The Criterion Collection

[Monty70]

Great to get the Ernst Lubitsch film Design for Living in HD.

[dlevine]

Excited to see a Lubitsch. I've only seen a few of his films, all of which I've enjoyed. Gary Cooper's in this one! I'm surprised it's taken him so long to get into the Collection.

I've been holding off on getting The Lady Vanishes on DVD, so I'm excited to see this.

Ever since I saw Branded to Kill during my Hulu trial, I've been dying to see it on a big screen. That was on wacky film. I enjoyed every minute of it, so I'll definitely get this one at some point.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by monque

Booo, no Y Tu Mama Tambien.

To be honest, I have been waiting for this release for months now (Since the New Year's drawing). At this point I will just wait patiently until Criterion decides it's the best time to release it .

After some thinking, I now clearly see why December is a slow-month compared to others. I just realized most of the second half of December are generally holidays . It's hard to imagine Criterion actually has real people working behind all of this continious stream of amazing transfers .

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Harakiri comparison

It concerns me that the Criterion is noticeably cropped. In one screenshot, a person visible on the left of the MoC's frame is completely missing from the Criterion.
However, I think the MoC looks a little soft. Perhaps others will think the Criterion looks artificially sharpened.
Any thoughts?

The Criterion version does look the best to me. It MoC is softer for sure. I'm not sure if the framing is enough for me to be too concerned though.

If there ever was a argument to sell Blu ray to someone who is not convinced; this comparsion should be good proof. The DVD shots look awful in comparison to the Blu ray.

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

You know something funny, you have to be the first person to comment on this film since it's artwork was posted. Going off of this forum or Criterion's facebook wall, I would of thought it never existed (or on Criterion's facebook wall, it was a "disappointing month" because something like Kubrick wasn't announced).

It's too bad he gets overlooked, as along with some other pre-code directors, he was brilliant. Eclipse Series 8 was a dream. Him and von Sternberg are two of my favourites. Would love to see Blue Angel on Blu, or an upgrade for Scarlet Empress

[easyblu]

Will definitely get The Lady Vanishes. Need to watch Branded to Kill and Tokyo Drifter first. Branded to Kill was out of sync when I tried to watch it on Hulu on the PS3.

Good month, but I am sad that Criterion still hasn't decided to give the blu-ray treatment to any of Ozu's films yet.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

You know something funny, you have to be the first person to comment on this film since it's artwork was posted. Going off of this forum or Criterion's facebook wall, I would of thought it never existed (or on Criterion's facebook wall, it was a "disappointing month" because something like Kubrick wasn't announced).

If something like Design for Living can get ignored, no wonder many obscure things won't sell and hasn't been released.


But back to the releases, I will be buying one from this month. Anybody care to guess?

Design for Living ?

Didn't comment a lot about this film a few pages as my excitement for the Suzuki selection kinda get over me but I am looking forward it . I hope Criterion continue taking chances with lesser known films. Is what keeps the company interesting without getting stale.

[unclemat]

I am disappointed that no one chimed in to my wish for Kieslowski's Decalogue (Dekalog).

It's a masterprice that apparently remains little known. No surprise given crappy and expensive DVD releases it received.

This is something that could really, really use Criterion treatment.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Design for Living ?

Now how did you know?

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by unclemat

I am disappointed that no one chimed in to my wish for Kieslowski's Decalogue (Dekalog).

It's a masterprice that apparently remains little known. No surprise given crappy and expensive DVD releases it received.

This is something that could really, really use Criterion treatment.

I actually saw your post but just before answering needed to go out. I share your wish for Decalogue to receive the Criterion treatment. It is just that, as with many other films, there is a limited number of things Criterion can release. There are some films that I consider should be definitely included in the collection like Bunuel's Los Olvidados or Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days but the sad truth is that most of this seems like wishful thinking at the moment. Kieslowski's Decalogue is a stronger contender because of the recent push Criterion has given him. So many deserving films that should be included, it is a shame not all of them will .

