I’m not an expert on these matters, but I think CC have stated they will not use HDR on any film where the film makers are not available (or still around) to supervise. I rather appreciate this sentiment myself, however that didn’t stop me from importing BFIs Seven Samurai. That disc looks phenomenal, and with HDR.
Is HDR true to the original films? Or is it an enhancement, a bit like colorizing black and white (but not as severe)? I remember reading that movies normally project at low brightness, like 80 nits? But resolution is more like 4K with 35mm. Or do I misunderstand and film captures light levels that can only now be revealed with HDR playback?
So glad you're shouting out Chaplin's, A Woman of Paris. I first saw it in the 1970s and have always considered it a great film. Was always dismayed through the years to see so many writers casually dismiss it. There's a real feeling of an event, or a moment in cinema history about it to me. Hard to explain. The ending is wonderful and memorable.
Godzilla vs biolante is a huge surprise, and even better: it is one of the best in the Heisei era. I‘d have loved to see a Box like the Sowa era set for the heisei as well though.
I saw the Biollante image in the thumbnail... and they finally did it, they're finally getting this back in print. I have a bootleg of it as the original DVD is stupidly expensive. Made my day.
I went with the BFI 4K release of "Seven Samurai" due to the inclusion of HDR10/Dolby Vision. I have compared it directly to the Criterion 4K release which does not have HDR feeling that the BFI release is superior.
Haven’t seen Godzilla vs. Biollante either but supposedly it’s one of the best Godzilla movies ever made. Heard it may possibly even be THE best Godzilla vs movie. It’s also been OOP for decades so I was also incredible happy to see it coming
After YEARS of searching for G vs. Biolante, I finally dropped the price of Criterion release for a low quality DVD copy. Can confirm it's a brilliant, sad, weird, thoughtful Godzilla film. I only wish I had waited another 2 weeks, I could have invested in this new release 😫 😂⚘️
I wouldn't go that far, but it is one of a small handful of Godzilla films that has metaphorical depth as it explores the dangers of genetic modification, combined with an interesting, multi-form baddie. Not on the level as the original, Shin, and Minus One, but far more ambitious than the great bulk of the filmography. It's a shame it's the lone entry that's been out of print the last several years.
I'd be interested to hear more from someone that's actually worked in this arena to discuss the tradeoffs from a workflow standpoint...but from what I understand, it takes time hence money to encode it properly (assuming they doesn just take the lazy approach of just flipping a switch to make blanket decisions about the encode). The metadata is essentially frame-by-frame instructions yet someone "has to" sit down and decide what those instructions should be, based on the content. *I'd love to learn more about how significantly so this is or isn't the case. Bottom like, it's probably a cost-benefit thing just as much as anything else.
I'm really glad to see the Godzilla legacy films being respected and elevated in recent years. Growing up in the 90s, I was exposed to many hideously-dubbed English Godzilla films, and they were often seen as a kind of joke. Rubber suits, horrible dub syncing, bad transfers (before consumers had any idea of what 'bad transfers' meant), it was the stuff of derision or, at best, fringe support of Gozilla (the brand) instead anything about the films themselves. But hey, it's a whole new world of film now, and I'm glad to see it come.
Key to remember that Criterion doesn't equate to perfected best edition available. Love them and all, but sometimes their name sells more than the restoration or lacktherof at times. Lots of people sleeping on many other boutique labels if they only look for Criterion.
Especially when you pay 30 quid for a flimsy plastic case and a slim booklet whereas for the same price with Arrow, Second Sight, MoC etc you get a rigid hardcase, booklet, poster etc. Criterion has been coasting off their name and reputation for years now, and their releases rarely excite anymore
Night Moves is the most exciting for me. Love the film. Very underrated. The Warner Archive disc has an excellent presentation already from a 4k restoration but no extras. I'm excited to get a package with extras. The new art is pretty underwhelming though. I love Thief BUT I am really hoping that arrow revisits this one again in the UK. The Arrow blu ray put the Criterion to shame including both the Directors cut AND the Theatrical cut with both colour grades and the new directors surround remix and original stereo audio. Criterion caters to Directors whims too much. I'm cool with director revisionist cuts but keep the original intact. That's not Criterions' way of doing things unfortunately.
