The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Anyone here have strong feelings about The Cloud-Capped Star?

It's a more raw tearjerker melodrama than Satyajit Ray's films.

[jjhunsecker]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Twice is a week Criterion gets a Nationwide mention on TV

1) As reported the earlier Jeopardy question

2) Last night on Seth Myers - the guys from Roots Tonight Show Band were two of the guests, and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson mentioned going on Bus Trips and being on the Dweeb/non-party bus was just a bunch of folks watching their Criterion Collection. I think he also said his had a 130K LP Collection part his own, part obtained from his father if I heard the story correctly.

Not to mention that on the final episode of "The Deuce", which aired last week, we find out that porn director Candi's one non-porn film years after it's release was considered a classic and released as part of the Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Knrsa333

Fishing with John is fantastic. Need to re-acquire that one

That was my very first Criterion release too! Still one of my faves. When I met Jim Jarmusch a few years ago I mentioned that film to him before a SQÜRL performance and he ended up talking and laughing with me regarding the Tom Waits scene. Nothing like bringing Tom Waits up in a discussion to get someone's attention.

Speaking of Jarmusch, I watched my Stranger Than Paradise blu-ray last night and it was phenomenal (only 2nd time seeing that film for me). Tonight I will watch his first film Permanent Vacation in HD (2nd time overall for me but first time in HD).

[BamaDullard]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Anyone here have strong feelings about The Cloud-Capped Star?

I blind bought it tonight without knowing anything about it...not one thing. I hadn’t even heard of it before seeing it on the shelves. But being a big Satyajit Ray fan, it seemed like something I might like.

I blind bought it too, and it’s become one of my favorite movies. I think it’s as good or better than anything in the Apu Trilogy. As someone said above, it’s more melodramatic than those films, but no less emotionally affecting. And the music is wonderful.

[Egbert Souse]

In terms of Criterion's DVD-only releases, it's probably safe to grab Fishing with John, Tanner '88, The Golden Age of Television, the Pedro Costa set, and The Beastie Boys Video Anthology since they're all video-based.

The Golden Age of Television is an underrated release. Three of the teleplays written by Rod Serling (Patterns, The Comedian, and Requiem for a Heavyweight). I'd actually love to see them release a second volume since there's a lot of other great Playhouse 90 episodes out there ranging from an adaptation of Hearts of Darkness starring Boris Karloff as Kurtz (!) and a few more Serling teleplays.

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

Maybe as part of a Mean Streets package? Would love to see American Boy on there as well.

I'd put money on Criterion doing something similar to how they did Eraserhead and release Who's That Knocking On My Door with Scorsese's early short films.

They could also do a box set adding Boxcar Bertha, Mean Streets, and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore as sort of a "Scorsese: The Early Films" set.

Originally Posted by Flapperdame16

To everyone that talked me into buying The Heiress, I watched it tonight and WHOA- EVERYTHING IS TRUE! That ending alone- wow- It is a great movie!!

Anyone wanna talk me into giving Night and the City a 4th chance at liking it? (Although at this point, I'd say Its a no from me)

Just watched The Heiress last night, too (got in the July sale). Wyler always took his films to a higher level, but it really is a masterpiece. De Havilland's performance is just otherworldly and reminded me of Bette Davis' similar metamorphosis in Now, Voyager (which is every bit as great of a film about identity).

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BamaDullard

I blind bought it too, and it’s become one of my favorite movies. I think it’s as good or better than anything in the Apu Trilogy. As someone said above, it’s more melodramatic than those films, but no less emotionally affecting. And the music is wonderful.

Hopefully they still plan to release the other two Ritwik Ghatak films that make up the trilogy.

[BamaDullard]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Hopefully they still plan to release the other two Ritwik Ghatak films that make up the trilogy.

Supposedly the retrospective they just had in NYC contained brand new restorations of those films. If that’s true it’s a little strange they didn’t just release the entire Partition Trilogy. I’ll take them in any form, though.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by BamaDullard

Supposedly the retrospective they just had in NYC contained brand new restorations of those films. If that’s true it’s a little strange they didn’t just release the entire Partition Trilogy. I’ll take them in any form, though.

Probably wanted to check the sales for CCS. Indian arthouse cinema outside of Satyajit Ray is exponentially less known. Hopefully some label will also showcase the works of Ray and Ghatak's illustrious cinematic successors - Shyam Benegal, Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, Gautam Ghose.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BamaDullard

Supposedly the retrospective they just had in NYC contained brand new restorations of those films. If that’s true it’s a little strange they didn’t just release the entire Partition Trilogy. I’ll take them in any form, though.

