The Criterion Collection

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by blujazz

I have. And I thought it was wonderful. The creation of the cave paintings integrated the arcs and curves of the cave itself so seeing it in 3D, I thought, was necessary to document it.

Except that everything outside the caves definitely did not benefit from 3D.

[blujazz]

Originally Posted by exolstice

Except that everything outside the caves definitely did not benefit from 3D.

True. A talking head on 3D is redundant.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Watched Island of Lost Souls for the first time yesterday. A little disapointed. The film was well-made and did a half-decent job of building suspense and tension. It just seems very outdated and more of a "museum piece". Almost all Criterions I've seen, even the oldies from the '30s and '40s, are entertaining films that still hold up very well and are entertaining and/or insightful. But IOLS, I thought, was outdated and not overly compelling in a modern sense. Something I would expect from Kino (whose releases I don't buy). Just a thought.

It could be that you're just sick of the plot, since The Island of Dr. Moreau has been adapted so much. I enjoyed it, as it was much better than the more recent adaptation with David Thewlis.

[Trekkie313]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

What do you guys think of Army of Shadows? Is it Melville's best film? I've only seen Le Doulos and thought it was great. I need some Melville in my collection so might get it.

It's free on Netflix streaming, you can try it out before going all the way for the pricey Blu

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

But IOLS, I thought, was outdated and not overly compelling in a modern sense. Something I would expect from Kino (whose releases I don't buy).

So it's cool for Criterion to release von Sternberg's obscure silents, but Kino releasing one of the most famous in The Blue Angel, that crap is outdated and for that, being a Kino release, you will not buy?

Kino is also continuing to release the best contemporary films of the 2, so Criterion is obviously releasing the "cool" not-dated ones that was just thrown into an IFC deal right? Tiny Furniture over Film Socialisme since that movie doesn't have Anna Karina in it, Criterion won't release it.

Curious, why would you expect what you said from Kino and not from Criterion, who off the top of my head has released alot of "dated" films (I'm looking at you BBS boxset, or Something Wild, or hey for effects, Armageddon)?

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Watched Island of Lost Souls for the first time yesterday. A little disapointed. The film was well-made and did a half-decent job of building suspense and tension. It just seems very outdated and more of a "museum piece". Almost all Criterions I've seen, even the oldies from the '30s and '40s, are entertaining films that still hold up very well and are entertaining and/or insightful. But IOLS, I thought, was outdated and not overly compelling in a modern sense. Something I would expect from Kino (whose releases I don't buy). Just a thought.

I just watched Island of Lost Souls, as well, and interestingly enough, had watched its fellow 1933 "forbidden island" release, King Kong, only days before. I'd seen both films before (Kong, especially), but never in such close proximity. And while Kong obviously has its fantastic merits (too many to list, in fact), I find Island of Lost Souls to have the much better script. The dialogue isn't as stagy, the characters and character relationships have better development, and it doesn't beat me over the head with what should be subtext. Because honestly, if one more character in King Kong mentioned Beauty and the Beast, it might actually ruin the movie.

Though I would perhaps agree that Island of Lost Souls would be a better fit for Kino...whose releases I do buy.

[billzfan]

I am just getting into collecting Criterion blu-rays. Are there a few some people here can recommend?

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Go for what you like. Maybe The Killing or Paths of Glory?

I guess I was wondering which Criterion blu-rays have the best video transfers, sound, and special features.

[cferreiro]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I guess I was wondering which Criterion blu-rays have the best video transfers, sound, and special features.

the thin red line, sweet smell of success & the red shoes all have excellent transfers

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I guess I was wondering which Criterion blu-rays have the best video transfers, sound, and special features.

The Thin Red Line has arguably the best PQ AND AQ of any blu-ray available. It's up to you to determine whether the film is worth it, however.

[octagon]

Paris, Texas is pretty close to perfect too. Substantively it's probably even more YMMV than TTRL but it's absolutely gorgeous.

