The Criterion Collection

[whbinder]

Originally Posted by aherron

Which one is the best and worth watching. Yojimbo Sanjuro or Seven Samurai?

Seven Samurai - as mentioned - is one of the greatest films of all time. But if you've never seen any of those films, you might consider Yojimbo as a primer to get you ready.

[reallyagi]

Originally Posted by spudd4242

Ok, so i see alot of talk about this criterion collection.. i'm not super interested in foreign films but i would like to check out something from this collection to see what it's all about.. im was thinking bottle rocket.. and other english suggestions?

after i see a few i might be interested in the others that aren't dubbed in english

Paths of Glory, Charade, Paris Texas, Bigger Than Life and Stage Coach are my recommendations.

[silentblu]

Originally Posted by spudd4242

oh im not opposed to it.. my eye sight just isn't great at reading subtitles.. that's my only down fall.. but i promise i'll check one out!

This reminds me.

Has anyone else had trouble reading the subtitles when the shot is mostly bright white? Vivre sa vie at the record store is one off the top of my head. Pierrot le Fou at certain points may be another. Maybe it is a Godard thing?

[biglou114]

The Night of the Hunter. Awesome move, and Amazing Bonus Features!

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by biglou114

The Night of the Hunter. Awesome move, and Amazing Bonus Features!

Agreed! The Night of the Hunter Blu-ray instantly became one of my favorites in my collection.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by spudd4242

Ok, so i see alot of talk about this criterion collection.. i'm not super interested in foreign films but i would like to check out something from this collection to see what it's all about.. im was thinking bottle rocket.. and other english suggestions?

The Criterion Collection is a great place to find older "classic" films that the major film studios don't have much interest in releasing. I enjoy "Bottle Rocket" just as much as the next Wes Anderson fan, but it's too modern of a film, I think, for you to fully grasp what Criterion is capable of doing when it comes to releasing films. "Bottle Rocket" was released on DVD by Sony years ago when it came out, so it wasn't a film that was in dire need of attention. There are plenty of great English-speaking films from the United States and the United Kingdom in the collection on both DVD and blu-ray. Don't limit yourself to just blu-ray if you really want to learn what the company does... there just aren't enough releases out on blu-ray, yet, compared to their 500+ releases on DVD.

You should really check out their site, if you haven't. That'll give you a better understanding. Most of the film profile pages have the trailer or a clip of the film, as well.

The Criterion Collection

Criterion releases - Categorized By Country: This is a link to their releases so far categorized by 'Country' of origin, so if you scroll down toward the bottom you'll see the United Kingdom films and U.S. films. You shouldn't have a problem finding something you'd be interested in seeing.

Just remember that Criterion isn't a studio that makes films. Criterion is a company that releases films made by major film studios or other independent film studios. Many times their contracts only allow films to be released for a certain amount of time, too, which is why a lot of their films have gone out-of-print over the years.

CC

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by reallyagi

Is anyone else still waiting for movies purchased during the BN sale? I'm still waiting for 6 titles, and I don't understand why BN can't ship whatever they have available. I'm sure either Modern Times or NOTH is holding back the shipment.

My first order from the sale was for 7 titles, and they shipped 6 the next day, and 1 the day after. I don't get their shipping procedure.

Yep..still waiting. My order is FINALLY in transit, so hopefully it won't be long. I'm envious of all who have already checked out Night of the Hunter.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by dawgdaze37

Yep..still waiting. My order is FINALLY in transit, so hopefully it won't be long. I'm envious of all who have already checked out Night of the Hunter.

Yeah, I waited a very long time for Modern Times to finally get in. I did get in The Thin Red Line today, so that's my last from BN.

[sahoward]

Oh yeah, I agree that it's really fascinating. I think sometimes it's a commercial decision, sometimes an artistic one that the director's involved with. Recently was watching Bergman's The Magician and didn't realize the original Swedish title was "The Face". Criterion decided to release it as The Magician, which I personally think is a lot more compelling of a title and more fitting after watching the film, but I wonder what Bergman thought about the US title at the time. Some titles have been changed from the US version by Criterion, like Mr. Arkadin AKA Confidential Report AKA 10 other things.

Today I see the same thing with big directors from other countries, like Almodovar. Broken Embraces wasn't "Arazos Rotos" but Volver wasn't "To Return" either. I think "Volver" sounds a lot more lyrical and pretty so I think that one's best, but the choice to release it as that probably had more to do with the release of the pretty notable Russian film The Return a few years before that.

