Tag Archives: The Criterion Collection

Pixar film WALL·E gets a Criterion 4K in November

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The 2008 Disney / Pixar film “WALL·E” is officially getting a 4K UHD Blu-ray release on November 22nd via The Criterion Collection.  This is the first collaboration between Disney/Pixar and Criterion and is not to be confused with the previously [Disney] released 2020 4K UHD Blu-ray.  This release features a different and new 4K presentation as well as sound mixes, which were all approved by the film’s director.

The film, directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton, won an Academy Award for “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” in 2009.  It also featured the visual talent of Fred Ward and the voice talent of Jeff Garlin.

As mentioned, this comes from a new 4K scan of the film which was approved by Andrew Stanton.  Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ forms of high dynamic range as well as Dolby Atmos and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo sound mixes.

The 3-disc set will come in the form of a “combo pack” with the Blu-ray Disc counterpart [featuring the new transfer of the film] as well as a second Blu-ray for extras.  No digital copy of the film will be included, like with the previous Disney release.  You can now find the Criterion 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon and directly via the Criterion website.  The bonus materials in terms of physical and regular extras included with this release are fully detailed below.

    • Two audio commentaries: one featuring Stanton and the other, character supervisor Bill Wise, coproducer Lindsey Collins, story artist Derek Thompson, and lead animator Angus MacLane
    • NEW programs on Stanton’s cinematic influences and production designer Ralph Eggleston’s color scripts
    • Tour of the Pixar Living Archive with Stanton
    • Behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, including segments from early animation reels
    • The Pixar Story (2007), a documentary by Leslie Iwerks
    • More than a dozen documentaries exploring the film’s production and robots
    • Anatomy of a Scene: The Plant, a masterclass with Stanton
    • “WALL•E”: A to Z, a new program featuring Stanton and coscreenwriter Jim Reardon
    • Deleted scenes featuring commentary by Stanton
    • A Story (1987), a student film by Stanton
    • BURN•E (2008), a short film by MacLane
    • Trailers
    • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
    • English descriptive audio
    • PLUS: An essay by author Sam Wasson; selections from Stanton’s sketchbooks, script notes, and drawings; and artwork from the WALL•E team
    • New cover by Jason Raish

Spike Lee film Malcolm X on Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

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The 1992 biopic “Malcolm X” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray via The Criterion Collection on November 22nd.  The film, directed, produced, and co-written by Spike Lee, starred Denzel Washington (in the lead role) as well as Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Al Freeman Jr., Albert Hall, Theresa Randle, Kate Vernon, and the film’s director himself Spike Lee.  It’s most certainly worth noting that this film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including “Best Actor in a Leading Role” for Denzel Washington.

The movie has received a new 4K digital restoration supervised by cinematographer Ernest Dickerson.  The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range as well as a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound mix.  Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound.  The 4K release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with it including both the film Blu-ray counterpart as well as a Blu-ray bonus disc, in a 3-disc set.  Whereas the Blu-ray release will be a 2-disc set with an extra disc for the bonus materials.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases of the film available for preorder over at Amazon or directly via Criterion‘s website.  The bonus materials and details about physical extras set to be included are listed below.

  • Audio commentary from 2005 featuring director Spike Lee, Dickerson, editor Barry Alexander Brown, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter
  • New conversation between Lee and journalist and screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper
  • New interviews with actor Delroy Lindo and composer Terence Blanchard
  • Program about the making of the film, featuring Lee, Dickerson, Brown, Blanchard, Carter, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, actor Ossie Davis, Reverend Al Sharpton, former Warner Bros. executive Lucy Fisher, producers Preston Holmes and Jon Kilik, production designer Wynn Thomas, casting director Robi Reed, and Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz
  • Malcolm X (1972), a feature-length documentary produced by Marvin Worth and Arnold Perl and directed by Perl, narrated by actor James Earl Jones
  • Deleted scenes with introductions by Lee
  • Trailer
  • PLUS: An essay by Cooper, excerpts from Lee’s 1992 book By Any Means Necessary: The Trials and Tribulations of the Making of “Malcolm X” . . ., and Davis’s eulogy for Malcolm X
  • New cover by Eric Skillman

The Power of the Dog gets Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

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The 2021 film “The Power of the Dog” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on November 8th via The Criterion Collection.  The film (as seen on Netflix), directed and adapted to screenplay by Jane Campion, stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Kirsten Dunst.  It’s certainly worth noting that, at the time of writing, this film is “Certified Fresh” over at Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie has received a 4K DI (digital intermediate) master which was approved by the director (Jane Campion).  The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.28:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 or Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound.  Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.28:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Atmos sound.  The 4K UHD Blu-ray release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning it will be a 2-disc set with its Blu-ray counterpart.

