The Criterion Collection

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by filmincarnate

I'm curious to how safe a bet this is considering that Moonrise Kingdom is a Focus Features (Universal) release. They've yet to let any of their films into the collection yet and with Fox taking Fantastic Mr. Fox under their own wing for home video, I'd be surprised if Universal don't do the same here.

Topsy-Turvy (1999) is a Focus Features title already in the CC.

In 1999, the name of the company was October films. (now Focus Features) The back of the snap case states this.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Topsy...Blu-ray/18902/

[oildude]

Originally Posted by bluesilo

What are some titles that are similar to Ozu's Tokyo Story and Late Spring? I really love the depiction of family in those films. I know Ozu has another film in a semi-trilogy of films, so I could check that one out. I only mention this because When A Woman Ascends the Stairs sort of reminds me of that same idea.

I'd check out Hirokazu Kore-eda's Still Walking. It is a quietly powerful and often touchingly humorous look at a family gathering on an anniversary of the oldest son's death. The whole film has an intimacy to it that is very real. I think it is brilliant: that it can take such a low-key approach to a slice of everyday life - the gathering of an extended Japanese family, their interactions over several meals, interwoven with interpersonal tensions, quiet demons, and modern vs. traditional cultural themes - and make a totally compelling and identifiable story out of it for a non-Japanese audience.


EDIT: Ha! Shell beat me to it. You should listen to him. He gives good advice.

[jcs913]

Hey CC, since I didn't see you post your thoughts in the UK Bergman thread, let us know what you think of the Classic Bergman Collection. I assume you have viewed them all and I know you have never seen a few of them before...

[oildude]

Another family drama film I really like is The Secret of the Grain. SOTG does an effective job of portraying the lives of first and second generation immigrant North African families in French society. I really appreciate its textures. On the surface, it is about an older man who has to find a new purpose for his life late in the game. Harnessing the support and love of those around him, he is resolved to turn what could have been a personal tragedy into the pursuit of a dream.

But beneath the surface are multiple story threads. To me, the main underlying theme concerns the decay and loss of traditional community values of second and third generation immigrant youth, as seen through the family dynamic of the older man. It is the love of his girlfriend's daughter that gives the film its hope and promise of redemption. The last half hour is mesmerizing and suspenseful in a way that I did not expect.

I have rewatched it several times. Along with a touching story and terrific acting, I think it is one of the most strikingly colorful and beautifully shot movies in the Criterion Collection. This film was made to be seen on blu-ray.

[BohemianGraham]

Anyone see the latest Criterion Cast tweet discussing the possibility of adding Grave of the Fireflies to the collection?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Anyone see the latest Criterion Cast tweet discussing the possibility of adding Grave of the Fireflies to the collection?

That would be great! Powerful film, hopefully Criterion will start to release an animated film here and there.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by oildude

I'd check out Hirokazu Kore-eda's Still Walking. It is a quietly powerful and often touchingly humorous look at a family gathering on an anniversary of the oldest son's death. The whole film has an intimacy to it that is very real. I think it is brilliant: that it can take such a low-key approach to a slice of everyday life - the gathering of an extended Japanese family, their interactions over several meals, interwoven with interpersonal tensions, quiet demons, and modern vs. traditional cultural themes - and make a totally compelling and identifiable story out of it for a non-Japanese audience.


EDIT: Ha! Shell beat me to it. You should listen to him. He gives good advice.

Yeah, Still Walking doesn't get nearly enough credit. One of my favorite films in the entire collection.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Oh man, too many.

Port of Shadows
Gate of Flesh
Forbidden Games
Jigoku
La Ronde
Still Walking
Secret Sunshine
The Phantom of Liberty
Coup de Torchon
Loves of A Blonde

and probably my favorite CC title "When A Woman Ascends The Stairs"

Any talk about Naruse films would be welcome.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

I have been wanting this title for quite some time now . Sadly, I have never seen Naruse (Completely unavailable in my country) but this particular release caught my attention a few months ago. Don't know if it is going to get an upgrade but thanks a lot for remainding me about it . There are so many titles, I can hardly keep the pace.

If you like this Naruse film, then I think you'd enjoy the others available. Do you have access to a region free player? If so, then BFI has a very good Naruse DVD boxset. "When A Woman..." is featured in this set, as well as two other fine films. "Floating Clouds" and "Late Chrysanthemums". I think Amazon UK has it listed now for £17.99 (around $30 US). Masters of Cinema also has a fine Naruse boxset, but unfortunately it's OOP and quite costly on Amazon.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Anyone see the latest Criterion Cast tweet discussing the possibility of adding Grave of the Fireflies to the collection?

