I'm disappointed the Blu-ray disc isn't the definitive package, but I can always Netflix the TV edition if need be.

I got all the new criterion's, I like the art and content, but the packaging doesn't seem like it will stand the test of time... all the movies also came crooked, one end of the case was pushed forward, and the other end was slanted back, even after adjusting they are still slanted. It would have been better if they used thin close encounters-type cases, where they slipped out of the side vs top... or at least a third sturdy clear plastic case to go over the existing packaging to give the illusion of sturdiness.

I'm not thrilled either with the crooked look they decided to take. I canceled two of my blind buys and just stuck with Bottle Rocket.

Does anybody can confirm that the Blu Ray of Bottle Rocket has been edited/revised in some scenes...somebody on Amazon is claiming that the book Dignan opens in the robbery scene is different now. I very clearly remember it being "Job Opportunities in Government" but now its a plane? Also, there was a small extension of the attorney comment?

confirmed.....very odd

however note it is Anthony that opens the book in the bookstore robbery not Dignan

the original dvd version he opens a book (Island Fight...) to a page titled
Padgett's
Job Opportunities
In
Government
1995
Edited By Bob Hughes
Vocational Specialist
Idillwild Press Worldwide

in the new Criterion BD cut (can't speak to the dvd cut) Anthony opens the same book to a two page photo of a bomber plane with text on the left page reading .... Extra Firepower For Low-Flying Bombers .... with text continued on after that

can't verify what the other edit may have been but I do wonder why this change was made?

can also confirm the second edit (addition of dialog .... Futureman: "no you can't") in Anthony's narrated letter to Grace

That would be his vision. Which apparently is in sync with Bertolucci's since he hasn't addressed the issue.

Pro-B

That's a fairly enormous leap in logic.

yeah sorry for the slip there.... still though. I guess the 5.1 soundmix wasn't possible even though it did go out theatrically as such (five front channels/mono surrounds)

If that's his "vision", why did he frame the film for a different ratio?

For the same reason Kubrick altered his films.

Pro-B

Just finished comparing the blu-ray with the SD Chungking Express, and to my eye they're very nearly indistinguishable from one another. Maybe I set expectations too high, but I'm more than a little disappointed with my first Criterion blu-ray.... and while I appeciate the attempt to do something different with the case, the thin cardboard packaging really does seem kinda shoddy, particularly coming from Criterion.

In a strange sense, you are actually correct. At least if you believe Storaro's claims, they both altered the ARs of their respective films in DVD release in the (somewhat silly, IMO) belief that the format is too irresolute to well-represent the proper ratios. When we're talking about Blu-ray, with six times the resolution (and more effective viewable resolution than many commercial film prints), this argument is moot, even if you believe it made sense for DVD.

Now, I would argue that Storaro's claim is a bit of a smokescreen, in the first place, as I think his real reason is his 'everything should be in 2.0:1' philosophy/agenda- hence, my "revisionist" statement. The appearance of this ratio on the The Last Emperor BD would seem to be evidence in favour of my theory, though one might certainly argue that, with a DVD release being made from the same master, Criterion simply couldn't afford to transfer the film twice and chose to 'protect' the DVD release.

I'm gonna ask it again, not sure if people experienced it, but does anybody else have problems with the special features for The Third Man?

For example, the Bogdanovich introduction is "squeezed" meaning that although the disc switches to 4:3, the video itself is still "thinner" and there are even more vertical bars. It's as if they forgot to decode it for the transfer.

Same thing with the documentary on The Third Man: The regular documentary footage is in proper 4:3, but when they cut to footage from the movie, it's squeezed.

Well, if you read this: http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/713, it sounds as if he really may have framed it for 2:1.

However, if he claims that TLE is the first film he decided to frame 2:1, then why is Apocalypse Now also in that ratio? I think the revisionist theory is more likely in that case at least, and I can't blame someone from thinking it's true for TLE as well.

Apocalypse Now was definitely framed for 2.35:1. With The Last Emperor, I'd like to give Storaro the benefit of the doubt when he says he framed it for 2.0:1 (especially as he remains, despite this nonsense, one of my favourite cinematographers), but between the funky framing issues apparent in 2.0:1 presentations and his insistence upon the certainly inaccurate 2.0:1 for Apocalypse Now, it's difficult not to be skeptical. Personally, I can take some solace in the fact that I don't really care for The Last Emperor much, in the first place. However, regardless of my feelings, it, like all movies, deserves to be done justice and presented in as accurate a manner as possible.

I'll be curious to see what becomes of his "limited DVD resolution" argument when Apocalypse Now hits Blu-ray.

I was greatly looking forward to Criterion BDs, but I made the decision not to purchase any of them when I found out about the horrible packaging. When/if they fix that, I'll start buying.

I can't say I'm a big fan of the packaging, but it comes in about #500 or so on my list of important *ahem* criteria for Criterion releases. I can't imagine caring so much about the packaging that I wouldn't buy a beautiful transfer of one my favourite movies, short of them 'packaging' it by taping the disc to a missile and shooting it at me.

Im assuming that Pro-B was talking about Kubrick reframing for cinema release. Kubrick liked a 'bit of height' in the frame and generally liked the European 1.66:1 presentations of his films, (2001 excepted of course), however these were often cropped to be wider for more standard USA cinema presentations.

Kubrick also ruled that for *VHS* that 4:3 opened matte presentations were his preference. However he had not yet made up his mind, or at least told anyone about, his preference for presentation on DVD, prior to his death.

For DVDs Warner defaulted and hid behind to Kubricks 'preference' for a 4:3 presentation for "Home Video" ie. VHS, but that does not mean to say that he would have chosen something different for DVD when it came time for Eyes Wide Shut to be released on the format.

Also note that Kubrick avoided multichannel sound as well, but in discussions with his editor, he mentioned adopting it at some stage and even redoing the sound in at least one of his existing films.

[vent]
I have now received three of the Criterion BDs, and I have to echo this sentiment:

The packaging on these titles is completely cheesy!! (I'm vegan so that insult is even more loaded... take that, Criterion!)

I own dozens of Criterion titles, and I am proud to display most of them on my shelves... particularly the boxes that include substantial printed extras, for example "Vampyr". But these new BD sets are so sub-par in comparison it's just embarrassing -- they don't even sit straight on the shelf, for heaven's sake.

I loved "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (Criterion gets props for a beautiful transfer) and found myself really wishing the book had been included as it had been in the SD set. But no, no room for a book. Just an insert with a short essay. I actually considered purchasing the SD set in order to get the book and a respectable package, but I just couldn't bring myself to indulge such a whim.

Is anyone at Criterion listening, I hope?
[/vent]

Could someone take a picture of these titles together on a rack or something similiar? I'm interested in seeing what people mean by stating they look crooked/don't stand up correctly? Thanks.

Thank you! Certainly looks like I'll have to wedge them in fairly tight to make them look neat.

given how BFI has announced plans to release the Trilogy of Life Pasolini films on bluray - Criterion better fucking release these on blu as well - or I'll spit bullets.

DVD Beaver review of El Norte Blu-ray.