The Criterion Collection

[shadedpain4]

I finally watched House.

Crazy.

But in a good way.

I was surprised when

[Show spoiler]their teacher was turned into bananas. Somehow that was weirder than the rest of the film for me.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I finally watched House.

Crazy.

But in a good way.

I was surprised when

[Show spoiler]their teacher was turned into bananas. Somehow that was weirder than the rest of the film for me.

Gives a new meaning to someone "going bananas".

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I myself am deeply jealous. Canadians won't sell Cherry or Vanilla coke, they've gone OOP, so I usually have to stalk up when I head south.

that sucks.

[Banned User]

I've always have had a thing for Japanese Samurai movies. Its such a interesting period and knowing the political background of the period really enhances the viewing of something like The Samurai Trilogy. Until it was released I had never even heard of the trilogy so it was a blind buy for me. The 3 movies connect so well together. Its like watching a soap in the sense you can't wait to pop in each movie to see what happens to the different characters. After viewing the film I really want to read the novel 'Musashi' and the book by the man the movie is about 'The Book of Five Rings'. Musashi is one of those bigger then life characters whose history you would most surely bet is all fiction had you not known any better. He has passed the realm of Legend and entered into myth. Toshirō Mifune is of course perfect in the role. I love the scene where simply by plucking flies out of the air with chopsticks he turns a group of antagonists from wanting to kill him to making a hasty retreat. Mifune's character is the epitomy of calm, cool and collective. You would think it would of been impossible to make Musashi even more of a Japanese Folklore Legend, but Tifune's portrayal certainly does that.

The Trilogy was basically a color remake of the directors (Hiroshi Inagaki) 3 earlier Miyamoto Musashi films made in 1940 and 42'. It would be interesting to see these for comparison. I have never seen them. Also the Director used the Musashi character again in Hiken 63' considered to be one of his best films. Shot in Black & White 2.35:1. Good luck finding a copy as its a overlooked and pretty much forgotten film. It would make a excellent Criterion release if any decent prints survive.
http://www.weirdwildrealm.com/f-hiken.html

What I wouldn't give to be a Japanese Film goer in 54. It was a stellar year with the release of Seven Samurai, Godzilla and Musashi Miyamoto ( The 1st title in the trilogy ). Not to mention Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff & The Crucified Lovers.

The only other thing I can say is IMO this is one of the top 5 coverarts released this year. What a thing of beauty:

[jacobb1313]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

The worst sort are those pretentious types who decree a film to not be 'Criterion worthy'. Who decides this?! This is a label that is releasing the wretched Heaven's Gate, so anything should be permitted.

So I take it you didn't watch Jubilee on DVD yet?

From the mission statement: "Since 1984, the Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films, has been dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. Over the years, as we moved from laserdisc to DVD, Blu-ray disc, and online streaming, we’ve seen a lot of things change, but one thing has remained constant: our commitment to publishing the defining moments of cinema for a wider and wider audience."

Heaven's Gate contributed to the implosion of the modernist Hollywood auteurist system. I may not like it, but I didn't like half the films I watched in Film School, either. Sometimes deconstructing a disaster is as important to an art form as deconstructing a masterpiece. Certainly more fun.

[ShellOilJunior]

Anyone pick-up Rosetta on Tuesday?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Anyone pick-up Rosetta on Tuesday?

I quite literally just got it and la promesse dropped off at my office. My parents had to come into Future Shop which is five minutes away from here, so they dropped my parcel off for me. I normally would have waited until I went home tomorrow for them.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Deserving of a release? sure. He did say release(S) as well so he is talking about more than one of the announcements, hence obviously putting down Pasolini, Godard, or Kurosawa. Take your choice in which of the "many less deserving" he is talking about in favor of Lynch. Why I thought it was a joke.

Mulholland Drive:
http://www.amazon.com/Mulholland-Dr-...lholland+drive

http://www.amazon.com/Mulholland-Dr-...lholland+drive

http://www.amazon.fr/Mulholland-Driv...5184211&sr=8-1

Now, can anyone show me where we can get this cut of Heaven's Gate Criterion is releasing?

The way I read I didn't think he just meant this month. But I would certainly prefer Mulholland Dr over other choices Criterion has made in the past.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by *drstrangelove*

the way i read i didn't think he just meant this month. But i would certainly prefer mulholland dr over other choices criterion has made in the past.

+1

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

The way I read I didn't think he just meant this month. But I would certainly prefer Mulholland Dr over other choices Criterion has made in the past.

I'll co-sign.

I don't know why some are dumping on the film because it's so critically acclaimed. Yes, it's on blu-ray but that's Canal region B. Not everyone has a region free player.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'll co-sign.

I don't know why some are dumping on the film because it's so critically acclaimed. Yes, it's on blu-ray but that's Canal region B. Not everyone has a region free player.

It's the criterion thread. People dump on films for the sake of dumping on films.

I have no interest in the film, but I won't begrudge others of it. Ditto for zodiac. It's a but redundant for criterion to rerelease it, but if they do, I won't complain. I'll only be upset over a Jaglom BD box set.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I quite literally just got it and la promesse dropped off at my office. My parents had to come into Future Shop which is five minutes away from here, so they dropped my parcel off for me. I normally would have waited until I went home tomorrow for them.