I love the new wages of fear cover art, and I’m glad that has a 4K now, but I’m still holding out for Sorcerer on Criterion at some point-that was our first choice for Spineless and it would look So good on a criterion 4K
If a film has a nice release that isn't by Criterion, I will not buy the Criterion release. They've been outclassed by every other major boutique label.
Thanks for the reminder on the Wages of Fear I forgot about the BFI! They’ve been killing it, I’ve been importing them over buying the new criterion titles in the U.S. on and off since Seventh Seal I think.
I've noticed a pattern with Criterion not putting HDR on very old B&W films. If it's a newer B&W film then it might get one but again it's a case by case thing. Is there something to this or a coincidence?
I've suspected that Criterion's decision to release a 4K in SDR sometimes just comes down to cost-benefit across their entire portfolio plans. Older films benefit a lot from HDR, but I'm assuming Criterion sometimes assesses how much time/money it would take to further convert to HDR...and sometimes weigh out that it's worth the time/cost and sometimes not. I'd be curious to get more visibility on their decision-making process. Just how much longer does an HDR encode take to master and author over an SDR one? Do they sometimes not have physical access to do a rescan of the film themselves? Do they assess the condition (e.g., inherent contrast and dynamic range) of the film print available and presume, rightfully so or not, that HDR wouldn't do but so much for it without fear of being revisionist if they tweak it too much? I'm really curious about these things.
godzilla vs biollante isn't a perfect film and i'm honestly a little surprised criterion found it criterion worthy, but it is one of my favorites and i'm incredibly happy to see it, especially since the old blu ray has been out of print forever. you will probably find a lot of charm in it. there's some good ol godzilla science messaging in there as well. you don't need to see the 1984 film before watching it imo. you'll get a recap.
Night moves is the best of the bunch imho. The others........🙄 wages of fear is a masterpiece, but already available in various releases, like you said.
I’m happy about Godzilla, I’m the UK it’s impossible to watch any of the classic Godzilla films aside from the criterion box set, hopefully more to come 😀
Godzilla vs. a giant flower is not to be missed for Godzilla fans. I literally bought a dvd copy of this hard to find film a week ago, for the price of a new criterion 😢
Hdr is a gimmick like 3d, and honestly is a big part why if have off, that 4k discs are so much darker over all then a requalr blu ray disc over all, even with hdr on
Are you excited for any of these new Criterion announcements? Thanks for watching!
Night Moves 👍
Godzilla and Thief for me ! I’m curious to see more Mann since I’ve got The Keep on order.
All of them!
Performance
@@ElliotCoen Night Moves and Thief when Arrow upgrade their version
Godzilla’s late work really showed his range as an actor, I feel. Another good vid EC, keep it up:)
What a wild comment
I’m not an expert on these matters, but I think CC have stated they will not use HDR on any film where the film makers are not available (or still around) to supervise. I rather appreciate this sentiment myself, however that didn’t stop me from importing BFIs Seven Samurai. That disc looks phenomenal, and with HDR.
Is HDR true to the original films? Or is it an enhancement, a bit like colorizing black and white (but not as severe)? I remember reading that movies normally project at low brightness, like 80 nits? But resolution is more like 4K with 35mm. Or do I misunderstand and film captures light levels that can only now be revealed with HDR playback?
So glad you're shouting out Chaplin's, A Woman of Paris. I first saw it in the 1970s and have always considered it a great film. Was always dismayed through the years to see so many writers casually dismiss it. There's a real feeling of an event, or a moment in cinema history about it to me. Hard to explain. The ending is wonderful and memorable.
Godzilla vs biolante is a huge surprise, and even better: it is one of the best in the Heisei era.
I‘d have loved to see a Box like the Sowa era set for the heisei as well though.
