The Criterion Collection

[Knapsack]

Originally Posted by Volume11

Didn't say you did...but the money from the region locked titles you buy would be better served being put towards a region free player.

Do no put the cart before the horse. It will get mad.

Well, it's hard to argue with your logic here... but then I've never thought of myself as a completely logical person.

[BasicGreatGuy]

I just got my setup just after Christmas of last year. I am not going to go buy a region free player right now, even though having one would be nice as to Blu-ray buying. When my player goes bad, then I will see about getting a new one. As it stands now, there are a plethora of titles to keep me busy for a long while.

[SpiderBaby]

This forum has been dead all day and now a discussion happens?

Anyways, I am hoping for a newsletter Monday from Criterion.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by Knapsack

Weeeeellll... just to be picky...

There is a Korean Region A Director's Cut BD of Thirst coming out this month from CJ Entertainment (which is thought to be far superior to the UK release). Also, the UK I'm a Cyborg is region free (but the extras are PAL). I didn't think the MoC Metropolis was yet confirmed Region B, but maybe I'm not up-to-date?

Touche on "Thirst". As for I'm a Cyborg, the region modded Oppo can play Pal or NTSC content on either a Pal capable HDTV or an NTSC only HDTV.

And currently Metropolis is region locked due to Kino insisting it be despite releasing all previous blus as region free. Plus, MoC are more addicting than Kino. And their packaging is outstanding.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Volume11

And their packaging is outstanding.

MoC has better packaging than Criterion most of the time. Vivre sa vie and the Josef von Sternberg Silents are awesome but I'm a sucker for the simple artwork of MoC. Sometimes doing too much takes away from the packaging.

<----No reason for posting this, just thought it was cool.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

MoC has better packaging than Criterion most of the time. Vivre sa vie and the Josef von Sternberg Silents are awesome but I'm a sucker for the simple artwork of MoC. Sometimes doing too much takes away from the packaging.

<----No reason for posting this, just thought it was cool.

I've said it many times so its likely getting old to some of the regulars, but I really prefer the overall look and vibe of MoC. They often use original poster art or art inspired by the original poster art. They have renumbered the blu collection even if its an existing title in the DVD collection. They openly hate EE, DNR and region coding. AND, they have better contemporary films in the collection with Tokyo Sonata and Mad Detective...I'm not holding my breath on Criterion obtaining the rights to any KK or JT films...

MoC using original artwork means you are really getting a piece of film history. I really feel like they put the film and the history of the film before their product line. CC seems opposite at times.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Volume11

MoC using original artwork means you are really getting a piece of film history. I really feel like they put the film and the history of the film before their product line. CC seems opposite at times.

I agree. Criterion has really nice covers but when they do too much it looks bad. Here are examples of bad and good Criterion covers.

I mean look at this:

>>>>>

>>>>>>


Now Criterion has really good covers:



But these are just awesome:

[neo78956]

Anyone seen Mystery Train who can give me an idea of what to expect?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Anyone seen Mystery Train who can give me an idea of what to expect?

you'd want us to spoil the mystery?

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I agree. Criterion has really nice covers but when they do too much it looks bad. Here are examples of bad and good Criterion covers.

The MoC Vengeance is Mine cover is perfect for the era the film was made...I absolutely love it...

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Volume11

The MoC Vengeance is Mine cover is perfect for the era the film was made...I absolutely love it...

Yeah. Alot of MoC is like that. For 70's films they use a still from it that gives you a feel of the era (like the Pialat film I posted above). Just like with the silent films they use the old poster work or a cartoon drawing that gives it a spooky yet you have to watch it feel.

Criterion has that feel on some of their work. But most of the time the artwork could be for a 60's film yet you have no idea what era it was from unless you know the film or you look on the back. For the everyday customer, that could help or hurt Criterion. I'm not sure. It could trick the less educated of the film into buying it I guess.

But sometimes you just got to use the poster of the film for the cover. Not everything has to be a mess of film stills.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

you'd want us to spoil the mystery?

