Criterion Collection

Killer extra features

Re: Killer extra features

Re: Killer extra features

Re: Killer extra features

Re: Killer extra features

Well I think it was the first home video release of a current very wide release movie.  There would be an exceptional number of people looking to buy Life Aquatic who knew nothing about Criteron Collection and could care less about all of the care and detail that normally goes into a Criterion release.  So they had to have the cheaper version because they would make a lot more money and there may be an outrage otherwise.

I doubt they would ever do this with the release of an older movie, which is virutally their entire catalogue.

Re: Killer extra features

Re: Killer extra features

radiogerbil:

I've noticed that Criterion has also released a stripped-down version of "Brazil."  It's an interesting move, but I'm glad to see that Criterion is flexible and adjusts to meet their customers' wants.

With Brazil the 3 disc edition includes the cut version that the studio produced in defiance to the director Terry Gilliam. it's interesting as an example of what can happen when a film is recut by a studio. The single disc version contains the original Gilliam edit, complete with commentary. This is the version I own, and I would assume, even most film buffs own, especially since the edited version has been available from Universal for a while. If you notice, when Criterion rereleased Brazil in a new transfer they did not rerelease the 3 disc collection. 

Re: Killer extra features

I thoroughly enjoy the 3-disc Brazil but at the same time understand the need for the stripped down version. The single disc version Universal has had out (and discontinued several times for no apparent reason) is crap. The transfer is inferior to Criterion's, the features are non-existent (aside from the obligitory trailer & the menu, which they list as a special features).

I'm sure there are people out there who enjoy a good audio and visual transfer but don't want to bothered with all the bells and whistles. I like the idea of the different versions being offered but at the same time I am bothered by the lack of re-release for the bigger (and better) version of Brazil. Maybe with time it'll get the same re-release, re-packaging that Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro and Amarcord got.

Re: Killer extra features

Re:Killer extra features

patches:

I made the mistake of not realizing that Criterion had released 2 different versions of The Life Aquatic http://www.spout.com/Films/DVDDetail.aspx?FilmID=232046 One with some little lame features, and another with tons of fantastic features. Is this a new thing

I know I'm really late to the game here-- but I've just joined the group and have been reading through all of the old threads, so, I'll bump this one even though it's ancient.

I'm pretty sure that the two versions of The Life Aquatic were a function of Criterion's licensing agreements with Buena Vista. (You'll actually find that most places, this is listed as a Disney/Miramax release.) This is the same reason that the MSRP on the Royal Tenenbaums  and Chasing Amy is unusually low.

As for the single-disc version of Brazil mentioned later in the thread-- that was a result of Criterion's creating a new, anamorphic version of the first disc of the set (the primary version of the film) and wanting to provide people who had already purchased the set an option for replacing the film itself without re-purchasing the entire package.