That would be most welcome by me...not many anime fims that have driven me to tears. If they don't make La Planete Sauvage their first animated BD, then this would be a fine choice. And one of Ghibli's gems not directed by Miyazaki.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by bluesilo

What are some titles that are similar to Ozu's Tokyo Story and Late Spring? I really love the depiction of family in those films. I know Ozu has another film in a semi-trilogy of films, so I could check that one out. I only mention this because When A Woman Ascends the Stairs sort of reminds me of that same idea.

If you like these Ozu films, then I think you might enjoy the "Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu" Eclipse Series 15. His style reminds me a lot of both Ozu and Naruse. Shimizu was good friends with Ozu. An unexpected surprise and very enjoyable. Actually, Naruse and Ozu were good friends as well...however, as Pat has pointed out, Ozu kept things "lighter" during his mid to late period, whereas Naruse looked at life as more of a "walking into a wall" where nothing comes easily and most endings are not happy.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

You might want to check on Blu-ray The Makioka Sisters by Kon Ichikawa. It also seem like an Ozu movie.

Some of the earlier movies by Kenji Mizoguchi but the themes are a little bit darker and not as feel good as Ozu

Other great Ozu movies Late Autunm, Tokyo Twillight, The End Of Summer and his silent movie Tokyo Chorus

Ichikawa is a good suggestion Pat...The Burmese Harp is also a fine film. Mizoguchi's earlier films are much darker, but what I've seen of Ozu's early/post silent films, he had his dark moments as well. "A Hen In The Wind" comes to mind as an atypical Ozu film...darker, but a well made film.

For those that are region free...BFI just released a set of three of his films this week.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by svecaj

Make Way for Tomorrow (not on blu-ray from Criterion -- however, it has been released on bd by MoC) and Still Walking.

Make Way For Tomorrow was a very big influence on Ozu (he was a big fan of American films and directors) and motivated him to make Tokyo Story, which for all intents and purposes is a very similar storyline.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

When Che was announced, was there backlash over that choice? I wasn't interested in the collection until I saw it.

[jayputter]

Originally Posted by oildude

Another family drama film I really like is The Secret of the Grain. SOTG does an effective job of portraying the lives of first and second generation immigrant North African families in French society. I really appreciate its textures. On the surface, it is about an older man who has to find a new purpose for his life late in the game. Harnessing the support and love of those around him, he is resolved to turn what could have been a personal tragedy into the pursuit of a dream.

But beneath the surface are multiple story threads. To me, the main underlying theme concerns the decay and loss of traditional community values of second and third generation immigrant youth, as seen through the family dynamic of the older man. It is the love of his girlfriend's daughter that gives the film its hope and promise of redemption. The last half hour is mesmerizing and suspenseful in a way that I did not expect.

I have rewatched it several times. Along with a touching story and terrific acting, I think it is one of the most strikingly colorful and beautifully shot movies in the Criterion Collection. This film was made to be seen on blu-ray.

Allow me to second that opinion. This is one of those films that I probably wouldn't even be aware of if it hadn't been mentioned on this forum. It's an absolute gem and one of my favorites in the collection. As soon as I saw it, it shot to number one on my wishlist for the next sale.

It's one of those films that some people might complain that it's slow or "nothing happens," but I thought it was completely compelling. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good blind buy next time you're shopping. It's absolutely wonderful!

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by rkish

Make Way For Tomorrow was a very big influence on Ozu (he was a big fan of American films and directors) and motivated him to make Tokyo Story, which for all intents and purposes is a very similar storyline.

Now that you mention these stories, I have a Mexican film I throughly recommend: Cuando los Hijos se Van (When Children Leave). The film focuses on Raimundo, a noble kid who is accused of robbery and needs to leave his home. His father, his girlfriend and almost every other member of his family believes he did it, except for his mother, who needs to suffer through the bad decisions made by her son. The overview doesn't make it justice, it really is one of the best films in our cinema and I can't recommend it enough.

[*DrStrangelove*]

All this Ozu talk has made me interested. Never seen any of his films. I added Late Spring to my wishlist. What are some others to start with? Or what are his essential films?

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

All this Ozu talk has made me interested. Never seen any of his films. I added Late Spring to my wishlist. What are some others to start with? Or what are his essential films?

If you never seen any, Tokyo Story is probably the most well known Ozu. Not on BD though, but I believe you can stream it on Netflix and Hulu.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You should see it! Go in blind because it will be different than you expect.

Thanks!---I've been considering a blind-buy for the longest time on it.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Anyone see the latest Criterion Cast tweet discussing the possibility of adding Grave of the Fireflies to the collection?

One of the most important movies ever made. I would love the CC to release it.