The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

As others have stated, It's around 5 hours rather than 3. The 3 hours version was on TCM last year and I watched it and was compelled to get the set to see the 5 hours version. The 5 hour version is more flwages out obviously. I found the first part to be a bit long know the 3 hour version too, but It's growing on me the more I watch it. I should probably sure down and watch the 5 hours version again.

I actually Googled that to make sure you weren't using some arcane word

[Simple Lines]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching the Blu-ray of Letter Never Sent.

Outstanding, in every sense of the word [...]

I love how it looks at though they burned down half of Russia to create this movie. Letter Never Sent makes me feel the flames in a way that no other movie has ever been able to do. We've all seen hundreds of movies where action stars are running through flames, running through burning buildings, or running away from explosions just in the nick of time. Letter Never Sent tells it like it is, though. If you're under a burning tree, then that's all she wrote.

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

It's extraordinary, isn't it?
You won't see many Hollywood movie stars get that close to a real fire.
The feeling of jeopardy in this film is quite unique.

You can smell the smoke, too.

Letter Never Sent may be the best 2D movie with inadvertent 3D effects.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Simple Lines

"No, don't give it a shot. Don't shoot anything."

Hahahahaha - took me a minute to realise where that quote came from!
I keep thinking, I know it's Alan Arkin, I know it's Alan Arkin...
I've only got the DVD of Grosse Pointe Blank, but I've been meaning to re-watch it for ages. Apparently the blu-ray is not really worth the upgrade.
I think I saw it twice in the cinema. Awesome film!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Simple Lines

You can smell the smoke, too.

Letter Never Sent may be the best 2D movie with inadvertent 3D effects.

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

The feeling of jeopardy in this film is quite unique.

Definitely! Letter Never Sent appeals to my mountain hiking/ultrarunning side, because it's one of the best films I've ever seen when it comes to showing how quickly and unexpectedly things can take a turn for the worse in nature. It's chilling how the mood of Letter Never Sent abruptly turns from celebration to mortal terror.

Nature is not cruel, as some people say. Nature is just indifferent. In a way, that's worse than cruelty, because, if nature were cruel, we would know that it was at least acknowledging our presence. Letter Never Sent is probably a great film to watch in conjunction with my favorite 2012 movie, The Grey.

As is, though, I watched Letter Never Sent and Peter Weir's The Way Back last night. Strange to watch a nationalistic Soviet film followed by a film about escaped prisoners fleeing communist oppression, but I simply wanted to watch both films because of their outdoor adventure awesomeness. Both are simply amazing in high-def.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I actually Googled that to make sure you weren't using some arcane word

No no, just typing on a smartphone. Autocorrect and such haven't improved any on the Galaxy S3 from the iPhone 4. Battery life and screen resolution are much better though.

I'm far more proficient at an actual computer whilst typing.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

It's great! Abd Probably one of my favorite youth films. I was just blown away by the harshness an veracity of the first act, the absolutely amazing and emotionally potent riots that follow and the killer music. It's certainly not a romp or a hugely entertaining film, but it's probably the most accurate depiction of restless youth; so much so that it was quite painful and too much to take at times. It's one of my favorite CC releases of 2012. (cough, cough, its much better than The Hobbit and TDKR, cough, cough)

Quadrophenia is definitely one of my favorite releases of the year, although it is hard to pick just one.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Your phone autocorrected a real word to "flwages"?

New from Criterion: The Flwages of Fear

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Do the production and release dates really vary that much? I don't recall a lot of his work sitting on the shelf for long. You might be talking about a few films made in the same year released out of order. To me that isn't a big deal.

I would say release date in any case. Zulawski's On The Silver Globe, for example, was mostly made in 1977 but I still consider it a 1988 release.



Your phone autocorrected a real word to "flwages"?

Apparently so. It chooses some of the strangest stuff sometimes. It actually autoverreacted of to Ireland once. I'm using Go Keyboard, which could explain it. Sometimes it won't even au try correcting words at all, or moves the cursor around randomly.

The iPhone was just as bad, if not worse in some cases. Smartphones are kinda stupid actually. Also, I preferred typing on an actual keyboard anyways.

[CusackstheMan]

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

[AkumaSG]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already?

I personally only buy Criterion if I've already seen the film and enjoy it. I don't blind buy movies and even though I'm a collector I don't need to have every spine number.

That said the Criterion Collection (and it's counterparts) is a good way to expose oneself to world cinema. So blind buying their releases (at least to me) is condonable. My opinion would differ if one were to walk into their local media outlet and purchase "Battleship" on a whim.

