The Criterion Collection

[easydreamer]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I will take any Renoir on blu, especially if it has Michel Simon. He made L'Atalante for me, and was as good as Gabin in Port of Shadows. That'll probably be my lone pickup for June, since I already have the Sony Strangelove digibook.

I guess you ought to see La poison if you get the chance (available via MoC, but locked to region B). Sacha Guitry literally made this for Michel Simon, and the film starts with him praising Simon on screen. The film is also a treat, too.

[The Great Owl]

Last night, I watched two more films from the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman set.

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman

I do not know the backstory of the Shaw Brothers character, the One-Armed Swordsman (Wang Kong in this movie), but I was nonetheless fascinated with the story, which benefits from simplicity and a lack of extraneous characters. There's a real undercurrent of sadness throughout this movie, as we see conflicts erupt simply because of a lack of communication (Present-day America could probably learn a few lessons from this film.), and the story concludes on a haunting note. That said, the fight scenes are pure dynamite, and I was glued to the screen during each battle.

Zatoichi at Large

Zatoichi at Large is a step down from the previous handful of movies, and, while it's an enjoyable and engaging film in many ways, there's really not a lot about it that stands out. This movie slightly rehashes the Fight, Zatoichi, Fight scenario of the title character taking care of a baby, but the end result is not detrimental, probably because the film was made back in the days when people didn't see old movies again once those movies left the theaters, and, as such, the rehashing of older plots didn't seem to raise as many eyebrows. The opening and closing scenes of this movie are both rather spectacular, and, for me, these bookends are the most memorable aspects of this particular entry in the series. I also loved the kid who followed Zatoichi around and repeatedly pelted his head with rocks.

I'm down to the home stretch now, with just two movies to go. After that, I'll watch the special features and read through the book.
(I probably should have been reading through the book all along, but, hey, my mistake.)

[Nuck Horris]

I finished watching Fiend Without A Face last night... difficult to get through. Don't make me do it again.

[filmmusic]

Written on the Wind bluray from France!

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Writt...lu-ray/150934/

Hope soon for the Criterion upgrade!

edit:
On other news, watched yesterday Watership Down!
Definitely recommended! A visual masterpiece.
Hope for many more animation films to come in the collection.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Nuck Horris

I finished watching Fiend Without A Face last night... difficult to get through. Don't make me do it again.

I love Fiend Without a Face, and I've been clamoring for a Blu-ray upgrade of this movie since I first bought a Blu-ray player. It's one of those movies that always puts a smile on my face and makes the world a better place.

It's interesting to think that this movie was quite graphic for its time, in terms of violence.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Written on the Wind bluray from France!

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Writt...lu-ray/150934/

Hope soon for the Criterion upgrade!

I can't believe we don't have more Sirk already.

[Norbie]

Originally Posted by stlcards

I have Dr. Strangelove so I will wait for reviews.

I remember the first DVD release the aspect ratios changes during the film where as the Sony had only one, so I'd be interested how this new blu-ray will be presented.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yes but those covers were very dated and tbh ugly designs and NEEDED a new design.

Heaven Can Wait has a beautiful illustrations that clearly doesn't need re doing >.> Just like the Wes Anderson upgrades. Like if they were to upgrade Fishing With John (pls no) then it would defo need a redesign lol

I hope its for a new release tbh, and they need more of her illustrations, she's very talented. They need to sell a pano poster for Amacord on their site!

I wish I could agree with you, but in fact the DVD artwork for Heaven Can Wait is among my least favorites in the entire collection. The couple embracing look nothing like Gene Tierney and Don Ameche, and the Gay Nineties chorus girls behind them give the impression that the film is a period musical, when in fact it is a blend of romantic comedy and fantasy that spans seven decades of "Birthdays" (which was the title of the play on which the screenplay was based).

I hope Criterion upgrades the film sooner rather than later, and that they'll commission a more appropriate piece of artwork that will better reflect the film's charm ... perhaps something that will include a depiction of Laird Cregar's devilishly sophisticated turn as "His Excellency".

