Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Anyone think The Spy Who Came in from the Cold will be a Criterion BD? One of my all-time favourites and I would double-dip for the Criterion one in a second if it wasn't for the existence of BD.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

That's a great review and the best news of all for those of us outside the US is that, according to the review, The Third Man is 'Region Free'!

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Actually, if you read the last lines of the Video portion of the review, it's stated that "The Third Man" is Region A only, which is unfortunate.

"(Note: This is a Region-A encoded Blu-ray disc which you will not be able to playback on your Region-B only hardware. You will need Region-Free hardware in order to view its content)."

Also, I just contacted the reviewer of "The Third Man" to make a correction under the Playback at the top of the review, which currently and incorrectly lists the disc as Region Free.

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Oops...missed that bit and just noticed the 'Playback' part! Too much wishful thinking on my part there I think.

A shame for those of us who would love to import some Crit BD's.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Import a US player. Problem solved.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

A review for Criterion's "The Man Who Fell To Earth" is up now.

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Mine will be up tomorrow.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Added expense plus lack of space in the A/V rack prevents this at the moment I'm afraid.

I'm thinking that early in the new year I may get my Panny player modded for both Region A/B playback.

It's a shame that region coding is still insisted upon by a few of the major companies, although I notice that Fox have begun to release a number of titles - mainly TV series - Region free.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Criterion does their region coding for the simple reason that their right to distribute the films they release is usually limited to North America.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

A member over on blu-ray.com has posted images of the packaging for "The Third Man," "The Man Who Fell To Earth," and "Bottle Rocket"... plus, side-by-side comparison with standard blu-ray cases. Good stuff, indeed!

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Hmmm. So Criterion is eschewing the traditional blue plastic Blu-ray case for something more along the lines of Warner's cardboard book-style cases.

That's too bad as it looks like there's a reasonable height difference between these cases and the standard Blus.

I also wish I had a Blu copy of The Dark Knight on my bookshelf tonight...

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Mike,

I think I'll start replacing those "specialty" cardboard-type cases (especially the book-style ones) w/ blank Blu cases and then just store the cases in comic book type bags to preserve them from unnecessary wear. Maybe I'll just scan and reproduce the covers for them -- or there will be downloadable covers for them.

_Man_

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Man:

You can be sure downloadable covers will be available for all new Blu-ray discs. It's like a cottage industry consisting of people who aren't satisfied with the art departments of the studios!

I recently lost the case for my copy of the BD of The Italian Job. Don't ask me how because I don't know. To say I turned my house inside-out ain't too far from the truth. It's taking all my will-power to keep from pointing accusatory fingers at my wife and son! But I was able to secure a high-rez copy of some cover art someone had produced for TIJ BD, print it up on a photo printer, slide it into an extra BD case and "voila"--good as new!

In case you are not aware, there's an entire thread devoted to the subject of changing cases--mostly on the premise of moving to slimmer cases and reclaiming valuable shelf space. It's kind of big...but if you check out the last half-dozen pages, you'll probably get the idea. There's lots of fun photos sprinkled throughout the entire thread.

From the looks of those photos, those Criterion cases look like the type which would get dog-eared and scratched pretty darn quick (even with meticulous handling) for those who care about such things. I could see why you might want to switch 'em over.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I have my own shrink wrap machine.

any dvd with a slip cover that isnt already shrink wrapped, gets a shrink wrap.

same with these new cardboard blyu-rays.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

But how do you get the discs in and out???

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

The review for "Bottle Rocket" is finally up over at blu-ray.com!

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Any word of Brazil (1985) yet? I really miss this movie, I didn't purchased the 2006 3-disc edition yet for that reason... still waiting for it.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Just gave the 2006 Brazil remaster a spin a few days ago, and it looks pretty spectacular for SD. Not to say I wouldn't buy a Blu-ray version day-and-date...

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I was able to pick up "Chungking Express" last night from Newbury Comics in Warwick, RI with a "$5 off over $25" e-mail coupon that they sent out. My total after tax came to $26.74.

At the Warwick location, though, only "Chungking Express" and "Bottle Rocket" were $29.99. Both "The Man Who Fell To Earth" and "The Third Man" were priced at $34.99 and weren't on display up front.

Also, my "Chungking Express" has a small crack in the lower right-hand corner of the inner plastic case. Oh, well.

And honestly, it could be a bit sturdier cardboard, if that's the route Criterion's going to use for these blu-rays. Based on the packaging alone at the store, I would've picked either "The Man Who Fell To Earth" or "The Third Man" but they didn't have the lower price tag.

The first thing that you notice when looking from the top viewpoint is how the disc packaging has a slant to either the right or left. Due to the shrink-wrapping on the discs, the pressure pulls the cardboard one way or the other. Sturdier cardboard would prevent this, I think. Obviously, though, it's easily corrected once unwrapped.

All I can say is that it could be a lot worse.

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

DVDBeaver's comparison of "The Last Emperor" on blu-ray is up now!

CC

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Chris: You seem to be a Criterion enthusiast. How do you feel about Criterion going along with Bertolucci & Storaro on the re-framing of TLE?

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I'm not Chris, but, in principle, I feel the same about it as I do about Nolan's decision with the BD of TDK. They have the right to present it as they wish, regardless of what the audience may think of that presentation. The audience is free to be happy or unhappy about it, and free to express that disssatisfaction. The audience does NOT have the right to be satisfied.

