The Criterion Collection

[Wizard-of-Wars]

Anyone seen KURONEKO?

How is it? Worth a purchase?

[nagysaudio]

So when are we getting an announcement for Shivers, The Brood, and Scanners from Criterion? Or should I shop Subkultur and Second Sight?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Wizard-of-Wars

Anyone seen KURONEKO?

How is it? Worth a purchase?

I prefer Onibaba as an effectively unsettling Japanese horror movie, but Kuroneko is quite amazing as well. I own both on DVD. Since Kuroneko is the only one currently available on Blu-ray, you might want to grab it for that reason. I think that you'll find a lot to enjoy.

Japanese horror films all seem to convey a similar message, and that is to treat women well or you will get jacked up beyond your wildest nightmares. Kuroneko is no exception.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I never buy newly-published hardcover books at Barnes & Noble, because the new book prices there are hideous.

I knowwwww. Their website has such lower prices. They'll have a new book for $30 in store, and $15 online...I don't understand why anyone would actually buy a book from them at those prices...

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love that Two-Lane Blacktop comes in the standard clear case, instead of being released in the same packaging as Dazed and Confused, Godzilla, Seven Samurai, and so on. Because of the packaging on the Two-Lane Blacktop DVD (my copy of which I've already sold to make room for the inevitable Blu-ray), I feared that they would utilize a similar packaging with the Blu-ray, but they thankfully did not. I was afraid that I would have to go to medical school and undergo a five-year surgeon residency in order to extract the Godzilla Blu-ray inlet from the cardboard slipcase. I am happy that I will not have to do that when I buy Two-Lane Blacktop.

It's interesting you said that. I'm torn, as I think the paper packaging on seven samurai is glamorous, but at the same time shows some distinct wear on the corners even after owning it for less than 6 months. Why do they pick one over the other? Are there multi disc sets in plastic, other than the Samurai Trilogy?

Also, how many people have received movies with damaged packaging, or damage to the booklets? I have 3 damaged cases and 1 or 2 bent booklets. It's frustrating as most have been ordered in the states, and it would actually cost me $3 and a trip across the border to exchange them. I'm not quite sure what to do, I presume I may have some luck calling criterion?

[madmojo]

I'm thinking of starting to listen to the commentaries on my Criterion blu-rays. Are there any commentaries in particular that anyone would recommend as standouts?

[kalligraphia]

Does Seven Samurai still come in a digipack?

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Steering this big ship back on course...

I saw a copy of the Two-Lane Blacktop Blu-ray today. This Blu-ray was on the shelf at a Movie Stop that a co-worker and I stopped by at lunch break. I did not buy it, because they wanted $32.99 or something for it. This was one of the rare instances when yours truly exercised fiscal restraint.

Two-Lane Blacktop is the next criterion I would like to own before Badlands is released. I have not seen the movie. Can any one comment on Oates performance.

Warren Oates is one of the under appreciated actors from 70 s. I hope criterion can get around in releasing Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia or any early Peckinpah movie.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by madmojo

I'm thinking of starting to listen to the commentaries on my Criterion blu-rays. Are there any commentaries in particular that anyone would recommend as standouts?

My favorite Criterion commentaries are the ones on the Godzilla Criterion. The same person gives thoroughly insightful commentary tracks for both the original Japanese version and the altered American version. He treats these Godzilla movies with the respectful reverence that they deserve by informing the listener that he approaches the commentary assuming that both movies are important works of cinema from the start. The American nuclear testing history that gave rise to the first film is discussed, while the tweaks to the American version to cater to the Cold War events of the time are discussed.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Two-Lane Blacktop is the next criterion I would like to own before Badlands is released. I have not seen the movie. Can any one comment on Oates performance.

In one word, superb.

Two-Lane Blacktop is such a fun-spirited movie for me, even when scenes are more serious. It's one of the ultimate vehicle-symbolizes-freedom films, and Oates is a main reason. Part of me wants to quit my day job and live on the open road when I see this.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

In one word, superb.

Two-Lane Blacktop is such a fun-spirited movie for me, even when scenes are more serious. It's one of the ultimate vehicle-symbolizes-freedom films, and Oates is a main reason. Part of me wants to quit my day job and live on the open road when I see this.

