The Criterion Collection

[Darkcritic]

I feel like if I had to "review" this year for Criterion I would put it on the "Below Average" mark. The first half of the year came with some amazing releases (Belle de Jour, World on a Wire, Letter Never Sent) but I felt an overall "drift" from Criterion's focus. The second half of the year had some pretty good titles too (Lonesome, Rosetta, Trilogy of Life) but I felt variety was slowly declining. Now that Shell posted those graphs I can see I wasn't exaggerating. The focus on the same ol' countries is unbelievable. The Eclipse Series are the real highlight of the year, IMO. From the first one with Gorin to the last one with the Shochiku horror films, variety was great and the directors portrayed amazing. I only wish they would have given mainline treatment to some of the more high profile titles (Some of them HAVE HD masters available so there wasn't excuse). When you elevate The Game to extra-filled mainline territory but leave a film like Daisies in the cold, then you can see Criterion's priorities aren't those of a year or two back. A shame .

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Okay I added a bit of input:

I really appreciate it!

I think these are going to be the ones I get for new releases:

Brazil - December
Eating Raoul - September
Following - December
Heaven's Gate - November
Rashomon - November
Rosemary's Baby - October

As far as the BN 50% off sale (60% off with my membership, and probably more with coupons):

3 Women
America: Lost And Found
Belle De Jour
Black Moon
Broadcast News
Cul-de-sac
Diabolique
Down By Law
Gomorrah
Hunger
Last Emperor
Night Of The Hunter
Pale Flower
Repulsion
Seventh Seal
Sweet Smell Of Success
Three Colors
Videodrome
Wages Of Fear
Weekend

[Banned User]

I would add Lonesome to one of the best of the year. Though I wish we had got another title like The Music Room

[Sinthetic]

Review up on Beaver for ITMFL. Should have mine by Friday as it was shipped today.

Can't wait.

[Mac Norton]

So today while I was waiting on a few things, I went ahead and added a list of my personal top 10 from the Criterion Collection:

http://www.criterion.com/lists/90523-my-personal-top-10

Take a look and feel free to add any comments on the list itself. I would certainly like to read the thoughts of other on my picks.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

My apologies Junior.

Sheldon Cooper: I think what most upsets me about this is the lack of a comma.

[Lino11]

Really excited for this latest wave. With Brazil, The Game, Rashomon... they just released 3 movies the public has been salivating for since Criterion entered hi-def market.

How can anyone complain?

Now that they have those, they can focus on other things.


Like maybe The Killer & Hardboiled...?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Sheldon Cooper: I think what most upsets me about this is the lack of a comma.

Blame Apple, I was typing on an iJesusPhone. I hate typing on that thing as it often has a mind of its own and flips around all over the place. Only one more year until I get a beautiful new Android based phone, although I'm ashamed to admit I'm going to be getting one of the new Nanos in purple once they come out. My 4th gen Nano's battery is on the fritz, as sometimes it charges and others it doesn't. Still works except for the whole battery trust issue.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Blame Apple, I was typing on an iJesusPhone. I hate typing on that thing as it often has a mind of its own and flips around all over the place. Only one more year until I get a beautiful new Android based phone, although I'm ashamed to admit I'm going to be getting one of the new Nanos in purple once they come out. My 4th gen Nano's battery is on the fritz, as sometimes it charges and others it doesn't. Still works except for the whole battery trust issue.

Maybe the Apple 5 will fix it?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Maybe the Apple 5 will fix it?

Remember, this is Apple we're talking about, their phones are perfect and there's nothing ever wrong with them. I just clearly don't know how to use it after 2 years of owning the 4, and my experience is crap because I have the audacity to own a Windows computer rather than the beautiful, pinnacle of perfection that is a Macbook.

I'm off to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark now.

[easyblu]

I'm a little late, but I like the December announcements a lot! Sad to see no eclipse set though I'm still holding out hope they do an Eclipse set with some more Ozu titles that they haven't released yet.

[greendice]

I have been looking forward to the blu-ray release forever. I just read a brief review and comparison on DVDBeaver. It is very encouraging that it earned their highest recommendation.

[returnofthemack]

Originally Posted by dr.mabuse

Amazing line-up for December. I'll probably end up buying all of them.
Brazil will definitely replace my current Universal Blu-ray. Luckily I haven't bought the germand release of Koyaanisqatsi yet, so I won't have to double dip on that one. Following of course is also definitely a very nice surprise. I've never watched this film, but I always wanted to. Just recently when I was watching the making of Memento, where Nolan is also talking about his debut, it made me want to see this film so badly.

I think 2012 has been a terrific year for the collection. So many fantastic upgrades and new additions. There were so many great films this year, I couldn't even follow up with buying them. But that's what the B&N sales are for...

is criterion getting koyaanisqatsi?

i know i swore off schmriterion not that long ago for their lousey packaging but with the game rosemarys baby and koyaanisqatsi i might be tempted to buy some. although i cant gaurantee that the ugly box wont annoy me and i would be forced to give them away to my friend that i hate

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by returnofthemack

is criterion getting koyaanisqatsi?

i know i swore off schmriterion not that long ago for their lousey packaging but with the game rosemarys baby and koyaanisqatsi i might be tempted to buy some. although i cant gaurantee that the ugly box wont annoy me and i would be forced to give them away to my friend that i hate

Koyaanisqatsi is part of "The Qatsi Trilogy"

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by greendice

I have been looking forward to the blu-ray release forever. I just read a brief review and comparison on DVDBeaver. It is very encouraging that it earned their highest recommendation.

It really looks like a great transfer. I haven't seen the film in several years so I'm anxious for the blu-ray release.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by returnofthemack

is criterion getting koyaanisqatsi?

i know i swore off schmriterion not that long ago for their lousey packaging but with the game rosemarys baby and koyaanisqatsi i might be tempted to buy some. although i cant gaurantee that the ugly box wont annoy me and i would be forced to give them away to my friend that i hate

You're such a treat. You should stop by more often. Perhaps bring your friend that you hate

[Wally Q]

Just to throw in another thought: I'm still surprised they didn't take advantage of the Lincoln connection and upgrade Young Mr. Lincoln. I've been waiting for that one for quite a while.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Wally Q

Just to throw in another thought: I'm still surprised they didn't take advantage of the Lincoln connection and upgrade Young Mr. Lincoln. I've been waiting for that one for quite a while.

Maybe next year when the Spielberg film comes out on Blu ray they will release it. I thought they would release it on Blu ray also.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by italy12

Years back, I saw three films that I thought were exceptional. I have always wanted these on Blu ray, once the format took off, and never picked them up on DVD.

The first one has finally been announced! Christopher Nolan's Following.

Now, if only someone would release Aranofsky's Pi and Frankenheimer's Seconds, I would be thrilled!

Criterion should release Frankenheimer's Seconds and The Train.

[returnofthemack]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

You're such a treat. You should stop by more often. Perhaps bring your friend that you hate

i wouldnt want to bring my friend that i hate (david) here! that would only ruin my bluray.com experiance.