The Criterion Collection

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Really, there is no "debate." A few people got riled up (naturally) over screen caps before they'd even seen the disc, but it looks fantastic in motion.

Completely agreed. I just happen to have seen some comments here and elsewhere, and more people have asked me about it privately. As a friend put it, some people are "pixel peeping" and getting riled up.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Completely agreed. I just happen to have seen some comments here and elsewhere, and more people have asked me about it privately. As a friend put it, some people are "pixel peeping" and getting riled up.

LOL...the thread here has almost 100 pages and about 80 deal with "pixel peeping". I don't know what people saw in the theater or on VHS 15 years ago, but I do know that I saw plenty last night.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I've been putting this off because I was under the impression it *needed* to be seen in 3D. Would you agree, or is it still worth viewing in boring old 2D?

I'd say that 3D was desirable. I'm told the 3D Blu-ray works pretty well too.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I want to like it. Maybe if I know who the heck he's talking about in the beginning of the film, I can move past that part.

My advice would be to just roll with it. Let the references that you don't understand just wash over you. I certainly don't understand every single element of it, but that's part of the fun with Godard. Entire books have been written decoding specific films!

[mja345]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Blasphemy, so you are not following Lynch rules eh? why do you think it doesn't have chapter selection in the first place

Haha, normally when I get new BDs I go chapter to chapter to check out the PQ. The MD blu-ray, with zero chapter selections, tripped me out, but I fast forwarded to parts I remembered from the DVD to check it out.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I don't necessarily have the answer for "why this film?", but a few things should be pointed out:

1) there are no other Coen films in the collection

2) the CC release has an insane amount of supplements

3) please do not ever compare this film (any Coen brothers film) w/ The Rock or any Micheal Bay film. that's ridiculous and I don't feel I need to elaborate on that point. I will say, though, that ILD makes my 'best of 2013 list' somewhere near the top.

4) and most importantly... The Criterion Collection is a company.. a business. You cannot just say that "they should have spent their money elsewhere" because you are not considering their costs and expected profit margins.

I'd bet that most CC employees would say that the 2015 release they are most proud of is The Apu Trilogy. I'm sure it cost a s**t ton of dollars for all the restoration work. I'd bet my entire collection, however, that they make more money from each of the following releases: The Brood, Moonrise Kingdom, and Inside Llewyn Davis.

so they NEED to have releases like this one. it seems like they will be doing justice to this release and even throwing a bone (via the supplements) to those who like folk music.

Right on target there. All you have to do is look at the number of collections Criterion's lower-profile releases occupy on here. It's in the the 200-400 range most of the time. Their higher profile releases occupy the 1500-3000 range, if not more. That's all that needs to be said. They have to release high-profile films in order to release a lot of lower-profile films. I'd say 15 of 20 films Criterion releases are fairly low-profile, so it's not like they're regularly releasing films everyone has heard of.

Also, Criterion is subject to far more scrutiny than other independent distributors, so every release is picked at with a fine-toothed comb. High profile releases by Criterion will be met by certain people with the reaction of, "They're selling out." Low-profile releases will be met by certain people with the reaction of, "I've never heard of this. Too obscure, not buying." Either way, there will be criticism IMO.

[Vidya]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Completely agreed. I just happen to have seen some comments here and elsewhere, and more people have asked me about it privately. As a friend put it, some people are "pixel peeping" and getting riled up.

I also agree; there is no debate. The issues spotted via "pixel peeping" are not a matter of opinion but fact. Many Criterion titles have sub-optimal compression. Whether or not the compression issues are noticeable during playback is another topic of discussion.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by Vidya

I also agree; there is no debate. The issues spotted via "pixel peeping" are not a matter of opinion but fact. Many Criterion titles have sub-optimal compression. Whether or not the compression issues are noticeable during playback is another topic of discussion.

Whether they exist or not, I don't care. The movie looks remarkable. Criterion is putting out some of the best physical content in an age when physical media is dwindling. Some people just can't be pleased.

Have you watched the actual disc yet?

[Scottie]

I re-watched Mulholland Drive tonight. It's the movie that made me fall in love with film and I have so much more appreciation for it after re-watching it for the first time in years.

Nice to see the influence of Bergman's Persona on the film, among other Hollywood references.

As much as I love the physical packaging, I totally would have been okay with a plastic case because it feels incredibly tight and I don't want to wear out the corners or the booklet.

[Vidya]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Whether they exist or not, I don't care. The movie looks remarkable. Criterion is putting out some of the best physical content in an age when physical media is dwindling. Some people just can't be pleased.

Have you watched the actual disc yet?

