The Criterion Collection

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

As great as that sounds, it does me no good. My next paycheck is not until Sept 20th, so if I can't afford to buy something today, it still isn't going to make any different on Aug 3rd.

Unless I sell off some stuff that is.

the sad thing is if they would just sell stuff below MSRP, like all other retailers, they would get sales year round. Never understood that. I'd much rather go to B&N where I can see what I'm purchasing beforehand then order off Amazon.

[prior]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Also been on the fence about Picnic on Hanging Rock. Just not that big a fan of movies that go nowhere and have no real stories, but are suppose to be somehow deep.

That doesn't sound anything like Picnic.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

there is not a chance on God's green earth that that film is better than any of the 4 you mentioned from Truffaut or Godard..

all a matter of opinion, though, and you are entitled to yours.

I disagree with you enthusiastically and respectfully.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I was expecting Criterion to get the rights to BFI's recently restored Hitchock 9. Nine films from his silent era. I believe they have since been shown in select theaters. I would hope someone would give us a Region A release.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/the_hitchcock_9.html



I'd written Hiroshima Mon Amour off as something I would not like, but I've seen a lot of your posts I agree 100% with and I'm wondering if maybe this would be something I enjoy. Most Godard movies I can take or leave though I love how haunting Last Year at Marianbad is even though the puzzle that is the story escapes me. Also been on the fence about Picnic on Hanging Rock. Just not that big a fan of movies that go nowhere and have no real stories, but are suppose to be somehow deep. Some titles people discuss as deep I sometimes see as shallow and pretentious. Not degrading these types of films its just the way I am. Now if the film is dark with a air of german expressionism that alone will sell me on either title. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and give it a try.

I guess I'm looking for a description of what is so likable about the film. Just its ambiance and mood? Or the camera work and imagery? Is the dialog natural or trying to be overly poetic or philisophical?

If you liked Last Year At Marianbad, then I feel like Hiroshima is a pretty safe bet as a blind buy.

Less of a narrative puzzle.

...just beautiful cinematic poetry.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

You know how when a magician performs a trick and the audience claps... the magician might raise his chin and bow w/ an ever so smug look on his face? That's how the dialogue in this film comes off to me. It is SOO self-consciously "poetic" that it it nauseating.

You must hate Terrence Malick.

...sucks for you.

[SammyJankis]

I see we're about to get into another Malick debate. Come now, folks. Can't we have more fulfilling discussions? Let's spark up that "Wes Anderson isn't an auteur" discussion while we're at it.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I see we're about to get into another Malick debate. Come now, folks. Can't we have more fulfilling discussions? Let's spark up that "Wes Anderson isn't an auteur" discussion while we're at it.

Oh lord, let's not go there.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Oh lord, let's not go there.

At least that one provided a few chuckles.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

I rank it higher over Tokyo Story and Late Spring.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

[...] Thanks again, guys, for the input. I’m fairly confident that I will really enjoy this film!

I just saw An Autumn Afternoon for the first time last night. I very much enjoyed it (have yet to see an Ozu I haven't liked). I loved the stronger ensemble feel of this film compared to the other Ozus I've seen. I'm sure I will like it even more upon second viewing (it happens with every one of his films). And, I can also agree that it is a very pretty film. HOWEVER, as the credits rolled on this one, I couldn't help but feel that overall this is the poor man's Late Spring.

A second viewing will hopefully reveal it to be more.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Banned User

[...] Also been on the fence about Picnic on Hanging Rock. Just not that big a fan of movies that go nowhere and have no real stories, but are suppose to be somehow deep. [...]

I guess I'm looking for a description of what is so likable about the film. Just its ambiance and mood? Or the camera work and imagery? Is the dialog natural or trying to be overly poetic or philisophical?

Originally Posted by prior

That doesn't sound anything like Picnic.

I agree.

That said, my opinion of the film is less than stellar. I will refer you to an old post of mine:

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Picnic at Hanging Rock receives universal praise here, but it did nothing for me. Watched it last month hoping to delve into the supposed haunting atmosphere. Unfortunately, I found myself fidgeting through most of it hoping anything at all would connect with me. Alas, I was still waiting once the credits rolled.

