(Quote by stepeanut): I’ve resisted doing so because I believe there isn’t sufficient interest here. Most of the best boutique labels are British, and most of our members are American. Many here display ignorance, even fear, about importing BDs and DVDs. Not everyone, of course, but many. (End Quote) I don't know why people don't do it if they collect movies. The players aren't any more expensive than any other piece of gear of halfway decent quality, and they gives you valuable options (both in terms of choice and price) when it comes to collecting discs. You are no longer stuck with the idea, psychologically, that US releases are 'the only discs you can play' so your whole outlook changes. Currently I have about 30 Criterions; I also have about 30 Masters of Cinema, and the latter is the backbone of my silents collection. Another 12 or so discs are on the way from Britain as we speak. Also, you get access to smaller European and Asian labels who may have something no one else will put out. Twilight Time I may buy (if interested) when I get their sale e-mails, or when the same master of the film shows up in Britain and is put out there. This is partly where the flexibility of 'international' comes in. Example of what world-wide discs can do: I recently got two silent Ozu films that have not, to my knowledge, been put out with English inter-titles in the West. They were Japanese DVD releases, re-published in France with English titling....good luck playing that concoction on a "US-only" player... But back on track with the thread...I WANT THE BERGMAN BOX!
For the "C" sale I was only going to order the Chaplin films, but then something happened..... Barry Lyndon City Lights Passion Of Joan Of Arc Eraserhead Eyes Without a Face Insignificance King of Jazz Modern Times Gold Rush Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Walkabout Mulholland Dr.
Oh hell, I just threw in the Dietrich/von Sternberg box set as well...my wife will be out of the country when all of this starts arriving....
Don't toss out your 'Seventh Seal' BluRays quite yet. Looks as if the 'Bergman Island' bonus feature won't be included on the box set. Along with a few other of the features.
I was wondering about that. The old Kurasawa box doesn't have any special features, and neither does the Olympics box set.
I've never ordered anything from Barnes & Noble. This seems like a pretty good time to start. Anyone have any success using the Criterion sale for a Canadian address?
I appreciate your views but I was thinking from the perspective that this site is worldwide so we could let each other know what's out there. If something was released in the US & not the UK, at least the people in the UK will know something could be coming their way. I buy import movies like I buy import music. When it's great, I want it & am willing to buy it even if it were an import. I'm sure others here feel the same way. I also figured by expanding the thread title, the restored classics from companies other than Criterioon can get some attention that they deserve,
I hope you're right. This is what I referring to: SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES Digital transfer (box set edition); new, restored high-definition digital transfer (two-DVD and Blu-ray editions), with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition Introduction by Ingmar Bergman, recorded in 2003 (two-DVD and Blu-ray only) Audio commentary by Bergman expert Peter Cowie, with a new afterword on the two-DVD and Blu-ray editions Bergman Island (2006), an 83-minute documentary on Bergman by Marie Nyreröd, featuring in-depth and revealing interviews with the director (two-DVD and Blu-ray only) Archival audio interview with Max von Sydow (two-DVD and Blu-ray only) A 1989 tribute to Bergman by filmmaker Woody Allen (two-DVD and Blu-ray only) Theatrical trailer Bergman 101, a selected video filmography tracing Bergman’s career, narrated by Cowie (two-DVD and Blu-ray only) An annotated, illustrated Bergman filmography, featuring excerpts from Wild Strawberries and The Magician with commentary (box set only) Optional English-dubbed soundtrack New and improved English subtitle translation PLUS: A new essay by Cowie (box set edition); a booklet featuring a new essay by critic Gary Giddins (two-DVD and Blu-ray editions) New cover by Neil Kellerhouse (two-DVD and Blu-ray editions); new cover by Gordon Reynolds (box set edition)
I’ve let people know “what’s out there” in the past, and I’ve invariably been met with disinterest, or comments along the lines of, “I can’t play that in the U.S.” Supposed big fans, who have been waiting years for a particular film to be released, suddenly aren’t interested when they have to invest a little money and a modicum of effort to go region-free. There are literally dozens of new releases around the world every week, from documentaries to schlock horror films. I don’t think it’s practical to list them all here as some sort of public service. There are more appropriate places designed specifically for that purpose, e.g. DVDBeaver, Blu-ray.com. Those who are interested, and equipped appropriately, will seek out the information. Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you 100% on importing titles from around the world. But, if we start flooding this thread with worldwide release schedules, it will only serve to confuse and annoy the majority. I tell you what, I’ll start a new thread right now. I’ll call it The Worldwide Region-Free DVD and Blu-ray Disc Thread. Please, come and contribute. EDIT - here we go: The Worldwide Region-Free DVD and Blu-ray Disc Thread
I always tell myself when the sale comes, “this time I’m gonna crazy”, but then only end up buying 3 or 4. Well, this time, I made good and went crazy. I’ve spent about $400 so far. I might be done, I might buy a couple more. We’ll see. My purchases so far: Stalker Ugetsu Virgin Suicides Dead Man Vampyr Silence of the Lambs In a Lonely Place Mulholland Drive Night of the Living Dead Naked The Killing Picnic at Hanging Rock Before Trilogy John Cassavetes box set.
I just watched the Criterion Silence of the Lambs BD this week, and it looks amazing. You won't be disappointed. The Commentary is top notch as well.
Watching movies with the commentary is something I always SAY I want to do more of, but I rarely do. It’s just so hard to find enough time to watch them regularly. I have some Criterions with 3 separate commentary tracks! That’s a lot of re-watching!
Picked up some more titles at B&N this weekend; Breathless Bull Durham The Virgin Suicides The Friends of Eddie Coyle Election The Breakfast Club 3 Women Something Wild(1986)
Posted by damorton over at the BluRay.com forum: All previously released titles will retain their supplements. We have added a few more supplements to the titles that are being upgraded from DVD to Bluray: A FILM TRILOGY: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, WINTER LIGHT and THE SILENCE, and THE MAGIC FLUTE. Some of the essays in the Bergman box book have been slightly re-edited. A few titles have newly commissioned essays (THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, WINTER LIGHT, THE SILENCE), or they have been revised due to their pairing with another title to create a double feature (SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE/SARABAND; SAWDUST AND TINSEL/THE RITE; TO JOY/THIRST; CRISIS/A SHIP TO INDIA), to name a few. I hope this is helpful! Jon Mulvaney So it looks like everyone's safe to sell off, give away or toss down the gabage chute their old copies (though, obviously, not the MGM DVDs or the 'Early Bergman' Eclipse set)