The Criterion Collection

[nitin]

Originally Posted by Kakihara

I have a question about The Leopard. I got it during the flash sale as a blind-buy. I've seen many of Visconti's films but somehow this, considered his masterpiece, has escaped me. Well, to be honest, I was always bothered by the lead in Lancaster (whom I am otherwise a fan of) not being Italian. I had that mindset in my early 20's. Now, after seeing several Italian genre movies that post-dubbed in both languages, that no longer bothers me so much. I do have a question though: did Lancaster actually speak in Italian for the part or was his role dubbed in Italian?

He is dubbed but it’s a fantastic performance.

[thebalconyfool]

Originally Posted by LPMA

I’ve already received my Bergman set all the way up to Canada. Not sure how that happened!

Wow! That's amazing. Enjoy! My package shipped yesterday and is set to arrive tomorrow. So excited!

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I first became acquainted with the Austrian director, Michael Haneke, by way of ...the intensely disturbing 1997 feature, Funny Games, and its 2007 American remake, which he also helmed.

i was really hoping Criterion's release was going to include both versions. a bit disappointed by that...

[edmoney]

Originally Posted by latehong

Anyway, since Criterion has never done any Blu-ray to Blu-ray upgrade (except Playtime, which was possible because the new release was part of the complete Jacques Tati set and there was a special request from the Tati estate), I think there's no hope until Criterion goes 4K Blu-ray.

Not quite accurate. In the Bergman box alone, Criterion has done a few Blu-ray to Blu-ray "upgrades": The Seventh Seal, Fanny and Alexander, Cries and Whispers, etc.

[CQD84]

So is it wise to guess that the flash sale will be next Tuesday?

[SpiderBaby]

So I wonder if they are shipping in order or sending out Bergman orders first? I ordered within the first 3 minutes and haven't yet got an e-mail.

[dumb_dutchman]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

So I wonder of they are shipping in order or sending out Bergman orders first? I ordered within the first 3 minutes and haven't get got an e-mail.

Same here...I ordered within the first few minutes, but not the Bergman set. Maybe the Bergman set is being warehoused/shipped from a location separate from the other titles.

[Gacivory]

My order is expected to be to me on Saturday!

[Burt Lancaster]

Originally Posted by latehong

Anyway, since Criterion has never done any Blu-ray to Blu-ray upgrade (except Playtime, which was possible because the new release was part of the complete Jacques Tati set and there was a special request from the Tati estate), I think there's no hope until Criterion goes 4K Blu-ray.

Monterey Pop.

[MattQuack]

Just got mine too...can't believe it was that quick! I didn't realize I had chosen UPS shipping...for my other order it's USPS, and I noticed the UPS was free, is that if you hit a certain price point?

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by MattQuack

Just got mine too...can't believe it was that quick! I didn't realize I had chosen UPS shipping...for my other order it's USPS, and I noticed the UPS was free, is that if you hit a certain price point?

You probably didn't choose UPS. It was probably auto determined by Criterion due to the weight and region
Over teh years exactly half my orders from Criterion.com have come USPS (8) and half UPS (8) even though I never change the shipping button

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by BamaDullard

The Italian blu-ray is 2.55:1. I don't think it's really been established what the correct aspect ratio for this film is because it varies according to the print.

Yes, I took a quick read online and there is quite a bit of conflicting information.

Consensus seems to be that it was shot in Technirama, resulting in a 2.35:1 print from a 2.25:1 negative (the film was exhibited in 2.35:1 as "CinemaScope" in the US on release).

There is some conjecture that Visconti intended that the film be exhibited in Super Technirama 70 at some point - which yields an AR of 2.21:1 - but it looks like that never happened.

The confusion seems to stem from the role the original DP, Giuseppe Rotunno, played in the BD transfers.

Criterion states that Rotunno supervised its transfer - which is "presented in the original Super Technirama aspect ratio of 2.21:1."

However, he also allegedly oversaw the 4K restoration that resulted in the 2.55.1 ratio, used in the Italian release under discussion.

The film was definitely exhibited in 2.35:1, so I suppose there could be some Storaro-like revisionism taking place in both the Criterion and 4K transfers. In any event, I couldn't find any suggestion that Visconti framed the film for exhibition in 2.55.1.

[Gacivory]

Mia Hansen Love was in the offices. Hoping it’s a sign of things to come! I would gladly take any of her first four films!

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

So I wonder if they are shipping in order or sending out Bergman orders first? I ordered within the first 3 minutes and haven't yet got an e-mail.

My non-Bergman order shipped yesterday.

[sawdustandtinsel]

My Bergman box just arrived, that was easily the fastest I've ever received a shipment from them. Now the hard part comes, how do you attack this thing? I'm thinking it would be best to spread it out from here to the end of the year (4/month).

[themp3000]

This Ingmar Bergman box is much bigger than I thought it was going to be. I don’t know where to even put it. But I certainly can’t wait to jump into it. It’s super lovely.

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

My Bergman box just arrived, that was easily the fastest I've ever received a shipment from them. Now the hard part comes, how do you attack this thing? I'm thinking it would be best to spread it out from here to the end of the year (4/month).

Just do what I do, and get overwhelmed every time you think about it and watch something else...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Awesome review of The Piano Teacher.

I literally just got home 20 minutes ago from the theater where I JUST SAW Greta on the big screen. I gotta say, after reading all the mixed reviews, I almost didn't want to go, but I'm glad I did, because I was treated to a world class director named Neil Jordan (famous for The Crying Game, Mona Lisa, Interview with the Vampire, Michael Collins, The Good Thief, etc.). Though I wouldn't say Greta was up there with those aforementioned films, it did a good job of hearkening back to the 1990s with those psychological suspense thrillers, despite the formulaic plot. Did you find yourself entertained with this movie too? I liked it, it kept me wondering how the ending would turn out, and its always great seeing the wonderful Stephen Rea (one of my favorite actors) in a new film. Isabelle Huppert was mesmerizing though (and ridiculously psychotic) in her Greta character.

Greta definitely reminded me of a Roman Polanski film though!

Here's my review of Greta from the Movies sub-forum.

I love that Isabelle Huppert seems to be having a lot of fun with her role. I have a higher opinion of the film than most.

[Xtempo]

Is Hara-kiri going out of print? I know I should have taken advantage of the Flash sale but at the moment I can only do in-store purchases. I have a membership and a 20% coupon for B&N which would make it 30% not as good as the 60% off during the sale but if it is going out of print then I should probably upgrade it now then.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

So I wonder if they are shipping in order or sending out Bergman orders first? I ordered within the first 3 minutes and haven't yet got an e-mail.

I don't think. My first order (around 10am Pacific) just arrived, however the Bergman set which I didn't order until 2pm because I was on the fence about spending another $150 isn't scheduled to be delivered until next Thursday. I do think it's funny that one went USPS and the other UPS.