The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by mja345

I think "Barton Fink" and "The Ladykillers" are the only two Coen bros. films not released on BD in the US. Obviously, "Barton Fink" would fit in well with Criterion, "The Ladykillers" probably not. Of the films already released on BD, it's tough to say. I'd like to see Criterion get their hands on "Blood Simple" and do a real proper release. "Miller's Crossing" would be great as well.

A "real proper release" would, for me at any rate, include the original cut, as well as the director's cut. The original cut hasn't been seen since the MCA laserdisc release 30 years ago. And that is, unfortunately, in a 1.33:1 ratio (though at least it's open matte, rather than pan-&-scan).

[LuckyDragon]

Blood Simple on Criterion?



Fetch me my wallet forthwith.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Daniel Day Lewis is phenomenal in TWBB, but I honestly can't think of the last time that an actor really made me believe that he WAS the character the way that Joachim Pheonix made me believe he was Freddie Quell.

For me no one has nailed a character performance better than Bruno Ganz as Hitler in Downfall. One of the greatest and most chilling performances ever.

EDIT: lol....I posted this from my iPhone this afternoon at work then had to shut down and get back to the grindstone. Only now am I catching up with the conversations after the post I responded to. I see hoytereden and others agree.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I, too, loved Frances Ha (and Greta Gerwin's performance) and I was quite taken with The Last Days of Disco, as well. And as I mentioned a month or so ago, despite the volume of complaints aimed at the Three Colors Trilogy, I was so captivated by the stories and performances that I never noticed any of the flaws that spoiled the films for other viewers.

Three Colors Trilogy is one of the most splendid, perfect film concoctions ever created, IMO. I've said it time and time again, but Three Colors: Red and Godard's Contempt constantly switch places for me as THE greatest film ever made.

Frances Ha is something that speaks to me. Clearly. Easily. And the funny part of it is that I've never even been to NYC, so I'm not sure I even *should* connect with the film in the way in which I do. But I absolutely love it.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by oildude

For me no one has nailed a character performance better than Bruno Ganz as Hitler in Downfall. One of the greatest and most chilling performances ever.

It's on the opposite end of the spectrum, but I thought Peter Sellers in Being There gave an absolutely peerless performance. He relayed the innocence and naïveté of Chance perfectly.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by oildude

For me no one has nailed a character performance better than Bruno Ganz as Hitler in Downfall. One of the greatest and most chilling performances ever.

Sold! Although it's available in Region A via a Canadian release, I just ordered a copy of the All-Region British edition of Downfall through Amazon USA. It will arrive at my door on Monday, February 8. This means, of course, that a week later Criterion will announce the film as being one of the titles they are going to release in May. You're all very welcome.

[The Great Owl]

On the subject of actors disappearing into their roles, I'm going to throw an offbeat nod to Harrison Ford for his work in Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast.
I really wish that Criterion would pick up this title.

I'll throw out another nod to Sean Connery for his work in The Offence (1972). This movie is available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, and, if you ever want to see Connery act the f**k out of a role, then this one has my recommendation.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On the subject of actors disappearing into their roles, I'm going to throw an offbeat nod to Harrison Ford for his work in Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast.
I really wish that Criterion would pick up this title.

I'll throw out another nod to Sean Connery for his work in The Offence (1972). This movie is available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, and, if you ever want to see Connery act the f**k out of a role, then this one has my recommendation.

Yeah, those are two good ones. "The Offence" is such a powerful film. The scenes between Connery and Ian Bannen are expertly acted. I think it's the performance of Connery's career.

Along these same lines, Sean Penn in "Carlito's Way" and "The Falcon and the Snowman" completely disappears into his roles. I think they're two of Penn's best performances.

[AaronJ]

Katie Chang.

