396 Ace in the Hole
- Highway 61
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- Cinephrenic
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- Location: Paris, Texas
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- Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:06 pm
I'm inclined to agree with this (as I also just saw the film on TCM today and absolutely loved it). I mean, I will buy the Criterion when it comes out but to be honest I'd be more than happy with a Conformist level edition of this.Via_Chicago wrote:I'm still very disappointed this isn't going to be a Paramount DVD release. Not only does the transfer already look immaculate, but I'd be able to pay $10 for it. Criterion's going to throw a bunch of extras on this that I'm not going to watch and then charge me $40. If it were a transfer in need of serious work, I'd be more than happy that Criterion were releasing it, but the transfer on TCM looked great.
- Tribe
- The Bastard Spawn of Hank Williams
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- Location: Toledo, Ohio
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I've yet to find anyone to pay $40 for a new single disc (or even 2 disc) Criterion. If anyone in the US has, it's because they want to.Via_Chicago wrote:I'm still very disappointed this isn't going to be a Paramount DVD release. Not only does the transfer already look immaculate, but I'd be able to pay $10 for it. Criterion's going to throw a bunch of extras on this that I'm not going to watch and then charge me $40. If it were a transfer in need of serious work, I'd be more than happy that Criterion were releasing it, but the transfer on TCM looked great.
Tribe
- souvenir
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:20 pm
I disagree. I'd be happy to pay Criterion prices for some substantial extras. Most of Wilder's films have barebones DVDs and the few special editions mostly have fluffy talking head interviews repeating the same well-known antecdotes and opinions. If Criterion can come up with worthy supplements, I think the extra price is more than justified. Plus, Paramount has had decades to release the film on some format and hasn't so who knows how long we'd have to wait for their more affordable edition. I'll take the $26 hit from Criterion this summer over the phantom $10 release from Paramount with pleasure.
If you don't want the special features and the price tag, why not just record the "immaculate" transfer from TCM and put it on your own disc for personal viewing?
If you don't want the special features and the price tag, why not just record the "immaculate" transfer from TCM and put it on your own disc for personal viewing?
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
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- arsonfilms
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I agree, and considering that prices on major studio releases seem to be going up as well, the whole price argument against Criterion is starting to become a wash. As far as I'm concerned, DVDs are only really worth owning if there are substantial extras and a really solid transfer. You can bet that the Ace in the Hole transfer that looks so good on TCM came from Criterion, and frankly, if it doesn't come in a 2-disc set with some great looking artwork, I'll Netflix it. I'll happily pay $25 for something if it's worth having on my shelf, but if I'm just going to watch the movie I won't even pay $10.domino harvey wrote:There seriously needs to be a moratorium on people claiming they pay list price on Criterions.
- Via_Chicago
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:03 pm
I guess I'm just bitter because I'm awfully poor and can afford $10, but nothing over $20. I'm glad to admit my $40 estimate is gamesmanship on my part, since I've never paid that much for a single Criterion DVD.
Ace in the Hole is great though, and it's certainly a disc I'd like to own at some point. I should also point out that I had to drive to a friend's house to watch it since I don't get cable. Recording it was sort of out of the question, otherwise I would have (like I did with Borzage's The Mortal Storm in December).
Ace in the Hole is great though, and it's certainly a disc I'd like to own at some point. I should also point out that I had to drive to a friend's house to watch it since I don't get cable. Recording it was sort of out of the question, otherwise I would have (like I did with Borzage's The Mortal Storm in December).
- Steven H
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:30 pm
- Location: NC
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Specs in first post...thanks to Kinjitsu.
I'm thrilled with the inclusion of Portrait of a 60% Perfect Man. I've heard good things, and it's impossible to find. I'm very surprised that "The Big Story" is not included, because it is such a perfect fit, but I guess it's really not very important. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the specs.
I'm thrilled with the inclusion of Portrait of a 60% Perfect Man. I've heard good things, and it's impossible to find. I'm very surprised that "The Big Story" is not included, because it is such a perfect fit, but I guess it's really not very important. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the specs.
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- Location: Melbourne
- arsonfilms
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- Location: Philadelphia, PA
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- Antoine Doinel
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:22 pm
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
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- souvenir
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:20 pm
According to Crowe's Conversations with Wilder, Spike Lee wanted to remake Ace in the Hole, in addition to the Malcolm X homage. Lee's initial absence from the DVD features, given his relationship with Criterion, was glaring. I wonder if he contacted them upon hearing of the release and possibly that's why it was added later.
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Yeah, I guess Lee is a big fan. In Conversations..., Wilder also mentions that Spike showed up at his office one day asking for an autograph, and Wilder didn't recognize him. "You're Spike Lee?" he asked.souvenir wrote:According to Crowe's Conversations with Wilder, Spike Lee wanted to remake Ace in the Hole, in addition to the Malcolm X homage. Lee's initial absence from the DVD features, given his relationship with Criterion, was glaring. I wonder if he contacted them upon hearing of the release and possibly that's why it was added later.
- rohmerin
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 am
- Location: Spain
Paramount releases this masterpiece on R2, Spain, in June 27, may be at 7'95€. No extras.
- HistoryProf
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
- Location: KCK