The Criterion Collection

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Dustin Putman

I finally watched Catherine Breillat's Fat Girl last night, and wow, this film really threw me for an unexpected loop. I knew very little about it going in and was instantly immersed in this tough, realistic examination of two adolescent sisters and the emotional repercussions that come to both of them when the elder, thinner, more conventionally beautiful sister loses her virginity. The final third I dare not give away, least of all the final unforgettable minutes, but Breillat was able to fill every frame with a sense of encroaching danger and unease, until...well...I was left very disturbed at the film's closing comment on the fallibility of life--and our ultimate fates. I loved this film.

I am glad to hear you liked it. This is one of my favorite Criterion releases. The film is so wonderfully made, and has such interesting things to say about the relationships between violence and sex.

[KRW1]

Originally Posted by Dustin Putman

I finally watched Catherine Breillat's Fat Girl last night, and wow, this film really threw me for an unexpected loop. I knew very little about it going in and was instantly immersed in this tough, realistic examination of two adolescent sisters and the emotional repercussions that come to both of them when the elder, thinner, more conventionally beautiful sister loses her virginity. The final third I dare not give away, least of all the final unforgettable minutes, but Breillat was able to fill every frame with a sense of encroaching danger and unease, until...well...I was left very disturbed at the film's closing comment on the fallibility of life--and our ultimate fates. I loved this film.

I had exactly the same feelings. Great film and one to watch blind, no doubt.

[SolidBlu]

Playtime is back in stock at amazon for $30.38, ordered my copy while it is available

[SolidBlu]

Just browsed the B&N CC BR listings, most of them are at $23.99, are they in B2G1 promo? will they also have the 50% promo today? thanks

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SolidBlu

Playtime is back in stock at amazon for $30.38, ordered my copy while it is available

Jump on this! I can't stress it enough for Playtime is the most visually inventive comedy ever made.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by SolidBlu

Just browsed the B&N CC BR listings, most of them are at $23.99, are they in B2G1 promo? will they also have the 50% promo today? thanks

Nope, there doesn't seem to be a B2G1 promo yet. When it does start all the prices will jump up to $39.99 so it's a pointless sale. 3 Criterion blus for $80 no thanks. I'd rather wait until the 50% off sale and get 4 for $80.

Someone said the 50% sale starts on the 3rd of June but we'll have to wait and see.

[Colkurtz88]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just lost an eBAY auction a few hours ago for The Third Man blu-ray. I bid up to $85 but it ended up selling for like $158. I just can't see myself spending anything higher than $100 on any movie, period. How much did you end up paying for your copy? Just curious.

I wonder if I'll ever get lucky finding a nice used copy of The Third Man and end up not spending too much money. This would be a miracle of course. Will I give in and spend triple digits eventually? Or will I wait another year or two and somehow find this at a better price? Hmmmmm.

I bought it north of $170.00. I kinda see myself as a collector so it's easier for me to justify. I am looking to get every single criterion movie put out and spending more money to do that on OOP's is fine by me. I see it as a one time purchase for that particular movie and once I have it I have it. On the same note, I do have my limits. I wouldn't go more than $250.00 on a movie unless it's OOP and there's nowhere in this f'n universe that I can possibly watch it.

BTW, I've noticed the prices for The Third Man have gone down a bit on Amazon over the past several weeks. My theory on that is there's people out there that don't buy it to watch it, they buy it as an investment so they don't open the movie, thus creating a stagnant supply of Brand New copies out there, then all of a sudden you have these periods where people are looking to unload and they undercut each other. A month ago, there were only two copies under $300.00 but they were both above $280.00. Couple weeks ago you had like 10 or so under $280.00 with several under $200.00.

But the days of this being had for $85.00 or under are gone unless Criterion gets the rights back.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

[Show spoiler]I intentionally skipped over your review at first, since I hadn't yet seen Medium Cool, so that's why I asked these redundant questions.

Now that I've watched the film, I went back and read your review, which is superb. Thanks for pointing out the Belmondo/Godard references that appear in the movie, and Wexler's use of McLuhan as an explanatory model for thinking about the media, representation, meaning, reception, and control.

