The Criterion Collection

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've had Hobson's Choice collecting dust for a while...I think I'm going to dig that out next.

I think it's hilarious! John Mills and Charles Laughton give fantastic performances, but, for me, it's Brenda De Banzie's role as the eldest daughter that steals the show.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

17 pounds for 10 films, huh? If I didn't already have the Criterions (and planning on getting the Coward BRs), I'd be all over this.

Yeah, £17 isn't a bad price at all for the films. I believe I picked it up when it was around £13 or £14. All of the films in the UK set are the 2008 Centennial restorations, which Criterion are also using for their upcoming DVD/blu-ray sets. I'm sure Criterion will mess with the contrast a bit, as usual, but the DVDs shouldn't look too different, I'd think. With that said, until Criterion re-releases their DVDs of Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, the discs in the UK set look better.

[*DrStrangelove*]

I don't know if this has been mentioned but apparently the cover of A Night to Remember is a shot from James Camerons Titanic. I wonder why they did that.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I don't know if this has been mentioned but apparently the cover of A Night to Remember is a shot from James Camerons Titanic. I wonder why they did that.

It's at least not directly a still from any film, it's a painting.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by ravenus

It's at least not directly a still from any film, it's a painting.

It's a painting of a still from James Cameron's Titanic. Someone posted a pic on Criterions Facebook. That's kind of lame. That would be like The Thin Red Line having a painting of a still from Saving Private Ryan on its cover.

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

It's a painting of a still from James Cameron's Titanic. Someone posted a pic on Criterions Facebook. That's kind of lame. That would be like The Thin Red Line having a painting of a still from Saving Private Ryan on its cover.

Oh boy. I like the cover from an artistic standpoint, and I like the mood it conveys and the style. But that the inspiration was another film on the topic - that doesn't impress me.

[Melodious Thunk]

Originally Posted by billzfan

List your 3 favorite Criterion blu-ray releases so far:

I pick:

1. Antichrist
2. The Seventh Seal
3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

1. The Third Man
2. The Night of the Hunter
3. Play Time

Honorable mentions to Mystery Train, Sweet Smell of Success, Paris Texas and 12 Angry Men (one of my favourite films but I'm still waiting for my Criterion BD to be delivered).

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

It's a painting of a still from James Cameron's Titanic.

In all fairness, the still was only used as a reference for the Titanic in the background. Whoever painted it probably just Googled "titanic sinking" (you'll find that image a couple of rows down.)

[Barrysupreme]

Reading some of the posts relating to Mikhail Kalatozov's Letter Never Sent, I decided to watch The Cranes Are Flying, and all I can say is wow! What a wonderfull film from the begining to the very end, and if this is anything to go by, then I am really looking forward to seeing Letter Never Sent. Thanks for the great recommendation Spiderbaby This is why I love this thread.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by punisher

any ideas on the difference between the regular blu ray of Godzilla and the upcoming criterion release?

The non-Criterion release is only 1080i, as well.

[Criterion Collector]

So last night I decided to sit down and watch Amarcord.

I watched just a bit over an hour of it and...decided to turn it off and do some reading to see what all the fuss is about.

Then I learned that Fellini's later films lacked a strong narrative and that turned off some critics.

At the moment, I have a limited knowledge of Fellini as I have only watched Nights of Carbiria, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I do, however, have the Criterion editions of Variety Lights, The White Sheik, and 8 1/2 as well.

I have decided that part of the enjoyment that comes from watching Amarcord, probably comes from being familiar with him as a director. I sort of relate it to watching Jay and Silent Bob Strike back, without having first watched Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma.

While some parts might seem entertaining, you really need to have seen a wider body of the directors work in order to "get it" and have an appreciation for all of antics the film contains.

Perhaps this is a bit of a wacky comparison...but that's the best conclusion I can draw.

I will give props to Criterion for the PQ on this bd. I would consider this a disc to show off to friends while showcasing how great a catalog title can look. Simply gorgeous!

Anyway, I have decided to watch Variety Lights, The White Sheik, and 8 1/2 (in that order) to gain a better insight to Fellini and his work. Then I am going to revisit Amarcord with a "fresh" perspective and see what I think.

[Antonmassacre1]

The new titles are up on Amazon.ca at similar prices to .com right now. This does not typically last long if you're interested.

