The Criterion Collection

[BillyBrown66]

It's been said already but this is a truly incredible eclectic slate. I'm in for all of them aside from Picnic at Hanging Rock, which I already have on UHD from SS.

[OceanBlue]

Out of the latest batch of Criterion US announcements, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a maybe (depending on comments/observations about the transfer), with Werckmeister Harmonies and Dogfight being the highlights for me (have never heard of either before, but they sound interesting and worth checking out and a watch).

[trobrianders]

Nothing for me this month. Happy enough with BFI's improved transfer of La Haine (I was lucky enough to grab a limited edition set when a few resurfaced). Sold my Criterion copy. The extras were a lot of claptrap anyway (apart from Jodie Foster's bit).

Already have Criterion's gorgeous hefty digipack edition of Picnic which included the source novel but I guess the 4k edition will be reviving it for a first run in which case I'll upgrade.

I Am Cuba is already up on Mosfilm's youtube channel in 4k.

I'm not ready for Tarr's long takes and Dogfight looks cringe (compounded by Criterion's horrific woke blurb for the release). Didn't think they could go lower than Chilly Scenes of Winter (with its equally cringe blurb) but it looks like they have. Criterion is becoming synonymous with Cringe. Go woke, go broke!

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

I'm not ready for Tarr's long takes and Dogfight looks cringe (compounded by Criterion's horrific woke blurb for the release). Didn't think they could go lower than Chilly Scenes of Winter (with its equally cringe blurb) but it looks like they have.

A lot of their blurbs are overwritten and exaggerated to the point of almost reading like a parody of a supercilious sophisticated film professor on his first day of class trying to impress his apathetic students. Check out the descriptions they have of some of the vintage Hollywood movies they show on their channel and you'll be scratching your head how hard they are trying to make the movie seem oh so significant and timelessly relevant. It's as if the copywriters all want to believe they are Cahiers Du Cinema critics reinventing the wheel. Currently, the Criterion Channel is showing the Disney film THAT DARN CAT. I must check out the description for that one and see what it has to say about the human condition or how Fellini derived inspiration from Hayley Mills trying to find her lost kitty while bungling kidnappers made a mess of the kitchen.

[Member-880182]

Originally Posted by Scottie

I would imagine all BDs. I could see them rolling out a couple on 4K though, like Tokyo Story.

This would be a phenomenal set. I believe all of the extant films are permanent on the Criterion Channel. A physical set with the usual book full of essays and info would be ideal.

[Member-880182]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

I'm not ready for Tarr's long takes and Dogfight looks cringe (compounded by Criterion's horrific woke blurb for the release). Didn't think they could go lower than Chilly Scenes of Winter (with its equally cringe blurb) but it looks like they have. Criterion is becoming synonymous with Cringe. Go woke, go broke!

What is "woke" about the blurb for Dogfight?

An ineffably bittersweet portrait of youth in the 1960s, Nancy Savoca’s funny, sensitive tale of love and war etches two vividly alive characters: aspiring San Francisco folk singer Rose (Lili Taylor) and hotheaded, Vietnam-bound marine Eddie (River Phoenix), who meet on the occasion of a cruelly misogynistic party where men compete to bring the most unattractive dates they can find. But what begins as a night to forget unexpectedly develops into something far more meaningful. Featuring music by folk legends Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Pete Seeger, Dogfight captures the miracle of human connection while gracefully subverting ideas surrounding machismo, patriotic duty, and the very meaning of America itself.

[mclellandj]

Originally Posted by Lee2112

What is "woke" about the blurb for Dogfight?

I just automatically put anyone who uses "woke" as a pejorative on my ignore list. It's a pretty efficient system.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I just automatically put anyone who uses "woke" as a pejorative on my ignore list. It's a pretty efficient system.

As you'd expect: Ignore. Disregard. Toe the line. Never deviate. Don't listen. Do as you're told. Wait for approval. Never engage. Remain on the compound.

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

I'm not ready for Tarr's long takes and Dogfight looks cringe (compounded by Criterion's horrific woke blurb for the release). Didn't think they could go lower than Chilly Scenes of Winter (with its equally cringe blurb) but it looks like they have. Criterion is becoming synonymous with Cringe. Go woke, go broke!

[BenOswald]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I just automatically put anyone who uses "woke" as a pejorative on my ignore list. It's a pretty efficient system.

Same here, great system!

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by Lee2112

What is "woke" about the blurb for Dogfight?

An ineffably bittersweet portrait of youth in the 1960s, Nancy Savoca’s funny, sensitive tale of love and war etches two vividly alive characters: aspiring San Francisco folk singer Rose (Lili Taylor) and hotheaded, Vietnam-bound marine Eddie (River Phoenix), who meet on the occasion of a cruelly misogynistic party where men compete to bring the most unattractive dates they can find. But what begins as a night to forget unexpectedly develops into something far more meaningful. Featuring music by folk legends Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Pete Seeger, Dogfight captures the miracle of human connection while gracefully subverting ideas surrounding machismo, patriotic duty, and the very meaning of America itself.

While the “make every film sound legendary” schtick is meant to drive sales, it’s noticeable after a while. It’s not “woke”, and I wish that word would just go away, but it is a bit cringy after 1200 spines. It makes every release sounds like it could give Citizen Kane a run for its money.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

While the “make every film sound legendary” schtick is meant to drive sales, it’s noticeable after a while. It’s not “woke”, and I wish that word would just go away, but it is a bit cringy after 1200 spines. It makes every release sounds like it could give Citizen Kane a run for its money.

Good point. But it's kinda wokey. The subtext is watch this film. Help bring down western civilisation.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

You're on the East Coast, right? Try asking someone you dispagingly refer to as Flyover Country!

Incredible. You can't see the irony in picking a Hollywood celeb gif to make your point.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by mclellandj

I just automatically put anyone who uses "woke" as a pejorative on my ignore list. It's a pretty efficient system.

That doesn't sound very woke to me. I thought being woke means being more tolerant of others? Or is it ok when you yourself do the very thing you tell others not to do?

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

You're on the East Coast, right? Try asking someone you dispagingly refer to as Flyover Country!

Incredible. You can't see the irony in picking a Hollywood celeb gif to make your point.

[BillyBrown66]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

That doesn't sound very woke to me. I thought being woke means being more tolerant of others? Or is it ok when you yourself do the very thing you tell others not to do?

Lol

[dkelly26666]

Very strong month.

I am not 4K capable, and already have Criterion blu's of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "La Haine".

But I'm definitely getting the other three. There are some absolutely incredible camera shots and movements in "Soy Cuba".

"Dogfight" is a beautiful film. The film itself is a very funny, very touching film, with two fantastic lead performances.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

Hollywood celebs. Is that it? Is that your entire world view?

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Hollywood celebs. Is that it? Is that your entire world view?

[Shane Rollins]

The Criterion Collection