Criterion July 2024 Barnes & Noble Sale Recommendations

#criterion #physicalmedia #bluray #uhd
My suggestions for current and upcoming titles in the Criterion sale for July 2024. This is based on the quality of the films, the picture and sound transfer quality, amount and strength of the supplements and overall value for money.
00:00 Intro
02:21 Ace In The Hole Blu-ray
04:36 Barry Lyndon Blu-ray
06:26 High Sierra-Colorado Territory Blu-ray
08:15 Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers Blu-ray
10:06 Citizen Kane UHD combo format
13:30 Double Indemnity UHD combo format
15:27 Shaft UHD combo format
16:57 The Ranown Westerns UHD combo format boxset
21:31 new 2024 suggested releases
21:37 The Roaring Twenties UHD combo format
21:59 All That Money Can Buy (The Devil and Daniel Webster) BD
23:13 Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid UHD combo format set
26:52 Final Summary

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Ace in the Hole: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-ace-in-the-hole-billy-wilder/3853166?ean=0715515221818 Barry Lyndon: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-barry-lyndon/3619982?ean=0715515205412 High Sierra: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-high-sierra-adolph-deutsch/3618472?ean=0715515264211 Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-freaks-the-unknown-the-mystic-tod-browning-s-sideshow-shockers-criterion-collection-2pc-mono-sub/1144319429?ean=0715515287814 Citizen Kane: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-citizen-kane-orson-welles/3627744?ean=0715515270113 Double Indemnity: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-double-indemnity-barbara-stanwyck/3620971?ean=0715515272018 Shaft: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-shaft-richard-roundtree/3624184?ean=0715515272414 Ranown Westerns: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-the-ranown-westerns-five-films-criterion-collection-6pc-4k-sub/39782345?ean=0715515285612 Roaring Twenties: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-the-roaring-twenties-criterion-collection-2pc-mono-sub-ws/3623259?ean=0715515292610 All That Money Can Buy: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-all-that-money-can-buy-william-dieterle/3869499?ean=0715515293419 Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-pat-garrett-and-billy-the-kid-sam-peckinpah/3623243?ean=0715515298018

[@CinemaCities1978]

I need so much more money to buy all the releases I want. But, you've convinced me to pull the trigger on Ace in the Hole and High Sierra. Thanks!

[@JohnDoe-zn3lu]

Hi Spencer, I always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you so much for the great information!

[@matheus5230]

Ace In The Hole and Network must be in any of list of most brutal, scathing critiques of american press and society ever put to film!

[@1165mac]

I don’t deal with Citizen Kane’s craptastic packaging. I created my own package using a regular multi-disc Blu-ray case and printed cover art. I can’t imagine how this product was ever believed to be a good idea by anyone working at Criterion who we all assume to be serious film collectors. You’re right. We can no longer expect that Criterion releases will be the end game version that these films deserve.

[@Flashtone08]

I don't so much mind the fold out myself. It's the discs in sleeves that bother me. Same with trainspotting. Rather, we keep standard size than trying to get fancy.

[@1165mac]

@@Flashtone08 Sleeves are horrible

[@ElliotCoen]

I loved hearing you talk about these films, some of which are my all time favourites. I'll be getting the Ranown set this month! And we do indeed need that Barry Lyndon UHD. Keeping my fingers crossed! Cheers

[@mikedressel6785]

In the beginning of the Criterion July sale, I picked up Flight of the Phoenix, Don't Look Now, and The Red Balloon. Before the sale ends, I plan to also pick up the Pat Garrett film, and the Ranown Westerns boxset. The Criterion gods even blessed me with a now OOP DVD copy of The Unbearable Lightness of Being at my local Goodwill 😊

[@BadGuyRants]

You have some good film taste. Freaks is a great one & a double feature with Dracula is fun to do. High Sierra & Ace in the Hole are also amazing as well.

[@landogambino6727]

Thanks for the recommendations Spencer! I’d love to see a review on the PGABTK uhd. I was a bit disappointed that the preview cut is completely untouched and not restored. That is my favorite version. The theatrical and 50th look so good it’s a bummer the best cut wasn’t given the same love. Great video as always!