I also really, really like that you mention in the review the English Poor Laws - as it turns out I'm extremely interested in that topic. I'm a university professor and one of my areas of research specialization is precisely the contentious histories of social assistance in England and the United States, particularly in the US South, and the powerful influence of the Poor Laws on patterns of relief and the social meanings of welfare. As much as I would like to think that college history courses and the history classroom comprise an effective forum for relating knowledge about a topic like the Poor Laws, I agree with you that works of fiction and the cinema often do a much better job at this. (Though the academic work of the historian Michael Katz is especially informative when it comes to the Poor Laws.)

The accessibility and effectiveness of film for learning and thinking about history are among the core reasons that I love epics. Works like Ran, Kagemusha, and the Last Emperor draw me in not only because they are visually stunning - but also because they help me to visualize Japanese history and provide a context in which I can better understand different cultures and their pasts.

I try to watch one movie per day, but have been on a bender lately - in a couple of days watched Ran, Kagemusha, Heaven's Gate, 3:10 to Yuma, Medium Cool, Life is Sweet, 25th Hour, and the Descendants. Of these films my favorite is Heaven's Gate. I think that it's my absolute favorite western. As I've mentioned before, I find the fiddle and roller skating scene to be one of the best cinematic scenes ever. It's just so folksy. The special features interview with the fiddler/composer is great, contains lots of information about how the music was put together, and helps to explain how that scene was constructed. Apparently, Cimino asked all of the extras, local folks from the places in which the film was being shot, to indicate any special talents. The front man for the band that had been hired to perform in the movie indicated that he could roller skate - and that's how the scene was born.

Although the whole Eastern European immigrant subplot/context that is part of Heaven's Gate often gets chided as feeling tacked on or distracting, I actually find it to be one of the more charming and important aspects of the film: it complicates the meanings of manifest destiny, national identity and allegiance, and forms of social power that are represented in the film, and it is the basis for some wonderful cinematography of the huddled masses lurching west and for the remarkable folk/fusion music.

Ran and Kagemusha - I'd seen them before but had forgotten their grandiosity, the lush colors, the ways that history blends together with fantasy, and the masterful direction of Kurosawa. He really threw everything into these later works, as though each would perhaps be his last.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

I studied the Poor Laws years ago during one of my history electives in college, and Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist was a part of the curriculum. I worked in the public health sector for a few years here in the American South, and the comparisons/contrasts between the two societies is rather interesting.

I need to revisit Heaven's Gate, because it really is a splendid production in every sense. I saw it in standard definition, but I know that I'll enjoy it all the more on Blu-ray. I also agree with you about Kurosawa's epics. I probably should not have sold my Criterion DVD of Ran, because it'll probably be a long while before that film sees the light of day on Criterion Blu-ray. Kagemusha is almost as good in my eyes, and I can understand why a lot of fans consider it to be the superior film.

Now that I'm done with my morning run, it's time to watch my Criterion Blu-ray of Easy Rider.

[SolidBlu]

Originally Posted by Judex

Nope, there doesn't seem to be a B2G1 promo yet. When it does start all the prices will jump up to $39.99 so it's a pointless sale. 3 Criterion blus for $80 no thanks. I'd rather wait until the 50% off sale and get 4 for $80.

Someone said the 50% sale starts on the 3rd of June but we'll have to wait and see.

noted buddy, thanks I'll just wait for their 50% sale then

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Colkurtz88

I bought it north of $170.00. I kinda see myself as a collector so it's easier for me to justify. I am looking to get every single criterion movie put out and spending more money to do that on OOP's is fine by me. I see it as a one time purchase for that particular movie and once I have it I have it. On the same note, I do have my limits. I wouldn't go more than $250.00 on a movie unless it's OOP and there's nowhere in this f'n universe that I can possibly watch it.

BTW, I've noticed the prices for The Third Man have gone down a bit on Amazon over the past several weeks. My theory on that is there's people out there that don't buy it to watch it, they buy it as an investment so they don't open the movie, thus creating a stagnant supply of Brand New copies out there, then all of a sudden you have these periods where people are looking to unload and they undercut each other. A month ago, there were only two copies under $300.00 but they were both above $280.00. Couple weeks ago you had like 10 or so under $280.00 with several under $200.00.

But the days of this being had for $85.00 or under are gone unless Criterion gets the rights back.

