The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

Just watched RIDE THE PINK HORSE. Loved it!! Anyone who hasn't seen, blind buy it at next B&N sale. You won't be sorry. When is the next B&N sale btw? Anyone know?

So far, the B&N 50% off Criterion sales have been in July and November. There are, of course, other B&N sales throughout the year with varying discounts that may include Criterion titles.

[soarinsteven]

Top Ten!

01. The Rules of the Game
02. The Leopard
03. The 400 Blows
04. Pierrot le Fou
05. M
06. Bicycle Thieves (waitin' for that upgrade!)
07. Sansho the Bailiff
08. Late Spring
09. Belle de Jour
10. It Happened One Night

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

Ten is hard - can I have fourteen please?

No, sorry. You list must be stricken from the record!

[the sordid sentinel]

-The Thin Red Line
-Le Cercle Rouge
-Seven Samurai
-The Seventh Seal
-Army of Shadows
-Paris, Texas
-Night of the Hunter
-Lord of the Flies
-Days of Heaven
-Yojimbo/Sanjuro

[The Great Owl]

Robert Montgomery's 1947 film noir, Ride the Pink Horse, was released only a few months after his fascinating POV-style take on Raymond Chandler's Lady in the Lake, and, although it employs more conventional visual techniques than that previous film for the most part, it is still graced with innovative flourishes that, thankfully, serve to accentuate the storytelling instead of merely calling attention to themselves. The movie opens with a three-plus minute tracking shot that observes Lucky Gagin, played by Montgomery himself, stepping off of a bus in San Pablo, New Mexico, walking into the bus station, hiding a gun under his coat, placing an item in a locker, and coldly asking a local for directions to the La Fonda Hotel. This sequence, which seems almost effortless in its narrative efficiency and which also predates the amazing tracking sequence that would open Orson Welles's Touch of Evil over a decade later, conveys volumes of exposition to show Gagin as a stranger who does not grasp the cultural vibe of a strange land, but is nonetheless heading confidently into possible danger for which he may or may not be prepared. Later in the film, the camera eye rotates along with children on a merry-go-round as a man is being beaten within an inch of his life just mere feet away, as if to symbolize how we all more through the world while atrocities and crimes happen just outside of our path.

On visual and thematic terms, I would place Ride the Pink Horse squarely into classic film noir territory. We observe the trauma and world-weariness of a World War II veteran as he struggles to make his way in the world amid the alienating economic atmosphere of postwar America. We see villains, heroes, and antiheroes alike scrambling, in the style of The Maltese Falcon (1941), for a plot "MacGuffin" in the form of a canceled check. We have a sexy femme fatale, played by Andrea King, who brilliantly exudes ambiguous character intentions as she watches an act of violence. In ways that elicit comparisons to other classic-era noir movies like Border Incident (1949), we see the greed of postwar America shown in harsh contrast to more relaxed, and possibly wiser, mindsets of foreign cultures. Most of all, we have fedoras aplenty, most prominently shown in rear camera views of Montgomery himself that recall the sporadic mirror reveals of his Philip Marlowe in Lady in the Lake.

It would be a disservice to a prospective viewer to discuss the ways that Ride the Pink Horse strays from the noir aesthetic, but I love how this film veers in risky directions and never misses a step. The character of Pancho, played by the underrated Thomas Gomez, who played John Garfield's brother in another classic noir, Force of Evil (1948), shines as his true nature is revealed through the course of the film. The beautiful teenager, Pila, played by Wanda Hendrix, serves as a barometer to gauge Gagin's humanity in this offbeat setting. A final interaction in the film makes me want to cheer out loud, because a key relationship that might have been given a schmaltzy resolution in a lesser movie is handled with the utmost integrity and intelligence.

This Criterion Blu-ray looks great, and the level of detail in this black-and-white film allows us to appreciate the tracking shots and subtle visuals in terms of how they guide us through the story. The audio quality is spot-on, and this is most evident during sequences that take place while a crowded fiesta is going on in the background.

A 20-minute supplementary interview with Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Beyond the City, is one of the most enjoyable Criterion extras in recent memory, thanks in no small part to the fact that so many incredible classic-era noir movies are referenced by still shots. A commentary track by Alain Silver and James Ursini, who co-wrote The Film Noir Encyclopedia, also goes a long way toward noting this movie's place in the genre.

Ride the Pink Horse is a cool film, through and through, and it's a pleasant surprise for this enthusiast of classic noir. I give it high marks across the board.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I actually haven't seen The Lady Eve. Put it on hold at the library. Need more Stanwyck in my life.

The Lady Eve is, hands down, my favorite Stanwyck comedy ... and I've seen every single one of her eighty-plus movies, with the exceptions of Broadway Nights (1927, her only silent, and a lost film which crumbled into dust years and years ago) and Mexicali Rose (1929, a potboiler which is often said to be the nadir of her career). The scene on the train with Stanwyck and Henry Fonda actually had me out-of-breath and in tears the first time I saw it, I was laughing that hard ... and it remains hilarious after repeated viewings. You'll understand when you finally get to see it for yourself. Enjoy!

