The Criterion Collection

[italy12]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Like many Criterions, its not for everyone, only those willing to put forth the effort/patience and go into it open-minded. Some people have those inner voices that go off 5 minutes into a movie with "this movie sux coz theres no explosions or fights yet" . Definitely not good Criterion-candidates.

With Playtime, its so good that I can't put it in words. The message is beyond words, but if I had to put it in words it would be: the evolution of human society from a warm/friendly atmosphere (pre-industrialization) to a cold/detached atmosphere (the film just showing the latter, but the main characters reaction to it is evident of the evolution IMO). The guy in the film just walks around the city but this message is evident throughout. The use of big metallic buildings and big glass windows on structures also seems metaphoric, symbolizing social as well as physical barriers between people.

I also thought Marienbad was a true masterpiece.

Perhaps I will enjoy after all...the little snippet on the CC website was intriguing.

BTW, anyone know where I can score an extra cardboard sleeve for Benjamin Button? All versions offered in stores seem to be without.

-Dave

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

You "packaging guys" (yes, I'm looking at you P&P right now, along with a handful of others) are the cream of the crop. It's amusing... yet, still a bit pathetic.

I love how it's always something with some people every month. I guess I'm the only one in the forum that goes through life with a "I could care less about such trivial things" attitude. It's a lot less stressful, I've found.

Anyway, I'm 99.9% sure that the blu-ray border along the top of the artwork is only for the press releases to differentiate between their DVD & blu-rays for retailers. It'll be okay, guys. And please don't hate me for picking on you every now and then. It doesn't matter what I say, anyway, right... just like everyone else.

CC

I dont mind the new style digipack that is in the same likeness as the DVD counterparts, those are cool looking, just opposed to those ugly blu cases with the blu top line area.

I don't think it is right to call those who do care about the look of their cases pathetic after all... someone is paid to do that job. We just might not agree with the end result.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by italy12

Just watched The Wages of Fear for the first time the other night....wow! What an incredible film! This has to be one of my favorite CC's at the moment, even after viewing Pierret le Fou, Walkabout, Marienbad, Stagecoach, M, and some of the Brakhage Anthology for the first time as well.

I still have quite a bit to go through this summer as I make my way through my collection, but I can only imagine something that would top it.

Next up: Revanche, Playtime, and The 400 Blows...

-Dave (psyched about Charade)

Italy12.....How about some 8 1/2?

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

You "packaging guys" (yes, I'm looking at you P&P right now, along with a handful of others) are the cream of the crop. It's amusing... yet, still a bit pathetic.CC

I feel the same way about certain members who buy each and every Criterion Blu despite the fact that plenty of them aren't worth owning and likely wouldn't be in said people's collection if it didn't have a wacky "C" on the cover.

I really can't talk, though...I plan on getting each and every MoC Blu release but its more because I prefer their approach, artwork and vibe. I also feel like they can use my money more than Criterion. Plus, with less resources I feel like they pick and choose their releases with a little more care...it also doesn;t hurt that their output is much lower as well...

I digress....eff paper cases.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I don't think it is right to call those who do care about the look of their cases pathetic after all... someone is paid to do that job. We just might not agree with the end result.

Well, to be fair, I wasn't calling anyone pathetic, P&P... I was merely calling the act a bit "pathetic," hence why I said "It's a bit..." and not "you guys are...". Plus, I'm only kidding around. Plus, I have many more "pathetic" OCDs to worry about. This is just one that, thankfully, I don't have to worry about. I did at one time when I was younger and foolish, but now I know better.

CC

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Well, to be fair, I wasn't calling anyone pathetic, P&P... I was merely calling the act a bit "pathetic," hence why I said "It's a bit..." and not "you guys are...". Plus, I'm only kidding around. Plus, I have many more "pathetic" OCDs to worry about. This is just one that, thankfully, I don't have to worry about. I did at one time when I was younger and foolish, but now I know better.

CC

you don't the case OCD, but you do have the anti-case OCD

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I feel the same way about certain members who buy each and every Criterion Blu despite the fact that plenty of them aren't worth owning and likely wouldn't be in said people's collection if it didn't have a wacky "C" on the cover.

