The Criterion Collection

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

Best: 12 angry men, I have liked this movie since I was in high school and was really happy to see it join the collection.

What were they thinking: The times of Harvey Milk. I may get flamed a bit for this but I felt this documentary was the REAL version of the film Milk. Similar in both tone and feel IMO. In fact, I felt that Milk was almost a remake of the documentary.

I liked the documentary version more than I liked the movie, but with the movies immense popularity, I feel that The Times of Harvey Milk could have EASILY been put out by another studio that was looking to cash in on the popularity of Milk. Criterion didn't really need to put this one in the collection.

Just my opinion...

I agree with 12 Angry Men, but I think Life During Wartime was a bad choice, that or Black Moon, didn't like either one of them.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I was surprised how hard it was to pick a "worst," so I think there will be quite a few votes based on creative criteria like this as opposed to films people just didn't like. "Could have EASILY been put out by another studio" is as legitimate a reason as any (although I don't necessarily agree with this particular case).

I'm with you.

Pale Flower was "Best" though.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm with you.

Pale Flower was "Best" though.

+1

I wanted to pick Pale Flower for best new spine, but was held back due to lack of supplements. I found it very hard to pick a favorite from the new titles this year. (Pale Flower, Island of Lost Souls, The Music Room, Kiss Me Deadly, The Phantom Carriage and Sweet Smell of Success)

The WWTT pick was much less difficult. (toss up between Insignificance and Life During Wartime) This is not to say that these are "bad" films, just not worthy of a highly coveted Criterion spine #.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Monty70

The WWTT pick was much less difficult. (toss up between Insignificance and Life During Wartime) This is not to say that these are "bad" films, just not worthy of a highly coveted Criterion spine #.

I went with the one I enjoyed least. Blasphemy I'm sure, but I picked:

[Show spoiler]Leon Morin: Priest

[Monty70]

Really Beta Man? The strength of the two leads performances alone make this a welcomed addition to the collection IMO. (to each their own)

I will not be at all surprised if one of my favorite new Criterion BD's of 2011 receives a few votes in the WWTT column.

[Show spoiler]Cul-de-Sac

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

...but with the movies immense popularity, I feel that The Times of Harvey Milk could have EASILY been put out by another studio that was looking to cash in on the popularity of Milk.

Not too sure this makes much sense. Can you think of other examples of distributors cashing in on related titles? How many times has that happened with a documentary?

I would bet that 1/3 of the sales of this title were due to the wacky C on the cover/spine number.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I voted for The Complete Jean Vigo (its the only new 2011 spine I got around to buying) and against Life During Wartime.

I still need to get that one. (never seen any of Vigo's work)

[Todd_Gaines]

I had to vote for

[Show spoiler]Pale Flower

as well. Just for the fact that it has influenced a lot of other purchases for me since I watched it and it is one of the most quintessential "cool" movies I have ever watched.

[Darkcritic]

My new Criterion just arrived! I end up getting...

- The Battle of Algiers
- The Complete Jean Vigo
- Che
- Leon Morin, Priest
- Hunger

Not the greatest haul (In size, I mean) but these were easily my most wanted purchases, especially The Complete Jean Vigo, have never seen L'Atalante but knowing I already own it and that my first time will be in all it's HD (Clean) glory makes me roll in joy .

Also, to go along the discussion... I go with The Complete Jean Vigo for best and Life During Wartime for worst. Have not seen the later but it was the only Criterion release this year that didn't excite me in some way.

[Old Geezer]

I had to go with The Three Colors trilogy as favorite and Life During Wartime as "worst" although least favorite probably would be a better choice of words. I didn't really enjoy the movie but that doesn't make it bad (just for me).

[Barrysupreme]

Well I cast my vote just now:

Best: 12 Angry Men
Worst: Life During War Time

Shame you can't vote for your top 3

[dr.mabuse]

I voted for:

Favourite release: 12 Angry Men
Least favourite: Insignificance

Really looking forward to seeing the results of this vote...

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Thanks to those who voted for Best/Worst Criterion covers of 2011. The results will be posted once the other polls have been conducted.

Next Poll:

Vote for what you think were the BEST/WORST *new* spines issued by Criterion in 2011.

[No registration req'd. Choose from the drop downs and click submit!]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...o3Z3c6MQ#gid=0

[Show spoiler][I realize the last new spine of 2011 to come out will be DESIGN FOR LIVING but we may as well get the ball rolling now]

Best: The Killing

What were they thinking: The Makioka Sisters

I suspect that after I obtain and view all of the Three Colors trilogy, my Best may change.

[rkish]

The Best: "The Complete Jean Vigo"

What Were They Thinking: "Something Wild"

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I really felt Antichrist was shock for the sake of shock and I gave up on it after an hour. (I mean, it's called Antichrist for a start.) It was visually quite beautiful, though. I may go back to it with more patience at some point.

I agree. I like...used to like a lot...von Trier but this was just ******y.

[Sukuri]

So much Life During Wartime hate =(

Best was tricky, there are a lot of really really good choices, but I went with Kes. I think it's the one I've re-watched the most.

One I've liked the least: White material.

[Cinemach]

For Best, I went with The Complete Jean Vigo, though Three Colors is just as good - Vigo got my vote due to the restoration work involved.

Went with Life During Wartime for the Worst. I haven't even seen it but due to the swath of vitriol it has received it seems an apt choice. All of the new entries I've actually seen/bought I've liked.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by zui

Same here. Runners up were People on Sunday and Pale Flower.



So, you're into Hokusai's work lately? ;-)

Yes, the art is so beautiful. I really enjoyed the supplement in the Three films by Hiroshi Teshigahara set, Hokusai (1953).

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

That is so interesting, because 'Melancholia' is, by far, my favorite film of his. His other works I sometimes enjoy, but have never loved. Criterion-wise, I thought 'Antichrist' was ok, and haven't bought it yet...but 'Melancholia' I'd buy in an instant if they released it. The ending left me pretty speechless, and I found myself relating a great deal to the entire mood of the film as a whole (was really fascinated about the accepting death/not accepting death struggle)....and of course, those performances were phenomenal.

There is some brilliant stuff in Melancholia, but in the end I wanted to like it more than I did. The first ten minutes or so are extraordinary and I love the richness of the "stills" and the soaring score that gives way to the tiny absurd pleasure of the driveway scene.

However the wedding goes on for too long and can't stop adding more "reasons" for Dunst's condition. I can see how these would have made sense in a writer's room, but in the finished movie it becomes repetitive and obvious. The movie starts to fall apart when it tries to be too literal.

[Show spoiler]By the time we get to the knowing the number of beans, it has lost its sense of mystery and we are left with a straightforward math problem of why things suck and characters are acting the way they are.

I still really want to love it; the parts that are evocative are worth the price of admission. It would be a much better movie if it lost 15 minutes in the middle.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

Best: 12 angry men, I have liked this movie since I was in high school and was really happy to see it join the collection.

What were they thinking: The times of Harvey Milk. I may get flamed a bit for this but I felt this documentary was the REAL version of the film Milk. Similar in both tone and feel IMO. In fact, I felt that Milk was almost a remake of the documentary.

I liked the documentary version more than I liked the movie, but with the movies immense popularity, I feel that The Times of Harvey Milk could have EASILY been put out by another studio that was looking to cash in on the popularity of Milk. Criterion didn't really need to put this one in the collection.

Just my opinion...

There isn't a lot of love for Times of Harvey Milk on this board (likely due to subject matter) but I have to disagree. I don't know how many companies are clamoring to release 25 year old documentaries on blu ray.