The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Remake? Is that the foreign film from a few years ago?

That one plus the 97 Freidkin film.

[Ctzalman]

Originally Posted by TheHumanTornado

Any of the Criterion gurus feel like giving me a rundown on Medium Cool? I knew nothing of it prior to it getting a release date and I'm intrigued.

We watched it in a college film class and it is an excellent film. It's basically about a jaded chicago reporter who falls for a w. Virginia woman with a young son. The story climaxes with the choas of the democratic convention of 1968. The central idea of the film delves into the ethical relationship between the artist (the reporter) and his/her creation (media). Should one sacrifice their moral integrity for the sake of a story? And when is the line crossed when the very act of reporting the story may alter the outcome of events? The plot is fairly simple, but it is readily apparent that wexler is pointing his finger at the media at large and it's ability/responsibility to shape public opinion in an ethical manner.

The film is also notable for its blending of fiction with documentary footage. During the convention scenes, the now famous "look out, Haskell, it's real" line is heard from one of the crew. They were really caught in the riots outside the convention and were getting pelted with real tear gas.

The film is definitely a product of the '60s, but I loved it upon first viewing. I searched out the DVD after seeing the film in class and was able to find it at a local borders. The DVD is long out of print, and I don't think I've watched it again since I first bought it, so that just shows how well the film has stuck with me. Highly recommended!

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

After watching The Fog of War two weeks ago (I highly recommend it) and being a big fan of Crumb (more Zwigoff on blu ray would be great), does anyone know other great documentaries, especially from criterion or on blu ray?

Eclipse Series 2: The Documentaries of Louis Malle

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Can you give us a quick appraisal of the MoC edition of The Passion of Joan of Arc? I've been thinking of getting that edition instead of waiting for the Gaumont restoration. Cheers

Well, you didn't ask me specifically, but I currently count the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc to be one of the nicest blus in my collection. Quite honestly, the 20fps version makes me all but unable to watch the faster versions now.

I'd also say that the piano score that accompanies the 20fps is very strong, considering it is a single instrument used to score a complex film.

I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this release, although I've already resigned myself to double dipping on the Gaumont restoration when it is available.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

After watching The Fog of War two weeks ago (I highly recommend it) and being a big fan of Crumb (more Zwigoff on blu ray would be great), does anyone know other great documentaries, especially from criterion or on blu ray?

There are lots of great docs on blu. CC has The Times of Harvey Milk, which I still consider one of the great documentaries period. The War Room is solid, but less of a slam dunk, depending on how you feel about the subject matter. The War Room might make an interesting double feature with Broadcast News.

The Grey Gardens films are in the CC, but not on blu yet.

More in the vein of Crumb and on blu, Marwencol is as interesting a film as I've seen in the last few years. Man on Wire, Dylan's Don't Look Back, and the hilarious, heartbreaking Anvil are all great films about artists.

If you liked Fog of War, Standard Operating Procedure is also by Errol Morris and will probably make you want to kill yourself.

Also fun, but not on blu is Winnebago Man and King of Kong.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Man on Wire, Dylan's Don't Look Back, and the hilarious, heartbreaking Anvil are all great films about artists.

As for Criterion documentaries, Gimme Shelter seems to be conspicuously absent from the lists.

Originally Posted by rock, stone

If you liked Fog of War, Standard Operating Procedure is also by Errol Morris and will probably make you want to kill yourself.

Why? (For being that gullible about the Abu Ghraib photos throughout the entire Bush era? Considering Morris' expert deconstruction, kicking yourself is bare minimum.)

Actually, just about anything Errol Morris, throwing in Mr. Death and The Thin Blue Line. He pretty much invented a distinctive style with TTBL, and Fog of War was actually par for his course.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Well, you didn't ask me specifically, but I currently count the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc to be one of the nicest blus in my collection. Quite honestly, the 20fps version makes me all but unable to watch the faster versions now.

I'd also say that the piano score that accompanies the 20fps is very strong, considering it is a single instrument used to score a complex film.

I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this release, although I've already resigned myself to double dipping on the Gaumont restoration when it is available.

Thanks for that
I think I'll probably get the MoC version of The Passion of Joan of Arc unless we hear some definite info from Gaumont or Criterion soon.

[joie]

Got a Criterion news letter Friday. There was no "hint." Has Criterion decided to stop toying with its customers? From a business practice point of view, all the speculation about what they might release doesn't help them, in my opinion.