[@MosesWine]

Word is that the Preview Cut was in very bad shape and not worth a 4k. I believe the source for that was a dupe anyway. For what it's worth, I've heard that the Final Preview Cut is very similar and included in HD in the set. The source for that does not look UHD worthy so I think it's a good assessment that the Preview Cut was likely in the same boat anyway.

[@landogambino6727]

@@MosesWine yeah I get that but I feel they still could’ve restored the picture and color. The final preview cut in this set is completely untouched. It’s very degraded and could’ve used some work to make it more presentable. I’m ok with it being on a standard BD. I also feel the first preview cut should’ve been present in some form

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@landogambino6727 yeah I’m currently going through the set right now and I have some major issues in how the preview version is being handled, especially with it being treated more like a bonus or afterthought.

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

When Criterion has identical films as Studio Canal or Arrow - I usually go UK because those companies use Fidelity in Motion for the superior encoding. Fidelity in Motion is arguably the best encoder in the business- they are also an American company. Who is why it makes no sense that Criterion/Shout/Kino don't use them.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@MrCREWCRUSHIN95 ITS SO TRUE! And FIM’s office is literally right down the street from Criterion!!

[@matheus5230]

Not every Studio Canal releases uses Fidelity In Motion. There are some Studio Canal UHDs that are on Paramount's level of bad encoding.

[@GuyEndore]

Thanks for this video. I bought the Pat Garret and Billy the Kid based upon your recommendation. I have the other recos on my list for November.

[@unityoc]

Ace in the Hole is the perfect film, not my personal number one but just absolutely flawless and the Criterion release is likewise very strong.

[@Theomite]

I picked up BOUND, PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID, DAYS OF HEAVEN, FEAR & LOATHING, TRAINSPOTTING, and THE TRIAL. Unfortunately, that's it for the year as I have debt to finish off first. I didn't know that ACE IN THE HOLE was a 2K scan so I should've gotten that, so it'll be in my next run.

[@LeonardoJJardim]

I'd love to see on Criterion Collection 4K!!! Laura (1944) Leave Her to Heaven (1945) Spellbound (1945) Sunset Boulevard (1950) An Affair to Remember (1957) Charade (1963) Barry Lyndon (1975)

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@LeonardoJJardim some are very likely and Spellbound is Selznick under Disney so it might be doable but the Fox titles are in who knows territory. Laura in particular needs a major transfer overhaul and the audio to not be so heavily processed.

[@loltanios]

This the Criterion recommendation video I wanted, the best I've seen. Thank you!

[@danielturner8740]

PGABTK is a stunning release and well worth picking up. Have immersed myself this weekend in the 4K 50th cut and the 2K Preview cut + the supplements.

[@vdr3846]

Thank you for doing this and the Kino Lorber sale review. Helped me with some decision making.

[@JimAllder11]

I grabbed Double Indemnity, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and Thelma & Louise. Having now viewed the 4K versions, I'm happy with all three purchases. Although I haven't watched any of the special features, as of yet. But I'm definitely looking forward to it.

[@snerfu]

New convert from digital with no Criterions, you convinced me to get: Citizen Kane, Shaft, and Roaring Twenties. I would have gotten High Sierra if it was in a final UHD form. I bought about 7 others at the beginning of the sale, a lot of the common popular ones that people know, Princess Bride, etc. But I'm glad to see at the end of your video that I didn't get any on your no list.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

A flawless recommendations list. All great films. I wouldn't take anyone's film opinions seriously if they haven't seen all or most of them and understood their contexts in the history of film.

[@danboy77]

Im holding out in hope Indicator will release The Ranown Westerns in 4k. Your superb great channel 👍🏻

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@danboy77 thanks! I hope they get a chance to do their own revisit as well, which would unite their amazing extras packages with the newer Sony 4K masters. As it is, I’m planning on doing a review of each box set.

[@1dbanner]

Thanks to some absurd auto repairs, I've limited myself this month. My local B&N looked pretty cleaned out when I was there yesterday, so I went with Peeping Tom, Anatomy of a Fall, and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. I also echo the recommendations for Kane and Lyndon; projecting the disc of Lyndon is simply astonishing.

[@444chroma]

Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid is so good. Watch the final preview cut first!

