The Criterion Collection

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

It the PQ and AQ great? The review on this site is very positive, whereas the review on HighDefDigest is not.

You posted the same question here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/3897671-post153.html

Here are a couple of quotes, again. Read, think, and decide which review you should trust and why:

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The truth is that the film does look and sound amazing. And anyone who would argue that the presentation does not deserve praise, most certainly isn't familiar with the film's history, as well as the different releases it has seen during the years.

Order with confidence!

Pro-B

Originally Posted by Reddwarf6662

I would argue with Criterion's transfer on this release. I love Criterion, but if Seven Samurai is going to be your flagship title for your collection then you need to do better than a high-definition transfer created from a 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. Warner has put their flagship titles through an 8K resolution process. The Wizard of Oz just had a 4K transfer done a few years back that looked amazing and people said it would never look better, but Warner sent it through the 8K process the last transfer holds nothing on this one. The details you could see was amazing like the rivet in the middle of the Tin Man's head. So the question is how would the Seven Samurai look through the 8K resolution process? We don't know because they didn't send it through this process. So we suffer on video quality. So I'm slightly disappointed with this release of my favorite film on Blu Ray and expected more from Criterion who people praise for putting the best possible transfers out that they possibly could because they did not in this case.

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

I gather from your post that you are not familiar with the histories of these two films - which is why your observation is flawed.

Here's some facts for you to consider:

1. The original negative for Seven Samurai is no longer available.
2. The original negatives for Wizard of Oz are available and were maintained in terrific condition - which is the reason why they were scanned by Warner Brothers at 8K.

Thanks.

From the review:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Seven...y/7737/#Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:

"The original negative of the film is no longer available, so a duplicate negative was created from the original fine-grain master positive using wetgate processing. This high-definition digital transfer was then created in 2K resolution on a Spirit Datacine from the dupe. For the extensive restoration of Seven Samurai, several different digital hardware and software solutions were utilized to address flicker, instability, dirt, scratches, and grain management, including da Vinci's Revival, Discreet Fire, Digital Vision's ASCIII Advanced Scratch and Dirt Concealer, MTI's DRS, and Pixel Farm's PFClean.

Telecine supervisor: Lee Kline.
Telecine colorist: Joe Gawler/Technicolor, New York."

This is an exceptionally strong high-definition transfer. A lot of work has gone into the restoration of Seven Samurai, and it definitely shows - a lot of the daylight scenes, for instance, look quite remarkable; clarity and contrast levels are without a doubt the best I have ever seen. Furthermore, many of the close-ups which traditionally have been very problematic now look fresh and healthy. The color-scheme is also better balanced; the blacks are richer while the variety of grays and whites are pleasingly stable. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern; neither is macroblocking. I noticed some mild background flicker popping up here and there, as well as a few frame transition issues, but both are obviously inherited. Some minor flecks and scratches are also present, but again, due to a variety of different source limitations they have been retained. Specific noise and grain reductions have been applied, but the film's grain structure is very much intact. Lastly, I did not see any serious compression artifacts while projecting the film. All in all, I feel confident in stating that this release will be referred to as the definitive presentation of Mr. Kurosawa's Seven Samurai for a very long time. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Pro-B

[kndy]

Originally Posted by italy12

I'm sure someone else has posted this already in response to you (I'm a few days/pages behind) but, since I was in B&N this morning, I was able to ask one of the media employees directly.

She did not know right away and she was looking through all this paperwork, and then she said she could call the manager. I was thinking that was a great idea. So she did. The manager confirmed that the sale would start on November 2nd and run through (if I remember correcty) November 22. The BBS box set is not included, however, The Night of the Hunter and Modern Times are both part of the sale.

Sounds about right....Brick and mortar stores will be on November 2nd and online it usually starts the day before, so November 1st. Again, employees should know soon because they're going to have to put those sticker labels on soon.

[ShellOilJunior]

Looks like my "missing" Seven Samurai blu-ray case will end happily. Criterion is going to over-night me another copy which I should have Tuesday. Meanwhile, I've had Apocalypse Now BR and the Lennon box to keep me busy.

[DiscoDan]

Originally Posted by italy12

The manager confirmed that the sale would start on November 2nd and run through (if I remember correcty) November 22.

Yes!! Modern Times!!!

[greekak229]

Looks like I'll be getting Antichrist, Night of the Hunter, and Modern Times at a very decent price. Goooooood shit.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by wolvereign

Has anyone here seen El Norte?

Fantastic film. The technical qualities (PQ and AQ) were on the lower end for Criterion blus, but the film itself is top notch. The authenticity of the performances is what makes it so good.

[Kinsella5]

I am looking forward to Criterion's announcement of David Fincher's "The Game" hopefully soon.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by DiscoDan

Yes!! Modern Times!!!

Yea, I ordered my copies of that, Night of the Hunter, and Antichrist. Should be able to pick them up on or shortly after the release date.

[SammyJankis]

I went to Barnes and Noble this morning. I asked a woman that was working there about the Criterion sale. The woman brought me up to the front desk and showed me a paper that showed the start/end date.

11/1/2010 - 11/21/2010

[PowellPressburger]

I spoke to the manager in the Movie / Music Dept in Barnes and he tells me the sale does start Nov 2nd and he told me it runs until the day before Thanksgiving (Nov 24th) (He was saying the sale would go thru till Black Friday) Trying to get more cofirmation from him on this. Since most state they sale ends 21st.

****UPDATE the sale is NOV 2nd - NOV 21st ******

Most times for the sale the online prices start a bit early so that may be why some are saying the Nov 1st.

