One of These Criterion 4Ks Is Dividing Collectors - My Thoughts
Credibility score: 53/100 — Mixed Credibility. Several questionable claims detected. Watch with healthy skepticism.
BSmeter analyzed "One of These Criterion 4Ks Is Dividing Collectors - My Thoughts" and rated it 53/100 for credibility (a BS score of 47/100 — mixed credibility), on 2026-07-01. Its weakest claim — "Teasing a 'controversial' film — using an emotional button to hook viewers." — scored 45/100 and was flagged as emotional button. 8 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.
Of 8 claims analyzed: 0 scored under 40, 6 between 40 and 69, and 2 at 70 or above.
Claims analyzed
Setting the stage for a film review — straightforward intro. — No Frame (75/100)
At 0:00
Just a friendly intro, no real framing tricks here. Setting expectations clearly.
Why this score: The speaker is simply introducing the topic of the video: a review of six new Criterion Collection releases, noting their availability in the UK and US, and mentioning the mix of formats and film ages. This is a neutral, informative opening without any specific rhetorical framing or bias.
Original quote: “Hello there, my fellow Criterion
collectors. Today, I have six films from
the Criterion Collection which have just
been released here in the UK, but
obviously they are available in the US.
We have a mix of 4Ks and Blu-rays from
around the world. Some quite old films,
some more modern. So, I'm going…”
Teasing a 'controversial' film — using an emotional button to hook viewers. — Emotional Button (45/100)
At 0:19
Calling it 'very controversial' without specifics immediately grabs attention. It's a classic hook.
Why this score: By immediately labeling the first film as 'very controversial online' regarding its 'visual presentation,' the speaker is using an emotional button. This framing choice creates anticipation and curiosity, encouraging viewers to continue watching to find out what the controversy is. A more neutral framing might simply state, 'I'll start with a 4K Criterion that has generated some discussion online about its visual presentation,' but 'very controversial' is designed to evoke a stronger reaction.
Original quote: “I'm
going to begin with a 4K Criterion which
has already proven very controversial
online as far as discussions are around
the visual presentation of the film. I'm”
Speaker frames John Boorman as an 'underrated director' despite mixed reception, using 'Point Blank' and 'Deliverance' as proof. — Cherry-Picked (45/100)
At 0:30
Acknowledges Boorman's mixed bag but then cherry-picks two popular films to declare him 'fantastic' without addressing the 'disliked' ones. Selective evidence, much?
Why this score: The speaker acknowledges that John Boorman has made films 'people really do not like,' which 'soured his reputation.' However, they immediately pivot to 'Point Blank' and 'Deliverance' as definitive proof of him being a 'fantastic director.' This is a classic cherry-picking move – highlighting the best examples to support a positive conclusion while downplaying or ignoring the less successful works that contributed to his 'soured reputation.' A more neutral framing would acknowledge the full spectrum of his work when assessing his overall 'fantastic' status.
Original quote: “Now, John Boorman, I think I think he's an underrated director. Yes, he's made some films that a lot of people love, but he's made some films which people really do not like. And I think that has sort of soured his reputation amongst film fans. But, when you watch something like Point Blank or…”
Dismisses opposing views as 'abomination' claims. — Straw Man (45/100)
At 2:30
Characterizes opposing views with extreme language ('abomination') to make them easier to dismiss.
Why this score: The speaker frames the opposing viewpoint as calling the release an 'abomination' and saying 'you shouldn't support this kind of restoration.' While some online comments might use strong language, presenting the entire opposition this way creates a straw man argument. It exaggerates the opponent's position, making it seem unreasonable and easier to refute, rather than engaging with more nuanced criticisms about color grading or artistic intent. It's a way to dismiss dissent without fully addressing it.
Original quote: “I've seen some people say that this release is an abomination and you shouldn't support this kind of restoration and I just don't think I'm in agreement.”
Connecting Lubitsch to Billy Wilder and implying Wilder learned from him — using a known name to elevate another. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 4:30
Using Billy Wilder's fame to bolster Lubitsch's reputation without detailing the extent of their collaboration or influence.
Why this score: While it's true Wilder collaborated with Lubitsch (e.g., on 'Ninotchka'), the phrasing 'learned much of what he came to know from Lubitsch himself' is a bit of a confidence play. It leverages Wilder's well-known status to implicitly elevate Lubitsch, without providing specific examples or context on the actual depth or nature of that learning. It's a common rhetorical move: associate with greatness, and some of that greatness rubs off.
Original quote: “Much has been said about the Lubitsch touch when it comes to comedic storytelling in cinema both through dialogue, but also mainly through direction and the way that these stories unfold. Maybe you're not too familiar with Ernst Lubitsch, but you might be more familiar with Billy Wilder, the…”
Laments 'missing' sophisticated storytelling in modern cinema — a common nostalgic framing. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 6:30
Uses 'missing' to imply a decline, framing modern cinema as inherently less sophisticated. — It's a classic 'things aren't like they used to be' argument.
Why this score: The speaker frames modern cinema as lacking 'sophisticated storytelling' and 'clever characters' by comparing it to a pre-code film. This is a loaded language choice that implies a general decline without acknowledging the vast diversity and quality of contemporary films. A more neutral framing would acknowledge that different eras have different styles and that 'sophistication' is subjective.
Original quote: “storytelling in modern cinema. This is a film which, yes, it was funny, but this was made for adults. And, yeah, it was pre-code, by the way, so you see some things in this film which you would not necessarily see in the years following this, but this is sophisticated storytelling, and it has…”
Praising Tsui Hark's direction as 'one of a kind' — pure subjective opinion. — No Frame (75/100)
At 8:30
Just sharing a personal, positive opinion on a director's style. No objective claim here.
Why this score: This is a straightforward expression of personal taste and appreciation for a filmmaker's work. It's not presented as a universal truth or a fact, so it's not trying to mislead or frame anything in a tricky way. It's just 'I like this, I think it's special'.
Original quote: “And I think the direction here from Tsui Hark is just one of a kind.”
Claims film's themes (racism, homophobia) are still big problems today — a broad, unquantified statement. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 10:30
Connects a 40-year-old film's themes to 'big problems' today without any specifics or data. 🤔
Why this score: The speaker makes a general statement about the continued relevance of racism and homophobia without providing any specific examples, data, or context about the 'big problems' in 'this country' (presumably the UK, given the earlier mention of UK releases). While the issues themselves are real, framing them as 'still a big problem' without any qualification or evidence is a broad generalization that lacks specific context.
Original quote: “even though this film was made 40 years ago, much of this, sadly, is still a big problem in daily life in this country.”
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