The Criterion Collection

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by kwillard37

Hey guys. Was wondering if Darjeeling Limited has a strange back cover? Everything looks normal, but there’s no barcode or “Blu Ray edition” with the details of the release. Was there a piece of paper glued to the back or something that had that stuff on it? Just seems strange. I will say I did order it used on eBay so who knows. Wasn’t sure if anyone else had noticed this

Mine is the same way, so you're likely fine.

I don't think it came with a piece of paper glued to it either - but if it did, that's long gone for me.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by kwillard37

Hey guys. Was wondering if Darjeeling Limited has a strange back cover? Everything looks normal, but there’s no barcode or “Blu Ray edition” with the details of the release. Was there a piece of paper glued to the back or something that had that stuff on it? Just seems strange. I will say I did order it used on eBay so who knows. Wasn’t sure if anyone else had noticed this

Yes, there was/is a piece of paper glued to the back with brand new copies.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by muchogris

What is up with the awful design of The heiress?!

One of the constants in The the film is Catherine doing her needlework.

[Show spoiler]It's one of the few things her father compliments her on and even then it's got a negative twist on it.

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

If I may ask (I've never seen the film) why no praise for Let the Sunshine In? I know nothing about the movie but I see Juliette Binoche starring and I'm intriuged.

I saw it in theaters early last year. Not a bad movie by any stretch, but it really didn't do much for me. Denis and Binoche didn't mesh as well as I thought they would, it lacks the typical Denis edge. I would be willing to go two rounds with it though.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

I wonder what their rationale is on releasing Blue Velvet over the other Lynch films that need the treatment? It I had endless funds I'd double-dip on this and FWWM, but since I don't I'd rather have seen Lost Highway.

[moviebuffed]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

I wonder what other Wyler films might be released.

1940 "The Letter" starring the amazing Bette Davis and Wyler's 1952 film "Carrie" starring Jennifer Jones, Lawrence Olivier and Miriam Hopkins. That would be great additions IMO.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Oh, you're right. Well, when I wrote that I hadn't slept in a couple days.

As to Germany, I'm region free and have a number of discs from there actually. I'll check. Thanks again.

Hold on...

I just looked at the Blu-ray.com listing for the German Blu-ray.

No English subtitles are mentioned.

You might be better off just renting or buying it on Prime or another service first (even in SD). I loved it, but it's not what I'd call a "safe" blind buy. It's very divisive.

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

I wonder what their rationale is on releasing Blue Velvet over the other Lynch films that need the treatment? It I had endless funds I'd double-dip on this and FWWM, but since I don't I'd rather have seen Lost Highway.

It'll probably be one of their best-selling titles of the year.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

I wonder what their rationale is on releasing Blue Velvet over the other Lynch films that need the treatment? It I had endless funds I'd double-dip on this and FWWM, but since I don't I'd rather have seen Lost Highway.

The MGM Blu used a nearly 20 year old master, it’s certainly not bad by MGM’s standards but it could a new coat of paint and this will be a guarantee high seller. I'd love for more of the Lynch titles MIA Stateside but it could of been that this was much easier to license since their already is a 4K master of BV.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Hold on...

I just looked at the Blu-ray.com listing for the German Blu-ray.

No English subtitles are mentioned.

You might be better off just renting or buying it on Prime or another service first (even in SD). I loved it, but it's not what I'd call a "safe" blind buy. It's very divisive.

Thanks. I hadn't gotten a chance to even look it up yet, because I had MAJOR remote control issues -- long story. And the LPGA Australian Open was about to begin and I couldn't change the freakin' channel!

[Polaroid]

Great releases but the artworks are so ugly, when I saw them posted on facebook I thought they were poorly made fan art lol.

Such a shame, but so happy for my Lynch and Hanake!

Shame they couldn't include both versions of Funny Games on this release...

This would have been amazing for Blue Velvet artwork...

[SteelyTom]

Looks like Detour got a somewhat positive site review.

[theater dreamer]

I know somebody from Criterion has to read this topic. Maybe when they let Mulvaney out of the closet for the weekend, he brushes up on our ongoing discussion.

That being said...

