The Criterion Collection

[Sabzi_Nic]

Originally Posted by joy-division

Why doesn't Alice doesn't live here anymore have any blu-ray release, nevermind a criterion?

Crazy! One of my favorite scorsese films. I think I streamed this on the criterion channel.

[Sabzi_Nic]

Originally Posted by Mister_Kidd

**** Criterion is weak. Is that their thing now, let another label release a 4k disc then release the same movie on BD? I might put my Arrow Crash next to my Studio Canal Elephant Man.

Fingers crossed Criterion has a Big Trouble in Little China BD planned.

I am finding this strange too. They announce a title and someone else is releasing a 4k of it. Becoming a sad pattern.

[Cholly]

Originally Posted by Sabzi_Nic

I am finding this strange too. They announce a title and someone else is releasing a 4k of it. Becoming a sad pattern.

Criterion wouldn't have even been able to put those out on 4k here, apparently Warner and Paramount dont license for 4k.

[Wolfschmidt]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

It's really amazing how times change. When MOONRAKER was released to near unanimously negative reviews, most critics piled on Lonsdale for being the dullest villain in the history of the Bond series. For some years after whenever you read about how bad the film was, for all of the obvious reasons, Lonsdale was usually included as an integral part of the film's shortcomings. I'm not fond of the film, but I still watch it every now and again as even a bad Bond movie is better than no Bond movie, and I have to say that Lonsdale's performance has grown on me. I give him credit for trying something a bit different with a rather subtle, almost Shakespearean interpretation of a Bond villain rather than playing it larger than life as some did. I'm not sure it works, but it's definitely in welcome contrast to the excesses found in the rest of the film.

Lonsdale gets some of the best Bond villain lines of all time - "Mr. Bond. You appear with the tedious inevitability of an unloved season" - and his droll delivery knocks them out of the park. Whereas poor Sir Roger is stuck with "There are no seasons in space, Drax!" and (oof) "I discovered he had a crush on me."

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by Mister_Kidd

**** Criterion is weak. Is that their thing now, let another label release a 4k disc then release the same movie on BD? I might put my Arrow Crash next to my Studio Canal Elephant Man.

Parasite? Or are they doing it with ANOTHER one now? I agree, very lame. I mean, it's not like upgrading to Blu-ray pissed off DVD Criterion collectors enough that they left.

[Mister_Kidd]

Originally Posted by Bn43

Parasite? Or are they doing it with ANOTHER one now? I agree, very lame. I mean, it's not like upgrading to Blu-ray pissed off DVD Criterion collectors enough that they left.

I was referring to Crash and Elephant Man, but yeah Parasite too.

[joy-division]

I thought Following was great. Watched it the first time, with commentary & then chronological, although that doesn't make much difference, certainly not like watching Memento chronologically does.
Talk about making a film on a shoestring budget! Criterion really need to release Memento. I don't think there is a definitive blu-ray release that contains both the chronological version & the commentary in the US but there is one in the UK

The ONE flaw for me of the film is that Cobb reminded me of someone, then I remembered who: a bit of Paul Robinson from Neighbours but mostly Jack Whitehall both in voice and looks. And he is soooo fooking annoying!

[nitin]

Le Silence de la Mer is a terrific debut film from the master that is more like Bresson than his later, cooler crime films.

It's very sparely but precisely directed to highlight the use by ordinary citizens of silence and non-communication as a way of passively resisting the Nazi ocucpation of France. The central premise is definitely interesting but probably works better as a concept than an actual truth, although it works well enough within the film and the ending does reveal the futility behind the method to an extent.

This could all be very stagey and drab but Melville and his great cinematographer Henri Decae conjure up some impressive imagery considering this is all largely shot in the one location on a shoestring budget, mainly through carefully controlled lighting and camera setups.

Criterion's blu is from an older HD restoarion by Gaumont but largely still looks pretty good and does justice to the look of the film. The sound is a little hissy but nothing to be too concerned about.


I also saw Abbas Kiarostami's first film from the Koker trilogy, Where is the Friend's Home. This is one of the all time great films IMHO, a simple tale of a young boy trying to return his friend from a nearby town's notebook to him so that he does not get into trouble with the school's teacher the next day for not doing his homework in that notebook.

From this simple premise, using primarily a non-professional cast, Kiaroatami waves together a poetic, fable like tale but one with some very acute observations of a child's perspective of the world.

Throughout the film adults either think the task that the child has set for himself to be unimportant or not deserving of the breaking of daily household routine and he often finds himself asking various adults the same question over and over again. This is all contrasted with his conversations and scenes with kids of his age, which have a more universally shared understanding of the lives they all seem to live.

Criterion's blu is from a recent 2k restoration and largely looks unbelievable. There is some noticeable damage throughout as the negative had deteriorated quite badly and there are some mold stains that could not be completely erased. But considering what this has looked like in the past, it's a massive improvement.

Looking forward to the next two films in the trilogy!

