The Criterion Collection

[14728]

Originally Posted by jw007

Thanks! I created that site (U2station.com) in 1997! Still online after all these years (and a VH1/MTV nomination I received back in 2001 for the "coolest fan website" award). If Criterion should ever release Rattle & Hum, they should include Under a Blood Red Sky in the supplements too. One can only dream, right?

They probably won't release Rattle and Hum. Also, could you send a link to where I can see the other nominations of the year?

[lordmorpheus72]

Been a busy couple of days, but wanted to say Happy New Year everyone!! Hope you all have a great year!!

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Been a busy couple of days, but wanted to say Happy New Year everyone!! Hope you all have a great year!!

You too!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by 14728

They probably won't release Rattle and Hum. Also, could you send a link to where I can see the other nominations of the year?

For the fan sites that got nominated? I still remember the other 4 finalists for my category. They were fan sites for the Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and No Doubt (remember, this was in the year 2001). I think my U2 site came in a close 2nd right after DMB. It was a great and unforgettable weekend in LA though for me (when I attended the "My VH1 Music Awards" in person).

Sorry, this wasn't Criterion-related, forgive me folks (I should have PM'ed Mr. 14728).

[Archedamian]

Originally Posted by jw007

For the fan sites that got nominated? I still remember the other 4 finalists for my category. They were fan sites for the Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and No Doubt (remember, this was in the year 2001). I think my U2 site came in a close 2nd right after DMB. It was a great and unforgettable weekend in LA though for me (when I attended the "My VH1 Music Awards" in person).

Sorry, this wasn't Criterion-related, forgive me folks (I should have PM'ed Mr. 14728).

It is actually interesting hearing this stuff. Please don't apologize. What a cool experience!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Been a busy couple of days, but wanted to say Happy New Year everyone!! Hope you all have a great year!!

Happy New Year, Lord Morpheus!

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by jw007

For the fan sites that got nominated? I still remember the other 4 finalists for my category. They were fan sites for the Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and No Doubt (remember, this was in the year 2001). I think my U2 site came in a close 2nd right after DMB. It was a great and unforgettable weekend in LA though for me (when I attended the "My VH1 Music Awards" in person).

Sorry, this wasn't Criterion-related, forgive me folks (I should have PM'ed Mr. 14728).

Awesome!

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

DVDBeaver's End of Year Poll http://www.dvdbeaver.com/Blu-ray_and..._Year_2013.htm

Criterion killed it this year! So yeah, agreements? Observations? Currently I only own one of the top 10 (MoC Mizo set), with one more on the way (Marketa).

thats really a nice list of movies ! a lot of criterions and really interessting movies overall in the top 100.

but this one:
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00E8WL6EA/

had no idea that was released. what a nice boxset!

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

thats really a nice list of movies ! a lot of criterions and really interessting movies overall in the top 100.

but this one:
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00E8WL6EA/

had no idea that was released. what a nice boxset!

Yeah, only heard of it because the Beaver has been doing reviews of individual titles for the last few weeks, with nothing but praise. I'd usually be hesitant to buy from a foreign language site, but a price drop on that would be mighty tempting...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Thanks! I created that site (U2station.com) in 1997! Still online after all these years (and a VH1/MTV nomination I received back in 2001 for the "coolest fan website" award). If Criterion should ever release Rattle & Hum, they should include Under a Blood Red Sky in the supplements too. One can only dream, right?

Nice! I've visited your website a handful of times in years past, and it's a cool setup.

For years, I was active on an R.E.M. website, Murmurs.com, and I am still close friends with several people from the forum. Those websites are great for meeting a ton of people when the concerts roll around.

The Criterion title, Being John Malkovich, made big waves on that R.E.M. website, because Michael Stipe played a hand in the production.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

We still need Boy, Eraserhead, and Scanners, I believe.

(And Y Tu Mamá También from many a years ago).

To be fair, we don't NEED Eraserhead yet, there is an amazing version of it already, hand cleaned/restored by Lynch himself, maybe in future but would rather Mulholland Dr, or some of his other stuff in collection - unless they do a box set....

[ShellOilJunior]

Y Tu Mama Tambien will be released when its director is ready.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

This always happens. I hate the thought of watching particular movies and then I develop an obsession with the idea of watching it. My current desire is To The Wonder. I'm aware that my expectations should probably be adjusted and I know what to expect.

I've noticed that the bit-rate for the US release is surprisingly low at only 18.00, almost half that of The Tree of Life. Does anyone know whether the UK version looks better? I know it comes with a 7.1 audio track where as the US track is 5.1 but all I have is 5.1 so that's fine. US also comes with slightly more special features so right now, the only thing making hesitate a buy is whether the studio canal transfer is better or not. Does anyone know?

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by 14728

Are they eating TOOTSIE rolls at the picnic? And could the jazz band represent All that Jazz?

