The Criterion Collection

[Lordy]

Shouldn't there be a Criterion Flash Sale coming up pretty soon?

[MifuneFan]

Great news guys, Ugetsu is screening at the Film Forum in NYC in March from a new 4K restoration (w/ consultation from Scorsese). It's touted as a Janus Films release. I think it's very likely we'll be getting an upgrade this year

http://filmforum.org/film/ugetsu-film

UGETSU

Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi

NEW 4K RESTORATION

(1953) “I never knew such pleasures existed.” During 16th century civil wars, village potter Masayuki Mori (Rashomon, The Bad Sleep Well, Floating Clouds) decides to go for the ryu and leave wife Kinuyo Tanaka (star of fifteen Mizoguchi movies) behind to sell his wares in town, there to be seduced by ghost princess Machiko Kyō (the rape victim of Kurosawa’s Rashomon). But when the spell is finally broken, he returns to a devastated village. The illusory nature of ambition and desire is reinforced by the supurb photography of Kazuo Miyagawa (Rashomon, Yojimbo, Life of Oharu) — “beautifully atmospheric, all long shots, long takes and graceful camera movements” (Donald Richie) — and powerful playing by the star trio. (After Mori’s final scene of awakening, Mizoguchi, a non-smoking, actor-disdaining dictator on the set, personally lit up a congratulatory cigarette for the star.) Adapted from Akinari Ueda’s 1776 collection of tales of the supernatural — and a de Maupassant story. Venice Silver Lion winner (Mizoguchi’s second in a row) and for many years a regular on Ten-Best-of-All-Time lists. DCP restoration. Approx. 97 mins.

Restored by The Film Foundation and Kadokawa Corporation at Cineric, Inc. in New York. Special thanks to Masahiro Miyajima and Martin Scorsese for their consultation.

A JANUS FILMS RELEASE

A 4K-restored release is also coming out in Japan the same time:

[jshaide]

Didn't realize that the new release THE LURE is sporting a Janus Films logo. I guess this will be released by Criterion in the near future.

Coming to theaters February 1st.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

One more phantom page added:

Sam Taylor-Wood

The fact that they used her unmarried name suggests it might be one of her earlier works, perhaps Death Valley from Destricted?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by belcherman

The fact that they used her unmarried name suggests it might be one of her earlier works, perhaps Death Valley from Destricted?

She was credited as Wood for Nowhere Boy too, but it could be one of those too. Or in Criterion fashion, it could be nothing lol

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by MJD64

I don't get the praise for Neon Demon; taking satirical jabs at the modelling and fashion industry? Talk about low-hanging fruit...

...The Neon Demon is not really 'about' the modeling and fashion industry, as the setting is simply a reflection of our society as a whole. A society where achievement demands both total sacrifice and total consumption of everything, from appearance to what lies beneath, to achieve a perceived ideal, and not even in death can we find respite.

[Arch Stanton]

Like NWR's other films it's pretty terrible but the subject matter does make it work on a quite ironic level.

[pedromvu]

Haven't seen The Neon Demon, but I must say I was one of the Drive lovers, I wouldn't say that is a totally mainstream movie though.

Before seeing Drive I had only seen Bronson which I thought was also good if not at the level of Drive, but after seeing Only God Forbids I was very disappointed, and I heard the Neon demon is more like that than his previous films.

Would need to see his previous films but I doubt they are as insipid as Only God Forbids, if they are then I would agree that I got too excited for the possibilities of Refn movies after seeing Drive, but right now I still think his style changed for the worst.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Haven't seen The Neon Demon, but I must say I was one of the Drive lovers, I wouldn't say that is a totally mainstream movie though.

Before seeing Drive I had only seen Bronson which I thought was also good if not at the level of Drive, but after seeing Only God Forbids I was very disappointed, and I heard the Neon demon is more like that than his previous films.

Would need to see his previous films but I doubt they are as insipid as Only God Forbids, if they are then I would agree that I got too excited for the possibilities of Refn movies after seeing Drive, but right now I still think his style changed for the worst.

I thought DEMON was a major step up from GOD (absolutely love DRIVE), but sometimes I think Refn's inflated opinion of himself gets in the way of making good, coherent, and interesting movies.

[Abdrewes]

I'm listening to bits from The Wattstax soundtrack and (at least from the sound of it), it would fit in Nice in the collection. Has anybody seen this?

