Best/Worst UK releases of 2014?

[huntauk]

I personally have been more selective this year, so don't particularly hate anything I've bought. My selects are all based on the films themselves, but feel free to discuss or reference technical aspects such as scans, encodes, extras or dare we go there, packaging.

Favourite release: Herzog Set - All the classics from the greatest living filmmaker. (in my opinion)

Most surprising release: Violent Saturday - Really hadn't heard of this one at all until Adam recommended, just stands out as a unique gem when compared to similar genre films made at it's time.

Most disappointing release: Edge of Tomorrow - Was just underwhelmed after all the hype, I thought Source Code dealt with the 'Sci-Fi Groundhog Day' narrative more effectively.

[CouncilSpectre]

Best Release - Twin Peaks (so unexpected!)
Worst Release - Pompeii (utter garbage movie)

[bigshot]

The best release I've seen so far is Busby Berkeley's The Gang's All Here. Haven't gotten a bad one yet (knock on wood)

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by huntauk

Most disappointing release: Edge of Tomorrow - Was just underwhelmed after all the hype, I thought Source Code dealt with the 'Sci-Fi Groundhog Day' narrative more effectively.

Have you seen the horror movie equivalent, "Haunter"? It's pretty darn good.

[huntauk]

Originally Posted by bigshot

Have you seen the horror movie equivalent, "Haunter"? It's pretty darn good.

No, but had a quick read up from the site synopsis and looks quite interesting. Will take a look when I can, thanks for the tip.

[rapta]

Good shout for a thread! Being very indecisive though I'm not gonna be definitive just yet.

Looking through what I've bought this year, mine would have to be...

Best releases (boxset): well let's see...Werner Herzog Collection (BFI), Jim Jarmusch Collection (Soda), Kelly Reichardt Collection (Soda), Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery (Paramount), Jacques Tati Collection (StudioCanal), Chris Marker Collection (Soda), or Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi (Arrow Academy)? gonna be tough to decide as I'm having trouble getting through them all!

Best single releases: Harold and Maude & Serpico (both Eureka's MoC) - I say this because I begged for both last year and my wish came true! Might have a heart attack if Eureka announce something like Days of Heaven or Witness

Worst release: not sure, try not to buy bad releases...maybe the Brazil steelbook because they still haven't updated the transfer?

[melonhed]

I don't know if these count, but for me, the worst releases are the ones that are DVD only, compared to US.
Ain't them bodies saints-DVD only, no extras
Prince Avalanche-DVD only, very few/no extras
Scenic Route-DVD only, no extras. They even changed the damn title to Wrecked, even though there is already a film with that title, that didn't come out that long ago. Stupidest title change ever.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by huntauk

Most surprising release: Violent Saturday - Really hadn't heard of this one at all until Adam recommended, just stands out as a unique gem when compared to similar genre films made at it's time.

Really pleased to hear this. I'd probably say it was my favourite UK release of the year, due to it being the first release I worked on myself.

Vanity aside the following are firm favourites.

The Twin Peaks set.

The BFI's Alain Robbe-Grillet box-set

Roma from Masters Of Cinema. This really brought me around to Fellini.

Our boutique labels have all had really solid years. I'd nominate the Tati set too, but I opted for the Criterion.

[malcy30]

I'm going to comment more on the quality of the BD (PQ, sound, extras etc) rather than whether I liked the film / TV show or not

Best overall : Camera Obscura The Walerian Borowczyk Collection (Arrow) I was a Kickstarter backer of this, purchased on a blind buy to support the restoration. An amazing boxset and you can see the love put into the content

Twin Peaks (Paramount) something I never expected to appear on BD. It looks great, has a good collection of extras and I can live with sound issues

Films I never expected to see on BD and being personal favourites they make up for the crap DVDs, are all MGM titles via Kino, Breakheart Pass, Juggernaut and Great Train Robbery. The pictures are an upgrade to DVD but are never going to be amazing given they are niche titles.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Really pleased to hear this. I'd probably say it was my favourite UK release of the year, due to it being the first release I worked on myself.

