The Criterion Collection

[brandon_260]

My flash sale order came, a week quicker than last sale.

The 400 Blows is pretty beat up, as expected, but I planned on getting it a plastic case anyway. Vivre sa vie was loose, but there is no damage, from what I can see. Fanny and Alexander and Zazie are in pristine shape. Can't wait to dig into these.

[jsz1002]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

So has anyone on here had their card charged from the flash sale even though their blu's have yet to ship? Criterion.com says my order won't be charged until shipped. I think I've read on here some people were charged before they received shipment email.

My card was charged 3 days before the order shipped. In fact, I never received an email saying my order shipped. I just checked the status on their website. My order took forever to actually ship, but it seemed like contacting them about it sped up the process.

[UNCMT9]

Just watched Rashomon. I can't decide what to make of it.

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I love this movie. After reading an article saying that criterion will not release Sorcerer (1980s remake of Wages of Fear), I felt pretty disappointed. I hope the future blu ray will do justice to the amazing film score by Tangerine Dream. Phillipe Druillet was the set designer for The Sorcerer, another plus. No shark or jungle stopped Roy Scheider back in the 70s (RIP).

They for sure won't do Sorcerer? That is disappointing. I would agree it appears nicely on Blu at some point.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by UNCMT9

Just watched Rashomon. I can't decide what to make of it.

Well, that's kind of the whole point of the film. Which story is the truth? Are they all the truth in their own ways? Were three of the people lying? Were they all lying and/or intentionally leaving out something? Or does each think his or her version really is the truth? Read the two short stories it was based on (included in Criterion's booklet) and the essays about the film, and watch the bonus features (especially the audio commentary). They should help.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Well, that's kind of the whole point of the film. Which story is the truth? Are they all the truth in their own ways? Were three of the people lying? Were they all lying and/or intentionally leaving out something? Or does each think his or her version really is the truth? Read the two short stories it was based on (included in Criterion's booklet) and the essays about the film, and watch the bonus features (especially the audio commentary). They should help.

The hidden question that really bothered me the most is : were they all telling the truth ? Is perceiving reality just a subjective interpretation of the truth. This movie touches on some Anti-foundationalistic philosophy.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Kevin Holly

They for sure won't do Sorcerer? That is disappointing. I would agree it appears nicely on Blu at some point.

Someone on this forum, I don't remember who, posted an article where criterion declares that they will not be involved in the blu ray transfer of the film. I feel your pain.

On a good note, it mentioned that it will be released on blu ray sometime in the near future.

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Someone on this forum, I don't remember who, posted an article where criterion declares that they will not be involved in the blu ray transfer of the film. I feel your pain.

On a good note, it mentioned that it will be released on blu ray sometime in the near future.

Good. That's one more Friedkin on Blu-Ray, which is what we need.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

The hidden question that really bothered me the most is : were they all telling the truth ? Is perceiving reality just a subjective interpretation of the truth. This movie touches on some Anti-foundationalistic philosophy.

I think RASHOMON dramatizes very effectively how people perceive reality through their own personal attitudes, needs, and preconceptions. They often see what they expect to see or what they want to see, and interpret what they actually do see according to what they're focused on and either ignoring or misinterpreting, even reimagining whatever doesn't fit so it will match what they think is the truth. And of course each witness is the "hero" of his/her version of what happened, and naturally must come off with the best reputation of all those involved. RASHOMON is a great film to watch before or after TWELVE ANGRY MEN.

[The Great Owl]

If you want to see a real-life "Rashomon Effect" scenario unfold, then read the diverse comments about Blu-ray picture quality and audio quality for any given popular movie on the website. It's a shining example of how our interpretation of the truth (the quality of a Blu-ray transfer) depends on our individual point-of-view (the HDTV/stereo setup in our homes). To a certain degree, everyone is an unreliable witness.

(This is why the thread about the two different editions of Predator is so much fun to read.)

