The Criterion Collection

[jlk5844]

I just search my collection on here, change the studio to "Criterion," sort by title...boom. What I own, with my wishlist immediately below it. I also update a separate powerpoint for my wishlist with images (Criterion covers), organized in an order starting with my most-wanted titles, which I look at every sale to decide what to buy.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Has there been any rumors of Criterion giving us an upgrade to the Hit? Love that film.

No, unfortunately.

Beaver reviewed the French release from 2017, but not enthusiastically. There is an Italian release from 2012 in the database here, reviewed by Svet. But it doesn't look good enough to me. There is also a Spanish release from the same year, although I've no idea if it is official, or another of the many bootlegs out of that country.

I'd love to see an upgrade, although the Criterion DVD presentation is fine until we get a good one.

[StarDestroyer52]

Some of my favorite Criterions from less known directors are

Night of the Hunter: It's a pity this was Laughton's only film as a director. Robert Mitchum is plain evil. Mitchum excelled at this role as he later did in Cape Fear. Also, famous silent actress, Lillian Gish, was equally as good.

A Touch of Zen: This film is a masterpiece and maybe I'm frequenting the wrong places but I don't ever see them talking about King Hu compared to more famous directors

Now for underrated directors of Criterion films I don't own but have seen:

Detour(yes it isn't out yet or announced, but its coming for sure). Edgar Ulmer who got his start in German 1920s cinema directs one of the finest film noirs on a shoestring budget
Harakiri by Masaki Kobayashi
Island of Lost Souls by Erle Kenton. Even I never have heard of Kenton. This pre-Code horror film is one of the finest of its genre.
Lord of the Flies by Peter Brook. Once again another superb film that was made on a shoestring budget with an unknown child cast. And keeps very true to the book.
Shock Corridor, while yes Samuel Fuller is well known, IDK how widely known this film is. When I first watched this I was blown away.

[nitin]

If Kobayashi is not considered a giant of cinema, then basically all of his films in the main collection!

[Jobla]

If there's a category for little known films by great directors, my Criterion nomination is WISE BLOOD by John Huston. I really wish that Criterion would upgrade that title to Blu.

[demonknight]

Predictions for tomorrow?
A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman
My Brilliant Career
Notorious
One Sings, the Other Doesn’t
Sixteen Candles

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Predictions for tomorrow?
A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman
My Brilliant Career
Notorious
One Sings, the Other Doesn’t
Sixteen Candles

A lot of people think that Notorious will be one of them. Why would they announce a Bergman trilogy when the Cinema set is coming out in November?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

A lot of people think that Notorious will be one of them. Why would they announce a Bergman trilogy when the Cinema set is coming out in November?

Bergman fever?

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Bergman fever?

Now if they want to give us early Swedish Ingrid Bergman there the best company in the world.

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I'm assuming these are not from "the giants of cinema," but I found it kinda hard to review the films I like and ask myself if these are truly obscure or not. I think a lot of these have been influential and have a lot of cult love. I'm also not sure who qualifies as a "giant of cinema" (I mean, are Cronenberg, del Toro, and von Trier giants? Some might say yes, but I wasn't sure). I hope I didn't miss the mark on some of these.


[22]Killer's Kiss

Stanley Kubrick isn't a "giant of cinema"? If not, then who?

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

A lot of people think that Notorious will be one of them. Why would they announce a Bergman trilogy when the Cinema set is coming out in November?

I think Notorious is unlikely, mainly because I think it's more likely to saved for January/February. They tend to like releasing some noteworthy titles right before or on the day of a sale. December is no man's land, though Election came out last December so who knows.

I think the Faith trilogy would make sense for December. Coming off the Bergman box, I'm expecting a light December due to the workload they've had all year and releasing a box-set of films they've already finished off entirely would be a nice, relatively easy way to cap off 2018.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Sweet Smell of Success-Alexander Mackendrick knocks it out of the park. This film is uncomfortable to watch, as the characters played by Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis spiral downward into the abyss. But their performances are riveting. See my comments on the film profile.

2nd for Alexander Mackendrick’s Sweet Smell of Success. Perhaps my favorite Criterion release, at least in my top five. Nothing he did prior with the Ealing Studios suggested the nihilistic cynicism of this film, and nothing he did after came close to matching this, or his earlier work.

I’ll put my own vote in for Leonard Kastle for The Honeymoon Killers. Here’s a guy with basically no film experience, let alone directing experience, and he pulls off this nasty little masterpiece that can stand alongside Double Indemnity as twin tales of lust, greed and murder.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by JasonMichael

Stanley Kubrick isn't a "giant of cinema"? If not, then who?

Sorry, I focused on obscure films, and neglected on focusing on obscure directors.

I'm still not sure I should have listed Cronenberg, del Toro, or von Trier's work. They didn't strike me as "giants," but maybe they are? I ought to change my list around some more.

[thebratpackwrangler]

December Predictions:

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Hedwig And The Angry Inch (unlikely but I am praying)
Notorious
Chungking Express (Remastered)
Wanda
One Sings, The Other Doesn’t
Altered States

[812crew]

So many cool lists of everyone's favorite obscure titles from the collection. I just added 20 new movies to my wish list. Thanks for chiming in!

[StarDestroyer52]

If Chungking Express is announced tomorrow I will be ecstatic and it will be an early Christmas present for me.

[MKej]

December Predictions:

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
Morvern Callar (2002)
Oliver Twist (1948)
Flowers of Shanghai (1998)

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by KubrickKurasawa

Does anyone know if there is a list of ONLY 4k Mastered Criterion releases? Currently.

I have Insomnia, La Notte and Ugetsu. That I am sure of. I really enjoy film on my 4k tv more so since upgrading to the 4k standard. Any help is appreciated.

Yes.

[gregmtl92]

My "predictions" :

My Brilliant Career
Man Bites Dog (upgrade)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Wong Kar-Wai boxset on UHD (yeah, right!)
Local Hero

[CQD84]

In a perfect world, these would be today's announcements:

Columbus
La Strada (or Chungking Express)
Wanda
The Last Picture Show
Lady Eve