I agree to a point, but the part of your text I bolded is where it becomes subjective. That's, obviously, you're opinion on the matter, but I'm sure that many people feel that they are all worth owning to some degree, ya know? I own all of the current blu-rays they've released, but I certainly don't even own a 1/4 of the DVDs they've released. However, I can always feel safe to say that I don't believe anyone was more excited than I was in 1998 to pick up the original "Salò" DVD release from Criterion.

Originally Posted by Volume11

I digress....eff paper cases.

Hahaha.

CC

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I really can't talk, though...I plan on getting each and every MoC Blu release but its more because I prefer their approach, artwork and vibe. I also feel like they can use my money more than Criterion. Plus, with less resources I feel like they pick and choose their releases with a little more care...it also doesn;t hurt that their output is much lower as well...

I like the packaging for Sunrise...the cover art is nice and the booklet was well done.

Kevin sent me a PayPal invoice for City Girl, Vol...I should have that before the end of next week.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by rkish

I like the packaging for Sunrise...the cover art is nice and the booklet was well done.

Unless, it's one of Criterion's nicer DVD sets like "Battle For Algiers," "Vampyr," "Pandora's Box," etc., I don't think the quality and content of MOC's booklets can be matched for their DVDs or blu-rays. In my opinion, their booklets are just that good.

CC

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by rkish

I like the packaging for Sunrise...the cover art is nice and the booklet was well done.

Kevin sent me a PayPal invoice for City Girl, Vol...I should have that before the end of next week.

Good choice. I have the PDOTGs on pre-order and For All Mankind and Soul Power in transit which will make me current with the available MoC line up.

And yeah, the inner booklets are a bit better both in quality and presentation than the average Criterion release. The essay booklet that came with Mad Detective was amazing because it wasn't vague and all encompasing but rather on topic along with insight into the film and it's ending...something Criterion essays rarely do.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I feel the same way about certain members who buy each and every Criterion Blu despite the fact that plenty of them aren't worth owning and likely wouldn't be in said people's collection if it didn't have a wacky "C" on the cover.

I have to admit...I was the same way initially.

I started off my "relationship" with Criterion with the DVD release of "For All Mankind". I really didn't purchase anything else, until the time that I read that Criterion was releasing BD titles and that For All Mankind was one of them. I happened to buy it at B & N during one of their 50% off sales and became interested in their BD titles. I then started checking out this forum and found out that The Third Man was going OOP. I had "heard" great things about it and figured that even if I didn't like it, that I could always sell it. I wound up loving it and the next title was Pierrot Le Fou, which I bought for the same reason. I didn't fell in love with it, but kept an open mind. Other titles were bought based on reviews and feedback from here.

Fortunately, my wife signed us up for NetFlix...now at least if I'm unsure about spending the money, I can check out most films beforehand either via streaming or rental. But initially, I found myself getting sucked into considering titles that I had never seen, because "someone on the Criterion forum said it was a great film, etc."

The only reason why I opted for Sunrise and City Girl is the fact that I have a weakness for the silents...that started with ALL of the Chaplin films and shorts. Keaton, Murnau, and others of this genre have now joined my list.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by italy12

What did you like about Playtime? I heard it was kind of goofy...which makes no difference to me, but people have said it blatantly sucks.-Dave

Hehe...don't get me started...

I love "Playtime"!!!!

The first thing that I found surprising is the attention to detail as the unbelievable set Tati’s company had created was just fantastic. The buildings look modern, the set looks like a major section of Paris with all the people, buildings and vehicles. And sure enough, “Playtime” is a film that utilizes everything on screen to show how modern technology has literally chanted the landscape. Some who embrace the changes and convenience of modernization and some who feel they are left behind and are literally lost.

