The Criterion Collection

[joie]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

After I watched Blow Out last month (05/05/2013), I dived into the supplements. From there, I viewed three interviews from Brian De Palma (nearly one hour), Nancy Allen, and cameraman Garrett Brown. Also, I seen all the gallery pictures (or photographs), all of them were black and white, on Blu-ray disc. As for Murder a la Mod, however, I didn't get around it yet, because it was getting late.

Anyway, the comments from three individuals was very interesting and lively in terms of the film-making, production, and acting. One of them Mr. De Palma touched on was the sound technique and technology incorporating with this movie; in my opinion, it was well ahead of time (i.e., before high technology like MP3 audio).

Did anyone get the chance to watch Blow Out supplements and extras?

Yes, I watched all of them.

Do you think the movie is about recording the perfect scream?

What is the definition of high tech? Wasn't MP3 a response to low bandwidth and expensive storage?

[ccg1978]

Anyone see Wild Strawberries on Blu yet?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished "Band of Outsiders" and I loved it. It was the second Godard film that I saw (besides Vivre Sa Vie). While I feel "Vivre Sa Vie" was stronger and more hard hitting, I did find this to be a very entertaining film!

The film is essentially one big, unrealistic fantasy, as the main characters have this grand idea to rob a rich old man after seeing so many Hollywood B-films. While most of it was very predictable, I think the execution was well done.

The only thing I really didn't like about this film was part of the ending. I mean

[Show spoiler]a man gets shot 5x in his chest and he is still about to walk. How unrealistic!

I'm definitely looking forward to checking out Breathless and Week End. I'm curious if these two have dancing, as well. It seems like Godard likes dancing, especially Anna Karina's dancing!

Nice review!

I think that Breathless, Vivre Sa Vie, Band of Outsiders, and Pierrot Le Fou are all golden. I never tire of these films. I've seen Weekend, and, while it did not quite leave the same impression, it's an unforgettable film.

[bdmartin134]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

After I watched Blow Out last month (05/05/2013), I dived into the supplements. From there, I viewed three interviews from Brian De Palma (nearly one hour), Nancy Allen, and cameraman Garrett Brown. Also, I seen all the gallery pictures (or photographs), all of them were black and white, on Blu-ray disc. As for Murder a la Mod, however, I didn't get around it yet, because it was getting late.

Anyway, the comments from three individuals was very interesting and lively in terms of the film-making, production, and acting. One of them Mr. De Palma touched on was the sound technique and technology incorporating with this movie; in my opinion, it was well ahead of time (i.e., before high technology like MP3 audio).

Did anyone get the chance to watch Blow Out supplements and extras?

I watched the Noah Baumbach interview with De Palma, but that was it though. It was very insightful... Surprisingly good blind-buy for me, well, actually traded with a member.

[JHas]

Originally Posted by benbess

+1

Wish they all could be CC titles.

Am I the only one that read this in a Beach Boys "I wish they all could be California girls," voice in their head?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by JHas

Am I the only one that read this in a Beach Boys "I wish they all could be California girls," voice in their head?

Funnily enough, no.

"The Olive Film titles are hip and I really dig the styles over there.
The Twilight Time titles with the way they sell out, they knock me out when I'm down there.
The Scream Factory titles really make me feel all right.
The Masters of Cinema titles, with their lengthy essays, they keep up reading them all night.
I wish they all could be Criterion Collection titles...
I wish they all could be Criterion Collection titles..."


Except that, since I'm a 1980s person, I imagine David Lee Roth singing it.

[Abdrewes]

Max Winters on Life is Sweet:

http://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and...ray-dvd-review

[FrankBlue]

Originally Posted by joie

Yes, I watched all of them.

Do you think the movie is about recording the perfect scream?

What is the definition of high tech? Wasn't MP3 a response to low bandwidth and expensive storage?

It's a very good question.

According to Wikipedia (to paraphrase), on your first question, it defined "high tech" (or "high technology") as technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology available. In those days, at the time when Blow Out in 1981, you have large blank tapes (correct me if I'm wrong) where they record film-making and mixing with sounds at a large movie studio room. If you look at the front cover of Blow Out, you'll find John Travolta lazily sat down at the chair and fully lean back, surrounded with many blank movie tapes. Some of them were on the shelf, and others were scattered and messy on the floor. It's sums up with their high technology at the time when Mr. De Palma filmed and directed this movie (now, it's old technology). Personally, it's had similarities with mainframe blank tapes. Can you imagine if today's IT geeks allow some of the blank tapes on the floor and making a mess at the IT department or recent movie studio room?

As for your second question, I'm not absolutely sure on the former. On the latter, however, it probably does given with the advancement on storage technologies. For general and commercial users, they can store and warehouse gigantic audio and video files (in terabytes) with low cost and little space at their location. You can also outsource it to cloud computing. Blow Out didn't have any of these tech gadgets.

In essence, if you think about it, "human quality" carries high importance for the main character. It starts with precision work. If there's no precision, the quality drops like a stone.

For reference:

High tech
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_tech

MP3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp3

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only thing I really didn't like about this film was part of the ending. I mean

[Show spoiler]a man gets shot 5x in his chest and he is still about to walk. How unrealistic!

reminds me of

[Show spoiler]Connery's fate in the Untouchables.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Nice review!

I think that Breathless, Vivre Sa Vie, Band of Outsiders, and Pierrot Le Fou are all golden. I never tire of these films. I've seen Weekend, and, while it did not quite leave the same impression, it's an unforgettable film.

