A WARNING about the new CRITERION COLLECTION 4K Blu-ray announcements!
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- Criterion have announced their latest slate of blu-rays and 4K UHD blu-rays for the month of April 2023. These are my initial reactions to the announcments.
Buy The Seventh Seal BFI 4K here - amzn.to/3wei0fu
Any purchases made through the above link help support the channel at no additional cost. Cheers! - Фільми й анімація
Cheers for watching my video! If you fancy adding that BFI Seventh Seal 4K Blu-ray to your collection, there is a link to the disc in the video description above. Thanks!
Just wondering, is there any way to tell if the 4K BFI version being sold at Amazon via your link is part of the first pressing with booklet/slipcover?
@@andrewcraddockHey Andrew. I can’t say for sure but I think the slipcovers went a while ago. They were limited to the first so-many copies
@@andrewcraddock The BFI website is still listing the booklet in with the extras. Maybe they haven't updated as yet, but maybe worth dropping them a line to ask.
@@ShanghaiRooster Thank you for the suggestion! As it happens, serendipitously I stumbled upon what appeared to be a sealed, slipcovered first pressing at Oxfam online, and it's now en route.
@@andrewcraddock Excellent Andrew. It's always a good feeling stumbling over something like that. 😎
This feels like a month that helps the company stay afloat. None of these announcements are misses they just aren't the hidden gems. That's okay, we have 11 more months this year of releases. If a few popular 4k rereleases a month provide the cash they need I hope they keep doing it.
I said from the beginning when Criterion jumped into 4K I would not double dip for movies they previously released on blu-ray. Actual new releases are a different story but their blu-rays look good enough without spending the extra money to upgrade.
I did it with Virgin Suicides to test and see if it was worth upgrading. It was not
Agreed. I’ll buy the 4Ks if they’re new or I don’t have the Blu-ray, but so far I haven’t seen any reason to upgrade ones I already have.
100% agree
@@ScoobyMcSnack not just for criterion either.
When you have the huge jump in quality from blu ray to 4K like Reservoir Dogs it makes perfect sense but otherwise, not so much for me.
Even with the limited bonuses I'm still stoked for Triangle of Sadness and Small Axe. There's a good chance these wouldn't have gotten American physical releases at all without Criterion, especially on the blu-ray format.
Speaking as a Brit, I'm delighted that Small Axe is coming on blu-ray from Criterion. These films were prestige projects for the BBC, with an Oscar winning director, so the decision to release them only on DVD baffled me.
Came to say this too. Ostlund's previous film, The Square, only made it to DVD. No region A HD release and no 4K anywhere. So I'm glad this locks in his newest for a solid release.
@@evanw7538 I’m hoping this means criterion or some other boutique will release The Square soon, especially with the press Triangle of Sadness has gotten
@@patrickcraig8022 I hope so too and would love that! Force Majeure is still my fav of his, but at least we have a solid blu for that one.
@@evanw7538 For the sake of clarity, The Square was released on an Artificial Eye blu-ray in Region B.
As someone who never got The Seventh Seal on Blu-Ray from Criterion either on its own or in the Bergman set as it’s very pricey and I don’t have the shelving space/room for some time, I don’t mind getting the 4K Blu-Ray version from them. Be nice to see it again after many years.
Thanks for covering this and really appreciate your perspective. I'm still rooting for Criterion and hope we still get those niche titles.
My pleasure! I’m always rooting for Criterion too by the way - I can’t wait to see what new things they have planned for the rest of the year.
EYES WIDE SHUT!
@@chrisjfox8715 🎯🎯🎯💯🙏🏼 I'd absolutely LOVE that! Praying it happens... I always knew it'd finally be recognized as the masterwork it is!
I wish Criterion would release a 4K of last year's Palme D'Or winner Titane! I found that to be a much more compelling and braver film than TOS.
Now that they have a deal with Neon, that’s actually very possible.
