The Criterion Collection

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

High and Low. Absolutely underrated in his canon and shows a different side of his film-making vs. the more typical lauded samurai/Shakespearean films. Very re-watchable and so head of its time.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

Very hard but I'd probably go with Yojimbo if pressed. Ikiru if it was out.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

While none reach the heights of Seven Samurai, I'd say The Hidden Fortress, followed by Yojimbo / Sanjuro, and then Rashomon. You really can't go wrong with any though in my opinion, they're all.great.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

Is the America Lost and Found Box Set worth picking up? Does anyone recommend it?

Until The Last Picture Show gets a standalone release, yes, definitely. Even if that were to happen, the BBS set is worth getting as a document of the birth of American independent film-making. Easy Rider is iconic, Five Easy Pieces is also good with Jack Nicholson delivering a bravura performance. The King of Marvin Gardens also has its moments with Nicholson going against type as the button-down brother alongside Bruce Dern as the schemer/dreamer. Head is good for a hoot if you grew up watching The Monkees on TV. I don't think I'll ever re-watch Drive, He Said or A Safe Place again. Still, The Last Picture Show is the standout in the set.

Recommended.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

While none reach the heights of Seven Samurai, I'd say The Hidden Fortress, followed by Yojimbo / Sanjuro, and then Rashomon. You really can't go wrong with any though in my opinion, they're all.great.

Don't forget Throne of Blood.

[MifuneFan]

Might as well put up my super predictable guesses

Mulholland Drive
Moonrise Kingdom
Jellyfish Eyes
White Dog
Inside Llewyn Davis
Burroughs

[colinrgeorge]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

High and Low. Absolutely underrated in his canon and shows a different side of his film-making vs. the more typical lauded samurai/Shakespearean films. Very re-watchable and so head of its time.

High & Low is fantastic, I love Kurosawa's "modern" films. Hopefully Ikiru will get an upgrade at some point.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Don't forget Throne of Blood.

Yeah, I haven't seen it as many times as the others mentioned, so I can't fairly rank it yet.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Don't forget Throne of Blood.

Throne of Blood has pacing issues galore. It's not bad but certainly not top tier.

[spargs]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

Is the America Lost and Found Box Set worth picking up? Does anyone recommend it?

Highly recommend it - one of my 5 or so favorite Criterion releases. If you find the New Hollywood era fascinating, you can't go wrong. 3 seminal films from that era (Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and my personal favorite of the set The Last Picture Show), another solid film in The King of Marvin Gardens, and 3 additional films... plus a large selection of bonus features and an informative booklet.

[movieben1138]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Don't forget Throne of Blood.

Amen! I was hoping someone would say it. Throne of Blood is a personal favorite of mine.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

I would say Red Beard personally, but that's not on blu yet (maybe today!)

I also really enjoy Madadayo, which needs a proper Criterion release.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Throne of Blood has pacing issues galore. It's not bad but certainly not top tier.

I don't agree, but I can buy that argument.

But what about that ending? I'd say that's up with there with the best of Kurosawa endings.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I would say Red Beard personally, but that's not on blu yet (maybe today!)

I also really enjoy Madadayo, which needs a proper Criterion release.

I second that, for both of those. I love Madadayo, and it was a very fitting end of a great film career.

[thelittleprince]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

While none reach the heights of Seven Samurai, I'd say The Hidden Fortress, followed by Yojimbo / Sanjuro, and then Rashomon. You really can't go wrong with any though in my opinion, they're all.great.

Rashomon is my favorite Kurosawa film. Watched an adaptation of it in my university theater and blew me away!

[spargs]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

All of them! Seriously!

Well, if I had to pick one... go for the Yojimbo/Sanjuro box set. Or, if DVD doesn't frighten you off, Ran is personally my second favorite Kurosawa film after Seven Samurai

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by jonathanswaqyim

One more question (lol I feel like such a rookie), other than Seven Samurai, what's the quintessential Kurosawa Criterion release

Don't feel bad. I've only seen one of the Kurosawa films in the Collection, and I didn't care for it all ... Kagemusha. It was in my opinion too slowly paced and overlong (albeit beautifully photographed in color).

Some of the members of this forum told me I had started with the wrong title, so when I found four other Kurosawa blu-rays in the Collection at a very low price, I picked them up and they're in my "to be watched" pile: Rashomon (possibly his most influential and most analyzed film), Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress.

Let us know what you choose ...

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

And Five Easy Pieces (although I guess that is available individually)

I'm not the biggest fan, but it's definitely one of the stronger films in the set.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Don't feel bad. I've only seen one of the Kurosawa films in the Collection, and I didn't care for it all ... Kagemusha. It was in my opinion too slowly paced and overlong (albeit beautifully photographed in color).

Some of the members of this forum told me I had started with the wrong title, so when I found four other Kurosawa blu-rays in the Collection at a very low price, I picked them up and they're in my "to be watched" pile: Rashomon (possibly his most influential and most analyzed film), Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress.

Let us know what you choose ...

Yes, you definitely started with the wrong title. I like Kagemusha, but it's not a good introductory film.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by spargs

All of them! Seriously!

Well, if I had to pick one... go for the Yojimbo/Sanjuro box set. Or, if DVD doesn't frighten you off, Ran is personally my second favorite Kurosawa film after Seven Samurai

There is a StudioCanal blu release of Ran, though the transfer is far from perfect.