The Criterion Collection

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Is Belle de Jour a good blind buy? I'm thinking of picking it up tomorrow with Branded to Kill.

Can't comment on Belle du jour yet, as I haven't had time to watch it, but Branded to Kill is a trip. At the moment, I do prefer Tokyo Drifter over it though, so if you don't already have it, you may want to check that one out later.

With the few scant mentions of Grey Gardens being hinted at, did anyone attempt to watch the HBO telefilm with Drew Barrymore in it? I started to once, but had to leave for some reason, and never finished watching it. I'm curious if others have and what they thought of it.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Is Belle de Jour a good blind buy? I'm thinking of picking it up tomorrow with Branded to Kill.

Belle de Jour Is Reference Quality IMO. Perfect.


Edit:
as for content, that is way too subjective.

[Criterion Collector]

I am really excited about quite a few of the upcoming releases, I was also very happy to see that Harold and Maude is official.

The now circulating word that Grey Gardens/The Beals of Grey Gardens is getting an upgrade to BD is also good news to me ears. Although this will be a blind buy for me, I am highly intrigued by what I know about these documentaries. I do have to admit, the fact that these are the cousins of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is part of the appeal to me.

I imagine these ladies are quite eccentric, but perhaps not really aware of it. I could be very wrong though, I am extremely curious to find out.

Edit: The HBO version looks quite interesting as well. It also has 100% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

I am really excited about quite a few of the upcoming releases, I was also very happy to see that Harold and Maude is official.

The now circulating word that Grey Gardens/The Beals of Grey Gardens is getting an upgrade to BD is also good news to me ears. Although this will be a blind buy for me, I am highly intrigued by what I know about these documentaries. I do have to admit, the fact that these are the cousins of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is part of the appeal to me.

I imagine these ladies are quite eccentric, but perhaps not really aware of it. I could be very wrong though, I am extremely curious to find out.

Edit: The HBO version looks quite interesting as well. It also has 100% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

Not only that, the docs were done by Albert and David Maysles, who also did Gimme Shelter. I'd be interested in getting the set too. I'll be sure to try to check out the HBO telefilm again.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by joie

There is a bamboo forest in at least three Criterion releases. They are: 1) Black Narcissus; 2) Paul Schrader's Mishima; 3) Kuroneko. Any others?

The Samurai Trilogy and Throne of Blood both come to mind even though I can't swear to bamboo.

[BohemianGraham]

Well I feel sheepish, I never clued in until this morning that Vittorio De Sica directed both Bicycle Thieves AND the Peter Sellers cult-classic comedy, After the Fox.

Criterion, AtF is an OOP MGM/United Artists title, directed by De Sica, and is a cult movie (and influential since Mike Myers used a bunch of the gags in Goldmember poorly), add it to the collection on BD if you can.

BTW, thanks TCM for introducing this film to me. Peter Sellers is hysterical, and Britt Ekland looks like a different person as brunette. Great theme song by The Hollies too.

[ShellOilJunior]

Godard, Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino, etc-- No matter what kind of film or director you prefer --- these guys know their film history.

[BohemianGraham]

Oh, I forgot to add, Neil Simon wrote the script for After the Fox.

Also, here's the Wiki for a brief summary and some info on the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_the_Fox

You guys should check it out when you get the time. Anyone bother to check out The World of Henry Orient on Wednesday? I still can't help but promote that film. I also highly recommend the original novel.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Which reminds me, Québécois cinema is just plain under-represented on home video, much less Blu-ray, or the Criterion Collection. My 'snowball's chance in hell' list for Criterion editions would include:

• Maelström
• Les bons débarras
• Mémoires affectives
• Un 32 août sur terre
• Mon oncle Antoine
• Un zoo la nuit
• Polytechnique

For what its worth, Mon oncle Antoine is in the Criterion Collection & Polytechnique is available on blu-ray.

[BohemianGraham]

FYI kids, both Island of Lost Souls and Haxan are coming on late Sunday night/early Monday morning on TCM. IoLS is part of the Bela Lugosi triple play, which also includes Murders in the Rue Morgue, and The Black Cat. Francesco Rosi's C'era una Volta comes on after Haxan as well. Rosi, as we all know, has The Moment of Truth coming out on Blu courtesy of Criterion this coming Tuesday.