I saw the Biollante image in the thumbnail... and they finally did it, they're finally getting this back in print. I have a bootleg of it as the original DVD is stupidly expensive. Made my day.
I went with the BFI 4K release of "Seven Samurai" due to the inclusion of HDR10/Dolby Vision. I have compared it directly to the Criterion 4K release which does not have HDR feeling that the BFI release is superior.
Do you know if the subtitles are the same? I’ve heard that Criterion’s are better
Haven’t seen Godzilla vs. Biollante either but supposedly it’s one of the best Godzilla movies ever made. Heard it may possibly even be THE best Godzilla vs movie. It’s also been OOP for decades so I was also incredible happy to see it coming
After YEARS of searching for G vs. Biolante, I finally dropped the price of Criterion release for a low quality DVD copy. Can confirm it's a brilliant, sad, weird, thoughtful Godzilla film. I only wish I had waited another 2 weeks, I could have invested in this new release 😫 😂⚘️
@@matthemming9105thank you for your sacrifice 🙏
It really is! The spectacle and creature design are incredible and story wise it’s up there with the original, Destroyah, and Minus One
I wouldn't go that far, but it is one of a small handful of Godzilla films that has metaphorical depth as it explores the dangers of genetic modification, combined with an interesting, multi-form baddie. Not on the level as the original, Shin, and Minus One, but far more ambitious than the great bulk of the filmography. It's a shame it's the lone entry that's been out of print the last several years.
Criterion is in a steep decline relative to other physical disc publishers. They used to be a cut above everyone else.
Thanks for the heads-up on the BFI version of “Wages of Fear.” Dolby, HDR and available now. A no-brainer!
Dolby vision should be standard on every disc
Agreed. You can always turn HDR/Dolby Vision off if you feel strongly about it, but to not even have the option feels like a cop out.
I'd be interested to hear more from someone that's actually worked in this arena to discuss the tradeoffs from a workflow standpoint...but from what I understand, it takes time hence money to encode it properly (assuming they doesn just take the lazy approach of just flipping a switch to make blanket decisions about the encode). The metadata is essentially frame-by-frame instructions yet someone "has to" sit down and decide what those instructions should be, based on the content. *I'd love to learn more about how significantly so this is or isn't the case.
Bottom like, it's probably a cost-benefit thing just as much as anything else.
@@Chrisratata well stated
I'm really glad to see the Godzilla legacy films being respected and elevated in recent years. Growing up in the 90s, I was exposed to many hideously-dubbed English Godzilla films, and they were often seen as a kind of joke. Rubber suits, horrible dub syncing, bad transfers (before consumers had any idea of what 'bad transfers' meant), it was the stuff of derision or, at best, fringe support of Gozilla (the brand) instead anything about the films themselves. But hey, it's a whole new world of film now, and I'm glad to see it come.
I'd love the resolution with all yhe extra gimmicks that come with 4k that makes it so much darker then requal blu rays over all
This is one of the best release slates for a while.
Key to remember that Criterion doesn't equate to perfected best edition available. Love them and all, but sometimes their name sells more than the restoration or lacktherof at times. Lots of people sleeping on many other boutique labels if they only look for Criterion.
Especially when you pay 30 quid for a flimsy plastic case and a slim booklet whereas for the same price with Arrow, Second Sight, MoC etc you get a rigid hardcase, booklet, poster etc. Criterion has been coasting off their name and reputation for years now, and their releases rarely excite anymore
Night Moves is the most exciting for me. Love the film. Very underrated. The Warner Archive disc has an excellent presentation already from a 4k restoration but no extras. I'm excited to get a package with extras. The new art is pretty underwhelming though. I love Thief BUT I am really hoping that arrow revisits this one again in the UK. The Arrow blu ray put the Criterion to shame including both the Directors cut AND the Theatrical cut with both colour grades and the new directors surround remix and original stereo audio. Criterion caters to Directors whims too much. I'm cool with director revisionist cuts but keep the original intact. That's not Criterions' way of doing things unfortunately.
