The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Seems some Bresson prints (Janus) are touring the country now. Perhaps a blu-ray or two is coming soon...

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by joie

A review of Nothing Sacred (on my wishlist) is up and reads, in part:

... Kino's 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer is a visual pleasure. We should get one thing straight first, though: unlike some of the larger studios releasing older films--Fox, Paramount, Criterion, etc.--Kino simply doesn't have the resources to remove damage and debris with frame-by-frame digital restorations. Instead, they find the cleanest prints they can, leaving scratches and specks "as is" but taking care to fix color and tonality issues, which are much easier to deal with. So yes, you can expect some mild, age- related print issues, but nothing terribly distracting--no heavy warpage, brightness fluctuations, tears, etc. Grain looks healthy and natural, and there are no signs of edge enhancement or other forms of digital boosting. ...

Criterion is in the same league as Fox and Paramount? A larger studio?

Anyway, does anyone think Kino's approach is more true to the source? Wouldn't we see many of Criterion's releases looking more filmic if we were able to see the the source material (film) projected? Or a digital restoration with less manipulation? I think a lot of Criterion's restorations may be digital restorations, that is, they work with a digital master rather than film. I am not disappointed by some flaws on an old film. Is a lack of resources the reason Kino doesn't remove scratches and specks?

The more interesting thing about that Criterion comment is that they are NOT a studio, but a distributor of films. Calling them a film studio is wrong information and should be fixed by the reviewer.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I'm officially calling you a troll. Some of those films on your list are great, but none of them are flawless. Also, Showgirls and the remake of Conan? As someone else snarked, you must still be on drugs. Can I have some of those magic pills so I too, can enjoy some of those awful films and call them flawless?

The ironic part, and I am adding to the cause, is that a post like that is only for attention purposes and he was successful....

Anyways, I have seen a few posts about the Nikkatsu Noir set, which is one of the better Eclipse sets, but has anyone's curiosity been raised how Cruel Gun Story is very similar to The Killing???

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by jcs913

The ironic part, and I am adding to the cause, is that a post like that is only for attention purposes and he was successful....

Anyways, I have seen a few posts about the Nikkatsu Noir set, which is one of the better Eclipse sets, but has anyone's curiosity been raised how Cruel Gun Story is very similar to The Killing???

I think I was a third of the way through Cruel Gun Story when I suddenly realised it was so close to The Killing. I'm glad it doesn't copy it all the way...
Btw, with all this talk of Japanese 60s cinema, the Nikkatsu and Oshima Eclipse box-sets, it's a good time to recommend the box-set of The Warped World of Koreyoshi Kurahara again. The first film, Intimidation, is a fantastic crime film and is only 65 minutes long.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Are they touring? I know Film Forum in NYC is having a Bresson retrospective, but it seems to be just that, a few with new prints but nothing that screams "coming soon to Blu-ray." (except maybe L'Argent?)

http://www.criterion.com/current/pos...ertory-roundup

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I think I was a third of the way through Cruel Gun Story when I suddenly realised it was so close to The Killing. I'm glad it doesn't copy it all the way...
Btw, with all this talk of Japanese 60s cinema, the Nikkatsu and Oshima Eclipse box-sets, it's a good time to recommend the box-set of The Warped World of Koreyoshi Kurahara again. The first film, Intimidation, is a fantastic crime film and is only 65 minutes long.

It's funny you mentioned that set. You can't help but watch Black Sun and think of the potential influence on the Lethal Weapon films. It has many of the same characteristics of Kurahara in them.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Rich, I don't know if you did stream Certified Copy yet, but the film is very good. Juliette is fantastic as usual. She seems to always give great performances, regardless of the content, unlike many US actresses. Unfortunately, the Netflix quality was not very good. Definitely makes me want to import the Artificial Eye. Their streaming quality has seemed a step below lately, which is not good news for them. The other day I wanted to watch the Kino release of Rapt, and frankly, the stream was unwatchable. As for Tiny Furniture, they can keep it, along with Criterion when it comes out....

