The Criterion Collection

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I guess that I'm still so ecstatic that the clunky Dual Format packages are gone that I am not bothered by the leaflets or the comparative lack of special features on the newer Criterion titles.

Yes, the dual format were HIGHLY annoying just for the purposes of having to shelve them - plus it always seemed silly for a blu-ray purchaser to get TWO DVD's for their 1 blu-ray. I'm so glad they dropped that.

The leaflet thing is more of a minor quibble. I much prefer a nice booklet, I can understand if it's a cost cutting move. I just don't get why all of a sudden they seem to just drop everything down to leaflets all at once. Why can't it just be a case by case situation?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Yes, the dual format were HIGHLY annoying just for the purposes of having to shelve them - plus it always seemed silly for a blu-ray purchaser to get TWO DVD's for their 1 blu-ray. I'm so glad they dropped that.

The leaflet thing is more of a minor quibble. I much prefer a nice booklet, I can understand if it's a cost cutting move. I just don't get why all of a sudden they seem to just drop everything down to leaflets all at once. Why can't it just be a case by case situation?

Yeah but some people liked having DVD version so we can watch in other rooms, its expensive for us in UK to buy 2 american bluray players lol.

Plus I liked lending my sister the DVD discs for her to enjoy, but can't now!

I agree with last point, at least give some release a nice booklet (that isn't a digipak!), theres been a few films released that are more worthy of a booklet over a leaflet (but I guess that stats the argument, what film is more worthy and why?)

I do find it odd the MoC never gets any complaints with their DF releases with multiple discs and stuff, but oh well!

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just got back from the local theater and saw Inherent Vice, the new P.T. Anderson film.

Words cannot describe what I just experienced for 2 1/2 hours.

I didn't read the Pynchon novel but now I might, just to get an understanding of what the author was trying to convey.

In my opinion, this is an incredibly cerebral, complex film and story.

I got the sense that this was about a parallel universe from back in the counter culture era of "what would have happened had the hippies won?". So its like a cop-crazed society and extremes between hippies and conservatives. "Hippie" is used liberally in the film, but these were not Cheech and Chong potheads but actually characters that had real jobs, real lives and real ethos. Joaquin Phoenix's character in the film played a "Doctor" and I believe he was also working for the police as well as some sort of "snitch" and intermediary. It's kind of a terrifying film in a way.

The ending was amazing too.

I'm still digesting this one.

You should! Pynchon can be tough to read, but Inherent Vice is Pynchon-light, plus its extremely funny. I haven't seen the film yet, but I hope it's at least half as rich and smart as the novel!

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I do find it odd the MoC never gets any complaints with their DF releases with multiple discs and stuff, but oh well!

There were complaints back when it first happened, esp. by the DVD buyers forced to buy Blu-ray (tho many Blu-ray buyers were annoyed at having DVD copies that they didnt use). It calmed down after a while, although you do see the odd comment on their Facebook page about the matter. Criterion are a much bigger company than MoC, which is presumably why they responded differently to the calls for dual-format to be abandoned.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just got back from the local theater and saw Inherent Vice, the new P.T. Anderson film.

Apologies for being the party pooper here, but we don't get Inherent Vice for a couple of weeks and I'm really trying to avoid discussion about the film. Could you please Spoiler out any IV chat in future? Cheers.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

There were complaints back when it first happened, esp. by the DVD buyers forced to buy Blu-ray (tho many Blu-ray buyers were annoyed at having DVD copies that they didnt use). It calmed down after a while, although you do see the odd comment on their Facebook page about the matter. Criterion are a much bigger company than MoC, which is presumably why they responded differently to the calls for dual-format to be abandoned.

I think the big reason why (and why I personally find a huge difference in CC DF v. MoC DF) is that the packaging literally doesn't change. The tray that the 2nd disc sits in is completely removable, and once removed the case/packaging looks exactly like a non DF release. The problem for me w CC DF was that they stuck some of them in these huge sort of flimsy boxes and just threw the booklet in there. Copies of something like Persona from CC are as big as TV show box sets etc. from other companies.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by jw007

Good film from what I recall watching it a few years ago. I bought this on blu-ray also as a blind-buy... but if you like this type of subject matter, be sure to also pick up El Norte, which also is a good commentary on Mexican immigrants trying to move to/live in the USA.

Thank you for the recommendation! In truth, I had not paid any attention to El Norte until you mentioned it, and now I'm finding out that it was very well-reviewed and highly acclaimed when it first came out. I've added it to my "must" list.

I just watched Riot in Cell Block 11 for the first time last night, and I have to say I was very impressed. The film was suprisingly powerful, and Criterion's presentation was fantastic. Russell Harlan's cinematography, with its inky blacks and stark whites, made quite the impression on me. I'm very pleased to own it!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Thank you for the recommendation! In truth, I had not paid any attention to El Norte until you mentioned it, and now I'm finding out that it was very well-reviewed and highly acclaimed when it first came out. I've added it to my "must" list.

I just watched Riot in Cell Block 11 for the first time last night, and I have to say I was very impressed. The film was suprisingly powerful, and Criterion's presentation was fantastic. Russell Harlan's cinematography, with its inky blacks and stark whites, made quite the impression on me. I'm very pleased to own it!

El Norte is an excellent film.

