The Criterion Collection

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Is the best buy CC sale through the holiday? Thought it ended on the 28th I may have to buy Y Tu Mama now...

amazon has it for 19,99 as well..

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching the Criterion Blu-ray of Robinson Crusoe on Mars. This is a fantastic upgrade over my old Criterion DVD.

Robinson Crusoe on Mars is such a fun film, and I wish that the Criterion Collection would release more titles like this. I like these 1960s science fiction movies that take my mind away. This one really benefits from some cool landscape scenery. The Death Valley film locations are so alien in nature that it's easy to accept the notion that the characters are really on another planet.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching the Criterion Blu-ray of Robinson Crusoe on Mars. This is a fantastic upgrade over my old Criterion DVD.

Robinson Crusoe on Mars is such a fun film, and I wish that the Criterion Collection would release more titles like this. I like these 1960s science fiction movies that take my mind away. This one really benefits from some cool landscape scenery. The Death Valley film locations are so alien in nature that it's easy to accept the notion that the characters are really on another planet.

I agree with pretty much everything you said, especially the part in bold. It would be a nice touch if they would release War of the Worlds, especially since the spaceships are already in the collection!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I agree with pretty much everything you said, especially the part in bold. It would be a nice touch if they would release War of the Worlds, especially since the spaceships are already in the collection!

Hopefully not the Tom Cruise one :P

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Hopefully not the Tom Cruise one :P

Ha! No, the 1953 film. The spaceships in Robinson Crusoe on Mars are from that film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Hopefully not the Tom Cruise one

I prefer the original 1953 film, The War of the Worlds, and I grew up watching it on TBS Superstation. It's still a riveting film with great special effects even by today's standards. Like blkhrt posted above, I would be ecstatic if Criterion were to release it as a title.

However...

I also love the 2005 Steven Spielberg version of War of the Worlds that stars Tom Cruise, and I actually think that it's one of Spielberg's most under-appreciated films. Spielberg captures the vibe of the H.G. Wells novel so well, and the scene of the tripods walking over the countryside hills and blasting people is exactly what I envisioned when I used to read the novel during childhood. I am a proud owner of this film on Blu-ray.

Back to Criterion subjects...sort of...
I was planning to watch Something Wild this afternoon, but I just received my Amazon shipment of The Legend of Hell House, High School Confidential, On the Beach, and Mario Bava's Black Sunday. I'll go with the Criterion another day.

[MikeZ.]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I also love the 2005 Steven Spielberg version of War of the Worlds that stars Tom Cruise, and I actually think that it's one of Spielberg's most under-appreciated films. Spielberg captures the vibe of the H.G. Wells novel so well, and the scene of the tripods walking over the countryside hills and blasting people is exactly what I envisioned when I used to read the novel during childhood. I am a proud owner of this film on Blu-ray.

Me too.

[Scottie]

My afternoon was spent watching John Cassavetes' 1984 film, Love Streams.

John Cassavetes was one of the most prominent directors to ever grace American cinema, in my opinion. His unique film catalogue gave rise to and further popularized the independent film movement, while simultaneously breaking free from a typical, traditional type of narrative. Some films out there cater to individuals who admire a specific genre, but Cassavetes' films cater to the masses on a deep and personal level.

In similar fashion to his past works, John Cassavetes relies heavily on dialogue in Love Streams in order to convey to the audience those feelings and emotions that are flowing throughout each unique character. Each frame, as a result, becomes rich with new meaning.

At the heart of the film is a profound struggle for achieving purpose and belonging with another. The irony of the entire film is that the two main characters, Robert and Susan (portrayed by Cassavetes and Rowlands respectively), cannot achieve it in their own lives, but hope to instill it one another. In fact, some of the characters who make their way into the film, especially Susan, become so desperate in their search for love that they will do whatever it takes to attain it. Some of the antics pulled off may seem crazy and silly on the outside, but the message behind them really does hit home.

