The Criterion Collection

[Snicket]

Malick going back to WWII.


http://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/ter...hl-1201691660/

[htom]

Originally Posted by mikesncc1701

I just finished up M for like what I would estimate the 15-20th time. Thrilling, every single bit of it.

It's a fantastic film that covers genres galore. It's a procedural, vigilante, thriller, drama, character study, and all around exploration of crime and punishment. Morality is skewered with a vengeance and this is, I believe one of the first films where the viewer is forced against all sides. Pity for the murderer despite his mental illness? He can't help it, but he has committed purely evil actions. Cheer for the criminals who take matters into their own hands despite being bad guys themselves? The old lesser of two evils option. Or side with the police and public who suspect any and everyone without proper evidence? Turning a civilized society on its head with only speculation and paranoia.

The morality play in this is absolutely epic in scope, It criticizes any and everybody even down to the parents for their carelessness and is an unrelenting examination of culture then and even more so, now.

I mention culture for one main reason. Fear. Fear invoked by hearsay, first hand accounts which are conflicting (see the Green vs Red hat scene in M) or the media. The fear put into the public in M, is very simple in comparison to modern times, but it translates well nonetheless. What was then a lack of information, is now an overload for today and is perpetuated by many people.

From a narrative standpoint, I think even the most talented film analyst could watch it a thousand times and still come up with new and provocative observations. It's filled to the brim with commentary that I think only Lang would have been able to help us fill in the cracks.

As a cinematic achievement it's extraordinary. Lang's first sound film, you can easily tell he wanted to employ much of his earlier takes on cinema. Many scenes are filled with emptiness of sound, relying on shadow work and fantastic aerial shots and lighting (see Beckert cornered by the beggars or Franz captured by the police). Yet, he embraced the sound with one simple piece. If it were not for Beckert whistling "In The Hall Of The Mountain King", this film could have been silent and still be as effective. But that one piece, was used in such a significant fashion, that you simply cannot even think of this film without sound.

Overall, M is probably the most brilliant film that bridges the era of silent and sound film and examines a piece of culture in such a fantastical, emotional, and thrilling way. I could say so much more, but I'll leave that for someone else.

Criterion's (and Eureka's) transfer was superseded in 2011.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I bought "backup copies" of Melville's Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge years ago, simply because those movies are both in my all-time top 10, and I did not want to risk something happening to my primary copies. These backup copies are simply hoarded in a drawer at my place. It's a frivolous notion, but I'm glad that I have them, just in case.

In retrospect, I should have done the same for Léon Morin, Priest, because it's Melville's most underrated film, and it features some brilliant cerebral dialogue moments.

I have double copies of Le Silence de la Mer, simply because I purchased the Eureka release a few years ago, and then bought the later Criterion release in order to have the new Melville documentary. Great, great, great film!

Well, thank heaven I'm not the only one who has "back-up" copies of their favorite films! I have secondary copies of most of Gene Tierney's films, including the now-out-of-print blu-rays of The Egyptian and Leave Her to Heaven from Twilight Time, and several key films noir starring Joan Bennett and Barbara Stanwyck; I think my caution stems from some bad experiences involving a few VHS tapes that went bad and several LaserDiscs that developed laser rot.

Most of the time I'm able to purchase my back-up copies from used book and media stores, so they don't cost me very much. The peace of mind is worth a few extra dollars to me; I consider it "insurance".

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mja345

Nina Hartley masterpiece from '96 I believe.

That's correct. Vinegar Syndrome should be releasing the Blu-ray soon, God bless 'em.

[Al_The_Strange]

Woohoo, July's coming. Next month, I'll definitely be buying:

[Show spoiler]



May consider this one--didn't think much of it on the first viewing, but I think I might appreciate it on a repeat viewing:

Was also thinking about one of these. Haven't seen any of them, but they caught my eye and I wouldn't mind throwing in a good blind-buy or two to my order. I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts, opinions, or recommendations for:

[MifuneFan]

I'm personally buying A Touch of Zen, it looks like a beautifully filmed movie, and I think I'll enjoy it.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by htom

Criterion's (and Eureka's) transfer was superseded in 2011.

I have both and prefer the Criterion's extra picture on all sides. Detail is the same.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Malick going back to WWII.


http://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/ter...hl-1201691660/

That's great. He's finally going to focus on a smaller story and subject rather than these huge epics spanning the history of the universe and mankind.

I welcome this new film and look forward to this.

