The Criterion Collection - Page 9113 - Blu-ray Forum

The Sovereign · 12-11-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Watched The Magnificent Ambersons last night. I haven’t seen this in probably 20 years and pretty much remembered nothing about it so it was like seeing it for the first time. I love Welles’ work. I think he is one of the best ever. Having said that, Ambersons was boring as hell. It felt twice as long as it’s runtime. Great camerawork and lighting and a wonderful score, but I couldn’t give a crap about any of the characters or their story.

I feel very much the same. I owned it on VHS, but my inability to connect to any characters has left me with little reason to revisit it. Still, I can appreciate the art of it and would not disagree with anyone who enjoys it.

Luke Dodge748 · 12-11-2018, 02:09 PM

And Akira on Laserdisc and Robocop on DVD... Shame both did not make it to blu-ray.

Dragon Ranger · 12-11-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

And Akira on Laserdisc and Robocop on DVD... Shame both did not make it to blu-ray.

The current Robocop Blu is great and has all the Criterion DVD extras plus a few more and Arrow are rumoured to have a new edition in the pipeline.

King Crimson · 12-11-2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon Ranger

The current Robocop Blu is great and has all the Criterion DVD extras plus a few more and Arrow are rumoured to have a new edition in the pipeline.

The Robocop blu is not in its correct AR though is it? I thought the Criterion DVD is the only one.

Excited for the Arrow release however.

KentConn · 12-11-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Probably is unlikely, but I'd also like to think Criterion may consider it as one of those literary-adaptation type movies. Same reasons as to why Lord of the Flies made it in the collection, warts and all.

As far as literary-adaptation movies, I'd like to see Criterion give Carson McCullers a nod from her first novel "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" with a nice Blu release.

I know the film is owned by Warner Brothers, but this type of film would be right up Criterion's alley.

Dragon Ranger · 12-11-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Crimson

The Robocop blu is not in its correct AR though is it? I thought the Criterion DVD is the only one.

Excited for the Arrow release however.

It's in 1:85.1 which this site has listed as the original aspect ratio too.

Dailyan · 12-11-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Crimson

The Robocop blu is not in its correct AR though is it? I thought the Criterion DVD is the only one.

Excited for the Arrow release however.

The Criterion was "director preferred"; that doesn't necessarily equal "theatrical ratio".

Bates_Motel · 12-11-2018, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Crimson

The Robocop blu is not in its correct AR though is it? I thought the Criterion DVD is the only one.

Robocop wasn't composed for and never played in 1.66:1, especially in the US (and it was a US production). So the 1.66 aspect ratio wasn't correct, even though it was "director-approved" at the time when TVs were 1.33.

bwdowiak · 12-11-2018, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Watched The Magnificent Ambersons last night. I haven’t seen this in probably 20 years and pretty much remembered nothing about it so it was like seeing it for the first time. I love Welles’ work. I think he is one of the best ever. Having said that, Ambersons was boring as hell. It felt twice as long as it’s runtime. Great camerawork and lighting and a wonderful score, but I couldn’t give a crap about any of the characters or their story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by regeyer

I watched it for the first time a few weeks back and, yes, I felt the same way. I won't be watching it again. Glad I didn't buy it.

This is exactly why I don't blind buy Criterion releases anymore. I don't blind buy any releases for that matter. I have far too many titles in my collection that I'll probably never watch again. I can understand blind buying something if you don't have easy access. But my public library carries almost every Criterion release. And there is never a waiting list. So I can try these titles out without buying them.

With that said, I'm not being critical of anyone who likes this film. It's art. Tastes differ. Watch what you like and like what you watch.

I blind bought it and am looking forward to seeing it. Because of the film's history, it has been kind of an elusive film which is something that excites me.

What is the general consesus? Or is there one?: what is Welles' 3rd best film? Kane, Touch of Evil.. then what? Curious to read people's opinions.

ravenus · 12-11-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

What is the general consesus? Or is there one?: what is Welles' 3rd best film? Kane, Touch of Evil.. then what? Curious to read people's opinions.

