The Criterion Collection

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by rkish

I was fortunate enough to see The Dekalog (in it's entirety) when I still had NetFlix's disc plan. It seems Facets is the only company that has released it in the US and at $90 (for three DVDs) on Amazon...it would be nice to get at least an Eclipse set out of it from CC. I don't know if they would be able to get a better transfer, as it was originally released for TV (much like Berlin Alexanderplatz), but ANY better/cheaper release would be welcome.

Wow, now all the requesting for Kieslowski's The Dekalog makes sense to me. There is a company here in Mexico that has the rights to it (The complete version, not just parts) and they sell it on their line. It costs 240 pesos (Around $16-$18) and is widely available. Never thought it was rare on the US so I kind of thought people kept requesting it just because they loved it instead of it not being available at all.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Wow, now all the requesting for Kieslowski's The Dekalog makes sense to me. There is a company here in Mexico that has the rights to it (The complete version, not just parts) and they sell it on their line. It costs 240 pesos (Around $16-$18) and is widely available. Never thought it was rare on the US so I kind of thought people kept requesting it just because they loved it instead of it not being available at all.

How's the quality of this release, do you know? And is it sold on any reputable online platform?

[Yami]

Originally Posted by rkish

I don't know if they would be able to get a better transfer, as it was originally released for TV (much like Berlin Alexanderplatz), but ANY better/cheaper release would be welcome.

I'm pretty sure the Dekalog was filmed in 35mm so there's be no problems in that regard. Berlin Alexanderplatz shouldn't pose too much issues either, as that was 16mm.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Has anyone seen these blu-ray caps for THIEF OF BAGDAD on Beaver? Is it me or does the Criterion DVD look better than this German Blu in several of the comparisons?

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe..._of_bagdad.htm

It looks like the Criterion could have cranked the chroma, as the Beaver surmises? I know they've done that on a few releases, comparatively speaking, when other companies have access to the same transfer. That could account for the 'better' DVD screenshots but perhaps the blu could be better in motion...I'll just keep it in my Hulu queue for now.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

How's the quality of this release, do you know? And is it sold on any reputable online platform?

Amazon has it and the discs are still rentable from NetFlix.

Quality is mid/good-level DVD. It's a little rough but it's clear and stable. It doesn't look like Notorious but it's no cheap bootleg either.

(edit: I was talking about the Facets release - if you were asking about the Mexican release, well, never mind)

[Trace17]

Originally Posted by rkish

I was fortunate enough to see The Dekalog (in it's entirety) when I still had NetFlix's disc plan. It seems Facets is the only company that has released it in the US and at $90 (for three DVDs) on Amazon...it would be nice to get at least an Eclipse set out of it from CC. I don't know if they would be able to get a better transfer, as it was originally released for TV (much like Berlin Alexanderplatz), but ANY better/cheaper release would be welcome.

Yeah I would love to see Dekalog get a new release. I've eyed the current set a few times but never bought it, hoping for something better/cheaper to come along.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by rkish

I was fortunate enough to see The Dekalog (in it's entirety) when I still had NetFlix's disc plan. It seems Facets is the only company that has released it in the US and at $90 (for three DVDs) on Amazon...it would be nice to get at least an Eclipse set out of it from CC. I don't know if they would be able to get a better transfer, as it was originally released for TV (much like Berlin Alexanderplatz), but ANY better/cheaper release would be welcome.

TV or not, it was still shot on film. So it could look a lot better. I bought the Facets version years ago when it was around $50 and it's pretty lacking in the PQ department, even for DVD. But if they can take the Bergman stuff he shot for TV (like Fanny & Alexander & Scenes From A Marriage) and make them look superb, then I'm sure both Berlin AND Dekalog could be restored to their intended beauty.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by octagon

Amazon has it and the discs are still rentable from NetFlix.

Quality is mid/good-level DVD. It's a little rough but it's clear and stable. It doesn't look like Notorious but it's no cheap bootleg either.

