The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

The Criterion Collection is a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films on home video. Our editions often feature restored film transfers, commentary tracks, and other supplemental features that the company pioneered when it released its first laserdiscs, Citizen Kane and King Kong, at the end of 1984. Ever since, Criterion has been working closely with filmmakers and scholars to ensure that each film is presented as its maker would want it seen and published in an edition that will deepen the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of the art of cinema.

We aim to reflect the breadth of filmed expression. We try not to be restrictive or snobby about what kinds of films are appropriate. An auteur classic, a Hollywood blockbuster or an independent B horror film has to be taken on its own terms. All we ask is that each film in the collection be an exemplary film of its kind. Of course we can’t just pick movies and put them out. The process of getting the rights to release a film can take years. Even if we want a film, we can’t work on it unless the film’s owners grant us the rights.

That is all...

[ChromeJob]

Originally Posted by javi92

Yeah, my personal preference is that Criterion focus on bringing films to blu that haven't yet had an HD release.

Disagree. Some films have had terrible bd releases, and need a proper job done.

[ShellOilJunior]

Does anyone else sometimes have a difficult time in deciding which Criterion to watch? I have about 138 on the shelf and my other non-CC films, too. I'm usually more decisive if I have a theme or director in mind going into a weekend.

I've been thinking about L'avventura lately so I'll probably re-visit it tomorrow.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Does anyone else sometimes have a difficult time in deciding which Criterion to watch? I have about 138 on the shelf and my other non-CC films, too. I'm usually more decisive if I have a theme or director in mind going into a weekend.

I've been thinking about L'avventura lately so I'll probably re-visit it tomorrow.

I'm in the process of watching / rewatching them all to thin down the ol' herd, and sometimes I can't decide because there are too many films I want to see at once.

[monorail91]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Does anyone else sometimes have a difficult time in deciding which Criterion to watch? I have about 138 on the shelf and my other non-CC films, too. I'm usually more decisive if I have a theme or director in mind going into a weekend.

I've been thinking about L'avventura lately so I'll probably re-visit it tomorrow.

Absolutely, I feel the same way also about having Netflix Instant-Watch and Hulu+.

The only way to "discipline" myself is to figure out groups of films I want to see. Right now, my to-do list is working my way through:

• The Essential Jacques Demy

• the Touchstone catalog

• Studio Ghibli

[eightslicesofpie]

Up to 40% off Criterions at TCM Shop

Not sure how long this lasts

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Does anyone else sometimes have a difficult time in deciding which Criterion to watch? I have about 138 on the shelf and my other non-CC films, too. I'm usually more decisive if I have a theme or director in mind going into a weekend.

I've been thinking about L'avventura lately so I'll probably re-visit it tomorrow.

I'm planning to have a Criterion festival this summer when the weather is too hot and makes being outdoors unbearable. Right now, I'm building fence, transplanting trees, pulling weeds and enjoying the beautiful Spring weather here in the Ozarks. Since my viewing time is limited to an hour or so here and there, I am tackling the 26-part series The World at War on blu-ray. I'm 10 episodes into it, and it's phenomenal, both in terms of content and quality.

[StingingVelvet]

Can anyone comment on "Things to Come" for a classic sci-fi fan? I collect sci-fi movies (in addition to some other stuff) but usually I only collect from the 60's up, since I dislike the 50's monster movie style. Things to Come seems like something right up my alley though, and I have been reading reviews to see if I want it. Some reviews make me want it, some make it sound super talky and not very cinematic.

Would love a couple opinions from other sci-fi fans. I don't want to own it because it's important, I want to own it if it's a good movie.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Can anyone comment on "Things to Come" for a classic sci-fi fan? I collect sci-fi movies (in addition to some other stuff) but usually I only collect from the 60's up, since I dislike the 50's monster movie style. Things to Come seems like something right up my alley though, and I have been reading reviews to see if I want it. Some reviews make me want it, some make it sound super talky and not very cinematic.

Would love a couple opinions from other sci-fi fans. I don't want to own it because it's important, I want to own it if it's a good movie.

I personally didn't care for it, i thought it seems pretty dated, and the acting is not good, but while i am a sci-fi fan i haven't seen that many old sci-fi films, for example other titles i didn't enjoy much are Robinson Crusoe on Mars and The Blob either.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I personally didn't care for it, i thought it seems pretty dated, and the acting is not good, but while i am a sci-fi fan i haven't seen that many old sci-fi films, for example other titles i didn't enjoy much are Robinson Crusoe on Mars and The Blob either.

I am not a fan of old Sci-Fi films either and I, too, did not like Things to Come.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I'm planning to have a Criterion festival this summer when the weather is too hot and makes being outdoors unbearable. Right now, I'm building fence, transplanting trees, pulling weeds and enjoying the beautiful Spring weather here in the Ozarks. Since my viewing time is limited to an hour or so here and there, I am tackling the 26-part series The World at War on blu-ray. I'm 10 episodes into it, and it's phenomenal, both in terms of content and quality.