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Now how did you know?

Don't know , probably your post had something to it that maybe, just maybe, gave me a hint. You seem very supportive about lesser known films making it into the collection so it wasn't really hard to guess .

[octagon]

Completely OT but anybody have any quick thoughts about Battleship Potemkin? It showed up in my gold box today for nineteen bucks and I'm kinda tempted.

(yeah, I know there's a Kino thread but I don't know most of those folk and more importantly, I'm lazy)

[alexroubaix]

Though there are some great Criterion December releases, I'm kinda bummed about no Belle De Jour or Y Tu Mama Tambien. I guess next year (plus I have the magnificent November slate to tide me over).

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by octagon

Completely OT but anybody have any quick thoughts about Battleship Potemkin? It showed up in my gold box today for nineteen bucks and I'm kinda tempted.

(yeah, I know there's a Kino thread but I don't know most of those folk and more importantly, I'm lazy)

Don't know what to say, but GET IT. NOW!

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

December still is a strong month with the MUCH needed upgrades for Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill for sure! I have passed on the old DVDs for many years waiting for 16:9 transfers.

the covers are really cool!

All four titles will be day one purchases.

+1
I watched my PAL version of Branded to Kill recently, but I'll happily upgrade it. So glad to be able to get it with Tokyo Drifter, as well.
I'd love to see Youth of the Beast, but it might be asking too much too soon after this double Suzuki announcement.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by octagon

Completely OT but anybody have any quick thoughts about Battleship Potemkin? It showed up in my gold box today for nineteen bucks and I'm kinda tempted.

(yeah, I know there's a Kino thread but I don't know most of those folk and more importantly, I'm lazy)

I think it's a very important film...and I echo Spidey with saying that it's a must get...and $19 is a good price to boot!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by rkish

I think it's a very important film...and I echo Spidey with saying that it's a must get...and $19 is a good price to boot!

Yeah.... I don't recall how much I paid for it, but it's worth every bit of $19 and then some!

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by melo4mvp

Haven't seen any of these but Tokyo Drifter and Branded to kill look like two films I will really like.

I'm obviously a fan of Branded to Kill (check out my avatar) and Seijun Suzuki, but I don't recommend a blind-buy.
His films are very strange to say the least and Branded to Kill is the film that got him fired from Nikkatsu Studios and wrecked his career for the next 10 years.
Branded to Kill is not the same kind of Japanese noir that Pale Flower is. I'd recommend watching it or part of it before purchase.
I haven't seen Tokyo Drifter for years, but recall that it wasn't as out there as Branded to Kill, but it is also a bit out there. Out there in a very strange and cool way.
I'll be getting both
Commiserations to those who won't be getting their Christmas wishes.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by unclemat

I am disappointed that no one chimed in to my wish for Kieslowski's Decalogue (Dekalog).

It's a masterprice that apparently remains little known. No surprise given crappy and expensive DVD releases it received.

This is something that could really, really use Criterion treatment.

Dekalog was my very last series of DVD rentals from NetFlix before I canceled the disc rental part of my plan. I would certainly welcome the upgrade to BD and an expansion of supplemental materials would be the icing on the cake.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by rkish

Dekalog was my very last series of DVD rentals from NetFlix before I canceled the disc rental part of my plan. I would certainly welcome the upgrade to BD and an expansion of supplemental materials would be the icing on the cake.

I think I missed where you were doing this....... I am now doing that as well.

Netflix allows you to stream 6 devices on one account.... I currently pay for 3 plans.

2 Discs at a time, unlimited, with streaming. Two of those accounts have Blu-ray access added too...

So, with the price increase, I'm paying about $80 a month after taxes etc. for Netflix. I plan on canceling our plan out-right, and adding our two BD players to one of the "gift" accounts I am currently footing the bill for (and have been for 3 years)

Saves us $25 a month or so