The Criterion Collection

[Röckzilla]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blimp

[Show spoiler]Kind of funny - I don't think I'm displeased by a movie that is seeking to offend, or is clearly an exploitation/provocative film.

I've never seen "Salo" or "Irreversible" but those are movies that are trying to shock/disturb the viewer - so what would be offensive? That I wasn't offended enough? So for "Gummo" I know I didn't like it - I've seen it once a long time ago, and I thought it was dumb and unpleasant, but some of that was what it was trying to be, so that's somewhat the movie's point.

I am more disturbed/offended by movies - that through no fault of their own - show the morality of their era in an unironic way that doesn't hold up (IMO).

It's been said before, but many of the teen-focused rom-coms of the 1980s use stalking, harassment, revenge porn, and date rape as comedic plot points. They aren't being "provocative," they actually believed they're being funny. So those are the movies I liked back then but today find unwatchable and "offensive."

That's where you get to each person's line - I think "Animal House" is clever but "Porky's" is gross. You say tomato.

Fair points.
Personally, I have never been completely scared, disgusted, or offended by any form of art or entertainment, at least as an adult.
(And I'm purely speaking about fictitious depictions and creative works here, not actual things from reality or something like propaganda that targets a specific group of people with hopes of spreading a dehumanizing real-world ideology.)
I guess the main point that I'm trying to make is: I can't help but find it all both confusing and kind of funny how so many "well-adjusted" adults can still be so highly repulsed by certain music and films. Especially nowadays with all kinds of truly indefensible atrocities cycling on the internet.
Sometimes I'm left wondering if I should envy people like this or just pity them.
I mean, congratulations to all of those artists that are intentionally attempting to offend their audience and succeed at doing so.
It doesn't seem to work on me and I honestly can't believe it still works on (well educated/cultured) others.
Even older films that showcase unpleasant and insensitive depictions of whoever or whatever.
It's obviously wrong but after understanding when it was made, why it was made, and who it was made by or for, I can't really claim that anything has truly "shook me to my core", so to speak.
But alas I digress...

On a much lighter note:
I second the notion for both White Dog (1982) & Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) to be properly restored and released on Blu-ray if not 4K UHD!

(Although Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) will probably not happen anytime soon, "sad to say". )

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by spatafore

thanks






good point!

Good picks, even though 'High Sierra' is thin soup for me. It was one of those movies where they just threw Bogart in with a sub-par script and knew people would show up for it.

[Member-682067]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blimp

Kind of funny - I don't think I'm displeased by a movie that is seeking to offend, or is clearly an exploitation/provocative film.

I've never seen "Salo" or "Irreversible" but those are movies that are trying to shock/disturb the viewer - so what would be offensive? That I wasn't offended enough? So for "Gummo" I know I didn't like it - I've seen it once a long time ago, and I thought it was dumb and unpleasant, but some of that was what it was trying to be, so that's somewhat the movie's point.

I am more disturbed/offended by movies - that through no fault of their own - show the morality of their era in an unironic way that doesn't hold up (IMO).

It's been said before, but many of the teen-focused rom-coms of the 1980s use stalking, harassment, revenge porn, and date rape as comedic plot points. They aren't being "provocative," they actually believed they're being funny. So those are the movies I liked back then but today find unwatchable and "offensive."

That's where you get to each person's line - I think "Animal House" is clever but "Porky's" is gross. You say tomato.

'Irreversible' is beyond overrated. Other than for two infamous scenes, it's a dull two-dimensional romantic drama, and painfully obvious.

'Gummo' also isnt' very good because it has no point of view on the extreme cynicism and nihilism on display. Korine just continually pushed his smug view on Middle American with no point.

It's like the guy at the carnival sideshow who bites off chicken heads. No fun for us, no fun for the guy, no fun for the chicken.

I just made a post on Porky's and teen sex comedies on another thread. Women were there to be ogled at, harassed, and peeped on.

[Colonel Blimp]

Originally Posted by Röckzilla

Fair points.
Personally, I have never been completely scared, disgusted, or offended by any form of art or entertainment, at least as an adult.
(And I'm purely speaking about fictitious depictions and creative works here, not actual things from reality or something like propaganda that targets a specific group of people with hopes of spreading a dehumanizing real-world ideology.)
I guess the main point that I'm trying to make is: I can't help but find it all both confusing and kind of funny how so many "well-adjusted" adults can still be so highly repulsed by certain music and films. Especially nowadays with all kinds of truly indefensible atrocities cycling on the internet.)