Thank you for your response. That is really really interesting about the stagnant supply of new blu-rays. It makes sense that most people out there are just buying these to try and re-sell at a higher price and make a profit off Ebay or Amazon. And the real film buffs who really want to own this in their collection are fewer and farther between. Right now you can buy a new copy of The Third Man on Amazon for around $181 and someone is selling their used copy for $39.99! (but that is just the disc only with no artwork and booklet). Let's say I did buy the used BD for $39.99... could I possibly be able to ever purchase the artwork and booklet separately somewhere else? Or is this pretty much near impossible?

I am a collector too, but my mission is not to own every single Criterion. I probably have close to half of the BDs released by Criterion now though. I have 108 Criterion BDs out of 239 that have been released on this format. Still, out of print titles allure me like none other.

Originally Posted by sc1957

You could also stop obsessing about the Criterion version and buy the StudioCanal version, which is perfectly fine. Right now it's $13.38 at Deep Discount or $17.78 at Amazon.

I know, I know. But I've obsessed so much about the Criterion version, my mind is only set on this, even though the movie is available on BD for a perfectly inexpensive price. It's hard to get my mind off this.

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It usually happens around 2-3, if I recall correctly. Same with the 50% off sale. It usually takes forever for them to update their site.

There has been some misinformation in this thread. I dropped by B&N today to see if the two sales were overlapping, but I was shown a flier stating that the buy two get one free sale does not start until Tuesday, June 3. Thus, the sales do not overlap at all.

Personally, I don't view either the B&N 40% off sale, nor the buy two get one free sale as being very good when they're independent of each other. The 40% off sale marks the typical criterion blu down to about $23.90 plus tax; many times, this price can be accomplished on Amazon.com, as their Criterions fluctuate and usually dip down this low. The buy two get one free is even worse, where a typical Criterion blu is marked down to $26.66.

The 50% sale is where it's at - combined, of course, with the additional 10% membership discount, assuming you are buying a decent quantity.

The good old days.... $13.60/piece.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Jump on this! I can't stress it enough for Playtime is the most visually inventive comedy ever made.

Absolutely. In the Sight and Sound 2012 poll, Kristen Thompson, a leading academic film historian and critic, puts Playtime in her top 10 all time movies, and Tati in her top 3 directors. I love browsing through that poll. Lots of interesting perspectives and knowledge. Quentin's top 10 is fun.

http://explore.bfi.org.uk/sightandsoundpolls/2012

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

I studied the Poor Laws years ago during one of my history electives in college, and Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist was a part of the curriculum. I worked in the public health sector for a few years here in the American South, and the comparisons/contrasts between the two societies is rather interesting.

I need to revisit Heaven's Gate, because it really is a splendid production in every sense. I saw it in standard definition, but I know that I'll enjoy it all the more on Blu-ray. I also agree with you about Kurosawa's epics. I probably should not have sold my Criterion DVD of Ran, because it'll probably be a long while before that film sees the light of day on Criterion Blu-ray. Kagemusha is almost as good in my eyes, and I can understand why a lot of fans consider it to be the superior film.

Now that I'm done with my morning run, it's time to watch my Criterion Blu-ray of Easy Rider.

Very cool - I recently read Ghost Map, a really engrossing book on the cholera epidemics in London in the mid 19th century. Maybe you've read it. If not I highly recommend it. It's right up there where with Henrietta Lacks in terms of my favorite recent works in the area of the history of public health. The Ghost Map would make an awesome film adaptation because it's basically a detective story and might have the feel of Gangs of New York in terms of trying to capture the rise of the city.

Not enough movies about public health - I like Soderbergh's Contagion, and absolutely love Panic in the Streets, Kazan being one my favorite directors.

It's so hard for me to rank Ran and Kagemusha - I like the way that the former is spare and fantastical like a kind of dream, involving rich symbolism, especially the use of the four colors representing the different clan and military groups, so beautiful . . . while I really like the epic battle scenes in the latter. Both movies are just so impressive as high drama, with Japanese and classical sensibilities mixed in ways that feel really authentic and fresh, and make the films involving and rewarding and layered. And in spite of their subtlety and complexity Ran and Kagemusha also feel simple and universal.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

The 50% sale is where it's at - combined, of course, with the additional 10% membership discount, assuming you are buying a decent quantity.

Did they give a date when the 50% starts?

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by sc1957

You could also stop obsessing about the Criterion version and buy the StudioCanal version, which is perfectly fine. Right now it's $13.38 at Deep Discount or $17.78 at Amazon.