[iMandala]

Two questions:

First, there is a 1940 Thief of Bagdad Blu-ray on Amazon that comes out of Italy. Can anyone rate the Video and Audio of this release?

http://www.amazon.com/Thief-Bagdad-B...sin=B00PI1NMTM

Second, are there any upcoming releases of the 1940 Thief of Bagdad planned? Criterion, etc.

Apologies if this has already been covered. Thanks!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Apologies for being the party pooper here, but we don't get Inherent Vice for a couple of weeks and I'm really trying to avoid discussion about the film. Could you please Spoiler out any IV chat in future? Cheers.

I was EXTREMELY careful not to add any plot spoilers to my review.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Thank you for the recommendation! In truth, I had not paid any attention to El Norte until you mentioned it, and now I'm finding out that it was very well-reviewed and highly acclaimed when it first came out. I've added it to my "must" list.

I just watched Riot in Cell Block 11 for the first time last night, and I have to say I was very impressed. The film was suprisingly powerful, and Criterion's presentation was fantastic. Russell Harlan's cinematography, with its inky blacks and stark whites, made quite the impression on me. I'm very pleased to own it!

Yea, Neville Brand and Co. were terrific. He was usually cast as a creepy sort so it was nice (and unusual) to see him as a relatively normal guy.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Thank you for the recommendation! In truth, I had not paid any attention to El Norte until you mentioned it, and now I'm finding out that it was very well-reviewed and highly acclaimed when it first came out. I've added it to my "must" list.

I just watched Riot in Cell Block 11 for the first time last night, and I have to say I was very impressed. The film was suprisingly powerful, and Criterion's presentation was fantastic. Russell Harlan's cinematography, with its inky blacks and stark whites, made quite the impression on me. I'm very pleased to own it!

I bought and watched Riot in Cell Block 11 last year and thought it was an amazingly tightly edited and efficiently scripted film. It's a perfect example of how focused a classic film can be and there's not an ounce of fat in that film. The realism of how and where the film was shot, including the use of real prisoners, is extraordinary.

I'd be surprised which film you like more... El Norte or ¡Alambrista!?

[jmclick]

I just finished watching Roman Polanski's Knife in the Water, which was shown on TCM a few nights ago. Great film ... beautifully photographed, skillfully acted and masterfully directed ... I can't believe it was Polanski's first feature and made on such a nothing budget.

I would love to have the Criterion edition if it were available on blu-ray; the bonus features sound intriguing, particularly the array of Polanski's short films. Hopefully this title will be upgraded some day ...

[The Great Owl]

Speaking of Roman Polanski...

I was in the mood to go to the theater tonight for the first time in months, and, since none of the Academy Award nominees really quicken my pulse, I decided to check out the highly-acclaimed Australian horror film, The Babadook, at a local indie theater.

The Babadook would make a fine double feature with Polanski's Repulsion. Most of the reviews seem to want to compare this new movie with The Shining, but I'm really quite surprised that none of the reviews that I've read have made any parallels with Repulsion.

[malakaheso]

The comparison was obvious to me.

I didn't like the Babadook much though.

JMCLICK: Knife In The Water is interesting because unlike later Polanski 'thrillers', it still has an obvious foot in the European art film tradition, yet it's not really like those films at all.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by jw007

I was EXTREMELY careful not to add any plot spoilers to my review.

I appreciate that but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for chat about an upcoming film to be

[Show spoiler]spoiler

hidden, especially when it has nothing to do with Criterion. Cheers.

[tisdivine]

Criterion has a 50% off sale in Feb right? Is it at the beginning of the month or closer to the end? Im trying to get my list of titles to buy organized. Just wondered how much time I have lol

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by iMandala

Two questions:

First, there is a 1940 Thief of Bagdad Blu-ray on Amazon that comes out of Italy. Can anyone rate the Video and Audio of this release?

http://www.amazon.com/Thief-Bagdad-B...sin=B00PI1NMTM

Second, are there any upcoming releases of the 1940 Thief of Bagdad planned? Criterion, etc.

Apologies if this has already been covered. Thanks!

I believe in the UK Network has announced a blu-ray of this film - LINK. Sadly, it looks to be missing the substantial supplements package that Criterion did for their DVD release.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I think the big reason why (and why I personally find a huge difference in CC DF v. MoC DF) is that the packaging literally doesn't change. The tray that the 2nd disc sits in is completely removable, and once removed the case/packaging looks exactly like a non DF release. The problem for me w CC DF was that they stuck some of them in these huge sort of flimsy boxes and just threw the booklet in there. Copies of something like Persona from CC are as big as TV show box sets etc. from other companies.

Exactly. No other Indie label made so much of an unnecessary big deal about dual format as the wacky C did. All other releases, I can just pull out the DVD and its holder and hand it to a friend that would care to have the film.

[Polaroid]

DF digipaks arnt that big tbh, I think people really over exaggerate - they have always released digipaks this size, except for a few like Godzilla and some of the OOP sleeve style.

I never saw people complain about The Leopard, Salo, Carlos, Videodrome, Shoah, Sansho etc etc etc

But even when Criterion got those new plastic cases people still cried and moaned. Also flimsy? The newer digipaks have been very high quality and very sturdy compared to some of the older stuff.

You can't please everyone I guess. People were more upset about paying bluray prices when they only use the DVD (they ignore the fact when/if they upgrade they don need a second purchase for Bluray).

Oh well!

I just hope people enjoy unfolding leaflets and folding them back :P lol