I guess my biggest gripe is that Criterion is apparently counting two 4K upgrades as part of a monthly 4 title release slate
which means that if you're not interested in upgrading something you already own, your range of choices are whittled down accordingly. If that's the new business model, I get it, but in that case just release one 4K a month so that the other 3 can be new titles.
As an American, I'm all for a 4K release without those eye sores you guys call ratings logos.
I hate the ratings logos as much as you, my friend, but I’ll always take the better disc regardless!
For those interested and living in London uk, Triangle of Sadness is still showing 3 months later at Curzon cinema's.
Nice. I’ll be in London in a week’s time so if it’s still on I’ll try to see it then. Cheers!
@@ElliotCoen I haven't actually seen it. There were more interesting films whenever I was visiting curzon. As a cult Curzon member I get 5 free tickets per month. Was thinking of seeing it this week, but opted for Tár instead. Not sure I will see TOS. Anyway liked your content and frankness, I actually noticed Criterion have dropped their release standards during 2022 myself. Hoping the UK will be given some better titles to play catch up on.
I'm always hoping for more silent era films, including a reissue of their out of print Pandora's Box.
The BFI discs have been fantastic and as someone who has gone region-free in the US the standard blu rays have been a welcome addition to my collection (as well as the 4K). The Takeshi Kitano set is a great introduction to that director with high quality discs that are unavailable in the states. Also really fond of the Get Carter release from last year.
I’ve waited years for 4k editions, to start collecting criterion. I imagine there are a lot of younger guys who may as well take the plunge into the “latest and best” if they’re just starting out. My first order arrived today, I take it the blu rays will need a region free player even if the 4k is region free.
As someone that doesn't own The Fisher King or The Seventh Seal, I'll gladly pick up those two rather than the blurays. I'm not too pressed about upgrades since I'm new to collecting.
I felt this way about the In the Mood for Love 4K edition they released. It does have a different cover, thankfully, but they decided not to add HDR, while all of the foreign copies available do. Big disappointment.
Yeah and let’s not open the can of worms about the different colour grade 😬
@@ElliotCoen the biggest can of worms in movie history 😅
My 4K of ITMFL just arrived and it is the only 4K upgrade of a film I already owned where I am still keeping the original rather than selling it because the colour grade is so radically different.
@@thezachmarsh Same here. Criterion has already forced me to multi-dip on that title (ITMFL): Blu-ray, Wong Kar Wai box set (although I got it for the other titles), and now 4K. I wouldn't know where to begin if I was gonna try to get rid of one of 'em.
@@ElliotCoen Ohhhhhh, boy 🙄🤦♂️ SMH... that's the _only_ reason I'm still holding off on buying the WKW box set! So disappointing.
Hallelujah! I’ve been saying for a while that Criterion is a girl who was really hot in the 90s and is still getting by on what she looked like 30 years ago, despite having long since lost her looks. This blind devotion to Criterion by collectors is, honestly, driven by who they were in the Laserdisc days. They’ve long since gotten left behind by studios who do a much better job. With Fisher King (and Munchausen) who would have created a better disc, Criterion or Sony? Sony likely created the 4K master, so that’s a wash (although Sony’s compression would undoubtedly be better) and Sony would likely be giving us a new Atmos mix, the existing 5.1 AND the original theatrical stereo. Criterion is only giving the remixed 5.1, which is actually at odds with their original intention, as neither of those Gilliam films had 6 track theatrical mixes. And you’re dead-on about the special features… Criterion is simply a great curator, but they haven’t been a pioneering special features creator for DECADES. I’d much rather see what Sony would come up with and so I feel constantly depressed by these announcements as it means these titles are going to be given the bare minimum attention. The only value Criterion has is that it’s Criterion, but I don’t think you could honestly say there’s anything else they provide that is better than what even some of the boutiques are doing now. Just look at something like Shout’s upcoming 4K of Streets of Fire…. All the existing features, but with a new Atmos mix, the 5.1 derived from the 70mm track (which is excellent) AND the original theatrical stereo. And it’s cheaper to boot. People need to start finally being honest with themselves about how great 2023 Criterion REALLY is.
