The Criterion Collection

[Xtempo]

one last order and it net me the 50 giftcard which I will save because I'm done for now. I just wished I had my others out of storage on with the ones with me on a shelf that would be bliss.
so here is the complete list of all orders

The Pornographers
A Canterbury Tale
Koko: A Talking Gorilla
Empire of Passion
Eclipse Series 26: Silent Naruse
Pigs, Pimps & Prostitutes: 3 Films by Shohei Imamura
lastly
Eclipse Series 15: Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu
The Inland Sea
Eclipse Series 41: Kinoshita and World War II

[mediocre]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Lots of titles in my wish list. I've got a $50 certificate tucked away for the next Flash Sale in October, but my real hope is that B&N has a 50% event as usual in July and the physical locations here in MA are open again.

Although I scaled back my Criterion "bulk" buying from B&N over the past two years in favour of the semi-annual Flash Sales, this virus business has certainly been a reminder of how fortunate I am to have three local B&N stores, and how important it is to support them. I'd really like to be able to walk around "my" stores in July and pick up some titles.

I feel the same. Really hoping this virus doesn't force B&N to close down any of their brick and mortar locations. Ordering online just isn't the same as browsing in store.

My list to pick up:
Ace in the Hole
Branded to Kill
Bruce Lee set
Cassavetes 5 films
Certain Women
Detour
Harakiri
Husbands
In a Lonely Place
Marriage Story
Naked Kiss
Old Joy
Pan's Labyrinth
Paths of Glory
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Scorsese Shorts
Short Cuts

And probably more knowing my lack of self control...

[kingdoxie]

Originally Posted by Bn43

Rewatching Berlin Alexanderplatz. Who the hell puts mono in 1.0 on a Blu-ray? I've only run across like three Blu-rays that do this, and it sucks, because the sound only comes out of the center speaker. My Onkyo receiver has no option to split 1.0 to 2.0, and I don't want it coming out of all speakers (Full Mono) either. I'm wondering if they did it this way because each disc is five hours long and they wanted to save space, so they didn't double the audio bitrate for a second speaker.

I prefer mono films to be on my center channel speaker only. My old Denon 1613 was defaulting to mono 2.0 until I futzed with the settings and got it to the center channel only. I haven't watched any of my mono discs with my new X1600, but I'm sure it will work the same.

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by kingdoxie

I prefer mono films to be on my center channel speaker only. My old Denon 1613 was defaulting to mono 2.0 until I futzed with the settings and got it to the center channel only. I haven't watched any of my mono discs with my new X1600, but I'm sure it will work the same.

My center channel is far below ear level, like most peoples'. It's tilted slightly upwards, but that's not good enough. I don't have the TV way above eye level. 2.0 creates a much better listening space, which is why almost all Criterion mono discs are in 2.0.

[kingdoxie]

Originally Posted by Bn43

My center channel is far below ear level, like most peoples'. It's tilted slightly upwards, but that's not good enough. I don't have the TV way above eye level. 2.0 creates a much better listening space, which is why almost all Criterion mono discs are in 2.0.

Totally understand. I've never understood the whole mounting the TV up high over the fireplace or some other such nonsense. The center of my TV is at eye level when I sit which puts my center channel just below the screen.

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by Bn43

which is why almost all Criterion mono discs are in 2.0.

? All of my mono Criterions report and playback in 1.0 single channel.

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by kingdoxie

Totally understand. I've never understood the whole mounting the TV up high over the fireplace or some other such nonsense. The center of my TV is at eye level when I sit which puts my center channel just below the screen.

So, you probably have the TV mounted on the wall. My center channel is below a TV stand and below the top of a cabinet, unfortunately.



If it were right up against the underside of the TV, I probably wouldn't mind.

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by Akibiyori

? All of my mono Criterions report and playback in 1.0 single channel.

But I've watched hundreds of Criterion discs. Almost none of them play in 1.0. Maybe it's because they're usually PCM rather than Berlin's DTS and my system plays them differently.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

[/SPOILER]
Outside of my copy not coming with a slip, I’m quite happy with the StudioCanal release. I thought the technical merits pretty strong, and there’s a real nice collection of extras.

Attachment 240682

I was delighted to see it even came with an Ultraviolet copy.

Yeah, I grabbed that version from an eBay seller for like $11 that still even had a slip and was pretty happy with it though, I probably would double dip if Criterion were to get it back as I can't help myself. It was my first entry into Godard as until then I've seen more of Truffaut and Rohmer up until then. Also, in Contempt, I thought Bardot did a good job. I know there's a group of people who think she was a sex symbol who couldn't act, but I think Contempt proved that wasn't the case. The rest of the cast IMO was very good too including the American, Jack Palance, Piccoli, and Fritz Lang who plays himself. Also, enjoyed the Godard-Lang discussion that was included as an extra on the LG version.

Though, the price of the Lionsgate version has jumped to $26 when for the longest of time it was around $17-19, so I still wonder if this title is going OOP and will eventually return to Criterion.

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by Bn43

But I've watched hundreds of Criterion discs. Almost none of them play in 1.0. Maybe it's because they're usually PCM rather than Berlin's DTS and my system plays them differently.

That sounds like what I get from my region free player, which I have hooked up via optical - releases that have 1.0 tracks in PCM play in 2.0 unless I turn on Pro Logic (I don’t mind it in 2.0, so I don’t) but DTS tracks will play in 1.0 without it. My regular Region A player is straight HDMI and just plays everything as is.

