There's 50% off a ton of 4K Blu-rays from The Criterion Collection at Barnes & Noble, so I thought I'd pick out my six favorite discs, all of which I've tried as part of the Blu-ray Bounty. This is our monthly feature where I test out the latest 4K releases and judge whether they're worth adding to your collection.
Criterion is a regular feature on Blu-ray Bounty because it is excellent at 4K restorations. Double compensation remains one of my best examples of what 4K can do for a classic film, while breakfast club and express fragment There are much more colorful and bold films that showcase Criterion's 4K prowess.
dead man is another contrast-rich black and white motion that looks amazing in 4K, and 3:10 To Yuma (1957) It is another Western classic that shines with this image quality. yi yi It's a quietly brilliant 4K restoration that has moments where you'll recognize it, but looks great throughout.
My 6 Picks from Criterion's 50% Off Sale
Double compensation
Double compensation It tells the story of an insurance agent (Fred MacMurray) who conspires with the wife (Barbara Stanwyck) of a wealthy man to capitalize his life insurance using a particular clause.
Double compensation It's a great looking 4K disc. The restoration is fantastic and has not only given the textures a 3D effect, but the contrast looks excellent too. The black tones are dark, the whites have a nice, impactful glow, and there are a variety of gray tones to give more depth to the image. There is still some film present for moviegoers, but new life has been given to this film. If you have one of the best TVs, this contrast-rich disc will look great.
Despite only having a monaural soundtrack, dialogue is clear throughout and sound effects map precisely to the action on screen. The score is also delivered with real clarity.
breakfast club
The breakfast club is the classic John Hughes '80s coming-of-age story about five high school kids from different backgrounds who serve Saturday detention at the same time.
Where The breakfast club What really stands out in 4K is the color reproduction. Reds in particular appear on screen, as shown in the reds of Bender's plaid shirt and the shiny Coca-Cola cans as the gang eats lunch. The textures have been enhanced nicely, giving the skin a realistic look, but the film grain is still retained to maintain the iconic look of the film.
The album's DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack sounds great. While it's not an audio showcase, it delivers the smallest details with precision, like the scratch of a pencil, the squeak of Bender's leather boots, or the incessant ticking of the clock in some scenes.
dead man
dead man tells the story of William Blake (Johnny Depp), a fugitive banker who meets a Native American named Nobody (Gary Farmer) who believes he is the reincarnation of the poet William Blake.
dead man It looks amazing in 4K. With one of the richest contrasts I have seen before on a 4K Blu-ray. Presented in black and white, the white tones are stunning and the black tones are deep and bold. This is balanced by a wide range of gray tones to give real depth to the image. The textures are sharp and look incredibly realistic, especially the markings on people's faces. Those who have one of the best OLED TVs will be rewarded here.
Equipped with a DTS-HD 2.0 MA soundtrack, speech is clear throughout and the resonant guitars of Neil Young's excellent soundtrack are refined, powerful and balanced. Other effects, such as gunshots, are also clear.
Chungking Express
Chungking Express follows the story of two different police officers in Hong Kong, who fall in love. One falls in love with a mysterious woman, while the other falls in love with a waiter at a restaurant he regularly visits.
Chungking Express is a visually appealing film that has been given another dimension in 4K. While HDR is not included, the colors are still punchy and vibrant, whether it's the neon of the Hong Kong markets or Faye's bright yellow blouse. The textures have been improved here too, with details on the policeman's wrinkled shirt or people's hair, it's a great looking restoration.
Throughout the film, the DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack does a great job of capturing the immersive feeling of the busy streets of Hong Kong. Clinking dishes, raised conversations, and honking horns from passing traffic are precisely placed and well balanced, allowing each element to be heard loud and clear. Through a large surround system, this will sound totally immersive.
3:10 To Yuma (1954)
3:10 To Yuma tells the story of rancher Dan Evans (Van Heflin) who is tasked with guarding and escorting an outlaw named Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) until the train arrives heading to the town where his trial is taking place.
3:10 To Yuma (1957) is another magnificent Criterion restoration of a classic film. Contrast is strong, again with deep white tones, deep black tones, and a full range of grays in between. Textures look detailed and realistic, with the deep frown lines on Dan Evans' head or the stubble and sweat on several characters' faces showcasing the brilliance of this 4K disc.
There are two soundtrack options, but it's really the DTS-HD 5.1 MA mix that shines. There's deep, rumbling bass from galloping horses, precise shot placement, and clear speech throughout. The soundstage is wide enough that all of these elements have enough space, providing an overall immersive sound.
Yi-Yi
yi yi follows the story of the Jian family, which is based in Taiwan, focusing on the perspectives of three family members in particular: NJ, the father; Ting-Ting, his teenage daughter and Yang-Yang, his young son.
yi yi It's a detailed and at times visually stunning 4K disc. Textures like hair and skin look realistic and the disc does a great job of showing the more intricate details of the environments. From time to time, the album surprises you with a reference scene, namely the wedding at the beginning. The bold, punchy reds really pop off the screen and still manage to look natural. A good amount of film grain is also preserved.
While there aren't many sound system test scenes, dialogue is consistently clear and there's a good sense of space in the mix. A karaoke scene does a great job of utilizing all the channels of a sound system, with the singer's voice coming from the center and the audience's applause coming from the actual speakers.
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