Thank you for the video, Elliot! I just remembered to look for you on Letterboxd, and there you are. Just followed you, so I’m looking forward to keeping up with the movies you watch.
Agree, I have the BFI 4K and it’s fantastic!
This, the Criterion Cinema box set, the first BFI set and if your a freak like me the Artificial Eye Early Bergman set and your golden for Bergman 😂
Haha sounds like you’ve got quite collection of Bergman discs! Cheers for watching
I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one underwhelmed this month, I’m personally just interested in Small Axe, which looks genuinely great in my opinion. BFI’s 4K UHD of The Seventh Seal not only has exclusive extras and HDR, but it’s also encoded by David M/Fidelity In Motion, so it most definitely has better encoding than Criterion. Fisher King and Triangle of Sadness don’t interest me too terribly much but I’m happy for fans that of those films. I am curious what’s in store for Criterion UK this month. I do hope Criterion keeps up with DVD -> BD upgrades because they seem hell bent on these UHDs. Anyway, great video as always!
Kat Ellinger commentary track; I’m already sold. Kat’s commentary is what got me into the giallo genre as well as the works of Radley Metzger.
For the sake of completing Wes Anderson Criterion collection, here's to hopefully Isle of Dogs and The French Dispatch getting that Criterion treatment
I waited so long for an HD release of Arsenic and Old Lace that by the time they announced one, I'd upgraded to a 4k HDR screen and now I'm all about HDR. So Criterion announces that they're releasing a beautiful 4k restoration... but only on standard blu-ray. So I have no way to interpret that other than that they're sitting on a better-looking version of this film to be released at a later date and I would be wasting my money to buy this one. 😔
I've been really enjoying the BFI box set releases over the past few years, having waited for Bergman in the UK for over a decade. I may have to rewatch The Seventh Seal with that commentary! Shame that Criterion is releasing minimal changes with their 4K editions.
For the love of God, I just want The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover
Fisher King is currently my favorite film. Wish I hadn’t bought the Blu Ray last year but it’s impossible to tell what will or will not be getting a 4K upgrade.
The 4Ks are so expensive that the regular bluray is probably good enough. Great film. Love it when Robin Williams sings Lydia the tattooed lady.
Agreed I am underwhelmed too. BUT I am glad for a little break for my wallet. I live in Canada so no 50% off sales, blu rays/4Ks are so expensive. So I know it’s weird to say but it’s true I am thankful for a little break. Bring on the May releases.
Sometimes the break on spending can be a silver lining!
Honestly it’s kind of insulting to owners of the Bergman box set to even think of doing this
I did not buy physical media until 2019 (mostly buy 4k) so fortunately I haven't had this "upgrade or not" dilemma. Looking forward to The Fisher King that sounds interesting
I totally get what youre saying 100%! The CC blu’s I have that did get a 4k upgrade, I didn’t reorder. I’m satisfied with the CC blu’s. But if I didn’t get it in blu, I’ll jump on the 4k IF-ONLY IF- the reviews are solid. If the 7th Seal 4k is less than, I’ll finally get the blu. Thnx for this video
They did change the cover/package for In the Mood for Love when they upgraded it to 4k, and they put Mulholland Dr in a slightly thicker box than the blu-ray, but other than that, yeah, most of their 4k upgrades are a bit uninspired.
Hi Elliot, how's the collection curation going? Are you still adding some back to your shelves while getting rid of others?
Hello! It’s going well thanks. I am still adding new titles to my collection but I am regularly purging films too. It’s a good balance for me and has really eased the mental load of having a huge collection of unwatched stuff!
@@ElliotCoen I really need to get on that. We moved house and I haven't got all my movies back organized into genre yet. By genre is the easiest way for me to find something to watch.