Love Streams is another winner in John Cassavetes' film catalogue. If the premise alone does not sell you on seeing this film, the award-worthy acting should do it.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I also love the 2005 Steven Spielberg version of War of the Worlds that stars Tom Cruise, and I actually think that it's one of Spielberg's most under-appreciated films. Spielberg captures the vibe of the H.G. Wells novel so well, and the scene of the tripods walking over the countryside hills and blasting people is exactly what I envisioned when I used to read the novel during childhood. I am a proud owner of this film on Blu-ray.

I, too, love the Spielberg film, and would defend it any day. I once heard it called one of the best 9/11 films that isn't directly about 9/11, and I would probably agree.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching the Criterion Blu-ray of Robinson Crusoe on Mars. This is a fantastic upgrade over my old Criterion DVD.

Robinson Crusoe on Mars is such a fun film, and I wish that the Criterion Collection would release more titles like this. I like these 1960s science fiction movies that take my mind away. This one really benefits from some cool landscape scenery. The Death Valley film locations are so alien in nature that it's easy to accept the notion that the characters are really on another planet.

That gives me confidence in my blind buy of it this last B&N sale.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I prefer the original 1953 film, The War of the Worlds, and I grew up watching it on TBS Superstation. It's still a riveting film with great special effects even by today's standards. Like blkhrt posted above, I would be ecstatic if Criterion were to release it as a title.

However...

I also love the 2005 Steven Spielberg version of War of the Worlds that stars Tom Cruise, and I actually think that it's one of Spielberg's most under-appreciated films. Spielberg captures the vibe of the H.G. Wells novel so well, and the scene of the tripods walking over the countryside hills and blasting people is exactly what I envisioned when I used to read the novel during childhood. I am a proud owner of this film on Blu-ray.

Good to see some more love go that movie's way. The scenes with the tripods are chilling, scary even, and thrilling.

I have to admit, when I watched the original, I wasn't that into it. Maybe cause I had seen and loved Spielberg's version, I'm not sure. I liked the effects though. I need to revisit it. A Blu-ray would be preferred to my DVD of the film.

I still need to get around to reading the story. I have a thick H.G. Wells collection hardcover exclusive to B&N still sealed.

[RipleyLV426]

Been holding my breath for far too long on hoping Criterion will announce more Chaplin films So watch, I'm gonna place an order for Limelight and The Circus for amazon.uk and then the next announcement will have one of them....you watch....

[vertigo12314]

Originally Posted by ijustblumyself

Just watched Ida for the first time, and thought it appropriate to post here. Wow, what an amazing film.

Literally one of the most beautiful movies of the last decade. Every frame felt like a painting. The cast was also wonderful, and the drama was engagingly subtle and low-key.

One of the best movies of the year. The woman who played the Aunt did an amazing performance.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by RipleyLV426

Been holding my breath for far too long on hoping Criterion will announce more Chaplin films So watch, I'm gonna place an order for Limelight and The Circus for amazon.uk and then the next announcement will have one of them....you watch....

Why not just order this?

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Hopefully not the Tom Cruise one :P

The Spielberg version is REALLY underrated. Great flick.

Edit: I just wanted to add how horrifying the tripods in the remake are. In contrast to a film like Independence Day, where the aliens destroy buildings, these aliens come right out and start turning people into dust. From that point on, it's pretty scary whenever they turn up and John Williams score certainly doesn't hurt.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

The Spielberg version is REALLY underrated. Great flick.

Edit: I just wanted to add how horrifying the tripods in the remake are. In contrast to a film like Independence Day, where the aliens destroy buildings, these aliens come right out and start turning people into dust. From that point on, it's pretty scary whenever they turn up and John Williams score certainly doesn't hurt.

Other scenes are quite chilling too like

[Show spoiler]The river with all the bodies floating by and the destroyed train zooming by the RR crossing and the tripod coming up from underwater to attack the ferry.

It's also one of the best sounding discs for seeing how deep your Subwoofer can go when the tripods "talk" to one another. Another nice touch is having the two stars from the original show up at the ending.

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Why not just order this?

Any word on PQ for this set?