I wonder whether there is any business continuity plan in place. It's been in business so long that a lot of the honchos must be thinking about retiring. I don't know whether it's an independent, private company or some subsidiary of a larger business.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

does anyone know other great documentaries, especially from criterion or on blu ray?

You've already received a lot of great recommendations. In 2007, the International Documentary Association compiled a list of the top 25 documentaries of all-time. I think the selections were a little too weighted by recent (relative to 2007) releases, I think all of them are available on DVD (even Titicut Follies, which is available from Wiseman's website) and a surprising number are available in our favorite format.

The Oscars are pretty good at nominating good/great documentary, though their winners are frequently debatable, Wikipedia has a list here.

Food for thought.

One of my favorite 'talking heads' docs is The Corporation, it is entertaining and the DVD release (extras/menus, etc) is just outstanding, of course as with any public policy/political POV movies, not everyone will think it is entirely fair, you'll have to decide.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by joie

Got a Criterion news letter Friday. There was no "hint." Has Criterion decided to stop toying with its customers? From a business practice point of view, all the speculation about what they might release doesn't help them, in my opinion.

I wonder whether there is any business continuity plan in place. It's been in business so long that a lot of the honchos must be thinking about retiring. I don't know whether it's an independent, private company or some subsidiary of a larger business.

I got a Criterion newsletter on Friday as well, but it was not the full-blown monthly newsletter, and, instead, it was an information piece about Eclipse Series 38: Masaki Kobayashi Against the System‏.

I've always enjoyed Criterion's cartoon hints, because they encourage me to use my brain, and because it's fun to have the teasers for the coming attractions.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

You've already received a lot of great recommendations. In 2007, the International Documentary Association compiled a list of the top 25 documentaries of all-time. I think the selections were a little too weighted by recent (relative to 2007) releases, I think all of them are available on DVD (even Titicut Follies, which is available from Wiseman's website) and a surprising number are available in our favorite format.

The Oscars are pretty good at nominating good/great documentary, though their winners are frequently debatable, Wikipedia has a list here.

Food for thought.

One of my favorite 'talking heads' docs is The Corporation, it is entertaining and the DVD release (extras/menus, etc) is just outstanding, of course as with any public policy/political POV movies, not everyone will think it is entirely fair, you'll have to decide.

Thank you to everyone who gave recommendations.

Documentaries is almost new territory for me. Within the last five years, I have started to read a lot non-fiction books from classics like Thucydides to modern books from Anthony Beevor and John Keegan.

There is no substitute to reality. I find some things so surreal that it could have not been thought of.

Great top 25 list, TJS. Surprisingly, I have seen some of these movies. Thanks

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

There are lots of great docs on blu. CC has The Times of Harvey Milk, which I still consider one of the great documentaries period. The War Room is solid, but less of a slam dunk, depending on how you feel about the subject matter. The War Room might make an interesting double feature with Broadcast News.

The Grey Gardens films are in the CC, but not on blu yet.

More in the vein of Crumb and on blu, Marwencol is as interesting a film as I've seen in the last few years. Man on Wire, Dylan's Don't Look Back, and the hilarious, heartbreaking Anvil are all great films about artists.

If you liked Fog of War, Standard Operating Procedure is also by Errol Morris and will probably make you want to kill yourself.

Also fun, but not on blu is Winnebago Man and King of Kong.

Great recommendations. I will definitely watch more Errol Morris.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Documentaries is almost new territory for me. Within the last five years, I have started to read a lot non-fiction books from classics like Thucydides to modern books from Anthony Beevor and John Keegan.

Nice. I have read both of Beevor's books dealing with the Eastern Front of WWII - Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin. He is a masterful writer and puts into words as visual an account of history as I have ever read. His books are like documentary film narratives, filled with eye-witness descriptions, intimate details, and often harrowing behind-the-scenes accounts (for example, his illuminating discussions in his magnificent Stalingrad about the "hiwis" - Soviet prisoners of war who earned a reprieve from POW camps by serving the German forces. Or the activities of the Soviet secret police units - the NKVD - behind the Soviet lines during the battle). His books bring home to an audience seven decades removed from these events a connection to the time of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

I have quite a few modern historians whose books I seek out. In addition to Beevor and Keegan, I can also highly recommend Max Hastings, Robert K. Massie, Orlando Figes, William Manchester, Barbara Tuchman, Anna Reid, Nathaniel Philbrick, Hugh Thomas (who specializes in Spain and the Spanish empire) and Adrian Goldsworthy (ancient Rome), among others.

