The Criterion Collection

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

If you're not aware, The Virgin Spring was the inspiration for Wes Craven's Last House On The Left.

Yes, that is correct, I actually learned that fact as a young man who was into the original scream film more than any man ought to be.

This is one (of many) spine(s) I would love to see get an upgrade to BD.

[billzfan]

I'm trying to decide between Crumb, 8 1/2, and M to buy next. any recommendations?

[wilky61]

Ooh, when did Criterion announce La Jetee? I'm going to have to pick that up, what a treat!

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

I just finished watching Leon Morin, Priest and can't believe how much I liked it. The general opinion seemed to be that it was a slow film but I found it completely captivating. Melville's pace is becoming a trademark for me and the gently editing and compositon are a thing of beauty. I really love how Melville composed his shots, they were never boring and always seemed to have something happening. Emmanuelle Riva's acting was easily the most enjoyable aspect of the film. Belmondo obviously delivers but I found Riva's character a lot more likable (The fact that she looked absolutely gorgeous helped a bit ) and down to earth. Overall, I am really happy about this blind-buy and would recommend it to any Melville fan. It was a hell to track down this film but Criterion more than makes up for all the previous hassle. Also, opinions ?

I really liked Leon Morin, Priest as well. The lead performances are excellent, and the story was interesting. (it's almost surreal to see Belmondo dressed in a cassock)

It is nice to see filmmakers produces films outside of the genre they are known for.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I'm trying to decide between Crumb, 8 1/2, and M to buy next. any recommendations?

You're not making this easy!

I didn't like 8 1/2 as much as a lot of other people did...but I saw Crumb when it first was first released at a small theater in Brooklyn and find it as fascinating today, as I did back then. It's a quirky film about not just a quirky art genius...but his as equally talented and quirky brothers. It's like a train wreck...you can't help sticking with it.

M is just a great film! I can't say enough good things about it and Peter Lorre. It's a bonafide classic film and as much as I love Crumb...M would be my first choice of the three films you've listed.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

The funny thing is I got it right upon my switching to blu-ray and making my first purchases, when it was already out of print, and I had lost any hope of finding a copy at reasonable price... and, lo and behold, it turned out there were several of them at the IFC Center's kiosk here in New York where I live. When I asked for it, the girl at the counter offered me the copy they had hanging from a clamp that had badly damaged the cardboard case, and the anal collector within me shuddered at the thought of being dealt the painful option of having it that way or not having it at all (back then, I wasn't aware of Criterion's regular cases replacement for their digipaks). But, fortunately enough, after a while searching for more copies in their stored stock, they found a few.

If memory serves me, I think I posted about it here on these boards so other people could benefit from it.

And actually, it's still listed as available on their website...

You may want to try your luck.

Just in case anyone is curious, I recently tried to order The Third Man from IFC and was told they were sold out.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by billzfan

I'm trying to decide between Crumb, 8 1/2, and M to buy next. any recommendations?

I agree with rkish, M is the film I would pick as well.

It's a great movie with a storyline that is rather surprising for the time. There are some nice uses of sound to act as a bit of a harbinger of things to come. There is one "sound" (

[Show spoiler]the whistling

) that is an especially nice touch, and definitely a precursor/akin to today's characters having their own theme music when appearing on screen.

Also, due to budget constraints, and artistic license, there are even a few sequences that are completely silent. In my opinion, these spots were used to great effect, and really add to the "feel" of the scenes where the silence was used.

Peter Lorre certainly was great and his speech at the end is unforgettable, and imitated, still today.

[Cookson]

Hi all,

Would you mind taking a few moments and writing a short "request" to Criterion about releasing the film THE X FROM OUTER SPACE. As you can see, they do in fact own the rights as you can watch it on hulu, and criterion is the "studio".

Hulu - The X From Outer Space - Watch the full movie now.

Would be nice to see this classic giant monster film on blu ray.

Here's the email address where they accept "suggestions": suggestions@criterion.com

[Beta Man]

I'm willing to bet (although I could be wrong) they created that "suggestion" email, just to keep their normal communication channels from being clogged with people begging for certain titles to be added to the collection.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I really liked Leon Morin, Priest as well. The lead performances are excellent, and the story was interesting. (it's almost surreal to see Belmondo dressed in a cassock)

It is nice to see filmmakers produces films outside of the genre they are known for.

I also like when a filmmaker steps out of his/her comfort zone to take a risk. In my opinion, Melville completely aced this work. I really can't find a single bad thing to say about it. Everything from the subtle and consistent camera work and editing to the amazing use of actors and silences feels perfect. It probably isn't the most active film in the Collection (Nor is it the most discussed) but, from what I own and have seen, I can safely admit Leon Morin, Priest is one of my favorite titles in there.

[Madman Marz]

I'm looking forward to Three Outlaw Samurai. It doesn't come out until Feb. 14th, though.

Has anyone seen Belle de Jour? I've been wanting to see that for awhile now.

[jacobsever]

Has anybody discussed the possibility of Le Samourai being released by Criterion on blu? I see it was just released in France.

[ACMutd]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Has anybody discussed the possibility of Le Samourai being released by Criterion on blu? I see it was just released in France.

Agreed, I would much rather have the Criterion BD then the Pathe(IIRC) version.

Edit: Just curious but has anybody bought the non BD/DVD items off of the criterion shop? ex Mugs, shirts, posters, etc...

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Cookson

Here's the email address where they accept "suggestions": suggestions@criterion.com

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm willing to bet (although I could be wrong) they created that "suggestion" email, just to keep their normal communication channels from being clogged with people begging for certain titles to be added to the collection.

Oh, man. Based on some of the stuff I have seen written on their facebook page, I can just imagine the films that get submitted as suggestions.

[IronFingaz]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Disc 1, the 76' version. 78' was re-cut and "to the point".

Cool, thanks.

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

I use the excel app in DocsToGo. It works great once you get used to how to format the spreadsheets. I use the word app in it a lot, too, when I write. Overall, it's a great app to have. Costs $9.99 (or it did when I paid for it)

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by oildude

Oh, man. Based on some of the stuff I have seen written on their facebook page, I can just imagine the films that get submitted as suggestions.

I emailed them a request for 12 Monkeys and they never replied. However a few months later they announced La jetée.

That's my only request to them. So I kind-of/sort-of got what I wanted, but not really.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Has anybody discussed the possibility of Le Samourai being released by Criterion on blu? I see it was just released in France.

No way to know. Sometimes a European release of something alraedy in the Criterion Cataloge is a good sign (i.e. Harakiri and Kuroneko I'm pretty sure were only months apart from their UK releases).

However UK has some Chaplin that Criterion could release at any time, yet it's been years now that they've been sitting on them.

About all you can really say is "doesn't hurt" that France just got a release. Doesn't mean it's imminent, unless they drop a clue or something.

[dag]

Picked up Fanny & Alexander earlier this evening. I want to watch the television version, so I intend to watch it during the day on Saturday, in between some Premier League, a quick trip to Starbucks, the library, and grocery store...and, oh yeah, getting a flu shot.

[TylerDurden]

I really want The Great Dictator but missed picking it up during the last sale. What's the schedule for Criterion's throughout the year? I know B&N has theirs in Nov/Jun are there other sales also?

[Cookson]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I emailed them a request for 12 Monkeys and they never replied. However a few months later they announced La jetée.

That's my only request to them. So I kind-of/sort-of got what I wanted, but not really.

The only reaso I "suggested" THE X FROM OUTER SPACE is because they actually have the rights to release the film, as they're the "studio" on the hulu page for the movie.