As I have previously referenced, I don't have an issue, per se, with double dipping on a film if the original release is lacking in some capacity. If Criterion can improve on the technical merits of a great film, I'll happily plop down some money. If they can substantially improve on the extras of a film like Barry Lyndon, which had absolutely no bonuses, whatsoever, I'll be happy to acquire them. I mean, that's Stanley Kubrick, for God's sake. It's an historically significant release by one of the medium's greatest auteurs. But with so many great films that have been released by Criterion on DVD as of yet sitting in limbo, really needing a blu-ray release, I'm conflicted when I see something like Blue Velvet being announced. I understand Criterion is a business, and must be profitable in order to remain in business, and a selection like Blue Velvet will bring in a substantial amount of revenue. But where are Preston Sturges' The Lady Eve, Laurence Olivier's Hamlet and Henry V, Philip Kaufman's The Unbearable Likeness of Being, David Lean's Great Expectations and Oliver Twist? I would love to see one slot each month going to upgrading a prior DVD release to blu-ray, and I think doing so would be profitable for the company.

Then, there are so many absolutely fantastic films that have never had a domestic blu-ray release, from directors, or with actors that already have an association with Criterion. Roman Polanski's work is well represented in The Collection. Wouldn't The Pianist be an ideal release? Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show is one of the seminal works of the 1970s. It is, as of my posting, only available in the BBS Story set. How about a smaller set focusing on his work? Get the rights from Warner Brothers to distribute What's Up, Doc?, do a new career retrospective documentary on his work (his life in front of and away from the camera would make for one of the most fascinating documentaries in the collection), and, FINALLY get Paper Moon a domestic blu-ray release. Go get Marion Cotiliard's fantastic La Vie en Rose. Knock out a few more of the Academy Award Best Picture winners that have never had a blu-ray release-Ordinary People is crying out for a release, the aforementioned Hamlet must be imported, and Around the World in 80 Days is a lot of fun! They're clearly still looking at Billy Wilder with the issuance of Some Like it Hot. What about The Lost Weekend? There are NO blu-ray films from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (how is this possible???). Barbara Stanwyck's career is woefully underrepresented on blu-ray (Stella Dallas, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and Ball of Fire would be great starts, and would show Gary Cooper and Kirk Douglass some more love). We desperately need at least The Thin Man (and the whole six film series would be greatly appreciated!)-Bill Powell and Myrna Loy are the quintessence of film couples. More Akira Kurosawa, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, screwball comedies (Libeled Lady--pretty please?? Powell, Loy, Spencer Tracy and the underappreciated comedic gifts of Jean Harlow make for a delightful 100 minutes). And if they're going to do Libeled Lady, they should consider Hell's Angels. Imagine curling up on the sofa and perusing the life of Howard Hughes via documentary and film historian interviews? And speaking of Angels, get those Angels With Dirty Faces. There's never been a blu-ray, and the DVD is out of print. Bringing Up Baby, and Arsenic and Old Lace are major works from Cary Grant that have not yet shown up in high def in the United States. Some more William Wyler would be sublime. Now that The Heiress is getting a much deserved release, I'd cough up a lung for Roman Holiday.

Criterion's doing a fantastic job. I would just like to see them paying a little bit more attention to films that have no blu-ray release as of yet. Maybe I'm shooting for the moon here, and I know I've said some of this previously. But, we need to get these releases done while physical media is still viable, and addressing these as-of-yet issued releases can only help us get more of what we are so anxiously awaiting.

[mrjohnnyb]

R.I.P. Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire, among others)

https://www.dw.com/en/swiss-actor-br...PnpncLJpXbkoDg

[nitin]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I know somebody from Criterion has to read this topic. Maybe when they let Mulvaney out of the closet for the weekend, he brushes up on our ongoing discussion.

That being said...

As I have previously referenced, I don't have an issue, per se, with double dipping on a film if the original release is lacking in some capacity. If Criterion can improve on the technical merits of a great film, I'll happily plop down some money. If they can substantially improve on the extras of a film like Barry Lyndon, which had absolutely no bonuses, whatsoever, I'll be happy to acquire them. I mean, that's Stanley Kubrick, for God's sake. It's an historically significant release by one of the medium's greatest auteurs. But with so many great films that have been released by Criterion on DVD as of yet sitting in limbo, really needing a blu-ray release, I'm conflicted when I see something like Blue Velvet being announced. I understand Criterion is a business, and must be profitable in order to remain in business, and a selection like Blue Velvet will bring in a substantial amount of revenue. But where are Preston Sturges' The Lady Eve, Laurence Olivier's Hamlet and Henry V, Philip Kaufman's The Unbearable Likeness of Being, David Lean's Great Expectations and Oliver Twist? I would love to see one slot each month going to upgrading a prior DVD release to blu-ray, and I think doing so would be profitable for the company.

