Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My review is for the 2011 Visionary Filmmaker Collection (8 Blu-Ray Set). I make specific note of that because sometimes Amazon groups reviews with alternate editions, and I don’t want to mislead the reader. This set is exquisite! It is by no means a complete Kubrick collection, but for the price (when I purchased it was $28.87) it is very worthwhile. Anyone who loves Kubrick doesn’t need a boring essay upon the greatness of the movies themselves…that is self-evident. My focus is to give you a few technical details and let you know what you’re buying if you invest in this box. Edition This is a European Import. The great news is that the discs are Region Free. I had no issues playing them on my American Blu-Ray players, and the disc art features cool Euro art and detail! Packaging There is nothing special really about the box. Each disc is pressed onto its own plastic insert. No booklets or nice additions, but the box is fairly sturdy. The Films Lolita (1962) – Ratio: 1.66.1 Widescreen. This is the original theatrical size. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – 2.35.1 Cinerama Widescreen; the original size. This is the only film Kubrick ever made in the full Panavision format. Supposedly because he hated the cropped look that it received for television, and that’s where he assumed most people watched his movies. A Clockwork Orange (1971) – 1.66.1 Widescreen. This is the original theatrical size. Barry Lyndon (1975) – This 2011 Blu-Ray is at: 1.78.1. This is not the correct ratio. It should be at 1.66.1. You’ll have to get the Criterion Blu-Ray to get this one right. The Shining (1980) International Version – Ratio: 1.78.1. This is incorrect; The Shining was shown internationally at 1.66.1 and in America at 1.85.1. So far there is no release of either of these ratios. Even more irritating is that the Open Matte 1.33.1 version is on DVD, but not HI-DEF Blu-Ray. The Open Matte is very probably the version Kubrick preferred. Also…you’ll want to know that this is the International Cut which only runs two hours! That was fine with me because every other edition that I own is the American Cut which runs approximately forty-five minutes longer. Full Metal Jacket (1987) – 1.78.1 incorrect ratio. The original is 1.66.1. As far as I know, all the Blu-Rays of this are in 1.78.1. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) International Version – 1.78.1 incorrect ratio. Should be 1.66.1. All the Blu-Ray releases that I am aware of are this ratio. But this is however the superior 159 minute International Cut! It is far better, and has uncensored nude scenes. Much of the American print has fake computer-generated gimmickry rather than the actual real nude parts. Extra Features I do believe that all featurettes included are on previous releases. Disc 8 includes the doc ‘Stanley Kubrick: A Life In Pictures’, which first appeared on the 2001 DVD box set. My conclusion is that this is good set to buy, especially if you don’t own these films or all of them already. Obviously you’d want the longer version of The Shining to accompany this. As much as I love Kubrick’s works, I would buy practically anything that comes out! But I want you guys to have the facts before you invest the money. Thanks For Reading