The Criterion Collection

[billyearle]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I just purchased a blu-ray player that I can make region free/region B and looking to pick up some of the Masters of Cinema discs. I'm thinking of picking up Nosferatu and Touch of Evil first. Anyone have any other suggestions of titles I should pick up? I don't want to buy to buy, especially if Criterion has a release pending, or rumors of, but I would like some good ideas.

In fact, they don't just have to be MoC, any of the Eureka titles, or other non-US releases would be appreciated. You can see my list of Criterion titles if you click on the link in my signature, and all my discs if you click the other. Right now I'm really watching a lot of westerns and film noir titles. Thanks for all the suggestions!

They have a lot of interesting silent films that aren't getting released "here" (I'm in Japan but my mind is still in America). If you liked Metropilis and Nibelungen, a Lang that isn't in the same league but still very cool to watch is Frau im Mond. Since I recall you once watched Salo over breakfast, I might be the first in a Criterion thread to recommend their steelbook of Human Centipede 1 & 2 . I had not seen the film, and was surpised to find it on their website. Was never sure if the film was as bad as some say, but since an arthouse label was distributing it, I thought, "Hey, this is classy!". Glad I checked it out...interesting, unusual film. The villain is played deliberately arch, so it's not as disturbing as I feared. I still haven't been up to watching the sequel though. Oh, their Caligari is the preferred version, IMO, even though I prefer the look of Kino's in most cases.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The improved MoC edition of Nosferatu and the MoC edition of Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend are the only two Region B titles that I feel that I'm truly missing out on.

Now that Double Indemnity and Touch of Evil have both been released in glorious Universal editions here on these shores, I'm happier with my decision to stay Region A.

I'd like the Jules Dassin film noirs on Region A releases, but it's probably just a matter of time before they show up here.

I spend enough money on Blu-rays as is. I'm afraid that, if I went region free, then the floodgates would open beyond my fiscal comfort zone.

I know the movies the thing, but the Eureka artwork for Nosferatu is a thing of beauty and the steelbook..... puts the Kino packaging to shame. That said, I'm like you Owl- I just don't want to open that Pandora's Box on multi-region. Not yet anyway.

[atlantajoseph]

Did anyone else get the TCM e-mail with their top 10 Criterion picks? Salo was #10. I got a nice chuckle from that. I mean, I agree it's a quality film, but the fact that it was on TCM's top list really made me do a double-take.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by billyearle

They have a lot of interesting silent films that aren't getting released "here" (I'm in Japan but my mind is still in America). If you liked Metropilis and Nibelungen, a Lang that isn't in the same league but still very cool to watch is Frau im Mond. Since I recall you once watched Salo over breakfast, I might be the first in a Criterion thread to recommend their steelbook of Human Centipede 1 & 2 . I had not seen the film, and was surpised to find it on their website. Was never sure if the film was as bad as some say, but since an arthouse label was distributing it, I thought, "Hey, this is classy!". Glad I checked it out...interesting, unusual film. The villain is played deliberately arch, so it's not as disturbing as I feared. I still haven't been up to watching the sequel though. Oh, their Caligari is the preferred version, IMO, even though I prefer the look of Kino's in most cases.

I really enjoyed Frau im Mond. I'm partial to films portraying manned (or in this case manned and womanned) space flight so it was right up my alley.

[Marlow27]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I just purchased a blu-ray player that I can make region free/region B and looking to pick up some of the Masters of Cinema discs. I'm thinking of picking up Nosferatu and Touch of Evil first. Anyone have any other suggestions of titles I should pick up? I don't want to buy to buy, especially if Criterion has a release pending, or rumors of, but I would like some good ideas.