Hey Elliot. Same reaction here on the Bergman. I have the boxed set and don’t need a 4K version. I will get The Fisher King as I don’t have it since I bought the Criterion $100 boxed Laserdisc set. I loved all the Small Axe films and have not seen Triangle. Mets - Criterion is trying to survive in a declining market. I think their strategy is spot on. The days are gone when they could fund passion projects very often, so these will be every few months. Like you, I’m glad they are here in whatever form and their catalog is so huge I can buy one every week and it never ends 😅
Thanks for your comments on the April releases. They are an excellent guidance for all of us that might be hesitant to upgrade our CC copies. For me is a bit tiresome to see all this upgrading. Of all the current 31 UHD 4K releases, 9 are upgrades that I already own, and I am not sure if any of those are actually worth the upgrade. Not sure for instance on Red Shoes or Three Colors. And I am also annoyed by not knowing whether the CC decides to reduce the lag between the Blu Ray version and the 4K version releases as a way to raise more funds. For instance, as much as I would love to get Barry Lyndon right away, I'd much rather have the 4K version than the Blu-Ray version. But the former might never release, or probably would release after a month I decided for the Blu-Ray, getting the short end of the stick. Also, the "upgrades" are really only that, a sole disc with the upgraded version. All the extra stuff are reprintings of the original content already found in the Blu Ray versions. At least they could have fitted all content in a single 4K disc (although this could constrain the available disc space).
There have been a lot of 4K upgraded classic titles recently. But, when I can pick up a secondhand Criterion blu-ray (Some Like It Hot, Paths of Glory, War of the Worlds, The Great Escape, 12 Angry Men), I see no reason to spend more money. The blu-ray releases look fine.
you made a fantastic argument in this video, Elliot! really appreciate how you back up your points with multiple in-depth explanations to back it up. Cheers!
Have a great day, Ellliot!
Thanks so much Clark! Cheers to you
Technically there are a total of 8 titles being added in April. But this is usually the time of year when Criterion is lighter. July is usually big and October
Thanks Elliot. Good video. I agree with you. Seems pretty easy for Criterion to focus on big movies Seventh Seal or popular directors like Gilliam and just slap an existing movie that has a 4K scan on a 4K disc. If there is a new restoration like Three Colors Trilogy or even The Fisher King that gets not argument from me. Let’s please not forget about the hidden gems which seem to be lost so far in 2023 but we are only 4 months in. Cheers.
Criterion always seem to cheap out on special features ...great upgrades ..but for the price we do expect a bit more..
Hey Elliot, I really appreciate your points made in this video. I don't generally purchase Criterion releases unless it's a film I really want to see that I can't find an alternative release of. Basically it's due to cost and my very limited budget.
Have you seen or purchased any of the 101 Films AGFA series? Now these films would be completely lost in time and are also very niche. I'd be interested to know if you are familiar with these films.
Thanks for this video.
Now that the criterion 4k is out. Is it any different than the BFI release or is it identical? Can't find a single comparison or discussion of this online
I wonder if we’ll be getting small axe in the uk
I have been interested in buying / viewing The Seventh Seal for years ! I love Max Von Sydow in other films and wanted to see this early classic......While I like Criterion, I took your advice and ordered a copy of the BFI 4K / blu ray 2 pack and I'm glad I did...... the story was amazing, and cinematography / black and white, was greatly enhanced by 4k ! thank you so much for the heads up that this was the version to get. I'm in the USA, but have a region free player, and have picked up UK blu ray editions, for my collection and also for my dad (I enjoy cinema in general, but am a classic horror and sci fi film fan...... I LOVE Hammer Films, Amicus, and Tigon British, and have picked up many UK prints ! my dad is into world war 2 themed films, and I've picked up some of those from the UK as well.) The Seventh Seal was an amazing picture, and your advice on the BFI print was spot on ! I loved how the details in the backgrounds, with the black and white picture came out in 4k. One of my favorite sections of the film, was when the characters were in the forrest...... the textures, in the black and white really came out in such detailed fashion (almost to the point of seeming like a 3 D wood cut.) the picture quality was really amazing ! again.....thanks for your insight and keep up the fantastic work with your show on YOuTube...... you've become one of my 5-6 "go to" reviewers for cinema, reissues to blu ray and 4k, cinema history and technology and current cinema / home video topics ! Cheers..... Chris , Rhode Island, USA
Hello!
