The Criterion Collection

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

I'll tell you where,

some place warm.

A place where the beer flows like wine.

Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.

I'm talkin' about a little place called...... Aspen!

Oh, I don't know, Lloyd. The French are a**holes.

[Darkcritic]

It sucks to wait for this day of the month and come late to the party ! Nevermind, here are my thoughts on each film...

Fanny and Alexander: **** YEAH!!!!! Can't believe this is happening to be honest. Of all the things I thought Criterion would release this month, this is by far the one that was totally off the mark. Thanks Criterion, thanks a freakin lot . This and The Complete Jean Vigo are now my most anticipated releases of the year.
Three Colors Trilogy: Not really a surprise but amazing release non the less. Great choice for the box-set of November. I can easily see myself picking this up the next sale. Will give the Miramax's DVDs a look again in anticipation.
The Rules of the Game: Another definitive pick-up for November. More than the film release, what stikes me the most is the new cover art. Such a huge leap forward with this one. The other one felt unimaginative, ugly and honestly boring. This one solves every mistake .
12 Angry Man: Another title that catched me by surprise. Such a great title and an incredibly way to remember master Lumet. Well played Criterion, well played.
Rushmore: Have never seen this one but looks interesting, will rent it first on DVD to judge whatever or not to get it. I liked other Anderson features so I will probably like this one as well .

Along with August, November seems like the best month so far. Such amazing releases but the biggest surprise (And also the nicest one should I add) is the Fanny and Alexander's upgrade. I am really, really happy about that.

Also, commenting on all the posts that answered or "commented" about my Paris, Texas post (Maybe a little bit late to answer after 10+ pages of discussion ). I really like the film because of how well it was put together by Wenders. The story was great and the characters had amazing depth to them but what really amazed me was the flow of the film. The combination of amazing photography with excellent pacing make the film all the more enjoyable. The movements of the camera never felt forced making it easir to appreaciate the breathtaking vistas. Amazing blind-buy I have to say .

[deltasun]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

calling Agentorange---phantom carriage not showing up at $19.99 on B&N when I look.
are you sure?

It was subsequently corrected a couple of times. He meant The Island of Lost Souls.

[dwgmarket]

The Third Man has to be my First all-time favorite imo

[pedromvu]

Does anybody know what are the chances of some David Lynch movie appearing on the collection? it seems no one else cares to release his movies in blu-ray here in North America.

I would love to have Eraserhead, Mulholland Dr. or The Elephant Man, but seems they are all region locked on Europe.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Does anybody know what are the chances of some David Lynch movie appearing on the collection? it seems no one else cares to release his movies in blu-ray here in North America.

I would love to have Eraserhead, Mulholland Dr. or The Elephant Man, but seems they are all region locked on Europe.

You're probably going to get flamed for mentioning David Lynch in here (he's more unhip than Wes Anderson apparently), but IMO the most likely film for CC (if at all) would be The Elephant Man.

If you're interested, there is this German boxset of Lost Highway/Mulholland Dr/Inland Empire that is region free. I've heard it's of high quality (well, given the source material).
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/David...Blu-ray/20724/

[BluPix]

Where do I even begin?

Just when I thought Criterion announced the best months of releases so far, the studio goes and outdoes itself with this incredible November slate, which, for me, includes three must-have-on-day-one sets, with the remaining two being sure-bets for a little later on.

The Rules of the Game and Rushmore were both hinted at and expected for the November announcement. Though I've never seen either, they're my two blind-buy sure-bets for the month. The former seems as if it would be an excellent film (I really appreciate the premise, which remains relevant today, especially given everything that's going on with the economy and class). The latter is considered one of Wes Anderson's best, and I like Anderson's work very much in general, so I feel confident in picking it up (probably along with Bottle Rocket). Like many others, I do hope Criterion upgrades to blu, in the near future, its edition of Anderson's The Royal Tennenbaums.

As for the three must-have-immediately sets, The Three Colors Trilogy was hinted and expected for November as well. Though this would be, for me, mostly a blind buy, it's another set I'm sure I'll love. I'll place it on the shelf next to The Double Life of Veronique. Moreover, this gives me hope that we'll also soon see a blu-ray release of Kieslowski's magnificent ten-part epic known as The Decalogue, part of which I was privileged to see in a theater years ago. It would be terrific if Criterion could gain the rights to distribute that on blu.