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

It's really amazing how times change. When MOONRAKER was released to near unanimously negative reviews, most critics piled on Lonsdale for being the dullest villain in the history of the Bond series.

That may just have been a US thing. The film was surprisingly well reviewed in Europe at the time (not exactly loved but regarded as harmless silly OTT fun), but even the European critics who hated it - and much of the hate for the film came in later years - singled out Lonsdale as the best thing in the film and one of the best Bond villains, albeit stuck in a film that he was clearly better than. Lois Chiles, however, they really piled on for being the dullest Bond girl to date.

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I enthusiastically agree. Michael Lonsdale brought real gravitas to any film he appeared in, even if he had just a few scenes.

He could also go completely the other way as well: in Nelly et M. Arnaud he has an amusing cameo appearing like a self-satisfied but slightly dense slug from time to time.

[ravenus]

Last night I watched Il Sorpasso on Criterion's blu-ray.

The film was a blind-buy for me based on the synopsis and reviews I'd read. It involves a spontaneous road trip taken by 2 men of opposing temperament: The older Bruno (Vittorio Gassman) is a flippant Lothario type who has with his charmingly dominant attitude persuaded the shy law student Roberto (a young Jean-Louis Trintignant, who would later go on to play some fairly perverse characters) who's unable to even talk to the pretty girl opposite, to join him for a trip in his flashy car, though the two have only met that day. On various pretexts, the trip keeps on extending, from an out-of-the-way restaurant, to the home of Roberto's relatives in the country, to a snazzy nightclub, and then to Bruno's ex-wife and daughter. At several points Roberto wants to bail out and go back to his room in Rome, but he is always swept away, as many are, by Bruno's sometimes sweet sometimes mocking banter. From bare outline, this could be a Rick Moranis and John Candy type outing in which a couple of opposites are bundled together and all manner of slapstick mayhem ensues. But Ettore Scola's script and Dino Risi's direction differ in that they do not trivialize either of the characters. Of course, I personally identify more with the shy guy (and JLT has the most winning bashful smile!), but even Bruno never becomes a distasteful caricature, and especially once we meet his family, he becomes a more rounded individual. This is also not a film where people are obviously changed in the course of their interaction; it's not about Roberto becoming a confident achiever or Bruno learning to be less of an opinionated loudmouth. But the men do brush off on each other, and the friendship that develops between them is a believable thing.

The climax is definitely a shocker

[Show spoiler](I was so much rooting for Roberto it felt almost unfair, since I suspect even Bruno's regret would be only temporary)

, but it is in retrospect what makes the film transcend the pleasant but conventional conclusion.

Coming off a 2K restoration, Crterion's blu-ray has an excellent A/V presentation with great B&W contrast and detail, and strong support for Riz Ortolani's kinetic score. Will talk about the extras after I have gone through them.

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Last night I watched Il Sorpasso on Criterion's blu-ray.

The film was a blind-buy for me based on the synopsis and reviews I'd read. It involves a spontaneous road trip taken by 2 men of opposing temperament: The older Bruno (Vittorio Gassman) is a flippant Lothario type who has with his charmingly dominant attitude persuaded the shy law student Roberto (a young Jean-Louis Trintignant, who would later go on to play some fairly perverse characters) who's unable to even talk to the pretty girl opposite, to join him for a trip in his flashy car, though the two have only met that day. On various pretexts, the trip keeps on extending, from an out-of-the-way restaurant, to the home of Roberto's relatives in the country, to a snazzy nightclub, and then to Bruno's ex-wife and daughter. At several points Roberto wants to bail out and go back to his room in Rome, but he is always swept away, as many are, by Bruno's sometimes sweet sometimes mocking banter. From bare outline, this could be a Rick Moranis and John Candy type outing in which a couple of opposites are bundled together and all manner of slapstick mayhem ensues. But Ettore Scola's script and Dino Risi's direction differ in that they do not trivialize either of the characters. Of course, I personally identify more with the shy guy (and JLT has the most winning bashful smile!), but even Bruno never becomes a distasteful caricature, and especially once we meet his family, he becomes a more rounded individual. This is also not a film where people are obviously changed in the course of their interaction; it's not about Roberto becoming a confident achiever or Bruno learning to be less of an opinionated loudmouth. But the men do brush off on each other, and the friendship that develops between them is a believable thing.

The climax is definitely a shocker

[Show spoiler](I was so much rooting for Roberto it felt almost unfair, since I suspect even Bruno's regret would be only temporary)

, but it is in retrospect what makes the film transcend the pleasant but conventional conclusion.

Coming off a 2K restoration, Crterion's blu-ray has an excellent A/V presentation with great B&W contrast and detail, and strong support for Riz Ortolani's kinetic score. Will talk about the extras after I have gone through them.