Lol. I just would like an idea of what kind of film it is. Any contemporary films or directors one could compare it to?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Lol. I just would like an idea of what kind of film it is. Any contemporary films or directors one could compare it to?

Well it's an Anthology film so I would say Pulp Fiction in a way of story telling. For what the movie is about, just look on IMDB or Criterion's site. But if you wanted what the feeling was like and how the story goes, it's like how Pulp Fiction is set up, to give you a popular example to compare it too. Not that it's like Pulp Fiction or that the story goes back and forth. It's just different stories that comes together in some ways.

Or heck, a QT movie in a way, Four Rooms is an anthology film like Mystery Train.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yeah. Alot of MoC is like that. For 70's films they use a still from it that gives you a feel of the era (like the Pialat film I posted above). Just like with the silent films they use the old poster work or a cartoon drawing that gives it a spooky yet you have to watch it feel.

Criterion has that feel on some of their work. But most of the time the artwork could be for a 60's film yet you have no idea what era it was from unless you know the film or you look on the back. For the everyday customer, that could help or hurt Criterion. I'm not sure. It could trick the less educated of the film into buying it I guess.

But sometimes you just got to use the poster of the film for the cover. Not everything has to be a mess of film stills.

Yup. When they announced the BD I was very happy to see they used the same artwork as the DVD edition.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Volume11

Yup. When they announced the BD I was very happy to see they used the same artwork as the DVD edition.

Yeah, it's getting to a point where I have to get a region free player. It's just all of these OOP announcements and sales coming up for Criterion, I don't have the money, while also keeping up with the new releases that I want.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Well it's an Anthology film so I would say Pulp Fiction in a way of story telling. For what the movie is about, just look on IMDB or Criterion's site. But if you wanted what the feeling was like and how the story goes, it's like how Pulp Fiction is set up, to give you a popular example to compare it too. Not that it's like Pulp Fiction or that the story goes back and forth. It's just different stories that comes together in some ways.

Awesome. So if I like Tarantino's films, Pulp Fiction in particular, I should enjoy Mystery Train? Funny you mention PF, since on netflix, one of the reviews for the film compared it to Tarantino as well. Looks like I'm in for something great this Tuesday!

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Awesome. So if I like Tarantino's films, Pulp Fiction in particular, I should enjoy Mystery Train? Funny you mention PF, since on netflix, one of the reviews for the film compared it to Tarantino as well. Looks like I'm in for something great this Tuesday!

Don't expect Pulp Fiction violence or a gimp. It's just how the movie is set up. Different stories going through each other to make the film. There is pop culture running throughout it, so thats kind of like a Tarantino film, but also a Godard film, hold the politics.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Awesome. So if I like Tarantino's films, Pulp Fiction in particular, I should enjoy Mystery Train? Funny you mention PF, since on netflix, one of the reviews for the film compared it to Tarantino as well. Looks like I'm in for something great this Tuesday!

TBH, why don't you watch other Jim Jarmusch films in prep for MT? While we can point to other films that share similarities it would be easier to compare it to Night on Earth, Down By Law or any other JJ film. Chances are if you like any of those you will like MT.

And for whats its worth its my favorite JJ film and I have seen them all save his newest.

[also]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Don't expect Pulp Fiction violence or a gimp. It's just how the movie is set up. Different stories going through each other to make the film. There is pop culture running throughout it, so thats kind of like a Tarantino film, but also a Godard film, hold the politics.

I was going to say it was more Tarantino meets Beckett, but Godard works too.

But Jarmusch really has his own style that I don't think you can have too many expectations about. I would say that if you like some of the less accessible Coen Brothers movies, then you will probably like Jarmusch.

And Mystery Train is arguable my favorite Jarmusch. The first time I saw it, I just happened to come across it on tv at 3am; I must have been about 17. Sometimes life is good like that.

[neo78956]

Wow all the descriptions have helped a lot. Now I'm really excited to pick up the blu-ray on Tuesday. Sounds like it's a film right up my alley!