The Criterion Collection

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by retablo

No, he didn't. They stuck his name on the poster as a "presenter" to fool people thinking he had a hand in making it and sell more tickets. I guess it worked.

It was really to do with his relationship with Miramax, which is where he made Pulp Fiction.
You're right, he had nothing to do with making Chungking Express, but I'm glad he was using his name and influence to promote a film this wonderful.

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I'm a big fan of The Royal Tenenbaums, but The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was always my favourite Wes Anderson film. When it gets upgraded, I'll watch it again and see if it still trumps Tenenbaums.
The Darjeeling Limited is a great package from Criterion. Adorable film.
Both Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom are really good visual/audio packages from Fox and Universal, but they're both really light on extras. I doubt Criterion will pick up those licenses.

I really hope that at least Moonrise Kingdom gets the Criterion treatment, not because of the picture and audio but because the Universal BD has a pitiful amount of bonus features. I’m sure Criterion can produce a very superior package with a lot of insights into the production of the film.

[octagon]

I love a lot of Criterion's supplements and I totally get their appeal. It's a big part of the brand appeal, I get that.

That said, once another decent release is out there I have a lot of trouble getting behind the idea that Criterion should devote a release slot to the same film just so they can include supplements.

I held off on buying Universal's Brazil so I've got theirs preordered and chances are I'm going to be very happy with it. But if Criterion had said 'you know, we're going to pass' I think I would have been pretty okay with that too.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by TheHighRoller

Well, for $3.71, I'm sure I'll love it. Really, though- Kubrick used the first song from Brazil in the trailer for Eyes Wide Shut. I honestly can't wait to see it. Plus I like dystopian films.

As for Gomorrah, I saw a trailer for it and it looks really good. It also looks like something I'm going to like. When it comes to gangster movies, I'd rather see one with substance rather than bullets and cocaine.

And The Last Days of Disco looks like a hit or miss, but I love the two female leads. I'll buy it during the 40% off sale.

Thanks for your suggestions.

You'll really appreciate Gomorrah then. It tears down the house that The Godfather, Scarface and other romanticized gangsters films built.

In regards to Last Days of Disco, you should check out Metropolitan prior.

Just my devalued two cents.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by Page14

Speaking as somebody fairly new to buying Criterion releases, I find it interesting how many more films I want/need now than when I bought my first Criterion film. I don't have anywhere near the number of Criterions as a lot of people in here, but still have far more unwatched films in my collection than watched. Yet I crave more. It's like an insatiable appetite. The more you learn about what's out there, the more you "have to" see them.

Your not alone buddy. At my last count, I think I own at least 100 films I have not seen before. I'm like a bluray addicted crackhead. "I'll buy one more blind buy, then I'm off the stuff for good".

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by octagon

I love a lot of Criterion's supplements and I totally get their appeal. It's a big part of the brand appeal, I get that.

That said, once another decent release is out there I have a lot of trouble getting behind the idea that Criterion should devote a release slot to the same film just so they can include supplements.

I held off on buying Universal's Brazil so I've got theirs preordered and chances are I'm going to be very happy with it. But if Criterion had said 'you know, we're going to pass' I think I would have been pretty okay with that too.

I second this! I would rather see Criterion release a film that hasn't already recieved blu-ray treatment(unless the previous blu-ray had a really bad transfer that Criterion could improve). Bonus features and a Criterion release are nice and all but there are so many great films still out there in need of HD treatment.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Hmm...I've been interested in this movie. It sounds pretty good and Burt Lancaster is great, so I may check this out.

Check it out! It's a great film. Beautiful Cinematography and a great look at 19th century Sicily.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Hmm...I've been interested in this movie. It sounds pretty good and Burt Lancaster is great, so I may check this out.

Apparently it's a really important epic. At least that's what Criterion says.

Either way, it looks beautiful.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You'll really appreciate Gomorrah then. It tears down the house that The Godfather, Scarface and other romanticized gangsters films built.

In regards to Last Days of Disco, you should check out Metropolitan prior.

Just my devalued two cents.

That first bit I got from the description. Plus, Martin Scorsese said it was one of the best films he's ever seen. I'm sure I'm going to love it.

As for Metropolitan, it doesn't really appeal to me. I'm sure if I can get it for a low price, I'll probably bite.

And I value your two cents.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by TheHighRoller

That first bit I got from the description. Plus, Martin Scorsese said it was one of the best films he's ever seen. I'm sure I'm going to love it.

As for Metropolitan, it doesn't really appeal to me. I'm sure if I can get it for a low price, I'll probably bite.

And I value your two cents.

Martin Scorsese said Gomorrah was one of the best films he has ever seen? I thought he did not watch newer movies anymore? At least I saw an interview where he said that! But in the same interview he said he did watch Enter the Void though and loved it.