I always wonder if these Italian-French coproductions were filmed in Italian or French, and not knowing if Mr Trignitant spoke Italian, I still wonder.
I like your synopsis and the cover image, so I wouldn't mind trying it out, but I dislike dubs so I wonder if regardless of watching it in Italian or French, one voice at least would be dubbed.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

I always wonder if these Italian-French coproductions were filmed in Italian or French, and not knowing if Mr Trignitant spoke Italian, I still wonder.
I like your synopsis and the cover image, so I wouldn't mind trying it out, but I dislike dubs so I wonder if regardless of watching it in Italian or French, one voice at least would be dubbed.

I think JLT is speaking his lines in French as his lip moments don't tally as well with the dialog. Ideally, they could have provided both audio options since the film was also released in French as Le Fanfaron. But I would definitely recommend that you not allow these discrepancies to dissuade you from watching the film. Many other great Italian films were international co-productions or designed for an international market and featured actors of other nationalities speaking their own language while filming and being dubbed over later, regardless of what language version you see.

[UnionJackMix]

Indeed, I guess unless you have a particular liking for "foreigner" to the rest of the case and want to hear his/her original voice, I would probably go for first language, where most of the cast's original voices are heard.
I speak both languages so i could watch either but I rarely watch these movies as they are not my cup of tea, or, there's a lot of other movies I prefer watching before these.
As I like Criterion's artworks, I will then pick this up.

I'm a bit ashamed, I'm almost local to these regions and know very little out of disinterest.

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

California Suite (1978) - Expiring from The Criterion Channel!



[

[B]Maggie Smith and Michael Caine:[/B] If you only know Dame Maggie Smith from Harry Potter or Downton Abbey, she's unrecognizable here as a much younger woman. She plays a high-strung actress nominated for an Academy Award. "Eight years with the national theatre, two Pinter plays, nine Shakespeare, three Shaw, and I finally get nominated for a nauseating little comedy." Art eventually imitated life in that regard, as Smith was nominated for this "nauseating little comedy." Michael Caine plays her long-suffering lover who seems more interested in the male actor seated at their table during the awards ceremony. Smith and Caine are great together and arguably the second strongest couple in the movie.



DaBargainHunta's Decree: Not necessarily a "great film" but definitely a fun flick and enormously entertaining. (Subtitles: Yes!)

I only know Smith & Caine (sounds like a comedy act! ) from Clash of the Titans, plus the Sister act & Batman films

Oh & Lady in the Van. EVERYONE needs to see that

[UnionJackMix]

The First Wives Club where she plays the original first wife.
And of course I'm sure most here are forgetting she was in Sister Act!
Don't pretend you haven't watched it!

Can anyone who has It Happened One Night on BD confirm that the AFI Tribute to Frank Capra from 1982 includes Bette Davis, as imdb.com claims?

[thebalconyfool]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

Can anyone who has It Happened One Night on BD confirm that the AFI Tribute to Frank Capra from 1982 includes Bette Davis, as imdb.com claims?

It does.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by joy-division

I only know Smith & Caine (sounds like a comedy act! ) from Clash of the Titans, plus the Sister act & Batman films

Oh & Lady in the Van. EVERYONE needs to see that

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

The First Wives Club where she plays the original first wife.
And of course I'm sure most here are forgetting she was in Sister Act!
Don't pretend you haven't watched it!

So I'm guessing The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie isn't a thing that's on people's radar anymore?

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

I always wonder if these Italian-French coproductions were filmed in Italian or French, and not knowing if Mr Trignitant spoke Italian, I still wonder.
I like your synopsis and the cover image, so I wouldn't mind trying it out, but I dislike dubs so I wonder if regardless of watching it in Italian or French, one voice at least would be dubbed.

Yeah, Visconti’s THE LEOPARD is a particular dilemma. I don’t really like the Italian language version because it’s disconcerting hearing Burt Lancaster dubbed by someone else. But in the English language version, I believe Claudia Cardinale is dubbed by another. Her English language skills were fine so I’m not sure why she didn’t do her own dub. I choose to hear Lancaster in his own voice, but neither choice between the versions is ideal.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

The First Wives Club where she plays the original first wife.
And of course I'm sure most here are forgetting she was in Sister Act!
Don't pretend you haven't watched it!

No pretending, I've never seen either of those films. But I was already well acquainted with Maggie Smith from about a dozen films before that. And I'm getting really tired of waiting on someone to release Hot Millions (nudge, nudge, Criterion).

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

So I'm guessing The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie isn't a thing that's on people's radar anymore?

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

No pretending, I've never seen either of those films. But I was already well acquainted with Maggie Smith from about a dozen films before that. And I'm getting really tired of waiting on someone to release Hot Millions (nudge, nudge, Criterion).

I think that depending on someone's age, chances are they will have been exposed to Maggie Smith in mainstream/blockbuster kinda movies.
I do have the Fox Studio Classics issue of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie and I saw Hot Millions. I think she's great, and wish that the GP would be more aware of her, at least as much as they are of Judi Dench.