The Criterion Collection

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Excellent.

While I'm not a huge re-release enthusiast per se, I do feel that there are several great films that have not received an issue commensurate with their historical significance.

When I look at the history of film, there are two periods of transition that stand out, in my humble opinion, as the most interesting. The first is the gradual change from silent films to "talkies". The second is the revolution that took place from the early-to-mid 60s, through the mid-to-late 70s, when the studio system gave way to the era of the independent director. And I commend Criterion for providing cinephiles with releases like Easy Rider, The Last Picture Show, Midnight Cowboy, Faces, Barry Lyndon, and now In The Heat of the Night.

Here's another film I'd love to see get the Criterion treatment:

The UK UHD looks great, so downgrading it to just 1080p for a Criterion release wouldn't make sense, especially since UHDs are region-free.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

The UK UHD looks great, so downgrading it to just 1080p for a Criterion release wouldn't make sense, especially since UHDs are region-free.

Why wouldn’t it make sense? Blu-ray is a niche format compared to DVD, and UHD is a niche compared to blu-ray.

How many people do you think are going to import this from England?

[tellybox]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

Plus if I'm not mistaken, there are two cuts of the film that haven't been released together yet.

Yes but who wants to own the rated version?

[Black Sun]

Hidden Fortress is STILL unavailable! What’s going on with this one? Is it really from the last Criterion sale?

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by Black Sun

Hidden Fortress is STILL unavailable! What’s going on with this one? Is it really from the last Criterion sale?

They are probably prepping a Blu Ray only release. Unless I’m mistaken, I only saw the dual format version available prior to the sale.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Why wouldn’t it make sense? Blu-ray is a niche format compared to DVD, and UHD is a niche compared to blu-ray.

How many people do you think are going to import this from England?

Anyone who wants the best picture quality would, easily. It would make as much sense as downgrading blus to DVD since it's "less niche" and making special edition DVDs instead. Silly.

I don't see anyone buying a regular 1080 disc when there would be a far superior 4K UHD out there, that (yes) will eventually be released here.

It's not going to Criterion anyway, so it's a moot point.

[DeathlyGeneral]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Why wouldn’t it make sense? Blu-ray is a niche format compared to DVD, and UHD is a niche compared to blu-ray.

How many people do you think are going to import this from England?

It really doesn’t make sense. Yes, UHD is niche, but there’s no point in Criterion releasing a film with a worse PQ than the UK version. It’s hardly barebones as well, so Criterion really can’t improve on it.

Anyone who wants the best PQ will import it from the UK.

[CinemaBlu]

Criterion’s latest newsletter is promoting Army of Shadows, an OOP StudioCanal title. Is this another hint that they have rekindled their relationship with StudioCanal? Do they often promote titles they no longer have the rights to? What’s going on here?

[dwk]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

Criterion’s latest newsletter is promoting Army of Shadows, an OOP StudioCanal title. Is this another hint that they have rekindled their relationship with StudioCanal? Do they often promote titles they no longer have the rights to? What’s going on here?

It is streaming for a limited time on FilmStruck, they've promoted and streamed other StudioCanal titles. I wouldn't read anything into it.

[Kyle15]

Y'all have probably noticed this already but:

https://www.filmstruck.com/us/watch/detail/1300015082

Holy Mountain is on Filmstruck with Criterion branding. Hopefully it and eventually Santa Sangre & El Topo end up coming down the line.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Y'all have probably noticed this already but:

https://www.filmstruck.com/us/watch/detail/1300015082

Holy Mountain is on Filmstruck with Criterion branding. Hopefully it and eventually Santa Sangre & El Topo end up coming down the line.

I’d buy the shit out of a Santa Sangre Criterion release.

[Black Sun]

Originally Posted by Caseyscott

They are probably prepping a Blu Ray only release. Unless I’m mistaken, I only saw the dual format version available prior to the sale.

Nope. There’s been BD only version for some time. Both have listings on this site.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Y'all have probably noticed this already but:

https://www.filmstruck.com/us/watch/detail/1300015082

Holy Mountain is on Filmstruck with Criterion branding. Hopefully it and eventually Santa Sangre & El Topo end up coming down the line.

The Criterion cover means nothing. It just means they have the streaming rights.

The indication is if, when you play it, Janus or Criterion's logo comes up alongside the production companies.

The Holy Mountain could be coming but the poster doesn't signal that.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by DeathlyGeneral

It really doesn’t make sense. Yes, UHD is niche, but there’s no point in Criterion releasing a film with a worse PQ than the UK version. It’s hardly barebones as well, so Criterion really can’t improve on it.

Anyone who wants the best PQ will import it from the UK.

Well there is a point since not everyone can play UHD discs.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by KJones77

Well there is a point since not everyone can play UHD discs.

All UHD's come with Blu's.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by demonknight

I’d buy the shit out of a Santa Sangre Criterion release.

There's an amazing Santa Sangre release out from Severin with strong A/V and stuffed to the rafters with terrific extras that any other label could never best, including a feature length documentary and a brilliant commentary track. The only possible issue is that the colors are less hot than the previous Anchor Bay DVD or UK blu from Mr. Bongo. Of course a newer restoration may change all that, but even then the Severin disc would be worth having for its incredible bonus content.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

All UHD's come with Blu's.

Yes but the blu (with extras) is region locked, which doesn't really help.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by KJones77

Yes but the blu (with extras) is region locked, which doesn't really help.

Come on. It’s perfectly logical that someone wanting an improved release of The Deer Hunter would upgrade their tv and blu-ray player to UHD, order the film from the UK, and wait for two weeks for it to arrive-or, upgrade their blu-ray player to region free, then order the UHD package from the UK and wait two weeks-instead of just buying a domestic issue that Criterion could release, without needing to upgrade any hardware.

[DeathlyGeneral]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Come on. It’s perfectly logical that someone wanting an improved release of The Deer Hunter would upgrade their tv and blu-ray player to UHD, order the film from the UK, and wait for two weeks for it to arrive-or, upgrade their blu-ray player to region free, then order the UHD package from the UK and wait two weeks-instead of just buying a domestic issue that Criterion could release, without needing to upgrade any hardware.

Most of Criterion’s consumers have already done some of these things, though. It just makes no sense for Criterion to release a new disc when the UK and French BDs and UHDs have a great restoration and a bunch of extras. There’s nothing for Criterion to improve on, and anyway, haven’t they done enough double-dipping?

[nitin]

Universal will be releasing a UHD + blu combo stateside anyway, there is no point wishing for a Criterion release.