It seems the only other thread on this has been locked due to some type of argument.

But does anyone else think its strange that Criterion is doing a brand new release?

I mean, brand new releases don't need the major restoration work that Criterion does, so what exactly is the point?

Just to get the colors right?

Its not like Paramount needs any help with new releases, all of there new bluray releases have been perfect.

But does anyone else think its strange that Criterion is doing a brand new release?

No. They've done it before.

I mean, brand new releases don't need the major restoration work that Criterion does, so what exactly is the point?

"Restoration work" is not all that Criterion does.

Just to get the colors right?

Its not like Paramount needs any help with new releases, all of there new bluray releases have been perfect.

It's fairly likely that this release was motivated by the director's personal interest in working with the Criterion folks (probably because he feels that they "get it" and he trusts his movie in their hands). Criterion also produce generally excellent supplemental materials and their imprint lends prestige and cachet to a release.

In this case, all Criterion has done is provide branding. All of the work was done by the same guy who's done the special editions of Fincher's other films.

In this case, all Criterion has done is provide branding. All of the work was done by the same guy who's done the special editions of Fincher's other films.

Criterion also designed the Happy Meal toys.

t's fairly likely that this release was motivated by the director's personal interest in working with the Criterion folks (probably because he feels that they "get it" and he trusts his movie in their hands). Criterion also produce generally excellent supplemental materials and their imprint lends prestige and cachet to a release.

Either way I can't wait to get my hands (and my eyes, so to speak) on this release... Like you said, the Criterion surely adds some kind of prestige to the whole package, although I'm sure the movie itself wouldn't have needed it. But it kinda fits David Fincher's need for perfection...

I'm sure David Fincher is the kind of director who has fought to get the kind of clout to have his movies released the way he wants them.

Don't forget he once spent an entire year re-timing the print of SE7EN for the initial DVD release. And even to this day it is still one of the very best transfers ever committed to DVD.

So it makes absolute sense that he has gone to Criterion to get his FORREST GUMP 2.0 released in precisely the way he wants it.

Criterion also designed the Happy Meal toys.Simplicity is Criterion's stock and trade (AKA: DVDs).
If their BD releases are any indicator, the Blu-ray format is a little bit beyond them.

Criterion chose to release their BDs region-locked.

Simplicity is Criterion's stock and trade (AKA: DVDs).
If their BD releases are any indicator, the Blu-ray format is a little bit beyond them.

Given that they are putting out solid editions of important films that the greedy bean-counters at the studios wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, I'd say Blu-ray has a lot to thank Criterion for. :rolleyes:

Like you said, the Criterion surely adds some kind of prestige to the whole package

And $10-30 in price

Criterion chose to release their BDs region-locked.
Maybe you should do more research before you get on your high horse, seeing as how they explicitly mention that it's the rights-holders who choose that for them:Are Criterion’s Blu-ray discs region-encoded?

Yes. Criterion is licensed to sell most of its editions only in North America. http://www.criterion.com/help#q26And $10-30 in priceWrong again! Criterion charges the same for their Blu-rays as they do for DVDs, which means Paramount is setting the pricing.

hmmm its seems its distributed by Paramount. The content might be produced by Criterion but actually its a Paramount Blu Ray
i think its going to be Region Free.....

btw the Region B version is by Warner (region FREE)...

http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/097361430744
Special Features
5.1 DTS HD (English)
5.1 Dolby Digital (French)
5.1 Dolby Digital (Spanish)
Interviews with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett
Audio commentary featuring Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher
Never-before-seen footage revealing the innovative techniques behind the Academy Award–winning visual effects and makeup
Step-by-step examination of the motion-capture process aging Brad Pitt
In-depth exploration of David Fincher’s creative process on the set
Interview with acclaimed composer Alexandre Desplat about the score
Featurettes on the film’s storyboards, costumes, and Academy Award–winning art direction
Stills galleries, including costume design and candid behind-the-scenes production photos
Optional French- and Spanish-dubbed soundtracks
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and optional French and Spanish subtitles
PLUS: An essay by film critic Kent Jones

Wrong again! Criterion charges the same for their Blu-rays as they do for DVDs, which means Paramount is setting the pricing.

I was thinking of price for Criterion DVDs vs everyone else's price. Arguably that makes Criterion BDs cost the same as everyone else's BDs, except I regard the current price points for BDs to be temporary and that eventually they will come down.

I seriously doubt that Criterion's will.

Just hope it will be region free ... :s

I was thinking of price for Criterion DVDs vs everyone else's price. Arguably that makes Criterion BDs cost the same as everyone else's BDs, except I regard the current price points for BDs to be temporary and that eventually they will come down.

I seriously doubt that Criterion's will.
My take as well.;)

Unfortunately the U.K/JP release by Blunder Brothers will feature Dolby True HD 16-bit and video would be VC-1 encoded.:(

Really,If this was true,Criterion,please don't make me diappointed as The Last Emperor cause this film was a new film.

