The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I watched my Criterion Blu-ray of The 39 Steps last night. One of my all-time favorite Hitchcock flicks is now so much better.

I've read unfavorable comments about the Blu-ray transfer for this one, but it's miles above the old first edition of the Criterion DVD that I used to have. I have nothing remotely negative to say about the picture quality, even if it does not quite have the same "oomph" of the transfer for The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Robert Donat is a terrific lead, and his impromptu introductory speech at a political meeting is one of the funniest moments from any Criterion title.
Incidentally, Robert Donat also starred as Edmond Dantes in the 1934 film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, which remains the greatest screen version of my all-time favorite novel. If you have not seen this fine film, then accept my sincere condolences. I have a DVD edition of this film that was released last year, and I hope to see a Blu-ray restoration someday.

Madeleine Carroll was one of the most beautiful Hitchcock actresses, and had a great onscreen chemistry with Donat. The handcuff scenes are hilarious, and, although there are more logical holes in this movie than most others, one cannot help but roll along and enjoy every bump in the fun story due to the charisma of these two leads.

The 39 Steps sets the standard well for Hithcock's classic storyline of a wrongfully-accused hero, a storyline that would serve him well in North by Northwest years later. The mood is even more lighthearted in this early film, but the importance and unwavering commitment that heroes had for their country is still heartfelt and inspiring.

I've enjoyed this story since childhood, because I was introduced to The 39 Steps by way of a different version of the film that I saw on HBO during the early 1980s. (I am not quite sure which version, exactly, but I think that it was the 1978 version listed on imdb.com.)

This one has my highest recommendation.

I meant to watch The Man Who Knew Too Much, The 39 Steps, and The Lady Vanishes back-to-back on Sunday, but some real-life obligations got in the way, and I have had to watch them apart. I did watch the first half hour of my Criterion Blu-ray of The Lady Vanishes last night, though, and I'll finish it tonight. I've seen the movie several times before via the old DVD edition, but it really shines on Blu-ray.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

On the Waterfront finally dropped a few bucks ($34.95)

Still a little steep, I'd like to pick it up for around $25.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Still a little steep, I'd like to pick it up for around $25.

34.99 - 20 reward zone certs = mine

[PowellPressburger]

It is nice it dropped to $34.49 finally on amazon. Since it is a digibook case I would rather pick it up in store, would love to price match it at Best Buy but all my local stores state unavailable. So looks like locally it isn't stocked. I may just grab at Barnes & Noble if their copy is mint.

[JHas]

With all the Zwigoff talk over the last day I decided to watch "Louie Bluie" on hulu last night. What a fascinating film that captures a forgotten piece of American Music history. Howard Armstrong and his pals had extradoinary wit, and to see it captured on film is such a treat. His paintings and "book o' porn" were unbelievable. I probably sound like a perv to those who haven't seen it, but I would die to go through that porno book he wrote (from what was shown on film it appears to be more anecdotal than nudie rag).

Will be cracking open my "Crumb" blu tonight, can't believe I put it off for this long!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by JHas

With all the Zwigoff talk over the last day I decided to watch "Louie Bluie" on hulu last night. What a fascinating film that captures a forgotten piece of American Music history. Howard Armstrong and his pals had extradoinary wit, and to see it captured on film is such a treat. His paintings and "book o' porn" were unbelievable. I probably sound like a perv to those who haven't seen it, but I would die to go through that porno book he wrote (from what was shown on film it appears to be more anecdotal than nudie rag).

Will be cracking open my "Crumb" blu tonight, can't believe I put it off for this long!

I knew that Zwigoff made Louie Bluie before he made Crumb, and I've been really interested in watching it.

What he did in Crumb is amazing. A true portrait of an artist. He explores: his family, inspirations, how he makes his art and future goals. All of which have an equal weight. It even intrigues the viewer with a "family curse". I have seen only a handful of documentary, this one is my personal favorite.

The next documentary that I will see is In Search of Moebius.

[ShellOilJunior]

Excellent essay today at the current:

http://www.criterion.com/current/pos...hima-mon-amour

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Excellent essay today at the current:

http://www.criterion.com/current/pos...hima-mon-amour

Thanks! I would love to upgrade my old Criterion DVD of Hiroshima Mon Amour, because it's a majestic film. It's probably just a matter of time until we all see a Blu-ray release.