[billy pilgrim]

Originally Posted by oubukibun

I just have to ask: in 2016, what IS there that isn't in some way or another... Obvious?

That's a criticism I really have never understood, especially in the new millennium. Whether it's Upstream Color or Paul Blart: Mall Cop... We've all seen it before, in one medium or another, in one way, or the next. I think Refn is a fine director, and he'd never be getting as much flak as he is now if people hadn't, for whatever reason, lost their minds over Drive. Critics and us plebeians alike.

For what it's worth, The Neon Demon is my favorite thing he's done so far precisely because it's such a hodge-podge of little ideas and imagery, and, more importantly, because it's refreshingly unpretentious even in its seeming pretentiousness and preciousness WITH the imagery. I found it fun and enthralling (sue me, right?) in a way that Only God Forgives, for example, only managed to be when Kristin Scott Thomas was present on screen. To this day, I cannot stand the ending of that film... Talk about pretension (ugh).

Anyway, Neon Demon seems to be yet another byproduct of people pouncing harshly on a film made by a director they may have misunderstood to begin with and now want to punish him and all of his future endeavors as an excuse to pretend they never liked him at first.

Not everyone, but that's the impression I get sometimes, and not just here in these forums.

Drive, for my money, is his most overrated work anyway. Meh.

Diff'rent strokes, diff'rent folks.

This is my first time posting in the Criterion forum, but after reading this post, I had to put in my 2 cents. I have been a fan of NWR since I saw Pusher 2 on Sundance over 10 years ago and predating my blu ray film collecting obsession. It's still my favorite NWR film and, by far, the finest performance by Mads Mikkelsen. These are followed in no particular order by Valhalla Rising, Only God Forbids, and now, the Neon Demon.
Neon Demon is a film that I was a bit put off by, but never bored, while watching. Immediately after finishing the film, I would have written it off as a bit pretentious, but I just couldn't get it out of my mind. I may be a bit strange (my wife and friends would heartily agree, especially with my taste in film!) but, for me, a lot of my absolute favorites in films or songs were not so immediately upon viewing. Often, I walk away from the viewing (or listening) not totally sold on it, but something will nag me for days in which I cannot get the film or song out of my mind.
It is usually these films which, like a grain of sand in an oyster, irritate and bother my mind until the film or song becomes something very valuable and important to me. Funny how that works! Also, sometimes films and songs that I like initially upon viewing do not hold up for me after reflection. Go figure!
Anyway, I had to speak up as a lone voice in the wilderness supporting Neon Demon. I'll also throw in my support for loving Only God Forgives as one of his finest films. A truly dark fairy tale, with great casting, mind bending visuals, and wonderfully threatening and disturbing performance by Keanu Reeves! And to be even more of a contrarian, I will also admit to finding Drive as being one of his most disappointing and over hyped films.
Just IMHO! Thanks, guys!

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by billy pilgrim

This is my first time posting in the Criterion forum, but after reading this post, I had to put in my 2 cents. I have been a fan of NWR since I saw Pusher 2 on Sundance over 10 years ago and predating my blu ray film collecting obsession. It's still my favorite NWR film and, by far, the finest performance by Mads Mikkelsen. These are followed in no particular order by Valhalla Rising, Only God Forbids, and now, the Neon Demon.
Neon Demon is a film that I was a bit put off by, but never bored, while watching. Immediately after finishing the film, I would have written it off as a bit pretentious, but I just couldn't get it out of my mind. I may be a bit strange (my wife and friends would heartily agree, especially with my taste in film!) but, for me, a lot of my absolute favorites in films or songs were not so immediately upon viewing. Often, I walk away from the viewing (or listening) not totally sold on it, but something will nag me for days in which I cannot get the film or song out of my mind.
It is usually these films which, like a grain of sand in an oyster, irritate and bother my mind until the film or song becomes something very valuable and important to me. Funny how that works! Also, sometimes films and songs that I like initially upon viewing do not hold up for me after reflection. Go figure!
Anyway, I had to speak up as a lone voice in the wilderness supporting Neon Demon. I'll also throw in my support for loving Only God Forgives as one of his finest films. A truly dark fairy tale, with great casting, mind bending visuals, and wonderfully threatening and disturbing performance by Keanu Reeves! And to be even more of a contrarian, I will also admit to finding Drive as being one of his most disappointing and over hyped films.
Just IMHO! Thanks, guys!

