The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Thanks, I was about to ask. Was hesitating between The Music Room, Charulata, The Hero, and Devi. I'd like to see the Apu Trilogy someday but want to see one or two of his stand alone films first to get an idea of his style.

Charulata was Ray's own favorite of all the films he did, I would recommend it also as one of his most visually arresting films. The Music Room is my personal fav, an amazing dirge-like tale - shades of Visconti in its depiction of the downfall of the privileged, very downbeat but rewarding.

[Rayjg]

I mentioned this before but Jack Nicholson once listed The Music Room as his favorite film.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Looking at Broken Arrow on Kino's WSL Sale, and I was wondering if there's any chance of Criterion releasing a full Mann/Stewart boxset like they did for Boetticher/ Scott?

I don't know enough about right's situations to know whether or not this is an impossibility or a "maybe."

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Charulata was Ray's own favorite of all the films he did, I would recommend it also as one of his most visually arresting films. The Music Room is my personal fav, an amazing dirge-like tale - shades of Visconti in its depiction of the downfall of the privileged, very downbeat but rewarding.

Thank you. I’d like to check both out then.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by JulesAndJim

On the subject of Satyajit Ray, just want to point out that one of my favorite films by Ray or any other director, Kapurush (The Coward) is relegated to being an extra on The Big City blu-ray. It's a hell of a 2-for-1 for those interested and please do check it out of you have the disc and were unaware of this one. It would've been better paired with Charulata, but it's worth watching in any case. I seem to be unusual in that his films with Madhabi Mukherjee (the three mentioned in this post) are my favorites of his.

Thanks. Will try to see The Coward too.

[Scottie]

Guelwaar (1992, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2137

Xala (1975, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2138

Ceddo (1977, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2139

Emitaï (1971, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2140

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Never even heard of it.

My post certainly wasn't a comment on Ray specifically, I've found the "amateurs milling around not doing much" genre tedious no matter who's helmed it or which country it's come from.

It surprises you that your unsolicited Apu trilogy specific answer resulted in a specific Satjyajit Ray follow up query?

[Scottie]

Victims of Sin (1951, Emilio Fernández)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2141

[The Great Owl]

I finally made it to a Barnes & Noble…

Breathless 4K
Time Bandits 4K
Branded to Klll 4K
Wings of Desire 4K
Dazed and Confused 4K

[BadBart]

Hey Owl, how did you manage to save up $125 for all that 4K goodness when you have been so busy dropping coin on live concerts and travel?? You must have a good side hustle going on...

[alexrinse]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Thanks, I was about to ask. Was hesitating between The Music Room, Charulata, The Hero, and Devi. I'd like to see the Apu Trilogy someday but want to see one or two of his stand alone films first to get an idea of his style.

Charulata for me, but you're just listing masterpieces there.

I actually have never got on with Pather Panchali either, for some reason.

If I was to recommend an unknown person to start off with one of his films, I will always say The Big City.

[alexrinse]

Originally Posted by Scottie

Guelwaar (1992, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2137

Xala (1975, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2138

Ceddo (1977, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2139

Emitaï (1971, Ousmane Sembène)
https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2140

Good news, but hope it's not a case of "here's Sembène, job done".

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by BadBart

Hey Owl, how did you manage to save up $125 for all that 4K goodness when you have been so busy dropping coin on live concerts and travel?? You must have a good side hustle going on...

Barely. lol
I had to leave a lot of other Criterion titles on the shelf this time around (Mildred Pierce 4K, etc.). I will be able to sell off my original Blu-ray editions of all of the above, at least, so I can get some of that cash back.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by Olmo

It surprises you that your unsolicited Apu trilogy specific answer resulted in a specific Satjyajit Ray follow up query?

Unsolicited? The thread as a whole was discussing the Apu trilogy at the time.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Looking at Broken Arrow on Kino's WSL Sale, and I was wondering if there's any chance of Criterion releasing a full Mann/Stewart boxset like they did for Boetticher/ Scott?

I don't know enough about right's situations to know whether or not this is an impossibility or a "maybe."

99% impossible.

[ravenus]

Watched Juraj Herz's The Cremator on the Criterion blu last night.

I have seen the film a couple of times before, on the DVD from Second Run - it was part of a set called Pearls from the Czech New Wave along with Diamonds of the Night and Intimate Lighting. The DVD transfer was quite awful, soft and video-like. When Second Run put out their BD in 2017 I was very interested, but held back because there was already word of a 4K resto. This resto was issued on BD by Criterion in 2020.

Herz's film is not for everyone, but for those that can appreciate its poetic macabre humor, it's a masterpiece. The film is anchored around the title character (played by Rudolf Hrusínský, who featured in other great Czech movies including Larks on a String and 90 Degrees in the Shade). An undertaker obsessed with cremation as the most spiritual way of dealing with the dead, he becomes an enthusiastic convert into the Nazi fold, unsparing even of his own household, all the while gloating over the prospect of leading a program of mass cremation for the peaceful release of souls. The script uses a stream of consciousness style revealing the protagonist's thoughts in his own words as he glides from scene to scene. Hrusínský's soothing voice is put to great use as he outlines his maniacal and fantastic schemes and commits increasingly horrifying deeds. The B&W cinematography with prominent use of fish-eye lenses gives the film a unique dream-like look and Zdenek Liska provides a striking avant-garde score.

Based on the 4k resto, Criterion delivers a smashing looking blu in terms of detail and contrast. This is a beautiful presentation. The lossless mono track effectively delivers Hrusínský's sonorous monologues and the score. I will discuss the extras once I have finished going through them, but if you have a taste for the macabre or any interest in classic European arthouse, this is a must have.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

99% impossible.

And this post is 5% useful. Care to elaborate?

On another note, I can't imagine paying $150 full price for the Ranown set in that flimsy packaging. That's too hefty a price to command for such poor quality. OTOH, the included booklet is the most aesthetically pleasing I've ever encountered. Easy to read (no need to squint or use a magnifying glass) - it actually invites you to read it. I usually never read them due to lack of time (or interest).

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by alexrinse

Good news, but hope it's not a case of "here's Sembène, job done".

Moolaadé would be nice to see, I think a lot of people only know Black Girl unfortunately. Would assume a boxset is being prepared.

[dvining]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

And this post is 5% useful. Care to elaborate?

On another note, I can't imagine paying $150 full price for the Ranown set in that flimsy packaging. That's too hefty a price to command for such poor quality. OTOH, the included booklet is the most aesthetically pleasing I've ever encountered. Easy to read (no need to squint or use a magnifying glass) - it actually invites you to read it. I usually never read them due to lack of time (or interest).

I always read the books/essays after watching the films. I loved going through the Bergman set like that.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by dvining

I always read the books/essays after watching the films. I loved going through the Bergman set like that.

I used to read them before, but the BFI booklets always provide a SPOILER WARNING notice even if it’s minor, I remember being spoiled on the ending by Easy Rider’s booklet. So I read them after now. Plus sometimes you just want to turn the TV on instead of reading for half an hour, by the time you’re finished reading you might no longer have the energy to put the film on. Although I’m not against spoilers as sometimes they can encourage you to watch the film, and how you imagine the scene based on the description might play out differently in the actual film. Reading about film and watching documentaries or trailees always runs the risk of spoilers. Although I suppose broader overviews or short stories could be read independently of the film.