The Criterion Collection

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

And by the way, why aren't there more films like Koyaanisqatsi? Home would've been pretty good if they just let it breathe like Koyaanisqatsi and didn't ruin it with the narration by Glenn Close.

I haven't seen Koyaanisqatsi but I thought Baraka and Samsara are similar?
I've only seen Baraka.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by iScottie

What's with different audio tracks? What makes one better than the other? Why isn't there one default track for a specific movie?

I guess you mean when it's the same mix encoded differently?

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

If you're region free, you should get the Arrow version of Koyaanisqatsi. It doesn't have the crappy compression issues that the Criterion has, plus it has a LPCM track, which I personally prefer to the DTS. The Criterion beats it in extras though.

Speaking of the LPCM track, I've noticed that at one point of Arrow's DTS track for Powaqqatsi, there's an error, like a distinct skip in the music. But when I switch to the LPCM track, the error isn't there and the music goes smoothly. I wonder if the same error is present on the one and only DTS track the Criterion release of Powaqqatsi has.

And by the way, why aren't there more films like Koyaanisqatsi? Home would've been pretty good if they just let it breathe like Koyaanisqatsi and didn't ruin it with the narration by Glenn Close.

Jeez, that has to be the worst Criterion release I've ever seen.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

If you're region free, you should get the Arrow version of Koyaanisqatsi. It doesn't have the crappy compression issues that the Criterion has, plus it has a LPCM track, which I personally prefer to the DTS. The Criterion beats it in extras though.

Speaking of the LPCM track, I've noticed that at one point of Arrow's DTS track for Powaqqatsi, there's an error, like a distinct skip in the music. But when I switch to the LPCM track, the error isn't there and the music goes smoothly. I wonder if the same error is present on the one and only DTS track the Criterion release of Powaqqatsi has.

And by the way, why aren't there more films like Koyaanisqatsi? Home would've been pretty good if they just let it breathe like Koyaanisqatsi and didn't ruin it with the narration by Glenn Close.

Chronos, Samsara, Baraka, Voyage of Time (guessing), Visitors (this is mesmerising and so powerful), 22-20, Bodysong.

Visitors Official Trailer 2 - YouTube

Bodysong 2003, trailer - YouTube

20-22 ALPHA (TRAILER #3) - YouTube

Also - it doesn't look that and in motion, when you freeze it of course it will look worse - its a fast paced film so you barely notice the issues.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by iScottie

On the subject of audio, I have a general question (that I've had for a while) and hope someone could answer for me.

What's with different audio tracks? What makes one better than the other? Why isn't there one default track for a specific movie?

I've always wondered this, too. I always put subtitles on, even if the movie's in English, but what is with the different tracks? Audio's always been the least important aspect for me, so I've never paid much attention to the differences (which I can't even hear).

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I guess you mean when it's the same mix encoded differently?

I guess I'm just ignorant to the entire thing.

Take a film like Mad Max: Fury Road, for example. It has two English audio tracks: Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1. Isn't the 7.1 superior? Why even bother offering the Dolby Atmos in that case?

Sorry for going a bit off-topic, but this has been nagging me forever haha. I guess that's what happens when you don't get too into the littler things until later in life.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

On the subject of audio, I have a general question (that I've had for a while) and hope someone could answer for me.

What's with different audio tracks? What makes one better than the other? Why isn't there one default track for a specific movie?

All loss-less tracks should sound the same, be it LPCM (raw audio using the highest amount of space), DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD (which can compress the file without losing any of the original information).

I think what most people refer talking about tracks is if they are the original mono for old movies vs modified 5.1 tracks to take advantage of new surround systems.

I personally have never been much of a purist in this area and always tend to prefer the more channels to take advantage of my system unless they sound totally artificial, most of the times old movies converted to 5.1 don't get much use of the back channels anyway.

Edit: Dolby Atmos is superior to 7.1, it is basically the same but has extra information to tell from which exact position each sound should come, so it can take advantage of a larger number of speakers like in movie theaters, but in practice in home theaters it is more limited.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I guess I'm just ignorant to the entire thing.

Take a film like Mad Max: Fury Road, for example. It has two English audio tracks: Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1. Isn't the 7.1 superior? Why even bother offering the Dolby Atmos in that case?

Sorry for going a bit off-topic, but this has been nagging me forever haha. I guess that's what happens when you don't get too into the littler things until later in life.

Atmos provides much greater 360 degree immersion if you have the proper setup.

[Scottie]

So to make a long story short, different tracks are offered because of the various sound set-ups available?

[SkyAntoine]

I watched several movies over the weekend. Some quick thoughts I posted on my Letterboxd account...