But on to the two big surprises for me (which are also must-have-now sets): Fanny & Alexander, which fascinated me when I first rented it a few years ago and have wanted it in my collection ever since. I expected the studio to upgrade it to blu at some point -- but didn't realize it would happen this November (though it makes perfect sense, given that its story is set around the holidays). I assume Criterion will continue its steady upgrading of Bergman's films; perhaps Wild Strawberries or Scenes from a Marriage will soon follow? Actually, I sincerely expect a Bergman box set from Criterion within the next year or two.

And, the biggest surprise of all, 12 Angry Men. I already have MGM's DVD of the Sidney Lumet classic (one of many classics the legendary director left us) and I'll be happy to upgrade it to Criterion blu on November 22nd. This ongoing arrangement that Criterion has with MGM is truly fruitful, a winning recipe: Take films from one of the strongest film libraries in the world and have one of the best studios publish them and you get the best home video editions possible of films like 12 Angry Men, Sweet Smell of Success, The Night of the Hunter, Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, The Killing and Killer's Kiss. I hope Criterion and MGM work together to bring us Lumet's The Pawnbroker on Criterion blu. (I agree with an earlier poster that I would love to see Prince of the City brought to blu, but also his long list of other memorable films, including Serpico, Running on Empty, Fail-Safe, Murder on the Orient Express, Daniel, Long Day's Journey into Night, Family Business, The Hill, Night Falls on Manhattan, Find Me Guilty, The Offence, The Sea Gull, The Fugitive Kind, All the King's Men, Rashomon, Equus, The Anderson Tapes, Critical Care, Q&A and The Verdict. The associated studios -- and nearly all the majors are associated with a few Lumet films -- should work to bring this substantial body of work to blu-ray with high-quality presentations and extras.)

As for Criterion...sigh... We can only fathom what December will bring...

[bugsy_pal]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

While many of us might prefer that Criterion did this, I think it is important to point out that this is not their goal. I personally think that Criterion should release whatever they want to release. Instead of complaining (and I am not speaking about anyone in particular here), I find it better to watch the movies and think about why Criterion picked the film. In other words, I view these releases as opportunities to think more about film as an art form. Do I think everyone should take the same approach? Absolutely not. Do I think it is silly to tell someone that a film they like is less deserving of a place in the collection than a film I like? Absolutely.

Having said all that, I am listening to the Voices of Light album this morning, hoping that Criterion will announce Passion of Joan of Arc this afternoon. Other titles I would like to see include a Chaplin film (or box set), Y Tu Mama Tambien, and perhaps Ghost World and Ghost Dog.

Those are words of wisdom, nicely put.... I don't understand the anger and vitriol that goes down here, esp re Wes Anderson and his like. The only film of his I've seen is Mr Fox (which I thought was terrific) - if it wasn't for Criterion, I would probably never have given him much thought. As it is, I have Darjeeling on its way from the last B&N sale...

Hats off to Criterion for the latest batch - extraordinary. I keep hoping for a blu upgrade to Jules and Jim - hope they can swing it soon.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by bugsy_pal

Those are words of wisdom, nicely put.... I don't understand the anger and vitriol that goes down here, esp re Wes Anderson and his like. The only film of his I've seen is Mr Fox (which I thought was terrific) - if it wasn't for Criterion, I would probably never have given him much thought. As it is, I have Darjeeling on its way from the last B&N sale...

Hats off to Criterion for the latest batch - extraordinary. I keep hoping for a blu upgrade to Jules and Jim - hope they can swing it soon.

You and me both, bugsy pal.

[Norbie]

I was listening to a podcast during the day (digigods) and just as they were talking about the bluray release of The Music Room, i hear a knock on the door. It was the postman and he handed over the package, low and behold it was The Music Room from the recent BN sale!!

I think i see dead people.


ps. my order from the 14th of July has yet to arrive.


peace

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I've recently finished watching the whole Nikkatsu Noir set and I was very happy with the way they looked on my 50" plasma.
I expect they're going to continue putting out these Eclipse sets on DVD, without a blu-ray option, which is why I also decided to pick up other Eclipse sets as well.
Not sure about this Sabu set - I know nothing about the films.

I'm half tempted to buy this set during the next sale for my mom, as her copy of the Jungle Book is a craptastic Public Domain release. If you've watched Black Narcissus, he's the Prince. Also, they're Korda films.

