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Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

#31
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

If only other studios had half the sense that Criterion does when it comes to releasing titles such as these.

Unlike Fox or New Line, where we won't likely see Star Wars or Lord of the Rings for some time to come, Criterion goes and offers some of its most celebrated titles to its initial wave. I hope they keep the supplemental content the same as the SD predecessors. Most of these are some of the finest DVDs available right now as far as content and overall product quality.

Count on Criterion to deliver and not disappoint.

My first post in over a year. Yay!

"To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men."

Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Veteran, 06-08.
My DVD Collection: DVD Aficionado (Needs updating, lol)

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#32
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

woohoo!
Criterion Bottle Rocket !
Looks like I have to get a Blu player...
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#33
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
Why would you have to re-consider just because it's on BD? The issue of cropping that bothered so many in that thread will probably still remain the same with this release except it's in high definition. Maybe, some are purists only in SD and not in HD.

Well, the old R1 release was sooo bad...and the film's images are so strikingly beautiful...that the cleaned-up SD release was very tempting on its own.

And, basically, I guess I just feel that having those beautiful images now released in HD--yet likely still cropped--just ratchet-up that temptation to a new level.

============================

It sure will be interesting to see what Criterion's MSRP is going to be on their BDs.

There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!

Top Ten Ways to Find Good Deals on DVDs and Blu-ray...
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#34
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Great news!! Hopefully we'll start seeing day-and-date releases from them soon. But the best news of the whole announcement is:

Quote:
...and they will be priced to match our standard-def editions.

Other studios (looking at you Fox) please take note of the above.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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#35
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Wow, GREAT news!

There are zillion Criterion-titles that I don´t have and I´ve held of buying those DVDs during the format war.

"The Third Man" and "400 Blows" are a must, and I must now also reconsider "Last Emperor" (the cropping does bother me in some degree).. We´ll see.

Anyway, thank you Criterion! About time!

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#36
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnS
went right past me, but with the mention of Brazil, maybe Criterion will soon release Time Bandits on Blu-ray.
I thought Time Bandits was an Anchor Bay title?
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#37
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric F
I thought Time Bandits was an Anchor Bay title?

The Criterion Collection: Time Bandits by Terry Gilliam
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#38
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric F
I thought Time Bandits was an Anchor Bay title?

It is.
But Criterion released their version also
And if I remember correctly, Criterion had great extras on it versus the Anchor Bay version.
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#39
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

This is great news!! I am especially pleased to hear them say that the prices will be the same as the standard def versions (though I won't totally believe it until I actually see it).

On a side note, I wonder if the Criterion Blu-rays will have their own spine numbering system?
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#40
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

This is very exciting news indeed. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't seen even one of these films before. So, while I have decided to reign in my blind-buying on this format until prices come down, I have very much looking forward to renting them for the time being and using the responses in this thread to help choose the order in which I will do so.
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#41
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I like the fact they are releasing in the Fall, which is when I plan on buying a BD player. Sweet.
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#42
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

THE THIRD MAN on BD?


Great news! Hopefully Criterion releases the Powell/Pressburger films on BD, along with THIEF OF BAGDAD. Those Technicolor films will look spectacular in high def.
My Movies
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#43
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

This is good news indeed. Although I already have some of these titles and I swore not to double dip, I still may have to get the HD versions of For All Mankind and The Last Emperor, the first because of the stunning views of space and the second because I’m not that happy with the quality of my R4 SD version. I’m tempted to get a second copy of Walkabout, but if Criterion releases titles that I don’t already have fast enough, I’ll be able to hold out.

No plans to replace:
The Third Man
•The 400 Blows
(already have 2 copies)
Gimme Shelter
•The Complete Monterey Pop
•Contempt
•The Wages of Fear


OHOH, a BD release of In the Mood for Love would be an immediate pickup.

Right now I’m just pleased that I quit buying any more DVDs several years ago—and I extremely glad I resisted the temptation to become one of the complete Criterion collectors.

I agree with Martin as to El Norte
With luck I can extend this to the BD Criterions as well.
¡Time is not my master!
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#44
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Count me in on at least triple dipping "The Third Man" and "Wages Of Fear". Glad I held out on "The Last Emperor".

I may eventually double dip on some of the titles mentioned by folks above.

Time for a third mortgage ?
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#45
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

For All Mankind looks like a must for me. I hope the producers of In the Shadow of the Moon will pick up the same cue.


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#46
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

This is great news. I'll go ahead another name out there too... I'd like to see Night and the City in BD.
Watched/Top 10 Lists
2006 List 2006 Top 10
2007 List 2007 Top 10
2008 List 2008 Top 10
2009 List (incomplete)My AFI movie list is here.
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#47
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Great, great news. I have no problem triple dipping on movies like The Third Man and Wages Of Fear. And I can't wait to see Contempt in 1080p. Very happy.
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#48
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
For All Mankind looks like a must for me. I hope the producers of In the Shadow of the Moon will pick up the same cue.

I purchased the HD-DVD import (UK version I believe) of In The Shadow of the Moon and really enjoyed the film (and presentation). If you have HD-DVD playback and are a fan of For All Mankind I definitely recommend the import. Hopefully this will make its way to Bd.

- Walter.

Fidelity to the source should always be the goal for Blu-ray releases.

