The Criterion Collection

[mrjohnnyb]

Criterion released a 1080p version of Le Samourai on iTunes today:

https://www.blu-ray.com/itunes/Le-Sa...-iTunes/15287/

Perhaps it will be announced tomorrow.

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by jayembee

In theory -- and for the most part -- the spine numbers are the order in which the discs were released on DVD. For production reasons, #1 (Grand Illusion was released eight months after #2 (Seven Samurai), which in turn had been released ten months after #3 (The Lady Vanishes), which in turn had been released two months after #4 (Amarcord and #5 (The 400 Blows).

The spine numbers originated with their laserdisc releases. The last LD spine number was #384 (Aramgeddon). When they started releasing DVDs, they decided to start over again with #1. Don't know for sure why, but I suspect it's because they knew that they'd be abandoning the LD format soon after.

When they started releasing Blu-rays, there was no expectation of abandoning the DVD format in the foreseeable future, so given that they'd be releasing new titles in both formats, they decided to stick with the same numbering system. So, as they upgrade older titles, they issue them with lower numbers.

Interesting. So for example, Ride the Pink Horse is 750. Does that means that it is their latest release in either format?

[buffetfroid]

Someone on ebay called me "greedy and vile" for listing Last Year at Marienbad at its current market value. I think it might be Polaroid.

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

B&N sale goes through Monday 7/27. All the extra 15% discount coupons expired Sunday night, but hopefully some more coming either this Thursday or next.

What's Amazon Prime day?

Oh, and there were B&N coupons? I wish I had known that when I picked up The Killers, The Blob, and Kiss Me Deadly last week.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

What's Amazon Prime day?

Oh, and there were B&N coupons? I wish I had known that when I picked up The Killers, The Blob, and Kiss Me Deadly last week.

Amazon Prime Day is a Black Friday themed sale starting tomorrow for Amazon Prime members only. No idea if Blu-rays will be on sale, but more then likely:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DBYBNEE/

I think the coupons on the Deals thread is still good until 08/23/15.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=263906

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Fabs

You're doing yourself a huge disservice by not at least trying out In the Mood For Love. It's nothing at all like Fallen Angels. It's more mature and refined. One of the most emotionally and visually arresting films ever made.

I'll certainly look for a way to see it, as I'm still interested based on some of the comments. I just had such a bad reaction to Fallen Angels that I feel like it would be best for me to see his films before purchasing them.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I agree with you, Fabs. Dismissing one film based off of how you felt about another film, even if by the same director, doesn't make too much sense. [...]

I can only relate this to dismissing the films of other directors based off of one of their films. Let's look at some of the "big name" directors. [...]

My poor reaction to Fallen Angels persuaded me not to buy WKW films without having seen them first. This doesn't mean I'm dismissing all WKW films.

I assume you are taking issue with my comment: "Based on Fallen Angels I fear In The Mood for Love will fall prey to the "style over substance" virus that seems so prevalent in modern Asian cinema." Most directors (especially auteurs, a term I've commonly seen associated with WKW) have their own style, and often their influence over the final product is quite recognizable. I assumed that would be the case here, and decided to watch his films prior to purchase in the future.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

@nondiatonic... If you can't take the risk, then what are you doing blind-buying films in the first place? That's the whole point of blind-buying anything, right? It might be better suited for you to subscribe to Hulu (if available) or try your local library (if possible) as a means of watching the films you're interested in before taking any kind of risk.

I appreciate the back-handed suggestion. I have a subscription to Hulu and Amazon Prime. I used the latter to watch Fallen Angels and often use the former to get acquainted with new (to me) directors. I've had good success with blind buying in the past (purchased Solaris without having seen anything by Tarkovsky, and that started an eternal love-affair with his work). But, normally I like to see a film or two by a director before blind buying something of his. With In The Mood for Love I just got overly excited and jumped the gun at the store, so I decided to give myself some insurance before opening it.

[Scottie]

Honestly, In the Mood for Love is a great blind buy and a great introduction to WKW.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

Interesting. So for example, Ride the Pink Horse is 750. Does that means that it is their latest release in either format?

Nope. Here is your life is #766, out today.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Yes, especially if you are into the early work from Michael Mann (the original Miami Vice series, Manhunter, Heat, etc.)

I think that Thief is a tremendous Criterion title and a great neo-noir film.

Have you seen The Friends of Eddie Coyle?

If so, which do you like better--Thief or Eddie Coyle?

...I'm trying to decide which of them to blind buy.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Have you seen The Friends of Eddie Coyle?

If so, which do you like better--Thief or Eddie Coyle?

...I'm trying to decide which of them to blind buy.