[Hawkguy]

I just got done making my way through the Three Colors set (took me a while). I was sure that my opinion would change about the films, since I saw them so long ago when I couldn't appreciate them as much as I could now....but it hasn't really.

I love Red, right from the start I'm very engaged in the film...but I easily lose interest when watching Blue and White, and just don't see myself re-visiting them much.... Does anyone else feel this way? I haven't read about anyone else being really divided when it comes to the trilogy.

(By the way, for what it's worth, I really enjoyed The Double Life of Veronique)

[dag]

This afternoon, I watched this week's releases, Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill. Very different! The former's colours were wonderful to look at, while the latter's black and white stock was equally luscious. The plots were both a little much for me, to be honest. The sexual frankness of Branded to Kill was very interesting, at times very amusing, and must have been quite avant garde for its time. One fault I had with both titles was that

[Show spoiler]the yakuza really are the worst shots imaginable!

However, I'm glad to have watched both films, and next year I intend to watch a few of the Eclipse sets that feature Japanese films.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

So last night I decided to sit down and watch Amarcord.

I watched just a bit over an hour of it and...decided to turn it off and do some reading to see what all the fuss is about.

Then I learned that Fellini's later films lacked a strong narrative and that turned off some critics.

At the moment, I have a limited knowledge of Fellini as I have only watched Nights of Carbiria, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I do, however, have the Criterion editions of Variety Lights, The White Sheik, and 8 1/2 as well.

I have decided that part of the enjoyment that comes from watching Amarcord, probably comes from being familiar with him as a director. I sort of relate it to watching Jay and Silent Bob Strike back, without having first watched Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma.

While some parts might seem entertaining, you really need to have seen a wider body of the directors work in order to "get it" and have an appreciation for all of antics the film contains.

Perhaps this is a bit of a wacky comparison...but that's the best conclusion I can draw.

I will give props to Criterion for the PQ on this bd. I would consider this a disc to show off to friends while showcasing how great a catalog title can look. Simply gorgeous!

Anyway, I have decided to watch Variety Lights, The White Sheik, and 8 1/2 (in that order) to gain a better insight to Fellini and his work. Then I am going to revisit Amarcord with a "fresh" perspective and see what I think.

All of Fellini's films are unfocused and pretentious. I really don't like his style. I love films that are a mind-****, but I don't get anything out of his work. Amarcord is a mess. 8 1/2 is a mess as well. I can appreciate what he's trying to do with these. Amarcord is a nice coming of age tale, and 8 1/2 is a good take on the artistic/creative process. But they are just so sloppy. I don't get it.

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

All of Fellini's films are unfocused and pretentious. I really don't like his style. I love films that are a mind-****, but I don't get anything out of his work. Ajar off is a mess. 8 1/2 is a mess as well. I can appreciate what he's trying to do with these. Amarcord is a nice coming of age tale, and 8 1/2 is a good take on the artistic/creative process. But they are just so sloppy. I don't get it.

8 1/2 is one of the ten best films I've ever seen. I couldn't disagree more, but, to each his own.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by billzfan

8 1/2 is one of the ten best films I've ever seen. I couldn't disagree more, but, to each his own.

Exactly. Nobody's right. Personally, I haven't liked his work too much either. One of the Fellini works I actually enjoyed most was, surprisingly, his segment in Boccaccio '70, which I'm sure many would find to be one of his least essential..

[placebo]

Most of Fellini is not for me, but I do own 8 1/2 and Amarcord, both of which I like a lot, especially Amarcord, because it evokes such a strong mood, an Italy I've not experienced (even though I lived their for two years) and yet one that feels real, authentic, and personal. Cinema as dreams, I guess.

But the commentary on Amarcord is nonsense. I had to turn it off, right about the time I heard one of the participants talking (in earnest) about Fellini's theme of the derrier, or some such thing. How about, the guy liked women, women with prominent features. That's not a theme, that's a predeliction.

[*DrStrangelove*]

I'm kind of iffy about a Branded to Kill blind buy now. Is there anything you can compare it to? Is Tokyo Drifter more accessible? I was planning on getting either today with the sale.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Mi piace "big butts" e non posso mentire. Voi altri fratelli non si può negare.
- Federico Fellini