One of my most eagerly awaited titles this year! This movie has beautiful everything! Lighting, art direction, cinematography...all stellar. I had the pleasure of seeing it at a 4K digital theater near my house. It was awesome. Subtle and mesmerizing from scene to scene. Finchers best work yet! This won't be one of those razor sharp titles but it should still look pretty amazing in 1080p. Glad to see Criterion is handling this one. I thought it was sooo much better than Slumdog Millionaire but that's another debate. May 5th can't come soon enough!

Unfortunately the U.K/JP release by Blunder Brothers will feature Dolby True HD 16-bit and video would be VC-1 encoded.:(

whats wrong with that? its got True HD...
and its sells at 1/3 the price.... 9.99£ or about 11Euros...

This movie has beautiful everything! Lighting, art direction, cinematography...all stellar... This won't be one of those razor sharp titles but it should still look pretty amazing in 1080p.

Really? If Zodiac is any indication, I'd think Benjamin Button should be at least tier 0, being more high-profile and Criterion-affiliated.

Maybe you should do more research before you get on your high horse, seeing as how they explicitly mention that it's the rights-holders who choose that for them:http://www.criterion.com/help#q26

Criterion's answer strikes me as disingenuous. Of course Criterion's releases are only licensed for sale in North America -- they're a North American label, that's the way it's always been. But they formerly released their DVDs in a mix of region-free and region-locked titles, while for the past couple of years they've been locking everything, including titles they previously issued in region-free editions and which are still available region-free in other countries. Their answer doesn't address this and I'm not convinced this wasn't a decision on their part, as opposed to all of their licensors suddenly deciding to impose region-coding. For example, the original Criterion release of Grey Gardens was region-free, their 2007 re-release was region-locked, and the UK release that came out a few months later was region-free. All three releases credit the exact same licensor, Maysles Films. The "Essential Art House" reissues are region-coded across the board, including the public domain Pygmalion.

As for Blu-ray, Chungking Express and The 400 Blows are both available elsewhere in region-free editions, although those are arguably special cases -- the UK BD of CKE came from a different licensor, and the French BD of The 400 Blows was released by the rights holder (mk2) themselves. But if Criterion's Seventh Seal BD turns out to be region-coded (as the "Essential Art House" DVD was), then we can probably conclude all of Criterion's BDs will be locked regardless of the licensor's preference, since the Tartan BD was region-free and that was also licensed directly from Svensk Filmindustri.

http://images.dvdempire.com/gen/movies/1455524bh.jpg

So this BD was the first disc from Paramount in DTS-HD Master audio.Any review yet?Must be great for the picture tranfer.

I saw this on film which in that presentation looked like $hit. I liked the movie a lot and look foward to next week.

Art

I received a review copy today and will check it out later.

Another confirmation of the "Benjamin Button" blu-ray packaging is posted over at CriterionForum.org by cdnchris, and he's the reviewer for the Criterion discs over there.

"The Blu-ray for Benjamin Button comes in a standard blue case with a cardboard slip, not what Criterion usually does. Just an FYI. I'll post pics when I can but it shouldn't be too hard to picture." - cdnchris

I'm sure the packaging will look similar to the standard DVD packaging (http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-packaging/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/the-criterion-collection/585), which he has already posted.

CC

http://images.dvdempire.com/gen/movies/1455524bh.jpg

Paramount also locked Csi Season 1 !

Here's the blu-ray packaging (http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-packaging/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/the-criterion-collection/586) for "Benjamin Button" as posted by cndchris over at CriterionForum.org.

CC

Here's the blu-ray packaging (http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-packaging/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/the-criterion-collection/586) for "Benjamin Button" as posted by cndchris over at CriterionForum.org.

Love that stunning disc artwork. ;)

Gave the disc a quick run through and it looks great. The color palette is all over the place as it is a very stylized film but the image is razor sharp with excellent detail and well preserved film grain. This release really maintains the look and feel of film. The audio is excellent fidelity as well with very impressive transparency and openness with a wide and deep sound stage. I look forward to watching the whole film tonight with the wife and putting together a formal review later this weekend. However, after brief glimpse, I was very impressed.

Gave the disc a quick run through and it looks great. The color palette is all over the place as it is a very stylized film but the image is razor sharp with excellent detail and well preserved film grain. This release really maintains the look and feel of film.
It was not shot on film except a few shots. Almost all is HD camera.

That may be the case. It looks great nonetheless.

Gave the disc a quick run through and it looks great. The color palette is all over the place as it is a very stylized film but the image is razor sharp with excellent detail and well preserved film grain. This release really maintains the look and feel of film. The audio is excellent fidelity as well with very impressive transparency and openness with a wide and deep sound stage. I look forward to watching the whole film tonight with the wife and putting together a formal review later this weekend. However, after brief glimpse, I was very impressed.

I just ordered base on your impressiveness.

Lord what a depressing film.

I hated to be the first to break up this lovefest, so I'll be the second. You might want to rent before you buy. I too was depressed, at it being such a manipulative, shallow exercise in Hollywood feel-good cinema. It's just another spin on Forrest Gump- from the same screenwriter- so if you liked that you might like this.

