Blood Simple Criterion 4K - Is it worth the upgrade? 

Raining Arizona would be epic on 4k

This is probably top 3 Coen Brothers for me as well. I prefer their work when it has more of an edge to it. Their more comedic movies don't appeal to me as much as Blood Simple or No Country for Old Men. I think Fargo is the perfect combination of their sense of humor and their darker more violent movies. Fargo and No Country are definitely in my top 100 or maybe even top 50 films of all time. I'm pretty sure they announced recently that they'll be working together again so that will be interesting.

I picked up the 4K and was a blind buy. This may end up being my favourite first time watch for 2024 and it's still only January. I do like that Criterion releases 4K versions of their previously released blu-rays with the same packaging/special features. To me that shows respect to those who purchased the original version and demonstrates Criterion are not artificially compelling existing title owners to pick up the 4K.

I am happy with my Blu Ray!

I pre-ordered this along with Heroic Trio/Executioners 4K during Criterions 30% holiday sale (they emailed me a $10 coupon good through end of last year and I didn't want it to go to waste). Its one of my favorite Coen Brothers films also and I have no problem upgrading to 4K -- gives me an excuse to watch it again 🙂

Blood Simple is a great film and one of the top of Cohen Brothers! I got 4K Fargo recently and I can’t wait to watch it as I have seen it in theater too long time ago.

Miller's Crossing is an amazing coen brothers movie

I love the Coens, sad they aren’t working together for the time being. Fargo is definitely my favorite and along with Goodfellas one of my two favorites of the 90s.

Great review. I love many Coen bros films but, for me, none of them quite matched up to this film. It's definitely my favorite film from them. I think Carter Burwell's creepy music is what really put it over the top for me. As much as I love the movie I'm very happy how the blu-ray looks so it'll be a hard sell for me to upgrade any time soon with it not having any additional extras. If I ever get a 100" TV, I'll probably upgrade. Ha!

Hey James - Thanks for the review it’s excellent as always! Criterion might need to start slacking on their Blu-ray’s in order to get us to buy their 4K upgrades. Lol. For me I had the DVD so no brainer I am going with the 4K. No Country for Old Man is also my favorite but Blood Simple is second. Thanks again for the review and take care. FV

I've got on VHS and DVD

Great comparison James, was looking so forward to this. I agree that the blu-ray looks fantastic already, so I won't be upgrading, but yea if buying for first time definitely go ahead and get the 4k. And huge agreement that this movie is superb, all the main characters deliver, and sleazy characters is spot on, such an enjoyable movie.

This is a great time to be a new collector. I’ll wait for the Criterion sale to get this. How many of the Coen Bros movies are available on 4k with Criterion? My favorite is “O Brother, Where art thou?”

Watch Blood Simple in Black and white,its awesome

I’m happy with the DVD which I got for 5 bucks at Big Lots

Now it's the same old song But with a different meaning since you been gone

This is probably least favorite Coen Brothers movie. I haven't seen it in decades and I'm debating upgrading from the non-Criterion blu-ray so maybe my opinion will change after a rewatch. It just seemed too nihilistic and lacked the Coen brother's magic.