I got to thinking about this recently when I revisited Léon Morin, Priest, which also starred Emmanuelle Riva.

[Whirlygig]

So the free streaming promotion...replacement for February flash sale? Sadface.

[Cowboy300]

Does Criterion have the rights to The Pianist? (Brody-2002 version)

[Scottie]

We talked about gynocentrism in my Sex and Gender class today and I found it pretty funny how I just watched a movie (Antichrist) with that as the main concept. It was interesting to hear other sides about it.

On a side note, USPS left me a "sorry we couldn't deliver this" slip in regards to the 33 Criterions I bought a week ago. I have to go to the post office and pick it up after 3:30 and then when UPS decides to drop the new releases off today, I'm going to be immediately watching On The Waterfront!

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by iScottie

We talked about gynocentrism in my Sex and Gender class today and I found it pretty funny how I just watched a movie (Antichrist) with that as the main concept. It was interesting to hear other sides about it.

On a side note, USPS left me a "sorry we couldn't deliver this" slip in regards to the 33 Criterions I bought a week ago. I have to go to the post office and pick it up after 3:30 and then when UPS decides to drop the new releases off today, I'm going to be immediately watching On The Waterfront!

33?

That's quite the haul

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

33?

That's quite the haul

Yeah, I went a little over the top, but I'm pretty happy. They're all brand new and they were $20 each with free shipping, tracking, and insurance, so.

I'll post a picture when they come in.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yeah, I went a little over the top, but I'm pretty happy. They're all brand new and they were $20 each with free shipping, tracking, and insurance, so.

I'll post a picture when they come in.

Mind if I ask where you got these prices? I have On The Waterfront on the way from Amazon.ca but it cost me $34.99

[Hendershot737]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yeah, I went a little over the top, but I'm pretty happy. They're all brand new and they were $20 each with free shipping, tracking, and insurance, so.

I'll post a picture when they come in.

There's food porn...nature porn...and now

Criterion porn

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

Mind if I ask where you got these prices? I have On The Waterfront on the way from Amazon.ca but it cost me $34.99

An eBay seller was selling his entire lot individually. He said he won all of the Criterions through some Gentleman's thing. Maybe he stole them. I really don't know or care lol.

Anyway, I messaged him about buying a group of them and he said if I wanted to he would sell them to me. So I sent him the list of Criterions that I was missing (it was the 33 I bought plus some of the November, December, January, and February releases - he didn't have those).

After some back and talk, he sent me this picture:

[Show spoiler]

Included are: ¡Alambrista!, Beauty And The Beast, Black Orpheus, Branded To Kill, By Brakhage Collection, Crumb, David Lean Directs Noel Coward, Fat Girl, For All Mankind, Godzilla, Gray's Anatomy, A Hollis Frampton Odyssey, House, If..., Kuroneko, Late Spring, Le Beau Serge, Le Havre, Life During Wartime, The Music Room, Orpheus, The Rules Of The Game, Secret Sunshine, Stagecoach, Still Walking, Summer Hours, The Times Of Harvey Milk, Tiny Furniture (Coop's favorite film), Tokyo Drifter, Topsy-Turvy, Vanya On 42nd Street, The War Room, and Yi Yi.

I saw most of them when they were individually listed and all were Brand New and Factory Sealed with the blue sticker (if applicable).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

An eBay seller was selling his entire lot individually.

[Show spoiler]

I do not see any Melville films in his collection. The Fail is strong with this one, young Jedi.

Then again, maybe he did not want to part with his Melville Criterions and did not include them in the picture as such. I stand corrected.

Seriously, your list of purchases is impressive there. The Rules of the Game is inevitable for me when the next Barnes & Noble 50% off sale hits.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I do not see any Melville films in his collection. The Fail is strong with this one, young Jedi.

Then again, maybe he did not want to part with his Melville Criterions and did not include them in the picture as such. I stand corrected.

I sort of think that there's more stacks elsewhere to the sides of the ones shown in the picture.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I sort of think that there's more stacks elsewhere to the sides of the ones shown in the picture.

There seems to be a glimpse of The Third Man spine on the stack to the right. That would be a welcome addition to my collection, but I do not want to pay anything close to what most people are asking for it. For now, I'll just stick with my Criterion DVD of The Third Man or spring for the StudioCanal edition later on.

[ParticleDan]

Oops. Double post