The Criterion Collection

[octagon]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Sadly I haven't seen that one .. Just think of Wenders directing a crime drama. Best way I can describe it.

I'm picturing some weird blend of Badlands and The Long Goodbye.

Which sounds good to me.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jshaide

Bitter Rice I'm probably least thrilled about but mostly because I know nothing about it. I certainly want to check it out.

Thank you for that. I always get discouraged when someone says "Never heard of it" in a tone that suggests that it means they're not interested in it.

I'm not familiar with the film, either, but it looks like something I'd like. I'm always happy to discover things like this.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by jshaide

Bitter Rice I'm probably least thrilled about but mostly because I know nothing about it. I certainly want to check it out.

They devoted three of the kisses from Cinema Paradiso for that film, so that is enough to get interested in that one for me.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

Is Glida really that good or are you guys just excited to see Rita Hayworth in HD?

Both.

Although there have been a half-dozen other Hayworth films released on Blu-ray (in the US, at that), so we don't need Gilda just for the second point.

[Namuhana]

I'm definitely in for Gilda and Inside Llewyn Davis, but I'm merely interest in the others. I've heard of Lady Snowblood but I've never seen the films, and I'm completely clueless on the other January films.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by drsabaz

Does anyone know how or when Criterions go out of print? I am late to the party and don't want to miss out on anything but for budget reasons I tend to get 10 +/- on the barnes and noble sales.

Criterion keeps all of their titles in print unless, for whatever reason, they lose the rights to the films. If that happens, and a given title is going OOP, Criterion typically announces it ahead of time.

It was a particular shame when The Third Man went OOP, as they had kept it in print since they first released it on laserdisc back in 1985.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Mostly predictable month, but still a solid one. Definitely in for Gilda. Likely in for Lady Snowblood depending on how it sizes up to Arrow's release.

The transfer should be the same or better. To me, Arrow's color palette looks a little washed out... But I think it comes down to extras. Do you prefer critics talking about the film (Arrow), or the people who worked on the film talking about it (Criterion).

[tallrichard]

I'm in for Gilda! Bitter Rice too...but Gilda is THE one for me in this group!

[Edward J Grug III]

Wow, that is an amazing line-up! If I didn't already own Inside Llewyn Davis, I'd be getting every single release, which I don't think has ever happened for me so far!

[Infernal King]

I'm in for Lady Snowblood. I've only seen the first film (which I enjoyed because of how influential it was on Kill Bill, my favorite QT joint) so here's hoping the second is good.

Originally Posted by iScottie

Shit month. Pass.

Where's that ignore button...

[myka22]

Coincidentally I just watched Inside Llewyn Davis today before even seeing the announcements. Splendid film, very metaphorical and beautifully shot.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by oildude

Wow! What a lineup. To see these on the big screen, I don't think I could pass on any of them. Spartacus would be a must-see, Casablanca, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Maltese Falcon, The Searchers, On the Waterfront, The Apartment....I would disappear into the theater and not emerge for days.

Since you have not seen it, I will put in a strong recommendation for one film on your list in particular: The Best Years of Our Lives. Let me begin by saying I don't usually give my highest recommendation for anyone to sit though a film that is a tad under three hours where there is lots of talking onscreen and no real "action" in the physical sense to drive the plot. I understand the limits of the human attention span, and the ability of the derriere and bladder to endure. But you won't want to leave your seat. In fact, you will become so engrossed in the experience you will likely find The Best Years of Our Lives to be one of the most uplifting and life affirming films ever made.

Even more than being a showcase of brilliant writing, directing, cinematography, and acting, TBYOOL is an important film. It was released only months after the end of World War II, when America was welcoming back its service men and women who were expected to rejoin society and resume normal lives. These expectations were perhaps highest among those who did not fight during the war and instead had the good fortune to enjoy the relative safety and comfort of living in the U.S.

Into a comforting bubble of ignorance, the veterans came home. TBYOOL arrived on screens while this was occurring to show us what the transition back to civilian life was really like, and in the process seek understanding from its audience for both those who served and understood and from those at home who did not face the fire, nor woke in the middle of the night from terrible dreams. Few films have ever been more important, or as effective, at showing us who we are as a society. It captures the struggles of returning veterans through the stories of three main characters from the same home town. These three men are unacquainted with each other until they meet for the first time as they are in a military depot awaiting transport back to the same city. One is shattered physically, all are emotionally impacted, and the effects this has on their families and those around them is a main theme of the film. Each main character is seeking a way back to normalcy, while holding off the personal demons that no one understands except other veterans.

TBYOOL is an immensely compelling character driven drama showing the pain of circumstances and the struggle to overcome and find redemption as the three men transition from what is likely to be the greatest event of their lives into the hum-drum of a civilian society that has no idea what they actually went through. It is an incredibly real film, so honest in how it approaches its subjects that the viewer is frequently devastated by scenes played between the characters that are composed solely of dialogue and small actions. Seeing it for the first time on Blu-ray two years ago, I know now why it has held up as a classic for nearly 70 years. It truly is a marvel and a treasure of a film.

Thanks, I'm gonna really try to get to it! They have got 22 films packed into just two weeks. I'll be taking some time off work to see as many as I can, but already know I will have to miss some.

All of the films I haven't seen are likely to get priority, although I can't miss seeing The Searchers on the big screen! :O

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Shit month. Pass.

Weird, this is the first month I've liked since they released The Merchant of Four Seasons back in May.

[Poya]

I just wish Criterion would improve their video encoding process. There's banding, macroblocking, etc. Arrow has beaten their transfers of the same films Criterion has in their catalog.

[biglou114]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

This might be the most stacked Coen-related release ever.

I'm really impressed with this package. Definitely will pick it up.

[grape_jelly]

I'll keep an eye out for Lady Snowblood. That's really all I'm interested in.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Thank you for that. I always get discouraged when someone says "Never heard of it" in a tone that suggests that it means they're not interested in it.

I'm not familiar with the film, either, but it looks like something I'd like. I'm always happy to discover things like this.

This is one I'm really hyped about. Saw "Bitter Rice" years ago on an old 21-inch TV and have never forgotten it. Wonderful Italian neorealist entry with great acting from the likes of Raf Vallone (Two Women) and Vittorio Gassman; striking black-and-white imagery; engaging, vibrant characters; and immersive plotting and setting. I believe the scoring contributed considerably to the whole experience as well. Oh, and being a lad at the time I think I may have been aware of a fairly pervasive "And God Created Woman" level of sexuality that bubbles to the surface with some regularity.

And yes I will upgrade my Llewyn Davis for the 'Another Place, Another Time' concert alone, and in particular for the incredible Lake Street Dive number.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTj40E-0HbA

Originally Posted by Infernal King

[Show spoiler]I'm in for Lady Snowblood. I've only seen the first film (which I enjoyed because of how influential it was on Kill Bill, my favorite QT joint) so here's hoping the second is good.

Where's that ignore button...

Under the User CP heading at the top of the page. Beat you to it about three years ago.

[Scottie]

Can no one detect sarcasm? Rofl

I am one of the biggest Criterion enthusiasts in this thread, whether or not I like all of the films or not. My comment was a joke in regards to the one or two people who randomly always come in on the 15th of each month to add their negative two cents.

[Infernal King]

I was being sarcastic. I'm not going to put Scott on ignore for that.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Poya

I just wish Criterion would improve their video encoding process. There's banding, macroblocking, etc. Arrow has beaten their transfers of the same films Criterion has in their catalog.

Like what?