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I prefer the original 1953 film, The War of the Worlds, and I grew up watching it on TBS Superstation. It's still a riveting film with great special effects even by today's standards. Like blkhrt posted above, I would be ecstatic if Criterion were to release it as a title.

However...

I also love the 2005 Steven Spielberg version of War of the Worlds that stars Tom Cruise, and I actually think that it's one of Spielberg's most under-appreciated films. Spielberg captures the vibe of the H.G. Wells novel so well, and the scene of the tripods walking over the countryside hills and blasting people is exactly what I envisioned when I used to read the novel during childhood. I am a proud owner of this film on Blu-ray.

I too am a big fan of the Spielberg WOTW, in fact I'd go as far as to say it's my favourite of his alongside Close Encounters. It makes for a fascinating commentary on 9/11 too, and Cahiers du cinéma were so taken by it that they included it in their top ten of the decade list.

http://www.cahiersducinema.com/PALMARES-2000.html

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have decided against a Region Free player for similar reasons. I've already got a hefty stack of still-unwatched Blu-rays right now after taking advantage of some great deals on box sets and such (Zatoichi, Jacques Demy, Buster Keaton, Cassavetes, etc.) and I've got quite a few film noir DVDs left to watch.

Region A movies take enough of my entertainment budget as it is, and my budget is going to take another hit in coming months since the eight-year government employee pay freeze is still ongoing. I've been hugely fortunate to be able to assemble my current movie collection without the use of a credit card. I did kick my Diet Coke addiction to the curb several months ago to have Blu-ray money, but I'm better off for that in more ways than one.

My Region A Blu-ray player is like one of those plastic safety gates that parents use to block certain hallways or stairways from toddler children. I see quite a few Eureka and Arrow Blu-rays that I'd enjoy having, but they are blocked by that child safety gate. "NO, Owl! You cannot go there!"

I'm currently wondering what I will do when my Blu-ray collection gets closer to the 1,000 mark. I like the idea of simply stopping at 1,000, but we all know that probably won't happen. The good news is that I've leveled off to the point that the Blu-rays that I purchase these days are mostly new Blu-ray releases, since I already own pretty much everything that I want from the backcatalogues of Criterion, Olive, Kino, Twilight Time, and so on. I did not expect to see studios dumping their films into Blu-ray as fast as they're doing right now, though, by way of Kino Lorber and other such labels. I don't know if it's just me, but I'm seeing a lot of cool stuff being released right about now.

I was region free for DVD from day one, back in 2000. Back then the UK market was pretty quiet, but Criterion were already the stuff of myth and legend over here, whispered about quietly in film magazines and the like, in spite of having released less than 100 discs by this point. They were actually the main reason why I bought a DVD player in the first place, after I saw a capsule review of their Rushmore disc in Empire magazine.

I only went region free for Blu-ray earlier this year, in a decision inspired by Criterion's decision to go dual-format. I was still buying their DVD releases regularly, in spite of having been a predominantly Blu-ray buyer since 2010 (a move inspired by MoC's short-lived decision to go Blu-ray-only with their release of City Girl), so the "bonus" of the Blu-ray being included with titles I was buying anyway pushed me in to buying a multi-region player. My player only wound up costing £38, and outside of the initial rush to buy everything I'd always wanted in region A land I've not noticed my expenditure go up by any real measure. I pretty much only buy boutique label releases these days, so the money I would have ordinarily spent on random fare is now spent on Criterion discs.

[Polaroid]

Don't get me wrong, WOTW does have some awesome moments and great scenes, but I did get a bit tired of Dakota screaming, give her some new lines! Lol and Toms singing... Yeah I get you are emotional but still... Just hum if you are that bad haha!

I have been on the war of the worlds set, with the crashed plane, which was an awesome experience! Was very realistic and scary! Although... It was right next to the grinch set and the Bates Motel - I do recommend you guys visit it at universal studios in L.A :-). Even have a crew shirt from filming as my friend built most of the sets

[minister_x]

Another future contender that Criterion have put on iTunes in HD:

Juliet of the Spirits

C'mon Criterion - make these recent iTunes HD titles blu too!