The Criterion Collection

[shamus]

Originally Posted by Toefur

Has anyone ever seen El Norte or The Last Metro in the plastic cases? I've been to 7 different Barnes and Nobles and all I've seen are the original releases in the cardboard cases. I'm wondering if they ever were re-released in plastic like Bottle Rocket and Chungking Express were.

I know I can order the plastic cases from Criterion, but was hoping to avoid that.

I'm new to the Criterion obsession... what's the story with the cases? I read a bit and it seems you can buy cases directly from them to replace cardboard cases? And sometimes you can buy a whole replacement case that includes a slip too? How do we know which option to take?

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by shamus

I'm new to the Criterion obsession... what's the story with the cases? I read a bit and it seems you can buy cases directly from them to replace cardboard cases? And sometimes you can buy a whole replacement case that includes a slip too? How do we know which option to take?

Criterion's early tiles were released in flimsy cardboard slip cases (not digipaks per se) that quickly became the bane of collectors.

They've since offered plastic replacement cases with artwork at: http://www.criterion.com/shop/other

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jw007

By the way, I noticed the user EricJ had his account suspended.

Was he suspended for comparing Criterion collectors to drug users or something like that?

I'm sure that could get one suspended or expelled from a forum.

Not surprising. I don't come on this thread for somebody to lecture me on my purchasing of something I enjoy.I already have a wife for that.

[The Great Owl]

Okay...here's a brain buster for all of you here in the Criterion thread.

Name five characters from Criterion Collection movies who remind you of yourself, and briefly explain why each characters reminds you of yourself.

Be honest with your answers and with your evaluations of yourselves with respect to the comparisons. This is a Criterion thread full of strangers, and we don't see one another in person on a daily basis, so there's no point in not being honest.

I'll get the ball rolling...

1. Bobby Dupea (Jack Nicholson) in Five Easy Pieces
I have a tendency to resort to escapism when times are tough in my life, and my hesitancy to commit myself fully to a given goal has led to an emptiness in my middle age that I might not otherwise have. While I do not ditch others at the drop of a hat like Bobby Dupea does, I often run away from myself.

2. Clive Candy (Roger Livesey) in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
I can sometimes be living proof that nice guys finish last, and my failure to be as assertive as I should have been has led to a handful of missed opportunities, especially with potential relationships. Like Candy, who let Edith slip through his fingers and lived with weighty regret, I often have that "What could have been..." malaise when thinking of opportunities in the past.

3. Piggy (Hugh Edwards) in Lord of the Flies
I never wore glasses, but I was an overweight kid with lazy eye in my right eye. I was a lot more athletic than Piggy, and I always kept up with my friends when playing army in the woods, running down the street, or tackling people in front yard football games, but I stood out like a sore thumb just as Piggy did, and I often made futile efforts to appeal to people's logic instead of fighting back whenever I found myself targeted by bullies. Certain scenes from this movie are rather difficult for me to watch.

4. The factory worker/the Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) in Modern Times
I've never quite fit in, and I often feel displaced in the grind of today's world, but I somehow manage to keep smiling, no matter what.

5. Jansen (Yves Montand) in Le Cercle Rouge
I'll end my five choices on a positive note, because, like Jansen struggling with his alcohol detox while preparing for a jewelry heist, I've occasionally managed to shine and accomplish something memorable despite personal battles and self doubt. When I crossed the finish line of my first marathon in 2009, I thought about how Jansen grabbed life by the throat and came through in style during one wonderful moment.


Now it's your turn, and the ball is in your court. I hope to see some cool posts here.

(If you are a female here and you post that Catherine Deneuve's Séverine Serizy from Belle De Jour reminds you of yourself, then be aware that you might receive more private messages than you might receive on a normal day, but be a good sport anyway and post honestly if that happens to be one of your choices.)

[shamus]

That's what I was thinking, but what's the deal with selling some with a slip and some blank? I guess I'm too late to the game to get a Third Man one?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Okay...here's a brain buster for all of you here in the Criterion thread.

Name five characters from Criterion Collection movies who remind you of yourself, and briefly explain why each characters reminds you of yourself.

Jeez, the first two things that came to mind were Lena Dunham and Johnny from Naked.

I don't think I like this game

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

Jeez, the first two things that came to mind were Lena Dunham and Johnny from Naked.

I don't think I like this game

C'mon...

I put Piggy down as one of my choices, so the excuses have been removed for all of you. Haha. Post away!

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Work, travels, and just the general "Nice Weather" have caused me to get a pretty hefty back-log in unwatched movies, mostly from current, and prior sale.

I need a solid week of alone-time to try to burn through them, but that's not really an option! When I do get time, I find myself watching House of Cards, or Orange is the new Black, etc.... it seems like less of a time commitment, and before you know it, I've watched 4 episodes in a row

I feel the same way! I was gonna watch Wild Strawberries but instead started watching The Increasingly Bad Decisions of Todd Margerate on Netflix and just couldnt stop watching. I have Orange is the new Black next on my que! And I have Marketa and Life of Oharu waiting on my shelf too!

[SammyJankis]

The only character that comes to mind that I truly relate to is your number one choice, Owl.

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

Criterion's early tiles were released in flimsy cardboard slip cases (not digipaks per se) that quickly became the bane of collectors.

They've since offered plastic replacement cases with artwork at: http://www.criterion.com/shop/other

Is this the same as the case that Dazed and Confuzed comes in or is it different?