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

The hidden question that really bothered me the most is : were they all telling the truth ? Is perceiving reality just a subjective interpretation of the truth. This movie touches on some Anti-foundationalistic philosophy.

Exactly. (and well said)

Reminds me of the quote, "There are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying..."

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

The hidden question that really bothered me the most is : were they all telling the truth ? Is perceiving reality just a subjective interpretation of the truth. This movie touches on some Anti-foundationalistic philosophy.

I've only seen it once so far and I was kind of underwhelmed in part because I expected that aspect to be more deftly handled. Or maybe put differently, I expected perspective coloring perceptions to be a central question and not a hidden one.

Parodies by the likes of All in the Family and The Dick Van Dyke Show put that question front and center and to great effect. I had more or less assumed over the years that the film had done much the same.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Exactly. (and well said)

Reminds me of the quote, "There are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying..."

Monty, I am glad you see my point. I like the fact that Kurosawa paints this story with no moral judgement. He takes three perspectives and gives them equal weight. This movie has more resonance than 12 Angry Men just for that fact.

I think the only other movie that goes into depth about penal and moral judgements is Red and Decalogue series by Kieslowski.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've only seen it once so far and I was kind of underwhelmed in part because I expected that aspect to be more deftly handled. Or maybe put differently, I expected perspective coloring perceptions to be a central question and not a hidden one.

This sounds interesting, octagon. Can you elaborate.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

This sounds interesting, octagon. Can you elaborate.

I guess my main issue with the film is that I never got the impression that any of the participants believed their own stories. They all seemed to be explicitly, knowingly and deliberately coloring the truth or outright lying to further their own agendas.

That was not what I was led to expect.

Over the years I had read many references to the film and they all painted a much more subtle picture in which the various participants were more or less telling the truth from their own points of view. This was also the approach taken by the sitcoms I referenced (both episodes are very funny, btw). The participants were spinning events rather than lying about them and they weren't necessarily even doing it consciously.

But again, that's based on one viewing. Maybe the film will seem a little more nuanced the second time around.

[Trekkie313]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I love this movie. After reading an article saying that criterion will not release Sorcerer (1980s remake of Wages of Fear), I felt pretty disappointed. I hope the future blu ray will do justice to the amazing film score by Tangerine Dream. Phillipe Druillet was the set designer for The Sorcerer, another plus. No shark or jungle stopped Roy Scheider back in the 70s (RIP).

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=aTrNtrIQVdo

Those snobby bastards!

[saprano]

Almost at 4 million.

I guess everybody including Criterion themselves reads this thread.

So Criterion, how about releasing The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou?

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by octagon

I guess my main issue with the film is that I never got the impression that any of the participants believed their own stories. They all seemed to be explicitly, knowingly and deliberately coloring the truth or outright lying to further their own agendas.

That was not what I was led to expect.

Over the years I had read many references to the film and they all painted a much more subtle picture in which the various participants were more or less telling the truth from their own points of view. This was also the approach taken by the sitcoms I referenced (both episodes are very funny, btw). The participants were spinning events rather than lying about them and they weren't necessarily even doing it consciously.

But again, that's based on one viewing. Maybe the film will seem a little more nuanced the second time around.

To me the lack of the objective or absolute truth is the main dilemma of the film.
I can not judge any of characters as completely honest or a straight out lier. Without delving too much in epistemology, without a defined absolute reference, it is possible that all the characters in this film are telling their subjective truth.

In the end it could be just a play of words (subjective truth = lie). Ultimately, a lie implies that there is an absolute truth, which in reality, in my opinion, is incorrect.

At this moment Ayn Rand is turning in her grave.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by UNCMT9

Just watched Rashomon. I can't decide what to make of it.

Then I'll decide for you, it's great.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Someone on this forum, I don't remember who, posted an article where criterion declares that they will not be involved in the blu ray transfer of the film. I feel your pain.

On a good note, it mentioned that it will be released on blu ray sometime in the near future.

William Friedkin tweeted about it recently, confirming it is coming to blu-ray, but not to Criterion.