The Criterion Collection

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Did this thread just go from "Why can't Criterion release everything on UHD from now on?" to "Actually I prefer watching my DVD's"? Talk about sending mixed messages

I still like watching my tapes on my betamax player & recording stuff to keep

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by flyry

This DVD love fest on the last page is odd. Let that format die ffs.

Yet apparently you still have 143 of them...

[Egbert Souse]

Just looking at 2020's releases so far, here's all the titles with actual 4K masters so far (not just 4K transfers with 2K masters)

Holiday
Fail-Safe
Roma
Three Fantastic Journeys by Karel Zeman (all three films)
The Prince of Tides
Destry Rides Again
The Great Escape
The Cremator
Husbands
Scorsese Shorts
An Unmarried Woman
The Cameraman
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Tokyo Olympiad
The War of the Worlds
Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits (The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, and Game of Death)
The Lady Eve
Marriage Story
Taste of Cherry
The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum
Toni
Brute Force
The Naked City
Beau Travail
The Elephant Man

I think out of all these films, the only ones that really seem ripe for UHD would have been Roma, The Great Escape, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The War of the Worlds, and obviously, The Elephant Man.

And out of those, only The Great Escape would have been something they'd possibly get the UHD rights for since we know anything Netflix, NEON, or Paramount won't happen. Even last year, the only titles that really stick out as missed opportunities are Do the Right Thing, Cold War, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Blue Velvet.


Just as someone who buys UHD and Criterion, it's still only three titles in 1 1/2 years I'm disappointed in not having a 4K release, but even that's not keeping me from buying the Blu-rays.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Yet apparently you still have 143 of them...

They're not in my possession.. I took them to my mom's a long time ago. I only kept two concert ones and the three Lord of the Rings extended editions just because they look like books. I actually have those on my bookshelf. Also Pulp Fiction and Unbreakable just because I like the packaging

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by flyry

They're not in my possession.. I took them to my mom's a long time ago. I only kept two concert ones and the three Lord of the Rings extended editions just because they look like books. I actually have those on my bookshelf. Also Pulp Fiction in Unbreakable just because I like the packaging

So you're boycotting all movies that are only available on DVD?

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by flyry

This DVD love fest on the last page is odd. Let that format die ffs.

With the number of movies that are available on DVD only and unlikely to ever make the leap to BD, let alone 4K?

Let the format live on.

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by joy-division

I'm waiting until there is a playstation that can pkay 8K discs before upgrading

I know, right, 4K went so well

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Just looking at 2020's releases so far, here's all the titles with actual 4K masters so far (not just 4K transfers with 2K masters)

Roma
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Tokyo Olympiad
Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits (The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, and Game of Death)
Marriage Story
The Elephant Man

Some of these movies should consider getting a UHD release IMO. All the newer titles: Roma, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, and Marriage Story should get 4K UHD releases since they're brand new movies and I'm sure many Netflix watchers would also buy a 4K version of them. Other titles that should go on 4K that haven't been announced would be: The Irishman, Parasite (Maybe not), and maybe even Memories of Murder. Some of these new movies can be a little bit disappointing that there isn't a 4K version for them. If Criterion does 4K + Blu-ray deal, that would probably get some money but then again, a lot of people didn't seem to like Dual Format for some reason to the point Criterion stopped doing those so I doubt it will ever come in the future.

Side Question: Does Netflix movies like the ones I listed above have a 4K UHD version when you subscribe to 4K or is it an upconvert? If it's an actual 4K, that just proves that these movies would look great on 4K and that they might as well go 4K.

Bruce Lee's films have already gone on 4K UHD in France and maybe Hong Kong so I think they might as well use the same 4K transfer unless if it is bad. If it's bad, might as well transfer it correctly then. Bruce Lee films are another one of those 4K UHD titles that exist that didn't get that treatment here and other countries but should definitely be worth checking out. Especially since these movies have always had bad looking releases until 4 years ago. They might as well shine and show off in true 4K glamour to get fans of Bruce Lee to finally see a proper and beautiful print of these movies. Not that they are great but who cares? Criterion already decided to release it.