Oh lord, not more of this Forrest Gump comparison crap....:mad:

Here's a rave review from blu-ray.com - perfect scores all around:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=4731&show=review

Oh lord, not more of this Forrest Gump comparison crap....:mad:
Yeah. Because it's not like both of the main characters were born different from other children. Or worked on boats for long periods of their life. or that the only women that could love either were childhood friends(and they then chase that girl out of state to find her with someone else). And it isn't as if either were born in the South, by the Gulf(at least in that region). And neither story features a hurricane. And neither character comes home to their mother while she passes. And both aren't taught important lessons by African Americans. Or discover they had fathered children with their true loves, that they met after they were born.

Oh wait. They're similar in like 1 or 2 aspects. They both start in media res.

I'm sure I left some similarities out. Ben Button was still a fantastic film, it's great storytelling with great performances by all the actors and awesome production by all involved.

I'll pick it up on sale.

NO love for Forrest???:eek:
If you didn't live (suckin' on yo mama's teet doesn't count) thru the 60s and 70s, it is understandable.

Anyway, ordered BB today from Amazon....

No love for Forrest???

If you didn't live (suckin' on yo mama's teet doesn't count) thru the 60s and 70s, it is understandable.

I was there, though extenuating circumstances makes lots of the seventies hard to remember :D

I'm not really a Forrest hater, and there's no reason a film has to slavishly follow the book, but a read of the book shows that Eric Roth took a funny satire and turned it into a relentless tearjerker. Okay, fine.

But fast forward 14 years and he does it again, coming up with sentimental situations that push audiences' buttons (no pun intended)-just look at all the stuff shadowrage has come up with- and director David Fincher somehow gets a rather boring performance out of Cate Blanchett, which I would have regarded as impossible, and an even snoozier one out of Brad Pitt, who can act with the right director. Plus, it goes on forever.

I felt jacked around. Your mileage may vary.

To each his own, I thought it was a masterpiece. MUCH better than Forrest, and I like that film a lot, too. But Button hooked me from minute one straight until the end. Man, Tuesday is going to break me. Button, Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Ferris Bueller? Ouch! Ah well, bring it on!

To each his own, I thought it was a masterpiece. MUCH better than Forrest, and I like that film a lot, too. But Button hooked me from minute one straight until the end. Man, Tuesday is going to break me. Button, Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Ferris Bueller? Ouch! Ah well, bring it on!Can't hardly wait for my copy from Amazon.:)"Much better than Forrest"made me itching to find out.:)

To each his own, I thought it was a masterpiece. MUCH better than Forrest, and I like that film a lot, too. But Button hooked me from minute one straight until the end. Man, Tuesday is going to break me. Button, Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Ferris Bueller? Ouch! Ah well, bring it on!

I don't if it was THAT much better than forrrest, but I agree both are great. http://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/2464/*************************

What's really curious is that both Paramount and Criterion are releasing versions simultaneously. I wonder what that's all about.

Fincher has something of a Star Trek streak going with me in that his even numbered films (Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac) are great while his odd numbered films (Alien 3, The Game, Panic Room, Benjamin Button) are interesting misses.

I just never connected to Benjamin Button or the world he inhabits, and the film ultimately felt more than anything like a technological exercise to me. On the other hand, I found the effects work fascinating and David Prior knows how to put together a special edition - the Zodiac extras are almost as compelling as the film itself and that film is a masterpiece. I almost never do this anymore, but this is one disc I'm buying solely for the extras.

Oddities of this release:

Region Locked (both discs) - few Paramount releases are locked to Region A
DTS-HD Master Audio - most Paramount lossless releases are TrueHD
Regular BD packaging - differs from most Criterion releases which are non standard packaging

So it certainly is a Criterion/Paramount hybrid.

the Zodiac extras are almost as compelling as the film itself and that film is a masterpiece. I almost never do this anymore, but this is one disc I'm buying solely for the extras.

With you on all counts here, though having a high-def copy of Zodiac was a definite consideration.

With all apologies to the might oink and his feelings that Forrest Gump evoked the seventies, to me Zodiac really brought them back.

I was there, though extenuating circumstances makes lots of the seventies hard to remember :D
LOL!
Ain't that the truth?
Now I know you are the real deal...;)


I'm not really a Forrest hater, and there's no reason a film has to slavishly follow the book, but a read of the book shows that Eric Roth took a funny satire and turned it into a relentless tearjerker. Okay, fine.

But fast forward 14 years and he does it again, coming up with sentimental situations that push audiences' buttons (no pun intended)-just look at all the stuff shadowrage has come up with- and director David Fincher somehow gets a rather boring performance out of Cate Blanchett, which I would have regarded as impossible, and an even snoozier one out of Brad Pitt, who can act with the right director. Plus, it goes on forever.

I felt jacked around. Your mileage may vary.
Hmmmm...never read the book....:o


the Zodiac extras are almost as compelling as the film itself and that film is a masterpiece..
With all apologies to the might oink and his feelings that Forrest Gump evoked the seventies, to me Zodiac really brought them back.
Good point.
I think I said this before, I spent the first 10 years of my life in Vallejo (where the first murders took place:eek:).
The overhead photo of Vallejo (in the extras of Zodiac) was great to look at.
I tried to recognize where I lived (which was on the route the Zodiac took), but I wasn't able to.