[jcs913]

I am going to throw out my 2 cents on the Eclipse sets. I think a lot of it comes down to cost/retail and the source materials. Although dual-layered BD production and retail have come down, so have dual-layered DVD. The retail of most Eclipse sets are below $50 and if they were to upgrade to blu production, that would push the price to $60+. I think that will detract many from purchasing a set they are 'interested in exploring', as opposed to a 'must have' set. Many sales would be lost. My other belief is that the overwhelming majority of the films in Eclipse sets are the more 'obscure' from said director and have not been handled as well as the more popular releases. The flaws would show with more significance if it were scanned and released at a much higher resolution. Criterion would need to put much more work into these to make them look more acceptable for a blu release, and frankly, that is not what their intent is on the Eclipse sets...

[madmojo]

I'm trying to watch Play Time for the first time, and I have to say, so far it was the worst Criterion blind buy that I've made. It's been funny in a few parts, but the whole way it was filmed is giving me a headache. Too much going on at once sort of like 1941.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

So it's cool for Criterion to release von Sternberg's obscure silents, but Kino releasing one of the most famous in The Blue Angel, that crap is outdated and for that, being a Kino release, you will not buy?

Kino is also continuing to release the best contemporary films of the 2, so Criterion is obviously releasing the "cool" not-dated ones that was just thrown into an IFC deal right? Tiny Furniture over Film Socialisme since that movie doesn't have Anna Karina in it, Criterion won't release it.

Curious, why would you expect what you said from Kino and not from Criterion, who off the top of my head has released alot of "dated" films (I'm looking at you BBS boxset, or Something Wild, or hey for effects, Armageddon)?

I enjoy your enthusiasm, and I respect your in-depth knowledge of classic films!

I don't buy anything just because it is considered "cool". I buy what appeals to me and what I enjoy. And so far, I thoroughly enjoy Criterion films and have less success with Kino. Just my personal preference, no offence to anyone who likes Kino, just my own personal taste.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I am just getting into collecting Criterion blu-rays. Are there a few some people here can recommend?

The first post in this thread has all of the reviews linked in it.

My top 5 considering the film, transfer and features:

The Thin Red Line
Paris, Texas
Revanche
Modern Times
Pale Flower

Still Walking and Fat Girl could easily been on this list if it weren't for the slim supplements on hand. Pale Flower doesn't have many features, but the film is so good that it deserves to be regarded as one of the top Criterion blu-rays. Also, the best black and white transfer yet, in my opinion.

[JonMoisan]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I am just getting into collecting Criterion blu-rays. Are there a few some people here can recommend?

If you can track it down for cheapish, The Third Man is a must-buy.

Otherwise, you absolutely have to get Night of the Hunter, 12 Angry Men, and Paths of Glory.

[JonMoisan]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

What company, or would you rather not say?

EDIT: Never mind, I googled you. Some really good books from that company over the years.

Thank you, sir!

[ACMutd]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I am just getting into collecting Criterion blu-rays. Are there a few some people here can recommend?

Paths of Glory by Kubrick, IIRC I saw it in your collection
The Killing by Kubrick
12 Angry Men by Lumet
Repulsion by Polanski

If you happen to like Wes Anderson movies I would defiantly recommend Darjeeling Limited and Bottle Rocket.

All have great transfers, In my opinion.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by madmojo

I'm trying to watch Play Time for the first time, and I have to say, so far it was the worst Criterion blind buy that I've made. It's been funny in a few parts, but the whole way it was filmed is giving me a headache. Too much going on at once sort of like 1941.

Hard to gripe about a Criterion blind buy. Most in this forum will advise against it.

Yes, it is not filmed in a routine manner, but that is because is is not conveying a routine theme - how impersonal and sterile the industrial age has made human interaction. Its my favorite Criterion for that reason.

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Hard to gripe about a Criterion blind buy. Most in this forum will advise against it.

Yes, it is not filmed in a routine manner, but that is because is is not conveying a routine theme - how impersonal and sterile the industrial age has made human interaction. Its my favorite Criterion for that reason.

Well, I've been blind buying Criterions for many years. Out of the many that I've bought or seen, only 2 disappointed me. This and Jigoku. I mean, I liked parts of it, (the offices, the apartments, and the restaurant), so the bulk of it, but I think it was just too much stuff for my eyes to take in at once. Probably much better on the big screen.