The Criterion Collection

[sskclickgeneral]

just watched Salo...wow

[TriuneImpurityRites]

Watching Kuroneko for the 1st time, while I so far like the premise, the cinematophy, the presetation is awesome.... that early scene with the dead women LMAO, they couldn't hold their breath more than 20 seconds? obvious breathing is obvious

[madmojo]

I have an odd question. Is the new Fanny and Alexander blu-ray set counted as three different spine numbers like the dvd was, or is it just one now?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by punisher

my first Criterions were LD's..Blade Runner and 2001 a Space Odyssey..love to see them on a Criterion blu ray....
no offense meant to the existing releases of these movies , i do own them

Lost to Warners probably for good punisher...both are too 'evergreen' to give back to Criterion now.

Realistically though, what could Criterion possibly add to that 5-disc Blade Runner set? I mean, with at least 5 cuts of the film, including workprint, plus hours of behind-the-scenes features...well...stick a fork in it...done!

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by madmojo

I have an odd question. Is the new Fanny and Alexander blu-ray set counted as three different spine numbers like the dvd was, or is it just one now?

I believe it was confirmed just 1 for the blu-ray.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

I believe it was confirmed just 1 for the blu-ray.

Prove it

[Show spoiler]I kill me, I really do

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by octagon

Prove it

[Show spoiler]I kill me, I really do

[painted_klown]

I was in the mood for some good black & white this eve, so I decided to fire up the PJ and throw on Fritz Lang's M.

Before I get into my review of this movie, I must admit that I do have a bias developing regarding Fritz Lang. Prior to watching M, I had bought another Fritz Lang film, Metropolis, that had been beautifully restored and released on BD by Kino and Masters of Cinema. I absolutely LOVED the complete Metropolis, and was really impressed with Kino's package.

In fact, I loved Metropolis so much that I created a thread to post my review.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/4204462-post262.html

I later discovered there was another Metropolis thread so it was merged into the original thread.

Anyway, it is late here and I don't feel like typing up a lengthy review at this time, but I do feel compelled to give this excellent release some mention.

From the opening scene of the children singing their morbid nursery rhyme (reminded me of "ring around the rosie") I was immediately drawn into the time and place Lang was portraying in his film. This film is dark & sinister, and yet somehow retains a positive vibe about the conclusion of the film, and the future in general. The message is simply that good will prevail over evil.

Peter Lorre as the killer was a genius bit of casting to be sure. I always think of him as the quintessential henchman lurching along side his trusty "master", and agreeing with his every word in almost a comical fashion. I feel that Lorre's physical features really make the viewer feel as if they are looking at a psychotic serial killer...it's his large eyes that really put the look over the top for me. His mannerisms are great as well, acting almost mousy, timid, and scared every time he appears on screen. Quite a different vision of a child killer than we all have in mind.

The whistling of "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by the killer was a great touch IMO. It's an innocent sounding, and instantly recognizable tune (by today's audiences especially), and creates a nice juxtapose to the not so innocent look of the killer.

As everyone probably does, I also like the idea of the cities criminal underworld banding together for a common goal of finding the killer. Although their motives certainly are much different from the police (being selfish motives vs. a helpful motive), we learn late in the film that there isn't much sympathy generated in the criminal underworld for the killer.

I was left wondering if the criminals would have been so eager to catch him if the police activity had not interfered with their business...I deduced that they more than likely would have ignored him otherwise. That shows that there really isn't a noble element of society involved in the criminal underworld, even if at first glance it appears that way...

3.5/4 stars for M. As much as I liked M, I have to admit that I did enjoy Metropolis even more, hence the half point difference from having the same perfect score I awarded to Lang's silent masterpiece.

Criterion collectors, if you are looking for a film that is engaging and would be the perfect pick to view in a group of friends with discussion afterwords, or so good that after watching alone (as I did) that you HAVE to go on line to talk to strangers about...then I highly recommend picking up M.

Well, I do not want to have a million spoilers in this review so I will stop it here...I will conclude by saying that I REALLY liked "M" a LOT and will be eagerly looking forward to my next Lang BD purchase.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

I really think that those should all be changed to just the title of the film. The second film in each title is just a supplement. It looks kind of stupid, to be honest.

You can change it yourself, you know.

Even though they're suppliments, the database allows you to put in that a disc has two films, or even that there's two cuts of one film in a set, like The Leopard or Senso. You still have 2 movies on Blu-ray do you not, despite one being a "bonus feature"? Also, Bergman Island may be a suppliment with The Seventh Seal, but it has its own spine in the collection. So many people on this forum ask "what Criterions come with a second movie as a bonus feature," and this is an easier way to find that.

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Realistically though, what could Criterion possibly add to that 5-disc Blade Runner set? I mean, with at least 5 cuts of the film, including workprint, plus hours of behind-the-scenes features...well...stick a fork in it...done!

5 BDs instead of 3 + 2 DVDs. All extras in HD.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by sskclickgeneral

just watched Salo...wow

See, now don't you want to be a fascist?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by DionJP

You can't just say that and show no proof. and btw, what is the source of your avatar? thats a very strange image.

Those Wenders films have been rumored for a while. Well, at least since Wings of Desire was released.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Eny-

5 BDs instead of 3 + 2 DVDs. All extras in HD.

Yup. The 2 BDs we'd get from Criterion would certainly solve that math problem.

[punisher]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Lost to Warners probably for good punisher...both are too 'evergreen' to give back to Criterion now.

Realistically though, what could Criterion possibly add to that 5-disc Blade Runner set? I mean, with at least 5 cuts of the film, including workprint, plus hours of behind-the-scenes features...well...stick a fork in it...done!

lol..just a trip down memory lane..Blade Runner 5 disc set is terrific.2001 could us a DTS master soundtrack

opinions on CHE anyone?..thinking of using the 25% for it

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by punisher

2001 could us a DTS master soundtrack

Umm.. why?

[rockstarnati]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Night of the Hunter
Seven Samurai
The Sweet Smell of Success
Black Narcissus
Paths of Glory
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
Something Wild
Kuroneko

Thanks for the suggestions. And thanks to everyone else who gave recommendations. I really do appreciate it. These are all at the top of my list as well. But I just got Hulu Plus; and a lot of the films I was thinking about buying are on there anyway. So now I think I might just skip the sale and get Rushmore instead. Seems like my safest bet. If I do buy anything during the sale though, you guys have pointed me in the direction of Sweet Smell of Success.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by rockstarnati

Thanks for the suggestions. And thanks to everyone else who gave recommendations. I really do appreciate it. These are all at the top of my list as well. But I just got Hulu Plus; and a lot of the films I was thinking about buying are on there anyway. So now I think I might just skip the sale and get Rushmore instead. Seems like my safest bet. If I do buy anything during the sale though, you guys have pointed me in the direction of Sweet Smell of Success.

Not a problem. It's a really great film. TCM also tends to show it a lot.

[punisher]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

Umm.. why?

the existing bluray has only a dolby digital soundtrack

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by punisher

the existing bluray has only a dolby digital soundtrack

It has a PCM soundtrack, which is lossless.

[BohemianGraham]

I'm surprised no one has started any rumours for Tuesday yet. You guys are slow:

Wild Stawberries (becasue it's been hinted at for awhile)
Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (fueling the Anderson hate)
Anatomy of A Murder
La Jetee / Sans Soleil set
The Bad Sleep Well
<insert a Godard title Spider Baby would approve of here>
The Rock (because we need to hate on a "popular" movie other than Anderson)