Most stores still don't stock the 3 Silent Classics Set of Josef Von Sternberg either... and that is still a pre-pay... most MGRS if you talk to them may be able to get some sets ordered in so they could have stock. (Worth a shot)

[ccfixx]

So, from the two posts above mine, we still can't solidify dates for the sale since both PP and SammyJankis received "legitimate" information from employees of the stores, correct?

CC

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

So, from the two posts above mine, we still can't solidify dates for the sale since both PP and SammyJankis received "legitimate" information from employees of the stores, correct?

CC

Confirmation of the correct dates will either let us know about the correct title for America Cheap and Easy or will it be America Expensive and Broke haha

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

So, from the two posts above mine, we still can't solidify dates for the sale since both PP and SammyJankis received "legitimate" information from employees of the stores, correct?

CC

That is kind of odd we both got conflicting dates. The difference is only a few days, though.

The woman I talked to told me she received the notification a couple of days ago. I even looked at the paper that she received. It definitely said November 1st.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

That is kind of odd we both got conflicting dates. The difference is only a few days, though.

The woman I talked to told me she received the notification a couple of days ago. I even looked at the paper that she received. It definitely said November 1st.

Just updated my post.

****UPDATE the sale is NOV 2nd - NOV 21st ******

Most times for the sale the online prices start a bit early so that may be why some are saying the Nov 1st.

The MGR also said he believes they will still have their Buy 2 Get one Free Sale in January.

[Ambien Gnome]

Hello,
well I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere (if so, please direct me)...
but does anybody see CC eventually releasing all of their titles on blu?
Besides the OOP ones, of course.

Thanks.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Ambien Gnome

Hello,
well I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere (if so, please direct me)...
but does anybody see CC eventually releasing all of their titles on blu?
Besides the OOP ones, of course.

Thanks.

The simple answer is 'no.'

Criterion never even had a chance to release all of their laserdisc releases on DVD, so I can't imagine all of the DVDs will make it on to blu-ray. During the time it would take to re-release all of their DVD titles on blu-ray, many things could change... licensing expirations being the major factor, I would think. Just look at all of the titles this year that Studio Canal did not allow Criterion to re-license. It wouldn't be financially beneficial for Criterion to release them all on blu-ray, as well. Some of the recent DVD-only titles didn't get blu-ray releases, either, because contracts were negotiated before blu-ray came into the picture, so Criterion would have to go back to re-negotiate. If I had to guess, I would say that only about 40%-45% of Criterion's DVD output will make it to blu-ray.

CC

[Beta Man]

I went out of town for a few days to fully slip into my world of "lameness" and when I was on the drive, I thought "I should cancel Hausu, and wait for the B&N sale..... it certainly seems like it's a sure thing at this point"

And I got home this morning to find that it has shipped (or it shipped yesterday, which was a Sunday ) Oh well.... That's only one title, I'll cancel the rest once I place the orders..... but as for now, Modern Times, Antichrist, Night Of The Hunter, etc.. are still pre-ordered because I have time to cancel after I order from B&N.... I guess I'm just a skeptic, but I don't want to lose my cheaper pre-order prices until I know B&N will fulfill my orders!!!

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I went out of town for a few days to fully slip into my world of "lameness" and when I was on the drive, I thought "I should cancel Hausu, and wait for the B&N sale..... it certainly seems like it's a sure thing at this point"

And I got home this morning to find that it has shipped (or it shipped yesterday, which was a Sunday ) Oh well.... That's only one title, I'll cancel the rest once I place the orders..... but as for now, Modern Times, Antichrist, Night Of The Hunter, etc.. are still pre-ordered because I have time to cancel after I order from B&N.... I guess I'm just a skeptic, but I don't want to lose my cheaper pre-order prices until I know B&N will fulfill my orders!!!

That's not a bad thing, per say, Beta. My copy from Amazon is out for delivery to my house right now via USPS, according to their site. One $27.99 title isn't going to kill us, yet.

CC

[Ambien Gnome]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

The simple answer is 'no.'

Criterion never even had a chance to release all of their laserdisc releases on DVD, so I can't imagine all of the DVDs will make it on to blu-ray. During the time it would take to re-release all of their DVD titles on blu-ray, many things could change... licensing expirations being the major factor, I would think. Just look at all of the titles this year that Studio Canal did not allow Criterion to re-license. It wouldn't be financially beneficial for Criterion to release them all on blu-ray, as well. Some of the recent DVD-only titles didn't get blu-ray releases, either, because contracts were negotiated before blu-ray came into the picture, so Criterion would have to go back to re-negotiate. If I had to guess, I would say that only about 40%-45% of Criterion's DVD output will make it to blu-ray.

CC

Makes sense, thanks.

[Kevtronn]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I went out of town for a few days to fully slip into my world of "lameness" and when I was on the drive, I thought "I should cancel Hausu, and wait for the B&N sale..... it certainly seems like it's a sure thing at this point"

And I got home this morning to find that it has shipped (or it shipped yesterday, which was a Sunday ) Oh well.... That's only one title, I'll cancel the rest once I place the orders..... but as for now, Modern Times, Antichrist, Night Of The Hunter, etc.. are still pre-ordered because I have time to cancel after I order from B&N.... I guess I'm just a skeptic, but I don't want to lose my cheaper pre-order prices until I know B&N will fulfill my orders!!!

Originally Posted by ccfixx

That's not a bad thing, per say, Beta. My copy from Amazon is out for delivery to my house right now via USPS, according to their site. One $27.99 title isn't going to kill us, yet.

CC

Plus its going to be nice for us to watch House for Halloween...