UHD New Releases, Reissues and Upgrades

[nicolas]

Yes, there is a noticeable difference. Arrow’s grade leans more natural whereas Criterion attempted to emulate how the film looked on prints but unfortunately they didn’t go all the way as you can see below:

Eastmancolor 35mm print scan: https://filmcolors.org/galleries/the-last-emperor-1987/
Matching Criterion screenshots: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php? ... tcount=154
Criterion vs. Arrow: https://slow.pics/c/GPfrKLXh

[nitin]

wow another case of maybe having to get both and see which looks best on my system to me

[MannFan]

Yes, there is a noticeable difference. Arrow’s grade leans more natural whereas Criterion attempted to emulate how the film looked on prints but unfortunately they didn’t go all the way as you can see below:

Eastmancolor 35mm print scan: https://filmcolors.org/galleries/the-last-emperor-1987/
Matching Criterion screenshots: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php? ... tcount=154
Criterion vs. Arrow: https://slow.pics/c/GPfrKLXh

Since I don’t have either release would you recommend I get both, or the Criterion if I had to pick one?

[nicolas]

This is a tricky question as the grades are so different and neither one matches the print. The more luminous yellows on the Arrow seem to be more in line with the prints but Arrow's overtly magenta / reddish hues across the board definitely aren't. I have both but if I had to pick one, I'd personally pick the Criterion as it's got a more convincing film-like appearance.

[MannFan]

Thanks for the heads up. When I get around to getting it I’ll probably get the Criterion first, and then maybe I’d get the Arrow

[perkizitore]

The French Rules of the Game is listed as reference if HDR is disabled and then there is a mention that it is an AI upscale? I thought the Criterion release was the best

[tenia]

The Rules of the Game second French UHD isn't an AI upscale. It's the latest 4k restoration, but with an additionnal pass of filtering that is piloted by AI.
Also, it's the first UHD that had an issue with HDR implementation and requires to disable it.

[Finch]

Re the above, hm, maybe we should move the French disc out of red and say Criterion is the best disc even though neither is a big upgrade over the BFI Blu-Ray that David MacKenzie encoded.

[nicolas]

Sounds fair also when considering that Criterion’s is SDR and most faithful to the master.