Vanity aside the following are firm favourites.

The Twin Peaks set.

The BFI's Alain Robbe-Grillet box-set

Roma from Masters Of Cinema. This really brought me around to Fellini.

Our boutique labels have all had really solid years. I'd nominate the Tati set too, but I opted for the Criterion.

I bought Violent Saturday too but haven't watched it yet - I'll let you know what I think!

As for the Tati set, it is very nice...just a little bit of a shame the UK release didn't use the same digipacks as the French release. But other than that the content is excellent!

[huntauk]

Originally Posted by rapta

I bought Violent Saturday too but haven't watched it yet - I'll let you know what I think!

In a weird way it felt connected to Peter Weir's Witness, which you mentioned you like. Not because of the Amish connection, but the fact both are Hollywood genre pictures; heist and police corruption crime thrillers respectively, but transcend the genre and focus more on the characters and the atmosphere than the narrative, whilst still being satisfying to watch also as a casual viewer rather than most of Malick's work where active engagement is needed to avoid frustration. I too really rate Badlands and Days of Heaven by the way

[rapta]

Originally Posted by huntauk

In a weird way it felt connected to Peter Weir's Witness, which you mentioned you like. Not because of the Amish connection, but the fact both are Hollywood genre pictures; heist and police corruption crime thrillers respectively, but transcend the genre and focus more on the characters and the atmosphere than the narrative, whilst still being satisfying to watch also as a casual viewer rather than most of Malick's work where active engagement is needed to avoid frustration. I too really rate Badlands and Days of Heaven by the way

Nice! Look forward to watching it then

[Le Grande Blu]

Worst releases for me were the films which only got a DVD release. Relatively high profile world cinema like, for example, We Are The Best! and The Strange Colour of your Body's Tears received cinema runs but no Blu Rays. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by huntauk

Most disappointing release: Edge of Tomorrow - Was just underwhelmed after all the hype, I thought Source Code dealt with the 'Sci-Fi Groundhog Day' narrative more effectively.

Seriously what the heck man. This is one of the best movies of the year.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by levcore

Seriously what the heck man. This is one of the best movies of the year.

I liked Source Code a lot but Edge is better for sure.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

I liked Source Code a lot but Edge is better for sure.

Nah Source Code is a tighter film, Edge Of Tomorrow was pretty good though and one of Cruise's best of recent years (maybe even the best).

[Dickieduvet]

Got to give the nod to Universal, yes! That Universal for their recent Clint Eastwood Collection Boxset. All around decent release with minor meddling considering.

The Burbs - outstanding release from Arrow

Worst release - Tourist trap. Total botch, missing scenes, re-edits, cack source materials.


Lots of other great stuff from Arrow and Network this year, far too many to mention.

[NoFro]

Originally Posted by rapta

Nah Source Code is a tighter film, Edge Of Tomorrow was pretty good though and one of Cruise's best of recent years (maybe even the best).

I'm with you. I found Source Code brilliant and absolutely gripping from start to finish. Edge of Tomorrow was fun but the film felt pretty lightweight and the last act was not so great.

As for me? I'm really happy with the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary LE. I know it doesn't have everything and that annoys some people but I'm really happy with what is in there.

Also The Sopranos, which I'm working my way through at the moment. Nice boxset, transfers are really good (with problems that do occur in the earlier seasons seemingly stemming from the source), and there seem to be a fair few special features for me to work my way through once I'm done.

[samdvd1]

For me:

Best: Kelly Reichardt Collection

Worst: Tourist Trap

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Got to give the nod to Universal, yes! That Universal for their recent Clint Eastwood Collection Boxset. All around decent release with minor meddling considering.

The Burbs - outstanding release from Arrow

Worst release - Tourist trap. Total botch, missing scenes, re-edits, cack source materials.


Lots of other great stuff from Arrow and Network this year, far too many to mention.

Great choice- loving my boxset too- nice packaging as well.