The Criterion Collection

[l.b.jeffries]

Would anyone be willing to purchase a couple of posters from criterion and post them to the UK? I have been in touch with criterion directly and they have refused to help, and I am desperate to get hold of these. I would be happy to pay via paypal or perhaps shipping something from the UK in return. Thanks.

[J.Cornelius]

Is it advantageous to watch these films in order? Will be my first viewing and Nexflix inadvertently sent me White first. Any insight would be appreciated.

[easyblu]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Is it advantageous to watch these films in order? Will be my first viewing and Nexflix inadvertently sent me White first. Any insight would be appreciated.

It's not that big of a deal really. They are only connected in some minor ways. Just try to watch Red last.

Does anyone have any Keisuke Kinoshita recommendations? I've seen Twenty-Four eyes, and really enjoyed it, and I noticed quite a few of his movies came up on Hulu+ recently.

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by easyblu

It's not that big of a deal really. They are only connected in some minor ways. Just try to watch Red last.

Thanks, that can be arranged.

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by l.b.jeffries

Would anyone be willing to purchase a couple of posters from criterion and post them to the UK? I have been in touch with criterion directly and they have refused to help, and I am desperate to get hold of these. I would be happy to pay via paypal or perhaps shipping something from the UK in return. Thanks.

PM me chap!

[keldons]

hey pro-b, when can we expect the La Jetee/Sans Soleil review?

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

As was I, hence the American Tail movie. It's actually pretty decent for a kid's film, because you have Jimmy, John Cleese, and Dom DeLuise

Jimmy does have a lot of films, I've watch the following at least once, several many times:

I suppose one can be forgiven for not seeing Airport '77 or The Magic of Lassie.

(Seriously, though, no "Spirit of St. Louis"? On Instant Netflix? By Billy WILDER??)

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by slimdude

What is so special about Criterion releases anyway, that everybody is falling head over heels over, besides the tons of extra features they suppose to have? Do Criterion movies have exceptional A/V quality, than normal blu-ray releases? I've never bought one because there is not one Criterion blu-ray, nor DVD title that interests me.

Criterion puts great care into virtually ALL of their releases that major studios save only for their most major blockbusters (i.e. "special editions" or "collectors editions"). For so many other titles, the big studios basically just slap whatever transfer they had lying around, encode it at 1080p, throw in the trailer, then press it all onto blu-ray packaged into an eco case. Criterion just takes it a step further with what they do.

I'm not sure how anyone can say they don't have any interest in the entire catalogue. It's up to you to discover. Honestly if you look into some of the "most recommended" titles, and just check out a few of them you will probably get hooked. I love what they do with some of the "minor classic" and international films that they have. Some I never would have thought to get 5 years ago, but as I keep digging into their collection I love it more and more. It's not all about amazing PQ or CGI "eye candy", though some of their releases really do look spectacular when you consider the films and their age. In many cases Criterion puts out the only quality release that particular film has ever, or will ever receive in the US.

Not all Criterion's have tons of extras either, some have almost no meaningful extras besides an interview or two. But many of them are absolutely loaded with features. I guess it really depends on what's available. In some cases they take it to the point of actually including a complete 2nd movie as an "extra" (usually somehow related to the main feature). Sometimes that extra is a TV version of the same movie, or something more obscure by the same director.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Not all Criterion's have tons of extras either, some have almost no meaningful extras besides an interview or two. But many of them are absolutely loaded with features. I guess it really depends on what's available. In some cases they take it to the point of actually including a complete 2nd movie as an "extra" (usually somehow related to the main feature). Sometimes that extra is a TV version of the same movie, or something more obscure by the same director.

I might have to vote for the inclusion of Killer's Kiss (in 1080p) on their release of The Killing as the best "extra" in home video history. Two Kubrick films for the price of one? Yes, please.

And anyone who enjoys extras at all, on any DVD or BD they buy, owes Criterion a debt of gratitude. They've been including commentaries and video essays with their releases since 1985, when no one else was even considering it. If it's now the norm to expect a commentary, deleted scenes, and/or behind-the-scenes featurettes on a home video release, it's because Criterion pioneered the concept of "special features" almost 30 years ago.

But for me, it's really their treatment of the films themselves that sell me on Criterion. While they haven't always produced 100% perfect transfers, their track record is better than any other distributor's, as far as I'm aware. I feel far more confident in pre-ordering a Criterion BD release than I do in pre-ordering a catalog title from any other distributor. The Criterion name is generally an indication that the film will look about as good as it's capable of looking, and I never have to fear that natural film grain will be scrubbed away.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by l.b.jeffries

Would anyone be willing to purchase a couple of posters from criterion and post them to the UK? I have been in touch with criterion directly and they have refused to help, and I am desperate to get hold of these. I would be happy to pay via paypal or perhaps shipping something from the UK in return. Thanks.

I'm in Australia and also find this frustrating.
I'm surprised no one on eBay or somewhere is re-selling some of Criterion's other products.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Is it advantageous to watch these films in order? Will be my first viewing and Nexflix inadvertently sent me White first. Any insight would be appreciated.

Even though they are separate films, I personally believe it is best to watch them in order.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by EricJ

I suppose one can be forgiven for not seeing Airport '77 or The Magic of Lassie.

(Seriously, though, no "Spirit of St. Louis"? On Instant Netflix? By Billy WILDER??)

TCM is set to PVR it next Tuesday. So I'm already rectifying that one. As I said, there's still a lot of Jimmy Stewart films I need to see.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

TCM is set to PVR it next Tuesday. So I'm already rectifying that one.

Which one, "Spirit of St. Louis", or "The Magic of Lassie"?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Which one, "Spirit of St. Louis", or "The Magic of Lassie"?

Pretty sure The Magic of Lassie wasn't ever up for any Oscar noms, so obviously Sprit of St. Louis. :P It's on at 5:30: PM EST this Tuesday, as part of the 31 Days of Oscar celebration.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Pretty sure The Magic of Lassie wasn't ever up for any Oscar noms, ...

Best Music, Original Song "When You're Loved"

Gawd I love the internet

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Pretty sure The Magic of Lassie wasn't ever up for any Oscar noms, so obviously Sprit of St. Louis. :P It's on at 5:30: PM EST this Tuesday, as part of the 31 Days of Oscar celebration.

You'll like Spirit of St. Louis. It may not be top shelf Wilder but it's worthy of a viewing.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

Try Ballad of Narayama, one of my favorites.

Let me second this recommendation. Great story and the actors were fantastic.

[stobbart]

I wonder how long before Criterion releases a 3D film. I can't believe that their release of Flesh For Frankenstein didn't have the 3D option on it.

[BohemianGraham]

Jinkies!

[georgec]

Anatomy of a Murder