The Criterion Collection

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by a priori

In life as in literature, one sometimes take actions in the hope that it will improve oneself in some small way. In that spirit, for the (hopefully) upcoming Criterion flash sale or B&N 50% off sale, I decided to get one title that I think I SHOULD get, as opposed to one I really want to. Sorta like reading War and Peace or learning calculus. Feel free to try and dissuade me from this particular enterprise.

Buy it! It’s a fantastic movie!

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by a priori

In life as in literature, one sometimes take actions in the hope that it will improve oneself in some small way.

[Show spoiler] In that spirit, for the (hopefully) upcoming Criterion flash sale or B&N 50% off sale, I decided to get one title that I think I SHOULD get, as opposed to one I really want to. Sorta like reading War and Peace or learning calculus. Feel free to try to dissuade me from this particular enterprise.

Eh what? You're aren't talking about some 10 hour slog fest of talking heads here. Battle of Algiers is a fierce and propulsive movie, a fabulous docu-thriller with some incredibly impressive set-pieces.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by a priori

In life as in literature, one sometimes take actions in the hope that it will improve oneself in some small way. In that spirit, for the (hopefully) upcoming Criterion flash sale or B&N 50% off sale, I decided to get one title that I think I SHOULD get, as opposed to one I really want to. Sorta like reading War and Peace or learning calculus. Feel free to try to dissuade me from this particular enterprise.

I did find The Battle of Algiers rather dry on my previous viewing. But, I did always value the film for its gritty realism. It's surprising to see how many of the topics and discussions of the film remain relevant to the modern war on terror.

If you are looking for films with educational value (in addition to cultural), I think this is a fine choice.

[Sommerswerd]

Isn't there suppose to be a new 4K restoration of The Battle of Algiers?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by a priori

Just for the record, at least two French releases that I've watched that don't have forced sub-titles are blu-rays of the recently restored Powell & Pressburger I Know Where I'm Going and the Complete Eric Rohmer Box Set:

Generally, forced French subs are only present on the film’s English track (or non-French language track), so the Rohmer box doesn’t really apply since the films are in French and don’t need French subs.

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

Isn't there suppose to be a new 4K restoration of The Battle of Algiers?

It’s been out a while, but the Criterion disc still looks better overall.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

Isn't there suppose to be a new 4K restoration of The Battle of Algiers?

There was a UK release last year



Though the video on that was mixed. From the UK Review on this site:

There is no doubt in my mind that the 4K scan and the reconstruction work that were done for The Battle of Algiers are of exceptionally high-quality. However, I am not convinced that the grading work that was done at L'Immagine Ritrovata is as good as it should be because if the current master that is offered for licensing reflects the actual quality of the grading then there is no question that the film does not look as it should. Here's what I am trying to convey: As it appears on this Blu-ray release, the present dynamic range of the film isn't convincing; it has a digital edge that creates some unfortunate anomalies. This being said, my guess is that the majority of you most likely won't be bothered by them, especially if you view your films on smaller screens, so read our review and form your own opinion of the new restoration.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by dwk

Miike on the final scene in High and Low

That was a great read. I think it's time for a Kurosawa upgrade already. I'm hoping Criterion got Miike for an interview for an upcoming film. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Black Rain or Ronin-Gai.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

There was a UK release last year



Though the video on that was mixed. From the UK Review on this site:

Thanks. Went to check the full review. I guess I'll stick to the Criterion.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Unless your hope is to goad Criterion into upgrading this by taking one for the team you might want to consider the upcoming UK blu from Network (region B):

I saw this film a couple of times on TCM and enjoyed it thoroughly. I recently joined the region free club so this is on my list (of many) Region B titles to purchase. If Criterion upgrades The Naked City you can thank me. Not only did I break my no DVDs rule during sales and purchase it, along with Brute Force, but I also got the Arrow edition as my first Region B title.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by dwk

Miike on the final scene in High and Low

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, High and Low has the greatest final shot in film history.

...goose bumps every time.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I saw this film a couple of times on TCM and enjoyed it thoroughly. I recently joined the region free club so this is on my list (of many) Region B titles to purchase. If Criterion upgrades The Naked City you can thank me. Not only did I break my no DVDs rule during sales and purchase it, along with Brute Force, but I also got the Arrow edition as my first Region B title.

Any recommendation in terms of video quality between the Criterion DVD and the Arrow blu-ray/DVD combo of The Naked City?

And, Alistair Sim as Inspector Cockrill in Green for Danger is an absolute hoot.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by a priori

Any recommendation in terms of video quality between the Criterion DVD and the Arrow blu-ray/DVD combo of The Naked City?

And, Alistair Sim as Inspector Cockrill in Green for Danger is an absolute hoot.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-r...ty_blu-ray.htm

[bsend]

I really want to purchase more Kurosawa. Waiting to see if we get a box set or not in the future.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-r...ty_blu-ray.htm

Thank you. Based on the DVDBeaver review, a pretty clear-cut decision.

[silverlakephil]

I really enjoyed the French release of Douglas Sirk's 50's melodrama, There's Always Tomorrow. No doubt this potentially could be a future Criterion release, but I think Written On The Wind would probably be the obvious choice as the next one.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by a priori

Any recommendation in terms of video quality between the Criterion DVD and the Arrow blu-ray/DVD combo of The Naked City?

I can recommend the Arrow BluRay/DVD with confidence.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by bsend

I really want to purchase more Kurosawa. Waiting to see if we get a box set or not in the future.

Since I think it's a good chance we get a Fellini box set next year, I don't think were going to get a Kurosawa set anytime soon. I wish they would start upgrading some Kurosawa films individually like Stray Dog, The Bad Sleep Well, and so on.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

I've been thinking of getting Election and Ghost World for a long time. Any thoughts on these two, anyone?

I haven't seen Election yet (the Criterion Blu-ray, I mean; I've seen the movie). But I adore Ghost World, and I have essentially since it came out. It's wonderful, and I think the Blu-ray is terrific.

The Criterion was actually a double dip for me. I've never regretted it.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

I've been thinking of getting Election and Ghost World for a long time. Any thoughts on these two, anyone?

It depends on what sort of films you like but I actively abhorred Ghost World. Steve Buscemi was the only likeable part of the film for me.

[u2popmofo]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

But I adore Ghost World, and I have essentially since it came out. It's wonderful, and I think the Blu-ray is terrific.

The Criterion was actually a double dip for me. I've never regretted it.

Same here, it's one of my favorite Criterion sets. The movie looks fantastic, and the bonus features are great as well.