The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Fair question: Criterion Collection stands as the best, why are they not releasing the masterpieces in 4K?
Why give people an inferior format in a 4K world?

It's not as yet a 4K world. The number of 4K players in homes is a small fraction of the number of blu-ray players. When you're already a niche label, you are less likely to narrow your audience base to only those with the latest hardware. And many of Criterion's recent releases are 2K restorations, they don't have a uniform 4K policy because they are often dependent on others to provide the masters from which they prepare their releases.

[theater dreamer]

Some upcoming Criterion films playing on TV. All times listed are Central.

TCM:

Charade (1963)-Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau. Dir. Stanley Donen. Thursday 7 PM
12 Angry Men (1957)-Henry Fonda, Lee Cobb, Jack Klugman. Dir. Sidney Lumet. Thursday 9:15 PM
Z (1969)-Yves Montand, Irene Papas. Dir. Costa-Gavras. Friday 3 AM.
Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)-Delphine Seyrig. Dir. Chantal Akerman. Monday 1:30 AM
The Naked City (1948)-Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff. Dir. Jules Dassin. Wednesday 3:45 PM
The Graduate (1967)-Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft. Dir. Mike Nichols. Friday 7 PM


HBO:
Being John Malkovich (1999)-John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich. Dir. Spike Jonze. Wednesday 6:05 PM HBO Signature East
The Princess Bride (1987)-Cary Elews, Robin Wright. Dir. Rob Reiner. Thursday 9:15 PM HBO-e

Showtime/The Movie Channel:
Personal Shopper (2016)-Kristen Stewart, Sigrid Bouaziz. Dir. Olivier Assayas. Today 8:35 AM TMC-w
Traffic (2000)-Michael Douglas Benecio del Torro, Don Cheadle. Dir. Steven Soderbergh. Today 11:15 AM Showtime-e
Bowling for Columbine (2002)-Dir. Mochael Moore. Today 11:30 AM Showtime Extreme
Frances Ha (2012)-Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver. Dir. Noah Baumbach. Today 3:45 PM Showtime-e

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by ravenus

It's not as yet a 4K world. The number of 4K players in homes is a small fraction of the number of blu-ray players. When you're already a niche label, you are less likely to narrow your audience base to only those with the latest hardware.

Have you ever seen a 4K disc release? Almost every single one of them includes a standard Blu-ray, as well. No one needs to be left behind.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Fair question: Criterion Collection stands as the best, why are they not releasing the masterpieces in 4K?
Why give people an inferior format in a 4K world?

A few years ago when Criterion started releasing everything as a DVD / Blu-ray combo pack, people flipped their lid. And it wasn't the blu-ray buyers either. It was the DVD buying crowd who objected to being forced into buying blu-ray discs. We are in a blu-ray buying echo chamber on this site, but DVD buyers are still a large part of their customer base. I say all that because I think that the expenses involved in releasing their titles on a third format probably aren't justified by the amount of sales they would yield. At this point in time, 4K is seen by many as a format for Disney blockbusters and that sort of thing.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

At this point in time, 4K is seen by many as a format for Disney blockbusters and that sort of thing.

Isn't that a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy? The fewer Criterion-like releases on the format, the less it's seen as a format for Criterion-like releases...

[Spider-Fan]

I bought Brazil, The Game, The Princess Bride, and The Silence of the Lambs during the 50% sale. Didn't have as much money as I wanted for the sale.

Come flash sale time, going to buy a fair amount.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by blujazz

Paul Schrader, at the screenwriting lecture at BAFTA. If you ever have the chance to attend one of these, he’s brilliant, and actually provides some practical advice.

[Show spoiler]

Oh man, I would have loved to have seen that. Can't say I like all of Shrader's work as a director, but from the merits of the dialogue and story structures of the Scorsese movies he's done, I appreciate his writing and find it inspiring.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Isn't that a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy? The fewer Criterion-like releases on the format, the less it's seen as a format for Criterion-like releases...

If that's how you want to interpret it. The cost is the main issue though. The whole reason they went to combo packs was cost, when they were forced by customer demand to discontinue those, they started cutting back on booklets and issuing leaflets instead. I simply don't think it's a financially viable avenue for them to take.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Attachment 212729

I’m watching Some Like it Hot this morning. The scene where the viewer first sees Lemon and Curtis hobbling towards the train in drag is one of the great moments in movie history. The sight gag never fails to make me laugh. And when Monroe swishes by the boys in drag, and Lemon describes her as, “Jello on springs”, I still guffaw. Every time. Hollywood just doesn’t come up with lines like that anymore.