I def. come down more on this side - and "offended" is probably not the right word for how I ever feel. It's more that I'm disappointed at lazy ideas - if anything offends me, it's not the content but lack of effort.

[OceanBlue]

While I am not interested in all of the announcements (well done on your predictions MifuneFan), it's a strong batch of Criterion announcements. I decided not to get Eureka's release of Pandora's Box after reading posts by other members that the Criterion release may end up having the better transfer (and if this ends up being the case, whether I will get the Eureka release for the exclusive extras, I don't know yet).

Also very happy with the I Walked with a Zombie/The Seventh Victim announcement.

[BadBart]

I have been very pleased to have been watching I Walked With A Zombie on the German Blu for the last couple of years. With that said, I am very excited to watch it with this new 4K release. The atmosphere/shadows should really pop on this release. For those who haven't watched this yet, go in with a low expectation and come out with your own experience. Too often, people read reviews from others and then ruin their own viewing experience by having unrealistic expectations. All I want to know is if the film is usually held in high regard. I never expect a masterpiece because then I will never watch one. Val Lewton is regarded as a successful producer but you must give his work your own personal take. No matter how many directors / actors / cinematographers I begin to pay attention to, there are still so many hidden gems for me to discover. I hope you all find your own little gems out there to love!!

[jw007]

I think Gummo is for Criterion completists only.

The reason I say this is the film is not accessible to mainstream audiences. It's kind of like an experimental album from an obscure artist. It is a hard sell unless this kind of art fascinates or interests you.

Personally, I saw it once and "endured" it. But it's not a film I can revisit again unless it's once a decade or so. Much like Julien Donkey Boy (which I find more interesting since it features Werner Herzog), it's purely subjective art. I'm rather impressed by the filmmaker, Harmony Korine, for several other films including The Beach Bum (probably his most accessible film) and Spring Breakers (a close second), but this movie (Gummo) is not one I enjoyed watching or appreciating from vague memory

[Show spoiler](ie. the Spaghetti-eating scene in the dirty bathtub - very tasteless (no pun intended)

. To each their own though.

If anyone else agrees with my views, do comment.

[Watershipdownisgood]

So anyways I watched Nothing But a Man on Blu-Ray from Criterion last week and it’s a very underrated forgotten African American film from the 60’s it definitely works in a huge way I’m glad Criterion released this forgotten film as it really deserves so much better. I highly recommend it if you’re into old 60’s, and 70’s Sidney Poitier films which I definitely am.

[Röckzilla]

Originally Posted by jw007

If anyone else agrees with my views, do comment.

I normally never ask people this but:

What is your profile picture/avatar from?



It's bugging the hell out of me because it looks so familiar yet I can't put my finger on it at the moment.
It reminds me of something from the back of an early Scorpions or UFO album cover. Or maybe something from an obscure krautrock album.

If anyone else knows, feel free to chime in.
I'll probably be kicking myself whenever I find out the answer.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t been upgraded yet I hope they get to it soon most likely next year if I have to be honest. Eureka has a Blu-Ray yet Criterion doesn’t it just doesn’t make any sense.

The release cycles of 2 labels can be vastly different for reasons of their own. Eureka put out Onibaba in 2013, while Criterion released it in 2021...with the same master, and an arguably worse encode.

Eureka's BD of White Dog comes off a master that was not fresh even in 2014. Perhaps Criterion are waiting to see if Paramount prepares a newer master or gives them access to film elements for their own restoration. Whatever the cause, it's not likely because the idea of a BD has not occurred to them as yet.

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by Cpt. Feeney

Nice to see Gummo in there.
I wonder what the chances are of getting some Larry Clark's from Criterion.

The $64,000 question is how much does Harvey Weinstein own? He's known to own Kids outright, and likely owns more. Sources vary as to whether he extended the same offer to Clark regarding Kids that he extended to Kevin Smith regarding Dogma, but I wouldn't put it past Harvey one bit.

Ken Park, on the other hand, is a mix of distribution falling through in the UK...

Although it was sold for distribution to some 30 countries,[4] the film was not shown in the United Kingdom after director Larry Clark assaulted Hamish McAlpine, the head of the UK distributor for the film, Metro Tartan. Clark alleged that McAlpine had said the September 11 attacks were "the best thing to ever happened to America" and that Israeli victims of Palestinian suicide bombers "deserved to die." McAlpine denied the accusations. Clark was arrested and spent several hours in custody, and McAlpine was left with a broken nose.

...music rights issues in the US...