One question and maybe a topic for a future video. Do you think that with the new wave of 4k releases for those movies that already had a Blu-ray edition, maby in the same lable collection, (Criterion, as you said, was maintained the same spine number), we lose the opportunity to see more new blu ray releases, with new titles and new great movies?
I agree that the 4k's aren't necessarily an upgrade to the blu-rays, though I'm still sad that Blow Out got a 4k release like a week after I picked it up. Though interestingly it has now been discontinued in the UK for some reason.
Which set has the better extras do people think?
I honestly don’t want any 4K from any distributor unless it’s a gift or free. Reason being is i truly don’t think it looks that much better than blu ray. It’s almost a synthetic clean look if that makes any sense
I’m not saying they look bad by any means but I’ll never ever seek out a 4K unless it’s something I really want that isn’t on any other format
Agree with this. In general I think Criterion is an excellent company & I look forward to the releases. But I do wonder about the proportion of releases which are merely 'upgrades', and whether we are getting more of them. Great as 4K is, the benefits of upgrades become increasingly marginal, i.e. VHS-->DVD is a huge improvement, slightly less from DVD-->Blu-ray, slightly less again for blu-ray-->4K, and so on.
It's worth remembering that there are highly regarded films that don't even have a good DVD release, let alone blu-ray, let alone 4K. I'd rather see the highly rated but unavailable/somewhat obscure classics get put on blu-ray than a 4K box set from my favourite director. In my view there is too much 'Malibu-Stacey-But-She's-Got-A-New-Hat' logic from some Criterion fans.
I would like Criterion to go back to Olivier's Hamlet and Henry V to give them at least a blu-ray upgrade.
I’d be happy to see those! Maybe they’ll do more Shakespeare if the forthcoming Romeo and Juliet does well for them
Agree 100% on the BFI. I imported it here in the USA and the Kat's commentary use incredible. Also, I already have two Blu Rays is the film from criterion. The original Blu and also in the Bergman box set.
What’s the region code on the Seventh Seal BFI disc? I know the 4K disc is region free, but what about the Blu-Ray disc? What disc are the special features on? Special features are often not on 4K discs. That’s an important consideration. It also has fewer special features than the Criterion disc, even though they’re new, so that’s also important to consider when deciding which one to get.
Are you talking about the US criterion releases here? I don't think we can get these on 4K here in the UK.
Also, where can you get BFI 4K discs from? How many titles are there?
Criterion should have released Infernal Affairs on 4K Ultra HD instead we got a Half-Baked Blu-ray set that has a VERY MEDIOCRE Video Transfer.
Thought the same thing this month when I saw the announcement. I feel like each month I get more and more disappointed. Like you said, Criterion could go out of business so something is better than nothing, but just wasn’t anything I was excited about and really haven’t been too excited over any month in the past year or so since 4ks starting releasing on Criterion
I am a Criterion super fan. I have collected them since the 1980’s. I cannot afford to upgrade those Blu-Ray discs that I already have. If I don’t have the previous releases, I will dig deep and purchase. Triangle of Sadness is an interesting effort: weird, but interesting and well worth seeing and assessing.
I have the Bergman box set from Criterion so I’m fine with it on BRD
I found Triangle of Sadness to be so utterly lacking; the Palme d’Or win truly baffles me.
A few of their early blus can use better restorations for sure, but all in all, I more interested in tittles yet to come to bluray: The Last Wave, Spellbound, After Hours, Missing, etc.
Wow, never knew criterion would be company who doesn't include bonus features!!