You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray now available for preorder over at Amazon.  It’s also available for preorder (on both formats) directly via Criterion‘s website.  The bonus materials and details about the physical extras set to be included are listed below.

  • Interview with Campion about the making of the film
  • Program featuring interviews with members of the cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage captured on location in New Zealand
  • Interview with Campion and composer Jonny Greenwood about the film’s score
  • Conversation among Campion, director of photography Ari Wegner, actor Kirsten Dunst, and producer Tanya Seghatchian, moderated by filmmaker Tamara Jenkins
  • New interview with novelist Annie Proulx
  • Trailer
  • PLUS: An essay by film critic Amy Taubin
  • New cover by Greg Ruth

You can find the trailer for the film below.

Lost Highway gets Criterion 4K and Blu-ray in October

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The 1997 film “Lost Highway” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on October 11th via The Criterion Collection. The film, directed and co-written by David Lynch, starred Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty, Robert Blake, Gary Busey, Richard Pryor, and Robert Loggia.

This movie has received a new 4K restoration, supervised by director David Lynch. Below are some details about that from Janus Films‘ website:

“Lost Highway is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1. Supervised by director David Lynch, this new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution on a Scanity film scanner from the 35 mm original camera negative. The near-field remaster of the original 5.1 soundtrack was made from the 35 mm magnetic track and mix supervised by Lynch and rerecording mixer Ronald Eng.”

Tech specs for the release include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound mixes. The 4K release will come in the form of a 2-disc “combo pack” with the Blu-ray counterpart included in that set. 

UPDATE:  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.  Also, you can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray directly available for preorder over at the Criterion website.  The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

  • New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director David Lynch, with new 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
  • Alternate uncompressed stereo soundtrack
  • For the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch, a feature-length 1997 documentary by Toby Keeler featuring Lynch and his collaborators Angelo Badalamenti, Peter Deming, Barry Gifford, Mary Sweeney, and others, along with on-set footage from Lost Highway
  • Reading by Lynch and critic Kristine McKenna of excerpts from their 2018 book, Room to Dream
  • Archival interviews with Lynch and actors Patricia Arquette, Bill Pullman, and Robert Loggia
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: Excerpts from an interview with Lynch from filmmaker and writer Chris Rodley’s book Lynch on Lynch
  • New cover by Fred Davis

Brian De Palma film Blow Out on 4K in September

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The 1981 film “Blow Out“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on September 6th via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed and co-written by Brian De Palma, starred John Travolta, Tracy Allen, Dennis Franz, and John Lithgow.

This comes from a new 4K restoration.  The tech specs include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo sound.  The release will come as a 2-disc “combo pack” with the Blu-ray counterpart included.  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon and directly via Criterion.  The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • Interview with director Brian De Palma, conducted by filmmaker Noah Baumbach
  • Interview with actor Nancy Allen
  • Murder à la Mod, a 1967 feature by De Palma
  • Interview with cameraman Garrett Brown on the Steadicam shots featured in the film within Blow Out
  • On-set photographs by Louis Goldman
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Michael Sragow and, for the Blu-ray and 4K UHD editions, Pauline Kael’s original New Yorker review of the film
  • New cover by Eric Skillman

Bong Joon Ho film Okja on Criterion 4K and Blu-ray

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The 2017 film “Okja“ is officially coming to the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray formats on July 5th via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed & co-written by Bong Joon Ho, starred An Seo Hyun, Byun Heebong, Tilda Swinton, Steven Yeun, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Giancarlo Esposito, and the voice of Jungeun Lee.

