The Criterion Collection

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Godzilla is the most popular film Criterion has released on dvd or blu-ray, and that came out this year. Just because they are FINALLY releasing more "obscure" (or should I say "new to dvd") titles (haven't seen this much since 09' btw), doesn't mean they are not going to release those good ol' movies that has had releases already.

Not to put too fine a point on it SpiderBaby, but this is a Blu-ray forum, and yet your biggest thrill for April is an unrestored, entry-class DVD set! Personally, I love Czech films (of those I've seen, most of which were via festival screenings), but I simply don't buy DVDs anymore. Sure, I'll rent in that format, or if really desperate to see something that intrigues me, maybe spring for a stream, but unless a studio or label has taken it up a peg or two into the high-def realm, I just can't bring myself to drop any more coin on standard definition. In the year 2012, that's a non starter.

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

If people are really complaining about experimental films, or some of the best films from a country like those Czech films, maybe Criterion is only for you when you want something re-released with "cool" cover art?

This isn't about domestic vs. foreign...mainstream vs. obscure...pretty vs. penetrating...it's about the quality of the releases Criterion has chosen to bring to Blu-ray in April. Like any other label, sometimes they have their off months, and to many of us, April strikes us as just that...at least that's what I'm hearing from most of the 'hoo-hah' reactions so far. This just doesn't seem to be one of their savviest, most interesting, or compelling draws from anywhere within the global filmmaking pool...

Glad you found something to rejoice over. I shrugged.

[octagon]

Okay, this oughta be good...

[TJS_Blu]

Speaking of entry-class DVD sets, did anyone else notice that AE is releasing a Mizoguchi box set (UK)?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by octagon

Okay, this oughta be good...

You would think so, wouldn't ya?

Give it time. The kettle's just starting to boil a little.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Not to put too fine a point on it SpiderBaby, but this is a Blu-ray forum, and yet your biggest thrill for April is an unrestored, entry-class DVD set!

All I will say is I like movies more than blu-rays. It's just that simple. No need for me to go into it anymore than that.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

You would think so, wouldn't ya?

Give it time. The kettle's just starting to boil a little.

I wouldn't pop the corn just yet cc. (BTW, can I call you that?)

I stick to the movies...

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

I wouldn't pop the corn just yet cc. (BTW, can I call you that?)

If you have the money, you can call me whatever you want, sweetie.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

This just doesn't seem to be one of their savviest, most interesting, or compelling draws from anywhere within the global filmmaking pool...

That's kind of a high bar, Rock.

I would agree that most of the April titles would generally not be considered iconic Hollywood or European releases. And those are certainly desirable. On the other hand, how many of these films would get a release if it weren't for Criterion? Maybe Harold and Maude?

I would be expressing disappointment about The Gold Rush, but it's coming. I just want it before the July sale.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

This just doesn't seem to be one of their savviest, most interesting, or compelling draws from anywhere within the global filmmaking pool...

Czech New Wave is the most interesting "New Wave" period to come out of the 60's, besides the Cinema Novo.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Question, and not to start a Malick war, but why has Badlands become this Citizen Kane of "please release!"?

Since no one else has answered this, I will try. I think the main reasons people are so anxious for Badlands on blu is that it from a pretty major contemporary filmmaker (by some accounts, including mine) and the dvd has the wrong framing (from what I understand) and there have been hints that it is coming. As a result, people expect it every month. My thought is that we know it is coming from either WB or Criterion sometime this year, and that is all I need to know.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Since no one else has answered this, I will try. I think the main reasons people are so anxious for Badlands on blu is that it from a pretty major contemporary filmmaker (by some accounts, including mine) and the dvd has the wrong framing (from what I understand) and there have been hints that it is coming. As a result, people expect it every month. My thought is that we know it is coming from either WB or Criterion sometime this year, and that is all I need to know.

But most would say it's his worst movie (I wouldn't. Not a Malick fan to start with.). So that many people want's the worst movie by a "major contemporary filmmaker" before the "best film" by someone not yet released (Rivette)? I asked that question because Facebook's page seems to always be flooded with Badlands requests and everything else outnumbered.

[ChadFL]

Of the April lineup announced today the only title I'd even heard of before was Harold & Maude. Though after reading the info on these releases it sounds like a pretty solid month. Really looking forward to Late Spring and The Organizer.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

But most would say it's his worst movie (I wouldn't. Not a Malick fan to start with.). So that many people want's the worst movie by a "major contemporary filmmaker" before the "best film" by someone not yet released (Rivette)?

I can't really say since it is one that I haven't seen...never bought the dvd because of the issues and libraries around me don't carry it. I would be happy to see it, but at the same time, I would be happy to see new releases from previously unrepresented directors.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I can't really say since it is one that I haven't seen...never bought the dvd because of the issues and libraries around me don't carry it. I would be happy to see it, but at the same time, I would be happy to see new releases from previously unrepresented directors.

There is no problem with it being released, at all. I was just curious by it's recent (1-2 years) popularity.