If there is not a huge upgrade over the bluray, I'll get the bluray. I did that with NOTLD
I also won't double dip. My Criterion collection are less than 25 blurays and 4Ks so haven't had an issue with 2x dipping yet
Personally as an aussie I'm loving the 4K upgrades, lots of movies here aren't available for purchase, for example virgin suicides besides being region a locked for some reason was unpurchasable from amazon on bluray not due to supply just because amazon wouldn't add inventory or would delist just for amazon au. with the 4K upgrades besides being region free they're alot more readily available. Criterion won't upgrade all their titles to 4K as they're losing a lot of their core titles to Kino Lorber, TLDR 4K discs open everyone up to all titles and promotes competition. Yes I have a region free player before someone asks but not everyone does
Yep have the BFI one (7th seal). Don't need another one ever. Can't imagine it looking better tbh... (Probably my favourite movie ever btw)
I dropped enough coin on the Bergman box set. I don't need a 4k. I'm good, thanks.
I don’t have it yet,
So I’ll get the 4K in April
I thought that even back in the dvd to blu ray transition most criterion releases didn’t add new bonus features but recycled them from the dvd release. Only the movie transfer changed.. I might be wrong though as I do not have an extensive criterion collection.
Does the BFI disc have special features on a blu ray? I’d love to get it but I don’t have a region free player and would probably liked to see those features haha.
Maybe I should stop being dumb and get a region free player haha
I don’t have the disc in front of me at the moment but I know the commentary is on the 4K disc at least. I’ll check in the morning for you!
@@ElliotCoen I appreciate it!!
I will always advocate for a Criterion release of the 1990 version of Treasure Island starring Charlton Heston and Christian Bale.
Sounds like it would be better for me to pick up the BFI disc.
I agree, Elliot. Where are the interesting MIA catalog titles? I feel like Criterion is kind of treading water with these 4K upgrades. I would rather have them upgrade their old DVDs to Blu-ray like Peeping Tom, Loves Of A Blonde, La Bete Humaine, And God Created Woman, or the Rebel Samurai box set. Their monthly announcements feel really lackluster these days - and like you say, Fisher King already looks great, does everything need a 4K? Or shouldn’t other titles take precedence? Do you have any idea if they are running out of money and going down as a company?
I probably won’t be picking this one up because I have the Ingmar Bergman boxed set and that’s good enough for me.
Have you done a Criterion top list? Subbed.
Hilariously the old flipper disc dvd of baron munchausen with 2 ch audio sounds better than the 5.1 on the criterion 4k
I’ve upgraded many CC discs from blu-ray to UHD, and it’s been a mixed bag. On discs that didn’t get an HDR/Dolby Vision upgrade, the visual difference between 1080p and 2160p is extremely subtle, and not worth the trouble. I don’t know why Criterion is releasing so many discs without HDR/Dolby Vision, but it’s irritating.
I agree. Some weird choices with their upgrading. Night of the Living Dead was another one.
But let's remember that there are decades of CC releases to come (hopefully). A lot of titles have been restored and are waiting for a release. They won't be lost.
I think all of the World Cinema Project restorations will be brought to disc by Criterion at some point. And there will be new restoration efforts too.
The time span between WCP box sets even got smaller lately.
The Zetterling and Duras sets have been great announcements as well.
Plus Criterion is putting efforts in the restoration of some Indian classics that will enter the collection at some point for sure.
I think we have to be patient. They really need to make money. I'm not worried at all.
In the meantime we should support the other labels who are trying to bring attention to neglected world cinema lately like Radiance and Mawu Films. Especially Mawu should get more support right now.
What Indian classics are they restoring that you’re aware? Happy to hear that. I’m dying for them (or someone) to release Mrinal Sen’s movies, particularly the Calcutta Trilogy
@@patrickcraig8022 They have four Bimal Roy films. Devdas, Madhumati, Two Acres of Land and Bandini. As I understand it they are undergoing restoration right now. Sadly it seems they didn't have the budget for Sujata. Mrinal Sen would be great.
