The Criterion Collection

[mja345]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

While I'm no Lena Dunham fan by any stretch of the imagination, I think there are other titles in the collection which I would have a harder time buying.

"Salo"? I really disliked "Tiny Furniture", but there are probably films in the collection with less rewatch value. I own "Antichrist" because a buddy of mine found it so depressing he sold it to me for ten bucks. While it's a very good film, I'd have a hard time rewatching it. "Breaking the Waves" is another film that would be very hard to rewatch. I also thought "The Night Porter" was pretty poor, so that's another one I wouldn't want to own.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by jw007

I'm the clear winner here, hands down.

54.3% of my blu-ray collection is Criterion.

That's more than half.

Beat that, kids.

Why? It just shows we have wider taste in movies and less of a collector's obsession than you

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Salo"? I really disliked "Tiny Furniture", but there are probably films in the collection with less rewatch value. I own "Antichrist" because a buddy of mine found it so depressing he sold it to me for ten bucks. While it's a very good film, I'd have a hard time rewatching it. "Breaking the Waves" is another film that would be very hard to rewatch. I also thought "The Night Porter" was pretty poor, so that's another one I wouldn't want to own.

Heh. Yeah, as much as I like to tease Ray, I can't honestly see myself buying Salo. The only way would be if I were somewhere close to having every title -- which isn't going to happen for a LONG time, if at all.

As for the Von Trier titles, I have to have them since Lars is one of my favorite directors currently making films. Granted, I may not watch Antichrist for example that often (for obvious reasons). But I HAVE TO have it.

[D2Girls]

Originally Posted by oildude

Looks like I am all out of thanks or I'd give you one. I really would consider getting the Tati and Jacques Demy sets. Not sure why you would deny yourself two of the finest sets of films ever released on Blu-ray based on speculation about their packaging. I have had them both ever since they were released, both have had numerous handlings, all the films have been watched. Unless you have a dog that eats cardboard I wouldn't worry about the sturdiness of the boxes. Both sets have held up just fine, as have all of my Criterion box sets.

And how can you not get both of these with the B&N 30% off coupon this weekend? Now is the time to pounce. Trust me, you won't regret it. Tati and Demy are two of the desert island choices in the Criterion Collection.

This is what I wrote about both sets back in the summer:

For anyone looking for box set recommendations - or just a Criterion recommendation in general - I think you cannot go wrong with these. Both include some of the greatest films ever made and I cannot recommend these sets highly enough.



If you think of French cinema only in terms of Godard, Truffaut, Assayas, Melville, Bresson, Malle, Chabrol, Renoir, etc, prepare to have your cinematic world expanded with warmth, humor, old-fashioned romance, incredible musical scores, biting satire, clever visual gags, commentaries on social dislocation and modernity done with a wink, a song, or a humorous routine that proves every bit as insightful as any screed from Godard (but infinitely more enjoyable), mind-blowing sets, bright candy colors and luminous blacks and whites. Stories that will move you, entertain you, maybe make you tear up a bit, most certainly give you a barrel of smiles for every sadness....all done with a sense of wonder, absurdity, and a love of life that is on display in every frame. Most of all, they will make you realize just how terrific it is to be alive, a film fan, and able to experience the joy of discovering movies like this for the first time.

I am VERY impressed having gone through these sets back to back for the past month. Mon Oncle, Playtime, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort....... if you are a fan of well-done musicals and emotionally investing stories, or if the wonderful charm of silent comedy-inspired humor and slapstick tickles your funny bone, you cannot go wrong here. My view of French cinema is forever changed. Melville is still the king of the mountain, but Tati and Demy are sitting just a few feet below. Fantastic directors with an amazingly rich body of work.

when you put it that way I seem pretty silly for not grabbing them...
you've convinced me, I will pick them up soon!

[mja345]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Heh. Yeah, as much as I like to tease Ray, I can't honestly see myself buying Salo. The only way would be if I were somewhere close to having every title -- which isn't going to happen for a LONG time, if at all.

