The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Drive was a fun film, but Criterion has already released a better version of the story with Le Samourai. Ha!

Speaking of desired Criterion titles, I watched the recently acquired Blu of one of my all-time favorite films, The Lives of Others, a couple nights ago. While I'm hard-pressed to imagine a better PQ presentation than what is on the existing Blu release, I'm sure that Criterion could work wonders with the special features.

[P@t_Mtl]

I saw Drive about three weeks ago. A lot of time what happen with me is that I see many of these movies a lot later than most of you. So I have months of either hype or bad comments to deal with when I see them. I try my best to go into the movie with no pre-conceptions or judgement.

I can't say I was blown away by it but it's not a terrible movie. It does move a little slow and I can see the arguement some could make that it's on purpose in order to look "art house". I won't say that it's the case and that it was done for that idea, I think the slow moving story fit with the main character personality. It's a very calculating character, not prone to talking but more in observing. I think the pace of the movie fit well with him. It's not a movie I would buy for me with repeat viewing in mind, mostly because it's not something or a story that would be interesting enough to me. It's the type I may watch again in ten years time however because it's playing.

As for a Criterion release, I doubt Sony would let go of it now, maybe one day but now in the near future

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Drive was a fun film, but Criterion has already released a better version of the story with Le Samourai. Ha!

That is sort of true

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Doesn't anyone have an answer for me re: Kurosawa?
(My post is on the previous page.)

I would say Seven Samuraibut Yojimbo and Sanjuro are also good starting point. I would suggest Rashomon only after you get to know a little more of Kurosawa

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Just saw Contempt...uuugh.

Should I give up on Godard? I've only seen this and Breathless, and had emotionally empty experiences with both. I at least appreciated Breathless for it's innovative camera work and editing, but with Contempt there was nothing.

He is not someone that is easy to understand right from the get-go. I have seen most of what could be call "his major films" and quite a few of his more "obscure or weird films" and he is very different. He's very much his own person and you either become a fan or you don't. Per say I am not a fan of his but I can see the talent he as in the art of cinema. Maybe give Pierrot Le Fou a try, that might give you another look into his work. Other's may disagre but I find Pierrot easier to watch then most of his other movies

[Grethiwha]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I watched Rashomon recently and almost fell asleep! One of the more boring films I've seen in awhile. (Note that I'm not normally bothered by slower-paced movies and like foreign film quite a bit.) Really disappointed and it was my first Kurosawa to boot!

Seven Samurai is one of the most highly-acclaimed works in the history of cinema but it's really long (I don't mind lengthy films as long as they justify their running time) and only available to rent on DVD via Netflix. Should I go ahead and check it out anyway?

Um... I dunno! When I first watched Seven Samurai I kind of loved it, but I've only grown to truly love it and regard it as one of my favourite films on repeat viewings. It's a film that invites you into it's world so, and when I watch it now for the second, third, fourth, fifth time, it feels like I'm visiting a place I just like being in. It's the only film that gives me that feeling.

Whereas Yojimbo and Rashomon I thought were kind of great the first time I watched them, but I liked them too more on a repeat viewing, and now I've come to kind of love them.

So if Rashomon was really that bad for you, maybe you won't like Seven Samurai much better either? I dunno! I say watch Ran or Ikiru. Those are my favourite Kurosawa films and they're ones I loved as much as I do right from the start. And they're long films, but not Seven Samurai long!

[bmsmcr]

I wish Criterion would release Performance staring James Fox and Mick Jagger. Love that movie, I think criterion could do a great job with it as far as features and such. Only version of the movie I have is on VHS...it's a pain to find a US dvd of it that's not over $20. PLEASE release it!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066214/

[bmsmcr]

Originally Posted by James78

There's a cheap DVD available from Amazon.co.uk. I would like to see it on Blu-ray too, but the DVD looks fantastic.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Performance-...8706849&sr=1-1

Ahh yes, I've seen that, sadly it's Region 2 and my region free player died out last year :/

[bmsmcr]

Originally Posted by James78

That's a shame, because The Dreamers is about to come out in Germany.

DAMN! Well...shucks, I know it came out in Russia too, hopefully the US will get on board soon enough.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

When you say "teenage boys and young men" you make it sound like Drive only appeals to audiences who love fast and the furious and other dumb driving movies which clearly isn't the case.

Don't know...I found it very audience-friendly/widely-appealing, myself.... being mostly a simple story with a lot of violence thrown in

[KRW1]

Originally Posted by Spire

Have there been instances in the past where Criterion has regained lost licensing for titles? With OOP's coming back into stock?

Yeah, a few times. Salo is a case in point. I sold my DVD for £100 or so, but then it came back in print about two months later.

[SammyJankis]

I'm not sure how one could find Drive to be audience friendly. Long moments of silence, a head being blown into bits in slowmotion, a head getting smashed in by someone's foot - these are not qualities that appease to the moviegoing public. This is obvious by the film's reaction.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Long moments of silence, a head being blown into bits in slowmotion, a head getting smashed in by someone's foot - these are not qualities that appease to the moviegoing public.

Hmm...I thought a general moviegoing public probably loves all the violence in the film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Hmm...I thought a general moviegoing public probably loves all the violence in the film.

Yeah, I certainly notice people get more into it once the ultraviolence starts. I personally love the film, while I acknowlege the first ten minutes are the best. Probably the best ten minutes of 2011 cinema.

By the way Coop, I saw Santa Sangre over the weekend and was quite stricken. Explaining the plot would make one sound like a madman, but oh do many images stick in the mind. My favorite Jodorowski by far.

I recorded Jour de Fete, any thoughts?

[The Great Owl]

My favorite thing about Drive was the soundtrack, since I've always gravitated to synth-pop/electronic music. Several friends commented that the music was cheesy at times, but I love how Drive had the feel of an Asian movie with a sappy songs bookended by abruptly intense violence. I was reminded of the old John Woo flicks.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by fassbenderfan

I don't know if it will be a Criterion release though. I think it will be a re-release by Sony like with The Town.

I didn't say Criterion would actually be releasing that supposed "Queen Edition" he apparently has in the works, although it did sound like that's what I meant so I apologise, it was just relevant to Drive getting a new release is all

[georgec]

117k likes at CC facebook. I believe the next 50% off flash sale will be when they hit 125k?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by georgec

117k likes at CC facebook. I believe the next 50% off flash sale will be when they hit 125k?

They didn't do one when they hit 100k did they?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My favorite thing about Drive was the soundtrack, since I've always gravitated to synth-pop/electronic music. Several friends commented that the music was cheesy at times, but I love how Drive had the feel of an Asian movie with a sappy songs bookended by abruptly intense violence. I was reminded of the old John Woo flicks.

Speaking of 80's/synth music, how about a CC Til Tuesday concert Blu?

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

They didn't do one when they hit 100k did they?

No.

Also, Drive was great! It's a Criterion on my shelf.