The Criterion Collection

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

I would like to see Criterion upgrade von Sternberg's silent films box to blu-ray
and add the two films that were missing. Additionally, I wouldn't mind if Criterion
gathered together Dietrich's German films before The Blue Angel (1930) into
a box-set.

There aren't enough films out of Wiemar Republic on blu-ray.

Only one - The Salvation Hunters. Thunderbolt is apparently one of Paramount's early talkies and according to IMDB it's basically a remake of Underworld. I'm guessing The Salvation Hunters is with either The Mary Pickford Foundation or Cohen Film Collection.

Originally Posted by JEDGAR1000

I've never seen any of Ingar Bergman's films before. Is Seventh Seal a decent one to start with?

Absolutely.

I'm almost done with Ingmar Bergman's Cinema, with only Brink of Life, Autumn Sonata, and the miniseries cut of Fanny and Alexander to watch. Only a few duds so far - I thought The Touch was pretty bad, though gorgeously photographed. However, I liked The Serpent's Egg and All These Women, which are usually just as derided. Didn't care much for Thirst, A Ship to India, Summer with Monika, or Waiting Women.

Persona is probably my favorite Bergman, but I'd rank From the Life of the Marionettes, The Rite, Shame, and To Joy really high too, besides all the usual essentials like Smiles of a Summer Night, The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, the Faith Trilogy, Scenes from a Marriage, F&A, etc.

Scenes from a Marriage was particularly devastating. I was going to watch just one episode the first night and ended up watching four because I was so caught up in it. One of the joys of going through this set is seeing Bergman's regulars turn up over and over again. Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow are obvious, but I was surprised how often he cast Gunnar Bjornstrand, who's terrific in every single role. It was also fun seeing Victor Sjostrom show up in To Joy, which I think is Bergman's first great film.

[JEDGAR1000]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Yes, definitely.

Originally Posted by easydreamer

Absolutely

Thank you both.

Originally Posted by AaronJ

That question literally made me laugh out oud. And it has nothing to do with the question you posed. It's just such a ... question. It's like asking, "I've never seen any Hitchcock film, is Vertigo a good one to start with?"

I honestly don't know where to start with Bergman. The Seventh Seal is brilliant and rips apart most of his filmography. But he made a lot of lighter, more comedic films like Summer With Monika which definitely have a different tilt. As I said, The Seventh Seal is a work of genius, but I'm not sure I would start with that. OTOH, great film, so tough to say.

I will say this: The Seventh Seal was the first Bergman I saw.

While on the topic, Vertigo was actually the 2nd Hitchcock movie I saw (Psycho being first), and I'd actually have to disagree with the general consensus that it's a good one to start with. Didn't like it when I first watched it. I think Notorious is more appropriate as it best represents Hitchcock's style, from things like cinematography to the use of Macguffins. IMO Vertigo is better saved for later. I think Psycho, Notorious, North by Northwest are more appropriate first viewings.

[yoloswegmaster420]

With Fellini's 100th Birthday coming next year and with Janus tweeting pictures from previously released films, is there a chance that Criterion is releasing a Fellini boxset?

[MifuneFan]

It's really strange that May pre-orders haven't gone up at many retailers like Amazon, and Best Buy. Often they're up a day or two after they're announced.

[javy]

Originally Posted by JEDGAR1000

I've never seen any of Ingar Bergman's films before. Is Seventh Seal a decent one to start with?

Originally Posted by AaronJ

That question literally made me laugh out oud. And it has nothing to do with the question you posed. It's just such a ... question. It's like asking, "I've never seen any Hitchcock film, is Vertigo a good one to start with?"

I honestly don't know where to start with Bergman. The Seventh Seal is brilliant and rips apart most of his filmography. But he made a lot of lighter, more comedic films like Summer With Monika which definitely have a different tilt. As I said, The Seventh Seal is a work of genius, but I'm not sure I would start with that. OTOH, great film, so tough to say.

