The Criterion Collection

[Thebunk]

Regarding reviews for Criterions on this site:

I think Pro B does a good job with his reviews in terms of overviewing a release based on its technical Merritt's and special feature content.

That said, I have found his reviews and the opinions of some of the more active posters here are not useful when it comes to trying to make a decision on whether to blind buy a Criterion or not. Before I go much further to expand on the reasons why, I want to make it known I have nothing but the utmost respect for Pro B and the posts in question. I just feel if people do not question if a film is worthy of a release in the collection and whether it is highly rewatchable and worth owning by someone then their ideals do not align with mine (which is fine). I live in Canada where pre-viewing films via streaming or renting are difficult to impossible. Even if they were not, I get a thrill out of a blindbuy (the same with buying album though this is much harder to do now a days).

There is another site that does a much better job with qualifying a release in terms of blindbuying/rewatching which is better suited for my tastes. They also have multiple reviewers so it does help with removing bias regarding the approach of the collection. This site is not perfect though as I feel they do not do half the job Pro B does on the technical side of things. Not sure what the rules are here and I am too lazy to check so I will just not post that site so I don't get into trouble. Regardless I think the best approach is to consider multiple reviews from sites, magazines and or people (online or in real life) that you trust.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by oildude

Lol. Wow, talk about different strokes for different folks. Some of your choices are waaaay different from mine.

Seconds and Eyes Without a Face - can't comment on these. They are on my shelf but I have not watched them yet.

Brazil - can understand your reasons for not liking it, but not enough to sell it off. Very bleak film, but that is the whole point. Agree it is not a good blind buy, but disagree it is dated or there is nothing engaging about the characters. It is precisely that the characters are so engaging that makes the film so bleak and brilliant.

Wages of Fear - I had the opposite reaction to the ending. The ending was not at all what I was expecting or wanted, and I did not like it, but I found it very true to life and respect Clouzot all the more for it.

Anatomy of a Murder - Simply one of the greatest films in the Criterion Collection. Extraordinarily good. Do not agree with your Andy Griffith comment at all.

My worst Criterion blind buy by far is White Material. I dislike that film all the more because it is about a subject I find very intriguing in film and history. Extremely disappointed with it, considering what it could have been compared to what it actually turned out to be.

With respect to Brazil:

[Show spoiler]I found all the sets, vehicles, wiring closets, etc just so dated. Also I know it was supposed to be bleak but for me it really wasn't enough. Also found the characters just so unlike able and the day dream sequences with giant Shredder were funny.

With respect to Wages:

[Show spoiler]Ithoughtit was a passable film until the ending. Also could respect the ending if Clouzot put a shred of tension in the ending as which was his focus throughout the film. The joyus driving swerving all around the round on the mountain side with a big grin on his face was just cheesy as hell. So yeah, cool he did not follow a typical happy ending but the execution was just awful.

Respect to Anatomy:

[Show spoiler]The ending again destroyed the movie for me. To go from the intense court scenes and to just end the filme so anitclimaticlaly with the aw shucks ending where they are no longer in the trailer park really made me question the film and the time I had spent watching it.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by MPerry_2000

Is every Beatles song great?

This isn't really an apples to apples comparison. The Beatles made music, Criterion doesn't make movies. It simply chooses it's favorites, or what it finds to be the best, and releases what it can get the rights to.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by BLOFELD

MOD EDIT

That's actually hilarious, but yes, there is a wildy difference between the DVD and the BD.
And between the Criterion BD, the German BD and the French BD, for what it's worth.

[BLOFELD]

I was referring to this particular title and this particular transfer only. I would know. I own over 4200 dvd's, laser discs and blurays.

Originally Posted by tenia

That's actually hilarious, but yes, there is a wildy difference between the DVD and the BD.
And between the Criterion BD, the German BD and the French BD, for what it's worth.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BLOFELD

I was referring to this particular title and this particular transfer only. I would know. I own over 4200 dad's, laser discs and blurays.

And you're completely wrong. Not only about the transfer, but even about the aspect ratio too. That's a lot of fathers you own though

[BLOFELD]

Check amazon for the aspect ratios. They are the same. Did you add all those cagney crime noirs you initially didn't have in your list?

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

And you're completely wrong. Not only about the transfer, but even about the aspect ratio too. That's a lot of fathers you own though

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BLOFELD

Check amazon for the aspect ratios. They are the same. Did you add all those cagney crime noirs you initially didn't have in your list?