What makes this film work outside of its incredible set is that Tati is a perfectionist. He literally directs each person in the film. Everyone has an import part to play. May it be how characters have this choreographed walk as they go off in several directions to characters at a restaurant as we see people dancing on the dance floor, each person dancing differently. While servants are trying to get the food out and you see visual gags as one servant clearly has their eyes on something inside the club, while another is attentive to the female patrons and those who are desperately trying to get their food out. It may seem chaotic, but Tati knows what he wanted to get onscreen and succeeds.

“Playtime” features absolutely beautiful cinematography as we see bungalows on the work floor which work almost like a maze. We see buildings that appear to be metallic and the lighting automatically synchronizing when they turn on. We see vehicles move almost in sync with other vehicles.

We see people throughout the city in similar routines at work, we see people promoting the latest in modern technology ala the late 60’s and what is most amazing is that there is hardly any dialogue. It’s like you are given an upfront look at how life is in the city and seeing how various people react to each other.

The film plays out quite interesting as the first half is dedicated to various characters such as M. Hulot who has a business meeting but ends up getting lost in all the modern settings. Barbara is a tourist who has accompanied several American women to Paris and finds the city to be quite breathtaking. We see Monsieur Hulot getting lost in offices from buildings that look alike.

But then the second half of the film focuses on a nightclub known as The Royal Garden that is opening and yet not ready. We see how the builders and the restaurant staff prepare for their major night despite the nightclub not yet ready. Where the first half was quite visual, the second half focuses more intimately on the people of the nightclub and the film becomes more gag-driven but yet with so many people in the film, Tati did a wonderful job in making sure each character had some part in the film and contributed in some fun or hilarious way.

A visual film without dialogue may seem boring and monotonous but fortunately Jacques Tati included a good number of gags to make the whole 124 minutes a bit lively. I did feel the film went a little long and that scenes could have been cut but with Jacques Tati putting all his energy into this film, I understand how difficult it was for him to even cut any scene out. But I do feel that the film could have been much shorter but then again, I would have been curious to see Tati’s original, longer cut.

I’ve heard that the film is a statement by Tati of how much society has changed along with the city he has loved. The modernization with the use of electronics in buildings and restaurants and just making sure he has enough gags to make the audience laugh. If only Tati can see how much has changed today, that would definitely be an entertaining script.

A film that showcases beauty in various ways. This is absolute a film that was the highlight of Jacques Tati’s career and despite how this film may have done in the box office, anyone watching now and seeing what the director was able to accomplish with no discernible plot and very little dialogue is fantastic. And again, the visuals are just fantastic. I was really blown away with how beautiful and intricate of a film “Playtime” truly is.

And the Criterion Blu-ray release is simply....fantastic!

[kndy]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Unless, it's one of Criterion's nicer DVD sets like "Battle For Algiers," "Vampyr," "Pandora's Box," etc., I don't think the quality and content of MOC's booklets can be matched for their DVDs or blu-rays. In my opinion, their booklets are just that good.

CC

MOC releases awesome booklets (although the bulkier they are, I know some people have said they have received messed up booklets). Full of information and I have been impressed.

But when it comes to special features, this is where Criterion shines. MOC releases haven't really come with many special features and in some way, if they do, you can't help but be happy about it (almost like Kino release).

But where Kino usually just comes with a catalog, at least MOC puts the effort into those booklets. That's why I'm wondering how Kino's "Metropolis" release will be compared to Kino. And we have seen comparisons between MOC's "Soul Power" versus Sony Pictures Classics version and MOC vs. Criterion when it came to "M".

Originally Posted by rkish

I like the packaging for Sunrise...the cover art is nice and the booklet was well done.

Kevin sent me a PayPal invoice for City Girl, Vol...I should have that before the end of next week.

"Sunrise" was definitely a very cool cover, wouldn't mind having that as a poster. Speaking of covers, has anyone on here purchased a Second Run DVD from the UK. I've always heard about how their releases have wonderful covers but was wondering if they came with booklets or special features as well?

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by rkish

I have to admit...I was the same way initially.

Well, you certainly could do a lot worse than Criterion or MoC with a blind buy...my larger point is that I know people personally that have every single DVD in the collection which is at 500+ now and it just seems like the product line is being put before personal taste and the ability to discern between something that is right or wrong for you. Obviously, the collecting aspect comes into play and I think a lot of people trick themselves into thinking they are buying film history when in reality they are wasting money on films they likely would never buy if it weren't in the collection.

