The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Last night's theatrical showing of Seven Samurai at the Midtown Art Cinema here in Atlanta was fun!

The theater used an older 35mm print with loud mono sound from the front speakers, and I enjoyed the old school effect, print scratches and all.

Interestingly, this particular subtitle translation of Seven Samurai featured quite a few expletives that I've never seen in the newer translations on the Criterion DVD or Blu-ray editions. It was surreal and amusing to see the f-word appear in the subtitles several times (mostly from Mifune's Kikuchiyo).

I enjoyed the experience of seeing Seven Samurai with a big audience, because I've always watched it alone at home in the past. My two friends who were originally going to meet me there ended up canceling earlier yesterday, because they did not want to make the drive into town, but they really missed out. The comedic high notes of older movies like this come across so well when viewed with an audience.

As always when I'm watching this movie, I marveled at how some of the later action scenes were created before the days of digital effects, blue screen, etc.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the 35mm showing of Breathless next Tuesday night.

An offline friend has expressed interest in seeing the digital showing of 8 1/2 at this theater in a few weeks, so I might make it to that showing as well.


Incidentally, I saw a couple of big posters advertising Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, so I look forward to visiting Midtown Art Cinema to see this film when it shows up. I'm almost finished reading the Michel Faber novel.

its great to have a theater like that in town. In Chicago, we have The Music Box Theater which is near Wrigley Field. Right now they are showing all of the Wes Anderson films and they have about 8 or so Hitchcock titles scheduled to run as weekend matinees over the next 2 months.

[BladeRunner2007]

I've watched Seven Samurai last night too. But only Criterion's blu-ray release. Perfect film all around. It doesn't get any better. Perfect release too. Now I can't wait for Yojimbo, The Hidden Fortress & Gojira to arrive.

[nondiatonic]

Watched Tess last night.

I couldn't fall asleep afterward, because I couldn't stop thinking about different scenes.

Aesthetically beautiful. Fantastic score. Brilliant dialogue. Engrossing story. Very well acted. And, of course, Polanski's direction.

Certainly, one of the best experiences in my movie watching career. I think I was smiling throughout the entire three hours. Well, when I wasn't tearing up. Depressing in parts, and yet very life affirming!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Watched Tess last night.

I couldn't fall asleep afterward, because I couldn't stop thinking about different scenes.

Aesthetically beautiful. Fantastic score. Brilliant dialogue. Engrossing story. Very well acted. And, of course, Polanski's direction.

Certainly, one of the best experiences in my movie watching career. I think I was smiling throughout the entire three hours. Well, when I wasn't tearing up. Depressing in parts, and yet very life affirming!

Tess is a real eye-opener when it comes to the double standards of the Victorian era with respect to the genders. Tess, as played by Nastassja Kinski, exudes such dignity and poise even when turned away by the church and society through no fault of her own. It is inspirational in a unique sense to watch her roll with the punches through most of the film.

I'd love to see this movie on a big screen someday.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Last night's theatrical showing of Seven Samurai at the Midtown Art Cinema here in Atlanta was fun!

The theater used an older 35mm print with loud mono sound from the front speakers, and I enjoyed the old school effect, print scratches and all.

Interestingly, this particular subtitle translation of Seven Samurai featured quite a few expletives that I've never seen in the newer translations on the Criterion DVD or Blu-ray editions. It was surreal and amusing to see the f-word appear in the subtitles several times (mostly from Mifune's Kikuchiyo).

I enjoyed the experience of seeing Seven Samurai with a big audience, because I've always watched it alone at home in the past. My two friends who were originally going to meet me there ended up canceling earlier yesterday, because they did not want to make the drive into town, but they really missed out. The comedic high notes of older movies like this come across so well when viewed with an audience.

As always when I'm watching this movie, I marveled at how some of the later action scenes were created before the days of digital effects, blue screen, etc.

Sounds like a really good time. Would love to see Seven Samurai on the big screen, especially with dedicated fans.

About your last point..I am constantly amazed that Kurosawa's movies weren't plagued by death and severe injury. Anyone who pays attention during his big, epic action scenes has seen the nasty spills many extras endure. The horses aren't spared from danger, either (Kagemusha anyone? His action scenes are intense and visceral for that reason..it is real and happening right there in camera.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Slasherob

Hope this is on topic enough, I tried out Hulu Plus and decided to take it on for a month.... Do the CC titles update on there often or ever or are the films on there now what you can expect month after month?

Thanks!

That's a good question. I do not subscribe to Hulu and have only used it on rare occasion for free, but it looks as through Criterion has had a lot of their catalog available there for quite a while now.

I searched and found that Foreign Correspondent is available there, but Tess is not. I'm not sure why certain films are not available right now, though.