We're talking almost 45 years ago here...

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the theater when it was released. I had no idea what it was about beyond a vague understanding that it told the story of a child who was born old but grew younger physically as he aged chronologically. My first thought was, "Good luck with THAT!" Well, to my great surprise it worked, for me at least. I thought it was one of the most imaginative screenplays I had ever seen and that the consistently underrated Brad Pitt gave a remarkable performance in the title role. Despite my admiration of Slumdog Millionaire and of Sean Penn's performance in Milk, I would not have been disappointed if Benjamin Button and Pitt had won the Oscars instead.

The film had a muted but beautiful look that was, appropriately, a little otherworldly. Thus, I am looking forward to seeing the BD. I have high hopes for it.

What's really curious is that both Paramount and Criterion are releasing versions simultaneously. I wonder what that's all about.

There is only one Blu-ray release, which is the Criterion disc being distributed by Paramount.

For DVD there is the Criterion 2-disc set, and a bare bones release. It is so bare bones that there aren't even chapter selection menus, only the main menu & audio/subtitle selection menus.

The Blu-ray is region locked is because Paramount/Criterion only have rights to the domestic release. Warner Brothers is handling the international releases.

fitprod

Got mine Friday. Have yet to watch it but this is how Criterion should do all of their releases. Not only does it have a slip cover but a booklet fits just fine inside the case.

Not a huge fan of this film.....I will be however checking it out as I found the technical execution amazing.

Like others voiced I found the plot too similar to Gump. It was Gump with a somber tone. The acting was good. I just found the story to be slightly manipulative.

I'm sure it will look as amazing as it did in the theater though.

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the theater when it was released. I had no idea what it was about beyond a vague understanding that it told the story of a child who was born old but grew younger physically as he aged chronologically. My first thought was, "Good luck with THAT!" Well, to my great surprise it worked, for me at least. I thought it was one of the most imaginative screenplays I had ever seen and that the consistently underrated Brad Pitt gave a remarkable performance in the title role. Despite my admiration of Slumdog Millionaire and of Sean Penn's performance in Milk, I would not have been disappointed if Benjamin Button and Pitt had won the Oscars instead.

The film had a muted but beautiful look that was, appropriately, a little otherworldly. Thus, I am looking forward to seeing the BD. I have high hopes for it.I always appreciate your opinions.:)

Did Mark, Luke, and John conclude, "No, Matthew already wrote this"? Was Dante's Peak 'enough'? No, they came out with Volcano that same year. Deep Impact and Armageddon came out within 2 months of each other. Flat-out great execution will always trump originality--which tends to be over-rated and quite rare these days.

Did Mark, Luke, and John conclude, "No, Matthew already wrote this"? Was Dante's Peak 'enough'? No, they came out with Volcano that same year. Deep Impact and Armageddon came out within 2 months of each other. Flat-out great execution will always trump originality--which tends to be over-rated and quite rare these days.
Wow dude, I wouldn't use that first line in any argument for anything at any time. I laughed my ass of when I read that. HAHA. No seriously, it's like something that appears on those AdultSwim bumps. I'm going to find away to integrate that into some sort of joke.

Anyway. It's not like Gump is was B-movie junk without a budget or a thoughtful director. Both are great films. It's just when you look at the similarities it looks like the screenwriter lost all originality, and got a little lazy...I'm more surprised that Fincher or a producer didn't call him on it.

And the thumbs down is for the part of the post that says originality is overrated.

I hated to be the first to break up this lovefest, so I'll be the second. You might want to rent before you buy. I too was depressed, at it being such a manipulative, shallow exercise in Hollywood feel-good cinema. It's just another spin on Forrest Gump- from the same screenwriter- so if you liked that you might like this.

Sometimes a movie is just a movie. Lighten up.

The Blu-ray is region locked is because Paramount/Criterion only have rights to the domestic release. Warner Brothers is handling the international releases

That's what I thought at first, but WB and Paramount also split the rights for Zodiac and that came out region-free.

That's what I thought at first, but WB and Paramount also split the rights for Zodiac and that came out region-free.

That is why I noted Criterion in the listing, they only have US rights... Zodiac was released under Paramount.

fitprod

That is why I noted Criterion in the listing, they only have US rights... Zodiac was released under Paramount.

But as I said on page one, holding the rights for a limited territory doesn't automatically oblige you to region-lock -- region-locking in this case would be demanded by the international rights holder, which is WB for both Button and Zodiac (and for Beowulf, which Paramount also put out region-free). So either WB (who are no big sticklers for region-coding) have changed their policy and are now requiring the North American distributors to region-lock, or another factor is at work. Given their record, I'm more inclined to suspect Criterion are behind it.

I thought it was like Forest Gump meets the Notebook.

Sometimes a movie is just a movie. Lighten up.