I'm deep into season 4 of The Sopranos on Amazon Prime. It's easier to knock-out TV episodes because they're usually 1 hour or less. I'm able to watch them during the week.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by KillDaWabbit

I wasn't being snotty? I was just curious what he meant. Given that it is a Criterion DISCUSSION thread, I thought we could discuss his idea. It's not an idea entirely without merit either, given that Cuaron has some earlier work in the Criterion Collection. Though I have to agree with pedro and javi that the current release of Children of Men will likely be the only one released for a while.

And I agree with you Ray - Simple inclusion in the Criterion Collection does raise a film's status. I love the way they treat a movie like a work of art. Some of the included books and supplemental materials are nearly as intriguing as the films themselves.

You make some interesting points.

I agree that getting films on Criterion without a current HD release should be the priority. But that doesn't mean that we can't have dreams about Criterion releases for our most beloved works, even if they already have a nice blu-ray package.

In a perfect world we could have both.

...we can have it all!

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Worth noting they didn't say need, they said they would love to see what Criterion would do.

Do we have to have these snotty posts anytime someone says they would be interested in something?

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere...you ever need me...I'll be there.

[Gusto-Guus]

As far as modern movies go, Little Children and Inside Llewyn Davis are the only 2 I'm excited about the possibility of coming to CC. I don't know anything about bluray of Little Children and I know CC has been linked to ILD.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Can anyone comment on "Things to Come" for a classic sci-fi fan? I collect sci-fi movies (in addition to some other stuff) but usually I only collect from the 60's up, since I dislike the 50's monster movie style. Things to Come seems like something right up my alley though, and I have been reading reviews to see if I want it. Some reviews make me want it, some make it sound super talky and not very cinematic.

Would love a couple opinions from other sci-fi fans. I don't want to own it because it's important, I want to own it if it's a good movie.

I personally liked it. It's a bit of a slow burn, and is quite different from other Sci-fi films of that time. I think the story and set pieces were solid, though I remember the acting being bad, if not comical at times. There is more talking than action, so I'm not sure if you'd like it. The thing I like most about it is how it covers a city over the course of roughly 100 years. That gives it a grander scope than other movies.

I only own this version, which also comes with the movie "She". Colorized versions of both are also included. PQ isn't great, but it's fairly cheap, and as such a safer blind buy

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

As far as modern movies go, Little Children and Inside Llewyn Davis are the only 2 I'm excited about the possibility of coming to CC. I don't know anything about bluray of Little Children and I know CC has been linked to ILD.

Little Children is an excellent film. I don't think it has a lot of rewatchability though. I'm a bigger fan of In the Bedroom, which I love.

I watched Llewyn a week ago. I thought it was a good film. The first half I think is great but I think in the second half it loses steam, and the ending was poor. Although I like it, I wouldn't buy it.

[The Great Owl]

Don't you hate it when you have an unwatched stack of Blu-rays, and you end up spending an entire week at a work training conference at a hotel in a middle-of-nowhere small town where you have no access to a Blu-ray player or to any of your Blu-rays?

Yeah.

Fortunately, I'm back now, and I just opened some new Blu-rays that had arrived in the mail over the past couple of days...

Sullivan's Travels
Odd Man Out
The River
Shock Corridor
The Naked Kiss
Woman of Straw
Tales of Terror
David and Lisa
The Big Operator
Woman They Almost Lynched
The Bells of Saint Mary's
That Man from Rio/Up to His Ears
Long Weekend
Mad Max

I'm really pumped about watching Odd Man Out, in particular, but I'm going to hold off until tomorrow to see it when I'm not tired from driving back from out of town. I'm still in a road rage sort of way right now, so it looks as though Mad Max is the ticket.

It looks as though booklets are the primary format for these new discs, although I haven't checked closely yet.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm still in a road rage sort of way right now, so it looks as though Mad Max is the ticket.

If you have a copy of Michael Douglas's Falling Down, you should make it a road rage double feature.

Has anyone here seen the Tippi Hedren film Roar? They're showing it in Kansas City this weekend. It looks hilarious, despite its best efforts. I think I might go check it out.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

Has anyone here seen the Tippi Hedren film Roar? They're showing it in Kansas City this weekend. It looks hilarious, despite its best efforts. I think I might go check it out.

I've never seen Roar, but there's a big thread about it on the main forum here, because it is being released by Olive Films.

I've heard good and bad things about the movie, but it looks so outlandish that I might just have to dive in.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

If you have a copy of Michael Douglas's Falling Down, you should make it a road rage double feature.

Has anyone here seen the Tippi Hedren film Roar? They're showing it in Kansas City this weekend. It looks hilarious, despite its best efforts. I think I might go check it out.

My friend and I enjoyed our theatrical outing of it.
It was basically just a string of big cat antics with some very loose sub plots based around it but it was entertaining if you are fascinated with big cats.
Definitely worth a one time watch with a crowd.