The Criterion Collection

[easyblu]

Finally some Ozu on Criterion blu-ray. And one of my favorites, too! It will be a rare day one purchase for me.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by Yami

Since there was three pearls in the new year's clue does that mean there will be three volumes of the Pearls of the Czech New Wave eclipse?

Great catch! This should easily explain the hint given before. I don't think the number of shell means all that much. The best release of the month by far. I honestly can't wait for any other Eclipse set released. Such amazing little collections .

[vader4]

Originally Posted by Adrock

Looks like it. Little disappointed by the announcements for April.

Glad I'm not the only one. I've been looking forward to this all week and I was really disappointed I was just hoping for The Game or Badlands or maybe even a Lars von Trier film.Happy for all those Harold and Maude fans though

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

You don't sound shallow at all.

However, I don't like them! (apart from Frampton)

I will somehow live with the Czech rust/grey Eclipse livery, though.

I just think they're neat, and pretty colourful. I'll probably grab Late Spring during the next sale. My wishlist seems like it will never dwindle down.

[SpiderBaby]

This has to be the best Eclipse set yet. I have seen 3 of these films (and really have been wanting to watch Return of the Prodigal Son) and all 3 could of been mainline releases.

[Arkadin]

total meh for me.
Criterion has lost its way at the moment imo.
so glad I just received the gold rush from the UK.
Criterion has serious issues regarding the Chaplin catalog.
beyond ridiculous.

[SpiderBaby]

Question, is all the "mehs" because you have seen all of these and don't like them, or you don't care about them and will never experience them because you want something more in your comfort zone?

[P@t_Mtl]

I think most of the release are pretty good. We get Ozu on Blu-ray we have to be happy about that The Eclipse set is also another one I am really looking forward to see. The other releases are pretty good also even if it's not some I will buy. I don't think it's a weak month.

[Darkcritic]

April is definitely my favorite month so far. I am truly impressed, it seems like Criterion went the extra mile for this wave. Most of this choices are really surprising and to be honest I was not expecting them. The highlights of the set are definitely Eclipse Series 32: Pearls of the Czech New Wave and A Hollis Frampton Odyssey. Late Spring is a great surprise. Although there where not many upgrades this month, Late Spring is a good title. Criterion is finally reaching their Ozu catalogue. The rest of the releases are all welcomed. !Alambrista! and The Organizer are true kickers, the later also being pretty affordable at the smaller price point. The only title that has not me jumping in excitement is Harold and Maude but even that seems really interesting. The best thing about this wave is how refreshing it actually is. Amazing releases overall, the best month Criterion has had all this year .

[Arkadin]

for me I think the best months have a great balance.
like 2 good update blus and maybe a film from a director not represented before.
then throw in a stone cold super classic and then maybe a nice minor work by a director already represented.
top it off with with a very recent film that may perhaps have great staying power--like Che or Fish Tank.
that's the type of balance that makes the best months imo.
this announcement fails in that regard.

[jacobsever]

When I first started collecting Criterion titles, I think there were only about 20-30 blus released. And I had decided I was going to purchase every blu they make, since I started early enough and caught up/stayed current each month.

Then they announced Tiny Furniture and I start to second guess my approach.
Now they announce Harold & Maude and I definitely no longer desire owning all the titles. I dislike that movie so much, I wouldn't want it on my shelf if it were given to me.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

This has to be the best Eclipse set yet. I have seen 3 of these films (and really have been wanting to watch Return of the Prodigal Son) and all 3 could of been mainline releases.

The quality may have improved but I honestly prefer to actually own them than wait two years until they come out as single releases . I also agree with you in that this one is the best Eclipse released so far. I am impressed, really, it seems like a great deprature from the other ones (And a nice one at that).

[oildude]

Originally Posted by retablo

Meanwhile Arrow/MOC is putting out great titles like The Tin Drum, Touch of Evil, Repo Man, and The Conformist... They are killing Criterion at the moment.

Exactly. I always intended to get a region-free player, but I was thinking a ways down the road. Now I am thinking in the next couple of months. MOC/BFI/Arrow are really on top of their game and I am getting tired of waiting for Criterion to release the Region A versions of the films they hold rights on.

[Arkadin]

btw: Darkcritic--"Three Burials of..." is available as an import blu.
also: the fact that Criterion hasn't yet released Picnic at Hanging Rock when they had it on a list to vote on over 2 years ago is just the most insane thing ever.
I mean c'mon just release the damn thing already.
(yes I have the UK bd)

[oildude]

Pretty mediocre month for me, but then 2012 has been that way. I guess I expect to want every release and to be excited by them all, but so far there have only been a couple a month. This year just seems really different from the past couple of years, at least to me. For April, I am really excited about the Ozu upgrade and the Czech New Wave Eclipse set. As for the rest, I see a few rentals.

I know nothing about Frampton, except that when I first heard last fall that they were going to release a Frampton, I got excited because I thought it was a concert film about Peter (no joke). So I will research Hollis Frampton and see if it is something I might want. Nice to explore new genres or directors I've never heard of.

SpiderBaby, I see you are a big fan of Hollis Frampton. I appreciate your recommendations when it comes to films or directors I have never heard of before, and when I have had a chance to check them out, I have liked the majority of what I have seen. The Complete Jean Vigo and People on Sunday were two outstanding recommendations and are among my favorites in the collection, among others you have championed in this thread.

[BohemianGraham]

People have been whining about 2012's releases every month. There's at least one title I'm interested in for each month (March's releases are on a lower priority due to some Hollywood films, and I deeply apologise for that) and can't understand why people keep saying Criterion is crap now. They're still following their mandate. I'm disappointed that some titles aren't being released, but I'm not whining about it the way some people are.

[Presence]

Originally Posted by oildude

Exactly. I always intended to get a region-free player, but I was thinking a ways down the road. Now I am thinking in the next couple of months. MOC/BFI/Arrow are really on top of their game and I am getting tired of waiting for Criterion to release the Region A versions of the films they hold rights on.

What does MOC stand for?

[oildude]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

People have been whining about 2012's releases every month. There's at least one title I'm interested in for each month (March's releases are on a lower priority due to some Hollywood films, and I deeply apologise for that) and can't understand why people keep saying Criterion is crap now. They're still following their mandate. I'm disappointed that some titles aren't being released, but I'm not whining about it the way some people are.

Aren't you whining about whining?

[TJS_Blu]

Pretty solid month with the Czech box and The Organizer, I'll probably pick up the Frampton and Alambrista as well. It's great that Criterion has finally started up the Ozu releases so that I'm not so tempted by the BFI discs.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by pmontreux

What does MOC stand for?

Ask Phaidon. jk.

Masters of Cinema (UK)