[gbm82]

I finally broke the seal on my Bergman collection tonight!
Smiles on a Summer Night is far better than I remember it being. I thought it was a lesser Bergman film when I watched it years ago but it felt like a great start to the set.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Yeah, I grabbed that version from an eBay seller for like $11 that still even had a slip and was pretty happy with it though, I probably would double dip if Criterion were to get it back as I can't help myself. It was my first entry into Godard as until then I've seen more of Truffaut and Rohmer up until then. Also, in Contempt, I thought Bardot did a good job. I know there's a group of people who think she was a sex symbol who couldn't act, but I think Contempt proved that wasn't the case. The rest of the cast IMO was very good too including the American, Jack Palance, Piccoli, and Fritz Lang who plays himself. Also, enjoyed the Godard-Lang discussion that was included as an extra on the LG version.

I need to see more of Bardot’s work, both from early in her career, and after Contempt, but I thought her performance was strong, and I found the stress that existed in their relationship completely believable.

[FragnitoM]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Always liked the Criterion DVD artwork. I bought a pristine used copy from a local store for about $10 after it went OOP. I haven't upgraded to the BD yet.

Personally I don’t Think the Comtempt Blu-ray is worth an upgrade. It’s in desperate need of a restoration and looks like dvd quality. I took the digital copy and sold mine off

[Rayjg]

I’ve been watching the Bergman set in order of release date since I hadn’t seen any of his films prior to The Seventh Seal. So far I’m at 1960. I was going to skip over films I’d already seen but decided not to and re-watched The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, The Magician and The Virgin Spring. I’m glad I didn’t skip these because it’s fascinating to watch the varied roles his regulars played from film to film. It was a little surprising to see Gunnar Bjornstrand play a squire in The Seventh Seal after his previous roles in the set but he is perfect in the role. It was interesting too to see Erland Josephson in The Magician. I had only remembered him in later roles in Scenes from a Marriage and Saraband.

[traths]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Is anybody else already working on their Barnes & Noble and Flash sale lists?

[Show spoiler] I've got a certificate to B&N, so I'll buy a few from them if their sale happens:

Leave Her to Heaven
The Lady Eve
The War of the Worlds

My Flash sale list is looking absolutely gargantuan.

As of right now mine looks like this.

The Red Shoes
Seven Samurai
Mulholland Drive
The Great Escape
Leave Her to Heaven
Scorsese Shorts
Marriage Story
Blood Simple

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I’ve been watching the Bergman set in order of release date since I hadn’t seen any of his films prior to The Seventh Seal. So far I’m at 1960. I was going to skip over films I’d already seen but decided not to and re-watched The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, The Magician and The Virgin Spring. I’m glad I didn’t skip these because it’s fascinating to watch the varied roles his regulars played from film to film. It was a little surprising to see Gunnar Bjornstrand play a squire in The Seventh Seal after his previous roles in the set but he is perfect in the role. It was interesting too to see Erland Josephson in The Magician. I had only remembered him in later roles in Scenes from a Marriage and Saraband.

Wow, how coincidental. I'm in the process of adding them to my list on the channel for screening purposes. Can't really drop $200 not knowing anything of his work. I know, how sacriligious, right? I'm up to Shame. Only 14 more to go ...whew this is tiring.

[BluLobsta]

Tokyo Story is now my favorite foreign film. Screened it on the Channel the other night. Picked up the physical copy the next day. 4K transfer, uncompressed audio, cemmentaries. I can't wait. Also watched Late Spring the next night. Very human stories. I own The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo but I ilke Tokyo Story more. Not sure why. Just like Ozu's style I guess. Of course, that doesn't diminish my opinion of Kurosawa in any way, obviously.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by FragnitoM

Personally I don’t Think the Comtempt Blu-ray is worth an upgrade. It’s in desperate need of a restoration and looks like dvd quality. I took the digital copy and sold mine off

Would Contempt benefit from a new restorative effort? Absolutely. But I completely disagree with your assertion that its presentation is DVD quality. That’s just nonsense. Neither our site (Casey Broadwater):

And really, despite the lack of a true restorative visual overhaul, Studio Canal has done a fantastic job with this release, which looks and sounds great, and includes a truly excellent supply of supplementary materials. Highly recommended.

Or DVD Beaver :

Contempt is Godard's most famous and expensive film. Studio Canal have produced the definitive way to view it in your home theater and they deserve some massive kudos. It looks and sounds great with plenty of relevant extras - this is a Blu-ray product that we can easily endorse.

support your assertion.

[regeyer]

How many of you keep your Criterion library separate from your regular movie library? Currently, I pretty much have everything stored alphabetically. I'm thinking of changing that and keeping all of my Criterion titles in one place. Although I must admit that I hate myself for even considering doing that, because it means that I've become one of those Criterion fanatics that I despise.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by regeyer

How many of you keep your Criterion library separate from your regular movie library? Currently, I pretty much have everything stored alphabetically. I'm thinking of changing that and keeping all of my Criterion titles in one place. Although I must admit that I hate myself for even considering doing that, because it means that I've become one of those Criterion fanatics that I despise.

When my purchases mainly became boutique labels, I separated all the labels mainly because I got tired of shifting EVERYTHING anytime I bought anything. When I separated by label, and kept some room on their respective shelves, putting new things away would just take a second. So I keep it separate, but mainly out of convenience rather than aesthetic.