Have you seen Rosetta? I am very interested in this one. I'd appreciate some feedback.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Have you seen Rosetta? I am very interested in this one. I'd appreciate some feedback.

Blind buys all the way. I'm not sure if I will get a chance to watch it tonight or not. My coworkers are taking me out to the pub for my birthday. I might not get to it until Sunday (tomorrow's my actual B-day, family obligations and all) but I will let you know. Saul, aka Dark Critic is a huge fan if I'm not mistaken. His recommendations are always excellent (He did not steer me wrong in Le Havre).

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by jacobb1313

So I take it you didn't watch Jubilee on DVD yet?

From the mission statement: "Since 1984, the Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films, has been dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. Over the years, as we moved from laserdisc to DVD, Blu-ray disc, and online streaming, we’ve seen a lot of things change, but one thing has remained constant: our commitment to publishing the defining moments of cinema for a wider and wider audience."

Heaven's Gate contributed to the implosion of the modernist Hollywood auteurist system. I may not like it, but I didn't like half the films I watched in Film School, either. Sometimes deconstructing a disaster is as important to an art form as deconstructing a masterpiece. Certainly more fun.

I should probably qualify my stance. I dislike Heaven's Gate. I also don't like Ride with the Devil and more besides. But I don't object to them being released by Criterion, because I'm not one of those who bandies around the notion of a film being 'Criterion worthy'. One cannot possibly like EVERY film in the Criterion Collection; there will always be some that people think are poor films. But to decree that a specific film shouldn't be on the label, as though every film they've released should be placed on a pedestal above films not blessed with a Criterion release, is snobbish in the extreme. My point was that any and every film is essentially 'Criterion worthy'; you can't go making exceptions based on your own opinion and taste. Too often people seem to confuse the sterling efforts and commitment of the company with the artistic merits of the individual films.

I suppose you could make a case for most films being 'important' in some way.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Have you seen Rosetta? I am very interested in this one. I'd appreciate some feedback.

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

I should probably qualify my stance. I dislike Heaven's Gate. I also don't like Ride with the Devil and more besides. But I don't object to them being released by Criterion, because I'm not one of those who bandies around the notion of a film being 'Criterion worthy'. One cannot possibly like EVERY film in the Criterion Collection; there will always be some that people think are poor films. But to decree that a specific film shouldn't be on the label, as though every film they've released should be placed on a pedestal, is snobbish in the extreme. My point was that any and every film is essentially 'Criterion worthy'; you can't go making exceptions based on your own opinion and taste.

You could make a case for most films being 'important' in some way.

Agreed, but I think the point some people make about certain titles being added is that many of them already have top notch releases, and the Criterion release would be a little redundant as they probably couldn't do much better. There are some titles where Criterion does a better effort than those of the studio though, because the studio doesn't care about the films.

I guess I see the collection as one that's more likely to release titles that aren't popular with the studios, with a few exceptions.

[Banned User]

My only problem with more mainstream titles being released is it takes away slots for other titles. Most of the titles like Traffic and Fear and Loathing had already been released albeit inferior releases. I suppose they make more money for Criterion, but I find that questionable without some serious figures.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Agreed, but I think the point some people make about certain titles being added is that many of them already have top notch releases, and the Criterion release would be a little redundant as they probably couldn't do much better. There are some titles where Criterion does a better effort than those of the studio though, because the studio doesn't care about the films.

Oh that's another issue entirely; I can see the logic in both arguments there. What I had in mind was a poster on The 25th Hour Blu-ray thread - a film without a Blu-ray release at all (at least in the US and UK) let it be said - who determined that the film was not 'Criterion worthy'. Irked me somewhat. I see Akijama took particular grievance with the comment also.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

that sucks.

It's a great tragedy. Heck, I can't even buy cherry cola syrup for my SodaStream up here, again, had to buy it down south and bring it across the border. Canadians are lame with their Colas, they don't allow flavours. We have random pop flavours from Loblaws, such as blood orange and apple cider, but they're usually limited runs.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Oh that's another issue entirely; I can see the logic in both arguments there. What I had in mind was a poster on The 25th Hour Blu-ray thread - a film without a Blu-ray release at all (at least in the US and UK) let it be said - who determined that the film was not 'Criterion worthy'. Irked me somewhat. I see Akijama took particular grievance with the comment also.

That I agree is wrong, since there is no BD release at all. There are a lot of posts like that for both mainstream titles and foreign titles.

I also had issues in that thread with one poster who said the majority of foreign films are stupid and criterion releases too many of them in comparison to more mainstream Hollywood titles. So the argument again works both ways. I think people just like to complain for the sake of complaining.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Blind buys all the way. I'm not sure if I will get a chance to watch it tonight or not. My coworkers are taking me out to the pub for my birthday. I might not get to it until Sunday (tomorrow's my actual B-day, family obligations and all) but I will let you know. Saul, aka Dark Critic is a huge fan if I'm not mistaken. His recommendations are always excellent (He did not steer me wrong in Le Havre).

Awesome, thanks. And Happy early birthday.

I too have recently watched The Samurai Trilogy. I just finished the second one tonight. I really enjoyed it. This was the first film I have seen starring Toshiro Mifune that wasn't directed by Kurosawa. After seeing the first two parts I kind of wish this was Sanjuro's backstory. Im looking forward to finishing the trilogy tonight.