In fact, they don't just have to be MoC, any of the Eureka titles, or other non-US releases would be appreciated. You can see my list of Criterion titles if you click on the link in my signature, and all my discs if you click the other. Right now I'm really watching a lot of westerns and film noir titles. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Definitely check out all of their silent releases - Passion of Joan of Arc, Sunrise, City Girl and the other Lang's and Murnau's in particular. There's some good noir on there, even Clouzot's first film or Kazan's Boomerang might be up your alley in those regards too, as well as The Tarnished Angels. There's some good Fellini on there too - Il Bidone, I Clowns, City of Women.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I know the movies the thing, but the Eureka artwork for Nosferatu is a thing of beauty and the steelbook..... puts the Kino packaging to shame. That said, I'm like you Owl- I just don't want to open that Pandora's Box on multi-region. Not yet anyway.

You wanna wait till things go out of print and are hard to track down ;D

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

You wanna wait till things go out of print and are hard to track down ;D

I just became region free, and this is basically where I'm at. I wish I had done it sooner if for no other reason that many of these cool Steelbooks I could have had at a normal retail price, but am now pining after at a much higher second market price.

[Darylbcool]

Call me crazy if you like but I like to see them do Prince's Sign O The Times concert film as a Collector's Edition.It may not or may happen in the future but anything is possible.

[pro-bassoonist]

Tootsie Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I just purchased a blu-ray player that I can make region free/region B and looking to pick up some of the Masters of Cinema discs. I'm thinking of picking up Nosferatu and Touch of Evil first. Anyone have any other suggestions of titles I should pick up? I don't want to buy to buy, especially if Criterion has a release pending, or rumors of, but I would like some good ideas.

Well, if I ever go region free, I'm betting that the first MOC title I will order is The Passion of Joan of Arc.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

You wanna wait till things go out of print and are hard to track down ;D

I'm at an age now when, if that happens, I'm like I'm not the avid collector I once was and if something gets away I don't sweat it. There's always something else to go after.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I just purchased a blu-ray player that I can make region free/region B and looking to pick up some of the Masters of Cinema discs.... any of the Eureka titles...

Although it doesn't have a great transfer, there is Rapture (not MoC) - a third of the price of the TT release, same transfer, plus a commentary and free DVD.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Did anyone else get the TCM e-mail with their top 10 Criterion picks? Salo was #10. I got a nice chuckle from that. I mean, I agree it's a quality film, but the fact that it was on TCM's top list really made me do a double-take.

That's very interesting! I didn't get the email ... do you happen to recall any of the other titles included on their list?

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by Darylbcool

Call me crazy if you like but I like to see them do Prince's Sign O The Times concert film as a Collector's Edition.It may not or may happen in the future but anything is possible.

What about Graffiti Bridge?

[Darylbcool]

Graffiti Bridge is a so-so movie.I'd like to see a Prince film with him playing live with a band!!!Under The Cherry Moon was even better,music wise.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

I just became region free, and this is basically where I'm at. I wish I had done it sooner if for no other reason that many of these cool Steelbooks I could have had at a normal retail price, but am now pining after at a much higher second market price.

I've never been a fan of steelbooks, although I can understand why others are. I always opt for the normal case if I'm given a choice between that and a steelbook. The only thing resembling such in my collection now is the tin box for Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection, because that tin box is the only way to own those fine films on Blu-ray. It's too easy for steelbooks and metal casings to get banged up, whereas I can always replace a standard plastic case.

Interestingly enough, a Best Buy steelbook of Guardians of the Galaxy sold out within minutes at most stores yesterday, and people are already paying nearly $100 for it on eBay. I simply grabbed the normal edition from Target during lunch yesterday, and, after looking at the steelbook in the thread, I think that the normal plastic case is the better package by far.

I won't go so far as to say that I don't care about packaging, though, because I'm grateful that Criterion is no longer releasing movies in the clunky Dual Format boxes. I also think that the Scream Factory slipcovers are a thing of beauty, although I could normally take or leave slipcovers.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've never been a fan of steelbooks, although I can understand why others are. I always opt for the normal case if I'm given a choice between that and a steelbook. The only thing resembling such in my collection now is the tin box for Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection, because that tin box is the only way to own those fine films on Blu-ray. It's too easy for steelbooks and metal casings to get banged up, whereas I can always replace a standard plastic case.

