The Criterion Collection

[DLizzle]

I personally view Criterion as a curator of interesting/important movies that I trust. Kind of like going into a restaurant and ordering the chef's menu. You just take what they give you. I hope to one day get them all.

[Crimson King]

The cashier at one of the B&N stores I went to today said they have a customer (a doctor) who claims has every single Criterion LD, DVD, and BD ever released!

Can you image what a collection like must cost!

[Donat96]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

The cashier at one of the B&N stores I went to today said they have a customer (a doctor) who claims has every single Criterion LD, DVD, and BD ever released!

Can you image what a collection like must cost!

Didn't Criterion release a VHS tape once? I wonder if he owns that.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

just picked up the "First Films of Samuel Fuller" Eclipse 3-DVD set for $12 and change using a $8 coupon.

looks from the packaging that there are no supplements/extras on these, just the films themselves.

Are you just now discovering the Eclipse sets? All of the sets are like this... bare bones with usually just liner notes inside each case. These are Criterion's bargain-bin films since each set usually figures in at roughly $10 per film. There's no restoration done on these films, so Criterion pretty much takes the transfer they're given and slaps it on a disc... quick and dirty.

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Are any of the other Eclipse sets worth picking up?

There are a great number of Eclipse sets worth picking up during this sale. The Barnes & Noble sale is definitely the time you want to grab these while you have the chance. If I were you, I'd just go to Criterion's set and make a list of the sets that sound interesting to you, or pick some sets of the directors that you know and enjoy.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Donat96

Didn't Criterion release a VHS tape once? I wonder if he owns that.

I posted a picture a while back of one of the VHS releases that someone on Facebook posted, and Criterion acknowledged that a few titles were released on VHS... no more than four, though, from what I can remember.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Are you just now discovering the Eclipse sets? All of the sets are like this... bare bones with usually just liner notes inside each case. These are Criterion's bargain-bin films since each set usually figures in at roughly $10 per film. There's no restoration done on these films, so Criterion pretty much takes the transfer they're given and slaps it on a disc... quick and dirty.



There are a great number of Eclipse sets worth picking up during this sale. The Barnes & Noble sale is definitely the time you want to grab these while you have the chance. If I were you, I'd just go to Criterion's set and make a list of the sets that sound interesting to you, or pick some sets of the directors that you know and enjoy.

I'll watch the Fuller set and see if I like it, if so I'll look into some more sets.

[Crimson King]

looks like there's an upcoming Eclipse set of Sabu filmshttp://www.criterion.com/boxsets/847...series-30-sabu The classic "The Jungle Book" is included, hopefully it will look at least better than the ooldes of public domain releases out there.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I'll watch the Fuller set and see if I like it, if so I'll look into some more sets.

If you like Sam Fuller's films, then I'll find it difficult to believe that you don't enjoy the set. Each of those films is very enjoyable, in my opinion. Vincent Price gives a great performance in The Baron Of Arizona.

The Eclipse sets just have films in there that Criterion doesn't think would sell very well if they were to be released in the main line. So, instead they bunch them together on the cheap and sell them. If you look at the Eclipse Series 25: Basil Dearden’s London Underground, The League Of Gentlemen was released on laserdisc by Criterion. When it came time for a DVD release, though, it must've made more sense for Criterion to release it with two other Basil Dearden films at a lower cost.

Just like other films, though, you'll probably get a set and enjoy 2 or 3 out of the five that are in the set. At the B&N sale price, though, it's hard to argue that you're not getting your money's worth, ya know?

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Reno McCoy

Count me as one who pretty much blind buys all of his Criterion films. For example, I picked up Island of Lost Souls over the weekend, and I have to admit, I was impressed. Very impressed. The film had a creepy feel to it, in large part to Charles Laughton. To me, his "feminine" persona was more about being a more subtle, understated doctor instead of a loon you might expect.

With that said, however, I do wonder about his desire to mate The Leopard Woman (who is absolutely stunning, by the way) with someone other than himself or Montgomery. The fact that he's unwilling to force himself on her adds a sense of, I don't know, romanticism to his character. Makes him less of an animal, perhaps. At the same time, though, upon reflection, it does make you wonder about his sexuality (at least, for a member of a modern audience...perhaps in 1932 that wasn't an issue).

Charles Laughton was basically the Anthony Hopkins of his day, in that he seemed to LIKE playing mannered, ruthless lunatics, and knew how to play subtle creepiness more personally than anyone. Hannibal Lechter was just as "fey", but you didn't argue about it as much.

Here, our handsome hero is apalled not so much by the idea that Lota is a "experiment", so much as Moreau treating her like one and seeing what lab results he can get from her and anyone who wanders in. The doctor wasn't personally attracted or unattracted to her anymore than to a test tube.
It was still a good ten years before Dr. Mengele and his "house of pain", but Laughton knew that the idea was to play a dehumanized mad scientist as just someone who enjoyed "playing" with his scientific curiosities without any regard for the larger ethics.

("Comrade" Wells was only interested in the "Man creates religion to govern the 'animals'" aspect of the story, which the '32 movie didn't really have time to hit on but the '70's version covered nicely, and it was hard to tell just what the heck the 90's version WAS doing. )

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

Ok, but doesn't that pretty much preclude you from ever watching the movie version? One thing Criterion does well is give a good sense of context. Buying the Criterion release of Fanny and Alexander and only ever watching one cut of it, when two are included for a reason, seems a bit silly to me.

Why would you not want to watch the other version? The original question was asked as to which version is 'easier to swallow' so to speak. kndy and myself recommended the tv version, as we have seen both. You should go back and revisit the theatrical also, but due to time constraints on most people, this will not happen right away as it is 5 hours long. I would say almost 90% of the collection needs at least 2 viewings to enjoy and understand certain films, ...unless it is a Wes film, then only 1 is needed......

