The Criterion Collection

[Yami]

The fact that there's been hardly any mention of Hi, Mom! in the past few pages shows that more people need to see Hi, Mom! I seem to remember reading that De Palma himself thought it had his best work in it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

His best film was The Untouchables. But Criterion should get its hands on Casualties of War!

The Untouchables had its moments, but De Palma (and Mamet) screwed the pooch by having Ness throw Nitti off the roof. In the real world, Nitti committed suicide about 10-12 years after the events of the film. At least when Tarantino changed history, he did it with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

(And yes, I know, a lot of films change history. Doesn't make it any less annoying.)

[Scarface32]

How come Criterion doesn't release digital copies with their movies? They obviously have digital distribution rights since they have the Criterion Collection stream on Hulu Plus, as well as sell them on iTunes, why can't they include codes with their Blu-rays?

[Fat Phil]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The Untouchables had its moments, but De Palma (and Mamet) screwed the pooch by having Ness throw Nitti off the roof. In the real world, Nitti committed suicide about 10-12 years after the events of the film. At least when Tarantino changed history, he did it with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

(And yes, I know, a lot of films change history. Doesn't make it any less annoying.)

De Palma and Mamet screwed no pooch.

They had absolutely no obligation to stay true to history. Their only obligation was to make an entertaining movie which they did.

Eliot Ness

[Show spoiler]throwing Nitti from the roof

= Exciting + thematically makes sense. It completes Costner's character arc "What are you prepared to do?".
The whole movie has been building to that point.

Nitti committing suicide 10 -12 years later is not exactly a powerhouse finale.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Norbie

Does anyone know where to get amaray cases that Criterion use for their standar 1 disc releases. Also if they are available in the slightly fatter cases like the All That Heaven Allows release?

Originally Posted by anthonyb

http://www.casetopia.com/category_s/1820.htm

The 1-disc cases are apparently on backorder right now, though.

You can also order the 1-disc cases directly from the Criterion website:

http://www.criterion.com/shop_produc...ay-case-5-pack

I always add one or two 5-packs to any blu-ray order I place so that I can bring my total to over $50.00 and qualify for free shipping.

[nondiatonic]

I think I've changed my mind.

I believe my most wanted announcement would be an upgrade of Floating Weeds just so I could marvel at the exquisite 'across the street in the rain shot' in HD.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

That's a cynical way to put it I guess. The point was perspective, a reminder that the things you're saying are from one perspective but there are others. Every forum debate is a comparison of opinions really, I was just presenting the other side.

It just came off as "that's your opinion," which should be assumed. I didn't intend for my post to come off as fact, though I thought much of what I said was a popular notion when it comes to De Palma's work. And in fairness someone earlier said that the other side was a tired opinion as if it didn't have merit.

If you see nudity as the same every time, good for you. I find it difficult to defend the artistic merit of the opening shower scene in Carrie, for example. It's straight up gratuitous, but again I don't mind that, I am a fan of exploitation, cult, and B-cinema FWIW. Regardless if De Palma fancies being an 80s Hitchcock, there are a good many that don't see it as, say, earned. It's sort of an odd and irrelevant point to make.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I think I've changed my mind.

I believe my most wanted announcement would be an upgrade of Floating Weeds just so I could marvel at the exquisite 'across the street in the rain shot' in HD.

Hey that's mine

That shot is one of most most fav. images from any movie. I have the UK release's screenshot of it as my profile backdrop here. The UK transfer is rather soft, and to me the colors feel a bit too muted. Hoping Criterion can remedy this.

[The Great Owl]

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I was fortunate to see it at a young age before finding out any of the spoilers. I've never bothered to see the Gus Van Zant remake.

On the subject of Brian De Palma, my favorite movie of his is Blow Out. I haven't seen Dressed to Kill in ages, though, and it's ripe for a revisit. I'm thinking that I'll probably watch my MGM Blu-ray (that I bought from FoxConnect a few months back) first, though, so that I can be wowed by the improvement on the Criterion disc later on.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The Untouchables had its moments, but De Palma (and Mamet) screwed the pooch by having Ness throw Nitti off the roof. In the real world, Nitti committed suicide about 10-12 years after the events of the film. At least when Tarantino changed history, he did it with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

(And yes, I know, a lot of films change history. Doesn't make it any less annoying.)

I don't have a problem of letting facts get in the way of a good story in movies. For example, My Darling Clementine is still great despite playing fast and loose with the facts of the shoot-out and especially Doc Holliday's fate. I guess it's just cases of movie makers using "artistic license." It's funny, I'm usually more bothered by seeing inaccurate things in a film such as no genuine German tanks in a film like Battle of the Bulge.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Sort of like how U2 imitates Coldplay on their most recent album.

This made me laugh, because the first 15 years of Coldplay's existence was spent trying to sound like Joshua Tree-era U2. I figured Bono and The Edge would tap out their creative wells eventually, and Coldplay would start out-U2ing U2. What is it called when something tries to imitate an imitation of itself? Double-negative satire?

