The Criterion Collection

[HenryHill]

Good wishes to The Great Owl for a quick recovery!

As a rule I try to avoid upgrading DVDs to Blu unless there's been a significant upgrade, like a 4K restoration from the original negative or if the original was a flipper or non-anamorphic (still waiting on The Abyss and True Lies, Mr. Cameron!). For example, I already own the Criterion Le Doulos, so I don't need to get the Kino version. However, for Z, one of the best political thrillers ever made, I will absolutely upgrade my DVD, as I did for Notorious.

[amputd]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Not Criterion-related, but I wanted to touch base after my previous post.

I am out of surgery and now in my hospital room. Based on what my father relayed to me from his conversation with the doctors while I was waking up in the surgery recovery room, the surgeon removed roughly a foot of my colon, and he (the surgeon) seems to think that the large mass in my colon that necessitated this operation was benign. I will have more information after I get a chance to talk to the surgeon face-to-face tomorrow

All the best with your recovery. Sounds like you’ve had a difficult couple of years with health issues. Here’s hoping that’s all behind you now...

[benedictopacifico]

Originally Posted by HenryHill

Good wishes to The Great Owl for a quick recovery!

As a rule I try to avoid upgrading DVDs to Blu unless there's been a significant upgrade, like a 4K restoration from the original negative or if the original was a flipper or non-anamorphic (still waiting on The Abyss and True Lies, Mr. Cameron!). For example, I already own the Criterion Le Doulos, so I don't need to get the Kino version. However, for Z, one of the best political thrillers ever made, I will absolutely upgrade my DVD, as I did for Notorious.

So you don't consider this a significant upgrade?

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&...109392&i=8&l=0

[HenryHill]

Originally Posted by benedictopacifico

So you don't consider this a significant upgrade?

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&...109392&i=8&l=0

I may have to think about it, but I have around 2,500 DVDs. There is no way I'm repurchasing them all.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by HenryHill

I may have to think about it, but I have around 2,500 DVDs. There is no way I'm repurchasing them all.

You've touched on something here that has really made me think lately. I have a few Criterion DVDs that I was thinking of upgrading to BDs that recently came out but I'm not sure I really want to anymore. The blu-rays are basically older transfers or the same ones that were used for their original DVD editions (the 3 titles I had in mind were House of Games, Stranger Than Paradise, and Night on Earth). I always upgraded my Criterion DVDs in years past whenever newer BD editions came out, but now I'm wondering if this is even necessary anymore. Sure, I could prob. get 15-20% back (of the original MSRP) from selling the Criterion DVDs and use that money towards buying the BD (during a 50% off sale), but double dipping isn't so appealing as it used to be for me.

[regeyer]

I'd love for someone to do some blind testing comparing Criterion DVDs with Criterion Blu-Ray's. I think the results might be surprising.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I'd love for someone to do some blind testing comparing Criterion DVDs with Criterion Blu-Ray's. I think the results might be surprising.

In the case of the Melvilles, I need to see how much Kino improved upon Criteiron's DVDs for their Blu-rays. I buy a fair amount of Kino discs but they're hardly a paradigm for reliability.

[MifuneFan]

I plan to watch Kurosawa's Rhapsody in August (1991) today, a film I try to watch on around this day, the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, which plays a central role in the film. Aside from the somber themes of war that hang in the backdrop, the film has a cheery, and light tone that makes it ideal as a summertime film. I have similar feelings about the recent film The Farewell (2019) from Lulu Wang, which has themes of death, and grief, but manages to be humorous, and heartwarming. Both films actually share a lot in common.

Every time I see Rhapsody, I'm transported to the rural setting of the film, and feel like I'm on vacation. It's considered a lesser film from Kurosawa, but it's become one of my personal favorites of his. I hope one day Criterion can release it on BD.

[keke]

Good thoughts on your recovery The Great Owl.

My most wanted upgrades from Criterion, and a few listed on Criterion Channel, are the following (in spoiler). Hopefully serves as some recommendations for anyone that has the Criterion Channel also.

I was going to list I Was Born, But... as I didn't even realize until making this list that it was included on Good Morning (seen a dozen Ozu films but somehow not that one).

[Show spoiler]
Ballad of a Soldier (1959)
The Burmese Harp (1956)
Chaplin Shorts
The Children Are Watching Us (1944)
Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)
The Cranes are Flying (1957)
Cria Cuervos (1976)
Danton (1983)
Dodes'ka-den (1970): I didn't entirely connect with this but found it quite unique.
The Fire Within (1963)
Fires on the Plain (1959): This, Kanal, Kapo and Wooden Crosses just linger in memory years later.
I Live in Fear (1955)
Kanal (1957)
Kapò (1960)
Lacombe, Lucien (1974)
May Fools (1990)
Mon Oncle d'Amerique (1980)
Ratcatcher (1999): Not listed on Criterion Channel. No longer theirs?
Samurai Rebellion (1967)
Scandal (1950)
Story of Women (1988)
The Stranger (1991)
Summertime (1955)
Two English Girls (1971)
Vagabond (1985)
Wise Blood (1979)
Wooden Crosses (1932)
Z (1969)

These half a dozen probably have little to no chance of getting a Blu-ray release but if anyone wants to seek out some that I thought were lesser known gems.