Okay, well here are my annual "stretches" for the new year's clues (please, bear with and indulge me):

The deer behind the bush: The Hart of London (Jack Chambers - 1970)

Giant ants invading picnic: Them! (Gordon Douglas - 1954)

The sun: A Brighter Summer Day (Edward Yang - 1991) or Lone Star (John Sayles - 1996)

Red liquid spilled on picnic blanket: The Blood of the Poet (Jean Cocteau - 1930) or Le sang des bêtes a.k.a. Blood of the Beasts (Georges Franju - 1949)

The angel with a bell: Exterminating Angel/The Phantom of Liberty (Luis Buñuel - 1962/1974) or Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki - 2001) or The Wind Will Carry Us (Abbas Kiarostami - 1999) or Angel (Ernst Lubitsch - 1937) or Juliet of the Spirits (Federico Fellini - 1965)

The wire mesh on top of the picnic blanket: Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren - 1943)

The ocean ripples: Wavelength (Michael Snow - 1967)

The entire group beneath the cliff: Memories of Underdevelopment (Tomás Gutiérrez Alea - 1968) or The Crowd (King Vidor - 1928) or Underground (Emir Kusturica - 1995) or Terra Em Transe a.k.a. Entranced Earth (Glauber Rocha - 1967) or La Terra Trema a.k.a. The Earth Trembles (Luchino Visconti - 1948)

Entire illustration: Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies - 1988) or Early Summer (Yasujiro Ozu - 1951) or A Place in the Sun (George Stevens - 1951)

Stream of red: Love Streams (John Cassavetes - 1984)

Group of angels: The Tarnished Angels (Douglas Sirk - 1957)

Angel with the animal skin: Killer of Sheep (Charles Burnett - 1977)

The coastal image: The Palm Beach Story (Preston Sturges - 1942)

The party on the beach: Festen a.k.a. The Celebration (Thomas Vinterberg - 1998) or The Party (Blake Edwards - 1968) or Hellzapoppin' (H.C. Potter - 1941) or Hallelujah! (King Vidor - 1929) or Party Girl (Nicholas Ray - 1958) or The Roaring Twenties (Raoul Walsh - 1939)

Red liquid gushing from man's neck: The Fountainhead (King Vidor - 1949)

Thank you and Happy New Year!

[joie]

^ A wire mesh over the picnic basket? Where is the picnic basket?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

This always happens. I hate the thought of watching particular movies and then I develop an obsession with the idea of watching it. My current desire is To The Wonder. I'm aware that my expectations should probably be adjusted and I know what to expect.

I've noticed that the bit-rate for the US release is surprisingly low at only 18.00, almost half that of The Tree of Life. Does anyone know whether the UK version looks better? I know it comes with a 7.1 audio track where as the US track is 5.1 but all I have is 5.1 so that's fine. US also comes with slightly more special features so right now, the only thing making hesitate a buy is whether the studio canal transfer is better or not. Does anyone know?

I've never seen the StudioCanal Blu-ray, but the Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray of To the Wonder looks outstanding, and the experience of watching the Blu-ray is spot-on compared to my experience of seeing the movie at the theater.

That said, I get the impression that American audiences were short-changed with this particular movie, which seemed to have been given a dismissive release with abysmal cover art and a lower bit-rate. I had a Region B player, I'd probably spring for the StudioCanal Blu-ray for these reasons, but I really have no complaints about the picture quality of the Magnolia Pictures disc.

I have a much more favorable opinion of To the Wonder than most reviewers did, and it ranks as my second favorite film of 2013, behind All Is Lost. It's a visually-arresting and surprisingly touching film that plays out like a silent Expressionist movie where the characters are conveying their emotions through physicality. To the Wonder has a visual flow to it that just takes my breath away every time.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've never seen the StudioCanal Blu-ray, but the Magnolia Pictures Blu-ray of To the Wonder looks outstanding, and the experience of watching the Blu-ray is spot-on compared to my experience of seeing the movie at the theater.

That said, I get the impression that American audiences were short-changed with this particular movie, which seemed to have been given a dismissive release with abysmal cover art and a lower bit-rate. I had a Region B player, I'd probably spring for the StudioCanal Blu-ray for these reasons, but I really have no complaints about the picture quality of the Magnolia Pictures disc.

I have a much more favorable opinion of To the Wonder than most reviewers did, and it ranks as my second favorite film of 2013, behind All Is Lost. It's a visually-arresting and surprisingly touching film that plays out like a silent Expressionist movie where the characters are conveying their emotions through physicality. To the Wonder has a visual flow to it that just takes my breath away every time.

My only problem with To The Wonder was the casting, Ben Affleck just lacked that something that, his expression lacked and I know he was meant to be a cold character or almost a shadow but he just didn't show it well, could have had a better actor to be fair... but it was beautiful to watch and was a very interesting experience!

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by joie

^ A wire mesh over the picnic basket? Where is the picnic basket?

I think he may have meant blanket, picnic blanket.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

My only problem with To The Wonder was the casting, Ben Affleck just lacked that something that, his expression lacked and I know he was meant to be a cold character or almost a shadow but he just didn't show it well, could have had a better actor to be fair... but it was beautiful to watch and was a very interesting experience!

For me, Ben Affleck's detached expressions add to the emotional gravitas of To the Wonder, because I feel that his character is a kind man who has trouble conveying his feelings to loved ones in an overt way. The camera eye purposely keeps him in the edges of the frame as if to reflect the noncommittal vibe of the character.

I'd love for Criterion to pick up this title one day and turn a Mercedes into a Rolls Royce.

[ShellOilJunior]

Those aren't ants by the picnic.