[manunited1]

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by manunited1

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

I was about to post something similar So yeah, I could use some help from you guys-with-knowledge too

Own/Ordered these CC titles so far:

Seven Samurai
Gojira
Yojimbo
The Hidden Fortress
Pandora's Box (DVD)

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by manunited1

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

Are there titles in particular that you are interested in picking up right away?

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by manunited1

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

Supposedly the transfer on the The Earrings of Madame de... blu ray is pretty awful, especially compared to international releases.

Also, avoid The Rock and Armageddon.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by manunited1

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

Well usually criterion releases are hard to beat, specially on the extras department.

I remember that Le Cercle Rouge and Army of Shadows have very different colors on the UK disks, but not sure which is more faithful, also the same with the french release of Identification of a Woman which has more extras too, someone also mentioned that the French release of The Earrings of Madame de... also has better transfer.


The UK version of Rififi has more extras, and the UK release of Belle de Jour has a complete set of different extras that the one from CC.

[manunited1]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

Are there titles in particular that you are interested in picking up right away?

Finishing off my Kurosawa collection is first priority.

Directors I know I like:
Malick
Wes Anderson
Soderbergh
Gilliam

So I know I will be getting their films. As for directors I have yet explored; Polanski, Goddard, Bergman top that list. So I was looking at Tess, Seventh Seal, Breathless, and Repulsion. Also I am interested in Seconds, on the Waterfront, Breaking the Waves, and Solaris...

Blind buys that I have enjoyed are Rififi, Thief, Bluè is the warmest color, Repo man, and investigation of a citizen.

Originally Posted by natureboy

Supposedly the transfer on the The Earrings of Madame de... blu ray is pretty awful, especially compared to international releases.

Also, avoid The Rock and Armageddon.

And thanks I will stay away from Bay's Criterions lol

[Slasherob]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Last night's theatrical showing of Seven Samurai at the Midtown Art Cinema here in Atlanta was fun!

The theater used an older 35mm print with loud mono sound from the front speakers, and I enjoyed the old school effect, print scratches and all.

Interestingly, this particular subtitle translation of Seven Samurai featured quite a few expletives that I've never seen in the newer translations on the Criterion DVD or Blu-ray editions. It was surreal and amusing to see the f-word appear in the subtitles several times (mostly from Mifune's Kikuchiyo).

I enjoyed the experience of seeing Seven Samurai with a big audience, because I've always watched it alone at home in the past. My two friends who were originally going to meet me there ended up canceling earlier yesterday, because they did not want to make the drive into town, but they really missed out. The comedic high notes of older movies like this come across so well when viewed with an audience.

As always when I'm watching this movie, I marveled at how some of the later action scenes were created before the days of digital effects, blue screen, etc.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the 35mm showing of Breathless next Tuesday night.

An offline friend has expressed interest in seeing the digital showing of 8 1/2 at this theater in a few weeks, so I might make it to that showing as well.


Incidentally, I saw a couple of big posters advertising Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, so I look forward to visiting Midtown Art Cinema to see this film when it shows up. I'm almost finished reading the Michel Faber novel.

Love this place along with The Plaza Theatre down the road.

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by manunited1

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

Also, don't be short sighted and "only buy Criterion" titles. There are thousands of amazing films (foreign and independent films included) that are on blu ray and DVD from companies other than Criterion that you'd miss out on by only watching or buying titles from one company. Just because a film doesn't have a Criterion release doesn't mean it's not watching or owning. In fact, some of my blu rays from big studios (esp. Warner Bros. and Paramount) rank right up there with Criterion as far as putting out amazing films with incredible PQ, AQ and extra content. Just my 2 cents.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by manunited1

So I set this new goal for myself and my collection to start basically only buying criterion titles for awhile and expand my cinema mind more. No more random new release blind buys or impulse purchases for a while...

I am just wondering if there are any CC titles to stay away from in terms of inferior release (better PQ alternatives), poor features, or just horrible movie? I want to get all the essentials by the end of this year so my budget is everything...

I suggest that you stay away from the following CC titles:
Border Radio: This film is just bad and not even the guilty pleasure type of bad.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold: This will probably be an unpopular opinion on this forum. I am a fan of Richard Burton, but I think this is one of his lesser performances. The film wasn't engaging to me and left me cold (please excuse bad pun)
Jules and Jim: The relationship between Jules and Jim is interesting. However, Catherine is one of my least favorite characters in film history. She is a selfish b*tch that Jules and Jim should have been running away from.
Summer With Monika: I am a Bergman fan, but I feel the same way about Monika as I do about Catherine in Jules and Jim.

I could list a few more to avoid, but I'm sure other forum member will throw in their two cents also.