@@felixbronkhorst1674 oh nice! I’m going to have to look him up, I’m unfamiliar. I’m shamefully ignorant about Indian cinema besides some of the most well known films and/or one’s with boutique blu-ray releases. I’m happy to hear Criterion will be releasing some of Roy’s films, looking forward to experiencing them.
Fingers crossed they release Sen’s Calcutta Trilogy before long!
Hmm. Yes it is a bit of a mixed bag. I'll be staying away from the 4k Seventh Seal...the Blu ray in my giant Criterion Bergman set is more than adequate for me. Though it is tempting to get the BFI edition for that Kat Ellinger commentary. Now there's a video idea Elliot : top 5 boutique commentarians and why they are so good and worth listening to even to the point of a double dip just to specifically ensure you get their commentary! 😁
The other releases don't really interest me. Triangle of Sadness sounds interesting but it's easy enough to see that through streaming. Steve McQueen set sounds interesting but I'd be much much more interested if it was a 4k box set of films starring THE Steve McQueen of 60s cool acting fame! Now that's a set I'd be jumping at!
I was underwhelmed also not to mention they’re putting out Small Axe on only Bluray when you can watch it in 4K on Amazon prime
I've seen multiple people say the BFI Seventh Seal translation is inaccurate. Unless you have the dialogue memorized I would much rather have properly translated dialogue than HDR and extra features. I do not own the BFI so just repeating what I've heard from those that do.
Do you think Criterion will be the ones to give us Armageddon on 4k?
I’d really hope so. I unabashedly love Armageddon and the classic commentary track.
I honestly rarely buy from the criterion site, unless it’s a movie I’ve been waiting forever for, or it’s their 50% off sale. eBay and other reselling websites always have them for cheaper after release. Just got Sound of Metal 4k for $16
Hi Elliot. I agree that most of Criterion's 4K upgrades from their back catalog have been quite easy to ignore. Both the lack of new supplements and the odd choices of titles for the 4K releases have been something of a mystery. Many black & white films, or color films with unremarkable pictures, have gotten the UHD treatment, while spectacular Technicolor re-releases like "Written on the Wind", "Tales of Hoffmann" and "Summertime" were passed over. Looking over the 31 UHD titles they now have, I'm really at a loss to understand their selection criteria. Maybe time will make sense of it.
I really want Criterion to make an RRR release!
I do agree with you here, the choice of bluray upgrades to 4K seems sporadic at best. I think it’s the same scan that BFI released that would be have to be confirmed. For me The Fisher King is a strange choice many criterion collectors already have this on Blu-ray and will be encouraged to double dip they did the same last year with The Virgin suicides, I have the BFI 4k of the Bergman so won’t buy it myself.
It’s refreshing to hear, as so many “super fans” of Criterion, accept NO criticism of the company, whatsoever. Criterion, leave a lot to be desired, as far as packaging and atrocious artwork, to just name a few. Another issue, much like Arrow, is delivering identical packaging. I find it even a bit deceptive, if I’m being honest. I bought Double Indemnity, mistakenly having grabbed the bluray, and believe me, I was P*SSED.
@@LancasterDodd These had no stickers, dumbass. I swear to Gods, Criterion fanboys are the biggest babies in the hobby. Try getting off of Criterion’s stick sometime. BTW: “…sticker on the front INDICATION of what you are getting..” English much? The irony..(you can look that word up..”)
If it’s gonna be the same, it’s cheaper for me to grab the criterion 4k as an American.
I was pissed a bit at Criterion had to go to Arrow and others because of the lack of 4k films but since they got into 4k its only the better who more do u want other than the best to do 4k masters but Scream Factory Arrow Kino lorber etc are just as good and better in some cases
I have no complaints about the Small Axe release which I think is very worthy (especially with the documentary Uprising included). Triangle of Sadness is also a good film but no HDR and no Dolby Atmos is a letdown, as well as the lack of features and baffling cover design. I'm with you on the disappointing 4K upgrades of the other two titles - we just had a Gilliam film in 4K and if they're going to do another one so soon, it should be Brazil or Fear & Loathing. The Seventh Seal 4K disc by BFI also looks to be superior to their edition - anyone with a 4K player should just import that! I hear you about the niche titles as well but hopefully we'll get some of those in next month's announcements.