Of course, as I said, I very well may be the only person who feels that way.

On a side note, the cinematography and costume design are great.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I agree.

That said, my opinion of the film is less than stellar. I will refer you to an old post of mine:

Picnic... really depends on what kind of mood you're in, and how open you are to slow and surreal type of films. I'm not huge on surreal films, but seeing Picnic was a great experience for me. I also think the less you know, the better. Watching it after rhearing people hype t up and tell you how haunting it is etc..will change the way you view the film. You'll be watching with certain preconceived expectations about the film, and odds are you'll be disappointed because of that. That sounds like what happened with you to some extent.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I just saw An Autumn Afternoon for the first time last night. I very much enjoyed it (have yet to see an Ozu I haven't liked). I loved the stronger ensemble feel of this film compared to the other Ozus I've seen. I'm sure I will like it even more upon second viewing (it happens with every one of his films). And, I can also agree that it is a very pretty film. HOWEVER, as the credits rolled on this one, I couldn't help but feel that overall this is the poor man's Late Spring.

A second viewing will hopefully reveal it to be more.

While Late Spring may always be my favorite Ozu, An Autumn Afternoon is soooo close behind. It's true, they share same themes of marriage and leaving parents behind. Yet, the themes of loneliness, reminiscing of the past are all much stronger here in An Autumn Afternoon. Also, it is hard to say this but, An Autumn Afternoon may have both Ozu's greatest opening and greatest ending - visually and emotionally IMO.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I just saw An Autumn Afternoon for the first time last night. I very much enjoyed it (have yet to see an Ozu I haven't liked). I loved the stronger ensemble feel of this film compared to the other Ozus I've seen. I'm sure I will like it even more upon second viewing (it happens with every one of his films). And, I can also agree that it is a very pretty film. HOWEVER, as the credits rolled on this one, I couldn't help but feel that overall this is the poor man's Late Spring.

A second viewing will hopefully reveal it to be more.

Well, Late Spring is one of the best movies ever, according to that BBC list, etc. plus I agree, from the Ozus I have seen it is my favorite.

I have been looking at Criterions by countries and feel that movies from the Soviet Union (Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia) aren't as represented on blu ray as other countries (Japan, France, Italy).

One Soviet director I wish they would upgrade the movies of is Sergei Eisenstein. Blu ray of Alexander Nevsky would be awesome.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

I have been looking at Criterions by countries and feel that movies from the Soviet Union (Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia) aren't as represented on blu ray as other countries (Japan, France, Italy).

Some of the best films from Japan aren't on Blu Ray, yet alone even an English friendly DVD, which makes me a bit sad. A film that's fairly unknown, called Typhoon Club, is one of those which anyone who's into Asian film should see. I watched it on youtube, last year, and it blew me away. It's one of those films that has that strange feeling, where every theme you like in movies is rolled into one.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Here's a good question for you all. What genre of movies do you blind buy and what makes you decide to just go for a random title?

I usually bring my wife with me and she chooses a random title that I would not have chosen otherwise. So far, she has been pretty spot on.

Most of my Criterion are blind buys. British cinema was my entry point into the Collection, and I buy most releases of films from the old homeland. As for everything else, I am guided primarily by the synopsis: Does it sound interesting? And also cinematography. I enjoy the Top 10 list on criterion.com, although some are more incisive than others (Scorsese's is peerless - I've bought most on his list). Some genres just don't appeal, Samurai being the prime example. And I'll never watch a film just to say I've seen it, no matter how lauded or reviled.

[Mose Harper]

Almost similar to what happened with "Don't Look Now" for me, I originally watched Picnic At Hanging Rock over a decade ago after hearing for years nothing but positive things about it. Also having an appreciation for Edwardian era settings, I thought for sure the film would be a slam dunk for me.
Ended up hating it.

Spent years ignoring and dismissing it until the chatter around the Bd release, along with a cheap sale price prompted me to try to give it another shot.

Ended up loving it this time.