In the end though, to each their own.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

Never knew of The Criterion Collection till I bought Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Most of my Criterion collection are blind buys...and not one has been a disappointment. I've broadened my sense of taste over the years in regards to film in general and have loved every minute of the journey. Blind buys to me are the best kind of buys...IMO.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases

I will not automatically buy a film just because it's a Criterion. In fact, there are a great many Criterion titles that I have no desire whatsoever to own (Salo, Antichrist, the Wes Anderson movies, etc.). I will never own the entire Criterion Collection.

I am, however, always intrigued by movies that appear on the Criterion label, because I know that Criterion has an outstanding track record for bringing underappreciated films to a greater audience.

The vast majority of my Criterion purchases are blind buys, simply because there are no other ways for me to see that particular film in a decent presentation. I do, however, thoroughly research each title before buying it to see if it caters to my interests. I read reviews, movie summaries, descriptions, and such.

For instance, I have never seen Robert Bresson's A Man Escaped, but I cannot wait to buy it.
1. It's a prison escape film, and many of my favorite movies are prison escape films (Escape from Alcatraz, The Shawshank Redemption, Le Trou, The Great Escape, etc.).
2. It's a film about the French resistance. (Army of Shadows is one of my all-time favorite films.)

The chance that I'll like A Man Escaped is 95.7%, based on detailed calculations, so I'm going to blind-buy it.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I will not automatically buy a film just because it's a Criterion. In fact, there are a great many Criterion titles that I have no desire whatsoever to own (Salo, Antichrist, the Wes Anderson movies, etc.). I will never own the entire Criterion Collection.

I am, however, always intrigued by movies that appear on the Criterion label, because I know that Criterion has an outstanding track record for bringing underappreciated films to a greater audience.

The vast majority of my Criterion purchases are blind buys, simply because there are no other ways for me to see that particular film in a decent presentation. I do, however, thoroughly research each title before buying it to see if it caters to my interests. I read reviews, movie summaries, descriptions, and such.

For instance, I have never seen Robert Bresson's A Man Escaped, but I cannot wait to buy it.
1. It's a prison escape film, and many of my favorite movies are prison escape films (Escape from Alcatraz, The Shawshank Redemption, Le Trou, The Great Escape, etc.).
2. It's a film about the French resistance. (Army of Shadows is one of my all-time favorite films.)

The chance that I'll like A Man Escaped is 95.7%, based on detailed calculations, so I'm going to blind-buy it.

A Man Escaped definitely looks like one I would thoroughly enjoy. I love and own Shawshank...one of my favorite films. I've always noticed when The Prisoner series would be on sale, and always kick myself for never buying it. The episodes I did see I loved when I was a young lad.
So in regards to my next or one of my next blind buys...A Man Escaped will definitely be on that list...from what I've read about the film I don't think I'll be disappointed.

[CusackstheMan]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I will not automatically buy a film just because it's a Criterion. In fact, there are a great many Criterion titles that I have no desire whatsoever to own (Salo, Antichrist, the Wes Anderson movies, etc.). I will never own the entire Criterion Collection.

I am, however, always intrigued by movies that appear on the Criterion label, because I know that Criterion has an outstanding track record for bringing underappreciated films to a greater audience.

The vast majority of my Criterion purchases are blind buys, simply because there are no other ways for me to see that particular film in a decent presentation. I do, however, thoroughly research each title before buying it to see if it caters to my interests. I read reviews, movie summaries, descriptions, and such.

For instance, I have never seen Robert Bresson's A Man Escaped, but I cannot wait to buy it.
1. It's a prison escape film, and many of my favorite movies are prison escape films (Escape from Alcatraz, The Shawshank Redemption, Le Trou, The Great Escape, etc.).
2. It's a film about the French resistance. (Army of Shadows is one of my all-time favorite films.)

The chance that I'll like A Man Escaped is 95.7%, based on detailed calculations, so I'm going to blind-buy it.

If I was filthy rich, I'd probably have no problem with buying nearly all the Criterion Collection. But of course, I'm not close to being rich, so I have to limit my purchases. Although all 7 of my Criterion Blus have been blind buys, I have chosen what many in the film world to be as close to locks (that I'll like them) as you can get. And I can't see myself watching a Criterion release on say, Hulu, before I purchase, and I'm not exactly sure why. I only blind bought one film in my life before discovering Criterion. Then I blind bought 7, as I wrote before. So further Criterion buys will be probably be blind buys as well, unless its something that I've seen before, love and don't own.

[CusackstheMan]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

No one is going to admit they buy them all just to own them all, even though that's really the only reason to own them all.

