The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

I like Purple Noon, but I wish I enjoyed it more.

I personally feel as if Alain Delon was overacting throughout the entire film, but it could just be the character he's playing.

[colbyw]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

A rundown of my watches over the weekend...

Purple Noon - Fantastic stolen identity/crime drama. Delon plays Ripley perfectly and despite many complaints I have seen the ending is very fitting. 8/10

The American Friend - Initially it was difficult seeing Hopper as Tom Ripley, however he was more of a background character even though his actions drive this narrative. Ganz was terrific and Wenders captured the emotions that push him into Walter White territory. 8/10

Design for Living - I cannot imagine how the public perceived this movie in 1933. A very frank look at love and happiness all from a risqué pre-code film. Wonderful dialogue and cast. 9/10

Mullholand Drive - My second viewing was different but no less enjoyable. Watched with my cousin who knew nothing about the movie and we had a good discussion of our interpretations after it finished. Multiple viewings allow you to catch the subtle hints that go unnoticed the first time. 10/10

Trouble in Paradise - Nice pairing with Design for Living. Lubitsch paved the way with a new way of making movies in Hollywood. Smart, funny and daring. Fantastic film. 9/10

The Ballad of Narayama - Gorgeous cinematography and set design. Unique story about life, death and sacrifice for family. 9/10

The Lady Eve - Another Sturgess hit. My take away...women are evil. 8/10

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamota - I like where this is going. Mifune is larger than life on screen. The Count of Monte Cristo with a samurai flair. 8/10

Nice reviews! I've been thinking about picking up Design for Living and Trouble in Paradise for awhile now. Think you talked me into it

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Hitchcock's British era is a mixed bag. The Man Who Knew Too Much, The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes are not only the best films he made in Britain, but some of his best work outright. The first film is, IMO, far better than the baubbled Techincolor 1956 remake which lacked the wit and humour of the original. The original maybe cheap and grimy, but that adds the charm.

But for every great, you have a few stiffs such as Jamaica Inn and Young and Innocent, these films are not only inept, but annoyingly give up half way with plot and interest. The same could be said of the rarely seen Secret Agent, but at least the intrigue keeps it moving along. One of the best films from this period if Sabotage an effective retelling of Conrad's The Secret Agent. That film has brilliant suspence filled sequences and not to mention of the most effective set pieces Hitchcock made up to that point, I am talking about the boy on the bus sequence. I know you can import Sabotage the UK, but it would be great if Criterion can get their hands on the rights also.

Luckily they DO have the rights to Sabotage! They have it available through iTunes along with The Lodger and I think Blackmail.

[colbyw]

Originally Posted by stevieray44

Ah yes, Pickpocket, 1959! Very good movie, some of the best editing you will probably ever see. The trio-pickpocket scene is masterful, a ballet of images. A truly exceptional picture in many regards.

Oh man, that pickpocket montage had me jumping out of my seat in amazement. So good!

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Ohhhh babyyyyy!



https://www.criterion.com/shop_produ...er-well-poster

Wow this release looks really great now!

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Wow this release looks really great now!

I'm incredibly tempted to pick it up. Somehow I had never heard of it until Criterion announced it. The very idea that it has anything in common with La Dolce Vita, one of my favorite films ever made, is quite interesting.

And goodness, she is a gorgeous woman. Wow.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I'm incredibly tempted to pick it up. Somehow I had never heard of it until Criterion announced it. The very idea that it has anything in common with La Dolce Vita, one of my favorite films ever made, is quite interesting.

And goodness, she is a gorgeous woman. Wow.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I love La Dolce Vita and if this has any similarities I know I'll love it.

The only future releases I definitely see myself picking up are:

-Bicycle Thieves
-Brief Encounter
-The Graduate
-I Knew Her Well
-The Manchurian Candidate
-Phoenix

I'll probably also pick up A Brighter Summer Day if I definitely love Yi Yi on a repeat watch.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only future releases I definitely see myself picking up are:

-The Graduate

I so badly want to but I already have the normal Blu-Ray and I have other Criterions I want. The film is amazing and I'm so happy Criterion is coming out with their own version, one day I'll get it but I don't think I will any time soon.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I love La Dolce Vita and if this has any similarities I know I'll love it.

The only future releases I definitely see myself picking up are:

-Bicycle Thieves
-Brief Encounter
-The Graduate
-I Knew Her Well
-The Manchurian Candidate
-Phoenix

I'll probably also pick up A Brighter Summer Day if I definitely love Yi Yi on a repeat watch.

For me, it's:

Phoenix
The Whit Stillman box
I Knew Her Well

and I've already ordered Paris Belongs to Us.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I love La Dolce Vita and if this has any similarities I know I'll love it.

The only future releases I definitely see myself picking up are:

-Bicycle Thieves
-Brief Encounter
-The Graduate
-I Knew Her Well
-The Manchurian Candidate
-Phoenix

I'll probably also pick up A Brighter Summer Day if I definitely love Yi Yi on a repeat watch.

