The Criterion Collection

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I'll have to watch my copy again soon. It was among the first the or so Criterions I picked up (for original price), but it really didn't do anything for me when I watched it. I have no shame it admitting that I really didn't know how to intelligently watch films several years ago and I think I needed to cleanse my pallet of Hollywood junk before appreciating art films fully.

I don't consider Noir films to be "art" films. I mean I guess technically every movie, even The Room can be considered art, but I think more of more "art house" style films in that regard. I need to re-watch the 3rd man. I keep looking at the current Studio Canal BD release but haven't bought it yet. Maybe I'll add it in with my next Amazon order.

[fahrenheit290]

Blu-rays I'd like to see this year:

McCabe & Mrs. Miller in a glorious presentation (I ordered the DVD for Christmas, but B&N screwed up the order...maybe that was a sign?)

La Dolce Vita - how is this one so hard to get on DVD, let alone BD? a classic for heaven's sake?

Chinese cinema: Raise the Red Lantern --or-- Farewell, My Concubine --or-- Huo Zhe (To Live) - three movies that are also very difficult to get a hold of, and not available on BD. One of which won the Palme d'Or.


Upgrades:

The Passion of Joan of Arc on BD - I was so moved by the Einhorn "Voices of Light" scoring to this film. Except TCM's image quality sucked. Upgrade please!

Ikiru on BD - what's taking this one so long?


I'm sure there are others....I'd certainly be intrigued if The Deer Hunter received a Criterion release. Curious to see what hints will be revealed, and what films will pleasantly surprise.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I don't consider Noir films to be "art" films.

This is true. In fact, noir films were not "noir films" back in the day. The "film noir" description was coined by French critics as a reaction to seeing The Maltese Falcon, Laura, Double Indemnity, and other movies.

As Robert Mitchum said, "We called them B movies."

[fahrenheit290]

Also, I'd like a Vertigo BD (with the correct coloring) without having to buy the massive Hitchcock collection. I know it won't be a Criterion release, but just saying.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Bene, bene... Long overdue...Dino Risi

Now, we need Mauro Bolognini in the collection
https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...pro-bassoonist



Il Sorpasso - Beach Party! - YouTube

Pro-B

I find it sad how people whine for overrated crap like from the likes of Wes Anderson when films like this remain to be released. Criterion should only issue films of this quality and this vintage, which DESERVE and NEED the best possible edition.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This is true. In fact, noir films were not "noir films" back in the day. The "film noir" description was coined by French critics as a reaction to seeing The Maltese Falcon, Laura, Double Indemnity, and other movies.

As Robert Mitchum said, "We called them B movies."

I agree, and I didn't mean to suggest that The Third Man is an art film, just that that label can be applied to many of the films in the CC and, having learned to appreciate those now, I'm in a better place to circle back and take in The Third Man.

[Brad1107]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

I find it sad how people whine for overrated crap like from the likes of Wes Anderson when films like this remain to be released. Criterion should only issue films of this quality and this vintage, which DESERVE and NEED the best possible edition.

One mans trash is another mans treasure. It's completely acceptable that people would want The Life Aquatic on blu-ray since it's never been available before. At least they weren't asking for something with an already great blu release available. Go take your negativity elsewhere.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I agree, and I didn't mean to suggest that The Third Man is an art film, just that that label can be applied to many of the films in the CC and, having learned to appreciate those now, I'm in a better place to circle back and take in The Third Man.

I understand. I do think that The Third Man is an incredibly artistic film in so many ways, although, like you, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it is an "art film."

When I was younger, I thought of Criterion movies as "arthouse movies." As I delved into the Collection, though, I decided otherwise. I cannot help thinking that Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock, and even Godard were simply trying to make films that audiences would like.

To equate this to music, it's sort of like The Velvet Underground, who are now generally regarded as pioneers of "indie music", "alternative", or "underground" music. At the time, though, The Velvet Underground wanted to sell millions of albums, have their songs played by millions of teenage girls, and be famous. The cookie just happened to crumble in such a way that they are retrospectively considered to be counterculture.

I suspect that Kurosawa, Bergman, Fellini, Hitchcock, Godard, Melville, and company just wanted to entertain folks.

[demonknight]

Any guesses for tomorrow?
Cronenberg set
The Life Aquatic
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Eraserhead

[nondiatonic]

No guesses. Just wishing they announce Fat City.

