I'll definitely be getting "Paths of Glory", as this will be the first time it'll be released at it's theatrical ratio...


Scott

Final cover art for Darjeeling:

Wow, I really do not like that.

I like it.

I like it but at the same time, I loved the train art more.

In for Magician, Paths of Glory, and Seven Samurai.

Pass on the other two. House was sort of a let down and Darjeeling Limited was very blah.

question for next Criterion sale

I am planning on buying Amarcord and Pandora's Box both on SD. How likely are these titles to be upgraded to Blu-Ray?

They both come in a nice thick cardboard package but I'm wondering if there would be a lot of improvement in image quality and also according to DVD Beaver' review Pandora's Box is not shown at the proper aspect ratio so that has me thinking if is worth it

Thanks

At this point, given the accelerated rate at which they seem to be releasing upgrades, I'd hold off on any "biggie" Criterion titles. And both of these certainly qualify as biggies. But, they are also both incredible films, so I would recommend you at least rent them (or stream them via Netflix) in the meantime.

Doesn't say anywhere that the aspect ratio for Pandora's Box is wrong....

The review for Pandora's Box says

"image is again pictureboxed (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review"

which describes it as follows

"the image has been 'pictureboxed' to overcome 'overscan' on commercially made tube television sets (can be up to a 15% loss of image and this is significant!). Pictureboxing leaves a black border around the edge of the image and most players automatically zoom-in to fill the screen - it limits resolution making the image slightly less detailed than it might be able to achieve. "

Thank you. I seen Pandora's Box already and I really liked it but I been wanting to explore it again and see all those special features on Brooks. As for Amarcord I have not seen it yet or heard anything about it really but something about it calls my name. You are right is on instant Play in Netflix so I would definitely check it out

That doesn't mean that the aspect ratio is wrong.

well I guess i didn't word it properly. The point is it doesn't sound like it has the optimum viewing presentation.

What that means is that the transfer has small black bars around the picture, to prevent overscan on non-HDTVs. The aspect ratio of the movie is that same as it would be otherwise, but a fraction of the picture's resolution is taken up by the black bars.

In theory, a Blu-Ray transfer would not have window-boxing.