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Lady of Burlesque is also fun. Although not up to the level of BoF or TLE, it showcases Stanwyck's, er, physical assets, and she sings, too.

Absolutely! The thing I appreciate most about Lady of Burlesque is that it allows us, more than any other thing she ever did on film, to get a glimpse of Ruby Stevens, the courageous chorus girl who danced as one of the Keep Kool Cuties before she got her lucky break and was rechristened Barbara Stanwyck. I mean, there she is at the age of 36, performing a bump-and-grind dance and doing the splits ... one year before the release of her greatest dramatic triumph in Double Indemnity, the success of which contributed to her being the highest paid woman in all of the United States in 1944. Amazing lady!

And to tie my comments neatly back into this thread, I would love for Criterion to upgrade The Lady Eve and The Furies, to release a double feature of the two films she did with Douglas Sirk, All I Desire and There's Always Tomorrow, and to try to reconstruct John Ford's original version of The Plough and the Stars, which was taken out of Ford's hands and maimed by RKO prior to its general release.

[leonardb]

I had quite a surprise at the local Costco in Winnipeg; they had three Criterions for sale: The Thin Red Line; A Hard Day's Night, and Dazed and confused. This was the first time that I've seen Criterion for sale at Costco. I'm aware that they are sold at Costco in the states. The best part is they were $23.99; the bad part is that I already have The Thin Red Line. Hopefully this is a start for Criterion fans.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Give this a spin:

Ah yeah, i have been recommended this in past

Btw I adore the designer of this cover, her work is incredible. Would love this as a poster !

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

My top 10 Criterions...

Revanche
The Night of the Hunter
Paris, Texas
The Vanishing
Insomnia
Breaking the Waves
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Still Walking
John Cassavetes: Five Films
America Lost & Found: The BBS Story

I was just thinking about this, and I could easily make another ten Criterions that are amazing:

The Thin Red Line
Days of Heaven
Badlands
Riot In Cell Block 11
Solaris
Secret Sunshine
Letter Never Sent
Three Colors Trilogy
The Darjeeling Limited
Eraserhead

[spargs]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Robert Montgomery's 1947 film noir, Ride the Pink Horse, was released only a few months after his fascinating POV-style take on Raymond Chandler's Lady in the Lake, and, although it employs more conventional visual techniques than that previous film for the most part, it is still graced with innovative flourishes that, thankfully, serve to accentuate the storytelling instead of merely calling attention to themselves. The movie opens with a three-plus minute tracking shot that observes Lucky Gagin, played by Montgomery himself, stepping off of a bus in San Pablo, New Mexico, walking into the bus station, hiding a gun under his coat, placing an item in a locker, and coldly asking a local for directions to the La Fonda Hotel. This sequence, which seems almost effortless in its narrative efficiency and which also predates the amazing tracking sequence that would open Orson Welles's Touch of Evil over a decade later, conveys volumes of exposition to show Gagin as a stranger who does not grasp the cultural vibe of a strange land, but is nonetheless heading confidently into possible danger for which he may or may not be prepared. Later in the film, the camera eye rotates along with children on a merry-go-round as a man is being beaten within an inch of his life just mere feet away, as if to symbolize how we all more through the world while atrocities and crimes happen just outside of our path.

On visual and thematic terms, I would place Ride the Pink Horse squarely into classic film noir territory. We observe the trauma and world-weariness of a World War II veteran as he struggles to make his way in the world amid the alienating economic atmosphere of postwar America. We see villains, heroes, and antiheroes alike scrambling, in the style of The Maltese Falcon (1941), for a plot "MacGuffin" in the form of a canceled check. We have a sexy femme fatale, played by Andrea King, who brilliantly exudes ambiguous character intentions as she watches an act of violence. In ways that elicit comparisons to other classic-era noir movies like Border Incident (1949), we see the greed of postwar America shown in harsh contrast to more relaxed, and possibly wiser, mindsets of foreign cultures. Most of all, we have fedoras aplenty, most prominently shown in rear camera views of Montgomery himself that recall the sporadic mirror reveals of his Philip Marlowe in Lady in the Lake.

It would be a disservice to a prospective viewer to discuss the ways that Ride the Pink Horse strays from the noir aesthetic, but I love how this film veers in risky directions and never misses a step. The character of Pancho, played by the underrated Thomas Gomez, who played John Garfield's brother in another classic noir, Force of Evil (1948), shines as his true nature is revealed through the course of the film. The beautiful teenager, Pila, played by Wanda Hendrix, serves as a barometer to gauge Gagin's humanity in this offbeat setting. A final interaction in the film makes me want to cheer out loud, because a key relationship that might have been given a schmaltzy resolution in a lesser movie is handled with the utmost integrity and intelligence.

