Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I feel like putting in a plug for El Norte, which many people here likely have never seen. I had pretty much given up on ever seeing this again, as the only prior release in the U.S. was a VHS tape. To see this being released, and in Blu-ray no less, really is a pleasant surprise.

If you are unfamiliar with El Norte, check out Roger Ebert's review from 1983.

El Norte :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews

In 2004 Ebert added El Norte to his "Great Movies" series. It is well-worth seeing, and it looks like the BD is loaded with extras.

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Has everyone seen the review up for "El Norte"? I can't wait for this one, either!

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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

El Norte is my most anticipated DVD ever. As many times as I've seen the movie, I've never seen it in OAR. On Blu-Ray with full supplements is just amazing icing on the cake.

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My hopes remain high, but I've noticed over the months, that Atanasov never met a BD he didn't like...a lot.

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DVDBeaver's review for "El Norte" is now up! I'm getting more and more excited for this film with each review that I read.

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Finally got my hands on THE THIRD MAN (one of my all-time favorite films), and I'm very pleased.... with the actual disc. But the packaging? Ugh. No, double ugh. It's just terrible, soft and flimsy, and bound to fall apart over time (and believe me, I take good care of my discs). Kinda reminds me of the John Coltrane remastered CDs from Impulse! Records, which come in cardboard sleeves instead of standard jewel cases... they look stellar, as long as you never touch them.

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Add me to the list of voices very disappointed in the packaging of these Blu Ray titles from Criterion - I too bought "The Third Man" ( umpteenth time for one of my absolute favorite movies ) but damaged the packaging while trying, very carefully, to open it !

I have put the disc into a regular Blu Ray case but don't have an appropriate cover so the "pair" just sit there side by side (same problem with "Baraka").

Criterion - I deeply appreciate the content but please significantly improve the packaging (your identity is unique !)

Regards.

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I agree the Packaging is crap,they either should do books like warner ,or
just use standard Blue Ray box,makes the whole thing look cheap

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I like the packaging, but I wish the disks would go into sleeves and eliminate the plastic altogether.

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I have no problem with cardboard and non-standard packaging at all. However, I am concerned that these are just too flimsy. I had two sent by DeepDiscount (in a padded envelope! NO) and one was curved vertically as the mailman shoved it into a pretty full mailbox. The cover and spine were just wrecked.

DeepDiscount sent my replacement in an envelope also. Happily this one was fine, but for now, I think I'll have to avoid using DD for Criterions as long as they use envelopes. Normally you wouldn't have to think about this stuff.

I'm sure Criterion will refine their packaging, and hopefully find a way to make it sturdier.

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I don't like the packaging either, it certainly doesn't scream "high end" like the pricing.

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Correct me if I am wrong,But sadly I have told Criterion Blu Ray titles
are region locked A only bad luck for us B and C's .......

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This is true. The Criterion Blu-rays are Region A only (I've tried to put this information in the review specs each time).

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That's the only unfortunate thing about Criterion's Blu-Rays. I know they only have the rights to the films for the US most of the times, but now most of the people in Region B and C have to miss out on these wonderful releases. The players can be made region-free, but that still costs a lot of money.

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Henri-Georges Clouzot's "The Wages Of Fear" has now been announced for an April release over on Criterion's website!

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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

As is In the Realm of Senses, that has the most graphic (and sensual) sexual scenes I’ve seen in a serious film. Interesting that both this movie and Salò use sex and violence as a commentary on government’s power in their respective societies.

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I have never seen The Wages of Fear.

Just read Ebert's review and a few others. It sounds like an exciting film.

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I'm glad to see that "The 400 Blows" has dropped down to $22.49 on Amazon right now... much better than the previous $26.99.

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Blu-ray.com's review for "The Last Metro" is now up!

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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

The following info was posted by tvrbob86 over in the AVS Forums...

The April 2009 issue of Home Theater Magazine has a nice story on the Criterion Collection and its move into the world of Blu-ray.

A few highlights:

• Criterion's simultaneous Blu-ray releases have made up 30-50% of the titles' total sales vs. the less than 10% typical for big studio films.

• Lee Kline, technical director: "If there's grain, we'll leave it in. We may tone it down a bit, especially with Blu-ray, where it can show too much. But you'll still see some grain. That's what makes a film look like film."

• Last Year at Marienbad will be released on Blu-ray (and DVD) "this Spring."

• "Coming, in the next few months": Walkabout, For All Mankind, Gimme Shelter, Monterey Pop.

• Peter Becker, president: "We're still figuring it out, deciding month-to-month. But we'll be more aggressive, not less, because sales have been pretty strong. We'll take chances."

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VERY good news. Glad to see they're sales are strong (relatively speaking).

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I'm looking forward to The Spy Who Came in from the Cold--too bad it's not on the short-list for BD treatment (I emailed them and I was told it's not on the near-term schedule).

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Glad that Blu-Ray working out well for them, although I wish he would have announced a few upcoming titles that we haven't already known about for months.

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My fantasy world does not consist of hot babes in slinky bikinis and anachronistic high heels, tons of money, exotic sports cars, etc.

My fantasy world consists of Criterion being in a position to release a Blu-ray version of Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven."

Their SD release was great, but DoH on Blu is pretty much the kind for which Blu was made.

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I'm guessing we won't see many studio-licensed films come out from Criterion in Blu-- those probably require entirely new contracts and deals with the studios (Paramount in this case).

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Yeah, I kinda figured that was gonna be the case -- especially with such (artistically) high grade titles. Studios aren't going to make it easy.

Thanks, Mark, you dream killer. :-)

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I'm very glad to hear the Criterion Blus are doing so well. I haven't purchased any yet, but I've been eying Bottle Rocket and Last Year at Marienbad will be great! I've only ever seen it on letterboxed VHS and I turned it off because it was impossible to watch. A BR release is simply great news!

Now if only we could get some Fellini and some Malick! Although my #1 fantasy Criterion BR title would be The Saragossa Manuscript. It's never gonna happen, but that would be my favorite home video title EVER.

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Has there been any news about the Qatsi trilogy? Godfrey Reggio, the director said that Criterion was preparing a Blu-Ray release of all three films.

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i've got: Last Emperor, Bottle Rocket and Chunking.

i've always loved Criterion's quality. Criterion+Blu-Ray=awesome.

i was hoping for more Michael Bay/Criterion partnerships when it comes to blu-ray. The Rock, Pearl Harbor and Transformers all look good on BD, but i think Criterion could do better .

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"Awesome" is not the word to describe their BR of The last Emperor.
"shame" is a word that fits better