These releases come from a “4K digital master, approved by director Bong Joon Ho.”  The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound.  Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and Dolby Atmos sound.  The 4K UHD Blu-ray will come in the form of a 2-disc “combo pack” with the Blu-ray counterpart included.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray versions available for preorder over at Amazon as well as directly via Criterion‘s website.  The bonus materials set to be included, and details regarding some physical extras, as well as the artwork, are listed below.

  • New conversation between Bong and producer Dooho Choi
  • New interviews with actors An Seo Hyun and Byun Heebong
  • New interviews with members of the crew about the film’s cinematography, visual effects, and costume and production design
  • Short programs including a director’s video diary, featuring Bong; actors Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, and Steven Yeun; and others
  • Teaser, trailer, and web promos
  • English subtitle translation and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Karen Han
  • New cover by Michael Boland

Martin Scorsese film Raging Bull on 4K in July

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The 1980 film “Raging Bull“ is officially getting new releases on the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray formats on July 12th via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the life story of boxer Jake LaMotta, starred Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, and Mario Gallo.

This comes from a “new 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese.”  Tech specs for the 4K release include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range, spanning across a 2-disc “combo pack,” with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround lossless sound.  The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video  Black & White presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround sound.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc versions available for preorder over at Amazon, as well as directly via Criterion‘s website.  The bonus materials set to be included with the release, included on the Blu-ray, are listed below as well as some physical extras and info regarding the cover artwork.

  • In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • New video essays by film critics Geoffrey O’Brien and Sheila O’Malley on Scorsese’s mastery of formal techniques and the film’s triumvirate of characters
  • Three audio commentaries, featuring Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker; director of photography Michael Chapman, producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler, casting director Cis Corman, music consultant Robbie Robertson, actors Theresa Saldana and John Turturro, and sound-effects supervising editor Frank Warner; and boxer Jake La Motta and screenwriters Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader
  • Fight Night, a making-of program featuring Scorsese and key members of the cast and crew
  • Three short programs highlighting the longtime collaboration between Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro
  • Television interview from 1981 with actor Cathy Moriarty and the real Vikki La Motta
  • Interview with Jake La Motta from 1990
  • Program from 2004 featuring veteran boxers reminiscing about La Motta
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: Essays by poet Robin Robertson and film critic Glenn Kenny
  • New cover by Eric Skillman

1971 film Shaft on 4K via Criterion Collection in June

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The 1971 film “Shaft” will officially be coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on June 21st via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed by Gordon Parks, starred Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Charles Cioffi, Christopher St. John, Gwenn Mitchell, Lawrence Pressman, and Victor Arnold.  The film has received a new 4K restoration.

Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and uncompressed Mono and Stereo sound.  The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect and uncompressed Mono and Stereo sound.  On both releases, the first sound mix will be the original Mono lossless mix while the second optional sound mix will be a Stereo lossless “soundtrack remastered with creative input from Isaac Hayes III” according to Criterion.

You can find both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray now available for preorder over at Amazon.  You can also find them available directly via Criterion’s website.

The 4K will come in the form of a “combo pack” and include its Blu-ray counterpart as well as a bonus disc (detailed below), spanning across a 3-disc set. The Blu-ray will be a 2-disc set and include a bonus disc with an additional film — “Shaft’s Big Score! (1972).  The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Shaft’s Big Score!, the 1972 follow-up to Shaft by director Gordon Parks
  • New documentary on the making of Shaft featuring curator Rhea L. Combs, film scholar Racquel J. Gates, filmmaker Nelson George, and music scholar Shana L. Redmond
  • Behind-the-scenes program featuring Parks, actor Richard Roundtree, and musician Isaac Hayes
  • Archival interviews with Hayes, Parks, and Roundtree
  • New interview with costume designer Joseph G. Aulisi
  • New program on the Black detective and the legacy of John Shaft, featuring scholar Kinohi Nishikawa and novelist Walter Mosley
  • A Complicated Man: The “Shaft” Legacy (2019)
  • Behind-the-scenes footage from Shaft’s Big Score!
  • Trailers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by film scholar Amy Abugo Ongiri
  • New cover by Bill Sienkiewicz

1944 Billy Wilder film Double Indemnity on 4K in May

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The 1944 film noir “Double Indemnity” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on May 31st via The Criterion Collection.  The film, directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, starred Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson.