[@tinypurplefishes2903]

With the current sale, this time around was mainly my “fill in the holes” round. There were a few older releases I’ve been meaning to grab but always put off in favor of new releases. So I got the Criterion releases of - The Killing - Godzilla - Night Of The Living Dead - Do The Right Thing - and Pink Flamingos because why not And since there isn’t a B&N near me (I always make it a day trip over the weekend) I decided to pick up some standard releases too. Namely The Matrix 4k/blu and also the 2001: A Space Odyssey 4k/blu (according to a friend who has seen an og 70mm print recently, the 4k most resembles the print he personally saw). Then I topped it all off with Across The Spiderverse. Not normally a superhero person, but that movie is so well done and looks absolutely breathtaking even on my scrappy display

[@MixologistMilo]

Appreciate your passion for Criterion releases, thanks for sharing info

[@chrisjfox8715]

The most notable thing about Double Indemnity is that despite the DV, it still managed to look like a pretty limited dynamic range... Makes me think that, regardless of shooting on film, the dynamic range of the lights they used must not've been that broad

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@chrisjfox8715 the elements are really limited on all releases. For this new 4k restoration they were able to use a better source for most of the film but sections were the same dupe source used on all past releases. That’s mostly why you’re noticing the more limited look due to being several generations away from the negative.

[@edrooney1967]

This must be the kind of hell, where Cenobites throw chains with hooks into your skin. With Blu-rays on the other end. Blu-rays that you can never reach. First the Indicator sale weeks ago, then the Kino Lorber sale, now the Criterion sale AND the Arrow sale at the same time. Where or when will it end? The path to bankruptcy is paved with silver discs. Ah, and thanks fort he recommendations. They are, unfortunately, very good indeed. 😉👍

[@victorfontaine5552]

Spencer, awesome video as always, but damn it. You just cost me $280 is Criterion purchases. Although, that is better than $560 if they were at regulate price.

[@hardeeentertainment-alsplace]

I have Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid on dvd (2) disc release and has a running time of 235 mins. Isn’t that the restored version? It’s a MGM/UA release from TCM. Looks great!

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

The 2005 dvd has the first preview cut (Turner preview version) and the 2005 critic’s recut which made many decisions that most fans feel are wrong ones. This dvd also has unique extras and commentaries and neither cut is on the criterion set. The new 50th anniversary cut is a revamp of the screwy 2005 cut but sadly the first preview version isn’t included and the second preview is a mostly raw print scan.

[@hardeeentertainment-alsplace]

Ok thanks

[@nabilleal2315]

I completely agree that Criterion's blu-ray of Barry Lyndon is very good, but I wouldn't say the only thing to improve is the resolution, but the framing as well. Or maybe not, but listen to this. As a massive Kubrick fan, I have multiple home video releases of Barry Lyndon: the warner vhs, laserdisc, Original dvd, warner 2011 bluray, the criterion bluray, and even a "vudu" streaming copy. I also own the Taschen "Kubrick Archives" other kubrick books and even went to the "stanley kubrick exhibition" so I hope I don't come from a casual consumer's perspective when I say this. But although Criterion's bluray of Barry Lyndon is in the films originally intended 1:66 (euro ratio) the image is ironically cropped. One of the key examples I like to use is the scene where lord bullingdon attempts to claim his satisfaction from Redmond at the saloon. If you look at the first shot of Barry -that painterly shot of him and his drinking buddies (slumped on his chair) -before bullingdon wakes him up, you can see that the portrait of a man above Barry has his head cropped off and the blue window shutters to the left also. How I know this is that I saw a Vudu streaming copy that probably uses a different print than the warners bluray, or rather used the same one, but didnt clean it up (full of scratches, color timing issues, hairs everywhere) but ironically was able to see more of that man's head and the window shutters to the left of the frame. Now, a lot of filmmakers shoot in certain aspect ratios then matte the film to have a wider aspect ratio for the theatrical release - as most of us know (kubrick did for his last 3) so that the film could fit on a 4x3 tv after the theatrical release, so maybe Kubrick's idea was for his 1:66 ratio to crop those things off anyways (not that barry lyndon fits on a 4x3 tv haha). Not that this matters (as it still preserves the original mono) but the stereo version on the criterion bluray has a slight mistake when Redmond walks out to the terrace where he first kisses lady lyndon. If you listen closely, a piano note from the schubert trio is repeated where it shouldn't be. I also just discovered that in my taschen stanley kubrick archives book, the stills of Barry lyndon demonstrate that the image is not cropped unlike the criterion release. For example: the mouth and lips of the man in the portrait above barry from the "I come to claim satisfaction" saloon scene appears there, as well.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

If I wasn't broke I would get the half off Kurosawa blu- rays. Very good deals.

