The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

The 2D trailer to PINA made it look intriguing, but seeing the whole movie in 3D is truly mesmerizing. After watching it, I immediately watched the bonus features (also in 3D) and the next night watched the movie again with the commentary track. I think now that I'm likely to rewatch it with the commentary track more often without it, as Wenders' comments are not only fascinating but make the film into more of a documentary. Without his commentary, the film is an aesthetically beautiful record of the dance company, but with it a lot of things make more sense and have greater depth of meaning. PINA was one of my best blind-buys, and is probably my favorite 3D Blu-ray.

Thanks for the input. Glad to read that you didnt get "spined" by Pina as a blind buy. Does Wenders mostly comment about Pina, the production, working with the dancers, or does he also comment on the meaning behind some of the dances?

[brandon_260]

I still haven't made my way into the city for Before Midnight. When I go down to Toronto, I usually like to see at least two films, but there hasn't been anything else that interested me since it released. Hopefully it sticks around another week so I can see it with Museum Hours.

[jw007]

I'm about to see Frances Ha at a local theater tonight. For all I know, this will be on Criterion and on my shelf by the end of the year.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Thanks for the input. Glad to read that you didnt get "spined" by Pina as a blind buy. Does Wenders mostly comment about Pina, the production, working with the dancers, or does he also comment on the meaning behind some of the dances?

He talks mostly about getting involved in the project by being dragged reluctantly to a dance retrospective by his then-girlfriend, unexpectedly getting hooked on Pina Bausch's choreography, and spending some 25 years trying to figure out how to translate it to film until getting the inspiration the first time he saw a 3D movie. He does discuss some of the meaning behind dances but more about working with the dancers and the technical challenges of shooting 3D. He notes that Pina did not really like documentaries that tried to analyze her choreography or have lots of talking heads, so "interviews" with the dancers are done through the interesting technique of voiceovers while we see them contemplating silently, thus making it seem like we're hearing what they're thinking. It's really quite a fresh approach to the usual documentary styles.

In some ways the movie is frustrating, because we learn in the commentary and making-of documentary (which is also in 3D) that he shot the entire dance performances but obviously only had time to use key excerpts in the finished movie (and relegate a few numbers to the 3D bonus features). It would be nice if there were a future Blu-ray release of the complete dance numbers as a supplement to the documentary.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by jw007

I'm about to see Frances Ha at a local theater tonight. For all I know, this will be on Criterion and on my shelf by the end of the year.

modern love by david bowie on the soundtrack.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

He talks mostly about getting involved in the project by being dragged reluctantly to a dance retrospective by his then-girlfriend, unexpectedly getting hooked on Pina Bausch's choreography, and spending some 25 years trying to figure out how to translate it to film until getting the inspiration the first time he saw a 3D movie. He does discuss some of the meaning behind dances but more about working with the dancers and the technical challenges of shooting 3D. He notes that Pina did not really like documentaries that tried to analyze her choreography or have lots of talking heads, so "interviews" with the dancers are done through the interesting technique of voiceovers while we see them contemplating silently, thus making it seem like we're hearing what they're thinking. It's really quite a fresh approach to the usual documentary styles.

In some ways the movie is frustrating, because we learn in the commentary and making-of documentary (which is also in 3D) that he shot the entire dance performances but obviously only had time to use key excerpts in the finished movie (and relegate a few numbers to the 3D bonus features). It would be nice if there were a future Blu-ray release of the complete dance numbers as a supplement to the documentary.

I would gladly plop down another twenty to see more of Pina's choreography. I could not get enough. I was often disappointed when some of the numbers would be cut short. I could see the "water-paler dance" for a good couple hours atleast.

The use of "narrated talking heads" was one of the first things I noted about the film. I think it perfectly aligns with Pina's idea that words can be very limiting and can at best evoke something else (I know I flubbed it a bit). By heightening the constructed nature, their words become less tied to something concrete and more open to interpretation.

All in all, this release and Jubal (which is like a Sirk inspired western) have surprised me greatly as far as blind-buys are concerned.

[Visco.]

Trying to decide what I should watch first

Seven Samurai
8 1/2
Videodrome

I think Videodrome is the most accessible film but Seven Samurai looks beautiful.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Trying to decide what I should watch first

Seven Samurai
8 1/2
Videodrome

I think Videodrome is the most accessible film but Seven Samurai looks beautiful.

Seven Samurai is probably the most accessible of those.

I personally prefer Videodrome though.

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Seven Samurai is probably the most accessible of those.

I personally prefer Videodrome though.

Thanks! Still have no idea where I'm gonna start. Probably just gonna pick randomly.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Trying to decide what I should watch first

Seven Samurai
8 1/2
Videodrome

I think Videodrome is the most accessible film but Seven Samurai looks beautiful.

All are must sees. Just try to gage your mood.

Note: Harakiri is the finest samurai film I have ever seen. It's a devastating and thought provokinv experience.

[octagon]

I just had a couple boxes of cigars show up along with The Lady Vanishes ($13 used GoHastings), The Tin Drum (Amazon Warehouse $15.50) and Heaven's Gate (Amazon Warehouse $15.17) and everything was in excellent condition.

