The Criterion Collection

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

OK, got it. Well, it hasn't shipped, but ordered it. And I was surprised that they estimate delivery either Monday or Tuesday. I was expecting a longer wait, considering. Again thanks.

Oh, btw, couldn't seem to order the book, for some reason. Of course, the whole experience is very confusing, since I can't read Japanese. Heh.

If you used the link I posted it should be the edition that comes with blu and book together in a slipcase. Amazon.jp has crazy fast shipping. I usually get stuff 2 days after I order it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Coen

Recently got tired of waiting for Criterion to upgrade Le Samourai and picked it up on DVD (so if it's announced next month - you're welcome). In advance of the B&N sale, what are a couple of your favorite Criterions that are available only on DVD?

Samurai Rebellion by Kobayashi is as good as it gets.

...shame it hasn't gotten the blu-ray treatment.

Also Red Beard and Ikiru by Kurosawa.

Two of the only films I've ever seen that truly have the power to change the way you live your life.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you used the link I posted it should be the edition that comes with blu and book together in a slipcase. Amazon.jp has crazy fast shipping. I usually get stuff 2 days after I order it.

Oh, ok. Good news. And yeah, that shipping is nuts.

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If you used the link I posted it should be the edition that comes with blu and book together in a slipcase. Amazon.jp has crazy fast shipping. I usually get stuff 2 days after I order it.

What are the contents of the included book? The translated Amazon.jp description says it's a diary, which I wouldn't find very useful since I can't read Japanese -- unless it's mostly screenshot, artwork, production photos, etc.

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

Does anyone recommend Thief. James Caan holds one of my favorite performances with Sonny in The Godfather

I give Thief two solid thumbs up (says the guy with the Thief car lot scene in his avatar). I've seen Caan in a variety of roles, this was my favorite. An excellent movie and Blu-ray release from Criterion, though Arrow UK also has a Region B release with two cuts on it if you own a Region Free player.

[Scottie]

Thief is marvelous and on par with Collateral and Heat as Michael Mann's best.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thief is marvelous and on par with Collateral and Heat as Michael Mann's best.

Agreed, totally.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by waxHead

What are the contents of the included book? The translated Amazon.jp description says it's a diary, which I wouldn't find very useful since I can't read Japanese -- unless it's mostly screenshot, artwork, production photos, etc.

That I do not know. Sorry. I just ordered mine as well. I collect books on Ozu (even ones that are mostly/all Japanese text) so that wasn't a huge issue for me, not to mention the current price is almost the exact same as the book-less regular version.

[Monty70]

Valerie and her week of wonders has been reduced to $22.99 at Amazon. Already ordered my Blu-ray copy.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Coen

Recently got tired of waiting for Criterion to upgrade Le Samourai and picked it up on DVD (so if it's announced next month - you're welcome). In advance of the B&N sale, what are a couple of your favorite Criterions that are available only on DVD?

Vampyr
The Lady Eve
Heaven Can Wait
Day of Wrath
Summertime
Written on the Wind

There are other titles I've never seen that I would buy in a heartbeat if they were upgraded to blu-ray (Night Train to Munich, Green for Danger, Z, Missing, etc.), but I don't buy too many films on other formats anymore.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Coen

Recently got tired of waiting for Criterion to upgrade Le Samourai and picked it up on DVD (so if it's announced next month - you're welcome). In advance of the B&N sale, what are a couple of your favorite Criterions that are available only on DVD?

You should've kept waiting. Criterion is releasing it to Hulu next month.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by jw007

Vinyl has made a huge comeback in the last few years. I think with the advent of digital media, people are longing for records again, because they are a great alternative to this invisible, soulless format of today. I don't want to go on a tangent, but I feel that people who are Criterion lovers might also be appreciative of the vinyl format too...at least that is what has happened to me in the last few months! I suppose we people just have great taste, not just in the substance but the "style" as well (and appreciate the best/highest quality).

[grahams76]

Criterion just tweeted that McCabe and Mrs Miller came out on this day in 1971. Is that a hint? I really hope so.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

This appears to be pretty good confirmation of Jellyfish Eyes (sorry Polaroid), but it should be a little while since Janus is releasing it to theatres first.

I've got a feeling people have been too quick to judge this film. The calibre of organisations involved with the release ought to be enough to put paid to any concerns that it's a simple Pokemon knock-off, and I've seen the artist behind it compared to Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. I'm really intrigued about the film and think it's a shame that some folk seem to have already decided to hate it.

[ADM12]

Originally Posted by Coen

Recently got tired of waiting for Criterion to upgrade Le Samourai and picked it up on DVD (so if it's announced next month - you're welcome). In advance of the B&N sale, what are a couple of your favorite Criterions that are available only on DVD?

Life of Brian comes to mind readily. Would love to see this on Criterion Blu Ray.

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by jw007

Vinyl has made a huge comeback in the last few years. I think with the advent of digital media, people are longing for records again, because they are a great alternative to this invisible, soulless format of today. I don't want to go on a tangent, but I feel that people who are Criterion lovers might also be appreciative of the vinyl format too...at least that is what has happened to me in the last few months! I suppose we people just have great taste, not just in the substance but the "style" as well (and appreciate the best/highest quality).

My collection of 4000+ records agrees with you

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

That I do not know. Sorry. I just ordered mine as well. I collect books on Ozu (even ones that are mostly/all Japanese text) so that wasn't a huge issue for me, not to mention the current price is almost the exact same as the book-less regular version.

No problem at all, I was just curious - thanks for posting back about it.

[ParaOK]

Originally Posted by yoyokid8

Is Kagemusha worth a blind buy? I love Seven Samurai and Rashomon and I want to buy another Kurosawa during the sale.

If you have Netflix, it's on their streaming service and you can decide before you buy it.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Coen

In advance of the B&N sale, what are a couple of your favorite Criterions that are available only on DVD?

Ikiru
Bicycle Thieves
That Obscure Object of Desire
Alphaville
Lacombe, Lucien

[AaronJ]

I think the best Criterion, BY FAR, that hasn't been updated yet is The Passion of Joan of Arc. But I'm aware that silents are not everyone's cup of tea.


As to Shortbus, I always wonder why a film like that, clearly explicit, isn't considered pornography. I mean, I know it's rare, but there are actually some porn that is produced that has an actual budget (relatively, anyways), a real story, some at least semi-decent writing, some art direction, etc. The movies that Stormy Daniels has directed for Wicked come to mind.

It seems like an unfair dichotomy. If one is considered pornography, then why not the other? Just something that comes to mind every once in a while. Thinking out loud.