Well it's a free country, and it you want to like Benjamin Button go right ahead.

I always appreciate your opinions.:)

butsu -- Thanks for your kind comment, I appreciated it. I still have my last mail order discs from BB and plan to exchange them for new releases at my neighborhood BB store tomorrow morning when they open. It should come as no surprise, that I plan to pickup Benjamin Button then.

After watching Zodiac (amazing movie, btw) last night, and having already seen Se7en and Fight Club, I simply HAVE to get Button tomorrow... I've been so impressed by Fincher's Directorial work in the past, I can't possibly see this movie being too sappy or boring.

I will give it the benefit of the doubt. Blind buy for me tomorrow...

Has anyone's from Amazon gone into shipping status yet?

Has anyone's from Amazon gone into shipping status yet?i was just about to ask this same question. i'm an amazon prime member and new releases usually start processing early in the day on mondays, i get a shipping email later in the day, and it arrives tuesday morning. as of 9:22 pm, it still has not begun processing.

i'm gonna try something...sometimes when you cancel your order and place it again, it will start processing right away. i think it's too late for a tuesday arrival, but it might help. i won't complain too much...amazon is awesome 99% of the time.

I'm also a prime member...I'll give that a shot..

if you haven't done it yet, i wouldn't bother. i did it about 15 minutes ago and it hasn't changed the status. if that method is going to work, it usually happens within just 2 or 3 minutes. there must be a problem with the shipment.

No big deal I'm more curious in the documentaries than the actual film...

Has anyone's from Amazon gone into shipping status yet?

Just checked my status on Amazon:

Not Yet Shipped: 1 item - delivery estimate: May 7, 2009

As of 1:00 A.M. on 05/05, mine hasn't started processing either. I pre-ordered on the first day of availability. They must be getting the stock at the last minute.

After watching Zodiac (amazing movie, btw) last night, and having already seen Se7en and Fight Club.

Excellent films IMO.
Then there is Alien 3 and Panic Room...which are just OK.

Nevertheless, BB is a blind buy for me too.;)

Mine never shipped today as well & I'm also a Prime member. I canceled, BB has it for the same price $25.99. I'm willing to pay taxes for this title but I'm not willing to wait any longer for it especially after reading Kris Deerings review for it. ;)


http://hometheatermag.com/moviereviews/050409button/

Mine never shipped today as well & I'm also a Prime member. I canceled, BB has it for the same price $25.99. I'm willing to pay taxes for this title but I'm not willing to wait any longer for it especially after reading Kris Deerings review for it. ;)


http://hometheatermag.com/moviereviews/050409button/


Thanx for that, canceled my Amazon order....will pick up at BB tomorrow.
Although I could care less what Deering's opinion might be about the movie itself....

ohh, video like zodiac only better :)
sweet!
digital really has caught up to 35

I thought it was like Forest Gump meets the Notebook.Though the eye of ...Benjamin Button.:)

Full Specs are now up: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16402592#post16402592

Region A (Locked)


Title Codec Length Movie Size Disc Size Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track Secondary Audio Track
----- ------ ------- -------------- -------------- ------- ------- ------------------ ---------------------
00001.MPLS AVC 2:46:02 47,543,949,312 48,515,380,917 38.18 30.96 DTS-HD Master 5.1 3588Kbps (48kHz/24-bit)



http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8458/benjaminbuttondisc10000.png

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8458/benjaminbuttondisc10000.png

Hmm, this is one of the first graphs which looks like it was seriously limited by the max BD bitrate. That being said I've seen screenshots so far and the movie looks amazing.

Hmm, this is one of the first graphs which looks like it was seriously limited by the max BD bitrate.

:confused: I've seen dozens quite like this one.

Hmm, this is one of the first graphs which looks like it was seriously limited by the max BD bitrate. That being said I've seen screenshots so far and the movie looks amazing.Wow. They didn't **** around with this one, that's for sure.

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the theater when it was released. I had no idea what it was about beyond a vague understanding that it told the story of a child who was born old but grew younger physically as he aged chronologically. My first thought was, "Good luck with THAT!" Well, to my great surprise it worked, for me at least. I thought it was one of the most imaginative screenplays I had ever seen and that the consistently underrated Brad Pitt gave a remarkable performance in the title role. Despite my admiration of Slumdog Millionaire and of Sean Penn's performance in Milk, I would not have been disappointed if Benjamin Button and Pitt had won the Oscars instead.

The film had a muted but beautiful look that was, appropriately, a little otherworldly. Thus, I am looking forward to seeing the BD. I have high hopes for it.

I lived in NO briefly. The feel of that city is so much like the muted look of the film IMO. Just an aside but pertinent none the less.

Art

Hats off to the folks at Criterion. This disc is a stunner. Yes, there are a few soft shots here & there which is innate to the photography but when this disc shines, it REALLY shines!! I'm so happy with the way this disc turned out. The stunning contrast and deep inky blacks give this picture so much dimensionality. The bright daylight scenes have that window effect but the dark scenes shine too. Go to the U-boat chapter or the scene with Daisy (Cate Blanchett) dancing in a silhouette with the red dress on & be amazed. Stunning picture quality.
The DTS-MA audio is a real winner too. There are quite a few scenes that really stand out, the U-boat scene in particular was outstanding. Alexandre Desplats score is one of the best I've heard in years. I cannot wait to dig into the extras!!!

