The Criterion Collection

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Same for me.
I've also been eyeing off the Masters of Cinema releases of the Mizoguchi films, so I'm glad I held off on those as well.
So it looks like at least three for me

Don't forget the MoC sets include two films each. Gion Bayashi on the Sansho disc is a fantastic Mizoguchi film. That said, the Criterion has superior supplements so the only sensible option is to get both

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Any thoughts on An Inn at Tokyo? It's being shown tonight with a benshi providing narration.

Hey Shell! Where are they showing "An Inn at Tokyo"? Please tell me it's either TCM or some other TV channel. It's on the list of Ozu titles that I have never seen. "The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice" was my last surprise on Hulu.

[ravenus]

Do any CC covers other than On The Waterfront have the lead actor's name splashed across?

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Do any CC covers other than On The Waterfront have the lead actor's name splashed across?

Paths of Glory has Kirk Douglass' name above the title, and it is bigger than Kubrick's. Sweet Smell of Success has both Tony Curtis' and Burt Lancaster's names on it. The appearance of names and titles are in most cases dictated by the studios.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

No Narayama?

I hadn't realized that Kinoshita had directed a version of the film, as Imamura had. I assume it's the same story? Which film has been preferred over the other or are both films revered?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

No Narayama?

No not even that one, I have seen it and very good movie but not something that I would want to watch often enough that I would want to own it.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by rkish

I hadn't realized that Kinoshita had directed a version of the film, as Imamura had. I assume it's the same story? Which film has been preferred over the other or are both films revered?

I think but I am not sure, the remake as received more honor and love than the original?

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by retablo

I picked up Rashomon almost out of courtesy.. I've never been a huge fan of it. Despite the very innovative flashback structure that was uncommon at the time, I've just never found the story that compelling. Maybe it's due to a lack of a main character, or the out of left field ending with the abandoned baby. It's good, but far from top Kurosawa for me.

I recently saw this screened in Washington (not the new restoration sadly). I hadn't watched my DVD in several years, so I was looking forward to it. I was surprised, though, that it had lost some of its luster. I love the flashback structure and still think that the varied re-tellingly are well-handled and are thematically strong, but the comedy got in the way this time and the tone felt off. I'll be curious to revisit it next time, now that its slipped a bit in my eyes. Something tells me I will enjoy it more having already revised my take. I'd still rank it among my favorites of his, but the only thing that could top my beloved DVD of Ikiru would be a Blu of Ikiru. Please!

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I liked La promesse more than Rosetta because it wasn't as soul crushing.

I'm buying Narayama because I have never disliked a Japanese film I've blind bought from Criterion thus far.

I'm also wishing I lived near at least one of the special 12 cities in the US right now. I really would kill to see "Daily Nightly" live with Mike as the Moog. The vids on YouTube aren't enough.

Must be my neurotic Jewish heritage, but I'm drawn to soul-crushing. Speaking of which (and Japanese films), I'm counting the days until an orphaned copy of Grave of the Fireflies lands on my door so that I can pop it into my warm, comforting player and it can break my heart all over again. And again. And again.

Monkees-wise, I may be seeing them in Manhattan this December. The ticket isn't the problem, but complications could get in the way.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Must be my neurotic Jew heritage, but I'm drawn to soul-crushing. Speaking of which (and Japanese films), I'm counting the days until an orphaned copy of Grave of the Fireflies lands on my door so that I can pop it into my warm, comforting player and it can break my heart all over again. And again. And again.

Monkees-wise, I may be seeing them in Manhattan this December. The ticket isn't the problem, but complications could get in the way.

I myself am deeply jealous. From what I've seen online its a fantastic show and the tour was being planned before Davy passed, to celebrate Headquarters 45th anniversary. So all the uppity Davy fans can stop making me ashamed of being a Monkees fan by complaining about the tour and Mike right now. Seriously, the hate and vitriol towards Mike and the tour is disgusting, depressing, and disturbing. Davy wasn't the only Monkee, and as far as I'm concerned, Micky was the lead singer, not Davy. I hope you do get to go. I can live vicariously through you. I'll stop the Monkees talk now.

Grave of the Fireflies is a film that I don't think I could ever watch again because of the soul crushing ness. Rosetta is tamer in that regard.

Oh btw, finally got around to watching my Carnes, and I really like Les visiteurs de soir much better than Children of Paradise, but I think it's because I love medieval period pieces. CoP was excellent though and I'm no authority to comment on PQ, so I can't answer questions on that. I'm ashamed to say I never realised it was a two-disc release as when I ordered it, it was at a single disc price.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Iy was also not well received in Japan, many felt it was too "westernized" of a story, while people in the west found it "exotic". I always found the use of the different characters telling part of each stories to move the movie along very interesting. You are right in saying that it really does not have 'main character' in the real sense. I think the story or stories could be look as the main character or characters

Kurosawa got hit with the "too western" tag quite a bit, didn't he? Certainly didn't help that he adapted Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Hammett (I think) among others. I can see it in his work too, but it seems a bit unfair in that so much of film's lexicon is built on western notions of storytelling that in the learning of film grammar by absorbing anything you can digest, it is inevitable to incorporate themes, ideas and techniques that work, regardless of their country/region of origin. The bet way to have avoided it would probably be not to see ANY western films to avoid their influence. Y'know, sort'a like learning to play the guitar without ever seeing someone play it first.