This release comes from a new 4K restoration.  The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p Black & White video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range and an uncompressed LPCM Mono sound mix.  Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD Black & White video presentation in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio and LPCM Mono sound.  The 4K release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray from Criterion available for preorder over at Amazon.

Bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Audio commentary featuring film critic Richard Schickel
  • New interview with film scholar Noah Isenberg, editor of Billy Wilder on Assignment
  • New conversation between film historians Eddie Muller and Imogen Sara Smith
  • Billy, How Did You Do It?, a 1992 film by Volker Schlöndorff and Gisela Grischow featuring interviews with director Billy Wilder
  • Shadows of Suspense, a 2006 documentary on the making of Double Indemnity
  • Audio excerpts from 1971 and 1972 interviews with cinematographer John F. Seitz
  • Radio adaptations from 1945 and 1950
  • Trailer

1993 film The Piano on 4K and Blu-ray in January

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The 1993 film “The Piano” is officially coming to both 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on January 25th, 2022 via The Criterion Collection. The film, winner of 3 Academy Awards (“Oscars”), was written & directed by Jane Campion, and it starred Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, and Anna Paquin.

This movie has received a new 4K restoration, as described below.

“New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion”

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround sound. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect with the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. The 4K UHD Blu-ray release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include the Blu-ray Disc counterpart.

You can now find both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon, as well as directly via Criterion’s website. The details about the releases and bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

  • New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
  • In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • New conversation between Campion and film critic Amy Taubin
  • New interviews with Dryburgh and production designer Andrew McAlpine
  • Interview with actor Holly Hunter on working with Campion
  • “The Piano” at 25, a program featuring a conversation between Campion and producer Jan Chapman
  • Excerpts from an interview with costume designer Janet Patterson
  • Water Diary, a 2006 short film by Campion
  • Trailer
  • New English subtitle translation and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Carmen Gray
  • New cover by Greg Ruth

A Hard Day’s Night with The Beatles on 4K in January

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The 1964 film “A Hard Day’s Night“ starring rock group The Beatles is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on January 18th, 2021 via The Criterion Collection. The film, directed by Richard Lester, starred John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Wilfrid Brambell. It’s most certainly worth noting that this was the first feature-length major motion picture that the band made during their legendary career.

The movie has received a new 4K restoration, which has been approved by the director Richard Lester. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation, in Black & White, in the 1.75:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and 3 audio mixes [supervised by sound producer Giles Martin] with 1.0 Mono, and 2.0 Stereo mixes both uncompressed in linear PCM, and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound mix. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include its Blu-ray Disc counterpart.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon and directly via Criterion’s website. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are detailed below along with the full technical specifications and info regarding the restoration and audio mixes.

  • New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Richard Lester, with three audio options—a monaural soundtrack as well as stereo and 5.1 surround mixes supervised by sound producer Giles Martin at Abbey Road Studios—presented in uncompressed monaural, uncompressed stereo, and DTS-HD Master Audio on the 4K UHD and Blu-ray
  • In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • Audio commentary featuring cast and crew (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • In Their Own Voices, a program featuring 1964 interviews with the Beatles with behind-the-scenes footage and photos
  • “You Can’t Do That”: The Making of “A Hard Day’s Night,” a 1994 documentary by producer Walter Shenson including an outtake performance by the Beatles
  • Things They Said Today, a 2002 documentary about the film featuring Lester, music producer George Martin, screenwriter Alun Owen, and cinematographer Gilbert Taylor (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • Picturewise, a program about Lester’s early work, featuring a 2014 audio interview with the director (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1960), Lester’s Oscar-nominated short (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • Anatomy of a Style, a 2014 program on Lester’s methods (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • Interview from 2014 with Beatles biographer Mark Lewisohn (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Howard Hampton and excerpts from a 1970 interview with Lester (dual-format and 4K UHD only)
  • New cover by Rodrigo Corral

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