The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

I saw my first Douglas Sirk film last night - All That Heaven Allows

Count me as a fan! It was fun. The overly-choreographed mise-en-scene kinda gives the film a dark and cold feeling (especially considering some of the plot developments,) but it was a pretty unique film and a world I'd like to revisit again some time. I'd definitely welcome more Sirk into the collection with open arms.

One gripe, although not with the film... Of about a dozen or so films that have been highly praised for their PQ either through discussion or by way of a 5 star PQ review, it is my opinion that only about half of those films lived up to their hype.

The indisputably awesome:
Weekend, Foreign Correspondent, La Notte, Thief, In Which We Serve

The pretty good:
Rififi, All That Heaven Allows

The nowhere near 5 star PQ:
Paris, Texas, Leon Morin, Priest, Fanny & Alexander

somewhere in-between the "pretty good" and the "nowhere near" is where I'd put 12 Angry Men. I know that the grain is an inherent part of the film and assigning grades to PQ is subjective and arbitrary... but it does not compare with the b&w films listed on top here. maybe there isn't anything that a restoration team can do about it, but still... just doesn't sizzle like some others.

[javi92]

Just watched Bergman's Summer Interlude the other night. The scene at the end with the ballet master is one of the more honest and moving in cinema I've seen lately.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I know this has come up before, but I kind of want to get a consensus going, what track for Beauty and the Beast would you guys recommend choosing for a first time viewing? The theatrical or the Glass score?

Theatrical, most definitely. You need to get a grasp on the story and original, intended experience first and then you can better appreciate the Glass version as an alternative and very different experience.

I say this as someone who started with the Glass score and wish I had done things differently.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I saw my first Douglas Sirk film last night - All That Heaven Allows

Count me as a fan! It was fun. The overly-choreographed mise-en-scene kinda gives the film a dark and cold feeling (especially considering some of the plot developments,) but it was a pretty unique film and a world I'd like to revisit again some time. I'd definitely welcome more Sirk into the collection with open arms.

.

Small world. I just got around to watching the CC ATHA last night. I had seen it before, as well as other Sirk such as Magnificent Obsession and Tarnished Angels, but ATHA is my favorite because I think it is the best expression of Sirk's visual style. The movie has a "post card" quality and it's interesting to see how he can integrate Technicolor with almost noir-ish shadowing and contrast. There are several scenes where there is a character or scenery in the background that is brightly lit and a character in the foreground who is at least partly in shadow, giving a sense of the character's environment and their inner turmoil.

I also watched a couple of the special features. Rock Hudson's Home Movies by Mark Rappaport would have been more interesting if it were less snarky. Much more interesting and insightful was the short interview with Douglas Sirk.

Sirk was a singular artist and a boxed set would not be unwelcome.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Small world. I just got around to watching the CC ATHA last night. I had seen it before, as well as other Sirk such as Magnificent Obsession and Tarnished Angels, but ATHA is my favorite because I think it is the best expression of Sirk's visual style. The movie has a "post card" quality and it's interesting to see how he can integrate Technicolor with almost noir-ish shadowing and contrast. There are several scenes where there is a character or scenery in the background that is brightly lit and a character in the foreground who is at least partly in shadow, giving a sense of the character's environment and their inner turmoil.

I also watched a couple of the special features. Rock Hudson's Home Movies by Mark Rappaport would have been more interesting if it were less snarky. Much more interesting and insightful was the short interview with Douglas Sirk.

Sirk was a singular artist and a boxed set would not be unwelcome.

Yeah, I had a problem with that extra. It seemed a little disrespectful. I didn't watch the whole thing because of it's tone.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I know this has come up before, but I kind of want to get a consensus going, what track for Beauty and the Beast would you guys recommend choosing for a first time viewing? The theatrical or the Glass score?

I chose Glass's and was blown away

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Small world. I just got around to watching the CC ATHA last night. I had seen it before, as well as other Sirk such as Magnificent Obsession and Tarnished Angels, but ATHA is my favorite because I think it is the best expression of Sirk's visual style. The movie has a "post card" quality and it's interesting to see how he can integrate Technicolor with almost noir-ish shadowing and contrast. There are several scenes where there is a character or scenery in the background that is brightly lit and a character in the foreground who is at least partly in shadow, giving a sense of the character's environment and their inner turmoil.

I also watched a couple of the special features. Rock Hudson's Home Movies by Mark Rappaport would have been more interesting if it were less snarky. Much more interesting and insightful was the short interview with Douglas Sirk.

Sirk was a singular artist and a boxed set would not be unwelcome.

Yeah, I noticed, too, his use of shadows. Very visually striking. I didn't watch any bonus features except the 3 minute trailer. I'll see them another time.

