The Criterion Collection

[Halation]

clearly the best course would be to watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, and then cap things off with a viewing of La Jetee.

[LuckyDragon]

La Jetée is awesome. I like it so much I bought the Criterion Blu-ray just to get the 28-minute short film (I don't care one bit about Sans Soleil, which is also included) and also the book version:

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

No, I think the Brood will be in a plastic case. I think they're getting away from digipaks since most don't like them. I also much prefer the plastic cases. I wish I could get one for Scanners.

Is there any way to tell when Criterion reverts back to a plastic case from a digipak? Presumably when/if they do a new print run of a dual-format title it will go back to a plastic case? I'm thinking specifically of Il Sorpasso.

Ultimately I might switch out stuff like The Sweet Smell of Success and IAMMMMW if they ever came out with a release in a plastic case.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Is there any way to tell when Criterion reverts back to a plastic case from a digipak? Presumably when/if they do a new print run of a dual-format title it will go back to a plastic case? I'm thinking specifically of Il Sorpasso.

Ultimately I might switch out stuff like The Sweet Smell of Success and IAMMMMW if they ever came out with a release in a plastic case.

That I'm not sure about. I know for some digipak titles like The Last Emperor, they sell the plastic case on their website for $5 for those that want it instead of the digipak.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Is there any way to tell when Criterion reverts back to a plastic case from a digipak? Presumably when/if they do a new print run of a dual-format title it will go back to a plastic case? I'm thinking specifically of Il Sorpasso.

Ultimately I might switch out stuff like The Sweet Smell of Success and IAMMMMW if they ever came out with a release in a plastic case.

Criterion's website is a decent way to keep track of things, but there are another couple of forum/database sites that keep much closer track of it.

I'm surprised how quickly the dual format titles are being plasticized; the order, I assume, depends on the sales numbers of specific titles--faster selling titles are likely to be "split" more quickly.

[D2Girls]

Il Sorpasso is a digipack?
Also any reason why the canadian release of el norte comes in such a shitty packaging? its awful compared to everything else criterion has.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by D2Girls

Il Sorpasso is a digipack?
Also any reason why the canadian release of el norte comes in such a shitty packaging? its awful compared to everything else criterion has.

As an early three-disc dual-format, yes.

Early Criterion blu-rays (El Norte, The Third Man, The Last Emperor, The 400 Blows, etc) came in flimsy digipacks with a sleeve that slipped off vertically.

Plastic replacements are available from the site store, and in some cases have replaced the original slimline digipacks as the default option.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by D2Girls

Il Sorpasso is a digipack?
Also any reason why the canadian release of el norte comes in such a shitty packaging? its awful compared to everything else criterion has.

Yes, Il Sorpasso is in a digipack. It states as much on the review here.


I personally love the digipacks and have had only two instances in which the spine was a little bit damaged. I think they look much better on the shelf.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

Yes, Il Sorpasso is in a digipack. It states as much on the review here.


I personally love the digipacks and have had only two instances in which the spine was a little bit damaged. I think they look much better on the shelf.

Really? I have 1 digipak, Scanners, & I don't like how it doesn't match my other Criterions lol. I'd love to get a plastic case for it, even if it's just for the BD. I wouldn't mind slipcovers though like Time Bandits or better yet Videodrome.

[ijustblumyself]

The 400 Blows is a masterpiece; possibly the greatest 'coming of age' film ever made.
Jules and Jim is okay - not great though.

[mja345]

Only packaging of Criterion I own that drives me crazy is "The Last Metro". I think that is similar to the other early "digipacks". I like the sturdier digipacks, i.e. "Amarcord", "Il Sorpasso", Nashville", "Carlos", "Ace in the Hole", etc. I own the dual format of "400 Blows", so I don't have to deal with the shoddy packaging with that. But "The Last Metro" packaging is really awful. I'll probably order the replacement packaging from their website soon.

[Feiereisel]

I understand disliking the Scanners box simply on digipack g.p., but just as a piece of design, I think it's one of the Collection's best offerings.

Videodrome's faux-VHS slipbox is really clever, too.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

La Jetee is arguably the greatest 28 minutes in the history of film.

If you are comparing it to other short films of similar length, then maybe. If you are comparing it to any 30 minute stretch in any film, then what you say is pure hyperbole. I don't think you even believe this, Ray.

Originally Posted by Halation

clearly the best course would be to watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, then watch La Jetee, and then cap things off with a viewing of La Jetee.

No.

Save Jules and Jim for another time and watch one of the other two Truffaut titles. THEN, watch La Jetee.

[repulsed]

To me the worst packaging are the box sets. They have very nice art and I like the idea but not for owning. It's so hard to keep them in good shape if you can even find them that way in the first place. I had to just give up on getting a few (Demy, Three Colors, BBS) in decent condition. Plus the way they look when you face the set with the separate titles out it's all wonky. All the cardboard cases are angled in different directions

I'd rather have them do something like Che or Yojimbo/Sanjuro with an outer sleeve and actual cases. They could just use clear multi-disc cases and it would still allow for nice artwork inside the case.

And I'm definitely getting replacements for the Last Metro, The 400 Blows, and El Norte very soon

[JJJ225]

I agree. I wish they used sturdier/better packaging for the box sets.

[Halation]

how do you judge a 30-minute stretch of film outside of context? Do you have a list of your favorite 30-minute stretches in feature-length films?

[Ray Jackson]

"If you are comparing it to other short films of similar length, then maybe. If you are comparing it to any 30 minute stretch in any film, then what you say is pure hyperbole. I don't think you even believe this, Ray."

Of course I don't.

Hyperbole is a necessary evil when it comes to talking about my favorite films.

I do think La Jetee is pure cinematic brilliance and one of the most uniquely special short films ever made. Then again, I don't really watch many short films. But if this was boxing and we were having a pound for pound debate about the greatest fighters of all time, then I would argue that pound for pound, La Jetee is one of the greatest films ever made.

Even if it is like comparing a lightweight to a heavyweight.

...it's unlike any piece of cinema I've ever seen, before or since.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Halation

how do you judge a 30-minute stretch of film outside of context? Do you have a list of your favorite 30-minute stretches in feature-length films?

Since you put it that way, then yes, it is one of the greatest short films in history, but that's not saying much.

If pressed I'm sure I can think of segments of film that are complete within themselves. The first 40 minutes or so of The Deer Hunter, for example. The first half of Full Metal Jacket although that pushes an hour, I think.

[Blu Titan]

Just watched Night and the City and it is a great release. The PQ is outstanding . Good story and good acting...looks like a noir should. Herbert Loom in a different type of role. Check it out .

[Halation]

Well I'll respectfully disagree that that's not saying much. Some of my absolute favorite films are under 45 minutes, like D. W. Griffith's A Corner in Wheat; Bunuel's Land Without Bread; Brakhage's Commingled Containers and Window Water Baby Moving; Chaplin's The Immigrant and Sunnyside; Resnais' Night and Fog; Keaton's Sherlock Jr., One Week, Cops, and The Frozen North; and Renoir's A Day in the Country.

And I think both Full Metal Jacket and The Deer Hunter are wildly mediocre, so...different strokes.