The Criterion Collection

[Lutz]

In all seriousness if this clip (this is the video that years ago made me import the Belgium DVD) doesn't make you want to rush out and buy JEANNE DIELMAN the movie might not be for you:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5Az-239uM

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by senseabove

Seyrig's performance and the film's composition are meticulous and fascinating, and those are the reason you should watch it, but be prepared to just settle in: the narrative is variational, not additive. It forces you to focus on the subtle variations in a daily routine which the main character has been forced into, the minor frustrations to that routine as they snowball, and the physical space in which that routine occurs. Akerman's use of framing, the way she builds the apartment and Jeanne's discomfort in it through obscured shots, slightly confused spatial relationships, and inferences from sound are brilliant contortions of film grammar, and she uses time and repetition to build the character of Jeanne not by direct action but almost exclusively by reaction. If you have an ounce of interest in formalism, it's worth seeing. If you have an actual love of films with formalist features, it's downright amazing.

I, personally, can't wait. I saw it in theaters a few months ago and have been eager to see it again, especially since the print I saw wasn't in the best of condition. A cleaned up scan will be nice to experience.

Well said, but there is only one thing missing from this explanation: how subtle her use of form is at times. The shots don't really call attention to themselves like they do in the films of other directors who favour long takes. Not that this is a bad thing necessarily, but in Jeanne Dielman you really have to pay close attention because there are no fancy camera moves from memory. It's most long static shots that focus on the quotidian aspects of her mundane existence.

As I've implied in a recent thread, I have a problem with the idea of Jeanne Dielman being called a feminist film. It is feminist in a narrow sense, but I think what it's saying about a particular mode/way of life is deeper than feminism although still very much conforming to an analysis of modern life that came out of the 1960's via academics like Adorno and Marcuse.

[MifuneFan]

Sofia Coppola finally got in the database, thanks to Rumble Fish.

Also, a phantom page was added for the director Renen Schorr

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Harakiri41

Last night I watched Shindō's THE NAKED ISLAND. I am routinely blown away at how much can be expressed without dialogue, bringing to mind another Criterion that was first time viewing recently, THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE.

THE NAKED ISLAND's strength was its simplicity, which I think lends to its universal appeal. I was surprised to see Benicio del Toro's involvement in its restoration and really enjoyed the commentary by Shindō and the composer Hayashij. Also, Akira Mizuta Lippit's interview was helpful in understanding the context of the film in post-war Japanese cinema.

[Show spoiler]I was truly gutted by the scene when the mother climbs the island after her son's death and looks on as fireworks go off on the mainland. I wasn't surprised to hear Benicio also bring up this moment in his interview.

Another phenomenal film.

I've been kind of interested in this film. I see that 3 posters with whom I am frequently in tune with liked your post - Pedro, shell, and oildude.

hmm... maybe pick this one up from the library or in the next sale

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Sofia Coppola finally got in the database, thanks to Rumble Fish.

Also, a phantom page was added for the director Renen Schorr

Now, if she can make into the database as a director!

[MifuneFan]

May's announcements had the most NYD clues includes from any month I can recall. Usually it's one, or two at the most.

Ghost World
Dheepan
Jeanne Dielman
Good Morning
Mysterious Object at Noon
Othello (maybe?)

They might knock out all the clues by the first half of the year at this rate

Remaining:

Marseille trilogy
Stalker
They Live By Night
Sixteen Candles?
West Side Story?

(ones with ? aren't certain)

[MifuneFan]

Stalker could be barebones and it would still be superior since it's from a superior source than AE's poor PQ release.

And you really want to talk about Criterion being pretentious when they're releasing John Water's Multiple Maniacs?

[AaronJ]

Even though the hint is pretty on the nose, I still do think it will be Sixteen Candles, if for no other reason than I purchased the Universal edition within the last year -- that pretty much ensures that Criterion will be going with it.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

... Criterion is catering to their more pretentious fans and isn't as open as they were during their Laserdisc days. Especially since then they were releasing titles such as GHOSTBUSTERS, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Fobidden Planet, Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Blade Runner, etc. I doubt they'd ever re-release RoboCop, The Silence of the Lambs, Rebecca, Notorious, Spellbound, Hard Boiled, and The Killer at all through theirselves...

That has got almost nothing to do with Criterion supposedly being pretentious and everything to do with how the home video market has changed since the LD days. Surely anyone who frequents this thread must realise that by now?

[Scottie]

I'm convinced you're the only person still clinging on to the Laserdisc days. It's time to move on, my friend.