[octagon]

Has Scorsese ever seen a movie that wasn't one of the best movies he's ever seen?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by wcrouse

They are very different. The first time I watched In the Mood for Love, I did so without realizing the title was ironic, not literal. The film is more about the price paid over infidelity (and for that matter, fidelity, now that I think of it), rather than romance and love. There's little of the whimsy found in 'Express', or the beat of pop culture in 'Angels'. Haven't see Happy Together yet, but In the Mood for Love is by far the most somber and thoughtful of Wong Kar-Wai's films I've watched. I have to say the more I see by this director the higher he rises in my estimation. Whatever the theme, he seems in complete control.

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

You should make Happy Together a priority then.
It's my second favourite after In The Mood For Love.
Oh, and title is definitely ironic

This is interesting because I thought the title was very literal and only ironic in the sense that unlike the song(s) it didn't use love as a euphemism for sex. It actually meant love.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Martin Scorsese said Gomorrah was one of the best films he has ever seen? I thought he did not watch newer movies anymore? At least I saw an interview where he said that! But in the same interview he said he did watch Enter the Void though and loved it.

I'm not sure that there's much truth to that, as he referred to Prometheus in one of the special features for Lawrence of Arabia.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by TheHighRoller

As for Metropolitan, it doesn't really appeal to me. I'm sure if I can get it for a low price, I'll probably bite.

And I value your two cents.

I'd say rent Metropolitan and if youre not enthused than give 'Disco a rent aswell. Whit Stillman has a pretty distinct voice and quite frankly, i could see many people rolling their eyes and disengaged during his films. I wasn't extremely excited to check Metropolitan out, but ended up liking it the most out of Whit's films. Theres razor sharp writing and a great sense of character and place. By the end I felt like I was given a private tour of their domain (for better or worse) & knew their world inside and out.

The Last Days of Disco certainly can be off putting. It's filled with unlikeable (and some rather dull) characters and matter of factly plunges us into the real 70's: Self absorption, blending in and consumerism as opposed to glamour, lights, fashion and romance. It's basically the emptiness of the 90's transposed to a 70's setting. Hell, if you look hard enough you'll spot cars from the 90's, by neccecity this isn't a technically dazzling film. Its rather excellent and well worth a watch but be warned it's no high spirited romp.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I'm not sure that there's much truth to that, as he referred to Prometheus in one of the special features for Lawrence of Arabia.

Isn't he on record as being a big fan of Carlos too?

[joie]

Some of Martin Scorsese's favorites might be discovered by looking at the restorations he's been involved with.

[Xtempo]

Does anybody know about the Last Emperor of China package situation? I haven't seen a new case except for the old paper one. What's the deal on that when Chungking Express is now being released in the the regular case?

So would Criterion actually have the replacement case for this or is this the only hold out from their wanting to release it in the dumb cardboard case?

thanks for the replies

[Reeniop5]

Have finished watching 4 Jim Jarmusch Films and I would say I really enjoy his minimalist style. Loved the Black and White films Down by Law and Stranger Than Paradise.

1) Down by Law - Watched in Hulu plus and ordered in Blu Ray.
2) Mystery Train - Great Ride to Memphis via Blu Ray
3) Night on Earth - Roberto Benigni is damn hilarious! Awaiting Blu Ray after watching it on Hulu plus.
4) Stranger than Paradise - Love John Lurie's style similar to Down by Law. Awaiting Blu Ray after watching it on Hulu plus.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Reeniop5

Have finished watching 4 Jim Jarmusch Films and I would say I really enjoy his minimalist style. Loves the Black and White films Down by Law and Stranger Than Paradise.

1) Down by Law - Watched in Hulu plus and ordered in Blu Ray.
2) Mystery Train - Great Ride to Memphis via Blu Ray
3) Night on Earth - Roberto Benigni is damn hilarious! Awaiting Blu Ray after watching in in Hulu plus.
4) Stranger than Paradise - Love John Lurie's style similar to Down by Law. Awaiting Blu Ray after watching in in Hulu plus.

Broken flowers is awesome and the BD of Dead Man ain't bad either. I've heard great things about Ghost Dog and I'd pretty much blind buy it on the strength of his other films.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Does anybody know about the Last Emperor of China package situation? I haven't seen a new case except for the old paper one. What's the deal on that when Chungking Express is now being released in the the regular case?

So would Criterion actually have the replacement case for this or is this the only hold out from their wanting to release it in the dumb cardboard case?

thanks for the replies

I don't think they re-released that one in the new case like they re-issued Chungking Express. I don't know if there's any other ones they re-released, but Chungking was an exception (or at least one of the few)

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Does anybody know about the Last Emperor of China package situation? I haven't seen a new case except for the old paper one. What's the deal on that when Chungking Express is now being released in the the regular case?

So would Criterion actually have the replacement case for this or is this the only hold out from their wanting to release it in the dumb cardboard case?

thanks for the replies

I have seen the plastic case in stores. It all has to do with when B&N restocks from it's Criterion suppliers. Sometimes it takes a long while to run out of stock.