The Criterion Collection

[20th Century Boy]

I hope CC DON'T upgrade to UHD. I'd rather the upgrades I'm hoping for hit blu first, because I'm not adopting UHD and I'd cry if Godard and Bergman went straight from DVD to UHD with no blus. Ditto for WKW 4k remasters.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Yes. Mostly small stuff like trailers and short interviews with the cast.

The closest I've come to a supplement that didn't feel like PR on an Allen disc was the surprisingly lengthy (nearly a half-hour) cast Q&A on Blue Jasmine. It was a pleasure to hear the always well-spoken Cate Blanchett in that piece, who always manages the not-inconsiderable feat of coming across as highly intelligent and probing without ever seeming pretentious.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Bolo Seagull

It wasn't recorded for Criterion, it was ported from a previous release, but Roger Ebert on 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' is hugely entertaining. Russ Meyer was a larger than life character and hearing Ebert tell anecdotes about him is lots of fun.

It's really the ideal commentary track in that it is entertaining, but also provides first person insight into the film's creative process since Ebert was screenwriter on this film. He's able to articulate what he was going for, as well as share some history on how the film took shape. The oddest revelation was that Ebert did not intend the boxer character to draw comparisons to Muhammad Ali. But considering the actor they cast and how they styled him, it seems hard to believe that Meyer wasn't intentionally courting the comparison.

Cool... so I pondered about buying that film (I've seen it a few times and couldn't believe how bizarre it was), but now I am tempted to buy this just for the Ebert commentary track.

The question I have now though is: Are there any Criterion releases (or blu-rays for that matter) worth buying just for the commentary/ies ?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

The question I have now though is: Are there any Criterion releases (or blu-rays for that matter) worth buying just for the commentary/ies ?

I'm not generally a big commentary fan. No matter how good it is, people talking over a movie inevitably starts to grate on me after a (usually short) while. That said, I watched the region-free Eureka release of Sunrise and afterwards decided I would just check out the commentary and before I knew it the credits were rolling again.

Granted, the fact that he was talking over a silent film undoubtedly made it easier to take but it was really interesting too.

[Scottie]

For the time being I'm going to declare the thread's OP "complete".

There are 729 database entries on this website for Criterion. 523 of these entries have had release dates, 203 of these entries have no had release dates (these are the films that are exclusive to box sets), and 3 of the entries are special exceptions.

The 523 entries with release date are linked in the OP and broken up by year. These include all the brand new spines, upgrades, films that were re-released outside of their original Dual Format edition (i.e. Tess), and films that were re-released outside of box sets (i.e. Brief Encounter). There were 4 releases in 2008, 23 in 2009, 43 in 2010, 70 in 2011, 58 in 2012, 59 in 2013, 68 in 2014, 70 in 2015, 71 in 2016, and 57 thus far in 2017.

The 203 without release dates are those films that are available on Blu-ray but do not have a release date of their own. These are the films that are included in box sets, such as the six films in each World Cinema Project release. These are not linked in the OP but I do hope to link them in the future. The reason why I haven't linked them is because I'm uncertain about whether there should be more films added to the database or not.

For example: It makes sense that I would have created database entries for each film in Roberto Rossellini's War Trilogy box set. However, should I have created database entries for all 14 short films in the Les Blank box set? How about Kennedy? In the future, should I create 56 entries for each short film in the Brakhage box set, even though some of these films last for less than one minute? What about Frampton? Pierre Etaix has five films and two shorts. Should only the five films be listed? What about the shorts? As you can tell, it's very complicated.

The remaining 3 entries are those I deem special exceptions. The first would be Dressed to Kill. We have two entries for the film - a first pressing (the special exception) and a second pressing (found in the release dates). Svet reviewed both pressings of the film and created two separate entries for it (I would have simply amended the original review to include the new information). The other two entries are a duplicate of The Lodger and Alfred Hitchcock's Downhill, a film featured as an extra on The Lodger.

Since I've been on this website, the policy seems to be that films included as special features are not counted in the Unique Movie Count. Hence why His Girl Friday is considered one movie while The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind is considered two. From what I understand, the higher ups wanted to spike out Hitchcock's film because of the extreme popularity of the director. This now raises a question within me about just what constitutes popularity. I know that Stanley Kubrick is considered one of the most popular director's of all-time. Should we consider the release for "THE KILLING" as two films and include "KILLER'S KISS" in the bundles? What about De Palma? Soderbergh?

So yeah, while I'm still trying to get all of these things sorted out, I hope you can enjoy the thread's fresh new look. Hopefully it'll be easier to find what films were released within a particular year. I've even thrown in categories pertaining to films that are Out of Print (films only, not releases) and films that were initially released in those crappy cardboard DigiPack cases before a plastic replacement case was offered.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by jw007

The question I have now though is: Are there any Criterion releases (or blu-rays for that matter) worth buying just for the commentary/ies ?

