The Criterion Collection

[oildude]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Yes, the BBS set was basically a director-overview Eclipse set for Bob Rafelson, except that they wanted to focus on the history of the production company, and also "Easy Rider" was too sellable for Eclipse material. ("Head", sadly, OTOH...)=

*shakes magic 8 ball*

A certain Canadian on this thread will comment shortly.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by oildude

*shakes magic 8 ball*

A certain Canadian on this thread will comment shortly.

Unless she's tied up replacing her rear shocks, of course.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by Daigle

Just watched Le Cercle Rouge. Is all Melville this good?

Not all Melville.
Just skip 2 men in Manhattan.

[Wally Q]

Just placed Order #3 for A Christmas Tale and My Life as a Dog. Next one will be Che and Fanny and Alexander while The Leopard will lead the class for the next sale that's available from BN.

[rockstarnati]

Originally Posted by Guitar Joe

I'd suggest Sweet Smell Of Success. It was a blind buy for me earlier this year, and it's a movie I can't imagine anyone not liking.

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Get Diabolique or Army of Shadows is you are feeling bold about it ! Those two are my favorite Criterion releases (Both were blind-buys to me) and I absolutely recommend them. If you want to play it safe, I would go with Seven Samurai and Days of Heaven. The first one is a classic, a film that does not need recommendation (Most of the time, at least), while the second one is a pretty great package, especially in the PQ department with its beautiful cinematography. As for the film itself, well, I would not say is my favorite Criterion release but is a solid attempt non-the-less .

Thanks for the advice, guys. These are all at the top of my list.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by oildude

*shakes magic 8 ball*

A certain Canadian on this thread will comment shortly.

I have no beef with what EricJ has said. He's right, Head isn't as marketable as Easy Rider. I know quite a few people who only bought the set for Easy Rider and/or The Last Picture show, and sold the rest off. Shame really. Head is the Monkees, and most people think of them as "a manufactured image, with no philosophies," and therefore tend to write them off. Also, the film's a mix bag, as many actual Monkees fans hate it because "it's not like the TV show, and is too depressing."

Originally Posted by octagon

Unless she's tied up replacing her rear shocks, of course.

Not yet. More like I went to bed early after a trip to a resort along the South Shore this weekend, and I stopped in to visit family on the way home.

Originally Posted by EricJ

Yes, the BBS set was basically a director-overview Eclipse set for Bob Rafelson, except that they wanted to focus on the history of the production company, and also "Easy Rider" was too sellable for Eclipse material. ("Head", sadly, OTOH...)

Remember, this's Criterion, and you have think "Anal-retentive one-director filmography".
Now, if CE was asking about a Peter Bogdanovich boxset, I'd....still be asking what the heck "Paper Moon" was doing up there.
(That one was more a product of the mid-70's sudden fascination with old movies and the 30's Depression. Wasn't just The Sting that started it, you know.)

Bob didn't direct Easy Rider, Drive, He Said, A Safe Place, or The Last Picture Show though, so you're right, it's more of a production company look at it.

Paper Moon arguably would have fit, as The Last Picture Show is set in the 1950s, not the late 60s or early 70s. Thematically it fits because it's as one user pointed out, it's about the failure of the American Dream. Arguably, all the films in the current BBS set have that theme, hence it's other title, America Lost and Found.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by rockstarnati

You will not regret Bottle Rocket. That is one great film. I would pick it up myself, but it's already on my DVR. So I'm completely lost trying to pick out my first Criterion.

Night of the Hunter
Seven Samurai
The Sweet Smell of Success
Black Narcissus
Paths of Glory
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
Something Wild
Kuroneko

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ACMutd

Are there any must have Criterion Collection movies? I mean I would assume all of them are, but what would be the must haves of the must haves?

I don't believe there is such a thing. I am sure some people collect all of them but in reality do all of them are what you would call "must have"?

The range of movie in the collection is so wide that I don't see how one can say one or some of them are "must have". For example, in this thread you will have many members who will tell you that Salo or Antichrist are must have movies. Yet at the same time you will have just as many (like me) telling you that they are not. While I try to rent and see as many as I can find from the collection I wold never make a claim that I would buy all the movies nor do I enjoy or like all of them. I can understand the importance they have on the history of cinema but that does not mean I like them or want to buy them. I never really believe in "blind buys" and even more so for Criterion. Rent them first and see what each one mean's to you.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by sskclickgeneral

I thought of 2 titles that need a release that I feel would suite Criterion well.

The Penalty (1920)
Directed By: Wallace Worsley

If this receives a hidef release it'll be Kino. The Warner Chaneys (Laugh, Clown, Laugh), etc. would be more likely...just have to get WB to reverse their position on renting out rights to their properties.

[ShellOilJunior]

Carlotta (Italy) released a blu-ray for THE RED SHOES which looks to be nearly identical to Criterion's release. Although, the bit rate and size on disc goes to Criterion.

Still looks to be a quality release of a terrific film.

[The Theory]

On Saturday I watched Killer's Kiss and The Killing. Enjoyed the heck out of the experience. Definitely preferred The Killing, but Killer's Kiss was surprisingly solid.

I always enjoy Criterion blu-ray releases that include a whole 2nd film as a special feature. This one has one... as does Blow-Out (with the fun Murder a la Mod). Any others I'm forgetting/missing?

Originally Posted by Todd_Gaines

Any thoughts on "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence?" After viewing "In the Realm of the Senses," I want to add more Ôshima to the collection.

This question is a few days old, but since Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence knocked me on my ass, I figured I should give it the proper shout-out.

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much from ...Mr. Lawrence, although I'll admit that considering the title I thought there'd be an actual holiday theme (there isn't). But in the end it is an emotionally taut story about POWs and their treatment... and ensuing power struggles.