[Belloche]

I bought the Harold and Maude DVD not too long ago. I haven't even cracked the plastic on it (I've seen the movie), now I'm going to want to upgrade. I did the same thing with Once Upon a Time in the West shortly before the Blu-ray was announced.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

There is no problem with it being released, at all. I was just curious by it's recent (1-2 years) popularity.

I imagine it is a combination of the current popularity of Tree of Life (and the Criterion releases of Days of Heaven and Thin Red Line) and the hints we have received that Criterion might be releasing it.

[VoodooSamurai]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Not to put too fine a point on it SpiderBaby, but this is a Blu-ray forum, and yet your biggest thrill for April is an unrestored, entry-class DVD set! Personally, I love Czech films (of those I've seen, most of which were via festival screenings), but I simply don't buy DVDs anymore. Sure, I'll rent in that format, or if really desperate to see something that intrigues me, maybe spring for a stream, but unless a studio or label has taken it up a peg or two into the high-def realm, I just can't bring myself to drop any more coin on standard definition. In the year 2012, that's a non starter.

I agree, the Czech set would have been amazing on blu-ray. There is no reason to celebrate it on DVD in 2012. we shouldn't be so desperate that we get happy over something that is a step back in quality. I have a bunch of DVDs for titles I think will never come to blu (I almost bought czech new wave titles, which are already available in the UK on DVD, but decided to wait. now...ugh).

if Criterion is releasing this then it is an insult to the films not to give the best medium for them. They did that with Z too, one of the best films ever, they didn't think deserve bluray? All of us would have bought it. what are we to think, when the best company in the world behaves this way.
Also I think criterion fans not having all region capability is silly considering Region B > far greater than Region A

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

This isn't about domestic vs. foreign...mainstream vs. obscure...pretty vs. penetrating...it's about the quality of the releases Criterion has chosen to bring to Blu-ray in April.

I'm not so sure about that. In fact, I rather seriously doubt it.

I saw Harold and Maude once about thirty years ago and that sums up my entire exposure the April lineup. I have precious little basis on which to judge the quality of any of these releases and I suspect I'm not alone.

Did I shrug at the Frampton announcement? I sure did but quality didn't enter into it simply because it couldn't.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

All I will say is I like movies more than blu-rays. It's just that simple. No need for me to go into it anymore than that.

Me too SpiderBaby. And over the course of my well-vinted life, I've seen many, many of them...all types. There was a point when I simply couldn't get enough, and would see them any way I could...including every grungy, eye and ear punishing, ultimately unsatisfying home video release on VHS and DVD that I could lay my hands on...often at what now seem like ludicrous prices. I'm just not there anymore. Probably a function of age more than anything else. I'm spent with shite.

Since the arrival of Blu-ray, and the bounty of really interesting, obscure titles we've had from Criterion and some of the other cottage/collector Blu-ray labels, I'm finding all kinds of terrific world cinema to watch these days. In fact, there aren't enough hours in each day. What's changed though, is I'm just not buying it if it's still in standard def. In fact, I own every Criterion Blu release to date, and have watched at least 60% of them already, so do the math...that's a lot of quality time spent with at very least good and often great world cinema...and best of all, with few exceptions, all properly mastered. It's my curse I guess that I crave quality in both content and presentation. And in this home video format, I can have both...just not all at once. Sorry it took me half a lifetime to learn some patience, and I still have a way to go on that count, but with my favourite pastime - the movies - I'm finally able to resist seeing something until I can see it done right. I couldn't say that 25 years ago, and suffered through a lot of mixed feelings of joy and disappointment as a result of make-do basement screenings and spectacularly lame-o video purchases. It's not really a criticism of those who still buy DVDs of movies they treasure. I just can't bring myself to do it anymore.

So except for the Czech DVD set I won't be purchasing because it's DVD, Criterion's April Blu-ray line-up still makes me shrug. I mean, with all the world's great films and filmmakers to choose from, this is the best mix they could come up with? Where's their usual balance?

[RojD]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

But most would say it's his worst movie (I wouldn't. Not a Malick fan to start with.). So that many people want's the worst movie by a "major contemporary filmmaker" before the "best film" by someone not yet released (Rivette)? I asked that question because Facebook's page seems to always be flooded with Badlands requests and everything else outnumbered.

I think Badlands is far from Malick's worst movie, too. I'd be one person who wants to see it on blu for the simple reason that it's beautiful. Well, probably beautiful. You can't be sure from the incredibly crappy DVD version available in the US now, but visual beauty is pretty typical in Malick.

And like someone mentioned, all the publicity around Tree of Life for sure kicked up some interest.

And Badlands is a part of the American New Wave wave, which gives it a certain worth.

If I had to pick the weakest of Malick's films for my part, it would be....Tree of Life. I found it way too on-the-nose with the ideas that are plenty obvious in all his work. And it's STILL one of the best of the year.

As for my favorite, I'd pick.....The New World. Yeah, I know. Bring it on!