It all starts at 8PM Sunday night:

8:00PM - Murders in the rue Morgue
9:15PM - The Black Cat
10:30PM - Island of Lost Souls
12:00AM - Haxan
2:00AM - C'era una Volta (also known as More Than a Miracle in North America)

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

For what its worth, Mon oncle Antoine is in the Criterion Collection & Polytechnique is available on blu-ray.

I already have Polytechnique. That was a 'fat chance' wish list for Criterion Blu's.

My point was merely that there's so much more to Québécois cinema than generally surfaces on home video, especially via Blu-ray.

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

FYI kids, both Island of Lost Souls and Haxan are coming on late Sunday night/early Monday morning on TCM. IoLS is part of the Bela Lugosi triple play, which also includes Murders in the Rue Morgue, and The Black Cat. Francesco Rosi's C'era una Volta comes on after Haxan as well. Rosi, as we all know, has The Moment of Truth coming out on Blu courtesy of Criterion this coming Tuesday.

It all starts at 8PM Sunday night:

8:00PM - Murders in the rue Morgue
9:15PM - The Black Cat
10:30PM - Island of Lost Souls
12:00AM - Haxan
2:00AM - C'era una Volta (also known as More Than a Miracle in North America)

what time zone are you using for those times above sir

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by joie

There is a bamboo forest in at least three Criterion releases. They are: 1) Black Narcissus; 2) Paul Schrader's Mishima; 3) Kuroneko. Any others?

Hidden Fortress?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

what time zone are you using for those times above Madame

Eastern. So it's actually 9PM my time, Atlantic Canadian time it all starts.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

CCFixx mentioned in amidst the blizzard of Dunham conversation.



It seems like a natural for Criterion, but then that's subjective and who knows about the film's rights. I'd expect them to work an Egoyan film in someday, some way.

Speaking of Egoyan, The Sweet Hereafter has always been a favorite of mine, and one that I have long hoped Criterion would release.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Is Belle de Jour a good blind buy? I'm thinking of picking it up tomorrow with Branded to Kill.

Absolutely. Quite a surreal film that doesn't 'feel' surreal, if that makes sense; Bunuel had quite an adept hand at that. And it's not quite as R-rated as its subject matter and reputation make it seem. Catherine Deneuve in her most famous role - in 1080p period, an added plus. I'm strongly thinking of adding this to my collection during a sale even though I already have the import blu.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

I already have Polytechnique. That was a 'fat chance' wish list for Criterion Blu's.

My point was merely that there's so much more to Québécois cinema than generally surfaces on home video, especially via Blu-ray.

I had a student write a paper about Polytechnique last semester, which made me really want to see it. I hope it becomes more readily available, regardless of who releases it.

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Eastern. So it's actually 9PM my time, Atlantic Canadian time it all starts.

I'm EST too so its 2100 for me as well MADAME

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

I'm EST too so its 2100 for me as well MADAME

No, it's 8. I'm AST, not EST: http://www.worldtimezone.com/

I live in Halifax. Halifax is in the Province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia falls under Atlantic Standard Time, not Eastern Standard Time.

I should have been clearer. I posted the times for the films in EST, because a lot of the people in this thread fall under EST.

I gave an example of how to figure out what time the film is by saying I'm AST, so the films start at 9 for me, because I am one hour ahead of EST.

Those who fall under PST would be 3 hours behind, and the films would start at 5PM.

Central and Mountain confuse me, as not all of them follow daylights savings, so don't ask me to try to explain that please.

Rather than have me confuse people even more, go to TCM's site and plug in your timezone for where you live.

[keldons]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Godard, Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino, etc-- No matter what kind of film or director you prefer --- these guys know their film history.

Herzog, Haneke, Kiarostami are known exactly for not being cinephiles. Haneke and Kiarostami in particular have expressed their lack of knowledge or interest in the art of film multiple times. I don't think Bela Tarr and Bresson have any interest in it either. And those are just the ones off the top of my head.

There is no one constant among directors, which some of you have failed to realize.