The Criterion Collection

[MifuneFan]

This description of Frownland from the Criterion Channel is great. Definitely want to check out the film now (via the channel that is, no way I'm blind-buying this one lol)

Longtime Safdie brothers collaborator Ronald Bronstein has described his lone directorial effort as “a rotten egg lobbed with bad aim at the silver screen.” Be forewarned: audience response has been intensely divided. FROWNLAND has garnered both passionate raves and scathing denunciations, while festival screenings have ended in screaming matches between patrons. It's strong stuff, yes, but none of its notorious reputation does justice to its savage dark humor, emotional heft, and stylistic audacity. Above all else, FROWNLAND is a pitch-black character study of Keith Sontag (Dore Mann), a neurotic, manipulative, stridently unlovable New Yorker whose pitiless roommate aptly describes him, to his face, as “a burbling troll in his underwear.” With the most basic elements of human communication a struggle, Keith lurches his way through an uncaring city, attempting to aid a suicidal friend, evict his unctuous roommate, and simply attain some measure of self-respect. An apoplectic seizure of blind rage, sorrow, and bleating humor . . . FROWNLAND.

[Scholer]

Another line-up with some genuinely interesting titles with ready 4K masters, but releasing blu-ray only. Honestly, it’s getting a but frustrating to me lately how nervous CC seems to be about the 4K jump. Once again, I am absolutely for BD only releases when a 2K master is the best thing available, and Hotel Du Nord is an instant purchase for me.

But why relegate titles with actual 4K masters to BD only in this day and age! The relative obscurity of the titles is a tough excuse to hide under, given how niche the UHD market is anyway. But surely some sales will be lost since those of us who are UHD ready are clearly going to get tired of purchasing BD releases for titles where a 4K upgrade is just inevitable, just a matter of when (even though “when” could be years away).

Last month’s absolute gangbusters of an announcement, with 4K upgrades of titles ranging from a bona fide classic like Raging Bull to a cult favourite like Devil in a Blue Dress, to a contemporary film like Okja, was such a relief. I was sure that more and more 4K releases were on the horizon, but alas…

[Dailyan]

[Puffy]

Another Safdie Bros titles gives me hope for a 4K Good Time from Criterion. Dream release.

[Member-275053]

Well...

In for Buck and the Preacher and Faya Dayi!

No comment on the rest.

[bergman864]

Even without the "heavy hitters" it seems like another solid month of titles. Faya Dayi looks and sounds good.

[MifuneFan]

I know this month won't win over most, but this kind of feels like old school Criterion to me, with more niche classics, some movies ripe for reappraisal, some obscure stuff, and indie titles. No big attention-grabbing / mainstream titles, but the kind of stuff that helped build their brand as the go-to boutique label out there.

[jw007]

This month has some interesting titles but nothing I plan on buying. I do want to check out that Safdie Bros. film and this movie called Frownland which I've never heard of until now. Good to see more films from African American directors like Sidney Poitier though!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Just the short film sample on Criterion's website is enough to drive me nuts. No way could I watch an entire film about that guy.

Just watched it, and I was amused, but yeah, this is definitely a polarizing film from the sound of it. I would have never guessed it was from 2007 from the look of it; it has such an 80's/90's home video vibe from the way it was shot.

[eightslicesofpie]

I'm definitely down for Daddy Longlegs after loving Good Time and Uncut Gems. Also definitely wanna watch Frownland before it's out, it sounds interesting but a risky blind buy lol

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by Lannister1098

That’s good to know, the CGI looked pretty bad. Trailer looked interesting to me, and the OST was pretty good. Good to hear someone else has watched the movie, since it’s hard to find on streaming.

Yeah, I don't think it's streaming anywhere (legally). I watched it sometime last year through Film at Lincoln Center's Virtual Cinema.

Demonlover is like a much worse version of Paul Verhoeven's Elle. But it has its followers. If you've only seen Personal Shopper and Clouds of Sils Maria, then I'd recommend you watch some of Assayas' other films in the collection (Cold Water, Irma Vep, Summer Hours, Carlos) first. They're all streaming somewhere.

[jshaide]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Just watched it, and I was amused, but yeah, this is definitely a polarizing film from the sound of it. I would have never guessed it was from 2007 from the look of it; it has such an 80's/90's home video vibe from the way it was shot.

I remember when it came out. It played at IFC in Manhattan but I think I had started college and was away for stretches at a time. When I visited again it wasn’t playing anymore.

[jshaide]

I hope that this leaking thing doesn’t become the regular for CC.

[themp3000]

Faya Dayi and Daddy Longlegs are on my radar. The former is one of my favorite films of the last several years. Just an absolutely stunning film from start to finish.

[TolerancEJ]

I'm not really into documentaries but I respect the effort that goes into their creation. That said, for August I think I'll go with: Frownland, Daddy Longlegs, Hotel du Nord, & Buck and the Preacher.

[Shanghai Express]

Originally Posted by jshaide

I hope that this leaking thing doesn’t become the regular for CC.

I hope it does. We have leaks and hits for most other labels. It's fun.

[themp3000]

I don’t mind leaks but they should be spoiler tagged in the future. Like they tend to be in other studio threads.

Just some common courtesy.

[dkelly26666]

I will get "Buck and the Preacher", and I already have "Hotel du Nord" from another label.

That's about it for me for August.

[NeilZ]

Is it known if Hotel Du Nord will be from a new scan? EDIT: It seems to say new 2k restoration so I guess so? If so then maybe it will top the Arrow.

[The Sovereign]

I might gain some interest in one or two of those, but today it's 0-5. Oh well.