There aren't too many directors who a) have enough unreleased films on blu and b) who, for me, are interesting enough to have a box set. Good call. Sirk would be a good one and it'd definitely be one that I'd pick up if that became a reality.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

Yeah, I had a problem with that extra. It seemed a little disrespectful. I didn't watch the whole thing because of it's tone.

when I read that on the box, I was like, "oh, that's interesting - Mark Rappaport." it just dawned on me that it is not Michael Rapaport. different dude.

pretty dumb

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I also watched a couple of the special features. Rock Hudson's Home Movies by Mark Rappaport would have been more interesting if it were less snarky. Much more interesting and insightful was the short interview with Douglas Sirk.

It would be better if done by Michael Rappaport.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

Yeah, I had a problem with that extra. It seemed a little disrespectful. I didn't watch the whole thing because of it's tone.

I was wondering: Didn't they have a better source for this?
I mean, i think there is a standalone DVD. Does it have the same bad quality?

and by the way: How can you all watch ATHA at this time of year?
I'm waiting for Christmas period.
I can't watch Christmas/winter films in the summer and vice versa.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

and by the way: How can you all watch ATHA at this time of year?
I'm waiting for Christmas period.
I can't watch Christmas/winter films in the summer and vice versa.

see.. I didn't know. that is a great point, though.

late October, early November will be a great time for a The Trouble With Harry and All That Heaven Allows double feature!!

[Jakamarak]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Of about a dozen or so films that have been highly praised for their PQ either through discussion or by way of a 5 star PQ review, it is my opinion that only about half of those films lived up to their hype.

I think the PQ often focuses on the transfer and ignores issues that might have been inherent in the original elements. Colors are great on All That Heaven Allows, but it doesn't have the sharpness I would expect from a 5 star PQ -- but that's probably not an issue with the transfer.

That said, this phenomenon goes in the other direction sometimes, too. In the Mood For Love might not deserve 5 stars for PQ, but the colors are pretty fantastic and it's on par with several 4 star PQ reviews. Plus, it's a great, great film. Nevertheless, I've seen several people mention here that they didn't plan to buy it because of the 3.5 PQ score.

[The Bronx Bull]

When is the next flash sale? I had no idea that Smiles of a Summer Night was already out on blu.

[Tin Drum]

Has there been any comments on the restorations of the Tati films coming? Have they been released elsewhere yet? I believe I read in this thread that they (or at least Playtime) are new.

Would it be pessimistic to expect a debacle such as Earrings.... or Children of Paradise?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Jakamarak

I think the PQ often focuses on the transfer and ignores issues that might have been inherent in the original elements. Colors are great on All That Heaven Allows, but it doesn't have the sharpness I would expect from a 5 star PQ -- but that's probably not an issue with the transfer.

That said, this phenomenon goes in the other direction sometimes, too. In the Mood For Love might not deserve 5 stars for PQ, but the colors are pretty fantastic and it's on par with several 4 star PQ reviews. Plus, it's a great, great film. Nevertheless, I've seen several people mention here that they didn't plan to buy it because of the 3.5 PQ score.

indeed true.

my problem w/ ATHA was the very noticeable color change to the image leaving and entering scenes. (there is a technical term for this, I'm sure.) I think that it is something that can not really be helped... maybe it has to do with fading in and out? and the image intentionally getting dimmer? would seem to me to be correct. anyhow, I've seen great transfers that get a half star knocked off for slight color shifts like this. I thought, ATHA was pretty bad in this regard. poor Ruck Hudson was midway through a sentence one time and the color shifted. ...and there was one scene late in the film where there was some pulsating and some damage of some sort, too.

oh, well. 4 of 5 for me.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I was wondering: Didn't they have a better source for this?
I mean, i think there is a standalone DVD. Does it have the same bad quality?

and by the way: How can you all watch ATHA at this time of year?
I'm waiting for Christmas period.
I can't watch Christmas/winter films in the summer and vice versa.

I'm just trying to get through my recent haul from the last B&N sale. For me, Christmas came in July I don't want to wait until December as I'll have another pile by then!

By the way, I found these suggestions here. Please feel free to add to this list of Christmas movies. There has to be something to watch besides It's a Wonderful Life.

Edit: This isn't on Criterion (yet), but it is one of my favorite Christmas movies: La Bûche by Danièle Thompson.

[SammyJankis]

Begin watching Jeanne Dielman.. and it starts to skip ten minutes in. Curse you, public library.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Begin watching Jeanne Dielman.. and it starts to skip ten minutes in. Curse you, public library.

Better early than late. I've had films skip in the last 30 minutes of the movie.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Better early than late. I've had films skip in the last 30 minutes of the movie.

Same. Most notably with Repulsion and City Lights. With the former, I ended up just driving to a video store and renting it.

Decided I wouldn't take the chance with this one. It's so long and could end up skipping for good in the final hour.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Same. Most notably with Repulsion and City Lights. With the former, I ended up just driving to a video store and renting it.

Decided I wouldn't take the chance with this one. It's so long and could end up skipping for good in the final hour.

I haven't had problems with blu-rays from the library. It seemed every other DVD would do it. Really frustrating because I've never seen the ending of Autumn Sonata because it skipped with 2 minutes left.