If you watch her in The Bling Ring and then watch YouTube vids of Alexis Neiers on the phone yelling at Nancy Jo, it's honestly scary. This is one of the reasons why Sophia Coppola is one of my favorite directors: She nails it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Sold! Although it's available in Region A via a Canadian release, I just ordered a copy of the All-Region British edition of Downfall through Amazon USA. It will arrive at my door on Monday, February 8. This means, of course, that a week later Criterion will announce the film as being one of the titles they are going to release in May. You're all very welcome.

I had gotten an edition from Amazon DE about a year and a half ago for a little under €10 (about $12.50). It was also region free (well, at least A & B), and had English subtitles, so it was all good. The only downside is that the wealth of extras have no English subtitles, and my German is way too rusty to follow.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On the subject of actors disappearing into their roles, I'm going to throw an offbeat nod to Harrison Ford for his work in Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast.
I really wish that Criterion would pick up this title.

I'd be happy if Warner Archive put it out. I'm rather surprised WAC hasn't rushed it to announcement, given that Harrison Ford is big these days.

I'll throw out another nod to Sean Connery for his work in The Offence (1972). This movie is available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, and, if you ever want to see Connery act the f**k out of a role, then this one has my recommendation.

And to think that we'd never have gotten that film if it didn't end up as part of his deal with United Artists to come back as James Bond for Diamonds Are Forever.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I'd be happy if Warner Archive put it out. I'm rather surprised WAC hasn't rushed it to announcement, given that Harrison Ford is big these days.

maybe this year, which is its anniversary, this film will see the light on Bluray!

[ckt]

Pacino was Michael Corleone The Godfather on Criterion would be too nice. But the Coppola restoration looks awesome!!

[hoytereden]

If you like Downfall I can also recommend (highly) the documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary. Basically, it's Traudl Junge telling her story as the title character. I will say that it doesn't include any archival footage and basically it's her talking for almost an hour and a half so that may not be for everyone but, as a WW II buff, I was transfixed.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

If you like Downfall I can also recommend (highly) the documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary. Basically, it's Traudl Junge telling her story as the title character. I will say that it doesn't include any archival footage and basically it's her talking for almost an hour and a half so that may not be for everyone but, as a WW II buff, I was transfixed.

I remember Traudl Junge's brief appearances in the extraordinary BBC documentary mini-series, The World at War. She was also the main subject of the 23-minute bonus featurette that was included with the blu-ray, The World at War: A Special Presentation - Hitler's Secretary, and as you said, she was a fascinating woman and a brilliant interview subject, very articulate. I'll have to seek out a copy of Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary. Thank you for the recommendation!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Speaking of documentaries, what are some of your favorites, gang? I happen to love Ken Burns' works, especially Baseball, and The Civil War. I've only seen two from Criterion thus far, A Brief History of Time and The Thin Blue Line-and I loved them both. I'm an absolutely huge fan of Stephen Hawking. I also love the 30 for 30 series ESPN has produced. Very well done.

BTW, Jonathan, I'm sending you a PM about one of the shows you mentioned.

Thanks, Bill, for your PMs. I'm going to get to them on Thursday!

As for documentaries, I really agree with you about the two you mentioned (A Brief History of Time and The Thin Blue Line). Have you also seen For All Mankind? I consider it one of the finest documentaries in the Criterion Collection by far. It's a meditation and spiritual experience and goes beyond film. For all of those conspiracy theorists out there who don't believe humans walked on the moon, I challenge their beliefs by watching this movie. It's all real... and I love how it goes into detail how the subsequent astronauts visited the moon well after the Apollo 11 mission.

Other documentaries in the CC I enjoyed are: Fishing With John (more of a satire/comedy than a documentary), Burden of Dreams (really awesome film by Les Blank), and many of the documentary films of Louis Malle (my favorite being The Pursuit of Happiness).

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I just made my first Twilight Time purchase last week...