Welcome to the thread! Just wanted to say that I like your screen name. Slaughterhouse Five is one of my most wanted blu ray upgrades.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm listening to bits from The Wattstax soundtrack and (at least from the sound of it), it would fit in Nice in the collection. Has anybody seen this?

I think it would fit in fine along with Monterey Pop and Gimme Shelter. It seems like Criterion is on track to release at least one Warner title a month, so why not? Hopefully, the Criterion release of Wattstax would include even more of the original music as extras. I've never seen the film, but at one point I owned the soundtrack album. Good stuff!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I think it would fit in fine along with Monterey Pop and Gimme Shelter. It seems like Criterion is on track to release at least one Warner title a month, so why not? Hopefully, the Criterion release of Wattstax would include even more of the original music as extras. I've never seen the film, but at one point I owned the soundtrack album. Good stuff!

On top of the phenomenal soundtrack, it has some Richard Pryor stand up too. Extras that do the artists featured in the film justice would truly make it a standout release.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

On top of the phenomenal soundtrack, it has some Richard Pryor stand up too. Extras that do the artists featured in the film justice would truly make it a standout release.

Speaking of Pryor comedy, Richard Pryor: Live in Concert would be a great release. It was the first full-length comedy concert video and influenced a generation of comedians, much like Lenny Bruce before him. The DVD was released by HBO, though, so it doesn't seem likely for Criterion.

[bwdowiak]

So w/ Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd being a Warner title, are we considering that to be an inevitable release? Really like Kazan and would welcome that release.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

So w/ Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd being a Warner title, are we considering that to be an inevitable release? Really like Kazan and would welcome that release.

I woild say so, mainly because it's on that list of Warner OOP titles that have all gone to Criterion so far. Klute, The Breaking Point, and The Magnificent Ambersons being the other three remaining.

[oubukibun]

Originally Posted by billy pilgrim

This is my first time posting in the Criterion forum, but after reading this post, I had to put in my 2 cents. I have been a fan of NWR since I saw Pusher 2 on Sundance over 10 years ago and predating my blu ray film collecting obsession. It's still my favorite NWR film and, by far, the finest performance by Mads Mikkelsen. These are followed in no particular order by Valhalla Rising, Only God Forbids, and now, the Neon Demon.
Neon Demon is a film that I was a bit put off by, but never bored, while watching. Immediately after finishing the film, I would have written it off as a bit pretentious, but I just couldn't get it out of my mind. I may be a bit strange (my wife and friends would heartily agree, especially with my taste in film!) but, for me, a lot of my absolute favorites in films or songs were not so immediately upon viewing. Often, I walk away from the viewing (or listening) not totally sold on it, but something will nag me for days in which I cannot get the film or song out of my mind.
It is usually these films which, like a grain of sand in an oyster, irritate and bother my mind until the film or song becomes something very valuable and important to me. Funny how that works! Also, sometimes films and songs that I like initially upon viewing do not hold up for me after reflection. Go figure!
Anyway, I had to speak up as a lone voice in the wilderness supporting Neon Demon. I'll also throw in my support for loving Only God Forgives as one of his finest films. A truly dark fairy tale, with great casting, mind bending visuals, and wonderfully threatening and disturbing performance by Keanu Reeves! And to be even more of a contrarian, I will also admit to finding Drive as being one of his most disappointing and over hyped films.
Just IMHO! Thanks, guys!

Oh you're not alone with Neon Demon, as I supported it meself in the post which led you to write! Welcome, by the way!

Stay a while...

[octagon]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

So w/ Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd being a Warner title, are we considering that to be an inevitable release? Really like Kazan and would welcome that release.

I don't think a Criterion release is inevitable. I could just as easily see it being a WAC title.

But either way, an awesome BD of A Face in the Crowd does feel like a matter of when and not if.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I woild say so, mainly because it's on that list of Warner OOP titles that have all gone to Criterion so far. Klute, The Breaking Point, and The Magnificent Ambersons being the other three remaining.

My favorite noir title. I would think it would end up as a WAC title ala On Dangerous Ground but who knows. Truthfully, I don't care who releases it as long as it gets done. A terrific film.