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

But has Criterion released the number of films they had in agreement with IFC yet? I know it's a long shot, but I noticed Sleeping Beauty doesn't have a planned US release, and is being released February 6th in the UK. I haven't seen it, but it looks interesting. And the fact that I've been in love with Emily Browning since Series of Unfortunate Events makes this film even more desirable. Without trying to be too perverse, her being nude almost the entire film excites the 13 year old virgin in me. (not literally).

Anybody think there is a chance in Hell that Criterion would release it?

It's available to watch instantly on Amazon - I saw it last week. I think it would fit with Criterion's line-up (they have released films like Fat Girl) but the reviews were mixed. I liked it, but I understand why some wouldn't. If Criterion doesn't release it, I can see it only getting a DVD release in the US.

I also caught Lars von Trier's Melancholia and I think that would make a nice Criterion. However, I think Magnolia will be releasing it themselves.

[ShellOilJunior]

The IFC deal is for 12 films, correct?

[rockstarnati]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

It's available to watch instantly on Amazon - I saw it last week. I think it would fit with Criterion's line-up (they have released films like Fat Girl) but the reviews were mixed. I liked it, but I understand why some wouldn't. If Criterion doesn't release it, I can see it only getting a DVD release in the US.

I also caught Lars von Trier's Melancholia and I think that would make a nice Criterion. However, I think Magnolia will be releasing it themselves.

Melancholia looks great. I haven't seen it yet, but I was kinda hoping for a Criterion release myself if the film was any good. It premieres on HDNet Movies tomorrow night at 7:30 with encores at 10 and 12:30. I have it set to DVR. Can't wait to check it out!

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by rockstarnati

Melancholia looks great. I haven't seen it yet, but I was kinda hoping for a Criterion release myself if the film was any good. It premieres on HDNet Movies tomorrow night at 7:30 with encores at 10 and 12:30. I have it set to DVR. Can't wait to check it out!

Personally, I thought Melancholia was better than Anti-christ (which is in the collection), but it lacks the shock value. It's more low-key. Great performances from Dunst and Gainsbourg, though, and a gripping conclusion.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by georgec

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Rushm.../28094/#Review

It's got potential to look great, but those screenshots have a shitload of JPEG artifacts. Hopefully it's just the images and not Criterion's encoding.

[jacobb1313]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

If you look at the Eclipse Series 25: Basil Dearden’s London Underground, The League Of Gentlemen was released on laserdisc by Criterion. When it came time for a DVD release, though, it must've made more sense for Criterion to release it with two other Basil Dearden films at a lower cost.

So was Victim, actually.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Just like other films, though, you'll probably get a set and enjoy 2 or 3 out of the five that are in the set. At the B&N sale price, though, it's hard to argue that you're not getting your money's worth, ya know?

For casual viewing I highly recommend the Nikkatsu Noir set.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I posted a picture a while back of one of the VHS releases that someone on Facebook posted, and Criterion acknowledged that a few titles were released on VHS... no more than four, though, from what I can remember.?

They were, The Third Man, The Lady Vanishes, King Kong, The 39 Steps. (I actually held the King Kong in my hand at a thrift store and didn't get it - mostly because I had the Laserdisc... immediately regret that decision.) It gets more convoluted when/if you start considering the old "Janus International Collection" VHS's. Then you are getting into Hobson's Choice, some Kurosawas and some Begmans.

It is funny how they try to erase them from public memory. Not like it matters, though. The blu-ray editions blow them away in every regard.

[DLizzle]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Why would you not want to watch the other version? The original question was asked as to which version is 'easier to swallow' so to speak. kndy and myself recommended the tv version, as we have seen both. You should go back and revisit the theatrical also, but due to time constraints on most people, this will not happen right away as it is 5 hours long. I would say almost 90% of the collection needs at least 2 viewings to enjoy and understand certain films, ...unless it is a Wes film, then only 1 is needed......

The tv version is the longer version.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by jacobb1313

So was Victim, actually.



For casual viewing I highly recommend the Nikkatsu Noir set.



They were, The Third Man, The Lady Vanishes, King Kong, The 39 Steps. (I actually held the King Kong in my hand at a thrift store and didn't get it - mostly because I had the Laserdisc... immediately regret that decision.) It gets more convoluted when/if you start considering the old "Janus International Collection" VHS's. Then you are getting into Hobson's Choice, some Kurosawas and some Begmans.

It is funny how they try to erase them from public memory. Not like it matters, though. The blu-ray editions blow them away in every regard.

I just bought this set this past week and have watched "I Am Waiting"' which I enjoyed very much...can't wait to see the other four films.

[Harmonoff]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

Ok, but doesn't that pretty much preclude you from ever watching the movie version? One thing Criterion does well is give a good sense of context. Buying the Criterion release of Fanny and Alexander and only ever watching one cut of it, when two are included for a reason, seems a bit silly to me.

Conversely, including two movies when only one is the intended version of the director seems a bit silly to me especially when Criterion is pretty good about focusing on definitive versions of films. Like when they released Andrei Rublev, different versions exist but they chose the original version that was later banned. Another more recent example can be seen in their release of Carlos where they excluded the theatrical cut of the film. I'm just glad that the Barnes and Noble sale exists because it eliminates much of the price differences. Otherwise, I would be angry for having to buy the entire boxset at the normal price just to get the TV version. So yes, the two cuts are there for a reason: $$$

[Mr. Movie Fan]

POSSIBLE GLITCH WITH "CARLOS"

Possible glitch with disc 2, episode 3 of "Carlos". The left surround channel is much quieter than the right one.