I was disappointed hearing that really nothing new was coming. I wish Criterion would reissue some out of print movies.
You were wrong about them not changing any packaging because they actually downgraded the packaging for Night of the Living Dead 4k lmao
I think it’s called tough love
Yes it is still love!
The power of love is a curious thing
Make a one man weep, make another man sing
Hopefully we get a big box set this year to make up for the recent lackluster announcements.
Will it be worse than The Red Circle? The reviews for that 4K title were abysmal, even the Studiocanal release suffered so much so that I purchased it for £6 of Amazon a month after its release.
Yeah it's like The Night of the Living Dead 4k disc the 4k disc has no hdr just like The Seventh Seal u have to get the region 2 disc
I think we gotta chill out. The people who collect as many of the collection as possible are such a small percentage of buyers. The company isn’t having the best time and multiple monthly releases is a big ask. Like all the super fans and super collectors need to relax, most people aren’t spending thousands of dollars on blu-rays. Most guys buy the stuff they like.
I don't agree with all the criticism for the way Criterion updates to 4k; it's actually the exact right way to do it, especially for hardcore collectors. Here is why: 4k ist still a niche product compared to DVDs and HD Blu-rays. So a large part of Criterion collectors do not need to upgrade to 4k. However, if Criterion would include some additional extras exclusive to the 4k version, even collectors without 4k capabilities but who want the most comprehensible sets could feel the urge to buy the new set, even if they don't need 4k. I actually would consider this a shameless money grab. Same goes for 4k collectors if indeed the special features would be different; a lot of collectors might feel the need to own both releases, new and old. So in the end, the group of people for whom these kind of updates are not ideal are the ones with already extensive Criterion collections who also collect 4k. And let's face it, this group is rather small compared to all the rest. Don't forget, all the collectors who scream the loudest on the internet forums and youtube channels are not necessarily representative of the average movie collector.
Me - I'm a collector of 4k discs and have only recently begun to get into Criterion - so I'm loving all the 4k work from Criterion, both new and upgrades!
So what’s the bottomline here? TLDR….
I find black and white movies aren’t worth upgrade . 4k is more about colors than definition . Am I wrong ? Every black and white I see in 4K looks same as Blu-ray to me . Got oppo 203 4k player Sony OLED 65 inch .
It will be down to personal judgment but I personally see a big difference with 4K black and white. On a standard Blu-ray, black colours are really just very dark grey whereas they reach true black on 4K. Same for the highlights in bright white colours. Plus there’s always an increase in resolution which can be very noticeable. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@ElliotCoen maybe it’s me ? I’ve only seen 4k bw of it’s a wonderful life , night of living dead ( admittedly low budget cheap film stock source ) and psycho .
Perhaps they are just early 4k scans ? If so any titles you suggest I try to see noticeable difference on BW film ?
@@gcaplan1Shadow of a Doubt from Hitchcock looks amazing on 4K if you can get that one :)
@@ElliotCoen
I do own that in the box set not yet watched though . Thanks for the recommend hope to see what you see .
You fail to mention that it isn't JUST 4K. the resolution bump is not why care. It's the Dolby Vision. And FISHER KING has been given a Dolby Vision pass.
I own the BFI version of The Seventh Seal. Image quality is outstanding but the captions are *atrociously bad*. So bad I would never recommend a first-time viewer of this film watched that version. So, strongly disagreed.
OK but 4k is region free dude. Criterion blur ray isn’t so I can't play those.
I don't disagree with you but you might want to wait until you have actually SEEN the new Criterion disc, especially with Seventh Seal. Your critique is all "I think it will be such and such" and "probably" and "maybe" and nothing from actual knowledge or experience.
But I’m not going to see the new disc, that’s the point
@@ElliotCoen Then I guess MY point is Why should we listen to or care about your uninformed opinion?