The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by R o d

What a nice personal reflection on a remarkable film! It's my favorite in the collection, too. You'll love the Trilogy, especially Red.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Great reflection on the movie.

I think what makes this a great film are:
1) the story is subtle (it leaves a lot to the viewer's interpretation) enshroud in mystery , 2)cinematography is fantastic (Kieslowski/Idziak uses a lot of color filters) and 3)Irene Jacob is just gorgeous and talented actress. The score also plays an important role.

From The Three Color Trilogy, Red is the film that resembles The Double Life Of Veronique the most (my favorite from the trilogy). I would highly recommend The Decalogue especially if you are studying criminology. It is a series of 10 episodes/short films loosely based on the ten commandments, sublime meditation on each commandment.

European countries that I enjoyed visiting was Italy (Rome more than Venice) and France (Paris). Rome and Paris are museums within themselves.

You hit the nail right on the head. Such a great film.

I will definitely check out The Decalogue, it sounds interesting. I would love to go to Italy - it seems like a great place. My grandma was born in Italy and her sister lives out there so if we ever went to Europe, we'd be seeing some extended relatives.

[The Great Owl]

I sold my DVD copies of The Double Life Of Veronique and the Three Colors Trilogy to make room for the eventual Blu-ray purchases.

It may be a while before I purchase the Blu-rays, though, because these are "second-tier priority level" upgrades behind a few other Criterions that I want to upgrade first (The Wages of Fear, Breathless, Pierrot Le Fou, M, America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, Diabolique, The Phantom Carriage, Wings of Desire).

Meaning that I'll probably end up upgrading the Kieślowski movies at the Barnes & Noble November sale instead of during the July sale.

Unless I find a cheap used copy first or unless I spontaneously change my mind at the drop of a hat.

I am loving the reviews of these Kieślowski movies here in this thread over the past couple of days, though, and I'm remembering how impressive they are.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I sold my DVD copies of The Double Life Of Veronique and the Three Colors Trilogy to make room for the eventual Blu-ray purchases.

It may be a while before I purchase the Blu-rays, though, because these are "second-tier priority level" upgrades behind a few other Criterions that I want to upgrade first (The Wages of Fear, Breathless, Pierrot Le Fou, M, America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, Diabolique, The Phantom Carriage, Wings of Desire).

Meaning that I'll probably end up upgrading the Kieślowski movies at the Barnes & Noble November sale instead of during the July sale.

Unless I find a cheap used copy first or unless I spontaneously change my mind at the drop of a hat.

I am loving the reviews of these Kieślowski movies here in this thread over the past couple of days, though, and I'm remembering how impressive they are.

Pierrot Le Fou is out of print. I was lucky to get a copy last fall for $35 brand new through bluraysforeveryone.com.

Also, if you haven't already, I would recommend picking up Chungking Express and Playtime, as both have been announced as Out Of Print.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Pierrot Le Fou is out of print. I was lucky to get a copy last fall for $35 brand new through bluraysforeveryone.com.

Also, if you haven't already, I would recommend picking up Chungking Express and Playtime, as both have been announced as Out Of Print.

Pierrot Le Fou is available as a Region A StudioCanal release in the UK.

Fortunately, I still haven't sold my Criterion DVD copy of Pierrot Le Fou. I was planning to sell it off this weekend when I swing by the used store, but I'll hold on to it for a while longer.

I'm in no hurry to own Chungking Express. I'm sure that it's a great flick, but it's never really appeared on my radar or triggered my impulsive purchase tendencies before.

I'd like to own Playtime. I may grab that one with the current Barnes & Noble coupon if I get a chance to hit the store during lunch break or later this week. It's not an emergency, though. I'm hoping to grab Breathless on Blu-ray this week, and I'll get Playtime along with that if I have enough money.

[blkhrt]

For people interested in the Tati films, Criterion Cast just posted some info from Jon Mulvaney:

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/4...ly-renewed-the

"Regarding Tati, we have recently renewed the rights and they will be going back in print with a new restoration sometime in the future."

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

For people interested in the Tati films, Criterion Cast just posted some info from Jon Mulvaney:

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/4...ly-renewed-the

"Regarding Tati, we have recently renewed the rights and they will be going back in print with a new restoration sometime in the future."

Interesting - does that mean Playtime will get a new release as well? I already own it, so I'm hoping that they decide to just release newer Tati films instead.

[ShellOilJunior]

Hopefully, this means a M.Hulot's Holiday blu very soon.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Interesting - does that mean Playtime will get a new release as well? I already own it, so I'm hoping that they decide to just release newer Tati films instead.

I'm not sure what they could do to improve the Play Time release, but who knows.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Interesting - does that mean Playtime will get a new release as well? I already own it, so I'm hoping that they decide to just release newer Tati films instead.

If it does then it will be the 3rd Criterion iteration of it since DVD. Hopefully it means they will finally release the long rumored Jour De Fete, but I most want M. Hulot's Holiday on Blu.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

For people interested in the Tati films, Criterion Cast just posted some info from Jon Mulvaney:

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/4...ly-renewed-the

"Regarding Tati, we have recently renewed the rights and they will be going back in print with a new restoration sometime in the future."

Awesome news...almost bit and imported the BFI's

Thanks!

[captveg]

It may be that they only want to release the films in a box and not want them sold individually, hence the Playtime BD going OOP. Or perhaps they'll do a proper 4k scan from the 65mm instead of 2k from 35mm this time?

