Criterion to release Kurosawa's Ran
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Criterion to release Kurosawa's Ran
From www.criterionco.com
Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha rides into stores
I just hope it's not an April Fool's joke.
Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha rides into stores
This week saw the release of Criterion's new DVD edition of Akira Kurosawa's epic Kagemusha, featuring exclusive new video interviews with filmmakers George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, audio commentary by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince, a 41 minute documentary on the making of the film, and much more. Kurosawa fans can also look forward to Criterion's upcoming edition of Ran, due out in late 2005 in a special edition which includes, among other features, an exclusive interview recently conducted in Tokyo with star Tatsuya Nakadai.
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The transfer isn't that bad on the Masterworks, Cameron. Next to the Fox Lorber, it's incredible.
But this still is good news. Maybe Criterion can get a hold of Madadayo and Dreams, too?
But this still is good news. Maybe Criterion can get a hold of Madadayo and Dreams, too?
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Maybe Criterion can get a hold of Madadayo and Dreams, too?
Last edited by dx23; 04-01-05 at 06:38 AM.
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That will make the third copy of Ran in my collection. The Masterworks disc looks good to me but the WB R2 so far looks the absolute best. I'm very glad to hear Criterion is going to do this. Madadayo would also be a treat should they add that to their schedule. I have the current disc and it could use a bit of the ol' spit and polish. I'm really happy with the R2 Dreams so, i'm not sure I'd get that just for the sake of having a Criterion banner across the top of the case.
#6
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Originally Posted by buckee1
That will make the third copy of Ran in my collection.
#7
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I don't mean this to be a threadcrap, but every time I see an announcement for a new Criterion Kurosawa release I can't help but think, "Well, that's one less Ozu, Mizoguchi, or Ichikawa they'll be releasing that month..."
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
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Originally Posted by buckee1
That will make the third copy of Ran in my collection. The Masterworks disc looks good to me.
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Originally Posted by wendersfan
I don't mean this to be a threadcrap, but every time I see an announcement for a new Criterion Kurosawa release I can't help but think, "Well, that's one less Ozu, Mizoguchi, or Ichikawa they'll be releasing that month..."
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
#10
Originally Posted by wendersfan
I don't mean this to be a threadcrap, but every time I see an announcement for a new Criterion Kurosawa release I can't help but think, "Well, that's one less Ozu, Mizoguchi, or Ichikawa they'll be releasing that month..."
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
Kurosawa's a fine director, but there are other (and better IMO) directors who are far too under-represented on DVD.
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Not sure I want to part with my R2 Warner Brothers "Ran", not because I doubt the Criterion transfer will be an improvement, but more because of the Chris Marker documentary on the second disc (which I love). Of course, this is precisely the sort of documentary that Criterion tends to include on their releases... hmmmm.
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Originally Posted by Richard Malloy
Not sure I want to part with my R2 Warner Brothers "Ran", not because I doubt the Criterion transfer will be an improvement, but more because of the Chris Marker documentary on the second disc (which I love). Of course, this is precisely the sort of documentary that Criterion tends to include on their releases... hmmmm.
Ciao,
Pro-B
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Originally Posted by Cameron
that would be welcome....passed on the masterworks edition because the transfer was so bad...althought that amazon exclusive box set looked cool.
really? I just assumed that because it was the "masterworks" edition that it would be top notch. I'm glad I waited on it.
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The Masterworks edition wasn't just bad, it was unwatchable.
One of the worst transfers to come out in the last few years.
They even had the nerve to include a restoration demo.
It looked like the Fox Lorber edition, with the brightness turned up, run through a 16x9 convertor.
I'll by the Criterion version in a heartbeat.
One of the worst transfers to come out in the last few years.
They even had the nerve to include a restoration demo.
It looked like the Fox Lorber edition, with the brightness turned up, run through a 16x9 convertor.
I'll by the Criterion version in a heartbeat.
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Originally Posted by tofferman
First I had the original release of RAN that was just awful. Then I sold that for the Masterworks Edition, which I think is a marked improvement in all areas. It is great to see Criterion planning on releasing RAN as well. Though premature, I'm curious if they have found new film elements. Additional extras would be certainly welcome as well. Seeing that the Masterworks version was "Criterion like" in price, I will await reviews before buying this version when released.
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Originally Posted by Cameron
passed on the masterworks edition because the transfer was so bad...althought that amazon exclusive box set looked cool.
Last edited by gutwrencher; 04-01-05 at 03:16 PM.
#18
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Originally Posted by gutwrencher
I have the Amazon box and I'm happy to own it. If it comes to Criterion....nobody needs to twist my arm for a triple-dip. The current transfer may not be king...but it does not take away the enjoyment of watching the film. I mean Christ....just 10 years ago I didn't even own a fucking copy. I'm happy to have what I have until another comes along...simple.
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I have to disagree with you, gutwrencher. Though its defects are overstated by some, it's still a bad transfer, and if I'd paid $100 for that exclusive Amazon box (with the non-anamorphic Kurosawa docu, to boot), I'd have been livid.
Please, folks, if you can't wait for the Criterion, get the R2/PAL Warner Brothers release. It's so much better than Wellspring's.
Please, folks, if you can't wait for the Criterion, get the R2/PAL Warner Brothers release. It's so much better than Wellspring's.
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Originally Posted by Richard Malloy
I have to disagree with you, gutwrencher.
As for the import....I've been trying to stay away from pal discs of late. I'll wait and see what happens.
#21
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Originally Posted by Richard Malloy
if I'd paid $100 for that exclusive Amazon box (with the non-anamorphic Kurosawa docu, to boot), I'd have been livid.
It really doesn't make much sense to me. It was limited to 5000 numbered copies and I know (from the Share The Love I received at the time) that a crapload of DVDTalkers ordered this...
I realize that the sets definitely weren't perfect and that Kurosawa won't be as big a seller as, say, Army of Darkness or some other limited numbered edition... but 5000 copies seemed very small to me at the time. I'm shocked that after all this time they still haven't sold out.
#22
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After being really disappointed with Wellspring's Masterworks edition (horrible transfer / blocky yellow subs - ugh.), I was this close to getting the R2. But if Criterion is doing it, I'll wait for that - I'm sure it'll be a massive 3-disc set that'll put every other edition to shame.
And as awesome as Criterion's Kagemusha was, I bet it was just a warm up for Ran, which I'm sure that (if they do it) they'll pull out all stops.
And as awesome as Criterion's Kagemusha was, I bet it was just a warm up for Ran, which I'm sure that (if they do it) they'll pull out all stops.
#23
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I'm sure the box is great...I have had it in my cart no telling how many times....but the transfer just seems so washed out....and those yellow subs are nasty looking.
I just wonder if this will come out the same time that rumored 2-discer for seven samurai appears. I wish they would do some more Kurosawa box sets...make things easier on the wallet
I just wonder if this will come out the same time that rumored 2-discer for seven samurai appears. I wish they would do some more Kurosawa box sets...make things easier on the wallet