But, everything is subjective, as CC pointed out...I just find hard to believe that people who own all the Criterion blus or DVDs truly like each and every one of them, IMO, of course.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by Volume11

Obviously, the collecting aspect comes into play and I think a lot of people trick themselves into thinking they are buying film history when in reality they are wasting money on films they likely would never buy if it weren't in the collection.

For me, purchasing them are like buying books. The education you get out of it. Granted, it also helps that some of us can claim these purchases at the end of year.

But in terms of wasting money, for those who are fiscally conscious about their purchases, it's great to see a lot of these films on Netflix (and some going on Hulu) and Mubi.

For me, it's simply the education that I get from these films in terms of a filmmaker's style, film technique and if anything, it helped open my eyes to cinema in general.

I look at other friends and their collections and I figured that my fascination with collecting these arthouse films is not that bad. I know those who collect expensive vintage fedoras, those who purchase a lot of video games, those who love to shop and purchase expensive clothing, those who want a large collection of surfboards, fixing up their car, buying expensive electronics and those who even use their own finances to put up a film festival or music festival. We all have some sort of hobbies, some that are quite expensive and that many probably would not approve of and think is a waste of money.

But it all comes down to that's person's satisfaction. I don't have the buyer's remorse like I did as a when I was younger collecting comic books and having to purchase every X-men related title or every G.I. Joe, Star Wars or Transformers figure.

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by kndy

For me, purchasing them are like buying books. The education you get out of it. Granted, it also helps that some of us can claim these purchases at the end of year.

But even then one could argue that plenty of the 500+ collection offer little to nothing to the ongoing field of filmmaking...

Likewise, I have bought of plenty of books, both contemporary and classic, that have historical significance that I acknowledge but want nothing to do with as far as owning...

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by kndy

Speaking of covers, has anyone on here purchased a Second Run DVD from the UK. I've always heard about how their releases have wonderful covers but was wondering if they came with booklets or special features as well?

I have "Blood," "Daisies," and one other Second Run DVD that I can't recall right now. I bought them off of a user over at Criterion Forum, and I think the few I have are nice with a very simplistic design approach. Each page on Second Run's site lists the features, which don't seem to be too extensive, for each film.

CC

[kndy]

Originally Posted by Volume11

But even then one could argue that plenty of the 500+ collection offer little to nothing to the ongoing field of filmmaking...

I think those with 500+ collection are those with disposable income and can literally purchase a lot without any worries. Like Imelda Marcos and her shoes (probably not the best comparison). Or people who enjoy the thrill of collecting... now granted, those with completest tendencies tend to have those tendencies in other areas. Some people have it bad....

Oh just to add...if you thought that collecting plenty of DVD's and Blu-rays and amassing a large collecting is something. Imagine those who blind-buy nitrate reels. Probably one of the riskier hobbies because of Nitrate's flammability and also, a lot of the silent films are in such bad shape. And it's not like many people can play these because of the deterioration problems but there are a good number of collectors who buy these reels from ebay or other collectors not knowing the contents and the quality of the shape of these reels.

But when it comes to collections, there are people on this forum that surprise me with what they own beyond the Blu-rays and DVD's (as well as the hardware). One user on here is Pickfair and his vintage (and authentic) collection of Mary Pickford items. If anyone hasn't seen his collection, please check it out. It's fantastic!

[panamablu]

Where do you guys order films of MoC?
Is there any supplier in the States?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by panamablu

Where do you guys order films of MoC?
Is there any supplier in the States?

MOC is a UK-based company. Their discs are only allowed to be sold in Europe. You have to order directly from Eureka! through one of their newsletter sales via PayPal or you can order from Amazon UK. You can check out the Eureka/MOC thread over in the United Kingdom section of the International threads for more information. Here is a link to their latest newsletter offerings. The titles offered for sale directly from Eureka vary from month to month.

CC