The film has not been released in the United States since its initial showing at the Telluride Film Festival in 2002. Clark says that this is because of the producer's failure to get copyright releases for the music used.

...and censorship in Australia...

The film was banned in Australia due to its graphic sexual content and portrayals of underage sexual activity after it was refused a classification by the Australian Classification Board in 2003. A protest screening held in Sydney, hosted by film critic Margaret Pomeranz, was shut down by the police.

I have heard rumors for years that the film was unavailable here in the US due to it being considered child porn, with even the Supreme Court declaring it to be so. I have personally found no proof of those rumors. Perhaps the film's US status is being confused with its status in Australia. It's also possible the film's being confused with Salo or The Tin Drum, two films ruled to not be child porn according to the Supreme Court, or Maladolescenza, which has not to my knowledge been evaluated by the Supreme Court but which has been found to be child porn by other courts.

Ironically though, Ken Park is more likely than Kids to be released. All they have to do with Ken Park is pay off 14 artists who just want their money. (Basically a John Waters situation.) With kids they have to pay off a greedy, grubby rapist who expects people to kiss the ring if they want to get something out of him.

[M A]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The release cycles of 2 labels can be vastly different for reasons of their own. Eureka put out Onibaba in 2013, while Criterion released it in 2021...with the same master, and an arguably worse encode.

Eureka's BD of White Dog comes off a master that was not fresh even in 2014. Perhaps Criterion are waiting to see if Paramount prepares a newer master or gives them access to film elements for their own restoration. Whatever the cause, it's not likely because the idea of a BD has not occurred to them as yet.

Strangely enough, the Criterion blu-ray of Onibaba is actually an older master than the Eureka, despite releasing 8 years later

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Röckzilla

I normally never ask people this but:

What is your profile picture/avatar from?



It's bugging the hell out of me because it looks so familiar yet I can't put my finger on it at the moment.
It reminds me of something from the back of an early Scorpions or UFO album cover. Or maybe something from an obscure krautrock album.

If anyone else knows, feel free to chime in.
I'll probably be kicking myself whenever I find out the answer.

I’m pretty sure it’s the Black Moon poster.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0072709/

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by jw007

Personally, I saw it once and "endured" it. But it's not a film I can revisit again unless it's once a decade or so. Much like Julien Donkey Boy (which I find more interesting since it features Werner Herzog), it's purely subjective art. I'm rather impressed by the filmmaker, Harmony Korine, for several other films including The Beach Bum (probably his most accessible film) and Spring Breakers (a close second), but this movie (Gummo) is not one I enjoyed watching or appreciating from vague memory

[Show spoiler](ie. the Spaghetti-eating scene in the dirty bathtub - very tasteless (no pun intended)

. To each their own though.

If anyone else agrees with my views, do comment.

Yeah, I have no issue with difficult films, but…I found Gummo impossible to appreciate. It’s just one of the very few films not made for my brain to the point that it repulsed me. I can count on one hand films that have had that effect on me, but this is right there.

And yet I totally get why it’s in the collection. I love that its fans are getting a proper presentation. I think Korine is the real thing. But yeah, no.

[MifuneFan]

I noticed Janus Films are having a little fun with their logo at the site, showing two characters from René Laloux's The Time Masters sitting on top of it. If you click the logo from any page, it brings you to The Time Master's page too.

http://www.janusfilms.com/films/grid

[Röckzilla]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I’m pretty sure it’s the Black Moon poster.

THANK YOU!
I'll have to look into who the artist is because I swear that I've seen some of their work before.

[SpookyDollhouse]

Criterion Channel's August lineup:
https://www.criterion.com/current/po...st-2024-lineup

Very interesting selections hopefully the spotlight on Mikio Naruse means some Blu-rays are in the pipeline

[DukeTogo84]

Will be curious to see what happens next with Criterion and Japanese cinema. I'm almost positive their next Japanese releases will either be Kenji Misumi's sword trilogy or Seven Samurai 4K. I really do hope we get some surprises or a boxset at some point. Would be nice if we get some Kurosawa upgrades that didn't even have Blu-rays in the US like The Bad Sleep Well, Red Beard, Stray Dog, etc.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by SpookyDollhouse

Criterion Channel's August lineup:
https://www.criterion.com/current/po...st-2024-lineup

Very interesting selections hopefully the spotlight on Mikio Naruse means some Blu-rays are in the pipeline

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs is long overdue on HD disc.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Will be curious to see what happens next with Criterion and Japanese cinema.