[Show spoiler]
Beautiful Days (1955): Gave me much more of a Yasujirô Ozu vibe (tone and being relationship drama) than a Masaki Kobayashi one.
Le ciel est à vous (1944)
Deep Crimson (1996)
The Eternal Return (1943)
Masques (1987)
Sandakan No. 8 (1974)

[theater dreamer]

The Great Owl, I, too, hope you have a speedy recovery. I know all too well how difficult it can be immediately post surgery when you've had a pretty major procedure.

I hope the docs are giving you something to make you a bit more comfortable, tonight. Best case scenario, you're able to sleep through a bunch of this. Just hang in there. Each day will get a little better.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

In the case of the Melvilles, I need to see how much Kino improved upon Criteiron's DVDs for their Blu-rays. I buy a fair amount of Kino discs but they're hardly a paradigm for reliability.

Assuming they're using the same restorations that Studio Canal did for their UK box, they are a huge leap over the DVD's. You can check out comparisons at caps-a-holic:

Le Doulos

Bob Le Flambeur

[blujazz]

Got these signed (Kore-eda, Denis, Almodovar) at various BFI events here in London.

[JupiterMission]

Regarding whether or not it's worth upgrading from DVD to Blu with some of these titles, the only Criterion I remember being particularly disappointed with so far is Umberto D. I didn't compare it to the old DVD, but I remember thinking the restoration was underwhelming. (Probably an elements problem more than anything, but still.) Otherwise, I've usually been happy to have the blu.

Also, hope you have a speedy recovery, Great Owl! As painless as possible, and also allowing you to get to some of your unwatched piles of discs! :^)

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

In the case of the Melvilles, I need to see how much Kino improved upon Criteiron's DVDs for their Blu-rays. I buy a fair amount of Kino discs but they're hardly a paradigm for reliability.

Technically Kino hasn’t improved anything as the transfers were licensed from Studio Canal and are identical to those utilized in the Essential Meliville box set they issued in the UK two years ago.

Kino has added a commentary track, which is nice, but region free buyers could save quite a bit of money by importing.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by JupiterMission

Regarding whether or not it's worth upgrading from DVD to Blu with some of these titles, the only Criterion I remember being particularly disappointed with so far is Umberto D. I didn't compare it to the old DVD, but I remember thinking the restoration was underwhelming. (Probably an elements problem more than anything, but still.) Otherwise, I've usually been happy to have the blu.

For me the worst among all my Criterion upgrades was Vampyr. The uptick in detail and texture was minimal, and worse still, not extended to the special English text version they had created for the film's exposition - lossy audio and single-digit bitrates.

[FragnitoM]

Some of the upgrades (like Unberto D/Vampyr) might be more beneficial for larger televisions/projectors? Not sure what you guys were watching on

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by FragnitoM

Some of the upgrades (like Unberto D/Vampyr) might be more beneficial for larger televisions/projectors? Not sure what you guys were watching on

I watched on a 50" television. It's slightly tighter than the DVD, and grain has a more refined quality (even that varies from scene to scene) but that's about it on my display. I believe the film needed a newer scan / remastering instead of just using the old master based on a restoration done in 1999. I was also disappointed at the step-motherly treatment dished out to Criterion's own specially prepared English texts version, which was afforded only a DVD-class bitrate and lossy audio (What for when they could have just used the same lossless audio track as the main feature?)

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

Kino has added a commentary track, which is nice, but region free buyers could save quite a bit of money by importing.

Not so much if you already own some of the films in previous releases as Le Doulos and Bob Le Flambeur are not available outside of the boxset.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I watched on a 50" television. It's slightly tighter than the DVD, and grain has a more refined quality (even that varies from scene to scene) but that's about it on my display. I believe the film needed a newer scan / remastering instead of just using the old master based on a restoration done in 1999. I was also disappointed at the step-motherly treatment dished out to Criterion's own specially prepared English texts version, which was afforded only a DVD-class bitrate and lossy audio (What for when they could have just used the same lossless audio track as the main feature?)

I don’t think a new scan of the same source would have done much though. Unless a better source than the 1999 photochemical restoration is found, this is it.

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by ravenus

For me the worst among all my Criterion upgrades was Vampyr. The uptick in detail and texture was minimal, and worse still, not extended to the special English text version they had created for the film's exposition - lossy audio and single-digit bitrates.

It's not day and night, but I was surprised how great it looks on Blu-ray. The grain really pops in a way the DVD couldn't. It's one of those films I think actually benefits from existing only in a compromised state because it adds another layer of unease.

But I've consistently found grainier films to really benefit from Blu-ray because AVC is able to handle grain so much better - like Faces, Make Way for Tomorrow, and many of the documentaries.