Hey John...I haven't had a chance to stream Certified Copy yet...when I do, I'll let you know how the PQ looks. Thanks for the heads up! NetFlix claims that it can be streamed in HD...

[PowellPressburger]

I wonder if new announcements willo happen on Friday or Monday? Or be pushed until Tuesday for the Monday holiday?

[rkish]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I think I was a third of the way through Cruel Gun Story when I suddenly realised it was so close to The Killing. I'm glad it doesn't copy it all the way...
Btw, with all this talk of Japanese 60s cinema, the Nikkatsu and Oshima Eclipse box-sets, it's a good time to recommend the box-set of The Warped World of Koreyoshi Kurahara again. The first film, Intimidation, is a fantastic crime film and is only 65 minutes long.

I will hopefully add the Koreyoshi Kurahara set and the Mizoguchi set during the next sale...thanks for the feedback!

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I wonder if new announcements willo happen on Friday or Monday? Or be pushed until Tuesday for the Monday holiday?

They shouldn't delay it for the non-Americans in North America. Canadians and Mexicans don't have Monday off.

I'm leaning more towards Friday for the announcements.

[*DrStrangelove*]

I just saw A Colt is My Passport on Hulu. It was pretty fantastic. Love the style and the use of western music. It made me a fan of Joe Shishido (this is the first film I've seen of his). I'm gonna check out the other titles in the Nikkatsu Noir set. They're all on Hulu. After seeing this, its made Branded to Kill a must buy for me.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just saw A Colt is My Passport on Hulu. It was pretty fantastic. Love the style and the use of western music. It made me a fan of Joe Shishido (this is the first film I've seen of his). I'm gonna check out the other titles in the Nikkatsu Noir set. They're all on Hulu. After seeing this, its made Branded to Kill a must buy for me.

If you liked Pierrot le fou, then you should love Branded to Kill. BtK was like PlF on crack, IMHO.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I wonder if new announcements willo happen on Friday or Monday? Or be pushed until Tuesday for the Monday holiday?

My money is on Friday when they will announce one of my most requested releases, a Godard/Gorin Dziga Vertov Group boxset.

[chamillionaire]

I am just getting into the criterion collection but does anyone know if best buy(in-store or online) or any online stores put any of these movies on sale for $20 bucks every noe and then. I would like to know before I pay $30 bucks even though I know it's worth every penny. However I don't like to miss a sale and save a few bucks on 1 or 2 movies. I have about 5 on my list I hope to purchase soon.

[ShellOilJunior]

Good lord, Bicycle Thieves is over-due for an upgrade...

[Trekkie313]

I got a copy of Under The Volcano on VHS, the only other release besides the Criterion DVD. So by transitive property, I own the Criterion release!

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by chamillionaire

I am just getting into the criterion collection but does anyone know if best buy(in-store or online) or any online stores put any of these movies on sale for $20 bucks every noe and then. I would like to know before I pay $30 bucks even though I know it's worth every penny. However I don't like to miss a sale and save a few bucks on 1 or 2 movies. I have about 5 on my list I hope to purchase soon.

Best-Buy hasn't done that yet. A lot of their locations only recently started stocking many Criterion titles, all for the $30 price.

[Banned User]

You best bet is when Amazon or Barnes and Nobles has a sale. I've never seen a Criterion on sale at Best Buy.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by chamillionaire

I am just getting into the criterion collection but does anyone know if best buy(in-store or online) or any online stores put any of these movies on sale for $20 bucks every noe and then. I would like to know before I pay $30 bucks even though I know it's worth every penny. However I don't like to miss a sale and save a few bucks on 1 or 2 movies. I have about 5 on my list I hope to purchase soon.

Barnes And Noble Is Good For A {Semi} Annual 1/2 off sale.
Also Best Buy will price match B & N sale prices. i did that during the last Half Off
B & N sale. B & N sold out of my wants and BB Matched - These Titles were IN STORE.

[BohemianGraham]

So I watched all of Tokyo Drifter today, and I have confirmed that I enjoyed it just a wee bit more than Branded to Kill.

[Show spoiler]The big bash up at the club with the exotic dancer reminded me a lot of the Borracho scene in The Great Race.