Thanks Great Owl, it will definitely be my next purchase.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Thanks Great Owl, it will definitely be my next purchase.

I think you'll find that Two-Lane Blacktop resembles Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn in a few ways, with the road taking the place of the river. Easy Rider does the same sort of thing, but I prefer this film. Easy Rider so resplendent in its heavy-handed bleak social commentary that it almost makes me want to be an agoraphobe and stay indoors watching Blu-rays all day to avoid people. Two-Lane Blacktop makes me want to kick my comfort zone to the curb and hit the open road, treasuring the pleasures and the heartaches alike.

[bugsy_pal]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am not sure, but H.R Giger made some preproduction designs for Jodorowsky before he worked on Alien (as you know Scott's movie). I am pretty sure he used some of Dune designs for Alien. By the way Pink Floyd was going to make the soundtrack to Jodorowsky's Dune. One of the greatest movies never filmed.

The great French comic artist Moebius also did concepts for Jodorowsky's Dune (http://www.duneinfo.com/unseen/moebius/). Would have been amazing if they had been realised.

Moebius also did designs for Alien, including the derelict spaceship (which obviously wasn't used). The space suits were the only Moebius designs that got into the film I believe - they were brilliant...
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/...-alien-design/

[Norbie]

Brazil arrived! Only four more to go from the last N&B sale.



be nice

[Wizard-of-Wars]

It was a Criterion buying day!!!!!

Got:

Harold and Maude
Kuroneko
Rosemary's Baby
King Of Marvin Gardens
Anatomy of a Murder
Stagecoach
Insignificance
Beauty and the Beast
If

I need to go to the doctor and get a "Stop Buying Criterions" pill.
NAY!!!'

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by bugsy_pal

The great French comic artist Moebius also did concepts for Jodorowsky's Dune (http://www.duneinfo.com/unseen/moebius/). Would have been amazing if they had been realised.

Moebius also did designs for Alien, including the derelict spaceship (which obviously wasn't used). The space suits were the only Moebius designs that got into the film I believe - they were brilliant...
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/...-alien-design/

Empire magazine had a great article about Jodorowsky's Dune. That's where I read about it the first time. It is issue 244, October 2009. Moebius is a fantastic artist. His work on Heavy Metal magazine is pure sci fi genius.

[paul000]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Empire magazine had a great article about Jodorowsky's Dune. That's where I read about it the first time. It is issue 244, October 2009. Moebius is a fantastic artist. His work on Heavy Metal magazine is pure sci fi genius.

Jodorowsky's Dune would've been incredible.
A film version of Dune, with every attempt by every director and producer, has always failed. I think that the source material is is not something that is going to feel complete to someone who doesn't know what they're getting into with only 2 hours. It is impossible unless you do not want the film to resonate on a meaningful level with the viewer.
I think the material needed the surrealism both Jodorowsky and Lynch bring to their work but it also needed financiers who knew what they were doing and time to be completed.
Hearing Jodorowsky speak about his ideas for Dune sounds like you're hearing someone pitch the idea of a new religion, but it would've been the most interesting thing.
Lynch I think is regretful because he sort of got sucked into something bigger than he realized by de Laurentiis. It did him good though.

[Whirlygig]

Originally Posted by Wizard-of-Wars

I need to go to the doctor and get a "Stop Buying Criterions" pill.
NAY!!!'

At least consider a "Stop Buying Criterions When There's No 50% Sale" pill?

[Snicket]

I can also recommend Two Lane Blacktop. Excellent effort all around. It reminded me of Drive in a lot of ways where style takes precedence over substance.

If it interests you in any way definitely check it out.

[Wizard-of-Wars]

Originally Posted by Whirlygig

At least consider a "Stop Buying Criterions When There's No 50% Sale" pill?

You think I'm buying these at retail stores??

Heck no!

King of Marvin-$10.95 on eBay
If-$17.00 on eBay
Rosemary's baby, stagecoach and anatomy- $43.00 total from a member here.

The other Criterions ranged in price from $19-$26