The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by biglou114

Sadly, I agree with that. But I thought the quality of the films in the rest of the set, superb.

I think Criterion had to take those films as part of the deal with Sony. I just cannot fathom why Criterion (or any other company) would release those on BR when there are so many other films to choose from.

[Melodious Thunk]

I quite liked A Safe Place. Hardly a classic, but interesting nonetheless. The Last Picture Show was the main reason I bought the set too though, such a touching and beautiful film.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Did you get to A SAFE PLACE/DRIVE, HE SAID yet? Those are two of the worst Criterion films I've ever seen.

I have to disagree... moreso with "Drive, He Said". It's a fantastic product of its time, I thought. I do think that "A Safe Place" is quite the meandering mess at times but it can still be enjoyable.

Also, I don't think there's such a thing as a "Criterion film," per say. There are films distributed and released by Criterion, but those fillms aren't, and never were, "Criterion films." Calling a film a "Criterion film," I think, gives the assumption of ownership of which Criterion has none. I think a lot of the younger/new people that get into the films released by Criterion during the B&N sales, and whatnot, have a sort of clouded vision that these are films generated by Criterion... not realizing that Criterion is merely a distributor of films from studios around the world.

CC

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I have to disagree... moreso with "Drive, He Said".

I have to agree with your disagreement. I really enjoy "Drive, He Said"

[Arkadin]

was in a Books a million today when I spotted some dvds for sale.
then surprisingly I saw they actually had some blu-rays for sale.
(in my little city this is shocking, trust me)
then I saw something that REALLY made me take notice--a mint copy of "Sweet Smell Of Success" on bd.
can you say SCORE!!!
can't believe I'll be watching this tonight.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I have to agree with your disagreement. I really enjoy "Drive, He Said"

I really liked Drive, He Said as well. Whatever happened to the lead actor, William Tepper?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I have to disagree... moreso with "Drive, He Said". It's a fantastic product of its time, I thought. I do think that "A Safe Place" is quite the meandering mess at times but it can still be enjoyable.

Also, I don't think there's such a thing as a "Criterion film," per say. There are films distributed and released by Criterion, but those fillms aren't, and never were, "Criterion films." Calling a film a "Criterion film," I think, gives the assumption of ownership of which Criterion has none. I think a lot of the younger/new people that get into the films released by Criterion during the B&N sales, and whatnot, have a sort of clouded vision that these are films generated by Criterion... not realizing that Criterion is merely a distributor of films from studios around the world.

CC

I think many of us have come to expect quality films released by Criterion. By and large they deliver. I still believe these two films are not classic nor are they contemporary. Further, I don't think they are important. Granted, not everything released by Criterion has to be an existential masterpiece but these two films are just not good.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Further, I don't think they are important.

Actually they are. In telling the story of the BBS production company, you HAVE to include them. That being said, wouldn't they be more "important" than let's say our fav Wes Anderson's entire career in the collection for example? Not to start the Wes crap up again, I'm implying that in releasing a boxset about the BBS production studios, wouldn't it be IMPORTANT to have even the obscure for a complete set more than a contemporary director's every film (and what impact have his films give in the film world that puts them under "important" again, since you believe Criterion only releases great, important films?).

It's very easy to give an opinion (you saying these films are worthless pretty much) but me, pretty much doing the same with the Wes Anderson films will soon be bashed in 5, 4, 3, 2, .........

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Did you get to A SAFE PLACE/DRIVE, HE SAID yet? Those are two of the worst Criterion films I've ever seen.

Those are the only two I haven't seen in the collection. I was going to watch them, but not after this glowing review. It looks like I won't be saving The Last Picture Show for last.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by repete66211

Oh great. Those are the only two I haven't seen in the collection. I was going to watch them, but not after this glowing review.

Drive, He Said was the first film in the BBS box set that I watched. I actually liked it esp the films pacing. It may be because I like finding films from the 1970's that aren't so well known. I liked how to me it is a time capsule. It isn't for everyone to be sure. I'd watch it again though

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think many of us have come to expect quality films released by Criterion. By and large they deliver. I still believe these two films are not classic nor are they contemporary. Further, I don't think they are important. Granted, not everything released by Criterion has to be an existential masterpiece but these two films are just not good.

Well, now with your very last seven words your statement becomes a subjective opinion. And, while we're at it the term "quality films" is, obviously, going to mean something different to each individual person. Even Criterion's mission statement of "important classic and contemporary films" doesn't really mean much except for the fact that it's their opinion as a collective whole what's considered "important" and release-worthy.