I recommend that you purchase the following:
A Night to Remember
Wild Strawberries
Bigger than Life
Anatomy of a Murder
The Game
Godzilla
Rushmore
Fantastic Mr. Fox

You can check my signature for more recommendations. By the way, I see that you own the Zatoichi set. I picked it up during the flash sale last week and plan to start watching it on blu this week. Did you enjoy the set or are you still watching it? I watched the first 9 In standard definition on youtube, so I'm looking forward to breaking into the set.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by natureboy

Also, don't be short sighted and "only buy Criterion" titles. There are thousands of amazing films (foreign and independent films included) that are on blu ray and DVD from companies other than Criterion that you'd miss out on by only watching or buying titles from one company. Just because a film doesn't have a Criterion release doesn't mean it's not watching or owning. In fact, some of my blu rays from big studios (esp. Warner Bros. and Paramount) rank right up there with Criterion as far as putting out amazing films with incredible PQ, AQ and extra content. Just my 2 cents.

I agree only buying Criterion releases is too limiting. However, Criterion sets itself apart from the big studios by routinely going the extra mile. The little things like putting extras in 1080 (something WB doesn't do), including booklets and stellar art work (usually!).

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I agree only buying Criterion releases is too limiting. However, Criterion sets itself apart from the big studios by routinely going the extra mile. The little things like putting extras in 1080 (something WB doesn't do), including booklets and stellar art work (usually!).

Oh, no doubt Criterion is top notch and easily the #1 home video company in the world. I love adding their titles to my collection and I placed a pretty large order in the flash sale. But there are other worthy companies and movies too.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by natureboy

Also, don't be short sighted and "only buy Criterion" titles. There are thousands of amazing films (foreign and independent films included) that are on blu ray and DVD from companies other than Criterion that you'd miss out on by only watching or buying titles from one company. Just because a film doesn't have a Criterion release doesn't mean it's not watching or owning. In fact, some of my blu rays from big studios (esp. Warner Bros. and Paramount) rank right up there with Criterion as far as putting out amazing films with incredible PQ, AQ and extra content. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by manunited1

Finishing off my Kurosawa collection is first priority.

Directors I know I like:
Malick
Wes Anderson
Soderbergh
Gilliam

So I know I will be getting their films. As for directors I have yet explored; Polanski, Goddard, Bergman top that list. So I was looking at Tess, Seventh Seal, Breathless, and Repulsion. Also I am interested in Seconds, on the Waterfront, Breaking the Waves, and Solaris...

Blind buys that I have enjoyed are Rififi, Thief, Bluè is the warmest color, Repo man, and investigation of a citizen.

I agree with natureboy 100%... I was approximately in the same spot about 6 months ago, kinda swearing off the newer titles and committing myself to explore. Check out the filmographies for directors who you like and see where that leads you. You might see something because it is directed by Polanski and find out that you really like an actor who then encourages you to explore his or her own filmography. Check out the blu-ray reviews on this site (all really well done) and check out rotten tomatoes to see what the critical consensus is.

I took a quick look at your collection. If you want to dip into Polanski and have not seen Rosemary's Baby, make that your first priority - especially considering that you have quite a few horror titles.

It doesn't appear that you are region-free although I could be wrong.. I'm not. There are some good region free alternatives out there if you find that you absolutely have an OOP title. (e.g., Pierrot Le Fou, Chungking Express.) Otherwise, I am unaware of any releases outside of Earrings of Madame De that, without debate, actually one up the Criterion release.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I agree only buying Criterion releases is too limiting. However, Criterion sets itself apart from the big studios by routinely going the extra mile. The little things like putting extras in 1080 (something WB doesn't do), including booklets and stellar art work (usually!).

Yeah i think that with Criterion and MoC you get most of the top quality releases, but unfortunately (or fortunately for our wallets since they usually come cheaper than CC) there are a lot of great catalog and new releases owned and distributed by major studios, and then there is also o lot of more obscure titles released by smaller labels.

[Chrysagon]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I've watched Seven Samurai last night too. But only Criterion's blu-ray release. Perfect film all around. It doesn't get any better. Perfect release too. Now I can't wait for Yojimbo, The Hidden Fortress & Gojira to arrive.

I agree that Seven Samurai is a great film film. I recommend you watch the commentary to see how masterful Kurosawa was as a director and cinematographer.

Yesterday, I watched -- for the first time -- Yojimbo. I was surprised to see it was filmed at 2.35:1 (thinking it was 1.33:1), and how Kurosawa demonstrated his mastery of the wider aspect ratio. The story was original. Sanjuro's character is very likable and performed perfectly by Toshiro Mifune. Plus, the PQ is 5 stars -- immaculate. Yojimbo has become another Kurosawa favorite.