Criterion Blu-ray

[Matt]

I'm not gonna list titles in the collection that I think or will be the next Blu-ray upgrade because it is highly regarded film (Rashomon, The Rules of the Game, etc...). I think that kind of list would be better done in the 'other lists' section.

And someone just tried that and got laughed out of the room.

[Antoine Doinel]

Del Toro said at Comic Con this weekend that "Cronos" isn't coming until 2011.

[HistoryProf]

The list will be highly speculative, which I've been trying to avoid in the forthcoming list, but I have added a section for strong confirmations and clues. Will be working on it a little more. I'm not gonna list titles in the collection that I think or will be the next Blu-ray upgrade because it is highly regarded film (Rashomon, The Rules of the Game, etc...). I think that kind of list would be better done in the 'other lists' section. If there is hints at possible upgrades from Criterion, send me a pm to add to list.

I guess I wasn't asking for a list full of speculation, just things like the assorted facebook posts and tweets and other assorted hints and references out there that suggest a title is in the queue. Of course we all have our own speculation about what MIGHT be on the list, but things like Passion of Joan of Ark were actually more or less confirmed on facebook, or the aforementioned older titles that were confirmed to be in line for an upgrade even before blu entered the picture, etc. THAT is what would be useful to have in one place.

[Cinephrenic]

Noted. I will add that and some other lists tomorrow.

[HistoryProf]

Perfect addition Cinephrenic!! I really appreciate it!

[captveg]

Indeed - very nicely done. \:D/

One minor clerical issue - Antichrist is missing the "r". :-$

[Cinephrenic]

oh my, I will attend to it.

[Finch]

I thought Red River was officially confirmed on Facebook? [-o<

[oldsheperd]

Would be great if Criterion managed to get the rights to release Tokyo Olympiad on blu. That film definitely needs a blu upgrade.

[perkizitore]

It's more likely for MoC to release it at this point, but i wouldn't say no to a Criterion upgrade.

[Cinephrenic]

I thought Red River was officially confirmed on Facebook? [-o<

I have in it in the list, but was this officially confirmed by Criterion?

[aox]

Cinephrenic, AntiChrist was also confirmed in the newsletter with one of the cartoons. The one with the fox eating its own guts.

[Matt]

They've indicated that Red River is coming, but there's been no specific confirmation that there will be a Blu-ray. It would be crazy for them not to do a Blu-ray, but you can't count on it without confirmation.

[Cinephrenic]

Cinephrenic, AntiChrist was also confirmed in the newsletter with one of the cartoons. The one with the fox eating its own guts.

I already got it, first one listed.

[aox]

Cinephrenic, AntiChrist was also confirmed in the newsletter with one of the cartoons. The one with the fox eating its own guts.

I already got it, first one listed.

It is certainly listed, it's just the OCD in me was wondering if you wanted to indicate how it was confirmed (newsletter) like the others. Not a big deal, obviously.

[Cinephrenic]

I see what you are saying.

[swo17]

I asked about Sirk on Blu maybe six months ago and they said they had nothing scheduled at that time.

[knives]

This got annoying enough with The Traveller that I had to bring it up, but this seems like a problem with all of criterion's blus. Is anyone else have a problem with their subtitles? Specifically in finding the black edges too thin to properly read. I could only read about a third of the subtitles on the above mentioned film because they kept mixing with the background. Anybody else suffering from this or know why Criterion so drastically changed this aspect of the subtitles?

[kaujot]

I've e-mailed them about this, but never got a response. Fucking hate their subtitles.

[mfunk9786]

I figured this had been mentioned already, but I'm with you guys. Their DVD subtitles are perfect, and I can't wrap my head around why they haven't addressed this issue yet with the Blu-ray subs. When there's something lightly colored behind them, fuggetaboutit.

[RyanGallagher]

Their DVD subtitles are perfect, and I can't wrap my head around why they haven't addressed this issue yet with the Blu-ray subs. When there's something lightly colored behind them, fuggetaboutit.

I've also gone through several e-mail conversations with Becker and their subtitle guy, and they seem to think that these new, thinner fonts are better.

When I first got my hands on the recent M Blu-ray, I flipped back and forth, comparing the subtitles to the previous release on DVD, and found the bigger fonts, with the more defined black edges to be much easier to read. There were points in M where the fonts were essentially unreadable, when on top of some of the more high contrast scenes.

I've sent them screen comparisons, from the Yojimbo Blu-ray, against the DVD.

I have a feeling that if more people send in complaints for this issue, they will take it a little more seriously.

This was a part of the response I received from Criterion, describing their thought process on the subtitles:

As you can imagine, when we were devising our Blu-ray standards, we did a lot of testing with various fonts, sizes, backgrounds and borders, before arriving at our current face with its specific shade of grey and single pixel border. Subtitles need to be visible over an infinite number of possible backgrounds, and white backgrounds have always posed special problems -- especially on theatrical prints, where no outlining is possible. Yellow subtitles are one common solution, but not one we like, especially for black and white films. This leaves us with outlining. We tested two and even three pixel borders, which are fine over dark backgrounds but very intrusive on light-colored ones, where the black borders become even more prominent than the white letter bodies and the outlines often clang. It's a challenge. I saw the grabs you sent, and I can definitely understand your concern, but I also caution you against putting much emphasis on frame grabs when evaluating these things. Movement (including grain) is one of the main points of contrast between the subtitles and the picture itself, and by looking at a still, you are effectively removing one of the key cues we use to differentiate titles and backgrounds.

Hopefully this helps, and again, send Criterion your thoughts on the subtitles, they listen!

[knives]

What's the proper e-mail, because this really is my biggest film pet peeve. It's truly absurd that they can't see the problem with the present font.

[mfunk9786]

Yeah, I'll send an e-mail if you post the address too.

[RyanGallagher]

I'll send an e-mail if you post the address too.

I'll ask if I'm allowed to give out their personal/company e-mail addresses, but I started off my e-mail chain by using the [email protected] e-mail address. I'm still not convinced he's a real person at this point, and that it's more of a catchall address, where they all read it and respond in turn.

Also, I'd say that using their Facebook wall as a springboard for this conversation will certainly get their attention, and maybe even draw out more folks that have experienced this problem, but never said anything about it.

[Mr Sausage]

I'm still not convinced he's a real person at this point, and that it's more of a catchall address, where they all read it and respond in turn.

It's long been established that Mulvaney is not a real person.