We understand that you, personally, don't think that those two films are any good, but other people think the exact opposite. I understand that users in a forum setting making an opinionated comment are simply stating their own personal thoughts, but without the words "in my opinion" or "I think" attached the statement it comes across as a generalized be-all, end-all statement... which, of course, it's not.

CC

[SpiderBaby]

We can pretty much throw out the "Criterion's misson statement to only release important films" now. I mean, when you start packaging deals with studios like picking from a bin at Walmart, it's not really an important selection anymore. And to make deals with IFC to release contemporary films that no one knows how important they will be 5-10 years from now, or 20-30 years, it takes value away from the "important" aspect.

The "Important" is only stretched as far as what rights they can get and what deals they can exploit.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Actually they are. In telling the story of the BBS production company, you HAVE to include them. That being said, wouldn't they be more "important" than let's say our fav Wes Anderson's entire career in the collection for example? Not to start the Wes crap up again, I'm implying that in releasing a boxset about the BBS production studios, wouldn't it be IMPORTANT to have even the obscure for a complete set more than a contemporary director's every film (and what impact have his films give in the film world that puts them under "important" again, since you believe Criterion only releases great, important films?).

It's very easy to give an opinion (you saying these films are worthless pretty much) but me, pretty much doing the same with the Wes Anderson films will soon be bashed in 5, 4, 3, 2, .........

I can't respond to the Anderson films as I've only seen Fantastic Mr. Fox which I thought was good. I'd have to go through them and frankly I have too many films on the docket as is

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Well, now with your very last seven words your statement becomes a subjective opinion. And, while we're at it the term "quality films" is, obviously, going to mean something different to each individual person. Even Criterion's mission statement of "important classic and contemporary films" doesn't really mean much except for the fact that it's their opinion as a collective whole what's considered "important" and release-worthy.

We understand that you, personally, don't think that those two films are any good, but other people think the exact opposite. I understand that users in a forum setting making an opinionated comment are simply stating their own personal thoughts, but without the words "in my opinion" or "I think" attached the statement it comes across as a generalized be-all, end-all statement... which, of course, it's not.

CC

I got lazy and didn't qualify my statement with said disclaimer. I was just giving my opinion.

BTW- at least we're talking about films and not packaging!

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

We can pretty much throw out the "Criterion's misson statement to only release important films" now...

QED

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Wouldn't you know it? Evidence of a planned UK Blu-ray release is here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/united-kin...er-1977-a.html

How timely. Thanks a bunch. I'll watch closely for more info, but that makes me pretty excited.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Actually they are. In telling the story of the BBS production company, you HAVE to include them. That being said, wouldn't they be more "important" than let's say our fav Wes Anderson's entire career in the collection for example? Not to start the Wes crap up again, I'm implying that in releasing a boxset about the BBS production studios, wouldn't it be IMPORTANT to have even the obscure for a complete set more than a contemporary director's every film (and what impact have his films give in the film world that puts them under "important" again, since you believe Criterion only releases great, important films?).

It's very easy to give an opinion (you saying these films are worthless pretty much) but me, pretty much doing the same with the Wes Anderson films will soon be bashed in 5, 4, 3, 2, .........

The difference you aren't seeing is he gave his opinion once so far, and hasn't over reacted to anyone who has disagreed with him.

If he brings it up twice a week for the next six months, then we'll see.

I also think that "important" is a relatively subjective term.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

The difference you aren't seeing is he gave his opinion once so far, and hasn't over reacted to anyone who has disagreed with him.

It isn't I throw a fit because someone disagrees with me, it's far from that. It's people that can't take my opinion on something as opinion and post something like this (or CG needs to get over himself.) just for me to reply b*tchy towards it and it goes from there. It either starts with me saying I dislike Spielberg then Spielberg fans jump my s***for even saying something like that, then I reply, and it's me being an a-hole.

I also think that "important" is a relatively subjective term.

And this is a poke at me how? Am I the person calling them "not important"?

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

And to make deals with IFC to release contemporary films that no one knows how important they will be 5-10 years from now, or 20-30 years, it takes value away from the "important" aspect.

Criterion has always included contemporary films in their mission statement. Whether you think there is no such thing as an "important contemporary film" is an entirely different matter altogether, but they are being selective about WHICH contemporary films they include - it's not just "whatever our partner IFC wants us to include." They refused Enter The Void, even though IFC wanted them to have that one.

[SpiderBaby]

Important = Opinion.

Now if one wants to blindly follow Criterion's opinion, go right ahead. It wouldn't be the first time someone has followed other's opinions as truth.