Then, there are so many absolutely fantastic films that have never had a domestic blu-ray release, from directors, or with actors that already have an association with Criterion. Roman Polanski's work is well represented in The Collection. Wouldn't The Pianist be an ideal release? Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show is one of the seminal works of the 1970s. It is, as of my posting, only available in the BBS Story set. How about a smaller set focusing on his work? Get the rights from Warner Brothers to distribute What's Up, Doc?, do a new career retrospective documentary on his work (his life in front of and away from the camera would make for one of the most fascinating documentaries in the collection), and, FINALLY get Paper Moon a domestic blu-ray release. Go get Marion Cotiliard's fantastic La Vie en Rose. Knock out a few more of the Academy Award Best Picture winners that have never had a blu-ray release-Ordinary People is crying out for a release, the aforementioned Hamlet must be imported, and Around the World in 80 Days is a lot of fun! They're clearly still looking at Billy Wilder with the issuance of Some Like it Hot. What about The Lost Weekend? There are NO blu-ray films from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (how is this possible???). Barbara Stanwyck's career is woefully underrepresented on blu-ray (Stella Dallas, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and Ball of Fire would be great starts, and would show Gary Cooper and Kirk Douglass some more love). We desperately need at least The Thin Man (and the whole six film series would be greatly appreciated!)-Bill Powell and Myrna Loy are the quintessence of film couples. More Akira Kurosawa, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, screwball comedies (Libeled Lady--pretty please?? Powell, Loy, Spencer Tracy and the underappreciated comedic gifts of Jean Harlow make for a delightful 100 minutes). And if they're going to do Libeled Lady, they should consider Hell's Angels. Imagine curling up on the sofa and perusing the life of Howard Hughes via documentary and film historian interviews? And speaking of Angels, get those Angels With Dirty Faces. There's never been a blu-ray, and the DVD is out of print. Bringing Up Baby, and Arsenic and Old Lace are major works from Cary Grant that have not yet shown up in high def in the United States. Some more William Wyler would be sublime. Now that The Heiress is getting a much deserved release, I'd cough up a lung for Roman Holiday.

Criterion's doing a fantastic job. I would just like to see them paying a little bit more attention to films that have no blu-ray release as of yet. Maybe I'm shooting for the moon here, and I know I've said some of this previously. But, we need to get these releases done while physical media is still viable, and addressing these as-of-yet issued releases can only help us get more of what we are so anxiously awaiting.

They did announce 5 other titles (including an upgrade of a DVD)?

I know what you are getting at, but usually we get 5 releases a month, this month it's 6, plenty of new to blu stuff and also a DVD upgrade. Not the month for this complaint IMHO.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

R.I.P. Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire, among others)

https://www.dw.com/en/swiss-actor-br...PnpncLJpXbkoDg

One of the best. R.I.P.

[fred25_Ca]

Man, I know everyone is waiting for something, but as a Kurosawa and Chaplin fan, Criterion drive me up the wall. They've started released Chaplin movies 10 years ago now and yet, even if his library is so small, we're still not even close to finishing it. We haven't had a new Chaplin movie in what? 3 years now? Come on! We still need The Circus, The Chaplin revues, etc. We're not talking about a small indie filmmaker here, we're talking about the most iconic movie star of all time!
Same with Kurosawa. There are so many of them, yet we get one every what? 2 or 3 years? I know, I know, quality over quantity, and they release a lot of other titles. I'm just so tired of waiting. :|
Every time there's a new criterion announcement I come rushing to see if either filmmakers are about to get their due, only to be disappointed again and again. Same with Harold Lloyd. Sure, we're getting the Kid Brother, but how many years did that take?
Sorry, end rant. :P

[dancerslegs]

Finally, The Heiress comes to blu-ray. Wyler's best!

[theater dreamer]

Oh, damn. He was absolutely fantastic in Downfall.

Let the parade of tribute memes commence!

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

R.I.P. Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire, among others)

https://www.dw.com/en/swiss-actor-br...PnpncLJpXbkoDg

[theater dreamer]

I love Olivia de Havilland, but my experience with her work is somewhat limited; Gone With the Wind, and two of her films with Errol Flynn, Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, though Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte and The Strawberry Blonde are waiting on my DVR. The Heiress will be a definite buy. It will be great to see more Montgomery Clift, as well.

Originally Posted by dancerslegs

Finally, The Heiress comes to blu-ray. Wyler's best!