Tokyo Olympiad would be an interesting film to see in 4K. Since it's part of the Olympics collection, I wouldn't mind seeing a 4K version of this and I doubt Criterion will go 8K but Olympic Glory would look spectacular on 4K, even though it isn't the best Olympic film. Olympic Glory would probably be a perfect demo film that all 4K movies should look after and try to look like. Or maybe Baraka would also be one of those 8K glories that 4K Blu-rays should achieve like.

The Elephant Man already got a 4K UHD release so Criterion decided to downgrade to 1080P so that's one thing that made this release a bit disappointing. If Criterion released this a few years earlier with the 4K restoration, that movie would've been impressive. But since it was released AFTER the StudioCanal 4K UHD, it sounds a little disappointing and like Parasite, it's basically behind the shadows of obviously more superior version of the film. Still, it's better to get a new home video release of Elephant Man than never.

While I'm at it, I will restate my view on my earlier post, Criterion should start releasing some of their big hits like 8 1/2, Seventh Seal, and Seven Samurai on 4K if they decide to go 4K.

And yes, while I'm crazy for 4K, I can sometimes be crazy for a little bit of DVD at times. Stupid as it sounds like

[BenOswald]

Originally Posted by flyry

This DVD love fest on the last page is odd. Let that format die ffs.

I prefer it to "why not release ____________on the 4k UHD" pestilence.

[sonicyogurt]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Some of these movies should consider getting a UHD release IMO.

Licensing restrictions can prevent that from being in the cards. Paramount reportedly isn't licensing UHD rights to anyone, so The Elephant Man and War of the Worlds can't get an Ultra HD Blu-ray release through Criterion. If there were to be physical UHD releases stateside, they'd have to come from Paramount directly. I've seen it said that there are similar limitations with Neon, and I don't have trouble believing that it might be a similar story with Netflix.

There are plenty of titles that Criterion could release on Ultra HD Blu-ray and is choosing not to, but the decision isn't always in their hands.

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Side Question: Does Netflix movies like the ones I listed above have a 4K UHD version when you subscribe to 4K or is it an upconvert?

Netflix has mandated end-to-end Ultra HD for several years now. Even VFX are natively delivered in 4K. That doesn't apply to everything they acquire, but anything produced by/for Netflix is true UHD rather than upconverted.

[LordSummerIsle]

I'm sorry if this question has already been answered, but does anyone know the official start date of the July sale at B&N? I have a physical store that stocks most Criterion discs, and I like to go on the first day of the sale.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by LordSummerIsle

I'm sorry if this question has already been answered, but does anyone know the official start date of the July sale at B&N? I have a physical store that stocks most Criterion discs, and I like to go on the first day of the sale.

I don't think it's going to happen.

Originally Posted by anthonyls

THIS JUST IN...

I just heard from my person at my local B&N that there WON'T be a 50% off Criterion sale this July. They just don't have the stock on hand (or in their warehouse) nor the personal in store to handle it. I guess we'll have to wait to see if it happens in November.

[LordSummerIsle]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

I don't think it's going to happen.

That's unfortunate, but I understand the decision. This is going to be a wait-and-see situation, I guess.

[LordSummerIsle]

I just emailed Criterion to inquire if the sale is going to take place. I'll post their response if it's anything meaningful.

[Bn43]

Argh. Sales are the only times I buy Criterion's overpriced discs, with few exceptions.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by sonicyogurt

There are plenty of titles that Criterion could release on Ultra HD Blu-ray and is choosing not to, but the decision isn't always in their hands.

Don't you know that you're not supposed to bring logic to a gunfight?

[albertbj]

As disappointing as it would be if they don't have the July sale, it would certainly be understandable. But I do wish they would be proactive and announce it's not happening if that's the case.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by BenOswald

I prefer it to "why not release ____________on the 4k UHD" pestilence.

Only someone who has not upgraded would say that IMO

[BluLobsta]

In my defense, I listen to vinyl while reading 4K reviews

[Gacivory]

They should bring back Laserdisc, we all know it was the best home video format!