The Criterion Collection

[horseflesh]

This is Spinal Tap

[keldons]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I don't have confidence in Studio Canal.

Even when they clearly have the more accurate release? This is silly brand loyalty.

Originally Posted by Der Spieler

Seems very idiotic.

As a fan of Lynch, I am with you here. I would love to see pretty much any of his work get a decent treatment, and if anyone will do that and allow him to be directly involved its Criterion, but he apparently is too stubborn. Sigh. I hope MGMs Blue Velvet release is worthwhile.

[Banned User]

They just added some stills from Kurosawa's Throne of Blood on Facebook. I hope this means a possible Blu-ray release is coming.

I know its doubtful, but it doesn't hurt to dream.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Go with the Criterion.

In this case, however, the Studio Canal release is preferable - as the blue tint is indeed what director Melville intended (as noted by Prof.Vincendeau, who is an expert on the issue). You could still prefer the Criterion release, there is nothing wrong with that, but when it comes to "correct", the Studio Canal release is better.

Pro-B

[octagon]

Best. Lady. Macbeth. Ever.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Pyoko

Little difference? I would say in most of the caps the difference between the Criterion DVD and Blu is about as big as between the Criterion Blu and SC Blu, which makes your argumentation a bit odd to me (that one set of differences is hardly noticeable, but the other is critical.)

I have to disagree. The difference is most definitely not that big. The colors on the screencaps are misleading.

Pro-B

[keldons]

Originally Posted by Banned User

They just added some stills from Kurosawa's Throne of Blood on Facebook. I hope this means a possible Blu-ray release is coming.

I know doubtful, but it doesn't hurt to dream.

If we get another Kurosawa before Ozu, Kobayashi, or Naruse I will probably express my extreme displeasure by not buying it. take THAT, Criterion.

[JediFonger]

THANK YOU! luv reviews like this when this movie comes out on Blu-Ray i'll be sure to add it to my not-watch-it-until-later-(maybe)-collection.

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Hey gang,

I just finished watching Nights of Cabiria, literally just a few minutes ago. Going in to this movie, I had no idea of what to expect. I like to know as little as possible about a movie before I watch it. Especially with the Criterion releases I am buying. I try to have no prejudices or pre-conceived notions as I sit down to watch for the first time.

Anyway...When she went with the famous actor, I thought it was going to be a "Pretty Woman" tale. I was glad that it was not. As the movie progressed, I realized that Cabiria was a lonely woman who was desperately searching for true love. Oddly enough, I found her to be funny, (her dancing in the night club and the bit where she comes through the curtain could have been out of a classic episode of "I Love Lucy") naive, and quite cute, all at the same time.

When she finally meets Oscar, you are happy for her. You share her excitement when she tells her friends they are getting married, you want to see her find love, and happiness. Sadly, she does not, and when they were in the woods at the end, I began to suspect something was wrong right after she asked Oscar to kiss her...honestly, I thought he was going to kill her and the credits would roll. However, the story took a different turn.

Oscar was no murderer, he merely wanted to rob her...BUT, what I cannot figure out is this: If he had enough money to go on dates with her and always pay for everything, why would he suddenly need her money? She mentions at the dinner how he never asked her for money, or even if she had any. How would he know to rob her? What would make him believe this crime would lead to profit? Especially after paying for several dates.

It is implied that they never had sex, nor even kissed until after they were married. Also, if robbing her was his intention the whole time, why did he ask her to marry him? That didn't make much sense to me...perhaps I am missing something.

I watched the original language version with English subtitles...perhaps I will re-visit this with the English dubbed track. Maybe that will help answer some of these questions.

Needless to say, I liked this movie, and while typing this I am thinking about it and that makes me want to watch it again to see what I may have missed. I would give Nights of Cabiria a solid 3/4 stars, with an extra nod going to Giulietta Masina for portraying Cabiria as a character that is human, and with character traits that make her endearing and someone you want to spend your time getting to know. I know that I will definitely be giving this film additional viewings to allow my self further time to study this character, along with Oscar, to gain a better understanding of Fellini's intentions.

Thanks for reading.