Yet I don't think that's such an embarrassing thing to admit, considering how extraordinary most of these releases are, especially if you have the cash. Not to mention, that most or all of these films will go out of print, so I assume you can re-sell them for more than you bought them even if you opened them already.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

I've always noticed when The Prisoner series would be on sale, and always kick myself for never buying it. The episodes I did see I loved when I was a young lad.

Funnily enough, I received the DVD box set of The Prisoner: The Complete Series for Christmas two weeks ago. I have not had a chance to watch the series yet, but I will soon. I've always wanted to see this show, so I'm sure that I will love it.

(I have not owned a Blu-ray player for long, so nobody knew to get me a Blu-ray instead. I'm perfectly happy own it on DVD, though.)

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

The world needs followers and companies are more than happy to increase their appeal to get them, like Apple. Criterion, IMO is a perfect example in the world of film distributors, as remember, they do not own any of the films they distribute. They have a 'cult' type following. To keep this 'cult' they even number their releases, to make sure everyone can keep things in order... Frankly, there is no way you can enjoy all the films in the collection, seems mentally impossible, as there are too many different themes involved. Because of peoples 'need' to collect or be a completist, they buy things they don't necessarily like or even want, like Apple products or obscure Criterion releases.... It's a great business model and is fostered by many of the posters in the various CC forums.....

I don't know if Beta enjoys all the films he owns, as I think he owns all the BD releases, but ask him.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

I'm a mixed bag, a lot of blind buying and a lot bought thanks to Netflix, TCM, and other wats if viewing the films.

I only own one Criterion that I outright hate, and only keep it because It's in a 7 film box set and shares a disc with a film I like, but did not love. I even tried watching the film I hate the'er*times before I gave up on it. As much as people like to ***** about Tiny Furniture, It's miles better than this "film" I speak of, A Safe Place.

There, I said it, Lena Dunham is a better film maker than Henry Jaglom. Tiny Furniture never made me want to murder anyone, and a lot of the technical aspects of the film are pretty impressive. Not enough to make me want to own Tiny Furniture, but I give it more respect than A Safe Place.

I've been pretty lucky with my other purchased titles though. A few meh ones, but repeat viewings help to make me enjoy them more, because I watch my films more than once, and in some cases, several times in a row. All of what I buy is stuff that sounds interesting or things I enjoyed if I saw it before purchase. There are several titles I will never buy, and even outright detest.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

Reading this forum more and more, I noticed something that I shouldn't be surprised about, but am. I've learned there's a wide variety of opinion on what posters like and dislike within the Criterion Collection. It makes me think that at least some people on here are blind buying Criterion Blus just to have them on their shelf, with actually liking the film an added bonus. For example, some people have written on here that they already bought all or most of the 2012 releases, and I find it had to believe that those people didn't blind buy at least some of those films and/or didn't like all the films they bought. I myself blind bought Chungking Expess and In the Mood for Love. I liked Chungking lots; In the Mood....not so much. But do I regret adding that beautiful In the Mood case to be shelf? No. To me this begs the question, do most of us on here buy these Criterion releases to own another piece of the Criterion library, or buy them cause they know they will love the film and/or have seen it already and know it's a great film? Myself, I try to purchase movies I think I'll like, and prefer Criterion cause I know, more times than not, I will get to experience a film in best possible format ever available. In other words, blind buying is less of a deal to me because of this. Plus, I love the cases.

The one main thing about criterion that I enjoy is the fact that they release great transfers of films that would not be released otherwise by major distributors. I have bought blindly a couple of times, but films of directors I really enjoy. You can also run the risk of not liking these films; very few directors have a perfect filmography.

Lately, people commented that individuals that appreciate other rare film directors as snobs are entirely off the ball. I understand Kurosawa, Fellini and Bergman are geniuses of the moving art, but they are not the entirety of international film industry legacy. Criterion has gone out of their way to provide the US with less well known directors; and I commend them for that.

In regards to Criterion releasing more mainstream films (like Lynch) its OK. Just as long as they focus more on rare international gems. I would like to see Le Samourai before Eraserhead.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I have bought blindly a couple of times, but films of directors I really enjoy. You can also run the risk of not liking these films; very few directors have a perfect filmography.

True that.

I certainly do not watch Jean-Pierre Melville's Les Enfants Terribles as much as I watch his other Criterion films.

I also do not watch Akira Kurosawa's The Lower Depths or Dodes’ka-den as much as I watch the other Kurosawa movies in my collection. In fact, I've only watched both of those films once.