[@slave_to_cinema]

Thanks for the recommendations Crusader. So far i only picked up Pat Garrett and i did get Peeping Tom, even though i had a feeling that the UK release had better encoding as per the norm. I might get a couple more near the end of the month.

[@RetroEntertainmentArchive]

Yesterday, I found out, much to my dismay, that Criterion Blu-rays could not be shipped to Canada from Barnes & Noble, due to shipping restrictions on those said items. I had made an account on their website and everything, only to find out, I couldn't order the Blu-rays I really wanted, and I was so looking forward to getting a handful to add to my small but growing collection. Oh, well. I'll just have to rely on my old reliable, Amazon, both Canadian and American sites.

[@alexdas2000]

Use unobstructed view, they are the Canadian Criterion distributor

[@mrfunston1]

Another great job Spencer but have you watched James Hancock's video on Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid UHD review which he reviewed with David Lambert. Should check it out. But as always keep up the great work.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@mrfunston1 I have and am currently going through the set right now. I do concur with them that the preview versions are the proper film and it’s a shame they haven’t been restored.

[@richconroy5559]

The only thing I'm going to be able to pick up this month is the Heroic Trio/Executioners box set. I've been wanting the Heroic Trio on Blu-ray for probably 10 years now and I'm so happy that it's out. Funds are tight so I have to be very selective.

[@chrislaitano2901]

Great video!!! Do I need a region free 4K Blueray player to play movies from other countries.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@chrislaitano2901 for Blu-rays that are region locked yes. UHDs are naturally region free.

[@MosesWine]

We seem to have similar tastes because I have most of these titles. Regarding The Peeping Tom 4k, I opted for Criterions and dont regret it. No doubt that the encode is likely better from Studio Canal but you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference at all. And I love the Criterion art. Its gorgeous. Im not very impressed by Studio Canals art style or packaging quality. In the past however I have opted for UK editions such as Dont Look Now ( which has Pino Dinnogios amazing soundtrack CD) and The Long Good Friday, which has great extras as you mentioned. I actually like Criterions artwork for that one too but Arrow has the original artwork so thats an easy sell.

[@roachman1412]

On the water front needs 4k Fugitive Kind was a great blind buy for me ONE Eyed Jacks never looked as good as it does now these and several you mentioned in this video got at the last sale, to embarrassing to mentioned how much I've spent this sale

[@southendonseaarts]

On the Waterfront 4k is coming but in the next Columbia classics set Vol 5.

[@beetle1087]

Man you sell these well!

[@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark]

I picked up Life Aquatic, and Fantastic Planet. Few more I want but I just don't have the money.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark so many discs, so little time, even less money.😂

[@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark]

@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader exactly!

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

CITIZEN KANE packaging- yikes. BD-100 UHD in a pocket slip is just asking for trouble. BD-100 is MUCH more sensitive to scratches- so putting ANY BD-100 disc in a slide out pocket is just asking for trouble.

[@matheus5230]

I'm curious if you could do a video like this for Kino. I would like to see a comparison between Kino's UHD of In The Heat Of The Night and Wicked Vision's UHD of it. Wicked Vision did a Dolby Vision grade, while the Kino is SDR-only. But the 4K master doesn't have much dynamic range beyond what SDR can do, so it's understandable why Kino released it on SDR. Nevertheless, the HDR in the Wicked Vision release is tasteful and improves contrast, brightness and colors without looking artificial (the same can't be said for when Capelight, another german label, releases HDR UHDs of SDR masters). So, this is a similar situation to Arrow's UHD of Robocop, which improves the presentation despite working from a 4K master that has limited dynamic range.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@matheus5230 working on one!

[@matheus5230]

​@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusaderThat's great!