As for the Von Trier titles, I have to have them since Lars is one of my favorite directors currently making films. Granted, I may not watch Antichrist for example that often (for obvious reasons). But I HAVE TO have it.

Yeah, Von Trier is a great filmmaker. "Anthichrist" and "Breaking the Waves" are both terrific, but there are so few times I feel like watching them. "Breaking the Waves" is a masterpiece, but I've held off buying it. I always think, "Man, when will I really feel like sitting down and watching this again?" "Antichrist" just gets so crazy at certain points that it has a bit more replay value for me.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by mja345

Yeah, Von Trier is a great filmmaker. "Anthichrist" and "Breaking the Waves" are both terrific, but there are so few times I feel like watching them. "Breaking the Waves" is a masterpiece, but I've held off buying it. I always think, "Man, when will I really feel like sitting down and watching this again?" "Antichrist" just gets so crazy at certain points that it has a bit more replay value for me.

Well, you can always hold onto Breaking the Waves for those times when you feel JUST. TOO. HAPPY!

[Quinni]

I really should start picking up more Criterion blu-rays. There's still so much that I want to see.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by oildude

Good god, man. Seek help.

Criterions are nice and all, but there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs, or having a Blu-ray collection without Bond.

Oh comeon, "to each their own", regarding Bond, James Bond.

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Oh, i thought CriterionBlues had the largest collection around here.
Isn't there a person here that has bought all of them?
I think it was him?

CriterionBlues indeed owns every Criterion blu-ray ever released. I am in no way a collector like that.

Originally Posted by ravenus

Why? It just shows we have wider taste in movies and less of a collector's obsession than you

Well, I'm not a completist by any means, but I do appreciate great films, and many great films have been released under the Criterion label. So there.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

Oh comeon, "to each their own", regarding Bond, James Bond.

Let's split the difference.

You should be completely free to decide which of the Connery Bond movies you'll be adding to your collection. I mean, it is your collection after all.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by octagon

Let's split the difference.

You should be completely free to decide which of the Connery Bond movies you'll be adding to your collection. I mean, it is your collection after all.

And that's just the thing...which ones "should" I add? What if I like the more recent Bonds over the older ones with Connery? That is of course my preference just like I prefer Next Generation (Star Trek) over Deep Space Nine or a remake of some film (ie. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" 1978 version over the original 1956 version, or Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" over the original 1953 film). I'll buy what I want, and that's the bottom line.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by mja345

Yeah, Von Trier is a great filmmaker. "Anthichrist" and "Breaking the Waves" are both terrific, but there are so few times I feel like watching them. "Breaking the Waves" is a masterpiece, but I've held off buying it. I always think, "Man, when will I really feel like sitting down and watching this again?" "Antichrist" just gets so crazy at certain points that it has a bit more replay value for me.

I find his films get worse with repeated viewings.

I like him, but I don't consider him 'great' as such.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by oildude

Looks like I am all out of thanks or I'd give you one. I really would consider getting the Tati and Jacques Demy sets. Not sure why you would deny yourself two of the finest sets of films ever released on Blu-ray based on speculation about their packaging. I have had them both ever since they were released, both have had numerous handlings, all the films have been watched. Unless you have a dog that eats cardboard I wouldn't worry about the sturdiness of the boxes. Both sets have held up just fine, as have all of my Criterion box sets.

And how can you not get both of these with the B&N 30% off coupon this weekend? Now is the time to pounce. Trust me, you won't regret it. Tati and Demy are two of the desert island choices in the Criterion Collection.

This is what I wrote about both sets back in the summer:

For anyone looking for box set recommendations - or just a Criterion recommendation in general - I think you cannot go wrong with these. Both include some of the greatest films ever made and I cannot recommend these sets highly enough.



