I never got VIDEODROME on DVD, it was one more of the many titles in a long list that I couldn't afford at once, but I always loved the videotape packaging.

When it was announced for blu-ray release, I was sad for losing that nice touch, so learning that they kept it for this just made my day!

:rock:

It's a shame this will miss the B&N sale.

At $14 it would have been a pretty easy blind buy.

At full price? Much tougher call.

Does anyone know why Criterion seems to have stopped making their new blu rays available on Netflix? I think it started with Charade, because you can't get that one, Seven Samurai, Night of the Hunter, or Modern Times on blu ray and all of them just came out on blu ray.

I'm going to jump in on the blind-buy conversation, even though it seems to have dropped off a couple of pages back.

There are other valid reasons for wanting to own a film, other than personal enjoyment. Personal enjoyment, of course, is ideal... however, there are movies that I may not love, but I want to keep around to refer back to. Take The Last Emperor as an example, which is so far my least-favorite Criterion that I've seen. I rated that a 2.5/5, but it is the sort of movie that I could totally see myself utilizing down the road in a critical essay for a graduate level course. There is a definite critical value to Criterion titles that makes keeping them on my shelf on par with keeping a textbook for a class--I won't ever sit down and read that textbook for fun, but it will make an excellent reference tool.

Amazon Lightning deal
 

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The titles in this collection, made on the cusp of the sound age, are three of Sternbergs greatest works.

Starts 6:00 AM

Up now, 37 bucks, I picked it up, cheapest it's been

Of all the Criterion Blurays, which would you say have the best commentaries on them? I'm interested in listening to some, and I have no idea where to start.

I've listned to a select few on both DVD and blu, here's the one that I enjoyed the most.

Gimme Shelter (Blu)
Life Of Brian (DVD)
Time Bandits (DVD)
Walkabout (Blu)
Carnival Of Souls (DVD)
Two-Lane Blacktop (DVD)
Straw Dogs (DVD) :rock::)


there most likely is more but my memory is hazy...:p

CG...are the digipacks packed the same tight way, as they did with the von Sternberg silents? If so...very cool. I got that shipped to the B & N store and sans a minor crease on top of box, it was in very good shape. I think thick cardboard and tight packing helps to make the box sturdier and less likely to get dinged.

All of the Kurosawa commentaries have been amazing!! Seven Samurai / Yojimbo / Sanjuro / Kagemusha... I can't wait for more!!! :ohnoes:

I found the Michael Jeck one one Seven Samurai VERY boring, turned it off after a few minutes...:eek: The man has NO sense of humor in his commentary, he is way to serious, sounds like a college professor

Tokyo Story is a very good place to start. I think it's his best film and Ozu was heavily influenced by Leo McCarey's "Make Way For Tomorrow".

I would also love to see Tokyo Story make it to blu very soon. :)

Got no problem with cardboard...just do it the right way.

I've got to believe that thicker gauged cardboard wouldn't cost them that much. The cardboard "boxes" the Steamboat Bill and Sherlock Jr. came in were thicker cardboard and both came in mint condition. The BD case was just tight enough to support the cardboard.

So if CC will just follow the above scenario, sets would come in decent condition and satisfy the cardboard crowd.

Modern Times is an easy recommendation. I feel it's a perfectly conceived, constructed and executed picture. I've blind-bought all of the dozen Criterions I own (except Crumb) and for me Modern Times and Stagecoach were easily the crown jewels in my haul. And that includes some impressive movies (Seven Samurai, Seventh Seal, Paths of Glory, Sanjuro, Yojimbo...) all good, but challenging to varying degrees.

Both Stagecoach and Modern Times are perfect movies -- perfectly paced, easy to get into -- with tons of depth and fun to watch. Both accessible and brilliant. I've only watched Modern Times once but I didn't want to leave the couch while it was on -- and can't wait to watch it again! I've been into silents lately and this one's different -- on a totally different level, granted it was done in '36, long after silent shops had closed down. And to that end it felt like the coda to a triumphant era. Very powerful.

I love films of this vintage and frankly wish Criterion would focus more on the 20s/30s...since it seemed the groundbreaking to pioneering-genius ratio was at its highest. But I digress. :)

If you have any, any interest in Chaplin or older films/classic Hollywood...I couldn't recommend Modern Times enough. As others have said...it's not a typical silent. And the musical score is breathtaking. Halfway through, it hit me. I can honestly say I've never heard anything more perfect -- and it goes on through the entire picture since there's little dialog, being a silent. It is incredible. Question for silent film fans -- are there any other films where the film score is this good?

OK, now that I've pumped it up too much :rolleyes:

+1.
I have nt yet watched it but I can already tell that it will become the crown jewel of my collection as well.;)

Summer Hours (L'Heure D'ete) (Criterion)

Director: Olivier Assayas
Writer: Olivier Assayas
Mains: Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling and Jérémie Renier

"The Critically Acclaimed Best Foreign Film of 09"

Plot: 3 siblings must agree and what to do with their mother's estate and valuable belongings that she left behind after her death. Challenged with many decisions these siblings will find a way to make it work even though they face the cold emotional feeling of their recently passed mother.

My Take: Summer Hours is warm and beautiful shot film. Some of the shots of their Summer home is worth the view alone. It was surprisingly overwhelming seeing this film for what its worth. There are many questions i still have about the overall meaning of the film. Especially the end, i kinda felt like her granddaughter was kinda walking in the same footsteps as her grandmother? Besides that i will never forget a couple scenes that grabbed my full attention and also made my eyes water. This film is very warm and slow paced but rewarding. The acting and direction are all good to go so you feel where they are coming from for the most part.

Conclusion: A treat indeed but i don't know how often i will watch this movie. My mom passed recently so it really hurts to see this film. Its so emotional at times and you really feel the authenticity from the actor/actresses. The music is very delightful and as i mentioned some to the beautiful scenes are unforgettable. While this film didnt take a huge toll on me i will still give it another shot to understand some of the meaning. Overall its a nice well made warm flick that will really bring your eyes to the beauty of art. The fact that its critically acclaimed over Slumdog Millionaire?? I cant agree, Slumdog had a very interesting story and this movie was just a little piece of art. Not to take anything away from it but i think Slumdog won fair and square.

Recommended

4/5

Wish Monte Hellman's "Two-Lane Blacktop" would get the CC blu-ray treatment! Their 2-DVD boxed set from 2007 is a top-notch release w/ includes two booklets!, but I would still love a blu as well. Heck make a "blu-fer" w/ Hellman's "Cockfighter"!:rock:

Yes, like a tiny von Sternberg set, but much wider (think of the set but blu size and 6 films + a booklet wide. Both sets of mine came by mail both times and in great condition. The only cardboard releases that I have trouble with is the Eclipse covers (more like slipcovers.). But no big deal with those, because if it came down to it, the cover sleeves are really nothing. Heck the upcoming Basil Dearden Eclipse has some of the best cover art upcoming, so I am thinking about removing that cover sleeve anyways.

Will start on the BBS set tonight. Night of the Hunter shows that it will be here today, and I e-mailed B&N last night about Sherlock Jr, so I am getting a move on things.

I can understand your perception however you actually learn from that commentary! Customs, traditions and historical perspective...it added so much insight to the movie for an outsider to the Japanese culture...

Absolutely...glad you enjoyed it Beta! :)