The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

For all those of you who are region-free, Masters of Cinema will be releasing Nosferatu on blu-ray in October!

https://twitter.com/Eurekavideo/stat...44803534131201

I'm not region free, sadly, but I figure that it's just a matter of time before a Blu-ray of Nosferatu hits these shores. I'm glad to know that it's being released somewhere in the world, because a Region A release is probably inevitable.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm not region free, sadly, but I figure that it's just a matter of time before a Blu-ray of Nosferatu hits these shores. I'm glad to know that it's being released somewhere in the world, because a Region A release is probably inevitable.

Really bummed I am not Region Free. Nosferatu is such a creepy movie.

It would be awesome if Criterion releases both Murnau's version and Herzog's in a nice box set.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Really bummed I am not Region Free. Nosferatu is such a creepy movie.

It would be awesome if Criterion releases both Murnau's version and Herzog's in a nice box set.

The world would end if Murnau's version and Herzog's version were released in one Criterion set. That would be the end-all-be-all of horror movie releases on Blu-ray.

Cool avatar, by the way. I'm listening to this in your honor...

[Show spoiler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWL_bdpXWA

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Jett Blu

The General perhaps?

I personally prefer Steamboat Bill, Jr., but you can't go wrong with The General.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Those two titles are not that popular around here, but they are both pretty good. If you're a fan of Merchant/Ivory, do buy Howard's End. It's simultaneously gorgeous and intimate.

Note: watch it ASAP, the copy I got wouldn't play ten minutes towards the end. I had to call CC for replacing.

I don't think it is fair to say Cronos isn't popular around here. In fact, a lot more people own it than own most of the titles. It was talked about a lot when it first came out, and it comes up again every now and then. It has just been out long enough that more focus is placed on the newly released titles.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The world would end if Murnau's version and Herzog's version were released in one Criterion set. That would be the end-all-be-all of horror movie releases on Blu-ray.

Cool avatar, by the way. I'm listening to this in your honor...

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWL_bdpXWA

Sweet! I know alot of people are iffy on the soundtrack, but I love it.

Have you heard the commentary track yet? Michael Mann indeed is very intelligent and knowledgeable about politics and current events. And the effort put in making things realistic: training, locations

I hope his next film begins shooting very soon

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Can't wait. I'm glad I have a region free player. KINO will do their usual region A release with barely any extra's. MoC is always the way to go.

Don't forget that one company may have Dvd rights here and another could have blu-ray rights.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm not region free, sadly, but I figure that it's just a matter of time before a Blu-ray of Nosferatu hits these shores. I'm glad to know that it's being released somewhere in the world, because a Region A release is probably inevitable.

you could always get a region B player... since you are in the US it should not be expensiv (not paying VAT and no tax duty)
going region free was the best thing i did in the last few years for watching / collecting movies.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I don't think it is fair to say Cronos isn't popular around here. In fact, a lot more people own it than own most of the titles. It was talked about a lot when it first came out, and it comes up again every now and then. It has just been out long enough that more focus is placed on the newly released titles.

Maybe the popularity of Cronos has been clouded by hubbub over the announcement of Devil's Backbone for me.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

you could always get a region B player... since you are in the US it should not be expensiv (not paying VAT and no tax duty)
going region free was the best thing i did in the last few years for watching / collecting movies.

The idea is tempting, but I'm inclined to think that having a Region A Blu-ray player keeps me grounded.

There are already too many choices out there when it comes to Blu-rays on these shores, so having access to Blu-rays in all regions would really open the floodgates as far as my interest in obscure foreign cinema is concerned.

A region free player would not be expensive in itself, but the consequences might cost me a fortune.

Circumstances might compel me to change my mind, of course. If a truly marvelous Blu-ray edition of Melville's Le Samouraï were made available only in Region B, for example, I could see myself buying another Blu-ray player just to accommodate that purchase.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The idea is tempting, but I'm inclined to think that having a Region A Blu-ray player keeps me grounded.

There are already too many choices out there when it comes to Blu-rays on these shores, so having access to Blu-rays in all regions would really open the floodgates as far as my interest in obscure foreign cinema is concerned.

A region free player would not be expensive in itself, but the consequences might cost me a fortune.

Yeah, not getting a Region B player keeps me from being broke. All the movies I want to own will one day become available here, so it's just a matter of being patient

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Maybe the popularity of Cronos has been clouded by hubbub over the announcement of Devil's Backbone for me.

