As Ken Korman wrote earlier this week, "Few filmmakers live in an artistic world entirely of their own device like French 'film essayist' Chris Marker."
The Criterion Collection has released on Blu-ray a brand-new HD transfer of Marker's two best-known and most influential works, the classic sci-fi tale La Jetée and the innovative documentary travelogue Sans Soleil. The two films, in Korman's words, "explore classic Marker themes of memory, history, and death" and are "bear little resemblance. . . to anything else most viewers have ever seen. . . each rewards repeat viewings with much greater understanding."
Now you have the chance to win a copy of this pair of cinema classics, courtesy of the Criterion Collection.
As usual, in order to qualify, you'll have to leave us comment below. The question for this week: What's most important to you when you're shopping for classic films on Blu-ray? An abundance of extras, commentaries, deleted scenes? New HD transfers? New audio mixes? Or maybe you're just finished with DVDs and you want straightforward replacements. Share your thoughts, and you'll have a chance to win.
The winner will be chosen randomly from among those who leave on-topic comments. You will have to register, however — no anonymous commenters, we need a valid e-mail contact address to inform you of your win. We'll take entries until midnight (Eastern Time), on Wednesday, February 15th, and notify the winner via e-mail by Friday, February 17th.
Good luck.
For me it would have to be the deleted scenes. I like to watch them along with alternate endings.
commentaries, not just from the director, deleted scenes, alt.endings, they're all a narrative about the creative process, no? All to the good.
Atermath of WW III with past, present and future form Time travel, back and forth, back and forth in time..It's the art of film.
I always enjoy any "making of" extras, both from the point of view of the director and of any primary actors! But, generally, I'm always delighted with the quality of any Criterion transfer.
I like the deleted scenes especially if it some way changes the story as it is
All is well ` Thanks for the promotion.Work offshore a beneficial tool to enjoy HiFi
Good pictures and good (but not reworked) sound
It has to be an awesome HD transfer and a Super HD sound. Both are equally important to me. Everything else is extra gravy on top!
The importance to me when shopping for classic films on Blu-ray, would be the deleted scenes and what got cut from the movie, extra bonus features are important to, but mainly deleted scenes,because I like to look at the deleted scenes and see for myself,because experience is the greatest teacher, as to how the movie would turn out if certain scenes were included and also if I like it or not. Usually watching the deleted scenes with another person, gives difference of opinions and makes great discussion topics.
I like to watch the deleted scenes
I will only re-buy for a better transfer or HD release.. .. .. or if newly released in 3D
"What's most important to you when you're shopping for classic films on Blu-ray?"
Image better than previously-offered DVD?
Anything restored? Missing/damaged footage? Aspect ratio corrected? Any tweaks that *don't* work?
New/addtl extras? Deleted scenes, new commentary? Any old extras jettisoned?
***
Does it pay to go blu? or is DVD the bargain leader?
I look for restorations and transfers that can relive for me that marvelous feeling of watching a film classic for the very first time. Criterion's "The Third Man" comes immediately to mind.
I can only hope that the sadly neglected "The Quiet Man" will eventually join it's rank.
New HD transfer, followed by extras. Running director commentaries and making of docs are the best extras. Oh, and archival interviews with writers and directors don't hurt either.
I'm most interested in the making-of-features and extras because I don't have a hi-def TV.
The quality of the digital transfer and deleted scenes is what I find the most important.
The audio commentary is most important,
It has to be a superior transfer if I'm going to replace my dvd copy of a classic film available on blu-ray. If I don't own it, I'm not really worried if it's a little more expensive for the blu-ray. I'll definitely buy it because the transfer is going to be better on blu-ray hands down.
Deleted scenes, extras, commentary and all that jazz are okay, but they're like having a bunch of condiments with a great steak. I'm after the meat and potatoes - which is a beautifully re-mastered film transfer that allows my display and audio to shine, and to reveal new stuff we never saw or heard before. A great example of this might be the new release of Citizen Kane. Pass the butter and sour cream, please!
Making an excuse to buy "Rango."
The extras are the best part in my opinion, it's a nice opportunity to get greater insight into the creative and technical work that goes into making the movie
I like deleted scenes and remastered music soundtrack.
I buy new blu-rays for the HD video transfers and the remastered audio sountracks.
My wife wears glasses like that. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I love the Criterion DVD's and Blu-Rays. They are a step above.
I like the deleted scenes. It points to what really happens there!
Would love to see it for myself!
No doubt these are scary and surreal enough to break through the malaise caused by the routine Hollywood formula films. Via la Indepedent!
I just want a straigtforward replacement. I never watch the extras or interviews.
As someone who had watched movies at home for many years, from TV, VHS, DVD and now Blu-Ray, I think we are approaching perfection for home viewing.
The single most important item for me, especially with regard to classic films, is the remastering and better clarity of image we can see. Supplements, especially on Criterion films, are the icing on the cake.
i love the deleted scenes