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by zakzak

Forget about Criterion, go to the Japanese for that Melville's classic

[Show spoiler]

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B01CSIBQRM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AN1VRQENF RJN5

I'm very tempted to jump on that, but do we know for certain that it has English subs? Or that the transfer is any good?

[olivianewtonyawn]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

I can't believe we don't have more Sirk already.

If it is any consolation, Magnificent Obsession can't be too far off. I just broke down and got the Criterion dvd, so an announcement for upgrade is now imminent.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I wish I could agree with you, but in fact the DVD artwork for Heaven Can Wait is among my least favorites in the entire collection. The couple embracing look nothing like Gene Tierney and Don Ameche, and the Gay Nineties chorus girls behind them give the impression that the film is a period musical, when in fact it is a blend of romantic comedy and fantasy that spans seven decades of "Birthdays" (which was the title of the play on which the screenplay was based).

I hope Criterion upgrades the film sooner rather than later, and that they'll commission a more appropriate piece of artwork that will better reflect the film's charm ... perhaps something that will include a depiction of Laird Cregar's devilishly sophisticated turn as "His Excellency".

I agree with that. The artwork looks great but is incongruous with the movie.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

If it is any consolation, Magnificent Obsession can't be too far off. I just broke down and got the Criterion dvd, so an announcement for upgrade is now imminent.

This has already been released too on Bluray in Germany and Italy. It looks good.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I'm very tempted to jump on that, but do we know for certain that it has English subs? Or that the transfer is any good?

According to the translation, Le Samurai has Japanese and French language, and Japanese subtitles only.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

According to the translation, Le Samurai has Japanese and French language, and Japanese subtitles only.

Well, looks like it's a good time to learn Japanese.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Well, looks like it's a good time to learn Japanese.

It's one of those films that could be watched without subtitles and still understand the plot.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by mja345

I have to think Criterion is going to announce a few heavy hitter DVD upgrades later in the year. "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" is one that comes immediately to mind. And maybe something like "Le Samourai", "Andrei Rublev", "Spirit of the Beehive", or one of the Dassin films yet to be upgraded.

The reason Criterion has not upgraded yet is because only the 183 minute version has been restored, but not the director's cut. The 183 minute cut is out in Japan, and coming in Europe in the Tarkovsky Collection box set form Artificial Eye.

[Mrdamron]

So excited about Dr Strangelove. I already have the steelbook but can't wait to double dip with this upcoming Criterion release. One of my Top 3 All Time Fave Films!!!

[bwdowiak]

Kinda interested to see what Mr. Jordan is about. Otherwise, I don't really see any of these films in my collection. Dr. Strangelove is one of my least favorite Kubrick films. Overall, I'm not a fan of Antonioni. I have not yet been won over by Renoir, and I'm not really an animation fan.

Surprised that no one has observed the fact that Criterion is releasing a "money maker" title every month so far this year, it seems. The lack of upgrades, too, is interesting. Not everyone will upgrade, so they are in competition against themselves and theoretically wouldn't sell as many titles of Le Samourai, for instance, as they would for Strangelove or The Graduate.

[tallrichard]

Originally Posted by BTSMGL

Honestly, when it comes to DVD>BD upgrades all I want is "Blast of Silence" and "The Naked City". Would be overjoyed to have those in HD!

Those would be good as well as maybe Brute Force too!

[tallrichard]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Kinda interested to see what Mr. Jordan is about. Otherwise, I don't really see any of these films in my collection. Dr. Strangelove is one of my least favorite Kubrick films. Overall, I'm not a fan of Antonioni. I have not yet been won over by Renoir, and I'm not really an animation fan.

Surprised that no one has observed the fact that Criterion is releasing a "money maker" title every month so far this year, it seems. The lack of upgrades, too, is interesting. Not everyone will upgrade, so they are in competition against themselves and theoretically wouldn't sell as many titles of Le Samourai, for instance, as they would for Strangelove or The Graduate.

Mr Jordan was remade as another not available on Blu-ray...Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty...substitute Boxer for QB