn't mind if the English dubbing was also featured, as it makes the film more accessible to people who have never seen it, but I doubt it for that release.

Criterion needs to release the classics in their DVD collection. Bicycle Thief, no excuses. Passion of Joan of Arc, no excuses, one of the most essential silent films and even better with the Richard Einhorn score. Ikiru, about time, I want to see it. Virgin Spring, next up Bergman. La Strada and La Dolce Vita, compulsory Fellini. Others: Au Hasard Balthazar (or Diary of a Country Priest) from Bresson, The River or A Day in the Country (one of the greatest short films ever made) from Renoir, I'm sure there are others.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Thanks for the link to the Ghibli topic. Maybe I would get the Japanese release too. Does it come with English subtitles?/have you watched it yet? I wouldn't mind if the English dubbing was also featured, as it makes the film more accessible to people who have never seen it, but I doubt it for that release.

Criterion needs to release the classics in their DVD collection. Bicycle Thief, no excuses. Passion of Joan of Arc, no excuses, one of the most essential silent films and even better with the Richard Einhorn score. Ikiru, about time, I want to see it. Virgin Spring, next up Bergman. La Strada and La Dolce Vita, compulsory Fellini. Others: Au Hasard Balthazar (or Diary of a Country Priest) from Bresson, The River or A Day in the Country (one of the greatest short films ever made) from Renoir, I'm sure there are others.

You do understand that the reason films like Joan of Arc and Bicycle Thieves haven't been released is because Criterion probably wants something that looks even better than what's currently available? Without a doubt, these would be upgraded if they were up to their standards. It's a no brainer, they would likely be among their best selling titles of the year. So, really, there is an "excuse".

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

pretty sure he/she is just quoting and providing his/her 5 choices.

The lack of quote marks, totally threw me off there.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Thanks for the link to the Ghibli topic. Maybe I would get the Japanese release too. Does it come with English subtitles?/have you watched it yet? I wouldn't mind if the English dubbing was also featured, as it makes the film more accessible to people who have never seen it, but I doubt it for that release.

yes, all releases have English subtitles (except for the upcoming Castle of Cagliostro), and i think some of them have also English dubs.
I haven't got Mononoke yet, but I have watched 4 others and they are outstanding!

edit: yeah, Mononoke has also the English dub, although in lossy audio.
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Princ...Blu-ray/82291/

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

Your post was incredible helpful on animation. Fascinating to see how little care goes into the periodic re-releases of Disney animated classics. We only have three Disney DVDs--Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King. I've never considered getting any in blu-ray. I wonder if the Pixar releases are more highly regarded.


The Princess Mononoke stills were great---I have the DVD, but there has yet to be a Blu-Ray release in the U.S. (and I have no idea if one is coming). I cherish that film, and hold it as Miyazaki's greatest work.

Take his post with a grain of salt.

Originally Posted by filmmusic

VHS some times exhibit much more detail than the Bluray!!

100% false.

[smoss469]

I would be surprised to see another Bergman announced so close to Persona. CC seems to space out director releases don't they?

[bwdowiak]

announcement day and no Polaroid?

where are you, bud?

[mrjohnnyb]

1. Don't Look Now (Roeg- 1974)
2. Hour of the Wolf (Bergman- 1967)
3. The Tenant (Polanski- 1976)
4. The Devils (Russell- 1971)
5. Faust (Murnau- 1926)

[jetthead]

Robert Harris had this to say regarding Disney's animated Blu-ray releases in his Alice in Wonderland review:

All of these Blu-rays have been struck from meticulously crafted HD masters, which in turn were derived by going back not to intermediate film elements, but the original negatives. To be clear, these are not restorations, although the resultant images are crisp, clean, clear and perfect to the nth degree. What they are, are new editions, in some ways a new interpretation, based upon the original elements, but purposely created for a new audience, with gorgeous colors and perfectly stable images. It's important to get that out of the way when discussing these releases, because if not noted, some might be put off by any lack of originality, inclusive of the removal of all grain. This has come up in discussion each and every time one of these Blu-rays hits the streets. Like the others there will be someone who notes that they saw the film in 1951, and the blues had a bit more yellow to them, or color, overall, wasn't as dense.

So here it is, loud and clear. This is neither a 1951 dye transfer print, nor has it been created to perfectly replicate that original look. As one of the original animators said when being interviewed after the release of one of the classics on DVD a decade or so ago, and I'm paraphrasing... "They're nice colors. They're not our colors, but they're nice colors."


The case also needs to be made, that the removal of grain for these new editions is not necessarily a bad thing (although I personally have a few niggling problems with Snow White in stationary scenes). The resultant images are far more highly resolved and colorful than have ever been seen before.


So before anyone adds to the thread that the films may not perfectly match what was released 50, 60 or 70 years ago, the point is that it doesn't matter. The films, each and every one, has been properly preserved, and should there be a need to replicate the original looks, the ability is on the menu.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topi...nd-in-blu-ray/

[BAMJoe]

Originally Posted by aes3728

October Predictions:

Tootsie
The Brood
La Dolce Vita
Tati Box
Bergman Blu
Haxan Blu

I think Criterion lost the rights to all of the Tati movies.