A real demo disc all around!!!

This packaging is exactly how all of Criterion's packaging should be.

A regular case, with a Criterion slipcover.

I just don't like Criterion's packaging w/ the all cardboard case.

Criterion already switched away from the cardboard cases with last month's releases (Wages of Fear and In the Realm of the Senses), which came in clear plastic cases. I imagine Paramount handled most of the packaging duties for this release -- the cover art is less "conceptual" than Criterion's norm (it's basically a slight variant of one of the theatrical posters) and the designer isn't credited, which is very unusual for Criterion but common for major studios.

Criterion already switched away from the cardboard cases with last month's releases (Wages of Fear and In the Realm of the Senses), which came in clear plastic cases. I imagine Paramount handled most of the packaging duties for this release -- the cover art is less "conceptual" than Criterion's norm (it's basically a slight variant of one of the theatrical posters) and the designer isn't credited, which is very unusual for Criterion but common for major studios.

I don't mean to veer away from the subject, but does Criterion have any plans to redo the early releases in the clear cases, and provide some compensation to those of us who would like to upgrade (I would)?

I expect if they do it's handled on a case-by-case (ha!) basis, not on a general recall one.

In short, your best bet is probably to contact them and ask.

I expect if they do it's handled on a case-by-case (ha!) basis, not on a general recall one.

In short, your best bet is probably to contact them and ask.

I know Criterion has been contacted by many different users, including myself, from multiple forums about the plastic cases with cover inserts being provided for their first blu-ray releases.

The response was that Criterion had no current plans to offer any type of replacement for the earlier discs, but it was something that they have thought about.

CC

What's the difference? A clear case vs a blue case?

The older Criterion BDs (pre-April) came in flimsy cardboard cases. The April releases came in clear plastic cases -- they're the same size as the standard blue ones, but they don't have the logo along the top and the insert art is taller to fill the extra space. Benjamin Button has a standard two-disc blue case with a slipcover.

The older Criterion BDs (pre-April) came in flimsy cardboard cases. The April releases came in clear plastic cases -- they're the same size as the standard blue ones, but they don't have the logo along the top and the insert art is taller to fill the extra space. Presumably this will be the standard BD packaging from now on. Benjamin Button has a similar case (for two discs instead of one), with a cardboard slipcover.
So...why would they offer a replacement? I guess I don't get it. It's not like the cases were broken, defective, or missing.

i just finnished watching it.

and yeah the bluray is amazing. the detail in some scenes are beautiful.

also you cant realy judge this movie in its total.

the first hour is great. the second hour is totally boredom. i wonder what fisher wanted to do here. his whole direction is more like thinking i can make the most perfect shots. but he just does not direct his actors and actresses. it feels all very shallow.

then the last hour things start to pick up again. so basicly 1 hour intresting and third hour. however the middle after the tugboat is 1 big snoozefest.

actually this material would be better handled by frank darabont. frank is amazing with this kind of material. which he already showed with the green mile and shawshank.

Has anyone's from Amazon gone into shipping status yet?

For anyone still wondering - I'm not a Prime member, but I got my shipping notice from them this morning.

For anyone still wondering - I'm not a Prime member, but I got my shipping notice from them this morning.

I'm a Prime member and mine still hasn't been updated to 'Shipping Soon' :(

BB has screwed me on Benjamin Button -- what else is new? I put it at the top of my queue before it was released but BB sent an old release, Election, instead, despite my having placed it below Benjamin Button in my queue. Now, my queue says the status of Benjamin Button is "long wait."

What makes this hurt worse is that I thought I would be able to exchange a mail order disc I had on hand for Benjamin Button at my neighborhood BB store. For some inexplicable reason, the local store didn't get the movie on BD. I am glad I was able to see it in the theater because there is no telling when I will get the BD. If previous experience is any guide, it will be weeks if not months.

BB has screwed me on Benjamin Button -- what else is new? I put it at the top of my queue before it was released but BB sent an old release, Election, instead, despite my having placed it below Benjamin Button in my queue. Now, my queue says the status of Benjamin Button is "long wait."

What makes this hurt worse is that I thought I would be able to exchange a mail order disc I had on hand for Benjamin Button at my neighborhood BB store. For some inexplicable reason, the local store didn't get the movie on BD. I am glad I was able to see it in the theater because there is no telling when I will get the BD. If previous experience is any guide, it will be weeks if not months.Sorry for you cause I want the opinion of BD from you,anyway I thought this was a good film in theater.:)

Not to rub salt in the wound, but I got it from Netflix today.

BB has screwed me on Benjamin Button -- what else is new? I put it at the top of my queue before it was released but BB sent an old release, Election, instead, despite my having placed it below Benjamin Button in my queue. Now, my queue says the status of Benjamin Button is "long wait."

