criterionforum.org

Wasn't sure where to put this so I figured this thread would draw the most relevant interest (specifically the look of film scans, etc.)

A 4K open matte scan of the 35mm trailer for Hal Hartley's Flirt, and from the looks of it, the entire YouTube channel is actually scans of 35mm trailers owned by collectors.

Finch wrote: Sun Dec 14, 2025 8:36 pm Le Quai des Brumes (Studio Canal)

I can confirm the French 4K has English menus and subs for the film and the extras on the disc. All the more puzzling that Studio Canal only released the BD in the UK.

I was also very pleased that it's a Dolby Vision/HDR presentation, which I hadn't seen mentioned anywhere. Very much makes up for the appalling black levels on the 2012 Blu-ray.

I have a question for people. Between the Criterion 4Ks of High and Low and Rules of the Game, which should I prioritize if I have the BFI Blu-ray of the former and the 2022 ESC 4K of the latter(which I am equipped to force into SDR on my player, although it still has elevated blacks compared to Criterion’s disc). I know some people would say just get both, but there are a few other Criterions I have my eye on that I don’t own at all so…

I reckon most would say High and Low should be the bigger priority between the two.

rrenault wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 4:53 pm I have a question for people. Between the Criterion 4Ks of High and Low and Rules of the Game, which should I prioritize if I have the BFI Blu-ray of the former and the 2022 ESC 4K of the latter(which I am equipped to force into SDR on my player, although it still has elevated blacks compared to Criterion’s disc). I know some people would say just get both, but there are a few other Criterions I have my eye on that I don’t own at all so…

I reckon most would say High and Low should be the bigger priority between the two.

Rules of the Game as Criterion got the correct grayscale. High and Low’s differences are encoding-related first and foremost as the master is the same.

Ok. That sounds good. Besides, Carlotta will likely do a 4K of High and Low at some point, and I can imagine it being inferior to Criterion’s.

CC's Rules of the Game UHD is virtually indistinguishable from BFI's Blu-ray

Yeah. I had heard about the BFI release being quite strong but wasn’t entirely sure about the differences or lack thereof. Maybe going BFI Blu on “Rules” and CC 4K on High and Low is the most sensible course of action.

swo17 wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:38 pm CC's Rules of the Game UHD is virtually indistinguishable from BFI's Blu-ray

For this reason, I just kept the CC Blu-ray for the extras and got the BFI Blu-ray while skipping the CC 4K altogether.

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (Criterion) Chris' review

hearthesilence wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 9:31 pm

swo17 wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:38 pm CC's Rules of the Game UHD is virtually indistinguishable from BFI's Blu-ray

For this reason, I just kept the CC Blu-ray for the extras and got the BFI Blu-ray while skipping the CC 4K altogether.

this is the way. Criterion's extras package is still top notch, but having the cover from the 2011 edition is much better, and it's good having BFI's exclusive extras and newer transfer

High and Low 4K is an essential release to my far less qualified eyes. I do think The Hidden Fortress from BFI is the best looking Kurosawa 4K so far, but H&L isn't far behind. you aren't missing much extras wise on the BFI edition, either..

It generally seems to be the case that CC’s 4K SDR releases are equaled by FiM-encoded blurays from UK/EU labels when the source master is the same.

For instance, I’m guessing there isn’t much difference between CC’s 4Ks and Carlotta’s Blu-rays of the Apu Trilogy.

How's KL's Death Wish 3?

rrenault wrote: Wed Dec 17, 2025 8:31 am It generally seems to be the case that CC’s 4K SDR releases are equaled by FiM-encoded blurays from UK/EU labels when the source master is the same.

For instance, I’m guessing there isn’t much difference between CC’s 4Ks and Carlotta’s Blu-rays of the Apu Trilogy.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think you’ve asked this exact question a couple of times in the past already and mentioned the Apu trilogy too. In case you haven’t received an answer (seems unlikely), I’ll explain again. As with every 4K master, what kind of detail they have depends on the scanner, the grading, the use or avoidance of digital tinkering on one hand and the resolution of the film content in the frame on the other. These have to be separated. If a film doesn’t have much detail as a result of the filming (lenses, stock & processing choices or limitations, focus,…), you’ll get the same amount of resolution in the frames across HD and 4K discs. If the same film received a very good master and captured the grain in a very sophisticated manner and the colorist left it intact, you still won’t get additional film detail but improved grain resolution that definitely gives you an advantage on a 4K disc and can make films often look quite a bit more print-like than any HD BD. It should go without saying that this scenario is dependent on 4K encodes without significant low-pass filtering and blocking, which the Apu doesn’t have.

If you appreciate (or fetishize) these infinitesimal nuances like pixel peepers, go for the Criterion Apu 4K. It’s not a “necessary” upgrade by any means, so it really depends on what you need the most to be satisfied when watching the films. Hope that answers your question.

therewillbeblus wrote: Wed Dec 17, 2025 7:21 pm How's KL's Death Wish 3?

Not good. I’ve read a few middling and disappointing reports and got a PM from someone who watched it and told me it’s the usual Kino stuff with blocky skies, walls and floors but the previous BD isn’t good either. As this is MGM, I think it’s certain that international labels will be licensing this master and do better than KL.

Arrow's The Apartment looks tremendous.

mfunk9786 wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 1:51 am Arrow's The Apartment looks tremendous.

I'm sure it does, but is it really that much of an improvement over the already stellar-looking Arrow blu?

It’s even an improvement over the already stellar looking Kino Lorber UHD. I plan to keep the Blu set and just sub in the 4K disc. …..then I’ll be too OCD to throw away the 4K packaging. Sigh.

It also sounds appreciably better than the Blu-rays.

Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 of Night of the Juggler from Radiance/Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.

mfunk9786 wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 3:50 pm Despite being at a considerably tighter bitrate than the Kino, the BD-66 of Night of the Juggler from Radiance/Transmission is the release to own. Looks fantastic (FiM again), grain pattern is crisp, and the repeating scene error isn't on it, either. Really nice packaging that isn't as beefy as a Second Sight LE is another big plus.

I've been tempted to blind buy this one, but I've already spent a bit too much on physical media this autumn. Radiance LEs tend to stick around for a while though.

That said, I probably should preorder the Arrow Hardboiled 4K sooner rather than later. I could see the entire limited run being allocated before the street date just like with the Dollars Trilogy.

Is The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Arrow 4K substantially better than the KL 4K? I see the Kino Lorber is in the red tier, so I assume it's good enough

therewillbeblus wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 5:37 pm Is The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Arrow 4K substantially better than the KL 4K? I see the Kino Lorber is in the red tier, so I assume it's good enough

Compared to Arrow’s way more comprehensive edition, fixed color issues and better sound, the Kino is more like a blue tier disc in comparison. I think it’s well worth the upgrade.

My bad, I had listed the Kino in both red and blue; replaced it with the Arrow in the red.

Any thoughts on the Shout Factory 4k of Fade To Black?

I haven't had a chance to check for feedback. Maybe Nicholas knows?

Curzon's Jean Vigo set is a beautiful looking package and for once, Tony Stella's artwork isn't too cluttered with stuff. The booklet credits VDMS with the encoding. I think they did Curzon's fantastic Memories of Murder UHD from last year.