The titles that have the compression issues, well, have the issues. I understand that you don't care, but that doesn't mean that quality should be needlessly sacrificed.

Yes, I have watched the disc and I enjoyed it very much.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

I find their choices to be a little weird at times. I get what their purpose is but here is a great example - Inside Llewyn Davis is a new film, it had a Blu-ray release already and yet they are releasing a version next year.

http://www.amazon.ca/Criterion-Colle...ion+collection

Why this film? I would understand if it was a released in just a barebones version but the Coen blu-rays are not exactly known for their special features so that isn't unusual. Why not spend the money on a different film that needs it or wait until this is out of print and do one? It isn't like they keep their releases out there forever - eventually it will be out of print too. I like the Coens work but this is just another one that makes me wonder what their criteria is because for every old or foreign film they release, you get something like this or The Rock that makes no sense.

It doesn't really matter since every film has its fans. I for one am more them happy to own the Criterion versions of Armageddon & The Rock.

[Ray Jackson]

I've been prepping my list for the upcoming Barnes and Noble sale and will not allow myself to purchase more than five this time around. The sale six months nearly broke me.

I have four so far, which are absolute must haves.

Which leaves one left for a Hail Mary blind buy.

...any suggestions?

Here are the four I have so far:

1. Kwaidan
2. Mulholland Drive
3. Ikiru
4. In Cold Blood

And #5 will be...?

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Which leaves one left for a Hail Mary blind buy.

...any suggestions?

Here are the four I have so far:

1. Kwaidan
2. Mulholland Drive
3. Ikiru
4. In Cold Blood

And #5 will be...?

Not knowing what you already own and given that list, I suggest Pale Flower:

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've been prepping my list for the upcoming Barnes and Noble sale and will not allow myself to purchase more than five this time around. The sale six months nearly broke me.

I have four so far, which are absolute must haves.

Which leaves one left for a Hail Mary blind buy.

...any suggestions?

Here are the four I have so far:

1. Kwaidan
2. Mulholland Drive
3. Ikiru
4. In Cold Blood

And #5 will be...?

Have you seen Revanche, Ray? I have a feeling you might like that one.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by waxHead

Not knowing what you already own and given that list, I suggest Pale Flower:

An intriguing suggestion.

...will have to seriously consider this one.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Have you seen Revanche, Ray? I have a feeling you might like that one.

Never even heard of it.

Why do you think I would like it?

...aside from my fondness for Ukrainian hookers.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've been prepping my list for the upcoming Barnes and Noble sale and will not allow myself to purchase more than five this time around. The sale six months nearly broke me.

I have four so far, which are absolute must haves.

Which leaves one left for a Hail Mary blind buy.

...any suggestions?

Here are the four I have so far:

1. Kwaidan
2. Mulholland Drive
3. Ikiru
4. In Cold Blood

And #5 will be...?

I know the feeling, I easily spent a ton of $ during the July sale since it was also my first. This time im grabbing 2-3 titles since I got stuff from other labels to grab also. The good thing about CC is that they hold resale value pretty well. As for suggestions, do you have Kagemusha? Maybe Dressed to Kill, Seconds or Solaris? You should put your collection up here Ray.

[popcorntreect]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I just saw this on Criterion Instagram page:



It's probably wishful thinking since it doesn't mention anything about restoration, just anniversary but I think it's time for another Fellini in the collection, next February will be 1 year since the release of Satyricon

This and Nights of Cabiria and La Strada...

[jw007]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

It doesn't really matter since every film has its fans. I for one am more them happy to own the Criterion versions of Armageddon & The Rock.

Both of those films are outstanding blockbuster action films too! Highly entertaining without a doubt...and that's effective.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

I find their choices to be a little weird at times. I get what their purpose is but here is a great example - Inside Llewyn Davis is a new film, it had a Blu-ray release already and yet they are releasing a version next year.

http://www.amazon.ca/Criterion-Colle...ion+collection

Why this film? I would understand if it was a released in just a barebones version but the Coen blu-rays are not exactly known for their special features so that isn't unusual. Why not spend the money on a different film that needs it or wait until this is out of print and do one? It isn't like they keep their releases out there forever - eventually it will be out of print too. I like the Coens work but this is just another one that makes me wonder what their criteria is because for every old or foreign film they release, you get something like this or The Rock that makes no sense.

At this point, I don't even question Criterion anymore. They release what they want to release, and they rarely adhere to their motto of releasing important classic and contemporary films. Now, I'm just thankful for the few gems they throw out every once in a while.

If you're not, I'd suggest going region free as other companies release things Criterion never will.