The Criterion Collection

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by blackhawktraffic

Can anyone suggest any good action movies, maybe some with really good car chases? For the life of me I seem to pick mostly dramas and don't know many action ones...so any titles would be great

It isn't talked about much but I rather enjoy To Live and Die in L.A. very 80's. Get ready for some Wang Chung.

[blackhawktraffic]

Originally Posted by dizzy4111

Hmmm, so B&N is listing The Devil's Backbone as a July 23 release? I wonder if they'll have it in store that day.

The girl I talked to on the first day of the B&N sale said they would.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by dizzy4111

Hmmm, so B&N is listing The Devil's Backbone as a July 23 release? I wonder if they'll have it in store that day.

Very cool sounds like another Barnes Exclusive yet Criterion NEVER mentions early release :-)

[blackhawktraffic]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

It isn't talked about much but I rather enjoy To Live and Die in L.A. very 80's. Get ready for some Wang Chung.

That's a Criterion title?

[dizzy4111]

Originally Posted by blackhawktraffic

The girl I talked to on the first day of the B&N sale said they would.

That's great news.

[The Great Owl]

Since I upgraded three highly-esteemed Chaplin Criterion DVDs to Blu-ray this past week, I've dedicated the weekend to revisiting the movies. First up...



The Criterion Blu-ray edition of Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush includes a reconstructed restoration of the original 1925 version and the 1942 Chaplin-endorsed "director's cut" re-release of the film, along with a generous amount of supplementary documents and a commentary track for the 1925 film. The original 1925 version clocks in at 88 minutes and includes an adapted composition of Chaplin's original score. The 1942 edition clocks in at only 72 minutes as a result of several edits by Chaplin that trim the storyline for efficient pacing, and includes narration and character voice dubbing that were inserted by Chaplin himself.

My preferences are strong for the original 1925 silent version of The Gold Rush, since, funnily enough, the 1942 version seems more dated in this day and age because of the inserted narration. The 1925 version pulls the viewer into a story that is somewhat lighter in mood while still evoking a Jack London-esque feel to give us an idea of the seriousness of what the daring prospectors of the time were up against from natural elements and economic setbacks. Each time I revisit the film as I did earlier today, though, I am compelled to watch the 1925 version and then immediately follow up that viewing with Chaplin's 1942 edit. Somehow, I do not feel right if I do not give an equal nod to both editions.

Fortunately, new viewers are in for one incredible crowd-pleasing experience, regardless of which version they choose. Chaplin's signature character, the Tramp, is the perfect iconic representation of the resourcefulness of the American character, where we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps when times get tough, and persevere in the face of any and all difficulties that life throws at us. It's a joy to watch Chaplin face life's challenges, big and small, whether we're seeing him encounter a bear, shield himself against a snowstorm, or maneuver frantically to balance a cabin perched on a cliff edge. Chaplin's lone prospector character is the ultimate underdog, and the comedic presentation of his struggles in The Gold Rush was something to which viewers around the world could relate.

The Gold Rush makes me laugh and gives me food for thought with each subsequent viewing. As such, I give both versions a hearty five-star rating.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by blackhawktraffic

That's a Criterion title?

No regular title I can't think of any Criterion car chase movies much sorry

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

No regular title I can't think of any Criterion car chase movies much sorry

Two-Lane Blacktop for the win!

It's not so much a "car chase" movie as it is a fascinating road trip experience, but it captures the vibe quite well.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

Since folks were talking about October releases, I just made a mock up of a fantasy my dad and I were talking about. I'm just dreaming and playing around, so don't laugh at me, haha.
Attachment 67667

Nice cover. A dream title of mine from Criterion.

[zoodermin]

For those of you having trouble deciding which movies to buy, film.com have made a nice list with the 50 best Criterion releases. This is of course is a subjective matter and some titles in the list are just available on DVD but I think it'll help and the arguments given are very solid.

http://www.film.com/movies/50-best-c...ollection-dvds

[cferreiro]

Originally Posted by blackhawktraffic

Can anyone suggest any good action movies, maybe some with really good car chases? For the life of me I seem to pick mostly dramas and don't know many action ones...so any titles would be great

Taste of Cherry. Abbas Kiarostami is a master of the car chase

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

For those of you having trouble deciding which movies to buy, film.com have made a nice list with the 50 best Criterion releases. This is of course is a subjective matter and some titles in the list are just available on DVD but I think it'll help and the arguments given are very solid.

http://www.film.com/movies/50-best-c...ollection-dvds

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters #2...nice! I want this one to be bumped up to blu-ray soon.