I don't about general consensus, but for me CK is a great-looking but not emotionally involving movie, but Touch of Evil gets under my skin.

SammyJankis · 12-11-2018, 05:14 PM

Well, I'll be the one to say it: I love Magnificent Ambersons, perhaps more-so than Kane, although that entirely rests on my personal taste than it does any objective qualifier. I find its storytelling, as uneven as it may have been towards the end of its production and all of post, to be the kind of audacious step that only Welles could take after a debut like Kane, and I particularly find the camerawork to be the most emotionally plunging of Welles' career. The staging is immaculate throughout, with one bravura shot that happens within an instant that goes down as probably my favorite of his career. (It's singled out in the extras as Alain Resnais' favorite and you can really see why. Those extras in general are substantially great.)

The ending sticks out like a sore thumb, but even then I'm content with wanting to return to this again and again. It's just such an elaborate, oddly-conceived piece of cinema, the kind that very much resembles later-Welles, that I cannot help but love it. And what a revelation it is for me after dealing with such shoddy transfers over the years.

ShellOilJunior · 12-11-2018, 06:37 PM

Welles would be a filmmaker that could thrive in 2018. He'd have no trouble getting crowd funded. He'd like digital because his work could be preserved and backed up. No need to worry about others butchering it.

SleazyForWeasley · 12-11-2018, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

What is the general consesus? Or is there one?: what is Welles' 3rd best film? Kane, Touch of Evil.. then what? Curious to read people's opinions.

Touch of Evil > Every other Welles film.

Cremildo · 12-11-2018, 07:16 PM

I've seen only four Welles films so far - Kane, Ambersons, Lady from Shanghai, and Touch of Evil.

Kane is the only one that impressed me.

Banned User · 12-11-2018, 08:23 PM

Sadly if Welles wasn't basically blacklisted from Hollywood we would likely have had a lot more movies of his to rate. Magnificent Ambersons is equally amazing for what is there and what it could have been. Robert Wise went on to create a fairly impressive filmography himself. I imagine he did the best he could with the studio imposed cuts and reshoots. I always held out hope a original work print would surface some day, but I get the impression the fabled print sent to Orson in Brazil was never actually sent for obvious reasons. Studio probably felt it was better to string him along while they cut and gutted the film.

One can only sigh and wonder what could have been. To Quote Orson in a interview: “It was a much better picture than Kane—if they’d just left it as it was.”

bwdowiak · 12-11-2018, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I've seen only four Welles films so far - Kane, Ambersons, Lady from Shanghai, and Touch of Evil.

Kane is the only one that impressed me.

When I see Ambersons, it will be the same 4 for me. Touch of Evil is a pretty special film. Lady from Shanghai is interesting for a while, then it goes off the rails.

Doctor Jack · 12-11-2018, 08:53 PM

Touch of Evil, Kane, and Shanghai are all perfect films to me. Couldn’t pick a favorite. Othello is pretty stunning as well. I also really like The Stranger.

mrjohnnyb · 12-12-2018, 12:12 AM

I am truly hoping for a classic film-noir. I have been most impressed with Criterion's Collection of this genre. Detour would be a dream-come-true!

demonknight · 12-12-2018, 05:45 AM

For March, I’ll venture some early guesses for:
Fists in the Pocket (upgrade)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
The Kid Brother
One Sings, the Other Doesn’t
Wanda

Any surprise titles are welcome, but these certainly seem likely. I’d happily settle for a long awaited Sixteen Candles or Polyester.

nitin · 12-12-2018, 12:44 PM

Out of the ones I have seen:

Citizen Kane
The Magnificent Ambersons
Touch of Evil
Mr Arkadin
The Lady From Shanghai
The Trial
The Stranger

First 3 are great films, all are recommended.