[DasMarcos]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Can you give us a quick appraisal of the MoC edition of The Passion of Joan of Arc? I've been thinking of getting that edition instead of waiting for the Gaumont restoration. Cheers

I'll just add my own two cents onto what Rock, Stone has already said. If you check out DVDBeaver's end year poll for BD's and DVD's you'll find that the MOC Joan of Arc took the cake for best overall release in both categories and that's a good indication of its quality.

The MOC edition comes with both the 20 and 24 fps versions, with different audio accompaniments that only grow on you with repeat viewings. The 20fps is a bit of a revolution for viewing the film but one thing will keep me coming back to Criterion's DVD release. The audio accompaniment for that version features Voices of Light which I think gives the film an optimal viewing. If you haven't seen Joan with the Voices of Light audio I would recommend a purchase of Criterion's just for that. It really is breathtaking.

An other thing to keep in mind wit the MOC release is the "Lo Duca" version of the film is included in the set. This is largely seen as an inferior version of the film and was the only version available for viewing until the rediscovery of the Oslo print.

Just as impressive is the inclusion of a 100 page booklet with various readings and essays on the film. The casing of the limited edition steelbook is as nice as you'd think too.

Again, if you have the funds I'd grab the MOC and the Criterion DVD release, if only to hear the Voices of Light soundtrack. Here's hoping Criterion includes the option to still hear the VOL audio in the inevitable BD update.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by DasMarcos

I'll just add my own two cents onto what Rock, Stone has already said. If you check out DVDBeaver's end year poll for BD's and DVD's you'll find that the MOC Joan of Arc took the cake for best overall release in both categories and that's a good indication of its quality.

The MOC edition comes with both the 20 and 24 fps versions, with different audio accompaniments that only grow on you with repeat viewings. The 20fps is a bit of a revolution for viewing the film but one thing will keep me coming back to Criterion's DVD release. The audio accompaniment for that version features Voices of Light which I think gives the film an optimal viewing. If you haven't seen Joan with the Voices of Light audio I would recommend a purchase of Criterion's just for that. It really is breathtaking.

An other thing to keep in mind wit the MOC release is the "Lo Duca" version of the film is included in the set. This is largely seen as an inferior version of the film and was the only version available for viewing until the rediscovery of the Oslo print.

Just as impressive is the inclusion of a 100 page booklet with various readings and essays on the film. The casing of the limited edition steelbook is as nice as you'd think too.

Again, if you have the funds I'd grab the MOC and the Criterion DVD release, if only to hear the Voices of Light soundtrack. Here's hoping Criterion includes the option to still hear the VOL audio in the inevitable BD update.

Thanks for that.
Will be interesting to see if the Gaumont restoration includes both the 20fps and 24fps versions and what Criterion eventually packages. That's if Criterion actually will release Joan of Arc.
Does anyone know if they will?

[Yami]

Also, the MoC release uses Dreyer's original Danish intertitles. I'd say its likely that Criterion will use the reconstructed French intertitles.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Thank you to everyone who gave recommendations.

Documentaries is almost new territory for me. Within the last five years, I have started to read a lot non-fiction books from classics like Thucydides to modern books from Anthony Beevor and John Keegan.

There is no substitute to reality. I find some things so surreal that it could have not been thought of.

Great top 25 list, TJS. Surprisingly, I have seen some of these movies. Thanks

Not Criterion, but Hearts of Darkness is one of my all time favorite documentaries.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Thanks for that.
Will be interesting to see if the Gaumont restoration includes both the 20fps and 24fps versions and what Criterion eventually packages. That's if Criterion actually will release Joan of Arc.
Does anyone know if they will?

I would be very shocked if they didn't, since it is one of the "premiere" titles, in the sense that it is a well known and important film that they have released in the past.

[Scottie]

Please do not forget that we have our first Criterion Film of the Week discussion beginning today. The film is 12 Angry Men, an American classic and one of the best films to date.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=218925

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I would be very shocked if they didn't, since it is one of the "premiere" titles, in the sense that it is a well known and important film that they have released in the past.

I wouldn't be too surprised if they didn't, CC isn't big on multiple versions of AR or fps...Waterfront being the exception (can't think of any others especially their silents). It will be the Oslo cut though.