The StudioCanal version may be fine, but the Criterion is better. I was never able to justify upgrading from my Criterion DVD, which looked pretty good upscaled, to a "second-best" BD edition. I held out and finally scored a copy of the Criterion. It was half obsesssion, I suppose, but the other half was simply wanting the best.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

Not enough movies about public health - I like Soderbergh's Contagion, and absolutely love Panic in the Streets, Kazan being one my favorite directors.

Panic in the Streets is somewhere on my list, but I'm biding my time. I'll own it someday.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

The StudioCanal version may be fine, but the Criterion is better. I was never able to justify upgrading from my Criterion DVD, which looked pretty good upscaled, to a "second-best" BD edition. I held out and finally scored a copy of the Criterion. It was half obsesssion, I suppose, but the other half was simply wanting the best.

May I ask what you paid for the Blu-ray edition? Trying to gauge other people's experiences/prices so I don't feel bad spending double digits for this film (The Third Man).

[paulgeneacepeter]

Originally Posted by jw007

May I ask what you paid for the Blu-ray edition? Trying to gauge other people's experiences/prices so I don't feel bad spending double digits for this film (The Third Man).

I paid $140 for my Criterion blu of The Third Man. Didn't want to go for the Studio Canal version simply because the Criterion version got better picture and audio review. Never thought I would pay that much for any movie but I also just bought Man Who Fell to Earth for $150. Simply because Criterion has never let me down with any blind buy and they haven't disappointed me with the picture and audio quality on their releases. Now having said that, I passed on buying Playtime because the picture quality got better scores on other releases and Criterion said they will be releasing it again in the future so I'll wait for the better version.

[The Great Owl]

Moving on through the American Lost and Found set to Easy Rider...



As much as I love Dennis Hopper's 1969 legendary road movie, Easy Rider, I will freely admit that I have trouble watching the first half of this movie with a straight face. The hippie culture depicted in Easy Rider has been parodied so many times over the decades that a latecomer to the film will likely view it through a corrupted lens. Since I grew up in the 1980s, I inevitably hear the comedic commercial tagline, "Hey man, is that Freedom Rock? Well, turn it up, maaaaan!", sounding off in my head during a few pivotal sequences involving classic songs from that era.

Easy Rider throws a fierce curve ball halfway through the film, though, and all associations with subsequent parodies are silenced. The curve ball appears in the form of Jack Nicholson's George Hanson, a disillusioned alcoholic lawyer with whom audiences immediately identify, because, while he understands the general mindset of Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hooper), he also straddles the fence of uneasiness around these characters because of his comparably conservative background. Nicholson commands attention in the most riveting dialogue sequence of the film, as he explains to Billy why the animosity toward hippies is based on an underlying fear of freedom itself. An unfortunate event unfolds later in the film, as if to remind us that those with a voice of reason who represent a fair middle ground may not have a future in society.

The real tragedy of Easy Rider is not that it represents an America that does not exist anymore, but that it represents an America that never really existed at all except in the imaginations of a select few. I am reminded of a book that I recently read, Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood, about an idyllic California community that thrived in the era of peace and love, but was ultimately darkened by underlying resentments, jealously, and the increasing frequency of "bad scenes" with regard to the drug trade. People are people in any given segment of the population, and, as such, we are all subject to both the triumphs and frailties of human nature.

I do not think of Easy Rider as a dark movie, though, and my idealism remains intact after each viewing, just as I'm sure that it does for many other fans of the film. Deep down inside, we all want to be like Wyatt and Billy, and we want to be riding free down the highways and unique detours of life, where there are still trustworthy people willing to feed a hungry person on the move or pick up a wandering soul on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

I owned the Criterion DVD of Easy Rider before purchasing the Blu-ray, and I can verify that the improvement in picture quality is not only noticeable, but quite wonderfully so. The ultimate road trip has never looked or sounded better than it does right now. Easy Rider is one of my most frequently revisited Criterion titles, because the pace flows with the same simple vibe that the characters in the film seek to possess. The multitude of dialogue-free scenes that rely on the music soundtrack are never a boring interlude, as some may fear, and they are quintessential to the feel of this unique slice of Americana.

[The Great Owl]

After revisiting Easy Rider, I feel the need to embark on a road trip of a somewhat lighter nature.

Onward to my new Blu-ray of National Lampoon's Vacation.