I am so excited about Bicycle Thieves. One of the best in that Italian neorealism genre. Also excited about Don't Look Back andAa Poem is a Naked Person. Love those music releases.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, if everything goes according to Amazon, I'll have a region-free Sony player tomorrow. It's refurbished, but that led to getting for $50 cheaper and it had very good reviews across the board. So, we'll see

I also ordered the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc. Which I will now be able to play!

All around a good day the other day.

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

What model did you get? I've been waffling on the idea of going region free for a over year now because of the MoC Dr. Mabuse releases and the StudioCanal release of Port of Shadows.

I am curious, too, which region free Sony player you selected. And, who did you buy from? I've been leaning towards the Sony BDP-S1500 from World Import, but a pair of surgeries put a nice dent in my wallet, so I'm holding off for a few more months.

MoC's The Passion of Joan of Arc is one of the region B locked titles I really want, along with The Lost Weekend. I want to pick up City Girl, too. I know it's region free, but I figure I'll order all of them at the same time.

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

The transfer on Lost Weekend is totally black crushed. I'd skip that one and wait for a US release.

Damn. I may still pick this up, as I don't see a domestic release for this any time soon.

Besides Murnau's City Girl, The Passion of Joan of Arc, and The Lost Weekend, I also want imports of The Pianist, and La Vie En Rose. There are others I'm probably not thinking of right away, but those are at the top of my want list as far as imports go.

I also see The Magnificent Ambersons is getting its first Blu-ray release (Japan) in four days. Could this mean that a U.S. release is on the horizon?

[AaronJ]

I got a refurbished Sony S1200. It was only $99, which is why I went for it. It got good reviews overall, it seemed. I bought it through Amazon, but from a third party -- Multisystem-Electronics.

What amazes me is how tiny it is, compared to my old Samsung. OTOH, the remote is a bit flimsy. So, I guess I shouldn't sleep on it.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I like Purple Noon, but I wish I enjoyed it more.

I personally feel as if Alain Delon was overacting throughout the entire film, but it could just be the character he's playing.

I didn't get that vibe from him. Ripley is an enigma of a character so he's not going to be that easy to portray. I thought Delon brought the interest and mystique of Le Samurai with more personality.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Ohhhh babyyyyy!



https://www.criterion.com/shop_produ...er-well-poster

Thats a sweet poster. Does the up coming Criterion.com sale include posters?

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I got a refurbished Sony S1200. It was only $99, which is why I went for it. It got good reviews overall, it seemed. I bought it through Amazon, but from a third party -- Multisystem-Electronics.

What amazes me is how tiny it is, compared to my old Samsung. OTOH, the remote is a bit flimsy. So, I guess I shouldn't sleep on it.

Aaron, let us know how you like it. Also, please tell us if you successfully update the firmware without losing any of the region free abilities.

I know these region free Blu-ray players have hardware that automatically converts PAL to NTSC, and vice versa. I'd really like to see that in action. My concern is how does that technology hold up over the long haul?

I think, secretly, I'm fearful that if I get one of these hardware modded players, it's going to fully open Pandora's box. I've bought some 400 Blus in the last year, but if I had access to region B titles, there might be no stemming the tide of movies flying across the pond. Now that I'm getting into British comedy (Monty Python, for one), I'm wanting to check out the original versions of The Office, Shameless, etc.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I know these region free Blu-ray players have hardware that automatically converts PAL to NTSC, and vice versa. I'd really like to see that in action. My concern is how does that technology hold up over the long haul?

I'm no expert, but I don't believe PAL and NTSC coding applies to 1080p HD content so there is no conversion irrespective of region. Region-free players do typically convert PAL/NTSC SD content on BD titles (special features, trailers, etc), and DVDs. I think it safe to assume this technology is reliable and you will get good life out of a player (which can easily be had for less than $150 new).

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Thats a sweet poster. Does the up coming Criterion.com sale include posters?

I believe so.

[Bandit Tajomaru]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I know these region free Blu-ray players have hardware that automatically converts PAL to NTSC, and vice versa. I'd really like to see that in action. My concern is how does that technology hold up over the long haul?

I've been using multi region Pal to Ntsc DVD players for over 10 years and never had a problem with the technology.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I believe so.

No, criterion 50% off sale does not include posters. Last time it did not.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Aaron, let us know how you like it. Also, please tell us if you successfully update the firmware without losing any of the region free abilities.

I know these region free Blu-ray players have hardware that automatically converts PAL to NTSC, and vice versa. I'd really like to see that in action. My concern is how does that technology hold up over the long haul?

I think, secretly, I'm fearful that if I get one of these hardware modded players, it's going to fully open Pandora's box. I've bought some 400 Blus in the last year, but if I had access to region B titles, there might be no stemming the tide of movies flying across the pond. Now that I'm getting into British comedy (Monty Python, for one), I'm wanting to check out the original versions of The Office, Shameless, etc.

I will definitely let you know all that. I'm curious myself, to be honest.

And yeah, I know the Pandora's Box feeling. Now I need to control myself twice as much.