The big difference that yielded a more positive outcome was going into it knowing what to expect (slow moving, obtuse, with no concrete resolution) and more importantly what not to expect (energetic plotting with characters and situations hitting strong first, second, and third act marks).

Being suffused with mood and atmosphere over all else, as this film is, is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as your expectations going in are calibrated properly, the film makes for a very unique, potent experience. It's the kind of film that can work its way under your skin if you let it.
But it's pretty excruciating if you go in expecting a "this happens, then this happened, which leads to this, then -BAM!- satisfying climax where conflicts find resolution and everything comes together".
The latter are the kinds of films I gravitate to and tend to appreciate more- but as long as I have a good idea of what to expect, I can usually surrender to a film like Picnic too-if it's well crafted. And PAHR surely is.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Fabs

While Late Spring may always be my favorite Ozu, An Autumn Afternoon is soooo close behind. It's true, they share same themes of marriage and leaving parents behind. Yet, the themes of loneliness, reminiscing of the past are all much stronger here in An Autumn Afternoon. Also, it is hard to say this but, An Autumn Afternoon may have both Ozu's greatest opening and greatest ending - visually and emotionally IMO.

You are certainly right about the pervading feeling of loneliness, regret, and reminiscing.

[Show spoiler]I really wanted The Gourd and his daughter to end up being more central to the ending. Of course, their situation pushed Chisu Ryu to expedite his attempts to marry off his daughter. However, the Gourd and his daughter were the most interesting of the side stories, and I felt like their relationship could have been used to create a plot unique from that of Late Spring. Unless he's trying to project his own reminiscing about an earlier time by reflecting a device from one of his previous films... Hmm. Something to look for next time.

[jayxrico]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I just saw An Autumn Afternoon for the first time last night. I very much enjoyed it (have yet to see an Ozu I haven't liked). I loved the stronger ensemble feel of this film compared to the other Ozus I've seen. I'm sure I will like it even more upon second viewing (it happens with every one of his films). And, I can also agree that it is a very pretty film. HOWEVER, as the credits rolled on this one, I couldn't help but feel that overall this is the poor man's Late Spring.

A second viewing will hopefully reveal it to be more.

I will say 'Late Autumn' closely resembles 'Late Spring'.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I was looking on Criterions page for the AK 100 box set and thought of a few things.
1. I want a big box set like that so bad.
2. Thank you criterion for giving us a big box set like that in the Zatoichi set.
3. The AK 100 DVD set had a retail price of $399, the Zatoichi set is blu-ray AND DVD and the retail price is only $224.95, most of us got it for roughly $100 or less.

I imagine they retailed it so affordably to ensure sales but do you think this decision ultimately made them more money than if they retailed it for higher or do you think it possibly contributed to the somewhat stripped back (compared to the good old days) approach criterion takes to their overall product and packages which is no doubt due to some kind of financial stress?

Keeping in mind that the Zatoichi set came out during the brief dual format phase which was unsuccessful for a variety of reasons.

I got my Zatoichi set for about $120 AUD (the exchange rate sucks) but that works out to only $4.80 per movie. That's without even factoring in the DVD copies of every movie.
I feel truly lucky to get such an incredible box set for such a price. Arrow are selling their hellraiser trilogy for an average of £50 each which is only about $20 shy of what I payed for Zatoichi, just to give some perspective on what Criterion gave us.

So, again, do you think that was a smart business move? It was an extremely generous move, that's for sure. In a perfect world, I'd love to get another box set that size for that price but I can't see them ever doing it again.

Since they stream the Zatoichi films for free on Hulu, I think they felt it would not sell if it had a higher MSRP.

Since you mentioned the dual-format time, I do think that the dual-format made the release possible in the first place since doing that packaging in two different sizes would have been cost prohibitive.

[RestlessEye]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Actually ... and please don't be offended ... but your question doesn't make sense to me. I don't know what you mean by "older titles". If you're buying a brand new copy of a title that originally came out 5 years ago, that brand new copy should still look ... well, brand new.

Yes, I'm buying brand new copies of titles that were released year(s) ago - unfortunately they don't look brand new. I guess its bad luck on my part.