If you think of French cinema only in terms of Godard, Truffaut, Assayas, Melville, Bresson, Malle, Chabrol, Renoir, etc, prepare to have your cinematic world expanded with warmth, humor, old-fashioned romance, incredible musical scores, biting satire, clever visual gags, commentaries on social dislocation and modernity done with a wink, a song, or a humorous routine that proves every bit as insightful as any screed from Godard (but infinitely more enjoyable), mind-blowing sets, bright candy colors and luminous blacks and whites. Stories that will move you, entertain you, maybe make you tear up a bit, most certainly give you a barrel of smiles for every sadness....all done with a sense of wonder, absurdity, and a love of life that is on display in every frame. Most of all, they will make you realize just how terrific it is to be alive, a film fan, and able to experience the joy of discovering movies like this for the first time.

I am VERY impressed having gone through these sets back to back for the past month. Mon Oncle, Playtime, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort....... if you are a fan of well-done musicals and emotionally investing stories, or if the wonderful charm of silent comedy-inspired humor and slapstick tickles your funny bone, you cannot go wrong here. My view of French cinema is forever changed. Melville is still the king of the mountain, but Tati and Demy are sitting just a few feet below. Fantastic directors with an amazingly rich body of work.

I just finished watching the Jacques Demy set this past week and was absolutely floored by it. The Young Girls of Rochefort, specifically, has become one of my favorite films of all time now. There isn't a dud in the set, and I whole-heartedly give my recommendation for purchasing the set, too. It's truly amazing. Demy has become one of my favorite directors now as well.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I just finished watching the Jacques Demy set this past week and was absolutely floored by it. The Young Girls of Rochefort, specifically, has become one of my favorite films of all time now. There isn't a dud in the set, and I whole-heartedly give my recommendation for purchasing the set, too. It's truly amazing. Demy has become one of my favorite directors now as well.

+1

I don't know how many times I've seen The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, but it's a lot. And I'm still not -- nor will I ever be -- tired of it.

But you're absolutely right: There isn't a dud in the set.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Of course, I'm picky, and who isn't about certain things? I only buy movies that I'm a fan of or actually like. For instance, I'm not a big James Bond fan despite my screenname being "007" and don't own nor have any desire to own a James Bond film. My avatar from "Under the Skin" I've had doesn't mean I like that movie, nor do I own it (yet). So its really unorthodox how I choose to go about regarding purchasing films. I lean towards movies that aren't popular though but have a special place in my heart for being strange, offbeat, obscurist, escapist and sometimes cult.

If I were ever in a situation where I could only keep 25 Blu-rays from my collection, then I would keep my 23 Bond movies, plus Out of the Past and The Maltese Falcon.

...and I'd have to give up The Maltese Falcon once the 24th Bond film is released on Blu-ray next year.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

If I were ever in a situation where I could only keep 25 Blu-rays from my collection, then I would keep my 23 Bond movies, plus Out of the Past and The Maltese Falcon.

...and I'd have to give up The Maltese Falcon once the 24th Bond film is released on Blu-ray next year.

You could technically buy this set and consider yourself lucky.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-J...lu-ray/136828/

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I've been thinking a lot this week about the magic Criterion worked on The Apu Trilogy. Although I haven't watched it yet, I've seen the examples of the restoration, and they are amazing.

There's another film that I wish Criterion would restore and release, which would be a challenge for them. In fact, I watched it again tonight, and became more firmly convinced than ever that it would be a gift from Criterion to film aficionados everywhere. It's Luchino Visconti's directorial debut, Ossessione, the first ... and wholly unauthorized ... screen adaptation of James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice, made in Italy during World War II.

The film has a fascinating history. It premiered in Italy in 1943, and shortly thereafter, the original negative was destroyed by the Fascists per the order of Benito Mussolini. Nonetheless, Visconti managed to secretly hide a print. Some 15 years later, a truncated version finally turned up in Sweden, and soon after, partial prints with varied running times from 104 minutes to 118 minutes began surfacing in Europe. Finally, a new cut was reassembled which extended the running time to 134 minutes.

