The Criterion Collection

[Darkcritic]

While ooking around Amazon to spot cheap titles and such I came around a title I honestly have forgot existed. It was Ophuls's Lola Montes . Have never been interested in the film at all because of pure ignorance to be honest. I never knew what it was about at all but after somre brief research I find the title quite appealing now. It seems like a mostly overlooked jewel in the Collection, just like Kiarostami's Close-up and Assayas' Summer Hours. Does anyone has an opinion on the film and recommend it? Isn't all that pricy at $28 and was planning on ordering some other things anyway. Might as well pull the trigger now or wait months until I can save those $7 .

[Beta Man]

I think Lola Montes is great..... but sadly have only watched it a couple of times.... I never find myself in the mood to watch it.

[42041]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

While ooking around Amazon to spot cheap titles and such I came around a title I honestly have forgot existed. It was Ophuls's Lola Montes . Have never been interested in the film at all because of pure ignorance to be honest. I never knew what it was about at all but after somre brief research I find the title quite appealing now. It seems like a mostly overlooked jewel in the Collection, just like Kiarostami's Close-up and Assayas' Summer Hours. Does anyone has an opinion on the film and recommend it? Isn't all that pricy at $28 and was planning on ordering some other things anyway. Might as well pull the trigger now or wait months until I can save those $7 .

I'm reluctant to recommend blind-buying it as it's not a film for everyone or one I would watch a lot, but certainly worth seeing IMO. Pretty superb restoration as well, considering the limitations of Cinemascope at the time.

[John D.]

I watched Black Narcissus last night. I couldn't get over how beautiful the camera work was in this. It's gotta be one of the best looking criterion's released.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by John D.

I watched Black Narcissus last night. I couldn't get over how beautiful the camera work was in this. It's gotta be one of the best looking criterion's released.

I thought that film suffered from extremely distracting color flickering in the lighter hues, mostly in the garb/faces of the nuns and in the skyscapes. I also noticed a bit of color flickering, though much less severe, in The Red Shoes.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by John D.

I watched Black Narcissus last night. I couldn't get over how beautiful the camera work was in this. It's gotta be one of the best looking criterion's released.

agreed! its absolutely gorgeous looking! from that overhead "cross table" shot, to that tiny chapel (gorgeous) to the overhead shot of the bell down the cliff..just breathtaking!

[John D.]

Originally Posted by wilky61

I thought that film suffered from extremely distracting color flickering in the lighter hues, mostly in the garb/faces of the nuns and in the skyscapes. I also noticed a bit of color flickering, though much less severe, in The Red Shoes.

I noticed none of those negative aspects you mention. Might I suggest trying an OPPO player.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

While ooking around Amazon to spot cheap titles and such I came around a title I honestly have forgot existed. It was Ophuls's Lola Montes . Have never been interested in the film at all because of pure ignorance to be honest. I never knew what it was about at all but after somre brief research I find the title quite appealing now. It seems like a mostly overlooked jewel in the Collection, just like Kiarostami's Close-up and Assayas' Summer Hours. Does anyone has an opinion on the film and recommend it? Isn't all that pricy at $28 and was planning on ordering some other things anyway. Might as well pull the trigger now or wait months until I can save those $7 .

I did the same thing with Lola Montes...initially had no interest, then after researching it I decided to buy it at last November's B&N sale. I agree with Beta Man in that it is a film I like, but have to be in the mood to watch and for some reason have never been in the mood to re-watch it. However, I am glad I have it in my collection.

Having said that, while I like Lola Montes, I can see it not being for everyone. The restoration work done on it is fantastic. The story is pure melodrama about a courtesan's rise and fall through high society and the notoriety she gains from her adventures. In my opiniion, I would place it alongside Senso as to where it falls into the Criterion Collection in terms of being a period-style drama and overall "feel".

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by John D.

I noticed none of those negative aspects you mention. Might I suggest trying an OPPO player.