I will say this: The Seventh Seal was the first Bergman I saw.

I say The Seventh Seal is an excellent place to start. For one thing, it's totally recognizable through pop culture, therefore you kind of know what you're getting yourself into. It was my first Bergman as well, and when I finally did see it for the first time I was knocked on my ass. Though it has been parodied, make no mistake, there is nothing "light-weight" about The Seventh Seal. I've never been a knight fighting in the crusades but I find it totally relatable and it is probably favorite Berman film, next to Persona. I also think that The Seveth Seal greatly sets the tone as what to expect out of the rest of his filmography. Most of it anyway.

And on Persona, while it has neen said to be his only "radically experimental" film, I find that the The Faith Trilogy to be highly experimental as well, especially The Silence.

Summer With Monica is a beautiful film. Though, and I'm not trying to compare, I just always think of both of these films together, I prefer Summer Interlude. That movie is such a beautiful daydream.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's really strange that May pre-orders haven't gone up at many retailers like Amazon, and Best Buy. Often they're up a day or two after they're announced.

The Heiress is finally up although Blue Velvet remains unavailable.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's really strange that May pre-orders haven't gone up at many retailers like Amazon, and Best Buy. Often they're up a day or two after they're announced.

It's been like that the past couple of months, with this month taking particularly long. I'm genuinely curious why.

[yoloswegmaster420]

Originally Posted by Scottie

It's been like that the past couple of months, with this month taking particularly long. I'm genuinely curious why.

Something to do with the production since the discs are now being made in Mexico.

[jordan-r]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's really strange that May pre-orders haven't gone up at many retailers like Amazon, and Best Buy. Often they're up a day or two after they're announced.

They're all up at Bull Moose now, but it's weird that just The Heiress is up for now on Amazon.

[MifuneFan]

One Sings, The Other Doesn't now up on Amazon too:

https://smile.amazon.com/Sings-Doesn...=%5Bblu-ray%5D

[bokes]

Quick question- Criterion usually has a Flash sale in Feb.
Did I miss it?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by bokes

Quick question- Criterion usually has a Flash sale in Feb.
Did I miss it?

It hasn't happened yet.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by bokes

Quick question- Criterion usually has a Flash sale in Feb.
Did I miss it?

Hasn't happened yet. If it's going to be this month I would think it would be tomorrow? Sometimes it is in March.

[theater dreamer]

With the Bergman box set back in stock, I have a sneaking suspicion it's tomorrow. I'm finalizing my buy list tonight while I re-watch A Star is Born. It's not often I buy a brand new release at full price, but I needed to have it.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Grey Wolf

It is a good Monday, just ordered my first Criterion 2019 blu ray release this morning.
The Heiress 1949.
Big Olivia de Havilland fan.

Don't sleep on Indicator's upcoming release of The Snake Pit. It should be a winner.

[Sommerswerd]

I haven't ordered from criterion.com in a while and I noticed that they have started charging sales tax in more states, including my state of CA. When did this change happen?

The Criterion Collection is required to collect sales tax on orders shipping to Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Washington and Washington D.C.. If sales tax applies to your order, we’ll indicate it during the checkout process.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Grey Wolf

I'll be getting the Region A Twilight Time copy in April. Thanks

Great! I should've guessed.

Hopefully Warner Archive puts Captain Blood out this year too. I can't get enough of swashbuckling films (and de Havilland).

[skreemingskulll]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's really strange that May pre-orders haven't gone up at many retailers like Amazon, and Best Buy. Often they're up a day or two after they're announced.

Forget it Jake -- it's Amazon.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

I haven't ordered from criterion.com in a while and I noticed that they have started charging sales tax in more states, including my state of CA. When did this change happen?

Last year's Supreme Court case South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Perhaps his tastes have matured in the last 10-15 years. Who knows?

Either that or he has a great hat collection.