[MifuneFan]

I would say it falls into the fetish range for him. Same with imports.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I would say it falls into the fetish range for him. Same with imports.

And reversible covers.

[Caseyscott]

Studios aren't licensing out the titles they did on laserdisc anymore, Criterion would be foolish not to have released Ghostbusters on Blu Ray if given the opportunity. It has little to do with fans and more to do with the industry.

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

"Current Criterion is catering to their more pretentious fans and isn't as open as they were during their Laserdisc days."

Which means, IMO, the majority of the people who post ITT and want to decide what's deemed worthy or not to be released onto Criterions current slate.
At least they re-released 12 Angry Men, Tootsie, and some others.
Once again, pretentious fans and much more uninspired coverartwork. Especially for The Fisher King and The Before Trilogy.

[bwdowiak]

Ray, I'd be interested in hearing your objective pitch as to why Dead Presidents merits attention (I won't use the word inclusion because that isn't what I'm getting at.) The film isn't on the TSPDT top 1000 (nor on the list of films 1001-2000.) It has a RT score of 45%, an IMDB score of less than 7, and the director(s) haven't been relevant in over 20 years.

Not that those polls are black and white defining good or bad, but no one but you seems to be touting it as some kind of forgotten masterpiece.

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by Caseyscott

Studios aren't licensing out the titles they did on laserdisc anymore, Criterion would be foolish not to have released Ghostbusters on Blu Ray if given the opportunity. It has little to do with fans and more to do with the industry.

It's funny before I even saw this post I was just thinking if Criterion released iconic films from history it would have to include a film like Ghostbusters and I even got to thinking what about something like Nightmare on Elm Street? Two personal favorites of mine. And Elm Street deserves a better release.

Side note:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...86825228030163

They should give that newfound footage to Criterion and make it happen...

[mja345]

The Hughes bros started out well. I'm a fan of "Menace to Society", "Dead Presidents", and "American Pimp". But then it really went downhill with "From Hell", which was a huge disappointment. They've only done "From Hell" and "Book of Eli" together since "American Pimp". Not sure if they have creative differences or what.

I wouldn't mind if Criterion put "Dead Presidents" out. The DVD is awful and the film has a lot of interesting themes, including neglecting returning military veterans and the desperation of poverty. Larenz Tate gives an excellent performance in the film as well.

[MifuneFan]

Earlier, I saw that the documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai is getting a home video release on April 25th, but sadly only on DVD. I messaged Strand Releasing via Facebook, and asked them about a possible Blu-ray, and they said "We are looking into Blu Ray". So for now, I'm going to hold off on picking up the DVD, but I'm very much looking forward to checking out the doc.

Mifune: The Last Samurai - Official Trailer HD - YouTube

I suppose it's possible Criterion could license it too as an extra on a future release like Drunken Angel, or Stray Dog.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Earlier, I saw that the documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai is getting a home video release on April 25th, but sadly only on DVD. I messaged Strand Releasing via Facebook, and asked them about a possible Blu-ray, and they said "We are looking into Blu Ray". So for now, I'm going to hold off on picking up the DVD, but I'm very much looking forward to checking out the doc.

Mifune: The Last Samurai - Official Trailer HD - YouTube

I suppose it's possible Criterion could license it too as an extra on a future release like Drunken Angel, or Stray Dog.

Saw this in a theatre locally. It's not a great documentary really, but plenty worth seeing if you're interested in the subject.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Earlier, I saw that the documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai is getting a home video release on April 25th, but sadly only on DVD. I messaged Strand Releasing via Facebook, and asked them about a possible Blu-ray, and they said "We are looking into Blu Ray". So for now, I'm going to hold off on picking up the DVD, but I'm very much looking forward to checking out the doc.

Mifune: The Last Samurai - Official Trailer HD - YouTube

I suppose it's possible Criterion could license it too as an extra on a future release like Drunken Angel, or Stray Dog.

Have been hoping that will pop up on Netflix. Hope to see it eventually in whatever shape or form. The so so reviews are a little disappointing, but anything with Mifune as the subject is required viewing on this front.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm convinced you're the only person still clinging on to the Laserdisc days. It's time to move on, my friend.

I'm still holding out hope that Criterion will re-acquire the director's cuts of "She's Gotta Have It" and "Texasville" for release on Blu. I think the former could get a release if that Starz show happens, and I know Bogdanovich is pushing for the latter, but I also saw that there was an HD master for TV and it was only the theatrical cut.