Among so many other things, every shot of Lemmon's legs makes me laugh. It's an easy gag, but damn, it works! The movie has that rare blend of scripted & physical comedy, and you're right, I think Hollywood has forgotten how. Perhaps if they started giving comedy the same kind of respect that they easily bestow on drama, it would attract a higher level of quality.

I won't try to talk you into a double-dip, but fwiw, the Criterion is a beauty.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

The scene where the viewer first sees Lemon and Curtis hobbling towards the train in drag is one of the great moments in movie history. The sight gag never fails to make me laugh. And when Monroe swishes by the boys in drag, and Lemon describes her as, “Jello on springs”, I still guffaw. Every time. Hollywood just doesn’t come up with lines like that anymore.

That's the beauty of Wilder and Diamond.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

If that's how you want to interpret it. The cost is the main issue though. The whole reason they went to combo packs was cost, when they were forced by customer demand to discontinue those, they started cutting back on booklets and issuing leaflets instead. I simply don't think it's a financially viable avenue for them to take.

Great. Now I really hate those whiners who forced them to stop combo packs.

[koberulz]

I didn't find Some Like it Hot to be all that funny, personally. The whole "men in drag" concept has no inherent humour to me, and once you lose that the rest of it just doesn't hold up.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I didn't find Some Like it Hot to be all that funny, personally. The whole "men in drag" concept has no inherent humour to me, and once you lose that the rest of it just doesn't hold up.

back then men in drags were considered funny

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Attachment 212729

I’m watching Some Like it Hot this morning. Oh, God, how I love this film. I never get tired of it. Easily one of my most beloved comedies. And, pretty much a dream team, for me: Wilder, Lemmon, Curtis and Monroe. I know Marilyn exhibited her usual lack of reliability on set, but I watch this film, and can’t help but see the fun the actors had in their roles. Lemmon, especially was absolutely on fire.

The scene where the viewer first sees Lemon and Curtis hobbling towards the train in drag is one of the great moments in movie history. The sight gag never fails to make me laugh. And when Monroe swishes by the boys in drag, and Lemon describes her as, “Jello on springs”, I still guffaw. Every time. Hollywood just doesn’t come up with lines like that anymore.

I own the first blu, but I have to get the Criterion! I haven’t bought anything during the Barnes & Noble wale. I’m trying to be good, as I have a stack of unwatched Criterion’s yet. But, I think this is a fight I’m going to lose.

I told myself that I wasn't going to double-dip on this one, but I am sorely tempted. And you're right about this being a dream team. The principals are three of my favorites (especially Lemmon during this period) and Wilder is my favorite writer/director.

Aw crap, I think I'm going to cave.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I didn't find Some Like it Hot to be all that funny, personally. The whole "men in drag" concept has no inherent humour to me, and once you lose that the rest of it just doesn't hold up.

It's one of my favorites but not for the "men in drag". The screenplay is brilliant because it's sneaky and gets away with things that are very un-PC by 2018 standards.

I like how Curtis and Lemon mention staying 3 years at a Cheboygan conservatory then later Sweet Sue catches them in a lie where they say it was 1 year.

Sweet Sue: Didn't you say you spent 3 years in a conservatory?
Lemmon: We got time off for good behavior.

Then later as ShellOil is piling up lies on Sugar she tells him she went to the Cheboygan conservatory. Hilarious.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

back then men in drags were considered funny

Speaking of which, what are the chances of a Criterion release of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert? It's a film that is both funny and poignant.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I didn't find Some Like it Hot to be all that funny, personally. The whole "men in drag" concept has no inherent humour to me, and once you lose that the rest of it just doesn't hold up.

There are so many reasons that transcend this gimmick, chief among them, for me, at least, is Tony Curtis doing Cary Grant. The film's operating on such a high throughout, but my god, this is what consistently gives me a smile and a laugh, no matter the dialogue.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I didn't find Some Like it Hot to be all that funny, personally. The whole "men in drag" concept has no inherent humour to me, and once you lose that the rest of it just doesn't hold up.

That's a great point. Once you take out all the comedy, it's a lousy gangster movie.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It's one of my favorites but not for the "men in drag". The screenplay is brilliant because it's sneaky and gets away with things that are very un-PC by 2018 standards.

It's brilliant because it gets around things that wouldn't exist until 50 years after it was made?

[Al_The_Strange]

I like the lousy gangster movie aspect of it.