The Criterion Collection

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Perhaps they'll offer the box separately for $5, like they're doing with the Hitchcock box.

Are they selling the Hitch and Rock Box slips?? I just got both sets for the slip even though I already had all the titles.

[filmmusic]

It's quite funny that in all the other months everyone says "Wow, solid month, I'm gonna buy everything" etc. and I usually have nothing to buy and I am disappointed.
Now most people say the opposite, and I have already 2 maybe 3 to buy!

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Just watched Brief Encounter after not having seen it for years. Good god, I can think of few other films that even come close to depicting unrequited love in such excruciating detail. Johnson and Howard have the kind of chemistry that reminded me of Hawke and Delpy. They're naturals with one another, taking in one another's silence, playfully bouncing off the joy each bring out one another. This is, of course, utilized to devastating effect, with Lean constantly retreating to Laura's thoughts, her feelings, her regrets, and how this seemingly glimpse of happiness can only be a glimpse.

A real lovely film that left me utterly defeated. Initial viewing was pretty much the opposite. Funny how some life experience can enhance a film.

Side note, but it really is clear that Haynes drew influence from this. The structure itself is replicated, and some of the imagery directly mirrors what's here.

I post this last night and, what do ya know, this happens. Granted, I own the box set.

Maybe I should watch Le Samourai next time.

[mja345]

"Only Angels Have Wings" could be part of the angel riding in on the bomb clue.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

It would have been different if it was a DVD set.

Also not crazy that they're doing a Stillman Trilogy. That means I have buy two films I already have to get the slip and Barcelona. (Just because I'm Criterion OCD)

I imagine that if you contacted our good friend Jon after the set hits the street that he'll sell you the slip for $5.00. He's doing it for the Hitchcock and Rock'n'Roll sets.

[SammyJankis]

Oh wow, that Only Angels Have Wings cover is absolutely stunning. Glad I didn't bite on that TCM blu.

[llj]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Cant really say anything bad about HP right now - the HP community is a bit sensitive atm :/

Actually some of the HP films were good, I think Daniel Radcliffe did ruin them with his poor acting, the HP series had some real talent in them! Great actors, directors, cinematographers etc

They;d have been better casting a plank of wood as Harry Potter though lol

To be fair to Mr Radcliffe, Harry is just not a very interesting character overall. In the books, you can tell Rowling is also better writing females than males too. Hermione and McGonagall were lively, witty, rounded characters who grow and change and have nuances. All the male characters were like your standard male types and they don't change much if at all. Snape also came off a lot less nuanced in the books than in the movies--Rickman gave him an added depth in every scene that I just never felt in the books until the end, and even there I felt Rowling kinda did him dirty.

As much as women often accuse men of not knowing how to write women, the same can also be true for the reverse sometimes.

Sorry Rowling fans.

[JoeBuck]

Only interested in Only Angels Have Wings.
Might take a look at Pheonix as well but probably wont wanna buy it.
Overall a super disappointing month.

[Firecrackker]

Originally Posted by Firecrackker

Prediction: Phoenix (2014) will get a Criterion release next year.

I'M SO HAPPY

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

You've gotta be effing kidding me. Disgusted yet again . want to burn my Criterion shirt.
Stillman is the worst director in the Criterion catalog.

You're fun!

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

Love the announcement of Phoenix. One of 2015's best films for sure, and an ending for the ages.

Yes, the ending is one of the most memorable I can think of.


Well, April's going to be brutal on my wallet. Phoenix and the Stillman box are definite buys. No question. And I'm sure I'll pick up something else.

OK, time to stop spending money on food.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Only thing going for Horns was the soundtrack - the movie was garbage lol. Then again, what do you expect when a film stars Daniel Radcliffe.

Radcliffe is the best actor of his generation.

[Show spoiler]Not really. Not at all. But that statement is about as hyperbolic and ridiculous as your post. Just a snarky "lol" and "what do you expect?" with no substance behind any of your opinions doesn't make for a very interesting discussion IMO. Let's see who reads this spoiler tag and who just has a conniption over my outlandish (and untrue) statement.

[mja345]

"Barcelona" is a really good film. Even if you're not a fan of Stillman's other work, I'd recommend checking it out. I actually think this is a strong month, particularly if you don't own the Lean/Coward box set. I'm also excited about "Only Angels Have Wings" and the Kennedy docs.

[jrsl76]

I really like this set of releases. With the upcoming McCabe & Mrs. Miller and now the official announcement of Barcelona, my favorite Stillman film, that's 2 titles I can now remove from my longtime Criterion.com wish list.

[bwdowiak]

I don't know how much credit belongs to Radcliffe, but Woman in Black is a pretty solid film - it was quite refreshing compared to the typical horror fare that's out there.

[llj]

I like pretty much all of Stillman's stuff. I think his films have a very unique and singular personality to them that is the result of Stillman's strong vision. Nobody out there does movies like him. In many ways, some comparisons can be made to Eric Rohmer--deceptively stagey, dialogue driven films about young, overly-articulate people yet Stillman, like Rohmer, never looks down on his subjects for that.

But the neat thing is, you don't necessarily think "oh he's copying Rohmer" either. Stillman has a different style of writing and his characters tend to use big words as a way of trying to be more honest and upfront about their feelings. Rohmer's characters tend to try to be articulate for sometimes a variety of other reasons.

[Namuhana]

A rather blah month for me. I have Only Angels Have Wings on my DVR, so I'll have to see if I enjoy it enough for a purchase (the presence of Cary Grant is a big plus, though). I've been interested in the David Lean Directs Noël Coward set since it was announced however many years ago, but I've yet to bite the bullet, so I don't quite know about Brief Encounter. I've stopped and started Phoenix a couple times on Netflix, but I'm just not feeling it; perhaps I should finish watching it first before I judge it. I haven't any interest in the other two (three) releases.

So, it could just be Only Angels Have Wings for me, which is good for my bank account.

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by Nuck Horris

I hacked Criterion and found the new release covers. Hope you're as excited as I am.

Those are much much much much much better than what criterion is actually putting out in April.

[llj]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I don't know how much credit belongs to Radcliffe, but Woman in Black is a pretty solid film - it was quite refreshing compared to the typical horror fare that's out there.

I've heard good things about The F Word as well. Should really get around to checking it out.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

The Lean standalone is a stunner. Never would have expected them to split up that set.

Seems like a smart move. I bet there are a lot of people who are interested in Brief Encounter but don't want to pony up for the full set.

[pedromvu]

I am just upset we get another month without upgrades

Only Angels Have Wings is the most promising title this month for me, but since it was already hinted, still hoping that the clue was for The Exterminating Angel.