I’ve seen both and would say that I prefer Thief by a narrow margin. It is more of an existential noir. It has more similarities to Le Samourai and Drive than it does to other crime dramas. To answer your question about The Friends of Eddie Coyle from yesterday… not in the same stratosphere with Mean Streets, most similar to The French Connection in that it is a “gritty” crime drama, and 180 degrees different than Badlands, which I feel has more in common w/ films like Ivan’s Childhood or Pather Panchali than it does any of the other crime films we’re talking about.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

Interesting. So for example, Ride the Pink Horse is 750. Does that means that it is their latest release in either format?

No. Their latest releases (released today) on both formats are The Black Stallion and Here Is Your Life, which are #765 and #766. And Hiroshima: Mon Amour (#196), which got a Blu-ray upgrade and a new DVD release (from the same 4K restoration as the Blu-ray) as well. The original DVD release was 12 years ago.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Have you seen The Friends of Eddie Coyle?

If so, which do you like better--Thief or Eddie Coyle?

...I'm trying to decide which of them to blind buy.

That's a good, good question.

I love both films equally, but for vastly different reasons. They're both atmospheric and dialogue-driven, but The Friends of Eddie Coyle is more haunting while Thief has a spectacular payoff.

After having seen them both a couple of times, I'd have to flip a coin to choose.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

That's a good, good question.

I love both films equally, but for vastly different reasons. They're both atmospheric and dialogue-driven, but The Friends of Eddie Coyle is more haunting while Thief has a spectacular payoff.

After having seen them both a couple of times, I'd have to flip a coin to choose.

Dammit man!

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I’ve seen both and would say that I prefer Thief by a narrow margin. It is more of an existential noir. It has more similarities to Le Samourai and Drive than it does to other crime dramas. To answer your question about The Friends of Eddie Coyle from yesterday… not in the same stratosphere with Mean Streets, most similar to The French Connection in that it is a “gritty” crime drama, and 180 degrees different than Badlands, which I feel has more in common w/ films like Ivan’s Childhood or Pather Panchali than it does any of the other crime films we’re talking about.

Good stuff.

I am a BIG fan of Michael Mann.

...would you say Thief is as good as Heat?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm holding off on Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman for now. I'm a huge fan of To Kill a Mockingbird, and I'd like to keep my impression of that novel intact.

Are you referring to the controversy regarding the change in Atticus Finch's character? I'm surprised that some people are getting so worked up about it. It was written three years before To Kill a Mockingbird and put aside when Lee decided to write a new novel from the perspective of Scout as a kid rather than as an adult. So if there's any "reassessment" of the character of Atticus, it's a change from Go Set a Watchman to the character as we know him from To Kill a Mockingbird.

I had pulled out our copy of Mockingbird to re-read it (for the first time in 45+ years) before reading the new one, but hadn't managed to find the time recently. I just picked up Watchman, and I think I'm going to read that first, to see how she revised her thoughts about the characters from the earlier (written) book to the later.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

Someone on ebay called me "greedy and vile" for listing Last Year at Marienbad at its current market value. I think it might be Polaroid.

I think the sellers on eBay who are "greedy and vile" (not to mention foolish) are the clowns who are listing $40.00 Criterion titles for $50.00 ... in the middle of the Barnes & Noble 50% off sale! Ah, well, whatever ...!

[yoyokid8]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Criterion released a 1080p version of Le Samourai on iTunes today:

https://www.blu-ray.com/itunes/Le-Sa...-iTunes/15287/

Perhaps it will be announced tomorrow.

Please Criterion!! Make it happen!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Good stuff.

I am a BIG fan of Michael Mann.

...would you say Thief is as good as Heat?

here's where I drop the ball on you, Ray J (and on myself, too) I haven't seen Heat . but if you consider yourself a big fan of Mann, Thief sounds like it might be the way to go.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I think the sellers on eBay who are "greedy and vile" (not to mention foolish) are the clowns who are listing $40.00 Criterion titles for $50.00 ... in the middle of the Barnes & Noble 50% off sale! Ah, well, whatever ...!

I did not see many non OOO single 39.99 listings in ebay for $50. If the comment is for Last Year at Marienbad, then does it matter whether it is middle of B&N sale or not, because it is OOO???

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Good stuff.

I am a BIG fan of Michael Mann.

...would you say Thief is as good as Heat?

I have seen both Heat & Thief...Have not seen Eddie Coyle. But if Heat is high on your list, then Thief is a safer buy because mood is somewhat similar. Do you like ambient music (Tangerine Dream)? IMO it creates a big atmosphere in Thief, so if you like that type of music, you have more chance of loving it.