[Norbie]

Originally Posted by BluPops

It's Island of Lost Souls that's $19.99 (and Battle of Algiers), and there are still some small coupons out there to bring the prices down a bit.

think that Thin Red Line is also down to $19...

I'm sorry but i'm getting battle of algiers at around $41. We are talking about B&N correct?


peace

[BHolst]

Originally Posted by Norbie

I'm sorry but i'm getting battle of algiers at around $41. We are talking about B&N correct?


peace

It was $24.99 at B&N earlier, but now it is back up to around $41 (they did the same thing with Star Wars, I was lucky to get it for $69.99 but it was quite quickly back up to around $88).

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by wilky61

You're probably going to get flamed for mentioning David Lynch in here (he's more unhip than Wes Anderson apparently), but IMO the most likely film for CC (if at all) would be The Elephant Man.

If you're interested, there is this German boxset of Lost Highway/Mulholland Dr/Inland Empire that is region free. I've heard it's of high quality (well, given the source material).
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/David...Blu-ray/20724/

What happens when I say that Christopher Nolan is a boring hack of an actor, and Inception wasn't that good?

All snarky comments aside, November looks like a fantastic month. I need to watch Rushmore, The Rules of the Game, and Three Colours before I commit to buying them. 12 Angry Men was added to my wishlist as soon as it showed up. I love, love, love that movie.

I re-watched Kiss Me Deadly again (last time I watched it was 3 years ago on TCM with my dad, and we had to leave before the twist occured), and it's a fantastic film. It's not on the top of CC releases I want, but I'll definitely try to grab it during the next sale. Island of Lost Souls was also viddied, and it's a keeper.

I'm really having no luck parring down my wishlist. There are a few titles I've knocked off because they're good, but not ones I'm looking at getting anytime soon (but will potentially add back at a later date once I get caught up on the titles I really, really want), and one or two that I'm no longer interested in after watching. There's also been a few I didn't have on my wishlist that I watched and ended up adding and/or purchasing, such as Hausu and The Seventh Seal. There's just too many films to choose from!

[catch_33]

Originally Posted by Norbie

I was listening to a podcast during the day (digigods) and just as they were talking about the bluray release of The Music Room, i hear a knock on the door. It was the postman and he handed over the package, low and behold it was The Music Room from the recent BN sale!!

I think i see dead people.


ps. my order from the 14th of July has yet to arrive.


peace

Dude, my order from the 7th of July hasn't arrived yet, so there's that...

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by BHolst

It was $24.99 at B&N earlier, but now it is back up to around $41 (they did the same thing with Star Wars, I was lucky to get it for $69.99 but it was quite quickly back up to around $88).

Yeah, the sale was only good for one day.

For those of you who don't read the deals forum as much, Amazon is having lightening deals today on Charade, Videodrome, Darjeeling Limited, and Gimme Shelter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/all...eId=2625373011

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by catch_33

Dude, my order from the 7th of July hasn't arrived yet, so there's that...

Don't feel too bad, I just got the second half of an order that shipped on the 19th yesterday, and I live in Canada. I'm still waiting on 3 BDs from B&N, one that shipped on the 27th, one that shipped on the 29th, and one that shipped last Monday.

As far as the lightning deals are concerned, I highly recommend Charade & Gimme Shelter if anyone doesn't have them yet.

[TheForce8686]

Originally Posted by Hendershot737

Now that would be sweet. That would easily be in the top 5 movies Criterion has release on blu ray.

[rebelmswar]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Yeah, the sale was only good for one day.

For those of you who don't read the deals forum as much, Amazon is having lightening deals today on Charade, Videodrome, Darjeeling Limited, and Gimme Shelter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/all...eId=2625373011

I see an angry wife and a couch in my future.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by wilky61

You're probably going to get flamed for mentioning David Lynch in here (he's more unhip than Wes Anderson apparently), but IMO the most likely film for CC (if at all) would be The Elephant Man.

If you're interested, there is this German boxset of Lost Highway/Mulholland Dr/Inland Empire that is region free. I've heard it's of high quality (well, given the source material).
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/David...Blu-ray/20724/

There are people in this thread that want Lynch in the collection. Imagine Mulholland Drive in the collection....

I've read Criterion doesn't find it easy to work with Lynch.... allegedly....