05.08.08
Criterion Collection is Going Blu-Ray!
This is only a reminder that I need to get Blu-Rayed {and a job}, and fast. /Film reports that “Criterion Collection” has announced that the following films will be released on Blu-Ray:
The Third Man
Bottle Rocket
Chungking Express
The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Last Emperor
El Norte
The 400 Blows
Gimme Shelter
The Complete Monterey Pop
Contempt
Walkabout
For All Mankind
The Wages of Fear
Of course, this is really on of interest to high-def fans, a group which I am not fortunate enough to be a part of, but “The 400 Blows” is one of my all time fav films, so who knows whether or not I may feel the urge to make the switch soon.
J.D. said,
May 8, 2008 at 5:05 pm
OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG
I need a job too.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I do not think you made your stance towards this piece of news very clear…lol
You totally summed up my thoughts well
Alison Flynn said,
May 8, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I adore The 400 Blows. Exciting news indeed. Of course, I’m technologically backwards, so I probably will not have Blue-Ray until the next best thing is invented.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I am in the same boat - I just cannot make the switch - besides Blu-Ray is still really expensive, and trust me, my pocket money does not stretch much further than me affording standard DVDs.
I do own the standard Criterion version of “The 400 Blows,” so I guess I can stick to being content for a while.
Rob said,
May 8, 2008 at 5:49 pm
The film industry isn’t ready for HD. So far the only films I’ve seen in HD that have looked good are the animated ones and 300 (which is pretty much animated).
HD is great for sport and things like that but with film and TV it just reveals how fake everything is and spoils the magic. For instance in Pirates (Black Pearl) you can see that most of the backgrounds are paintings, so the over $100 million production begins to look like a theater production.
Then in Casino Royal - the scene where Bond fights the guy on the crane - the lighting changes dramatically every time the shot changes revealing the different times of day each shot was filmed in.
Plus most of the films I’ve seen on display have been converted oddly (HD has a different frame rate) and all the movements come out wrong and awkward.
So basically for a film to look good in HD it needs to be shot in HD and probably only in a sound stage with controlled lighting, etc. Basically for me I need to wait for Hollywood to catch up with the technology before I do.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Well, Rob, you make a good point - a rational one too - and you make me feel better about the fact that I am not yet ready to give up my standard DVDs {which are not even bad in the first place} not so freaky.
Shot dude! You are welcome here ANYTIME.
Rick Olson said,
May 8, 2008 at 6:29 pm
This is exciting news, Nick . . . but I already own Criterion’s The 400 Blows and The Third Man and I almost, just today, bought their Contempt, but opted for Ozu instead. Whew!
As far as Hollywood not being ready for HD, the transfers to Blu-Ray etc have the original film as their source, so the flaws in the HD are already there, they had to come from somewhere. HD is not as fine-grain a medium as film, at least not yet, so those flaws are on the big screen if you choose to pay attention. Admittedly, they’re not as visible in SD TV or DVD.
Craig Kennedy said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Unless the print quality is pristine, I wonder how much these older movies will benefit from the HD treatment. On the other hand, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Wes Anderson catelogue in HD…
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Wow, I literally own one Criterion film: The 400 Blows, they are pretty pricey without being Blu-Ray….but I guess for people who have a job - it is small change.
I ♥ DVD - standard DVD. I am going to kick it old-school for a bit, while all you older folks get all techno without me - reversing the stereotype.
If anything crazy happens like, I don’t know, someone gives me a Blu-Ray player or a PS3 - I might change my tune.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Me either Craig - Wes Anderson for life!
I want the Rushmore Criterion so bad…..{anyone wana be my sponsor?}
Craig Kennedy said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Three words for you Nick: Life of crime. Look into it.
When’s your birthday? What region are SA DVDs? I’d rather you had Royal Tenenbaum’s, but hey…it’s not about me.
I’ve kind of gotten out of the habit of buying DVDs. Netflix is so convenient. I have a few blu-ray but they were all gifts.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Been there, done that, got a permanent mark on my record: but that is a story that only comes out when the tequila does.
Lol, I was kidding, as were you *slaps forehead*, but my DVD player is region free - so I can buy DVDs from the US, and my b-day is on the 20th of September. Just throwing that out there in case you, or anyone else for that matter, wins the lottery some day and decides to throw random DVDs at me.
Me too - mostly because all the good ones from last year haven’t come out yet so - I still want to buy some stuff from Amazon - but I am lazy.
I have no NetFlix - so if I do not buy, I can rent {but not MUCH new stuff}.
Craig Kennedy said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:49 pm
(taking notes)
J.D. said,
May 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Dude, if I can magically find a way to discreetly find a cheap way of sending things halfway around the world, I promise you I will get you a ton of crap for your B-day. You deserve the world, kid.
Nick Plowman said,
May 8, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Well, well - would you guys like to be my new BFFs?
Because, I have a list…..
J.D. said,
May 8, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I love lists!!!!!
Matthew Lucas said,
May 8, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I love the way Criterion packages their DVDs, and up until now I hate the uniform Blu-Ray packaging. I hope Criterion continues their usual high standard and finds a way to shake it up a bit.
Nick Plowman said,
May 9, 2008 at 4:10 am
Lists rock.
Matt, I agree - the Blu-Ray boxes are just plain FUGLY - and the Criterion films are really pretty, so I am in agreeance.