In any case, I really hope this news is legit.

[The Great Owl]

Whoah! I'm so glad that I did not pull the trigger on Play Time today at Barnes & Noble.

However...

I did pull the trigger on Breathless, because I've been wanting to upgrade this movie for a while now. I took advantage of a 20% Barnes & Noble coupon that I received in the email to grab Breathless for 30% off with the member discount.

I love Breathless so much. It's my favorite Godard film by far, since it was made before Godard went off the deep end, stepped off the Kurtz boat, descended into chaotic insanity, and whatever else. Breathless also falls squarely into my favorite sub-set of Criterion titles: the French gangster flicks circa 1940-1975.

I also upgraded a non-Criterion favorite, Lost in Translation, since it was $12.99 on the sale rack. This one has been on the sale rack for a while, and I've been putting off the purchase for a while. I decided to dive in this time.

When I purchased my Blu-ray player, I promised myself that I would only buy one Blu-ray a month. So far, so good. Right now, I'm on August, 2097.

[Scottie]

Rewatching The Double Life Of Veronique with my family now.

I have to say it's hilarious when she's drying the shoe string with the hair dryer when the water is running.

[EddieLarkin]

I imagine they've pulled everything because the current rights have indeed expired, but the new rights agreement will come into effect in the near future. Who knows when they'll actually be back in print mind; the BRD Trilogy has been OOP for 18 months now despite Criterion retaining the rights and planning an upgrade since then. Fingers crossed for a new Playtime transfer, 4K from 70mm materials!

[Mr.Dig]

Sorry if this has been asked before. Does anyone know if "White Dog" is going to be released on blu-ray from Criterion? Great movie!

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I love her too but what else has she even been in besides Braveheart and The World Is Not Enough?

Point taken. She (Sophie Marceau) has a fairly extensive filmography but it seems composed mainly of small romantic comedies that have never seen the light of day over here. But then French cinema, even the big releases like Horseman on the Roof and Brotherhood of the Wolf never seems to receive it's fair share of attention.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Beyond the Clouds directed by Wim Wenders & Michaelangelo Antonioni.

Just checking this out. Can't believe that in addition to Sophie Marceau and John Malcovich, Irene Jacob, Fanny Ardant, and Jean Reno also appear in this. A number of reviews complaining about it's 'artiness' and slow-pacing but that just makes it sound like a Criterion candidate...

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thank you!
You hit the nail right on the head. Such a great film.

I will definitely check out The Decalogue, it sounds interesting. I would love to go to Italy - it seems like a great place. My grandma was born in Italy and her sister lives out there so if we ever went to Europe, we'd be seeing some extended relatives.

Where would you go about looking for The Decalogue? This has been high on my radar since a strong recommendation from IronWaffle some time back but have come up empty thus far, particularly since all the movie-rental outfits have packed it in in this area.

Italy (and southern France) are the creme-de-la-creme of the European experience. Have traveled the length and breadth of Italy for weeks on end on successive trips and can't claim to have even come close to seeing all the marvels and delights it has to offer. A month in Rome would only scratch the surface. You have to go if you have relatives over there! While they're still there!

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by Penglii

Care to post the source of this wonderful news?

Some dude posted this pic over at DVDClassik forum.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love Breathless so much. It's my favorite Godard film by far, since it was made before Godard went off the deep end, stepped off the Kurtz boat, descended into chaotic insanity, and whatever else. Breathless also falls squarely into my favorite sub-set of Criterion titles: the French gangster flicks circa 1940-1975.

Hmm, I don't think I have ever heard Breathless described as a gangster film. I also love that film, it's my favorite Godard film that I have seen but there are quite a few of his films I have still yet to see.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love Breathless so much. It's my favorite Godard film by far, since it was made before Godard went off the deep end, stepped off the Kurtz boat, descended into chaotic insanity, and whatever else. Breathless also falls squarely into my favorite sub-set of Criterion titles: the French gangster flicks circa 1940-1975.

I enjoy Breathless, Vivre sa Vie and Pierrot le Fou equally, and can not get myself to pick one of them as my favorite.

The movie that I have seen more than four times so far is Vivre sa Vie. I think it is very interesting how Godard's film is told in chapters. The use of shadows and odd angles are great too. Overall, there is more thought in the narrative of Vivre sa Vie than his other films. Also I like the fact that Anna Karina is the main protagonist.

I think sometimes the "chaotic insanity" in his later films work well, for example Pierrot Le Fou. It is a bit whimsical, surreal but the imagery is fantastic. I love the color scheme. Pierrot Le Fou is a boiling pot of genres.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

For people interested in the Tati films, Criterion Cast just posted some info from Jon Mulvaney:

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/4...ly-renewed-the

"Regarding Tati, we have recently renewed the rights and they will be going back in print with a new restoration sometime in the future."

Of course - after I bought the BFIs
Everyone can thank me
Honestly, it doesn't upset me - I'm very happy with the BFI editions.
However, it validates my frustration with Criterion's continued non-transparent approach to their announcements. They lose sales to these other companies, because there's a lot of customers like me that have a choice.
Meanwhile, why are there calls for a new transfer of Playtime? I have the Criterion and it's outstanding. Why would a new 4K transfer of a 65mm source make a 1080p blu-ray look better? The only reason to do this would be in preparation for commercial 4K UHD media and displays, which are still not available.