Criterion Collection Discussion

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I've only seen The Kid With A Bike and La Promesse and I'm torn between the two. I have Rosetta still which I probably will watch tomorrow so I will give you my order then.

Part of me liked The Kid With A Bike better, but La Promesse was fantastic as well.

Been going through their films ever since I watched The Kid With a Bike. I watched The Son earlier today.

From what I've seen, I'd rank them like this:

The Son
The Kid With a Bike
Rosetta

Going to pick up La Promesse during the next sale.

[The Great Owl]

I have not given much thought to The Kid with a Bike, but I loved Cécile De France in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (a criminally underrated movie, in my opinion, and one that I need to grab on Blu-ray before it leaves the cheap used racks around here).

I'll give The Kid with a Bike more thought after reading the raves here.

[iScottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have not given much thought to The Kid with a Bike, but I loved Cécile De France in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (a criminally underrated movie, in my opinion, and one that I need to grab on Blu-ray before it leaves the cheap used racks around here).

I'll give The Kid with a Bike more thought after reading the raves here.

It honestly didn't appeal to me based off of the description. I'm really happy that I watched it, though.

I'd recommend giving it a watch

[BruceWayneMartin]

Went into Best Buy to see if they had The Master (they didn't, had to go to three other stores), I saw this on the shelf and had to buy it. I've been wanting to see it for so long and just couldn't pass it up!

[brandon_260]

I'm glad to see people discussing the Dardennes. Truly some of my favorite modern directors. It was just announced that Marion Cottilard is headlining their next film as well, so there's no doubt it will be great.

[madmojo]

Just got the shipping email for the first of my two orders! (The Organizer, Sansho The Bailiff, Harold & Maude, Ballad of Narayama, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.)

Hopefully my smaller order mails soon too! (Broadcast News, Videodrome, and Umberto D.)

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have not given much thought to The Kid with a Bike, but I loved Cécile De France in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (a criminally underrated movie, in my opinion, and one that I need to grab on Blu-ray before it leaves the cheap used racks around here).

I'll give The Kid with a Bike more thought after reading the raves here.

She's great in this. One of the top five female performances last year.

[BruceWayneMartin]

When is the next sale at B&N? Around June/July?

I also just recently saw The Kid With a Bike thanks to Netflix and I loved it. Definitely need to check out the Dardenne's other works.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

[Show spoiler]

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

I've got a free day on Saturday after my morning training run, though, so I'm going to go for it. When I had my old DVD copy of Fanny and Alexander, I only watched the full 312-minute television version a couple of times, so this will be my first time watching this version on Blu-ray. It's a sprawling and comprehensive, yet beautiful and engaging film, and I expect that it will be twice as fascinating in the new format.

I was fortunate to grab the Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray for 40% off a few weeks ago at Barnes & Noble, and I've been wanting the time window to watch it for a while. It's my favorite Bergman film, although there are quite a few to choose from.

You'll love seeing it all in one go!
And then when you're finished, put on Carlos and watch all of it!

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

Went into Best Buy to see if they had The Master (they didn't, had to go to three other stores), I saw this on the shelf and had to buy it. I've been wanting to see it for so long and just couldn't pass it up!

[Show spoiler]

LOVED The Great Dictator. Loved it. Modern Times was equally, albeit differently, as good. You made an excellent choice.

I really enjoyed The Master, but with the small amount of extras, I think I'll have to wait for a bit.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have not given much thought to The Kid with a Bike, but I loved Cécile De France in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (a criminally underrated movie, in my opinion, and one that I need to grab on Blu-ray before it leaves the cheap used racks around here).

I'll give The Kid with a Bike more thought after reading the raves here.

I enjoyed Kid, but I found it somewhat fleeting. It, like movies in the last while, didn't stick to my bones in the way something like 400 blows did. And one person said it the best, if he'd have just gotten a damn bike lock!

BUT, it was a very good movie. One that should be seen, but now that I've seen it, I don't have a major drive to jump back in.

On another note, I was a very bad boy in the sale. Not as bad as I wanted to be, but bad enough

I blind bought 4 out of the 5 items, and I sure as fart hope I won't be disappointed. But hey, what's the worst that can happen? I trade it . I'm sure I can find something I'd rather have . I did pass on M which I'm somewhat disappointed about, but seeing as it easily hits the $20 mark even used, I figured it would be easy enough to get another time.

Anyway here's my haul. I just watched Paths of Glory and I'm thrilled that I grabbed it. Commentary FTW!

• Paths of Glory
• The Rules of the Game
• Stagecoach
• Amarcord
• The Night of the Hunter

I'm a little worried about Rules, as I wasn't HUGE on Le Grande Illusion... But what the heck, right?

Now... All I have to do is wait. A. Lot.

[BruceWayneMartin]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

LOVED The Great Dictator. Loved it. Modern Times was equally, albeit differently, as good. You made an excellent choice.

I really enjoyed The Master, but with the small amount of extras, I think I'll have to wait for a bit.



I enjoyed Kid, but I found it somewhat fleeting. It, like movies in the last while, didn't stick to my bones in the way something like 400 blows did. And one person said it the best, if he'd have just gotten a damn bike lock!

BUT, it was a very good movie. One that should be seen, but now that I've seen it, I don't have a major drive to jump back in.