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#49
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Sooooo.....I wonder what packaging they will use. Somehow the blue plastic just doesn't seem fitting for a Criterion disc.
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#50
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
Why would you have to re-consider just because it's on BD? The issue of cropping that bothered so many in that thread will probably still remain the same with this release except it's in high definition. Maybe, some are purists only in SD and not in HD.

In my case, the no-buy decision was made on the SD version because it was SD (post #10 in the other thread ), so I never had to actually *make* the decision based on the cropping!

Frankly, if the director and cinematographer are OK with it, then I'll probably be OK with it too. It's been so many years since I've seen the film, I doubt I'd really notice.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#51
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I'm more than a bit surprised that no Bergman or Kurosawa titles are present on that list, but the inclusion of THE THIRD MAN, being one of my all-time favorite films, thrills me to no end.

Hopefully the following will get the Blu treatment in 2009...

Seven Samurai
Throne of Blood
Rashomon
The Seventh Seal
Wild Strawberries
The Virgin Spring
Naked Lunch
The Orphic Trilogy

...and hell, I'll just throw this out there: The Beastie Boys Video Anthology.
They're round, they're shiny...
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#52
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

**...and they will be priced to match our standard-def editions.**

Damn, this sounds promising indeed. Of course, these Criterion-titles are not exactly cheap (e.g. "3rd Man" SD DVD is $34.99 in Amazon), so this was probably the only real option for the company (to keep the prices at least "decent").

Criterion really kept their promise. They promised "HD-titles" when we have "one winner" in the war. This is big news for the whole BR-format.

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#53
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter Kittel
I purchased the HD-DVD import (UK version I believe) of In The Shadow of the Moon and really enjoyed the film (and presentation). If you have HD-DVD playback and are a fan of For All Mankind I definitely recommend the import. Hopefully this will make its way to Bd.

- Walter.

I saw In the Shadow… theatrically. I actually considered getting into HD-DVD just for that disc, but as very late release there was some question whether it would actually appear (I'm actually somewhat surprised it wasn't cancelled). If they accepted the argument for High Definition in the first place, we can hope they will be willing to reissue on the (potentially) successful format.


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Everything on LaserDisc
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#54
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike.B
On a side note, I wonder if the Criterion Blu-rays will have their own spine numbering system?

More than likely they won't. The DVD's share the LD spine #'s. I doubt they will change the trend. It would be nice though because they no longer have control of many titles.
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#55
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I know this will sound sacrilege (because believe me I'm a big Criterion fan, I have plenty of their discs in my collection), but I hope they "do it right" the first time.

I remember their first DVDs were non-anamorphic and I think a few were LD master ports. I'm hoping that from the very beginning their BDs are of high quality, A/V and extras wise.

I'm rooting for them, and I'm glad they're on the Blu train, but I'm going to wait until some reviews roll in before buying their initial BD product.
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#56
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChristopherDAC
For All Mankind looks like a must for me. I hope the producers of In the Shadow of the Moon will pick up the same cue.

IIRC, most footage in For All Mankind was shot on 16mm, so I wonder how much of an improvement we'll see on BD?

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this. Just wondering about the technical limitations, is all. And if there is an improvement, yes I'll double-dip.
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#57
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

They just updated their site to reflect the upcoming titles...

Realy looking to see if they will do Battle of Algiers soon...perhaps one of their best, if not the best that Criterion ever did...Bottle Rocket sounds awesome, I hope Anderson's other 3 titles follow shortly.

Criterion looks to end 2008 with a bang...

"To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men."

Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Veteran, 06-08.
My DVD Collection: DVD Aficionado (Needs updating, lol)

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#58
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

I'm so glad that I held off for so long buying the new Brazil release by Criterion. Hopefully it will come out on Blu soon. I lloked on the back of the new release and it says High def transfer (as does Naked Lunch a new favorite of mine). This is excellent news.
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#59
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yee-Ming
IIRC, most footage in For All Mankind was shot on 16mm, so I wonder how much of an improvement we'll see on BD?

Well, 1080p doubles the resolution vs. SD DVD, so yes, it´ll look better.

I don´t know about the "native resolution" etc of 16 mm vs SD DVD (480 - NTSC/576 - PAL), though..

Rewind - DVDcompare/Site Administrator
*US PS3 (1080p) - Xbox 360 Elite (HDMI) - Nintendo Wii (Euro) - Sony PSP-2000 - Nintendo DSi
*HD DVD Toshiba XE1 (1080p) - Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 (1080p) - Yamaha RX-V1800 (HDMI 1.3)

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#60
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Re: Criterion announces first Blu-ray titles

Since I enjoy making lists, here's one of Criterions releases from SD which I'd buy on BD. Well, with a low purchase price of course.

Rasomon
Seven Samurai
Throne of Blood
The Hidden Fortress
Red Beard
Ikiru
The Bad Sleep Well
Ugetsu
Kagemusha
RAN
Yojimbo
Sanjuro
Brazil
CHARADE
The Lady Vanishes
Stray Dog
The Man Who Fell to Earth
http://www.invelos.com/DVDCollection.aspx/Ray_Rogers
Non-Supporter of Tai Seng, DNR/EE, DRM, Digital Copy and The Digital Bits.
Errol Flynn films wanted as boxsets and not released in the "Archives"!
Zero Interest in all things Harry Potter.
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