Has nothing to do with the player. The issue he mentioned is usually seen in some Technicolor films. Even the site's review mentions it.

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by John D.

I noticed none of those negative aspects you mention. Might I suggest trying an OPPO player.

Weird, I have not had any other color issues/playback issues with my Panny DMP-BD45 except during the two P&P films. I won't be hooking up a blu-ray player to my 32" HDTV that's worth more than the TV, though.

EDIT: just saw s00per's response... What other films shot in Technicolor are available on Blu-Ray and/or in the Criterion Collection?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

While ooking around Amazon to spot cheap titles and such I came around a title I honestly have forgot existed. It was Ophuls's Lola Montes . Have never been interested in the film at all because of pure ignorance to be honest. I never knew what it was about at all but after somre brief research I find the title quite appealing now. It seems like a mostly overlooked jewel in the Collection, just like Kiarostami's Close-up and Assayas' Summer Hours. Does anyone has an opinion on the film and recommend it? Isn't all that pricy at $28 and was planning on ordering some other things anyway. Might as well pull the trigger now or wait months until I can save those $7 .

I enjoyed it, and did blind buy it, but much like others here, you have to be in a certain mood to watch it. Also, if you have to stop in the middle of the film for some reason, don't start watching it, you need to sit through the whole thing at once because you'll never have any interest in it if you try to resume it. I'd wait until it goes on sale personally, but that's me. I bought mine on sale, and probably wouldn't have ordered it at full price.

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think Lola Montes is great..... but sadly have only watched it a couple of times.... I never find myself in the mood to watch it.

Same here. Beautiful film, but you need to be in the mood to watch it.

Originally Posted by 42041

I'm reluctant to recommend blind-buying it as it's not a film for everyone or one I would watch a lot, but certainly worth seeing IMO. Pretty superb restoration as well, considering the limitations of Cinemascope at the time.

Agreed. I enjoy it, but it's not something I would have paid full price for it. I ordered mine when it was on sale at B&N as a blind buy based on the fact it sounded interesting and Peter Ustinov was in it.

Originally Posted by oildude

I did the same thing with Lola Montes...initially had no interest, then after researching it I decided to buy it at last November's B&N sale. I agree with Beta Man in that it is a film I like, but have to be in the mood to watch and for some reason have never been in the mood to re-watch it. However, I am glad I have it in my collection.

Having said that, while I like Lola Montes, I can see it not being for everyone. The restoration work done on it is fantastic. The story is pure melodrama about a courtesan's rise and fall through high society and the notoriety she gains from her adventures. In my opiniion, I would place it alongside Senso as to where it falls into the Criterion Collection in terms of being a period-style drama and overall "feel".

Senso, in my opinion, is much more enjoyable, although The Leopard is even better than Senso or Lola. Again, I agree that you have to be in the right mood to watch Lola Montes.

[Darkcritic]

Well, after all these replies I might wait for it to be on sale . Thanks a lot for the feedback, I will comment in it after seeing the film (I would rent it but the film doesn't seem to be available in my country apart from the fact that many people say other releases are kind of butchered ). Still deciding whatever or not to get some other titles. I want to pre-order The Complete Jean Vigo from Amazon before the release cause the price will boost. Paths of Glory is really cheap right now so I might make that move. My current "buy" list for this order is...

- The Complete Jean Vigo (Definitely)
- SW Complete Saga (Definitely, even thought it is not CC related)
- Paths of Glory (Probably but not sure yet)
- Other Criterion anyone would recommend that is cheap at Amazon right now

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

- Paths of Glory (Probably but not sure yet)

That's one of the very few CC Blu-Rays that I would endorse for a blind buy (The Killing/Killer's Kiss is another).

[oildude]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Senso, in my opinion, is much more enjoyable, although The Leopard is even better than Senso or Lola. Again, I agree that you have to be in the right mood to watch Lola Montes.