On another note, I was a very bad boy in the sale. Not as bad as I wanted to be, but bad enough

I blind bought 4 out of the 5 items, and I sure as fart hope I won't be disappointed. But hey, what's the worst that can happen? I trade it . I'm sure I can find something I'd rather have . I did pass on M which I'm somewhat disappointed about, but seeing as it easily hits the $20 mark even used, I figured it would be easy enough to get another time.

Anyway here's my haul. I just watched Paths of Glory and I'm thrilled that I grabbed it. Commentary FTW!

• Paths of Glory
• The Rules of the Game
• Stagecoach
• Amarcord
• The Night of the Hunter

I'm a little worried about Rules, as I wasn't HUGE on Le Grande Illusion... But what the heck, right?

Now... All I have to do is wait. A. Lot.

Ahhh I want Paths and The Killing so bad! After that, I believe I'll have all of Kubrick's .

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

Ahhh I want Paths and The Killing so bad! After that, I believe I'll have all of Kubrick's .

Welcome to the site. Do you have Fear and Desire (Kino) too? That's the one I'm missing... Oh and the theatrical cut of the shining.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Welcome to the site. Do you have Fear and Desire (Kino) too? That's the one I'm missing... Oh and the theatrical cut of the shining.

Kubrick is my 2nd favorite director after Hitchcock but I refuse to watch Fear and Desire (I've of course seen the rest of his movies). Apparently he hated F&D so much that he tried to destroy every copy of it. My rationale is, if Kubrick didn't want me to see it, then I won't.

Is there more than one version of The Shining available on Blu-ray?

[jrmac2000]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Kubrick is my 2nd favorite director after Hitchcock but I refuse to watch Fear and Desire (I've of course seen the rest of his movies). Apparently he hated F&D so much that he tried to destroy every copy of it. My rationale is, if Kubrick didn't want me to see it, then I won't.

I think Kubrick sold the film a little short. Certainly not the greatest film ever made, but far better then its reputation IMO. There are some very interesting studies of human nature going on inside it. You should give it a look when you can. I believe the entire film can be seen in parts on YouTube.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by AreaUnderTheCurve

I disagree. I've been burned many times with Criterion blind buys, most recently with Rashoman. I found it mostly boring with some dreadful cinematography that took away from certain shots (poor lighting makes it difficult to discern certain important things in the forest). I can see how it would be fantastic when it was released given the structure of the movie, but it's completely unremarkable in 2013. I feel that I wasted $21.19 on it. I'd get rid of it, but I have some friends who admire and adore foreign films, so I'll let them borrow it.

Add in Seven Samurai as well, something I couldn't get two hours into because, and I believe this may be a problem for me with Kurosawa, it's dreadfully boring. I couldn't get into Kagemusha, either. I appreciate what Kurosawa has done, though. I like that people still admire and are inspired by his work.

I agree with your assessment of Rashomon. I really enjoyed Seven Samurai, however. You should try Yojimbo and Sanjuro before giving up on Kurosawa!

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The Red Shoes should be in every collection.

+1

[retablo]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Kubrick is my 2nd favorite director after Hitchcock but I refuse to watch Fear and Desire (I've of course seen the rest of his movies). Apparently he hated F&D so much that he tried to destroy every copy of it. My rationale is, if Kubrick didn't want me to see it, then I won't.

Is there more than one version of The Shining available on Blu-ray?

Fear and Desire is pretty bad. I've seen it, but I don't need to own it.

There is the US theatrical cut of The Shining available, and the International version (region free) available from Amazon UK. Kubrick but about 25 minutes out for international release, which speeds up the pace considerably. It's widely rumored to be his preferred version, but both versions have merit.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by retablo

Fear and Desire is pretty bad. I've seen it, but I don't need to own it.

There is the US theatrical cut of The Shining available, and the International version (region free) available from Amazon UK. Kubrick but about 25 minutes out for international release, which speeds up the pace considerably. It's widely rumored to be his preferred version, but both versions have merit.

Ah, I didn't know that! If I had a region free player I might feel compelled to check out the international version. Thanks for the info.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Ah, I didn't know that! If I had a region free player I might feel compelled to check out the international version. Thanks for the info.

You don't need a region-free player. The disc itself is region-free. It will play on any player.

It is this version (119 min)
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Shining-Blu-ray/2104/

[BruceWayneMartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Welcome to the site. Do you have Fear and Desire (Kino) too? That's the one I'm missing... Oh and the theatrical cut of the shining.

Thank you, sir! I've seen F&D and I don't see myself buying it hahah.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

Thank you, sir! I've seen F&D and I don't see myself buying it hahah.

Yes, FEAR AND DESIRE is sort of interesting, certainly worth taking a look at, but possibly less replay value than any other Kubrick title. It reminded me of the allegorical, self-consciously intellectual and socially-significant approach of some of the TWILIGHT ZONE television episodes. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the heavy-handedness can easily become annoying unless you just happen to be in the mood for it. And it's beautifully shot, although I still prefer KILLER'S KISS (even more than THE KILLING), which is among my favorite Kubricks, along with BARRY LYNDON, 2001, and EYES WIDE SHUT. I would like to see the shorter version of THE SHINING someday, as it may raise it on my order of favorites (lots of great stuff there, but, well, you know).