Did you happen to read all the posts from people familiar with noir discrediting everything you wrote in the thread? No? Maybe get on that instead of trolling me with such nonsense.

Read the links I posted above, or the actual review form this site to learn about the aspect ratio. I should clarify that I'm talking about the MGM releases of the DVD which has a 1.33:1 ratio . If you have the Criterion DVD then yes, the AR are obviously the same as it was released the same time as the BD.

[BLOFELD]

Why would I be referring to a mgm dvd in a criterion thread? You need help with your reading comprehension skills. I said criterion DVD vs criterion br. And I stand by my statements that on this title there is VERY little difference between the two formats.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Did you happen to read all the posts from people familiar with noir discrediting everything you wrote in the thread? No? Maybe get on that instead of trolling me with such nonsense.

Read the links I posted above, or the actual review form this site to learn about the aspect ratio. I should clarify that I'm talking about the MGM releases of the DVD which has a 1.33:1 ratio . If you have the Criterion DVD then yes, the AR are obviously the same as it was released the same time as the BD.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by BLOFELD

Why would I be referring to a mgm dvd in a criterion thread? You need help with your reading comprehension skills. I said criterion DVD vs criterion br. And I stand by my statements that on this title there is VERY little difference between the two formats.

I personally see a big different between Criterions DVD of TNOTH and the Blu, but then again, other films like Antichrist don't have much difference, Criterions DVD for Antichrist is amazing quality for a DVD.

Its a personal thing, some may not see a difference and some may, also their TV probe makes a difference.

[Scottie]

Martin Scorsese's favorite films are currently free on HULU.

http://www.hulu.com/browse/picks/cri...sese-favorites

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BLOFELD

Why would I be referring to a mgm dvd in a criterion thread? You need help with your reading comprehension skills. I said criterion DVD vs criterion br. And I stand by my statements that on this title there is VERY little difference between the two formats.

Yep, I did miss where you wrote Criterion DVD. I can't help you if you can't see much of a difference between them though

[mport5150]

Originally Posted by jw007

Hey folks, its been a while since I posted here (been traveling a lot lately) but I'm wondering what are your top 5 most re-watchable Criterions in your opinion?

You may include films in your collection if you wish but list 5 that you can watch the most over and over again.

I will start with my top 5 most re-watchable Criterions:

1. Naked (1993)
2. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
3. The Ice Storm (1997)
4. Slacker (1991)
5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Notice something? These are all films that have come out in the last 25 years. Yes, I'm a sucker for newer films when it comes to re-watchability.

Mine are as follows:

1. 12 Angry Men
2. Godzilla
3. Seven Samurai
4. La Cage Aux Folles
5. Rififi

[demonknight]

Mine are:

1. Repo Man (1984)
2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
3. Life of Brian (1979)
4. Videodrome (1983)
5. Brazil (1985)

Honorable mentions to:
Eating Raoul (1982)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
RoboCop (1986)

In fact, I am seeing Brazil on the big screen on Tuesday (Special Tax Day Screening), and plan on having a double feature Life of Brian and Meaning of Life on Friday, as preparation for Easter.

[Blu Titan]

Ok, I did not want to take a bunch of relevant posts offline, but no more insults or baiting...

[Visco.]

I've had my copy of Seven Samurai since that huge CC sale on Amazon last year and still haven't watched it. The runtime is intimidating.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Visco.

I've had my copy of Seven Samurai since that huge CC sale on Amazon last year and still haven't watched it. The runtime is intimidating.

I've had Fanny and Alexander since November but haven't watched it due to the run time. Partially because the TV version is nearly 5 1/2 hours long but it's also a numbers game. I can watch 2 or 3 movies in that same time and get through my backlog. I guess I'll watch it when I get down to almost nothing.

That being said, Seven Samurai is a longer movie, but the film is paced very well. You don't feel like you're watching a 3 hour + movie when you're finished.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Visco.

I've had my copy of Seven Samurai since that huge CC sale on Amazon last year and still haven't watched it. The runtime is intimidating.

Best movie ever, imo. Really does not feel long at all .

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Visco.

I've had my copy of Seven Samurai since that huge CC sale on Amazon last year and still haven't watched it. The runtime is intimidating.

It goes by really, really, really, really fast.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It goes by really, really, really, really fast.