[brandon_260]

Just recently finished watching Marketa Lazarova. I've got complete confidence to put this up where The Thin Red Line, Solaris, and Fanny & Alexander as one of the best films Criterion has released. I was definitely confounded for a lot of the film, but the visuals and the score were so haunting and affected me greatly. There's a lot of characters that were hard to remember or take not of on the first viewing, but I think piecing together their importance on future viewings will only make for a richer experience. I had such high hopes for this release and it was still able to floor me like few other films have be able to.

I've worked my way through most of the supplements, with only the actors and costume designer interviews left over. I'm eager for the English translation of the novel that is supposed to come later this year, because I think it will give greater insight to story points that may have slipped by me on my first viewing.

I may be jumping the gun here, since I've only seen the film once, but I think that, in due time, I could easily see Marketa Lazarova as one of my favorite films of all time.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

For those of you having trouble deciding which movies to buy, film.com have made a nice list with the 50 best Criterion releases. This is of course is a subjective matter and some titles in the list are just available on DVD but I think it'll help and the arguments given are very solid.

http://www.film.com/movies/50-best-c...ollection-dvds

Neat-o!

This was a fun read, and, while I do not quite see eye-to-eye with all of the observations, I do see a few holes in my current collection to be filled.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Just recently finished watching Marketa Lazarova. I've got complete confidence to put this up where The Thin Red Line, Solaris, and Fanny & Alexander as one of the best films Criterion has released. I was definitely confounded for a lot of the film, but the visuals and the score were so haunting and affected me greatly. There's a lot of characters that were hard to remember or take not of on the first viewing, but I think piecing together their importance on future viewings will only make for a richer experience. I had such high hopes for this release and it was still able to floor me like few other films have be able to.

I've worked my way through most of the supplements, with only the actors and costume designer interviews left over. I'm eager for the English translation of the novel that is supposed to come later this year, because I think it will give greater insight to story points that may have slipped by me on my first viewing.

I may be jumping the gun here, since I've only seen the film once, but I think that, in due time, I could easily see Marketa Lazarova as one of my favorite films of all time.

Well-said. I have the same feelings, having first viewed this movie three weeks ago. I was not quite sure what I had just watched, but it really knocked me on the tail. I was lost for the first 40 minutes or so of the film, and then I slowly began to piece things together. Marketa Lazarova is such a bold and beautiful visual masterpiece.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

For those of you having trouble deciding which movies to buy, film.com have made a nice list with the 50 best Criterion releases. This is of course is a subjective matter and some titles in the list are just available on DVD but I think it'll help and the arguments given are very solid.

http://www.film.com/movies/50-best-c...ollection-dvds

I love film.com. Generally a great list, but there are some shocking omissions.

[Blu-Velvet]

Sadly the Barnes & Noble in my town closed a few years back (and I don't recall them carrying much if any video anyway), but by fortuitous coincidence I happened to be visiting family in the Twin Cities for a wedding this weekend and stopped by the Minnetonka Barnes & Noble. The 13 titles I bought at 50% off (11 Blu-rays and 2 DVD sets) saved me enough money to cover the round-trip gas and part of the hotel bill. All but one of the titles were blind buys.

I already own most of the classic titles in the Criterion Collection, so took the opportunity to fill in some of the gaps of more recent foreign and independent films, plus some foreign classics. It was hard to resist buying more, but here's what I finally wound up getting (many titles guided by various recommendations on this forum):

LE BEAU SERGE
REVANCHE
SWEETIE
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (the only title I'd seen before)
VANYA ON 42ND STREET
LE HAVRE
INSIGNIFICANCE
THE LIFE OF OHARU
IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES
CARNAGE (not Criterion, but still 50% off in their ArtCinema promotion)
Eclipse series 17 NIKKATSU NOIR
Eclipse series 23 THE FIRST FILMS OF AKIRA KUROSAWA

The girl at the checkout counter helpfully noted that she didn't see her favorite in the pile, SANS SOLEIL. She was pleased when I mentioned that I already had that and agreed it was much better than LA JETEE. It's a pleasure to buy classic and foreign films at a brick & mortar store where the employees actually know and love them as much as the customers. I'm tempted to stop by on the way out of town and pick up a few more, and if I could stay until Tuesday's new releases I definitely would.

[Jr7936]

just started night of hunter, it's my 1st time watching it and have to say everyone who said the movie was good, i agree with
would recommend to anyone during the b&n half price sale

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Jr7936

just started night of hunter, it's my 1st time watching it and have to say everyone who said the movie was good, i agree with
would recommend to anyone during the b&n half price sale

Glad you like it. Be sure to watch the fascinating feature-length selection of outtakes where you can hear Charles Laughton directing from off-camera. Truly fascinating!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Glad you like it. Be sure to watch the fascinating feature-length selection of outtakes where you can hear Charles Laughton directing from off-camera. Truly fascinating!

Noted. The last time I saw the film was on DVD. I really beef to change that.