The Criterion Collection

[smoss469]

For my 1,000th post, it felt fitting to do it in the CC thread.

I finished Red River a day or so ago and wow, talk about an odd role for John Wayne. After seeing him play so many lawmen, army men and other characters with a high moral code it was otherworldly to see him turn into a cold (and heartless) character as the movie went on.

I really enjoyed the movie overall and it made a fine addition to the collection.

Now I only have 2 more unwatched CC releases before the B&N sale next month. But let's be realistic, I've had Fanny and Alexander since November and still haven't gotten around to watching it so I probably won't knock it out in the next week or so.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Now I only have 2 more unwatched CC releases before the B&N sale next month. But let's be realistic, I've had Fanny and Alexander since November and still haven't gotten around to watching it so I probably won't knock it out in the next week or so.

One of the very best Criterions I've seen, in my opinion. Once you start, you won't want to stop.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

One of the very best Criterions I've seen, in my opinion. Once you start, you won't want to stop.

Today was a movie catch up day, I got 4 movies off the stack on my day off. I guess it's a numbers game. The stack of "to be watched" movies on my desk is so large, I was going for "bang for my buck" so to speak on my movie time the last few weeks.

[Scottie]

I rewatched Persona tonight. I am beginning to understand it a bit more with each subsequent viewing, but I can almost guarantee that I will never fully understand it. I'm pretty sure it's the greatest psychological thriller of all time, even passing Mulholland Drive for me.

The film seems to have a lot more things going on than just Alma and Elisabet. I feel like all of the little clips thrown in randomly at times relate to larger issues or other things in the film world.

[Show spoiler]I seem to agree with many of the critics that the film is a psychological thriller built off of the notion of motherhood - primarily the rejection of said role. In turn, the guilt experienced by Elisabet leads her to take a vow of silence so that she does not have to lie or explain herself. Perhaps Alma knows a little bit about Elisabet's past and ultimately finds herself more like Elisabet through her own rejection of the role, in turn leading them to blend in this unrelated, internal level.

I also have some sort of idea that the film is just one big nightmare that Alma is having from when she first goes to sleep in the hospital after first meeting Elisabet. She was clearly worried that she would never understand her and she was even restless in attempting to fall asleep. If this is not exactly the case, then perhaps it is much more simpler in that Elisabet's silence is driving her mad. In turn, she creates a sort of relationship and common grounds with Elisabet through dreams.

Another theory of mine is that Elisabet does not exist at all, or not to the degree that we see her in the movie, but is rather a split personality of sorts of Alma or just a building block for her unconscious worries. I remember Alma discussing how much she admires the arts and artists, so perhaps she longed for such a career. The path her life took and her own internal battles ultimately led to them being formulated through the character of Elisabet. Notice that Elisabet remains silent for the duration of the film (aside from one or two words / sounds spoken out of fear or pain), thus making a rather interesting take on Elisabet being Alma's silent, but active, mind.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The replacement case for The Night of the Hunter arrived today, and it's all good.

One digipak down, many more to go...

Forgive me if I'm late to the party here, are Criterion going to replace all the Digipak BD/DVD combos with plastic case versions (presumably when stocks run out)? I'm thinking of The Great Beauty, Ace in the Hole, and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in particular. What about earlier Digipaks, like Sweet Smell of Success and Seven Samurai?

[Polaroid]

Nothing better than the delivery of Criterion.

10 beautiful un damaged digipaks and 5 plastic cases - bit of a digital overdose !!!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Forgive me if I'm late to the party here, are Criterion going to replace all the Digipak BD/DVD combos with plastic case versions (presumably when stocks run out)? I'm thinking of The Great Beauty, Ace in the Hole, and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in particular. What about earlier Digipaks, like Sweet Smell of Success and Seven Samurai?

Probably not - revering back to two releases doesn't mean digipaks are stopping.

[Clare2904]

I'll look at Sundays and Cybele but nothing else sticks out. Seen The Innocents and Ali already. Another lean Criterion month for me.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I rewatched Persona tonight. I am beginning to understand it a bit more with each subsequent viewing, but I can almost guarantee that I will never fully understand it. I'm pretty sure it's the greatest psychological thriller of all time, even passing Mulholland Drive for me.

The film seems to have a lot more things going on than just Alma and Elisabet. I feel like all of the little clips thrown in randomly at times relate to larger issues or other things in the film world.