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination." --Jim Jarmusch

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

This made me laugh, because the first 15 years of Coldplay's existence was spent trying to sound like Joshua Tree-era U2.

not debating the fact that Coldplay has aped U2 to a point that can make one nauseous, but their first album Parachutes is a fantastic listen and has much more in common with the Brit-pop bands that inspired them than it does with U2.

[nondiatonic]

I assume this is as good a place to pose this discussion as any.

I was recently reading a little about Late Spring.

[Show spoiler]The interpretations of the "vase shot" were what really stood out to me. I've often used that cut as an example to others of how film as a medium can create abstractions that cannot be created in other mediums (literature, music, painting, etc).

For the discussion: I've always (and immediately when first viewing the film) assumed that the vase in question was actually an urn, and that it was not in the room with Noriko and her father (physically at least). The urn, to me, obviously represents the absent--yet ever present--mother. (In fact, I would argue that the mother in Late Spring is the most omnipresent non-present character in any movie.) This shot shows how deeply affected both characters are (but especially Noriko) by the absence of the mother (which is why the urn "follows" her to the hotel room). Unconsciously, her whole world view and the impetus for her actions are shaped by her mother. Thus, this cut embodies, without a word, how film can evoke all of this imagery, emotion, and metaphor in a way that couldn't possibly be accomplished by any author. Ozu. An absolute master. THE master.

*deep breath* To get to the point, in my reading I saw no mention of the vase representing an urn where within the ashes of Noriko's mother lie. It seemed so obvious to me, and I'm certainly not giving up the interpretation.

But, I'm interested in hearing what y'all feel Ozu was trying to say with the very iconic shot.

And, please, as a courtesy to those who have not seen the film, I ask that you use spoiler tags as needed in your responses.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

not debating the fact that Coldplay has aped U2 to a point that can make one nauseous, but their first album Parachutes is a fantastic listen and has much more in common with the Brit-pop bands that inspired them than it does with U2.

Parachutes does have a slightly different sound to it, but I still hear it in the guitar. It sounds like they were trying to emulate Oasis/The Wallflowers/U2, instead of just U2.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

How come Criterion doesn't release digital copies with their movies? They obviously have digital distribution rights since they have the Criterion Collection stream on Hulu Plus, as well as sell them on iTunes, why can't they include codes with their Blu-rays?

A lot of Criterion's money comes from people wanting packaging and a physical collection, so I don't think it's in their best interests to support a switch to digital.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

It just came off as "that's your opinion," which should be assumed. I didn't intend for my post to come off as fact, though I thought much of what I said was a popular notion when it comes to De Palma's work. And in fairness someone earlier said that the other side was a tired opinion as if it didn't have merit.

If you see nudity as the same every time, good for you. I find it difficult to defend the artistic merit of the opening shower scene in Carrie, for example. It's straight up gratuitous, but again I don't mind that, I am a fan of exploitation, cult, and B-cinema FWIW. Regardless if De Palma fancies being an 80s Hitchcock, there are a good many that don't see it as, say, earned. It's sort of an odd and irrelevant point to make.

Fair enough. My point wasn't really "that's just your opinion!" but more along the lines of "here is the other side though." Fair enough though, agree to disagree and all that.

With nudity though I wouldn't say I see it as all the same, more just that I see it as unimportant. A naked body isn't something I feel you need to justify or use only when necessary, it's just a naked body to me. I could open a new tab right now and type "boobs" and see as many as I could every possibly need to see. I see my wife naked on a daily basis. I just don't share the common American mindset that the naked body is something we need to be justify showing in a movie.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

A lot of Criterion's money comes from people wanting packaging and a physical collection, so I don't think it's in their best interests to support a switch to digital.

I'm not talking about a switch, just include a digital code with the Blu-Ray. They already sell them on iTunes, why not include the code for a free DC with the BD?

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

I'm not talking about a switch, just include a digital code with the Blu-Ray. They already sell them on iTunes, why not include the code for a free DC with the BD?

One of the reasons studios include digital codes in their releases is they want you to sign up and switch over. That's their goal, because it makes them more money and gives them more control. Same reason is why digital versions come out two weeks earlier.

One reason Scream Factory, Kino, Twilight Time and Criterion release do not include a digital code is because they make their money from people who want a disc, and want to keep you wanting discs.

Also I am sure there are licensing issues.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

One of the reasons studios include digital codes in their releases is they want you to sign up and switch over.

I never even considered that as a reason, I figured it was just to entice you into buying the BD.

In that case, why does Marvel only include the digital copy if you buy the more expensive release? For example: I'd rather have the cheaper version of Captain America, but the digital copy only came with the more expensive 3D version. So I bought the 3D one, despite having no desire to watch the film in 3D.

[Scottie]

This website will be selling some custom Andrei Tarkovsky prints of Andrei Rublev and Solaris tomorrow.

http://blackdragonpress.bigcartel.com/