[The Great Owl]

I may as well throw a request into the fire...

Let's get an upgrade of The Vanishing (Spoorloos).

It's the best Alfred Hitchcock movie that Alfred Hitchcock never made.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

La Dolce Vita - how is this one so hard to get on DVD, let alone BD? a classic for heaven's sake?

It wasn't hard to get a DVD. There were a couple of editions (rather pricey) not that long ago. A blu-ray release was in the works from E1 (? ownership claim of International Media Films) but Paramount sued and recently had their claim affirmed by the court. I would expect a release this year, probably from Paramount. The delay in the hi-def release of La Dolce Vita is easier to understand than other films.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

No guesses. Just wishing they announce Fat City.

John Huston would make a sublime addition to the Criterion blu-ray canon. (Wise Blood is only available on DVD.)

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

I find it sad how people whine for overrated crap like from the likes of Wes Anderson when films like this remain to be released. Criterion should only issue films of this quality and this vintage, which DESERVE and NEED the best possible edition.

Dude, Its okay to not like an artist, but there is no call to refer to it as "crap." I agree that there seems to be a bevy of Wes Anderson fans on this blog, and they do seem to get quite vocal once a month expressing their desire for an upgrade of The Life Aquatic. I am not a fan of that film, but I do appreciate the film-making. Besides, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums are two of the best comedies within the last twenty years. Wes Anderson, whether you like it or not, strikes a chord with certain cinephiles; and how can that sincere love (that fans of his have for him) make him even remotely over-rated?.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

John Huston would make a sublime addition to the Criterion blu-ray canon. (Wise Blood is only available on DVD.)

Under the Volcano is the other upgrade candidate.

[Scottie]

I take it that we shouldn't hold our breaths for that "Before" Trilogy?

[tonylopez]

wise-blood-1979.jpg

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

John Huston would make a sublime addition to the Criterion blu-ray canon. (Wise Blood is only available on DVD.)

This needs to happen!

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

A kind poster on this thread pointed out to me that a "Used - Like New" copy of the Criterion Blu-ray of The Third Man was available on Amazon for $75.99, which is the lowest price by far that I've seen this title available for a "Used - Like New" copy. After checking the highly favorable transaction reviews for the seller, I pulled the trigger. $79.98 including shipping.

Considering that I bought the StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man two months ago, this is quite a frivolous purchase, and it's the most expensive single-disc Blu-ray that I've ever purchased, even eclipsing the $60 that I paid for a "Like New" Blu-ray of Pierrot Le Fou.

The StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man looks good, but I'll always have that faint yearning when I watch it...sort of like a dry itch at the back of the throat that never goes away.
Sometimes, you just have to scratch that itch.

Thanks, I was just curious since I know how much it goes for. I upgraded my Criterion 1st edition Third Man to the Criterion Blu a little before it went out of print.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I understand. I do think that The Third Man is an incredibly artistic film in so many ways, although, like you, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it is an "art film."

When I was younger, I thought of Criterion movies as "arthouse movies." As I delved into the Collection, though, I decided otherwise. I cannot help thinking that Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock, and even Godard were simply trying to make films that audiences would like.

It's all a matter of perspective. Shakespeare is thought of as the pinnacle of Western dramatic art, but back in 1600, Shakespeare wasn't writing art for the intelligentsia, he was writing potboilers for the masses. The same is true of most of the great works of literature. Hell, Jane Austen was writing the 19th Century's version of Harlequin romances.

I don't wish to sound like I'm mocking ParticleDan -- I'm really not -- but I had to chuckle when he said that he "needed to cleanse [his] pallet of Hollywood junk before appreciating art films fully" in reference to The Third Man. Because aside from the fact that it wasn't actually made in Hollywood, it was for all intents and purposes "Hollywood junk" at the time it was made. A better put-together piece of junk than most, perhaps, but a piece of junk nonetheless.

A little temporal distance allows us to look at it in a somewhat different light. After all, Criterion's initial releases included not only Citizen Kane, but a movie about a giant gorilla smashing up New York City.

[zkirkland]

Trying to decided what should be the blu I get for free through the B&N Buy 2 get 1 free sale.

I feel good about getting 8 1/2 and Rififi. I am torn between Naked Lunch, Fear and Loathing, and On The Waterfront. I have never seen Naked Lunch but it looks so insane which is up my alley.