That said, I've never seen the film, in any form, so I'm unlikely to be excessively disappointed by the BD should I watch it. I am sympathetic to those who wish to have a version that is OAR, but I will defend the artistic creator's right to choose otherwise quite vigorously. I spent years disappointed at the lack of OAR from one of my favourite filmmakers (Kubrick) and I thought his choice regarding home video versions of his works to be wrong. However, I respected his right to make that choice as the creator of the work in question. I am happy to now have versions (on HD DVD) of his works that are closer to, if not identical, to OAR (though, of course, I'd like to have them all in OAR if I could).

As with TDK, the debates about The Last Emperor and other films where creators make choices that are not liked by the audience, the central issue is one of rights vs expectations. We expect a version to our liking, but we have no inherent right to one. It's really that simple.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

But, Paul, don'tcha at least think it's surprising when the artists don't give their audience a product to their liking? I completely understand artistic integrity and all (and the desire of the artist to please him or herself and not their audience).

But in the case of TLE, Storaro has said it is the limitations of home video which demand the different framing. He, IMO, is way off the beaten path with his writings about The Last Supper and the 2:1 ratio being close to perfection. And, of course, there are the changing parameters of the home video technology.

I can agree with all you said in your post...but it's also true that Criterion has as part of it's mission statement:


So my question, since we are in a thread about Criterion's blu-ray releases, is about the company's decision to allow Bertoluccci and Storaro their newly-defined vision of TLE. I am more interested in their decision-making on this project rather than the filmmakers'. I actually wonder if Criterion even opened a discussion with Storaro about it in the context of the high-def specifications?

It must have been a difficult decision for them to do so, given their track record for excellence in adhering to their high standards of:

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Yes, they did. They specifically addressed this issue when they went to make the HD master for the DVD and BD. They asked Bertolucci, and he adamantly said to do whatever Storaro wanted. And Storaro wanted 2:1.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I hope Coppola has changed his mind when it comes to releasing Apocalypse Now on Blu-ray!

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I'm not trying to be simply contrary, Brandon. But I remember the Criterion statement about reaching out to Bertolucci.

My question is about Storaro himself. Did Criterion ever engage him in a discussion about the possibilities of a Blu-ray presentation and how it should negate his concerns about the inadequacies of home video presentation.

If nothing else, his response to that line of discussion might provide insight into more of his reasons for wanting to create this unusual standard.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Emperor 2.0

From the start of this project, Bertolucci has insisted that Storaro have ultimate approval of the mastering of the feature. This master was made in Rome under Storaro’s direct supervision, with Bertolucci’s approval. When we asked Storaro about the framing of the film, he unhesitatingly told us that the correct aspect ratio for The Last Emperor was 2:1, even though the film was commonly projected at 2.35:1. He told us that The Last Emperor was the first film he shot specifically for 2.0 framing, and Bertolucci backs him up. Our mission is to present each film as its makers would want it to be seen, and in this case the director and cinematographer asked that we release their film in the format they say they had always envisioned. We had quite a lot of discussion over this, and we certainly knew it would be controversial, but in the end the decision was not made by us. It was made, as it should be, by the filmmakers.

DVD and BD aside, this statement is in regards to the HD Master. If Storaro is insisting the HD master be 2:1 - that is to say, a master done at either 2K or 4K with more information than a 1080p BD - then, yes, they likely discussed the possibilities of a Blu-ray presentation.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Actually, I'm more surprised the artistic creators don't do what Nolan and Bertolucci/Storaro have done MORE often. I presume it is because, in many cases, the authority to influence such decisions (for home release) frequently belongs to someone else.

You are free to disagree (and I'm not in the Storaro camp as far as his view of the "perfect AR" is concerned) with him, but if he has final say, it is his right. I am defending his right, not the choices he exercises with that right.

As for Criterion's mission statement, I consider the second half of the statement to be of paramount importance (even if that leads to releases in a less than ideal format from my perspective).


I can't speak to that, of course, though someone else has provided some information just above my post. In the end, artistic freedom, like any freedom of expression, comes at the price of the occasional disappointment or (in the cases of some forms of expression, even offensiveness--though I am NOT applying that judgement to the films in discussion here, but rather as a potential consequence of freedom of expression generally). I'd rather pay that occasional price than see such freedom truncated.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Brandon & Paul:

Thanks for your informed responses!

I guess, to me, Storaro's decisions on this will always be out-of-whack. There appears to be evidence to the contrary of his statement above about the framing of TLE.

Where I'm coming from is that very few films have affected me the way TLE did when I first saw the Artisan DVD in my home environment. I just simply had never seen such dramatic and beautiful visuals as what were pouring off the screen in that rather imperfect home video presentation. Now, when I get a chance to see a re-mastered transfer in a state of the art format, the image has been changed.

I've watched the altered image on the Criterion SD release. I even went back and did some A/B comparisons of certain scenes. The change is dramatic in some places.

Despite the mindset of some HTFers that I should just "get over it", this will continue to be a disappointment for me. As Paul points out, I retain the right to that disappointment just as, I guess, Storaro retains the right to present his work as he sees fit--even if I think the brilliant cinematographer is a bit crazed for tinkering with his brilliant original composition. His motivations escape me (although I admit I retain some dubious ideas of what they might be)...but such is the mind of a genius, I guess.

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I don't think it's a matter of 'getting over it'; some viewers will be able to accept the compromise, and some won't. I also think Storaro's reasoning is awkward and his statements full of half-truths. Fortunately enough for me the film still comes across as a remarkable story told with artistic flourish even with the altered AR. I do, however, understand how for some it would not.