I'm having a pretty good afternoon already.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Trying to decide what I should watch first

Seven Samurai
8 1/2
Videodrome

I think Videodrome is the most accessible film but Seven Samurai looks beautiful.

I've said this a dozen or so times, if somebody is okay with sub-titles Seven Samurai is one of the most accessible films they're ever going to watch.

It's as traditional as narratives get, the character types and their motivitations are all easily recognizable and the action sequences aren't dated or cheesy...they hold up extremely well.

The three hours might seem a bit daunting but they really fly by and there's a pretty good built-in break roughly halfway through.

Which is not to knock Videodrome, mind you.

I'm not one of its more rabid fans but I can definitely see where those folks are coming from.

[pedromvu]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any idea of how much of the Criterion library on Hulu Plus is in HD?

Last time like 2 months ago I was disappointed with my Hulu Subscription because a lot of the films I wanted to watch were in very poor quality so I cancelled, but since now the Criterion page says:

"Subscribe for $7.99/month
to stream 800+ Criterion films
commercial-free and in HD."

I wonder if there has been a change in the quality, too bad there is no easy way to know which ones are in HD in their new hulu section.

[brandon_260]

I've got so many titles to catch up on. 10 unwatched Criterion, along with the rest of the Pierre Etaix set (all of disc 2). Plus I just started on Hitchcock's Hollywood era stuff, which I am going through in order. Petty complaint, but I'm overwhelmed with all the films I have to watch right now.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by whbinder

Well, I'm not saying that the clue is IaMMMMW, but to be fair, that movie isn't about four planets either, just one.

I guess I didn't explain myself very well?

1) The first planet isn't mad

2) It seems to be significant that it is a progression.

I didn't say it wasn't IaMMMMW, but I think it's probably not, and that it is a red herring.

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've said this a dozen or so times, if somebody is okay with sub-titles Seven Samurai is one of the most accessible films they're ever going to watch.

It's as traditional as narratives get, the character types and their motivitations are all easily recognizable and the action sequences aren't dated or cheesy...they hold up extremely well.

The three hours might seem a bit daunting but they really fly by and there's a pretty good built-in break roughly halfway through.

Which is not to knock Videodrome, mind you.

I'm not one of its more rabid fans but I can definitely see where those folks are coming from.

Subtitles have never bothered me otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

I'm looking forward to Seven Samurai and I'll probably watch it first.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Trying to decide what I should watch first

Seven Samurai
8 1/2
Videodrome

I think Videodrome is the most accessible film but Seven Samurai looks beautiful.

Whenever I buy a batch of multiple Criterion movies (or a batch of multiple movies in general), I pick the movie that I'm least excited to see at that particular moment and I watch it first.

This serves two purposes...
1. I theoretically save the best for last.
2. More often than not, I end up discovering new things to love about the movie that I'm least excited to see.

Right now, I'm pumped to see Things To Come, but I bought it along with a bunch of other Criterions last week, so I'm saving it for last.

The other night, I was really excited to watch all of my purchases, but Wild Strawberries was the one I was least enthused to see, because I had just watched it late last year via my old DVD copy. I ended up watching it that night and uncovering some awesome new layers to the story.

One of these days, this strategy will probably bite me in the tail, because I'll buy ten or so Criterion movies, decide to save the one that I'm most excited to see for last, and end up being killed in a car wreck before I get a chance to see it. I like the strategy just the same, though.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Whenever I buy a batch of multiple Criterion movies (or a batch of multiple movies in general), I pick the movie that I'm least excited to see at that particular moment and I watch it first.

This serves two purposes...
1. I theoretically save the best for last.
2. More often than not, I end up discovering new things to love about the movie that I'm least excited to see.

I wish I was like that. I watch the ones I'm excited to see immediately (most recently, Pierre Etaix and Naked Lunch) and if I'm not that excited to see one it may take months for me to get to it (like Brazil and Leon Morin right now). It's the same with non-Criterions as well.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I wish I was like that. I watch the ones I'm excited to see immediately (most recently, Pierre Etaix and Naked Lunch) and if I'm not that excited to see one it may take months for me to get to it (like Brazil and Leon Morin right now). It's the same with non-Criterions as well.

I'm right with you on that one. It takes me a while to watch films, usually because I'm really excited to buy them, but have no desire to visit them.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I wish I was like that. I watch the ones I'm excited to see immediately (most recently, Pierre Etaix and Naked Lunch) and if I'm not that excited to see one it may take months for me to get to it (like Brazil and Leon Morin right now). It's the same with non-Criterions as well.

During late 2012 and early 2013, when I was streamlining my DVD collection and using the money to buy massive amounts of Blu-rays to start up my collection, I adapted the same strategy of saving the movies I was most excited to see on Blu-ray for last.

Out of all my early purchases, I was most excited to see the James Bond movies, Army of Shadows, and Le Cercle Rouge. I ended up waiting months to see all of these, because I wanted to get the "less anticipated" movies out of the way first.

I try to adopt that "delayed gratification" strategy in all aspects of my life, but I sometimes fail miserably. Haha.
(Of course, I suppose that, if I were truly adept at the delayed gratification strategy, I wouldn't spend so much money on Blu-rays in the first place.)