[COLD_COBRA_]

Stopped by tonight and got 4.

Devil's Backbone
The Ice Storm
Revanche
Wild Strawberries

I thought about going crazy and getting 5 additional ones. And that Lord of the Flies cover, damn that's nice.

What's the consensus on 3:10 to Yuma?? I had a hard time putting that one down. Restraint is really hard when you get in there and have a credit card.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by COLD_COBRA_

What's the consensus on 3:10 to Yuma??

Just finished it, actually.

It's very good. I watched the first ten minutes or so on TCM a week or two ago and that sold on me buying it.

Glenn Ford and Van Heflin are absolutely fantastic but when all is said and done it's a pretty basic western. I really enjoyed it, I'm glad I bought it and I'll definitely be popping it in again down the road but I can't see ever putting it on any 'essentials' list either.

[COLD_COBRA_]

Originally Posted by octagon

Just finished it, actually.

It's very good. I watched the first ten minutes or so on TCM a week or two ago and that sold on me buying it.

Glenn Ford and Van Heflin are absolutely fantastic but when all is said and done it's a pretty basic western. I really enjoyed it, I'm glad I bought it and I'll definitely be popping it in again down the road but I can't see ever putting it on any 'essentials' list either.

I'll likely get it in November. Essential's I usually know immediately if I want it or not, regardless if I knew anything about it 5 minutes prior. Conjecture on my part, but as I reach close to 40 Criterion's, there aren't a huge amount of essential's left to get. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by thismightbezach

I can see why Babette's Feast is Pope Francis' favorite film. Very warm and heartfelt.

It's incredible. When Criterion announced it, I had little interest, but I borrowed the DVD from my library a little over a month ago and fell in love. Can't wait for my blu-ray to show up.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I just noticed that The Dissolve posted a review on Babette's Feast:

http://thedissolve.com/reviews/75-babettes-feast/

For being a Pitchfork adjacent site, I've found The Dissolve's content to be disappointing and not very engaging so far. I'd much rather visit Reverse Shot or film.com. Also, their layout is pretty poor.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by COLD_COBRA_

I'll likely get it in November. Essential's I usually know immediately if I want it or not, regardless if I knew anything about it 5 minutes prior. Conjecture on my part, but as I reach close to 40 Criterion's, there aren't a huge amount of essential's left to get. Maybe I'm wrong though.

It's one of my favorite releases this year by far, been one of my favorite westerns for a good year or two and was really glad they released it. So in my opinion its totally an essential just for the quality in picture and audio and its replay value alone, I know its light on extras.
Theres a lot of good mind play between the two characters and its beautifully shot too. Very entertaining and I can easily recommend it!
I've watched it numerous times since picking it up in May.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

It's very good. I watched the first ten minutes or so on TCM a week or two ago and that sold on me buying it.

Glenn Ford and Van Heflin are absolutely fantastic but when all is said and done it's a pretty basic western. I really enjoyed it, I'm glad I bought it and I'll definitely be popping it in again down the road but I can't see ever putting it on any 'essentials' list either.

Well said.

3:10 to Yuma looks outstanding in high definition, and it's a grand story across the board, but it's not quite on the level as something like Stagecoach. This is not necessarily a complaint on my part, though, because I love it when the Criterion Collection releases movies that are simply good old fun movies, with no life-changing thematic weight behind them. The Blob is another such example. Just a Saturday afternoon type of movie.

[BondFan84]

Originally Posted by Toefur

Has anyone ever seen El Norte or The Last Metro in the plastic cases? I've been to 7 different Barnes and Nobles and all I've seen are the original releases in the cardboard cases. I'm wondering if they ever were re-released in plastic like Bottle Rocket and Chungking Express were.

I know I can order the plastic cases from Criterion, but was hoping to avoid that.

I got El Norte in a plastic case, but I got the DVD so not sure if there's a difference.

[JoeBuck]

and seeing as I haven't shared this here yet, heres my haul from this sale.
Several of these are blind buys and have watched a couple of those so far.
Marketa Lazarova completely blew me away!

[Show spoiler]2013-07-19 20.01.45.jpg

[BondFan84]

So I have gotten the Criterion bug and have enjoyed reading posts. I haven't purchased any Blu-Rays yet but was wondering if I were to start upgrading, which ones would be worth it to upgrade?

- Tokyo Drifter
- Black Moon
- Kiss Me Deadly
- Belle de Jour
- Salo

I'm still burning through Criterions on Hulu Plus and hopefully from viewings I can swing up to B&N this week and pick up a few more. Recenlty watched Shock Corridor and loved it. My last haul included

- Kiss Me Deadly
- Repo Man
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.

One more question: I've heard alot about Goddard and wanted to start to get into his films and started with Breathless. While the dialogue was good, I was kinda bored by it. What would be another good Goddard flick to try? Thanks!

[crazyman]

Originally Posted by COLD_COBRA_

Stopped by tonight and got 4.

Devil's Backbone
The Ice Storm
Revanche
Wild Strawberries

I thought about going crazy and getting 5 additional ones. And that Lord of the Flies cover, damn that's nice.

What's the consensus on 3:10 to Yuma?? I had a hard time putting that one down. Restraint is really hard when you get in there and have a credit card.

3:10 to Yuma is a masterful western with a poetic edge and two terrific performances by Ford and Van Heflin. There's more tension in the two guys sitting in a room together than there is in the entirety of the remake, which wishes it was half as good.

Awesome Frankie Laine theme song too.