The Criterion Collection

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

The US release is all WKW. I own, watch, and enjoy both available versions, and am glad we have the additional content in the US version. I don't understand all the vitriol. Just watch the other version if you prefer it.

Absolutely, me too. I found the essential substance wasn't altered between the versions and agree with Glenn Kenny's take that the shorter version is more like In the Mood For Love and 2046 while the longer version simply emphasizes more martial arts content.

Wong, who is famous for recutting and reworking his films, obviously took the US version as a formal challenge to see how he could reshape the film again and he did a fine job. I get the knee jerk reaction but really, this isn't unusual for him and it deserves better than all the easy dismissal.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

November is here:

#901-902 2 Starring Matthew Broderick: Inspector Gadget/Inspector Gadget 2
#903 La Cage aux Folles 3
#904 Doc Hollywood
#905 Walker, Texas Ranger Vol.1
#906 The Jay Leno Show

You may not be funny, but you sure are consistent.

[Polaroid]

Oh my its the 15th, completely forgot, but tbh are we defo getting announcements, seeing as we already had a huge one...

[Baron Blood]

"...Personally, I'd love to see The Body Snatcher. I think it is easily the best out of Lewton's productions and the top horror of the 1940s."



I prefer I Walked...but this comes in a close second.
Any Lewton would be great.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Not just available, but upgraded as well, it's a better transfer than the stand-alone.

I own the stand-alone and have not seen the transfer used in the set. But from the screenshots in the review on this site, I prefer the colour palette of the stand-alone. I would agree with Svet's comment in his review that the newer transfer eliminates the older transfer's "futuristic vibe" which is a big part of the attraction for me. Of course, I have no idea which is closer to the original theatrical presentation.

[kwillard37]

Hmm I guess it's getting a bit late today for announcements.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by kwillard37

Hmm I guess it's getting a bit late today for announcements.

Can be as late as 11 PM GMT (9:39 now)... theres hope, but I doubt its happening today lol

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by kwillard37

Hmm I guess it's getting a bit late today for announcements.

Huh? This is the norm.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by Reddington

I own the stand-alone and have not seen the transfer used in the set. But from the screenshots in the review on this site, I prefer the colour palette of the stand-alone. I would agree with Svet's comment in his review that the newer transfer eliminates the older transfer's "futuristic vibe" which is a big part of the attraction for me. Of course, I have no idea which is closer to the original theatrical presentation.

I own both, because I've never gotten around to selling off the stand-alone, and while I agree inasmuch as it took me a bit of time to get used to the palette being different than I was used to (it helps to watch "Mon Oncle" again first), overall the transfer is just way better.

[sawdustandtinsel]

A

[Show spoiler]Robert Zemeckis

phantom page is up

https://www.criterion.com/people/124179

[SammyJankis]

Er, should probably spoiler tag that.

Time to stay out of this thread until they're up.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

[Show spoiler]A Robert Zemeckis

phantom page is up

https://www.criterion.com/people/124179

I'm thinking

[Show spoiler]I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

A

[Show spoiler]Robert Zemeckis

phantom page is up

https://www.criterion.com/people/124179

The next phantom page should be #125700. That's an old page.

On a similar subject, I think the announcements are delayed.

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by captveg

I'm thinking

[Show spoiler]I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

Or Romancing The Stone With Criterion releasing Tootsie and Something Wild it would be a nice addition.

[stonecoldjedi]

Originally Posted by iScottie

On a similar subject, I think the announcements are delayed.

It was that way last month, if I recall correctly.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by captveg

I'm thinking

[Show spoiler]I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

Last year someone at the Home Theater forum posted that they met Bob Gale at a convention and he said that Criterion would be releasing that title.

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The next phantom page should be #125700. That's an old page.

On a similar subject, I think the announcements are delayed.

You are correct, my bad. The page before him is John Hughes, probably something to do with that.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by asabreed

That's kind of what I was referencing as far as your usually-by-now leak expertise, so I'm kind of figuring the same -- while also hoping I'm wrong.

Maybe the Olympics project will keep CC quiet this time around.

[Scottie]

I don't see why some of you are assuming we're not getting announcements because of the Olympic collection.

I don't really see the company screwing their customers and fanbase that way.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by Akibiyori

Absolutely, me too. I found the essential substance wasn't altered between the versions and agree with Glenn Kenny's take that the shorter version is more like In the Mood For Love and 2046 while the longer version simply emphasizes more martial arts content.

Wong, who is famous for recutting and reworking his films, obviously took the US version as a formal challenge to see how he could reshape the film again and he did a fine job. I get the knee jerk reaction but really, this isn't unusual for him and it deserves better than all the easy dismissal.

Sorry, but my dislike of the cut is neither knee jerk or easy. I'm heavily into Asian cinema as are other around here, and perhaps even yourself, and I spent many years tracking down and comparing various cuts of various titles. Asian films are notorious for having multiple edits. And over the years, more often than not the US versions are what I'd consider the lame ones.

I don't harp too often on cuts to action movies that take out culturally contextual jokes or sequences that don't move the narrative forward, but I did not find that to be the case at all with The Grandmaster. In fact some friends of mine who had only seen the US cut complained about the film until I told them there were various cuts. It made sense to them then, but it only explained why the film's editing felt off and the need for voice over. Without that knowledge they felt the film was flawed on its own in its US version.

I'd say that's a fail on WKW's part. In fact, in general I don't find Asian filmmakers particularly adept at making US productions or cuts of their Asian films. There's maybe one or two that are okay-ish but over all it's rarely their strong suit, hard as they may try to break into the west on our terms.

Obviously that's just my opinion, but it comes with a lot of effort put into exploring Asian cinema.

I also find the idea of various cuts (unless it's a big fight between the studio's version and a director's) to be kind of cheating, especially if it's not mandated by the studio.