Honestly, the only reason I would ever get Armageddon is for the commentary track that features Ben Affleck shredding the film. It's hilarious, especially when he turns Billy Bob Thornton's NASA administrator into his character from Sling Blade.

[easydreamer]

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm not generally a big commentary fan. No matter how good it is, people talking over a movie inevitably starts to grate on me after a (usually short) while. That said, I watched the region-free Eureka release of Sunrise and afterwards decided I would just check out the commentary and before I knew it the credits were rolling again.

Granted, the fact that he was talking over a silent film undoubtedly made it easier to take but it was really interesting too.

Yeah, this is a must listen for film lovers, with Cinematographer John Baily talking about technical aspects of the film (from Cinematographer point of view). One of the better commentaties, IMO.

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

At least go region free and pick up the arrow box sets. No on disc supplements, but each box comes with a book.

Love the Arrow releases.

The 1979-85 box set is spectacular. Allen's run of form in those years was just incredible.

[Reddington]

Booked tickets to see Logan Lucky this weekend, and started thinking about the Soderbergh films I've not yet seen. Conspicuous on that list is Che. I've read a bit about it, and it seems to divide opinions - sometimes strongly (I think I even read that Soderbergh himself almost regretted making it). Grateful for any views/comments.

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

I hope CC DON'T upgrade to UHD. I'd rather the upgrades I'm hoping for hit blu first, because I'm not adopting UHD and I'd cry if Godard and Bergman went straight from DVD to UHD with no blus. Ditto for WKW 4k remasters.

I'm pretty sure Criterion would still produce regular Blu-rays of each film just as they still make DVD copies. That, or they'd go back to dual format with UHD and Blu-ray in the same package (shame this didn't work out for them a couple years back; it would have saved them a lot of money but customers have to be unreasonable.)

I haven't gone 4K yet but I've decided to buy new releases on UHD whenever they include the Blu-ray too. When my current primary player dies, I'll get a UHD player even though I don't plan on getting a 4K TV anytime soon. Why not do this? They still play DVDs and regular Blu-rays, you don't have to upgrade your collection. These last couple of format changes have been perfectly fair to consumers, it's really a very good deal.

It's like the people who stick with DVD even though they could play Blu-rays - if your DVD player died, why wouldn't you replace it with a $50 Blu-ray player that plays everything you already have?

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Booked tickets to see Logan Lucky this weekend, and started thinking about the Soderbergh films I've not yet seen. Conspicuous on that list is Che. I've read a bit about it, and it seems to divide opinions - sometimes strongly (I think I even read that Soderbergh himself almost regretted making it). Grateful for any views/comments.

I thought the film was politically controversial but pretty highly regarded as a film. I saw it in theaters, and it was good to take an intermission break in between the two parts, because they can functionally stand alone, but together they add up to something a lot more powerful. I don't think Del Toro has ever been better. It's also a good film for Soderbergh, his desire to experiment in different ways manifests itself here very well, he deploys 3 distinct styles in a way that makes everything feel like it was shot at the time it's taking place -- it's hard to explain, but anyway I think he is firing on all cylinders with it.

I will confess that I have a high tolerance for long movies. And my favorite Soderbergh movies are King of the Hill, Solaris, and Schizopolis, to give you some context on this.

Enjoy Logan Lucky, it's a fun movie.

[scottpcusa]

Watching Walkabout tonight. It's been awhile since I've watched it...and I'm feeling the need for some sort of walkabout myself.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I thought the film was politically controversial but pretty highly regarded as a film. I saw it in theaters, and it was good to take an intermission break in between the two parts, because they can functionally stand alone, but together they add up to something a lot more powerful. I don't think Del Toro has ever been better. It's also a good film for Soderbergh, his desire to experiment in different ways manifests itself here very well, he deploys 3 distinct styles in a way that makes everything feel like it was shot at the time it's taking place -- it's hard to explain, but anyway I think he is firing on all cylinders with it.

I will confess that I have a high tolerance for long movies. And my favorite Soderbergh movies are King of the Hill, Solaris, and Schizopolis, to give you some context on this.

Enjoy Logan Lucky, it's a fun movie.

Thanks. Much appreciated. I have a high tolerance for long films, too. I'll likely pick up a copy in the next flash sale.

By the way, great avatar. Tunes of Glory is a real gem in the Collection, and fully deserving of a BD upgrade.

[theater dreamer]

Speaking of Woody Allen movies, Mighty Aphrodite desperately needs a domestic blu-ray release. It's one of my favorite Allen films, and would be a fine addition to the Criterion Collection.



And there are worse things than staring at a 27 year old Mira Sorvino for the better part of two hours.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by Reddington

By the way, great avatar. Tunes of Glory is a real gem in the Collection, and fully deserving of a BD upgrade.

I had no hope of a Blu release, but it recently got released in Spain. I haven't imported yet, but between knowing it exists in HD somewhere and the upgrade for "Hopscotch" that's coming, I've started to think it's possible.