Maybe a bit off-topic of blu-ray/physical media but you may find interesting talk about the Daft Punk's Interestella 5555 AI restoration debacle
Yes! I have been waiting for Choose Me! Fantastic movie and one I thought might never be released.
I love the new wages of fear cover art, and I’m glad that has a 4K now, but I’m still holding out for Sorcerer on Criterion at some point-that was our first choice for Spineless and it would look So good on a criterion 4K
If a film has a nice release that isn't by Criterion, I will not buy the Criterion release. They've been outclassed by every other major boutique label.
Thanks for the reminder on the Wages of Fear I forgot about the BFI! They’ve been killing it, I’ve been importing them over buying the new criterion titles in the U.S. on and off since Seventh Seal I think.
I wish the cover art was stronger but I’m so excited that Godzilla vs Biollante is getting such a nice release. A Top 5 G film!
I am so excited about Thief! I wanted to get the Blu-ray during the sale, but it was not available from Amazon.
Are Criterion 4K’s region free like other 4K’s?
I will pick some of these upcoming releases on the next big sale.
Elliot, thanks for the review, 4k and HDR should go hand in hand at this price point I would be interested to know why it is not the basic standard..
I've noticed a pattern with Criterion not putting HDR on very old B&W films. If it's a newer B&W film then it might get one but again it's a case by case thing. Is there something to this or a coincidence?
i will 100% get Thief and Night Moves, already own the BFI version of WAF. Might go for Godzilla, but i haven't seen it yet.
Hopefully Arrow upgrade their Thief too, with their usual superior encode
Definitely picking up Thief, I have the Arrow release and have been waiting for a 4K release.
Never seen Night Moves so it'll be a blind buy for me.
Night Moves is OK. A bit depressing, but not bad. I prefer Hardcore with George C. Scott, which has some similar themes.
I've suspected that Criterion's decision to release a 4K in SDR sometimes just comes down to cost-benefit across their entire portfolio plans. Older films benefit a lot from HDR, but I'm assuming Criterion sometimes assesses how much time/money it would take to further convert to HDR...and sometimes weigh out that it's worth the time/cost and sometimes not.
I'd be curious to get more visibility on their decision-making process. Just how much longer does an HDR encode take to master and author over an SDR one? Do they sometimes not have physical access to do a rescan of the film themselves? Do they assess the condition (e.g., inherent contrast and dynamic range) of the film print available and presume, rightfully so or not, that HDR wouldn't do but so much for it without fear of being revisionist if they tweak it too much?
I'm really curious about these things.
I already have the blu-ray of Wages of Fear from Criterion so will get the BFI 4k as an uprgade!
Quick question will Thief on 4K get a UK release?
godzilla vs biollante isn't a perfect film and i'm honestly a little surprised criterion found it criterion worthy, but it is one of my favorites and i'm incredibly happy to see it, especially since the old blu ray has been out of print forever. you will probably find a lot of charm in it. there's some good ol godzilla science messaging in there as well. you don't need to see the 1984 film before watching it imo. you'll get a recap.
The Godzilla vs Biollante blu ray has been out of print for years so this 4k is a big deal.
Night moves is the best of the bunch imho. The others........🙄 wages of fear is a masterpiece, but already available in various releases, like you said.
I’m happy about Godzilla, I’m the UK it’s impossible to watch any of the classic Godzilla films aside from the criterion box set, hopefully more to come 😀
finally i can sell off my dvd copy of Godzilla vs. Biollante!!
I'm definitely picking up Godzilla
Godzilla vs. a giant flower is not to be missed for Godzilla fans. I literally bought a dvd copy of this hard to find film a week ago, for the price of a new criterion 😢
Sell it since you gonna get a better version
hello dear Elliot
Not, really. I like Wages a lot, but I don't feel like upgrading it.
Underwhelming month barring Thief getting a 4k.
Hdr is a gimmick like 3d, and honestly is a big part why if have off, that 4k discs are so much darker over all then a requalr blu ray disc over all, even with hdr on
Just out of curiosity, what TV and 4K player do you have? (not arguing against what you experience, just curious)