[ShellOilJunior]

It looks like the Criterion release of Black Girl will include the release of Sembene's short Borom sarret which is said to be the first film made by a black African.

Janus owns the rights to both and are showing the short before the full length feature.

Preceded at showtime by Sembène’s short Borom Sarret (Senegal, 1963), a wry account of a day in the life of a Dakar cart driver.

http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque/film.../07/black-girl

This is shaping up to be an excellent release. I took an African cinema class in college and had the pleasure of seeing a few Sembene films. I'm anxious to see more African cinema. Great to see Criterion expanding its catalog.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I took an African cinema class in college and had the pleasure of seeing a few Sembene films. I'm anxious to see more African cinema. Great to see Criterion expanding its catalog.

Sembene's "Camp de Thiaroye" (1988) is nothing short of excellent! That and Diop Mambety's "Hyenes" (1992) are my two favorite African movies.

[MifuneFan]

It'd be great if they could include the 2015 documentary Sembene! too

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4344782/

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Woohoo, July's coming. Next month, I'll definitely be buying:

[Show spoiler]



May consider this one--didn't think much of it on the first viewing, but I think I might appreciate it on a repeat viewing:

Was also thinking about one of these. Haven't seen any of them, but they caught my eye and I wouldn't mind throwing in a good blind-buy or two to my order. I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts, opinions, or recommendations for:

Down by Law imo...

And does anyone actually really like The Night Porter?

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Was also thinking about one of these. Haven't seen any of them, but they caught my eye and I wouldn't mind throwing in a good blind-buy or two to my order. I was wondering if anybody has any thoughts, opinions, or recommendations for:

The Bridge is a good film, but personally does not have repeat value for me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It looks like the Criterion release of Black Girl will include the release of Sembene's short Borom sarret which is said to be the first film made by a black African.

Janus owns the rights to both and are showing the short before the full length feature.



http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque/film.../07/black-girl

This is shaping up to be an excellent release. I took an African cinema class in college and had the pleasure of seeing a few Sembene films. I'm anxious to see more African cinema. Great to see Criterion expanding its catalog.

I wonder if Criterion will ever release Moolaadé on Blu-ray.

I would never subject myself to the film again because of how depressingly realistic it is, but it's definitely worthy of a release.

[Nielsb90]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm personally buying A Touch of Zen, it looks like a beautifully filmed movie, and I think I'll enjoy it.

You have no idea. It might be the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.

[Ray Jackson]

I was able to cover most of my wish list during the recent 40% off sale.

Together with the 30% coupon on online orders over $150, it ended up being just a tad cheaper than what I normally get them for in July...plus I don't have to deal with the aggravation of rounding up as many 15% coupons as possible and trying to convince the automaton cashiers to ring up five individual orders so that I use five coupons at once.

Here's what I've got coming in the mail:





That just leaves the following titles for July:

-The New World
-A Brighter Summer Day
-Sweet Smell of Success
-Naked Lunch
-The Big City

July will be much less stressful...and less exciting than it was last year.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I was able to cover most of my wish list during the recent 40% off sale.

Together with the 30% coupon on online orders over $150, it ended up being just a tad cheaper than what I normally get them for in July...plus I don't have to deal with the aggravation of rounding up as many 15% coupons as possible and trying to convince the automaton cashiers to ring up five individual orders so that I use five coupons at once.

Here's what I've got coming in the mail:





That just leaves the following titles for July:

-The New World
-A Brighter Summer Day
-Sweet Smell of Success
-Naked Lunch
-The Big City

July will be much less stressful...and less exciting than it was last year.

Is Amarcord a blind buy?
I was quite underwhelmed by it...I am very fond of Italy, support their soccer team etc. but I cannot seem to get into Italian cinema...There is something in there (they way characters talk could be a reason), I cannot seem to get into...

This is not to say, I never liked any Italian cinema...but overall I am not a fan based on the films I have watched...

[pro-bassoonist]

Here Comes Mr. Jordan Blu-ray REVIEW



Great, very witty comedy. It could be a great companion piece for It Happened One Night

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Down by Law imo...

And does anyone actually really like The Night Porter?

Like yourself, I personally cannot stand The Night Porter. It's one of my least favorite titles in the Criterion Collection.

Down by Law on the other hand is one of my favorite comedies in the collection.

[mja345]

"Down by Law" is an awesome film. The "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream" scene is one of the most memorable in any film. Criterion badly needs to upgrade "Night on Earth" and "Stranger than Paradise".