So ironic! I made my very first TT purchase as well last week (or the week before)! I bought 3 blu-rays (Born Free, Salvador and 1984).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On the subject of actors disappearing into their roles, I'm going to throw an offbeat nod to Harrison Ford for his work in Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast.
I really wish that Criterion would pick up this title.

I wanted to see this movie again so badly just a few years ago and decided to buy it on Warner's DVD (as it has no blu-ray release yet). I really enjoy this film but somehow I cannot see it becoming a Criterion title because of the atrocious 3rd act of the film. I love the whole sociology behind The Mosquito Coast though, and I think Harrison Ford was perfectly cast for this movie.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Speaking of documentaries, what are some of your favorites, gang? I happen to love Ken Burns' works, especially Baseball, and The Civil War. I've only seen two from Criterion thus far, A Brief History of Time and The Thin Blue Line-and I loved them both. I'm an absolutely huge fan of Stephen Hawking. I also love the 30 for 30 series ESPN has produced. Very well done

Baseball is probably my favorite doc or all-time. It should be required viewing for any baseball fan. It also introduced the world to Kansas City's greatest ambassador of the game, Buck O'Neil

Other than that, I really enjoyed the BBC's The World at War, Errol Morris's Dr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr., anything about Syd Barrett (specifically The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story and the BBC's The Story of Wish You Were Here), The King of Kong, and all of the Travelogues Michael Palin does are very entertaining.

Originally Posted by jmclick

I remember Traudl Junge's brief appearances in the extraordinary BBC documentary mini-series, The World at War. She was also the main subject of the 23-minute bonus featurette that was included with the blu-ray, The World at War: A Special Presentation - Hitler's Secretary, and as you said, she was a fascinating woman and a brilliant interview subject, very articulate. I'll have to seek out a copy of Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary. Thank you for the recommendation!

I know we've discussed this before, but I'd like to reiterate how good The World at War is. It's the most comprehensive doc I've seen on WWII, and it's narrated by Olivier. It's a bit of a chore to get through, but it's ultimately worth it.

[mja345]

Ken Burns' baseball doc is incredible. It takes me back to my childhood when I would wear out the old VHS box set my dad bought me. I still remember little things from that doc like when the Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House" plays during footage of Reggie Jackson's 3 HR game in the World Series. Or the whole unfolding of Game 6 of the '86 Series leading up to the Bill Buckner play with the great Vin Scully on the call. Burns' docs on the Civil War and Jazz are also great. Haven't seen his others, but would like to get around to some of them.

In the Criterion Collection, I love most of their docs, especially "The War Room", "Hearts and Minds", "Hoop Dreams", "Gimme Shelter" and "Crumb". If you're even mildly interested in politics, "The War Room" is a must watch. "Hearts and Minds" is an incredible examination of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. "Hoop Dreams" is the greatest documentary ever made IMO. "Gimme Shelter" is mandatory viewing for Stones fans or anyone with an interest in the counterculture movement. And "Crumb" is one of the best character studies ever put to film. You can go into it with no idea of who Robert Crumb is and be completely engrossed. True masterpiece. "For All Mankind", mentioned by jw007 above, is absolutely phenomenal as well.

As far as non-Criterion docs, there are so many great ones. "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" is a brilliant look at Enron's spectacular collapse. "Inside Job" is a fantastic documentary about the recent financial crisis. "Capturing the Friedmans" is a great documentary despite its disturbing subject matter. Also, check out "Paradise Lost", a 1996 documentary about a murder case. Kind of has similar elements to "The Thin Blue Line". Errol Morris' docs are fantastic. I love "The Fog of War" and "Fast, Cheap and Out of Control". Those are two I'd love to see Criterion put out as they have a relationship with Morris.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by ckt

Pacino was Michael Corleone The Godfather on Criterion would be too nice. But the Coppola restoration looks awesome!!

Yea im more then happy with the Coppola restoration but also must admit id buy The Godfather from Criterion day 1 . Hopefully 2016 is the year we FINALLY get Le Samourai on BD.