Originally Posted by blkhrt

That's kind of what I was guessing. I just thought it was interesting with a film that seems pretty fascinated by language and the written word--the letter, the Poe story, the silent film subtitles, etc.--the title was kept in the original language, whereas many others aren't. Probably just over thinking things

[octagon]

Originally Posted by spudd4242

Ok, so i see alot of talk about this criterion collection.. i'm not super interested in foreign films but i would like to check out something from this collection to see what it's all about.. im was thinking bottle rocket.. and other english suggestions?

after i see a few i might be interested in the others that aren't dubbed in english

Paths of Glory, Night of the Hunter and Stagecoach are all excellent introductions to Criterion.

If I had to pick one I would say Paths of Glory. They're all great movies and all three were restored beautifully but Paths of Glory has a little bit more of that 'off the beaten path' feel that a lot of people associate with Criterion.

[Beta Man]

If you're looking for contemporary, and want to check out a Criterion release to see all the extras and the result of a fantastic transfer...... I don't think you can do much better than "The Thin Red Line"

I also wouldn't limit my exposure to "new" things if I were you........

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by sahoward

Oh yeah, I agree that it's really fascinating. I think sometimes it's a commercial decision, sometimes an artistic one that the director's involved with. Recently was watching Bergman's The Magician and didn't realize the original Swedish title was "The Face". Criterion decided to release it as The Magician, which I personally think is a lot more compelling of a title and more fitting after watching the film, but I wonder what Bergman thought about the US title at the time. Some titles have been changed from the US version by Criterion, like Mr. Arkadin AKA Confidential Report AKA 10 other things.

Today I see the same thing with big directors from other countries, like Almodovar. Broken Embraces wasn't "Arazos Rotos" but Volver wasn't "To Return" either. I think "Volver" sounds a lot more lyrical and pretty so I think that one's best, but the choice to release it as that probably had more to do with the release of the pretty notable Russian film The Return a few years before that.

The one that comes to mind for me is Bicycle Thieves. I remember when I first saw the film as an undergraduate in a film class, the version we saw was translated as The Bicycle Thief (I think it was the LD--this was long before Criterion released it). That plural makes a big difference in the meaning of the movie, which is one thing I remember we talked about quite a bit, and something I always think about when I watch it.

[Weirded Wonder]

Is this a Face-Off promo Tee?

I have to admit, my two most hated actors are Nic Cage and John Travolta. Everything about the way they act on screen rubs me the wrong way.

What's with Nic Cage going bankrupt and buying himself a huge shrine for himself when he dies?

Originally Posted by capnnarcolepsy

to go along with all the Nic Cage discussion, i feel this shirt is quite awesome.

[sahoward]

Yep, that's a biggie. I remember them putting out this huge press release explaining in exhaustive detail why they released it plural.

Originally Posted by blkhrt

The one that comes to mind for me is Bicycle Thieves. I remember when I first saw the film as an undergraduate in a film class, the version we saw was translated as The Bicycle Thief (I think it was the LD--this was long before Criterion released it). That plural makes a big difference in the meaning of the movie, which is one thing I remember we talked about quite a bit, and something I always think about when I watch it.

[greekak229]

Bicycle Thieves makes more sense. Plain and simple.

[plattopus]

Originally Posted by greekak229

Bicycle Thieves makes more sense. Plain and simple.

The Bicycle Thief makes far more sense.

[Show spoiler]One first glance you would think the thief in question is the one at the beginning of the film, but actually the "bicycle thief" is Maggiorani's character, which only becomes clear when you've finished watching the film. It's a fantastic word play. If the film is referred to as Bicycle Thieves then it's just a literal title, which isn't nearly as meaningful.

[Weirded Wonder]

America Lost & Found arrived today.

The guy on Ebay finally contacted me. Said he was in South America for some emergency. So hopefully soon on MWFTE.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Beard Esquire

[I]The guy on Ebay finally contacted me. Said he was in South America for some emergency. So hopefully soon on MWFTE.

Whew! I'm glad that's cleared up now. We were really beginning to worry.

CC

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Whew! I'm glad that's cleared up now. We were really beginning to worry.

CC

Cleared up? Beginning to worry???

You're not seriously buying this South America routine, are you?

[feeter]

My copy of The Third Man arrived today... cant wait to see it