Thanks, Owl! Can't wait!

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Max Winters on Life is Sweet:

http://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and...ray-dvd-review

The film did a decent job at showing how dysfunctional this family was, but I thought the story wasn't very solid and that the whole thing was such a drag.

[brandon_260]

My favorite Godard films are Weekend, Breathless, and Vivre sa vie (Le Mepris isn't that far behind). I think Criterion has released all his best 60's, but I wouldn't be upset if they got around to any of it, although I would rather them just upgrade something like Masculin Feminin.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You should check out Cleo from 5-7 and Don't shoot the Piano player. I have a feeling you would like those two French new wave films

Piano Player is on TCM this week! I can't wait to check it out. Cleo is one I've wanted to see for months now, when I get Hulu, it will be my first choice.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Piano Player is on TCM this week! I can't wait to check it out. Cleo is one I've wanted to see for months now, when I get Hulu, it will be my first choice.

It's damn near my favorite Truffaut. You're gonna really enjoy it

Also, Detour is on today. It's a fantastic and short B-noir.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

It's damn near my favorite Truffaut. You're gonna really enjoy it

Also, Detour is on today. It's a fantastic and short B-noir.

I'll give it look out for Detour. I'm very excited for the Truffaut spotlights all through July, and I can see Piano Player getting me even more excited. I've only seen The 400 Blows and Jules and Jim from him.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I'll give it look out for Detour. I'm very excited for the Truffaut spotlights all through July, and I can see Piano Player getting me even more excited. I've only seen The 400 Blows and Jules and Jim from him.

I used to have Jules and Jim on Criterion DVD, but sold it when I unloaded my DVD collection a few months back, because I figured that it's just a matter of time before that movie gets upgraded to Blu-ray. It's pretty awesome, and not far removed from Godard's Band of Outsiders in many ways.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Watched The Third Man tonight. Such a pity the Criterion release is so expensive. The Studio Canal transfer is very good, almost great, but Criterion's looks stunning from the screenshots I've seen. I went through a period of not watching many older black and white films but have gotten back into the swing of things and I'm hooked yet again.

The Third Man was such an enjoyable watch. I can imagine re-watching it many times in the future and when I get the time next, I'll be digging into the special features. The video and audio may be inferior but boy, does the studio canal release come packed with a pretty decent selection of special features (almost 6 hours including the audio commentary).

I'd like to dream about the possibility of Criterion getting the rights back one day but I know that's not very realistic. The Third Man seems to be a pretty good seller for Studio Canal. I don't imagine they want to get rid of it.

I'm going to try and just deal with owning this one. Yes, it bothers me quite a lot knowing I could be watching the best looking release and enjoying certain special features I'm interested in but can I justify spending about $200 when I just got my studio canal version for quite literally 10 times less shipped? No. I'm pretty poor right now lol

On the other hand... If criterion never get the rights back, it's fair to assume their release is only going to continue going up in value the more scarce they become, yes? That's a pretty depressing thought.

Just going to throw it out there. If anyone's got a copy they're not crazy about and would be happy to part with it for a good price, feel free to PM me.

Anyway, excellent film. The only thing that I can fault it on is the annoying little German boy. If I could, I would go back in time and become someone important in the industry just so I could get inside directors heads and advise them that obnoxious kids are not cute kids.

Orson Welles really stole the show as per usual. I really must try to continue seeking out good film-noirs to add to my collection. It's one of my favourite genres and I just don't have enough of them.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I used to have Jules and Jim on Criterion DVD, but sold it when I unloaded my DVD collection a few months back, because I figured that it's just a matter of time before that movie gets upgraded to Blu-ray. It's pretty awesome, and not far removed from Godard's Band of Outsiders in many ways.

I've only seen it once, but it's very good. Speaking of French New Wave films, how many have seen Le beau Serge? It's the only Claude Chabrol I've seen, but it's stunning, especially for a debut.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I've only seen it once, but it's very good. Speaking of French New Wave films, how many have seen Le beau Serge? It's the only Claude Chabrol I've seen, but it's stunning, especially for a debut.

I've been meaning to check out Le Beau Serge and Les Cousins for the longest time. I should hunt around online.

[SilentDawn]

The Night of the Hunter just came in the mail!!! What an awesome criterion release, the packaging is superb. really can't wait to watch the film tonight and dig into those special features.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been meaning to check out Le Beau Serge and Les Cousins for the longest time. I should hunt around online.

They are nice little films, but i feel they pale in comparison to the bigger New Wave works by Godard, Truffaut, Resnais, Varda, etc.

The Chabrol everybody should check out ommediately is Le Boucher (The Butcher). Such a dark, twisted, Hitchcockian thriller. Not a second wasted in that film.

[monorail91]

Just watched Vittorio de Sica's Two Women with Sophia Loren and Jean-Paul Belmondo, loved it. I coulda sworn it was a Criterion but apparently not? Surprised given it's De Sica, plus it's the film Sophia won an Academy Award for. That'd be great to see in the Collection.

More of a long shot, but I'd love for Simon Killer (which I've been raving about on its own thread) to go Criterion, mostly so it can get a wide distribution and reach more audiences. It's being distributed by IFC Films in theaters, so if it went Criterion it probably wouldn't be for a while, like Weekend (2011) and Tiny Furniture, which weren't released on home video til a year or so after their theatrical releases.