Yeah, I agree Senso is more enjoyable than Lola Montes. In my mind, these two films are closer to each other than either is to The Leopard, which is why I made no mention of The Leopard in my loose comparison of "feel". I find The Leopard much more enjoyable than either. To me, The Leopard is truly grand cinema on the scale of Gone With the WInd, Ben Hur, etc.

Some might make an argument that Lola Montes is similarly grand - true, the sets and the sweep of Lola Montes covering years in the life of the main character are impressive - but it just doesn't carry that weight in my mind. The Leopard is great old cinema, the kind of film that deserves to be shown where they have to pull back curtains to reveal the screen.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

- Other Criterion anyone would recommend that is cheap at Amazon right now

All of the following titles are around $20.00 at Amazon. (and are great films IMO)

Sweet Smell of Success
Modern Times
Fish Tank
Blow Out
The Red Shoes
Le Cercle Rouge

At that price you can recoup the majority of your investment in the unfortunate event that these films are not for you. (or trade with other members for other great Criterion BD's)

PS
Sorry, I just took Paths of Glory for granted. It is indeed a cornerstone type entry in the CC Blu-ray archive.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Well, after all these replies I might wait for it to be on sale . Thanks a lot for the feedback, I will comment in it after seeing the film (I would rent it but the film doesn't seem to be available in my country apart from the fact that many people say other releases are kind of butchered ). Still deciding whatever or not to get some other titles. I want to pre-order The Complete Jean Vigo from Amazon before the release cause the price will boost. Paths of Glory is really cheap right now so I might make that move. My current "buy" list for this order is...

- The Complete Jean Vigo (Definitely)
- SW Complete Saga (Definitely, even thought it is not CC related)
- Paths of Glory (Probably but not sure yet)
- Other Criterion anyone would recommend that is cheap at Amazon right now

Paths of Glory is one of the highlights of the collection. Definitely one of my favorites (it was my first Criterion blu-ray, bought together with Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and Paris, Texas).

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by wilky61

Weird, I have not had any other color issues/playback issues with my Panny DMP-BD45 except during the two P&P films. I won't be hooking up a blu-ray player to my 32" HDTV that's worth more than the TV, though.

EDIT: just saw s00per's response... What other films shot in Technicolor are available on Blu-Ray and/or in the Criterion Collection?

Off the top of my head there's Mikado, Senso, Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

There's also Pandora and the Flying Dutchman although it's from Kino. The cinematographer for the movie is Jack Cardiff who also did The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus.

Also another one i'd recommend is The Ten Commandments. Whether you're into Biblical movies or not, I think the film is just a spectacle to behold. Probably one of the best looking Technicolor films on blu-ray.

[William H Pratt]

I'm amazed to see "Island of Lost Souls" available via CC. I never would have imagined them releasing it. I've tried 30 yrs to find a decent video of this without success. And now to be able to buy from CC & in BD form! Unreal!

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

While ooking around Amazon to spot cheap titles and such I came around a title I honestly have forgot existed. It was Ophuls's Lola Montes . Have never been interested in the film at all because of pure ignorance to be honest. I never knew what it was about at all but after somre brief research I find the title quite appealing now. It seems like a mostly overlooked jewel in the Collection, just like Kiarostami's Close-up and Assayas' Summer Hours. Does anyone has an opinion on the film and recommend it? Isn't all that pricy at $28 and was planning on ordering some other things anyway. Might as well pull the trigger now or wait months until I can save those $7 .

I blind-bought Lola Montes and have no regrets.
I watched and enjoyed quite a lot one day. About a week later it was Mrs DrBikeShorts' turn to pick a film and she chose it. Watching it twice in a relatively short time was pretty good.
I agree there are similarities with Senso, both being "fallen woman" melodramas.
It also looks pretty great in super-dooper widescreen - 2.55:1

[DVDFreaker]

I just bought American Lost and Found Criterion Collection just for the movie "Head" since I am a big Monkees Fan!