This Criterion Blu-ray looks great, and the level of detail in this black-and-white film allows us to appreciate the tracking shots and subtle visuals in terms of how they guide us through the story. The audio quality is spot-on, and this is most evident during sequences that take place while a crowded fiesta is going on in the background.

A 20-minute supplementary interview with Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Beyond the City, is one of the most enjoyable Criterion extras in recent memory, thanks in no small part to the fact that so many incredible classic-era noir movies are referenced by still shots. A commentary track by Alain Silver and James Ursini, who co-wrote The Film Noir Encyclopedia, also goes a long way toward noting this movie's place in the genre.

Ride the Pink Horse is a cool film, through and through, and it's a pleasant surprise for this enthusiast of classic noir. I give it high marks across the board.

Great review, Owl. My copy was waiting in my mailbox for me when I got home late last night.

[Spanish Scott]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I gotta thank this thread, without it I would've never seen Seconds and Revanche, among other films, and now you guys have me putting In the Mood for Love on my wishlist. This place is awesome.

Fair warning: you will fall madly, deeply in love with Maggie Cheung after watching the film. Unless you've already seen her in something else, in which case you're already under her spell anyway.

Originally Posted by leonardb

I had quite a surprise at the local Costco in Winnipeg; they had three Criterions for sale: The Thin Red Line; A Hard Day's Night, and Dazed and confused. This was the first time that I've seen Criterion for sale at Costco. I'm aware that they are sold at Costco in the states. The best part is they were $23.99; the bad part is that I already have The Thin Red Line. Hopefully this is a start for Criterion fans.

Might seem lame, but my first thought when I read your opening sentence was "They had to have had My Winnipeg, right?" Guess not. Maybe every Winnpeger was just given a copy by the city government?

[ChromeJob]

Originally Posted by Spanish Scott

Fair warning: you will fall madly, deeply in love with Maggie Cheung after watching the film. Unless you've already seen her in something else, in which case you're already under her spell anyway.

And after MOOD you have to find 2046.

I watched CHUNGKING EXPRESS last night while lamenting another copy on eBay rocketing to over $80. Anyone have a copy they'd let go for a more reasonable price (I.e. you have a copy you don't want or ever watch)?

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

anybody have Godzilla on their CC wishlist?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Godzilla-Bra...item41933ced71

Originally Posted by jmclick

I ordered a copy from this seller a few days ago, and it's currently in transit. I normally wouldn't have been interested, but the price was so low ... then, when I read about it on the Criterion website, I thought I might as well check it out. The idea that the film might have been inspired by the atomic bombing of Japan kind of intrigues me, especially since I've been cycling through WWII films laterly, including Ken Burns' The War and the newly released Unbroken.

I have the digibook dvd release of the original GOJIRA, many BTS photos and extras,... what does the CC edition have to recommend it? The film is classic, much much better than the US version, or the sequels, suggest. The hospital scene is wrenching.

[SammyJankis]

Not sure if this has been posted, but Amazon is currently selling Pierrot Le Fou for $39.99.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

I was just thinking about this, and I could easily make another ten Criterions that are amazing:

The Thin Red Line
Days of Heaven
Badlands
Riot In Cell Block 11
Solaris
Secret Sunshine
Letter Never Sent
Three Colors Trilogy
The Darjeeling Limited
Eraserhead

Yeah, I could list another 10 in a heartbeat that I love equally to those in my list.

[Spanish Scott]

My Top 10, in particular order, would be

The Red Shoes (Possibly my best blind-buy ever)
Persona
The Great Beauty
The Battle of Algiers
In The Mood For Love
Paris, Texas
8 1/2
Rushmore
The Gold Rush
On The Waterfront

One that I figured wouldn't really qualify is Hard Boiled. It's my favorite action film and an overall all-time favorite of mine, but I've never seen the Criterion version and don't really associate it in any way with the label, so it didn't seem right to include it.

[SilentDawn]

Are those OOP titles like The Third Man and Pierrot Le Fou really going to be shipped? Has anyone ordered from Amazon?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

Are those OOP titles like The Third Man and Pierrot Le Fou really going to be shipped? Has anyone ordered from Amazon?

doubt it as they are out of stock and seeing as they are OOP I can't see them getting new stock unless they managed to get their hands on some old copies? In regards to price, maybe Amazon is automatically setting price hence it snot the OOP prices?

[Scottie]

Had people seriously requested a standalone release of Five Easy Pieces over both The Last Picture Show and Easy Rider?

Although the former is a good movie, the latter two are definitely better overall, in my opinion, and their cultural impact appears far more powerful.

[biglou114]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Had people seriously requested a standalone release of Five Easy Pieces over both The Last Picture Show and Easy Rider?

Although the former is a good movie, the latter two are definitely better overall, in my opinion, and their cultural impact appears far more powerful.

Actually, I've always thought that Five Easy Pieces was always the far and away the best movie in the set. I also feel that it's the best representation of what BBS was about.