Interestingly enough, a Best Buy steelbook of Guardians of the Galaxy sold out within minutes at most stores yesterday, and people are already paying nearly $100 for it on eBay. I simply grabbed the normal edition from Target during lunch yesterday, and, after looking at the steelbook in the thread, I think that the normal plastic case is the better package by far.

I won't go so far as to say that I don't care about packaging, though, because I'm grateful that Criterion is no longer releasing movies in the clunky Dual Format boxes. I also think that the Scream Factory slipcovers are a thing of beauty, although I could normally take or leave slipcovers.

It's funny, I am usually all about "THE MOVIE" and never care about any special editions with swag or even supplemental features. But a really nice package/art will get me every time. Some of the UK Steelbooks have such beautiful art, especially when compared to the regular US counterpart that has awful Photoshopped floating heads and critics quotes.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The improved MoC edition of Nosferatu and the MoC edition of Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend are the only two Region B titles that I feel that I'm truly missing out on.

Now that Double Indemnity and Touch of Evil have both been released in glorious Universal editions here on these shores, I'm happier with my decision to stay Region A.

I'd like the Jules Dassin film noirs on Region A releases, but it's probably just a matter of time before they show up here.

I spend enough money on Blu-rays as is. I'm afraid that, if I went region free, then the floodgates would open beyond my fiscal comfort zone.

Thanks Owl! I have a few UK edition DVDs already, so it's not a big spend just for a few titles. But it is nice to see more and more Region A titles getting good transfers and features.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by jmclick

That's very interesting! I didn't get the email ... do you happen to recall any of the other titles included on their list?

This is the full list (from #1 through #10)

It Happened One Night
Seven Samurai
The Lady Vanishes
Amarcord
The 400 Blows
Beauty and the Beast
A Night to Remember
Walkabout
The Seventh Seal
Salo

TCM just called the list "Top Ten Criterion Film Picks"... no word on whether this is based on sales or some sort of selection process.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Marlow27

Definitely check out all of their silent releases - Passion of Joan of Arc, Sunrise, City Girl and the other Lang's and Murnau's in particular. There's some good noir on there, even Clouzot's first film or Kazan's Boomerang might be up your alley in those regards too, as well as The Tarnished Angels. There's some good Fellini on there too - Il Bidone, I Clowns, City of Women.

Passion of Joan of Arc has come up several times, I may need to add it to the list. I'll make sure to check the others as well. I do enjoy Kazan's work, so I'll look for those. All great suggestions!

Originally Posted by billyearle

They have a lot of interesting silent films that aren't getting released "here" (I'm in Japan but my mind is still in America). If you liked Metropilis and Nibelungen, a Lang that isn't in the same league but still very cool to watch is Frau im Mond. Since I recall you once watched Salo over breakfast,

[Show spoiler]I might be the first in a Criterion thread to recommend their steelbook of Human Centipede 1 & 2 . I had not seen the film, and was surpised to find it on their website. Was never sure if the film was as bad as some say, but since an arthouse label was distributing it, I thought, "Hey, this is classy!". Glad I checked it out...interesting, unusual film. The villain is played deliberately arch, so it's not as disturbing as I feared. I still haven't been up to watching the sequel though. Oh, their Caligari is the preferred version, IMO, even though I prefer the look of Kino's in most cases

.

Yeah.. the Salo over breakfast was a huge mistake. Lol!! I've still never finished the film, though I do want to try. I have seen the first Human Centipede, and found it more a shock film than anything else. and I'll check out Frau im Mond.

Originally Posted by jayembee

Well, if I ever go region free, I'm betting that the first MOC title I will order is The Passion of Joan of Arc.

Thanks, looks like this is a definite title.

Originally Posted by Sifox211

Although it doesn't have a great transfer, there is Rapture (not MoC) - a third of the price of the TT release, same transfer, plus a commentary and free DVD.

I'll check it out!

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are all appreciated, just need to make time for them now.