[@lamentate07]

Re: 2024 releases. For more 'adventurous' viewers, I'd recommend Werckmeister Harmonies and I Am Cuba. Surely the best Kubrick home video release is 2001 4K?

[@TheTrueMasterOfTheFist]

Hey Spencer, what’s your thoughts on Criterion’s 4K/Bluray combo of Orson Welles The Trial? I’m super interested in that release, it’s one of the only Welles movies I haven’t seen and I know Welles considered it one of his best if not the best.

[@matheus5230]

Get the Studio Canal, which has HDR.

[@lamentate07]

@@matheus5230 Second that. Fantastic release and one of Welles' very best films. I actually prefer it to Kane, especially after seeing it in UHD.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@TheTrueMasterOfTheFist the big difference is the Criterion version is SDR only while the Studio Canal is a UHD with HDR. It has been through a variety of rights holders and restorations so it’s amazing we now have a UHD.

[@movietv20249]

What are your thoughts on Taxi Driver's 4K UHD on Steelbook? Is it the same transfer or is it different from the other 4K release from the Sony collection? I would like to make sure the 4K transfer is worthy enough.

[@matheus5230]

It definitely is worthy

[@movietv20249]

@@matheus5230 You are awesome! Thanks a bunch!

[@TheVid54]

Luckily, I've picked up all your choices except, believe it or not, Kane, which I hope if I order now, will be the fixed one. I'm sure a 4K of BARRY LYNDON is probably on its way, but c'mon, the new 6-track remix of the soundtrack is really quite good. Kubrick, like Woody Allen, was oddly against stereophonic sound, strange for a couple of directors who tended toward "needle-drop" scores. Do all stereo remixes annoy you? I like a lot of them, there are great ones on THE APARTMENT, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, THE GRADUATE and MIDNIGHT COWBOY to name a few. P.S. You are so right to point out that Criterion has some strong competition out there right now.

[@JB-dm5gm]

I picked up Picnic at Hanging Rock in 4k. Beautiful edition from Criterion. What did you think was the reason for the girls disappearance in the film?

[@chrisjfox8715]

Saw it for the first time last night. My initial feeling about it is that they purposely offed themselves (on account of not liking that school) and the law enforcement didn't try that hard to find them... That said, thoughts of something supernatural like a portal came to mind only because the vibe was alluding to that

[@JB-dm5gm]

@chrisjfox8715 yea that's a very good take. I guess I would have to agree. Strange the way Miranda waved as if she knew something.

[@InstruMentalCase]

Please review the Kiss Me Deadly blu-ray.

[@snerfu]

What about that Second Sight version of Mean Streets? Is it better than Criterion?

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@snerfu yes and it has more extras but it’s still the same master with some slight color and sound issues. The laserdisc has the best mono presentation.

[@KingOrest]

I’ve been going back and forth on whether to buy Barry Lyndon now or wait for the 4K, even though I still don’t have a player… Been asking the same concerning D.I, Red Shoes, and Peeping Tom.

[@devan_danger]

Same. This film deserves a 4k release. I like to think a release is on the horizon given the 4k restoration

[@KingOrest]

@@devan_danger I just sold my blu ray so I can get the criterion, but now the self made issue is do I just stick with what is available at $19.99 each, or do I just skip Barry and get the others on 4K? I’m having debates in my head stick with blu ray, or pay the extra money to get the 4K which will most likely be untouched for a while until I can get a player at a decent enough price, because I don’t know what the prices are in the US, but up here in Canada, fuhgeddaboudit.

[@matheus5230]

I think that Eyes Wide Shut will get an UHD first, probably this year and by Criterion. By the way, Gateway Film Center is going to soon screen in theaters 4K restorations of films such as Network, Dog Day Afternoon, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, All The President's Men, and Eyes Wide Shut! Great news!

[@thomaswilke6312]

I think I will get Double Indemnity

[@scociolopath]

Trouble is, Barnes and Noble is so expensive that even at half off it's still really expensive.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

Not on the Kurosawa blu's they are less than elsewhere. And very good deals. Not all of them are discounted though.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@scociolopath on average titles at half off during the sale are about the best you can do and now that they’ve instigated a free rewards program you can actually earn enough for a five dollar credit to then apply towards another release during the sale.