The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by septimus

Having received and been very impressed with the packaging of Marienbad with the embossed cardboard sleeve, I'm just curious why so many people seem to want a regular plastic case instead (to the point where Criterion apparently has had to start selling alternate cases on their site).

They're flimsier than the plastic cases, also they jut up a little when you line them up with cases, so if you're resting other cases on top of the rows, it may cause fitting issues. The double BD releases like Seven Samurai and Battle of Algiers still have digipak but the size of the booklets and all makes up for the inconvenience

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Didn't dislike it, and in terms of its expressionistic visuals it's pretty amazing in a lot of shots, but I certainly can't imagine watching it more than once. To quote from the review on my blog:

The Night of the Hunter does wear a lot on its sleeve. It's basically a live-action fairly tale, complete with a big bad wolf. I love the enchanted imagery when the kids are on the river.

The Johnny Cash fan in me also appreciates the vibe of the movie.

[Abdrewes]

Listening to Corona's "Rhythm of the Night", so naturally I am thinking of Claire Denis' Beau Travail. I definitely want to own that film on BluRay.

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Listening to Corona's "Rhythm of the Night", so naturally I am thinking of Claire Denis' Beau Travail. I definitely want to own that film on BluRay.

I wish they had more of Clair Denis' work in the CC. White Material is really good, and I really enjoyed her first film, Chocolat.

[JHas]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Bobby Dupea is one of my all-time favorite film characters, and is one of the best examples of a fictional person who makes me ponder my own life.

I can only relate to 1, not 5. Travis Henderson (Paris, Texas). I often fantasize of just dropping it all, going out in the desert...

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

I wish they had more of Clair Denis' work in the CC. White Material is really good, and I really enjoyed her first film, Chocolat.

I still need to get around to Chocolat (not to be confused with the Lasses Hallstrom film). I also plan on seeing my DVD of The Intruder very soon.

Are they as elliptical as White Material (which made my top 20 that year)?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Bobby Dupea is one of my all-time favorite film characters, and is one of the best examples of a fictional person who makes me ponder my own life.

It'd probably place somewhere in my top fifteen, maybe even top ten. It resonates like few films do. I'm always baffled at why the restaurant scene is the scene that's remembered. It's a great scene, but there are moments with such emotional heft and poignancy scattered throughout that deserved to be recognized. Bobby glaring in the bathroom mirror is one of the great final segments.

Oh, and for my money, it's Jack's best performance.

[ccg1978]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Of all these, I'd go with The Night of the Hunter. It's all that and a bag of chips.

My love of The Night of the Hunter goes way back to childhood, though, so I'm not sure how first-time viewers these days might evaluate it. I cannot imagine anybody on Earth possibly disliking it, though.

I would probably feel different viewing as a child. It was good, the tension was there. Just didn't like the ending. Not a lot of replay value IMO as well.

[Abdrewes]

Found a copy of Howard's End. Is it really going OOP?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Are they as elliptical as White Material (which made my top 20 that year)?

It's so hard to find someone else that is a fan.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Found a copy of Howard's End. Is it really going OOP?

It think it went OOP on the last day of June. Either way, I think it's pretty good, and worth a purchase anyway.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It's so hard to find someone else that is a fan.

White Material is one of those Criterion titles that intrigues me, but not quite enough to make the leap of faith. It's one of those titles that I always pick up in the store, glance at, and put back on the shelf. I'll check it out somehow somewhere.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Hmmm,,,,The Searchers maybe

Ok, i will post my college essay from 2002 on "The Searchers". You wanted it, you got it.

(apologies if this has nothing to do with the criterion thread..originally i was going to post an essay on "weekend" but discovered that the essay is missing).

the_searchers_jw007.txt

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I still need to get around to Chocolat (not to be confused with the Lasses Hallstrom film). I also plan on seeing my DVD of The Intruder very soon.

Are they as elliptical as White Material (which made my top 20 that year)?

I've not seen Intruder, but Chocolat is very different than White Material. Style wise, they are similar I suppose, but thematically, they are polar opposites (one looks a what was, and one looks at what is).

Oh, and yeah, Howards End is OOP, but not long enough for the prices to really hike up yet, so get it whilst it is relatively cheap.

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It's so hard to find someone else that is a fan.

I know! A very underrated director!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It think it went OOP on the last day of June. Either way, I think it's pretty good, and worth a purchase anyway.

I already own a copy (and a replacement disc). I promised myself that I would pick any and all OOP titles for the less fortunate. I really want Man Who Fell to Earth, but alas, everybody wants to sell that for $100. Gotta pass along the good karma in hopes that one day I will get a copy for a decent price.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

Ok, i will post my college essay from 2002 on "The Searchers". You wanted it, you got it.

(apologies if this has nothing to do with the criterion thread..originally i was going to post an essay on "weekend" but discovered that the essay is missing).

Attachment 68354

Should make for good reading during my Steel Design Class today

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

I've not seen Intruder, but Chocolat is very different than White Material. Style wise, they are similar I suppose, but thematically, they are polar opposites (one looks a what was, and one looks at what is).

I think I know what you mean.

[starman15317]

I rented The Wages of Fear from Netflix (fortunately they have the Blu-Ray like they should have for every Criterion on Blu ) so I'll be watching it tonight.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It's so hard to find someone else that is a fan.

I'm a fan of White Material. I bought it on BD but only watched it once. I really got into the film though.

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

I know! A very underrated director!

Yes, Denis is quite good. I still remember her acting in Wings of Desire. When I first saw that film, I never even realized she was a director too.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Should make for good reading during my Steel Design Class today

Oh man, I just read some of that essay just now and it is a bit dull I admit. It's more about John Wayne's star power and the commodification of actors than the actual movie. I should have posted my paper on Deliverance instead. That makes for much more enjoyable reading. Ha.

I think the teacher gave me a C+ on this essay (on John Wayne) too. So maybe its not so good.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Ok, i will post my college essay from 2002 on "The Searchers". You wanted it, you got it.

(apologies if this has nothing to do with the criterion thread..originally i was going to post an essay on "weekend" but discovered that the essay is missing).

Attachment 68354

Thanks for sharing!

John Ford is in the Collection, so your review has a place here.

I love Ford's use of framing in his films. Stagecoach and The Searchers are both fun examples of the use.

I have The Quiet Man in my stack to watch in a few days.