What makes this hurt worse is that I thought I would be able to exchange a mail order disc I had on hand for Benjamin Button at my neighborhood BB store. For some inexplicable reason, the local store didn't get the movie on BD. I am glad I was able to see it in the theater because there is no telling when I will get the BD. If previous experience is any guide, it will be weeks if not months.

I put it at the top of my BBlist on Monday morning and then sent it that day. Expecting it today. Maybe because I am a new customer.

I try not to get too carried away with disappointment when BB lets me down this way. I have seen from reading the BB and NF threads that NF does the same thing to its customers from time to time. The only reason it was a problem for me was the weird happenstance that my neighborhood BB store, which has always received at least a copy or two of every newly released film, didn't get even one BD copy of Benjamin Button. Go figure. I just hope they don't make a habit of it. Anyway, I am anxious to learn what the rest of you think of this BD. I may even order it from Amazon, which has it on sale for $25.99 including shipping.

Not to rub salt in the wound, but I got it from Netflix today.

I assume you haven't watched it yet? let us know how it is http://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/2464/*************************

I assume you haven't watched it yet? let us know how it is http://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/2464/*************************
Nope. Hopefully tonight.

I put it at the top of my BBlist on Monday morning and then sent it that day.That is a technique that seems to work with NF too.


I may even order it from Amazon, which has it on sale for $25.99 including shipping.

Best Buy has it for the same price (if you should live near one).

Does BB stand for Benjamin Button or Best Buy?:D

Does BB stand for Benjamin Button or Best Buy?:D
Blockbuster

Does BB stand for Benjamin Button or Best Buy?:D

I think in above posts, he meant Block Buster:p

Yeah, the shorthand around here can sometimes get out of hand. "BB" is commonly used to signify either Blockbuster or Best Buy depending on the context. In my recent posts to this thread I was referring to Blockbuster.

I bought BB at BB yesterday, then today, I went to BB to check out their used Bluray sale(2 for $25) not a bad deal at all.

Did anyone have a problem selecting the DTS HD MA track? In the "Languages" menu, I couldn't click on the English version. It went from French to Spanish. I had to manually select the DTS HD MA track by pressing the audio button on my Blu Ray remote which did the trick. Just curious.

Just watched it- PQ is very good. There were a few moments of digital noise, but nothing bad and it wasnt for long stretches. Overall better PQ than Zodiac.

The movie itself -- I felt it dragged too much, and it was too Forrest Gump like, but not quite as entertaining. Good movie, but I wouldn't want to watch it again for another 5-10 years.

Note: I had no problem with DTS-HD MA track.

Did anyone have a problem selecting the DTS HD MA track? In the "Languages" menu, I couldn't click on the English version. It went from French to Spanish. I had to manually select the DTS HD MA track by pressing the audio button on my Blu Ray remote which did the trick. Just curious.

My player automatically selected the DTS-MA track...It's the default.

I finally got shipment notice from Amazon. I wonder if they had supplier issue. This is the first time that I did not get a pre-ordered Blu-ray on release date from Amazon.

Did anyone have a problem selecting the DTS HD MA track? In the "Languages" menu, I couldn't click on the English version. It went from French to Spanish. I had to manually select the DTS HD MA track by pressing the audio button on my Blu Ray remote which did the trick. Just curious.

My player (LG BD 370) also automatically selected DTS HD MA (English), so it was not selectable.

Here's something strange, though. I had my player set to decode and send multi-channel PCM to my receiver (Pioneer VSX-819H) and the audio was very messed up. Dialog was unintelligible and very muddied. I set the player back to Primary Pass-through and let my receiver decode the DTS-HD track.

We are still watching it (yeah, my unofficial ADD is kicking in) but I'll test player decoding again. Perhaps I have some setting incorrect on my receiver or something.

Question: When Daisy first speaks (about 8 years-old), is her voice dubbed over by a much older woman?

She sounds like she is about 30. With her overly blue eyes and overly red hair, she seems more artificial than Benjamin sitting across from her.

Question: When Daisy first speaks (about 8 years-old), is her voice dubbed over by a much older woman?

She sounds like she is about 30. With her overly blue eyes and overly red hair, she seems more artificial than Benjamin sitting across from her.

Yes. It's actually Cate Blanchett. If you watch the featurette entitled "Sound Design" on the disc, they actually go over that portion. It was Fincher's decision to have Blanchett overdub Elle Fanning's voice.

-Brad

http://www.blurayreviews.ch/reviews/curious-case-of-benjamin-button-the-blu-ray-review.htm

2-Disc Special Edition review of the German release with 1080p screenshots.

First disc contains the movie.

Second disc contains extras and is not a digital copy.

Good job, Warner.:)

Yeah as far as I know the release is pretty much the same in all territories, Criterion or not. I believe Criterion was only brought in at a late stage for marketing purposes.

I liked this release a lot by the way. The documentary on disc 2 was great.

Caution -- Spoilers!