12-12-2018, 12:12 AM	#182258
mrjohnnyb Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jul 2012 Location:Southern New Jersey (Philadelphia Metropolitan Area) 4K collection:65 Blu-ray collection:3371 DVD collection:28	I am truly hoping for a classic film-noir. I have been most impressed with Criterion's Collection of this genre. *Detour* would be a dream-come-true! Last edited by mrjohnnyb; 12-12-2018 at 12:55 AM.

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12-11-2018, 02:09 PM	#182242
Luke Dodge748 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2018 Location:Baltimore 4K collection:250 Blu-ray collection:1993 DVD collection:1098 Digital collection:1 Trading Score:4	And Akira on Laserdisc and Robocop on DVD... Shame both did not make it to blu-ray.

12-11-2018, 05:14 PM	#182251
SammyJankis Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Austin Blu-ray collection:664	Well, I'll be the one to say it: I love Magnificent Ambersons, perhaps more-so than Kane, although that entirely rests on my personal taste than it does any objective qualifier. I find its storytelling, as uneven as it may have been towards the end of its production and all of post, to be the kind of audacious step that only Welles could take after a debut like Kane, and I particularly find the camerawork to be the most emotionally plunging of Welles' career. The staging is immaculate throughout, with one bravura shot that happens within an instant that goes down as probably my favorite of his career. (It's singled out in the extras as Alain Resnais' favorite and you can really see why. Those extras in general are substantially great.) The ending sticks out like a sore thumb, but even then I'm content with wanting to return to this again and again. It's just such an elaborate, oddly-conceived piece of cinema, the kind that very much resembles later-Welles, that I cannot help but love it. And what a revelation it is for me after dealing with such shoddy transfers over the years.

12-11-2018, 06:37 PM	#182252
ShellOilJunior Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009 Location:USA Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:10	Welles would be a filmmaker that could thrive in 2018. He'd have no trouble getting crowd funded. He'd like digital because his work could be preserved and backed up. No need to worry about others butchering it.

12-11-2018, 07:16 PM	#182254
Cremildo Blu-ray Archduke Member since:Jul 2011 Location:Brazil 4K collection:165 Blu-ray collection:1051 Trading Score:51	I've seen only four Welles films so far - Kane, Ambersons, Lady from Shanghai, and Touch of Evil. Kane is the only one that impressed me.

12-11-2018, 08:23 PM	#182255
Banned User Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2010 4K collection:135 Blu-ray collection:2388 DVD collection:92 Blu-ray reviews: 5	Sadly if Welles wasn't basically blacklisted from Hollywood we would likely have had a lot more movies of his to rate. Magnificent Ambersons is equally amazing for what is there and what it could have been. Robert Wise went on to create a fairly impressive filmography himself. I imagine he did the best he could with the studio imposed cuts and reshoots. I always held out hope a original work print would surface some day, but I get the impression the fabled print sent to Orson in Brazil was never actually sent for obvious reasons. Studio probably felt it was better to string him along while they cut and gutted the film. One can only sigh and wonder what could have been. To Quote Orson in a interview: “It was a much better picture than Kane—if they’d just left it as it was.”

12-11-2018, 08:53 PM	#182257
Doctor Jack Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2013 Trading Score:230	Touch of Evil, Kane, and Shanghai are all perfect films to me. Couldn’t pick a favorite. Othello is pretty stunning as well. I also really like The Stranger.

12-12-2018, 05:45 AM	#182259
demonknight Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2013 Blu-ray collection:17	For March, I’ll venture some early guesses for: Fists in the Pocket (upgrade) I Wanna Hold Your Hand The Kid Brother One Sings, the Other Doesn’t Wanda Any surprise titles are welcome, but these certainly seem likely. I’d happily settle for a long awaited Sixteen Candles or Polyester.

12-12-2018, 12:44 PM	#182260
nitin Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Feb 2010 Trading Score:9	Out of the ones I have seen: Citizen Kane The Magnificent Ambersons Touch of Evil Mr Arkadin The Lady From Shanghai The Trial The Stranger First 3 are great films, all are recommended.

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