The film was banned completely in the United States because of copyright issues until 1976, when it finally premiered at the New York Film Festival. It had a very limited theatrical run in the US the following year, and then became available for licensed showings. Additional footage was found, and the film was eventually restored to 140 minutes. Image Entertainment released a problematic DVD in 2002 which left a lot to be desired in terms of audio and picture quality; in addition to its flawed transfer, it was poorly subtitled. It is currently OOP, and I've lost track of which company now owns the video rights in North America (it may be in the public domain for all I know).

Today, Ossessione is widely celebrated as the film which launched the Italian neo-realist movement. Even disregarding its place in film history, it remains a taut piece of potent drama featuring smouldering, sensual performances by Clara Calamai and Massimo Girotti in the roles later played by Lana Turner / Jessica Lange and John Garfield / Jack Nicholson. I personally consider the Visconti version to be the best of the three, and I am not alone in that opinion. If you've never seen it, it's a "must" ... particularly if you're a fan of James M. Cain and/or Luchino Visconti.

Here's hoping that somehow, someday, some way, Criterion will take it on!

I just picked up the DVD earlier this year after catching it at a friends and having a relevatory moment. This would be a knock out for CC, great post!

[SkyAntoine]

Breaking news!!
Just got an email from Turner Classic Movies that Criterions are "up to 50% off". In looking at the titles available this seems like just a handful are 50% off.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled and much better Barnes & Noble sale...

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I don't own any Bond, and I doubt that will change any time soon frankly.

Everyone should own Skyfall, even if just for the gorgeous Roger Deakins cinematography.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Oh, i thought CriterionBlues had the largest collection around here.
Isn't there a person here that has bought all of them?
I think it was him?

I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of people who frequent these parts that have all the blus.

I usually consider myself current as long as I have everything released through the last major sale (ie the 2 bn sales and the 2 Criterion flash sales).

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching Pather Panchali and going through the extras on the disc.

This was my first experience with a Satyajit Ray film, and I'm quite taken with it. Pather Panchali really transported me to rural Bengal by way of showing seemingly mundane sights from the viewpoint of a child's innocence. My family and I thankfully never had to struggle with extreme poverty in the way that Apu's family did, but I still recall my childhood wanderings back in the day when the economic status of my parents did not register with me and when I used to love being around railroad tracks in hopes of watching a big train go by.

Although the cinematography is quite different, I was reminded of Ozu's Late Spring and Tokyo Story, in that Pather Panchali depicts lifestyles and traditions far different than my own while also conveying emotions with which I related. I think that we all have memories from our childhoods where we sensed tension and unease from our parents due to their adults problems, but nonetheless carried on with our day-to-day carefree activities. This movie is full of sequences that evoke universal feelings in such ways.

I'm really looking forward to delving into the other two films tomorrow.

Owl:
Great review, glad you liked Pather Panjali. I just watched it, and the restoration is mind boggling. It looks just as good as it did upon my first viewing on the "big" screen in 1967. Some thoughts:
Amazing that it was Ray's first film. He befriended Jean Renoir in Calcutta, and watched him film The River in the late 40s. Looks like he learned a few tricks, eh? The cinematography, the naturalism, the sense of community, deep focus: it's all there. Ray first saw The River in '67 with Renoir in Hollywood. When the screening was over, they were brought to the stage, and introduced with the comment that "Ray owes a lot to Renoir". Jean replied: "I don't think Ray owes anything to me. I think he had it in his blood. Though he's very young still (he was then only 46, but only 34 when he filmed PP) he's the Father of Indian Cinema."
Some of the scenes on PP have been indelibly etched in my mind, especially the ones from 1:15-1:20 - the singing wires, the TRAIN (very famous btw), the "auntie". And later on, the rains, the snake, the bracelet, the final shot. Just a glorious and emotional film. Some of the camera work ranks with the best of Lean, Kubrick, Eisenstein, and Jack Cardiff. Wow.
You can take the trilogy almost as the early precursor to Boyhood. Think RL saw the trilogy?Can't wait to view the rest of it. Worth every penny I paid for it. Great timing with the B&N sale too.