Cries and Whispers - My first Bergman post-60's. Poetic yet incredibly bleak. Bergman's own relationships must have been severely fractured to write this script. Such strong performances from these ladies we've grown to know through his films. 8/10

Harakiri - A masterpiece of cinema in every aspect. Rashomon with more action and a gut wrenching backstory. 10/10

Three Colors: Blue - Just like the corresponding parts of the symphony within the film each frame is perfectly fit to develop Kieslowski's vision. A true work of art that captivates you from the opening scene. Binoche's performance is faultless in dealing with grief and liberating herself from her past. 9/10

The Forest - This movie left me with 2 questions:
1. Why did I let my 11 year old daughter talk me into watching this?
2. Where do you get an iPhone with a battery that will last 2 days in a haunted forest?
2/10

Three Colors: White - I wasn't expecting a comedy-drama following the somberness of Blue. Once I settled in and accepted it was a much different film I did enjoy this. Clever and humorous. 8/10

[MifuneFan]

Harakiri has gotten better with every viewing for me. Truly a masterpiece.

[Scottie]

I'd go so far as to call Harakiri the best samurai film ever made.

RE: Bergman - I don't think I could ever subject myself to Autumn Sonata or Cries and Whispers again. Talk about depressing.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'd go so far as to call Harakiri the best samurai film ever made.

RE: Bergman - I don't think I could ever subject myself to Autumn Sonata or Cries and Whispers again. Talk about depressing.

Try having a Haneke movie night.

The Seventh Continent is soul destroying, that end makes me feel sick and no film has ever done that to me, its just so uncomfortable and sinister - and you guys know what films I watch!

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I watched several movies over the weekend. Some quick thoughts I posted on my Letterboxd account...

Cries and Whispers - My first Bergman post-60's. Poetic yet incredibly bleak. Bergman's own relationships must have been severely fractured to write this script. Such strong performances from these ladies we've grown to know through his films. 8/10

Harakiri - A masterpiece of cinema in every aspect. Rashomon with more action and a gut wrenching backstory. 10/10

Three Colors: Blue - Just like the corresponding parts of the symphony within the film each frame is perfectly fit to develop Kieslowski's vision. A true work of art that captivates you from the opening scene. Binoche's performance is faultless in dealing with grief and liberating herself from her past. 9/10

The Forest - This movie left me with 2 questions:
1. Why did I let my 11 year old daughter talk me into watching this?
2. Where do you get an iPhone with a battery that will last 2 days in a haunted forest?
2/10

Three Colors: White - I wasn't expecting a comedy-drama following the somberness of Blue. Once I settled in and accepted it was a much different film I did enjoy this. Clever and humorous. 8/10

You're in for a real treat with Three Colors: Red. I think it's the best of the three films, although I love "Blue" and "White" also. For me, that film is a 10/10.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

You're in for a real treat with Three Colors: Red. I think it's the best of the three films, although I love "Blue" and "White" also. For me, that film is a 10/10.

Red has a great intro sequence too!

I include The Double Life of Veronique in that set as like a 4th film in the trilogy :P very similar ! and phenomenal!

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Red has a great intro sequence too!

I include The Double Life of Veronique in that set as like a 4th film in the trilogy :P very similar ! and phenomenal!

I bought "Veronique" and "Blind Chance" a while back, and still have yet to get to those. Maybe Memorial Day weekend I can catch up with Kieslowski!

[Marten]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Try having a Haneke movie night.

The Seventh Continent is soul destroying, that end makes me feel sick and no film has ever done that to me, its just so uncomfortable and sinister - and you guys know what films I watch!

Haneke is a sadist. He's mostly focused on the ugly side of humanity and its suffering. I don't have a problem with morbid films but good lord the guy is relentless.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Red has a great intro sequence too!

I include The Double Life of Veronique in that set as like a 4th film in the trilogy :P very similar ! and phenomenal!

I was really surprised that I did not like Double Life of Veronique more than I did. It was solid and a beautiful film, but left me wanting a little more. It was one where I had extremely high expectations and if fell a little short of the preceding hype. I watched it after Blind Chance and preferred BC because it was a real soaker as far as provoking thought on fate/chance.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

You're in for a real treat with Three Colors: Red. I think it's the best of the three films, although I love "Blue" and "White" also. For me, that film is a 10/10.

I actually go back and forth between Three Colors: Red and Contempt as to which film I think is the best I've ever seen. Both are extremely powerful, but in different ways.

[ShellOilJunior]

I think Mulvaney might be trolling Ray. There could be hell to pay if Le Samourai is not announced (Re: GIF posted on Twitter).