It works ridiculously well and drew me into the story beyond what most war-centric films can achieve.

Originally Posted by melo4mvp

Haven't really seen much mention of Leon Morin, Priest. Thinking about picking it up this week. Any opinions? Thanks.

I really enjoyed this one. As others have mentioned, it is very dialogue heavy, but it is intelligent, engaging dialogue. It's the sort of movie that could very easily be a staged play. For anyone looking for plot advancement through action, this will be boring and tedious. But I found it quite rewarding.

Not my favorite in the collection... but a worthwhile purchase.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by The Theory

On Saturday I watched Killer's Kiss and The Killing. Enjoyed the heck out of the experience. Definitely preferred The Killing, but Killer's Kiss was surprisingly solid.

I always enjoy Criterion blu-ray releases that include a whole 2nd film as a special feature. This one has one... as does Blow-Out (with the fun Murder a la Mod). Any others I'm forgetting/missing?


This question is a few days old, but since Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence knocked me on my ass, I figured I should give it the proper shout-out.

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much from ...Mr. Lawrence, although I'll admit that considering the title I thought there'd be an actual holiday theme (there isn't). But in the end it is an emotionally taut story about POWs and their treatment... and ensuing power struggles.

It works ridiculously well and drew me into the story beyond what most war-centric films can achieve.


I really enjoyed this one. As others have mentioned, it is very dialogue heavy, but it is intelligent, engaging dialogue. It's the sort of movie that could very easily be a staged play. For anyone looking for plot advancement through action, this will be boring and tedious. But I found it quite rewarding.

Not my favorite in the collection... but a worthwhile purchase.

Technically you could argue that the English cuts of Gojira, The Leopard, and Senso are second, separate films, since they're cut differently, and in the case of Senso and Gojira, have totally different titles as well.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by The Theory

On Saturday I watched Killer's Kiss and The Killing. Enjoyed the heck out of the experience. Definitely preferred The Killing, but Killer's Kiss was surprisingly solid.

I always enjoy Criterion blu-ray releases that include a whole 2nd film as a special feature. This one has one... as does Blow-Out (with the fun Murder a la Mod). Any others I'm forgetting/missing?

Close-Up has a full-length feature film as a special feature. There is also a section on Criterion Collection's page that showcases the short films, feature length docs, and other things similar in nature. it is under "Themes" and then "Little Something Extra."

It does not list, however, the full length films on Close-Up, Blow Out, or The Killing.

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by italy12

Close-Up has a full-length feature film as a special feature.

Oh excellent! I somehow missed that.

Speaking of special features stuff, I found that I loved the short films on the Monsoon Wedding BD more than the actual full-length film. So Far From India and India Cabaret were worth the price of admission by themselves.

So for someone with a spare $20 to spend at B&N, consider Monsoon Wedding.

[Crimson King]

I just watched Island Of Lost Souls, great film!

Is it just me, or is Charles Laughton's acting a bit on the feminine side?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Is it just me, or is Charles Laughton's acting a bit on the feminine side?

While he was married from 1927 until his death to his wife Elsa Lanchester, there as always been stories that he was gay. Many this showed in his acting, who know's? I never really tought of his acting to be on the feminine side however but I have not seen so many movies with him.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I just watched Island Of Lost Souls, great film!

Is it just me, or is Charles Laughton's acting a bit on the feminine side?

Maybe I've seen too many Laughton films. I didn't see his acting as being on the feminine side. He has a tad english twist and flair to all of his performances, but I wouldn't call it feminine. I thought he played this part rather subdued. With a quiet unsettling and rather matter-a-factly way of expressing his characters twisted perversions. Of course I've always liked him as a actor in almost all of his roles. From Mutiny on the Bounty, to Jamacia Inn & Hunchback to name a few.


Watched 3 Women last night. Great performances by Spacek and Duvall. I went in expecting the ambiguous ending and just thought it could of been better. The ride was well worth it though. Shame it only has stills, trailers and a commentary.

[TylerDurden]

Gone Criterion crazy this weekend. Finally sat down and watched some of the ones I bought during the sale. Starting with none other than the Seven Samurai! Where has this movie been all my life!? I can't believe it took me this long to see one of the great classics of all time. This is the 4th Kurosawa picture I now own and it is superb! He always knows how to end a film. One of my pet peeves is movie endings and he is maaster at making the film stay with you based on the last few minutes of reel.

Also watched Island of Lost Souls. A really cool horror film from the early days. PLus I love HG Wells. Watched the first part of Carlos and it is really gripping. Can't wait to watch the rest. Then I finished the night with Videodrome. Man o man I will be contemplating the complexities of this one for quite some time. Alot of the theories presented seem to have a certain truth.

[The Smell of Brains]

Originally Posted by sskclickgeneral

I thought of 2 titles that need a release that I feel would suite Criterion well.

The Penalty (1920)
Directed By: Wallace Worsley



Men Behind the Sun (1988)
Directed By: Tun Fei Mou

I would love to see Men Behind the Sun get "the Criterion treatment". The current Region 1 DVD is just a small step above VHS quality.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Yes, the BBS set was basically a director-overview Eclipse set for Bob Rafelson, except that they wanted to focus on the history of the production company, and also "Easy Rider" was too sellable for Eclipse material. ("Head", sadly, OTOH...)

Remember, this's Criterion, and you have think "Anal-retentive one-director filmography".
Now, if CE was asking about a Peter Bogdanovich boxset, I'd....still be asking what the heck "Paper Moon" was doing up there.
(That one was more a product of the mid-70's sudden fascination with old movies and the 30's Depression. Wasn't just The Sting that started it, you know.)

I might get flack for it but Jaglom has no place in the collection.