As to Rashomon's narrative structure, it's safe to say that's its trademark and what keeps it relevant. I love its fractal look at the subjectivity of "truth" and what it says about memory's fragility, perspective and how the human mind crafts and revises narratives that intertwine with the reality of experiences, but can eventually usurp what happened. I find similar themes addressed, though not so thoroughly or richly , in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Memento (by, like, the most over-rated director in forEVER). Tangentially, I'm also reminded of (and pardon the paraphrase) the quote from Rules of the Game: "the tragedy of life is everyone has their reasons".

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

As to Rashomon's narrative structure, it's safe to say that's its trademark and what keeps it relevant. I love its fractal look at the subjectivity of "truth" and what it says about memory's fragility, perspective and how the human mind crafts and revises narratives that intertwine with the reality of experiences, but can eventually usurp what happened. I find similar themes addressed, though not so thoroughly or richly , in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Memento (by, like, the most over-rated director in forEVER). Tangentially, I'm also reminded of (and pardon the paraphrase) the quote from Rules of the Game: "the tragedy of life is everyone has their reasons".

For similar reasons, I have always thought Rashomon paired nicely with 12 Angry Men. Both deal with the notion of how stories are used to construct the truth.

[greekak229]

Blind-bought Godard's Weekend. Those screenshots pretty much sold me. As far as the new announced films, On the Waterfront is a definite pick up. Also, I love Imamura's Narayama, but I have never seen the fifties version. Definitely have to check that one out as well.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by rkish

Hey Shell! Where are they showing "An Inn at Tokyo"? Please tell me it's either TCM or some other TV channel. It's on the list of Ozu titles that I have never seen. "The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice" was my last surprise on Hulu.

It's showing at the Cleveland Cinematheque. They've flown in a Japanese guy to do the narration.

[Page14]

I sure find it time-consuming trying to figure out which Criterions to choose when these B&N sales come up. I have a print-out of all the Criterion blurays available sitting in front of me. It's mind boggling! I suppose it's hard to go wrong, but man, the vast selection to choose from.

I pretty much have been trying to go through the various reviews ... mostly in here, but also on Amazon.com. I hate sitting around all day reading reviews though. When/if I think of it, I might look for little snippets of films that seem interesting on youtube. But like I said, it sure is time-consuming and even a little bit draining.

Does anybody have a method they use to narrow the choices down? Just curious ... not that I expect it to help.

[mport5150]

Originally Posted by Page14

I sure find it time-consuming trying to figure out which Criterions to choose when these B&N sales come up. I have a print-out of all the Criterion blurays available sitting in front of me. It's mind boggling! I suppose it's hard to go wrong, but man, the vast selection to choose from.

I pretty much have been trying to go through the various reviews ... mostly in here, but also on Amazon.com. I hate sitting around all day reading reviews though. When/if I think of it, I might look for little snippets of films that seem interesting on youtube. But like I said, it sure is time-consuming and even a little bit draining.

Does anybody have a method they use to narrow the choices down? Just curious ... not that I expect it to help.

Samurai movie+CC=buy!

Hitchcock + CC= buy!

Old Sci-Fi +CC= buy!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Page14

I sure find it time-consuming trying to figure out which Criterions to choose when these B&N sales come up. I have a print-out of all the Criterion blurays available sitting in front of me. It's mind boggling! I suppose it's hard to go wrong, but man, the vast selection to choose from.

I pretty much have been trying to go through the various reviews ... mostly in here, but also on Amazon.com. I hate sitting around all day reading reviews though. When/if I think of it, I might look for little snippets of films that seem interesting on youtube. But like I said, it sure is time-consuming and even a little bit draining.

Does anybody have a method they use to narrow the choices down? Just curious ... not that I expect it to help.

When in doubt, buy 'em all!!

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by Page14

I sure find it time-consuming trying to figure out which Criterions to choose when these B&N sales come up. I have a print-out of all the Criterion blurays available sitting in front of me. It's mind boggling! I suppose it's hard to go wrong, but man, the vast selection to choose from.

I pretty much have been trying to go through the various reviews ... mostly in here, but also on Amazon.com. I hate sitting around all day reading reviews though. When/if I think of it, I might look for little snippets of films that seem interesting on youtube. But like I said, it sure is time-consuming and even a little bit draining.

Does anybody have a method they use to narrow the choices down? Just curious ... not that I expect it to help.

Start off with a couple of the ones that really stick out and take a chance on them. Don't buy for the sake of the sale.

After you enjoy your first couple, start trying to get more information on the collection. Watch some via streaming or view trailers if you can, then pick a few you liked the most and put them on your wishlist.

Personally, I'd recommend against blind buying as I've viewed quite a lot of the releases and felt they didn't need a repeat viewing.

[SammyJankis]

Not really Criterion related, but what the hell.

For fans of Zuwalski's Possession:

IN THE WORKS.... we are excited to announce that we are starting work on a Blu-ray release of Andrzej Zulawski's classic POSSESSION. This is a new Director-Approved restoration, and as well as the existing DVD bonus features we are working on a whole host more. We'll announce further details here as they happen.

https://www.facebook.com/SecondSightFilms

[retablo]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I liked La promesse more than Rosetta because it wasn't as soul crushing.

Dangit.. I haven't seen La Promesse and it was the last 50% off title I considered buying. I loved Rosetta but wasn't sure about La Promesse... now I have to go buy it.