Yeah, I noticed that too, which is why I thought it was strange they didn't just do a box set.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by BamaDullard

I blind bought it too, and it’s become one of my favorite movies. I think it’s as good or better than anything in the Apu Trilogy. As someone said above, it’s more melodramatic than those films, but no less emotionally affecting. And the music is wonderful.

Was thinking about returning it, but I’m keeping it based on this post.

Peace be unto you brother.

...you’ve made a difference.

[Jonbaker]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I’ve found B&N employees to be generally courteous and helpful.

I have, too. Im in L.A. There are 3 different stores that I visit during the sale and most of the employees have shared my enthusiam for Criterion titles. They actually have seen a lot of the movies and have given me good recommendations.

One of the recommendations I had gotten during the July sale was Sergey Bondarchuk's War and Peace. I knew nothing of this film beforehand. I was blown away by the film's scope, especially during the battle scenes. One of the longest films ever made which is comprised of 4 films. Beautiful costumes and cinematography. It was challenging trying to read the subtitles because my eyes were drawn away to the visuals. Similar to Barry Lyndon, there is so much detail to look at on the screen.

One of the titles I picked up during the current sale was Magnificent Obsession and I was pleasantly surprised that this is a 2-disc set which includes the 1935 film as well. Also, When We Were Kings includes the Soul Power documentary that focuses on the music festival that the director initially intended to film when he made ..Kings.

[Scottie]

Janus Films update

A River Called Titas (1973, Ritwik Ghatak)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1948

The Cloud-Capped Star (1960, Ritwik Ghatak)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1949

The Wind Will Carry Us (1999, Abbas Kiarostami)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1950

ABC Africa (2001, Abbas Kiarostami)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1951

Five Dedicated to Ozu (2003, Abbas Kiarostami)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1952

The Daytrippers (1996, Greg Mottola)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1953

[Xtempo]

Honestly All I want if I can get it would be Haxan and Ozu's Flavor of Tea over Green Rice. If I can just get them before the sale ends. [I would love Godzilla but have to wait]

[FragnitoM]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Honestly All I want if I can get it would be Haxan and Ozu's Flavor of Tea over Green Rice. If I can just get them before the sale ends. [I would love Godzilla but have to wait]

You can’t add anything to green rice to make the flavor good

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by FragnitoM

You can’t add anything to green rice to make the flavor good

Oolong grain rice is the best

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

The most constant criticism I've encountered about Barry Lyndon over the years is that it's "boring" and for the life of me I can't even begin to comprehend that.

I mean, different strokes and everything, but I find it to be one of the engrossing and transfixing cinematic experiences there is every time I allow myself the privilege of watching it.

Just unabashed bliss.

2001,Barry Lyndon, and The Shining might as well be some kind of Holy Trilogy in Cinema. The only other films that made me think about them and their ideas very long after viewing them would be Ugetsu and Stalker. Those are my top 5 films, not in that order but top 5 personally. I'd say I can or have watched these films 50 times each and still love and adore them. They are unbelievable. Stalker is in 5th though, but what a thematic idea that one is. Barry Lyndon thematically covers all of human life. In all its ugliness and is also the most beautifully filmed film ever. Let that sink in guys/naysayers.

[Banned User]

Picked up La Poison and Flavor of Green Tea, but seriously on the fence about Godzilla due mainly to the packaging and price. Also about upgrading my Haxan DVD.

Someone push me off the fence.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by KubrickKurasawa

2001,Barry Lyndon, and The Shining might as well be some kind of Holy Trilogy in Cinema. The only other films that made me think about them and their ideas very long after viewing them would be Ugetsu and Stalker. Those are my top 5 films, not in that order but top 5 personally. I'd say I can or have watched these films 50 times each and still love and adore them. They are unbelievable. Stalker is in 5th though, but what a thematic idea that one is. Barry Lyndon thematically covers all of human life. In all its ugliness and is also the most beautifully filmed film ever. Let that sink in guys/naysayers.

Barry Lyndon is one phenomenal movie. Stanley Kubrick invented new lenses and created new innovation in filming that picture! Just exceptional craft.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Scottie

Janus Films update

[...]
The Wind Will Carry Us (1999, Abbas Kiarostami)
http://www.janusfilms.com/films/1950

[...]

Hunh. Does that mean Cohen Media has lost the rights?

[ilenewoodsfan99]

Originally Posted by Jonbaker

One of the recommendations I had gotten during the July sale was Sergey Bondarchuk's War and Peace. I knew nothing of this film beforehand. I was blown away by the film's scope, especially during the battle scenes. One of the longest films ever made which is comprised of 4 films. Beautiful costumes and cinematography. It was challenging trying to read the subtitles because my eyes were drawn away to the visuals. Similar to Barry Lyndon, there is so much detail to look at on the screen.
[/B].

I was blown away by War and Peace, too. Going to have to watch the Blu Ray at some point.