The Criterion Collection

[dwk]

I hope they can create an HD master of the original HK cut of Part 2. That, frankly, is more important to me than the alternate US cut of the 1st film or alternative UK cut of the 2nd film.

[Bronson13]

What do you guys think of releasing Borat on Criterion in the future?

[peschi]

still waiting for that special Slingshot edition.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by Bronson13

What do you guys think of releasing Borat on Criterion in the future?

Highly doubtful

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

If there is one company that could possibly match or surpass them it would have to be Criterion?.

In terms of extras? Absolutely. Picture quality? Nope. David Mackenzie is unbeatable as a compressionist.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by professorwho

In terms of extras? Absolutely. Picture quality? Nope. David Mackenzie is unbeatable as a compressionist.

Not to mention, despite being region locked, many Eureka releases are VERY "top menu" trick friendly.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Not to mention, despite being region locked, many Eureka releases are VERY "top menu" trick friendly.

Without taking this too far off topic, how well does this work with the PS3? I would assume not very well. I eventually will make the dive for a region free player one of these days.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Without taking this too far off topic, how well does this work with the PS3? I would assume not very well. I eventually will make the dive for a region free player one of these days.

Unfortunately due to the PS3s structure it isn't possible to do it. However, I have a Panasonic DMP-DB80, YMMV on other Panasonic players or brands. Anyways the trick is when the region lock warning appears, you press "Stop", press "Play" and immediately press or keep pressing "Top Menu" or equivalent on your remote. This will by pass the region locking and go straight to the disc menu. Extras will vary from release to release for play-ability (some might be locked in PAL SD). All my Arrow and Eureka releases work flawless with StudioCanal/Optimum releases bringing mixed results. You can buy the Panasonic player I own for ridiculously cheap on eBay for like 20ish bucks.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by dwk

Janus Films added pages for Police Story and Police Story 2

So, I saw this news in the thread on the Asian blu forum, and while the idea of a Criterion Collection release of the first two PS films is rather surreal, I'm actually more excited about the fact that with Janus Films grabbing the rights for theatrical distribution as well. In short, it should cost much less for theaters to book these films from Janus than if said theaters tried booking directly from Fortune Star. I've read that FS would overcharge for theatrical play, which is why some of my local arthouse cinemas, after reaching out to FS for the Bruce Lee films, basically said they couldn't afford it. My guess is it's probably cheaper to book from Janus since they'll also (eventually) make money from (hypothetical) blu-ray releases.

Meanwhile, the Alamo Drafthouse in Ashburn, VA *may* be trying to get the PS films early next year

Kinda sad that it looks like Janus couldn't collaborate with Dimension/Miramax for PS3, just like Eureka... yet also ironic since it was PS3 (under it's US Supercop cut) that was first released by Criterion on laserdisc over 20 years ago. Makes me think that unless Kam and Ronson releases an HK blu, we probably won't get an English friendly blu of the new 4K restoration of PS3 anytime soon.

Btw, anyone else notice that the page for PS2 says 101 minutes? Probably a copy and paste error from PS1's page, as the HK cut should be 106 minutes. Wonder if Fortune Star can loosen their grip to allow Criterion to reconstruct the alternate cuts using the 4K masters... eh, probably too much wishful thinking.

[andantelise]

Does anyone know if they've ever had them later than the 17th?

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Safe -- no.
Safe it will be in Oct -- probably.

Oct 17th in 2016 (Monday but they moved the Tuesday release to Monday) and 2017 (Tuesday)
Shampoo appears to be the big name release on October 16 so that's my bet.

Sisters is the DePalma/Horror movie, but Oct 23 seems pretty late
Princess Bride could be considered the most popular, but I doubt they'd wait until Halloween

[dwk]

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Kinda sad that it looks like Janus couldn't collaborate with Dimension/Miramax for PS3, just like Eureka... yet also ironic since it was PS3 (under it's US Supercop cut) that was first released by Criterion on laserdisc over 20 years ago.

The deal might have predated Disney selling off Miramax, but Criterion was able to include Naqoyqatsi (complete with Licensed from Lionsgate and ©Miramax on the back of the case) in their Qatsi Trilogy set. Sooooo, maybe they can strike another deal like that and include the third Police Story in a boxset.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Unfortunately due to the PS3s structure it isn't possible to do it. However, I have a Panasonic DMP-DB80, YMMV on other Panasonic players or brands. Anyways the trick is when the region lock warning appears, you press "Stop", press "Play" and immediately press or keep pressing "Top Menu" or equivalent on your remote. This will by pass the region locking and go straight to the disc menu. Extras will vary from release to release for play-ability (some might be locked in PAL SD). All my Arrow and Eureka releases work flawless with StudioCanal/Optimum releases bringing mixed results. You can buy the Panasonic player I own for ridiculously cheap on eBay for like 20ish bucks.

Thanks, I'm going to have make myself break down and get a region free player. I got to stop creating excuses on why I won't get one since Eureka, Studiocanal, and Arrow put out excellent stuff.

[spanky87]

Ugh, why does Criterion make their posters 27 x 39.5 instead of the standard 27 x 40?

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Thanks, I'm going to have make myself break down and get a region free player. I got to stop creating excuses on why I won't get one since Eureka, Studiocanal, and Arrow put out excellent stuff.

You won't regret it. I've picked up about 130 overseas titles since getting my player. While most have not been released here, there are bargains to be had for titles that are also out in Region A - especially as the GBP has been relatively weak against the USD since the Brexit vote. Amazon UK deducts the 20% VAT for overseas sales, which often covers the shipping - meaning you do pay approximately the UK "sticker" cost (however, be mindful that Amazon Sellers typically do not deduct VAT). I've also bought stuff from Amazon in France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, without any issue.

Going region-free has been a bit expensive as it is addictive! But it really opens up your options to watch and collect wonderful films that may never be released here.

Edit: When buying from Amazon overseas, choose the option to convert currency with your credit card company and not Amazon, as the rate is always better.

[demonknight]

A PSA: The Devils is on Filmstruck. Not sure which cut or if it has the Criterion branding, but it could bode well, as Warner trusts them with it.

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Edit: When buying from Amazon overseas, choose the option to convert currency with your credit card company and not Amazon, as the rate is always better.

Does your credit card company not charge 3% additional for the exchange ?

Just checking.

I've only purchased a few things from the UK (and all Region Free) including the upcoming Night of the Demon & the William Castle at Columbia Vol 1 box sets.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by demonknight

A PSA: The Devils is on Filmstruck. Not sure which cut or if it has the Criterion branding, but it could bode well, as Warner trusts them with it.

It’s the 1 hour 40 minute cut. I think that’s the heavily censored cut.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by dwk

The deal might have predated Disney selling off Miramax, but Criterion was able to include Naqoyqatsi (complete with Licensed from Lionsgate and ©Miramax on the back of the case) in their Qatsi Trilogy set. Sooooo, maybe they can strike another deal like that and include the third Police Story in a boxset.

Good call... After all, it may be quite a while before we see these on disc, if Dragon Inn is anything to go by, so that would give more time to cut through extra red tape.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

It’s the 1 hour 40 minute cut. I think that’s the heavily censored cut.

That’s heartbreaking.

[blkhrt]