PQ on this was okay, IMO. Shot in digital which, IMO, was a weird choice for a film going for a period look. As for the story, agree with Stumlad, it's Gump-lite. The real problem is that there isn't much of a story. There is no real 2nd act, it's all endless first act with a very short 3rd act near the end. Also, Benjamin isn't really a character -- he's just a special effect who moves through scenery without effecting anyone nor having anyone effect him. Finally, a film like this demands an actor who can hold your attention since the script is weak and IMO Pitt was a bad choice. Pitt already radiates shallowness.

Caution -- Spoilers!

PQ on this was okay, IMO. Shot in digital which, IMO, was a weird choice for a film going for a period look. As for the story, agree with Stumlad, it's Gump-lite. The real problem is that there isn't much of a story. There is no real 2nd act, it's all endless first act with a very short 3rd act near the end. Also, Benjamin isn't really a character -- he's just a special effect who moves through scenery without effecting anyone nor having anyone effect him. Finally, a film like this demands an actor who can hold your attention since the script is weak and IMO Pitt was a bad choice. Pitt already radiates shallowness.

We must have watched different films.
I found the PQ stellar (dedicated batcave - 9 foot screen), and if you didn't see the affect BB had on others, or others had on him, maybe you should rewatch it. Pitt is a fine actor, and if being involved in numerous charitable activities defines shallowness, well a lot more people should be shallow. ;)

Art

We must have watched different films.
I found the PQ stellar (dedicated batcave - 9 foot screen), and if you didn't see the affect BB had on others, or others had on him, maybe you should rewatch it. Pitt is a fine actor, and if being involved in numerous charitable activities defines shallowness, well a lot more people should be shallow. ;)

Art

Being involved with charitable activities has nothing to do with acting ability or what is communicated through a camera.

Which character did you feel was changed through their interaction with Button and how was this change demonstrated ?

Being involved with charitable activities has nothing to do with acting ability or what is communicated through a camera.

Which character did you feel was changed through their interaction with Button and how was this change demonstrated ?I did see the woman who was encouraged to swim the English Channel. Her experience with Benjamin showed her age should not be a barrier to pursuing her dreams.

To me, that is a perfect example of things in the story that just sort of happened, but I didn't see any cause and effect having to do with Button. When Button sees her on TV much later in a newsflash after swimming the channel, it was also IMO a perfect example of a sort of Gump-lite coincidence, kind of like how Gump happened to meet Elvis and then saw him on TV later.

Being involved with charitable activities has nothing to do with acting ability or what is communicated through a camera.


Your quote was "Pitt already radiates shallowness". You didn't say that Pitt's character portrayal was shallow, but inferred that Pitt himself was. I understand if you don't care for him as an actor. We all have our likes and dislikes, and nothing anyone else says will change that. :)

It's obvious that the movie did not resonate with you as it did many others.

Art

What's witht he numerous spoilers without spoiler tags? People should be able to read aobut the disc itself without having the details of the movie spoiled for them.

Your quote was "Pitt already radiates shallowness". You didn't say that Pitt's character portrayal was shallow, but inferred that Pitt himself was. I understand if you don't care for him as an actor. We all have our likes and dislikes, and nothing anyone else says will change that. :)

It's obvious that the movie did not resonate with you as it did many others.
I, too, thought that Brad Pitt was little more than a pretty boy beefcake until I saw him in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I thought his performance there was phenomenal and that he was maybe even better in Benjamin Button.

I, too, thought that Brad Pitt was little more than a pretty boy beefcake until I saw him in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

12 Monkeys, Fight Club, Babel, Snatch, Interview With The Vampire, Spy Game, etc... I've always liked him I guess :)

I thought his performance [in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford] was phenomenal

Yes.

and that he was maybe even better in Benjamin Button.

No.

Your quote was "Pitt already radiates shallowness". You didn't say that Pitt's character portrayal was shallow, but inferred that Pitt himself was.

I would not presume to know Pitt personally, no matter what I may read about his personal life. I know only what I see on-screen, what he projects through the camera. Same as everyone else.

I understand if you don't care for him as an actor.

IMO, the Button role is very passive. The character is reduced to nothing but an innocent bystander. I don't believe Pitt is a terrible actor, but neither do I think he is a great one. Like a lot of actors, he has certain limits. IMO, the kinds of limits he brings only exacerbate the problems inherent in this movie and IMO this role only highlights his limits.

I enjoyed the heck out of Jesse James. I don't want to go too far off topic into a discussion of that film, but I will say that IMO, Pitt was given much better material to act in that film and he did a good job with it.

12 Monkeys, Fight Club, Babel, Snatch, Interview With The Vampire, Spy Game, etc... I've always liked him I guess :)
What can I say? I simply didn't see the talent in those performances that I recognized in his more recent roles. That's not to say that I mightn't have been wrong but there it is.

What can I say? I simply didn't see the talent in those performances that I recognized in his more recent roles. That's not to say that I mightn't have been wrong but there it is.Agreed,to me Brad Pitt is handsome and getting the better performance than the past.This film looked like Forest Gump meet The Notebook,also the picture quality was great in recently BDs released.:)