(edit: I was talking about the Facets release - if you were asking about the Mexican release, well, never mind)

Yup, I was inquiring about the Mexican release but thanks anyway. I've heard such about the domestic release but since I'd have to drop $80+ for that used, I've been loathe to pull the trigger (I don't have the disc Netflix plan). But for $18...well, that quality of a release not only becomes bearable, but possibly a steal.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Have you seen Zhivago on the big screen? It may sway your opinion.

Also can you reccomend happy breed from the box set?

Zhivago is unquestionably beautiful. You're right there.

I like the whole Lean/Coward box set. I think of Brief Encounter as a perfect little film of a particular type, but they're all good. Happy Breed is tight and looks great. Did you like the other films?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RojD

Zhivago is unquestionably beautiful. You're right there.

I like the whole Lean/Coward box set. I think of Brief Encounter as a perfect little film of a particular type, but they're all good. Happy Breed is tight and looks great. Did you like the other films?

I've only seen Brief Encounter, which is perfect, and Blithe Spirit which I liked quite a bit (the technicolor looks absolutely immaculate). The latter may be second tier Lean, but I'll definitely be seeing this film again!

[Hawkguy]

I finally watched Black Narcissus last night and absolutely loved it. I wasn't too sure how I'd feel about it before, so I was really surprised by just how impressed I ended up being. Liked it more than The Red Shoes, as well. Not only was the cinematography some of the best I've seen in a long time, it's such a perfect example of how much story and character can build through the most subtle actions, visuals and fragments of dialogue possible. Anyone here really love the film?

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

Yup, I was inquiring about the Mexican release but thanks anyway. I've heard such about the domestic release but since I'd have to drop $80+ for that used, I've been loathe to pull the trigger (I don't have the disc Netflix plan). But for $18...well, that quality of a release not only becomes bearable, but possibly a steal.

http://www.mixup.com.mx/mixup/Produc...=7506036071005

Mixup is a Mexican music/video store which operates in the whole country so they are safe. The release currently costs 199 pesos online (Around $16) but the thing is that this only has Spanish subs (Zima does not offer other subs for the same reason Criterion doesn't). This is a relatively new release as it came out around this time last year. I don't own the release but have a vast library of Zima titles and can say their quality isn't the best but you can't ask much for the low prices (A lot of their films are sold at $3-$5 each).

[rkish]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Going back to the darkish ages, my first viewing was around 1984ish when I was 12. My local PBS station was airing it in a radical way, simulcasting it in stereo on its sister NPR station. I don't recall if it was OAR. I remember falling asleep halfway through, despite my excitement at stereo! My next memorable run-in was buying it on VHS at Borders in 1995. I accidentally bought P&S since I couldn't imagine it came any other way than widescreen. They were cool and let me exchange it.

Over the next decade I was lucky to catch it in Cinerama and 70mm. The former was wonderful -- I watched the first half from dead center and the second half from the balcony. The 70mm showing was disappointing. My fiancée was fussy, we got there late and were way in the back. Ah well, what're you gonna do?

That and the Seventh Seal followed by Von Sydow last year... those must have been sublime!

Wow...I actually remember the PBS radio/TV simulcast as well (I think it was Channel 13 in NYC)...it was a pretty neat thing at the time. I think I managed to stay awake.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Now that's good parenting! Hopefully one day I'll get the same glorious opportunity.

My parents let me go with my older brother (a year older than me), but we were there all by ourselves...it was a pretty neat experience.

[Archedamian]

Black Narcissus is one of my favorite films. Just love it.

[RiFiFi1955]

So when do you think we will be seeing the March announcements? The 15th is Saturday so probably the following Monday?

[aherron]

UPS just delivered my copy of Following and La Haine. Will be watching both sometime this week.

[MelZombie]

strange question..
but does anyone have the black criterion tote bag from criterion.com??
is it sturdy? etc.
anyone willing to sell theres?

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

So when do you think we will be seeing the March announcements? The 15th is Saturday so probably the following Monday?

Not sure what the precedent is here. Monday sounds right to me, as much as getting them early would be nice.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Not sure what the precedent is here. Monday sounds right to me, as much as getting them early would be nice.

They announced them on the following Monday back in September when the 15th was a Saturday.