It played at the Film Forum a few years ago for Alec Guinness's 100th birthday, and the print was in terrible shape, but the whole last reel did *not* have the green stripe that was there on both the Janus VHS and the Criterion DVD, so that was cool to see.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Stop with all these glowing reviews, guys. My queue is big enough as it is without you all adding to it!

I guess I need to put Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion at the top of my list, now. I'd just sitting there staring at me on top of the mountain, er stack of movies I've got lined up for next week.

Just do it Bill! You won't regret it. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion contains a masterful performance by Gian Maria Volonte and the Video/Audio presentation is spectacular. The special features are also very informative. There are documentaries on the director Elio Petri, Volonte, and one of the greatest composers of all time (Ennio Morricone).

Also, I would like to recommend Tampopo to everyone for the next Criterion Flash Sale or for the Barnes & Noble sale in November. Actually, if you can buy it for under $25 on Amazon or eBay, it is worth the few extra dollars.

I updated the Criterion top 10 in my signature to include Tampopo, but I removed the Three Colors Trilogy to keep it down to 10. I'm thinking about renaming it Highly Recommended Lesser Known Criterion Titles, but with a shorter subject line. Everyone knows how awesome The Night of the Hunter, Seven Samurai, and other much talked about titles are already anyways, right? So, maybe I will include films such as The Black Stallion, To Be or Not to Be, Sullivan's Travels, etc.

I'm late to the November announcement reaction party. So excited that The Philadelphia Story was announced and I'm hoping that the Audio/Video presentation for Le Samourai will be a crowd pleaser. I really wish Criterion could get the rights to Bob le Flambeur back. I think Bob le Flambeur deserves as much praise as Le Samourai. I would love for The Long Good Friday to come back to Criterion as well. It has underrated performances by Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by Akibiyori

I'm pretty sure Criterion would still produce regular Blu-rays of each film just as they still make DVD copies. That, or they'd go back to dual format with UHD and Blu-ray in the same package (shame this didn't work out for them a couple years back; it would have saved them a lot of money but customers have to be unreasonable.)

I haven't gone 4K yet but I've decided to buy new releases on UHD whenever they include the Blu-ray too. When my current primary player dies, I'll get a UHD player even though I don't plan on getting a 4K TV anytime soon. Why not do this? They still play DVDs and regular Blu-rays, you don't have to upgrade your collection. These last couple of format changes have been perfectly fair to consumers, it's really a very good deal.

It's like the people who stick with DVD even though they could play Blu-rays - if your DVD player died, why wouldn't you replace it with a $50 Blu-ray player that plays everything you already have?

Actually, no. As I've blathered in about 4 other threads, each and every UHD player is mandated with a trojan horse. If you're not familiar with it, check the Oppo 103/203 threads for some heated arguments about upgrading. I was all set to upgrade myself until I learned what proponents of UHD adoption have been sweeping under the rug this whole time.

[spanky87]

I listen to many commentaries but I never actually sit down and rewatch the film with it. I usually put it on in the background when I'm cooking/eating/on the computer etc., or I rip the audio from the disc and listen to it on my phone while I'm excercising. This saves me a lot of time and allows me to listen to more commentaries.

If the commentator is pointing out something specific in a shot I usually know what they're talking about since I saw the film is fresh in my mind.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by jw007

Hi everyone...I'm back from a week-long hiatus (went on a road trip, guerilla camping, to check out the total eclipse down in North Carolina, with great success).

Anyway, this posting got my attention on Woody Allen...

But it also makes me wonder what other notable filmmakers are opposed to being filmed or interviewed for special features other than Woody Allen (the only other directors I can think of are Malick and Kubrick).

I also wonder about those directors who don't like doing commentary tracks. Directors who come to mind are Spielberg, Lynch, Coen bros., Tarantino, PT Anderson, Jarmusch, etc.).

With that said, can anyone here, in their opinion, tell me what are the VERY BEST commentary tracks in the Criterion Collection? Which films and directors/authors/scholars come to mind?

Not sure about filmmakers but I just watched the Kino disc of Silkwood and Streep, Russell and Cher all declined to do any supplements for the disc. I found that odd because I think they were all nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. Plus Karen Silkwood's life is pretty fascinating, in my opinion, and all three were alive when the actual Kerr-McGee stuff was going down.

[pedromvu]

Wasn't Criterion supposed to release El Sur at some point?, I don't remember if there was a hint, that really needs a release and hopefully can look a bit better than the BFI one.

Also exited that Studio Canal is finally releasing the Melville and Bunuel films they got from Criterion, although I doubt they will ever release them in the US at this pace (what was the last Studio Canal release here?), I wonder why don't they just sell the rights to Criterion for distribution in the US.

Edit: last on Studio Canal line was That Obscure Object of Desire more than 4 years ago...