-Dave

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by The Theory

Ah yes. I should have known that. Well, 3 Penny Opera is obviously an opera as opposed to a musical, but I tend to mentally categorize them similarly.

Actually it's the opposite--a musical and not an opera. I haven't seen this version but have read the Brecht play and listened to this:

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by keldons

Even when they clearly have the more accurate release? This is silly brand loyalty.

Not really. Criterion clearly has a better track record than Studio Canal. That's not even up for debate.

I own the release and am very happy with it (just like the 60 or so Criterion dvd and blu's I own). That's all that matters to me. If you enjoy the SC version then so be it. We're both happy with our editions and we both win.

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

Actually it's the opposite--a musical and not an opera. I haven't seen this version but have read the Brecht play and listened to this:

Yeah, I've not seen the movie either, and my only real exposure to 3PO is when I saw a live performance while I was in high school. So maybe I'll just shut up now before I show how ignorant I really am. :-D

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

So I finally got around to watching (Netflix) White Material. The plot sounded very interesting to me and I was sure I'd enjoy it. Well... I didn't. Anyone else just feel really lost with this film? The ending I'm still trying to figure out. The main character just annoyed the heck out of me. Very big disappointment overall.

I watched the NetFlix stream as well and wasn't bowled over by it. Maybe too much hype about it before I sat down to watch it...who knows? It's one that I'll consider possibly for the B & N sale, but no plans to get it for day one.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Good, considering it came out over a week ago.

Haven't watched it yet, but looking forward to (on Netflix). Hopefully my expectations aren't too high because I really liked 35 Rhums.

Yes...I had no plans to buy it day one!

[Monty70]

I really liked White Material. I thought that it was an honest look at the problems of sub Sahara Africa and it's legacy of colonialism. The film doesn't seem to judge any of it's characters, only observe them.

[GunRanger]

Originally Posted by rkish

I watched the NetFlix stream as well and wasn't bowled over by it. Maybe too much hype about it before I sat down to watch it...who knows? It's one that I'll consider possibly for the B & N sale, but no plans to get it for day one.

If you didnt like it, why would you buy it?

[keldons]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Not really. Criterion clearly has a better track record than Studio Canal. That's not even up for debate.

doesn't make your logic any less stupid, but okay if you say so.

White Material disappointed me as well. Just another waste of time IFC title. There are far better Denis/IFC films Criterion could have spent their time on.

Also I just realized how close we are to Solaris

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I don't have confidence in Studio Canal.

I've been happy with the two StudioCanal blu-rays I already have (Contempt and Last Year at Marienbad), but I do understand the preference of one brand over the other.
If the video and audio were the same or closer, I wouldn't even ask - I'd just get the Criterion. Plus, the Criterion has the better cover art
However, the differences seem enough that I should pause and make the right the decision.
Plus, the StudioCanal has the Code name: Melville documentary, which I think makes its Extras a little better.
Thanks to all for the feedback. I think I'm still leaning towards the StudioCanal though.

[Schonfelder]

Originally Posted by keldons

If we get another Kurosawa before Ozu, Kobayashi, or Naruse I will probably express my extreme displeasure by not buying it. take THAT, Criterion.

You can put Mizoguchi on that list (along with Ozu, the greatest master of Japanese cinema, in my opinion).
In the meantime, Eureka/Masters of Cinema is yet to release another Imamura (their third, just for the record).

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by GunRanger

If you didnt like it, why would you buy it?

I like how we now live in a world of extremes where not being "bowled over" by something means you had to not like it.

Believe it or a not, a person can appreciate a movie even without thinking it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Theory

I like how we now live in a world of extremes where not being "bowled over" by something means you had to not like it.

Believe it or a not, a person can appreciate a movie even without thinking it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Definitely. I can think of several titles (400 Blows, The Seventh Seal, Blow Out, Wages of Fear) I'm not exactly enthusiastic about that I would consider picking up if the price were right.

Of my blind buys Howard's End and Shock Corridor (and to a lesser extent Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence) fall in a similar category. I wasn't blown away by any of them but I don't regret the purchases and will certainly return to them at some point in the future.

They can't all be Paths of Glory and Revanche.