Could be.

[greekak229]

The Devil's Backbone is going to be such an amazing release. Seriously cannot wait for that one.

[dsman71]

Me too and Mulholland Drive, since it appears that they do have it. A little tease on the FB seems to be their way of saying we do have it.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by Randyman94

How about Gold Rush vs Safety Last?

Both blind buys for me. Never seen a silent film.

Safety Last. As much of an icon as Chaplin is, I prefer Lloyd and especially Keaton.

[The Great Owl]

Last night, I watched my Blu-ray of Wild Strawberries, and then watched it a second time with the commentary track.



Wild Strawberries is another Criterion Blu-ray that I formerly owned on DVD, so I have seen the film a handful of times to date. During the final moments of each viewing, I always find myself affected on an emotional level to the point where I am holding back tears. The movie does not have any one specific moment that causes sadness or happiness, and I cannot readily put my finger on what causes my reaction, but the combined effect of several sequences throughout the film always seems to hit me at the end.

This 1957 Ingmar Bergman film makes me think of a quote from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, “We live as we dream - alone." We never really know those around us, because we cannot view the world from inside their minds as we view the world through our own. In our minds, we all imagine ourselves as the main star of the show, and we generally believe that we are acting for the best interests of ourselves and others. As we grow older, though, we increasingly understand complexities of our relationships throughout life and realize that we have hurt others or suffered hurt in ways that we never imagined at the time. The process of growing older can be accompanied by a deep loneliness as we reflect on missed opportunities or as we realize that relationships and interactions that we have always held dear in our memories may have seemed less essential or genuine to the others involved. Even in my middle age, I realize that the wisdom that comes with growing older is bittersweet, because a part of me mourns the fact that my life may not amount to anything substantial, while another part of me accepts the notion that my presence may have been beneficial to others if only in a small way. The loneliness inherent in these reflections comes from the knowledge that I'll never know what true impact, or lack thereof, will be left in my absence.

As I watch Wild Strawberries and observe the dreams of Dr. Isak Borg (Victor Sjöstrom) during his countryside journey by car to a ceremony commemorating his years of service since his doctorate, I find myself relating to his inward journey on the road to self-discovery amidst uncertainties and insecurities. Rarely in cinema has a film so adeptly examined the musings of a character who wonders if his life was a life well-lived. During the journey, we encounter an assortment of characters from multiple generations who either directly impacted Isak Borg's life or who remind him of persons who were a part of his life. The incredibly radiant Bibi Andersson plays double roles as a generously spirited youth, Sara, whom Borg picks up along the way to his ceremony, and the beautiful cousin of the same name of whom Sara reminds him. A despicable middle-aged married couple whom Borg encounters in a decidedly less-than-fortuitous way remind him of his inadequacies in past relationships. The beautiful and piercing Ingrid Thulin plays Borg's daughter-in-law, Marianne, who comes to understand more about Borg during the trip. Bergman's eye for the surreal is present throughout Wild Strawberries, mostly in the form of Borg's dream sequences.

The picture quality presentation of this Criterion Blu-ray excels, whether we are viewing the high contrast of the dream depictions or viewing the tranquility of the Swedish landscapes along Borg's journey. The commentary track by Peter Cowie, which is carried over from the DVD edition, is an informative dissection of the film that compares the story itself with anecdotes about Bergman's life during the writing process.

Wild Strawberries is a uniquely moving film that viewers of any generation will relate to in different ways. High marks to go Criterion for making this acclaimed Bergman film available in the best quality imaginable.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by greekak229

The Devil's Backbone is going to be such an amazing release. Seriously cannot wait for that one.

most boring of his movies..

pans labyrinth and cronos is way better

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Everybody's got an opinion, and nobody's always wrong.

"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day."
- Withnail and I

(Speaking of Criterion DVDs that need to be upgraded to Blu-ray)

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day."
- Withnail and I

(Speaking of Criterion DVDs that need to be upgraded to Blu-ray)

The image BluRay will suffice for me. I was surprised I didn't like the film more as I love everything late 60's and counterculture.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The image BluRay will suffice for me. I was surprised I didn't like the film more as I love everything late 60's and counterculture.

Ohhhh. I did not realize that this was available on Blu-ray. Just read the review, and I'll probably spring for it later in 2013. (I've got bigger fish to fry at the moment.)