[Show spoiler]I seem to agree with many of the critics that the film is a psychological thriller built off of the notion of motherhood - primarily the rejection of said role. In turn, the guilt experienced by Elisabet leads her to take a vow of silence so that she does not have to lie or explain herself. Perhaps Alma knows a little bit about Elisabet's past and ultimately finds herself more like Elisabet through her own rejection of the role, in turn leading them to blend in this unrelated, internal level.

I also have some sort of idea that the film is just one big nightmare that Alma is having from when she first goes to sleep in the hospital after first meeting Elisabet. She was clearly worried that she would never understand her and she was even restless in attempting to fall asleep. If this is not exactly the case, then perhaps it is much more simpler in that Elisabet's silence is driving her mad. In turn, she creates a sort of relationship and common grounds with Elisabet through dreams.

Another theory of mine is that Elisabet does not exist at all, or not to the degree that we see her in the movie, but is rather a split personality of sorts of Alma or just a building block for her unconscious worries. I remember Alma discussing how much she admires the arts and artists, so perhaps she longed for such a career. The path her life took and her own internal battles ultimately led to them being formulated through the character of Elisabet. Notice that Elisabet remains silent for the duration of the film (aside from one or two words / sounds spoken out of fear or pain), thus making a rather interesting take on Elisabet being Alma's silent, but active, mind.

I am glad that someone else has that opinion. At times, this thread seems more of a Lynch/Anderson/packaging/sales thread than the criterion thread. It is rare to see someone post their detailed thoughts about a film (besides the na/ya sayer posts)

Good for you for trying to understand Persona, it truly is a great film to delve into.

Concerning your thoughts of the film...

[Show spoiler]- For one, I disagree with it being a nightmare or one of the characters not existing. The events do occur (intermixed with some dream segments).

- I do agree that Elisabet's crisis begins with the birth of her child (as mentioned in the film). But the complex relationship with Alma is whole different matter.

- I would disagree that the characters are similar (when it comes to philosophy of life and personality), I would argue, actually, that they are complete opposites (at the beginning of the film). The only similarity is somewhat their looks

Enjoy more rewatches of this great film.

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm actually keeping my digipack case in a drawer, along with my original digipak cases for The Third Man and Last Year at Marienbad.

I should probably give them away, because I will probably never touch them again, but I just like the idea of having them just in case.

If you ever decided to part with yours, I'd be more than happy to take The Third Man off yours hands! The copy I got my hands on was pretty worn.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by LPMA

If you ever decided to part with yours, I'd be more than happy to take The Third Man off yours hands! The copy I got my hands on was pretty worn.

I asked first! :P

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yes, $5 free delivery they are great service, I'm in UK.

I'm sorry, I haven't followed the conversation. Criterion will send replacement cases for all the digipacks it has issued?

So, if I purchase now films that are in digipack, I'll get replacements later?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I'm sorry, I haven't followed the conversation. Criterion will send replacement cases for all the digipacks it has issued?

So, if I purchase now films that are in digipack, I'll get replacements later?

Oh no sorry, thought you meant replacement cases in general, so if you had a damaged one or something you can pay $5 and they send you a replacement.

If a digipak film has got a plastic case option you can go ahead, best way to check is on Criterion webstore and see what they have there.

[Polaroid]

Just finished George Washington - Superb film definitely needs another viewing asap! :P The Tin Drum next

EDIT.. Omg this kid screaming lol >..<

[Iamspartacus]

Will they do replacement plastic cases for ll digipacks or just selected ones?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Iamspartacus

Will they do replacement plastic cases for ll digipacks or just selected ones?

I believe the only ones that have ever been offered are:

The Third Man
The Man Who Fell To Earth
The 400 Blows
Last Year At Marienbad
Chungking Express
The Last Metro
The Last Emperor
El Norte
Bottle Rocket
Night Of The Hunter

Am I missing any?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I believe the only ones that have ever been offered are:

The Third Man
The Man Who Fell To Earth
The 400 Blows
Last Year At Marienbad
Chungking Express
The Last Metro
The Last Emperor
El Norte
Bottle Rocket
Night Of The Hunter

Am I missing any?

I believe that is all.

[Stig-Helmer]

Nice to hear some of you like Bergman I watched "The Seventh Seal" for the first time couple of nights ago. A great film! It will probably grow even more when I watch it again next time.

[Polaroid]

Why is everyone thinking digipaks are going to be completely removed/replaced???

Only change is dual format is being changed back to standard release... they still had digipaks.

grr

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Why is everyone thinking digipaks are going to be completely removed/replaced???

Only change is dual format is being changed back to standard release... they still had digipaks.

grr

But they'll certainly be less common then they have become recently.