The Criterion Collection

[Antonmassacre1]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Comparing the two companies in the same paragraph feels/looks so wrong.

Not as bad as comparing the Monkees to Mr. Zimmerman though.

[Celtic Bob]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

They are random with their sales and contests. In all cases, they tend to be on short notice. They had a similar sale last February, but not for Valentine's Day (it was after May release announcements). They've also had specific sales on Chaplin and Malick titles. In the past they've usually been tied to a social media "milestone" (reaching "x" amount of fans/followers on Facebook, Twitter, etc.). They've just started a Tumblr site...

There are the 50% off Barnes & Noble sales in July and November (maybe not anymore)...hopefully for as long as B&N stays in business.

Thanks Joe.
I am fairly new to Criterion and this was my first time ordering from their site. Hopefully some of their DVD titles make it to Blu-Ray and some OOP titles get re-issued.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Antonmassacre1

Not as bad as comparing the Monkees to Mr. Zimmerman though.

No one compared the Monkees to Bob Dylan. The discussion was comparing Bob Dylan to Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, and someone got snarky about the Monkees, because I said that compared to Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs, Bob's nothing special, and it was implied I have no right to criticise Bob Dylan because I'm a Monkees fan.

Honestly, I used to think the same negative things about the Monkees until I did some research and looked outside of their twee pop hits.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

That's all I was saying, albeit a bit more caustically.

That's what I figured

As for Wages of Fear, I agree with all the positive comments. Having just rewatched Diabolique, I might even like Wages of Fear better. At the very least I feel like I could watch it more often. It did take me a while to get into to it, but once they start driving it was pretty much non-stop tension.

[Melodious Thunk]

I've only watched Wages of Fear once, but I hold it in very high esteem in my memory. One of the most tense films I've ever seen. I far preferred it to Diabolique.

[zeroman987]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Holding out for the G.I. Joe sequel, co-starring The RZA! Guaranteed more cheese than Lambeau on a Sunday afternoon in November.

Is that for real? I love it when rappers turn actor. How High is the best movie about 2 guys from the "hood" who get into Harvard and cause a ruckus.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by Antonmassacre1

Not as bad as comparing the Monkees to Mr. Zimmerman though.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Antonmassacre1

Not as bad as comparing the Monkees to Mr. Zimmerman though.

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in. - YouTube

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by octagon

When I watch Psycho these days I find that more often than not I'm only really interested watching Janet Leigh get to the motel. For me the best part of the film is her driving in the rain at night.

That's my favorite part of the film!..the part I always initially think of--her driving there.

[BohemianGraham]

I wonder how likely it would be for Criterion to pick up the Douglas Sirk/Lana Turner version of Imitation of Life. I just grabbed it on DVD, along with the original 1934 version with Claudette Colbert for 10 bucks on DVD courtesy of Universal's 100th Anniversary celebration. I admittedly haven't watched the 1934 version, but I love the 1959 version.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I wonder how likely it would be for Criterion to pick up the Douglas Sirk/Lana Turner version of Imitation of Life. I just grabbed it on DVD, along with the original 1934 version with Claudette Colbert for 10 bucks on DVD courtesy of Universal's 100th Anniversary celebration. I admittedly haven't watched the 1934 version, but I love the 1959 version.

I would love it if they included it, and their previous Douglas Sirk titles in a collection. Of course, I don't know how likely such a thing is (how likely is it for them to upgrade those?).

As for the 1934 film, I don't care as much for it...but it's still worth a look. It works well as an added bonus to the 1959 version.

[travcav4]

I just got my Valentine's Day order today. One movie I ordered was The Last Emperor and I was disappointed to see that it was in the cardboard packaging. I assumed that Criterion would have updated these. Oh well, I guess I'm placing an order for the clear plastic case.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I would love it if they included it, and their previous Douglas Sirk titles in a collection. Of course, I don't know how likely such a thing is (how likely is it for them to upgrade those?).

As for the 1934 film, I don't care as much for it...but it's still worth a look. It works well as an added bonus to the 1959 version.

That's exactly how I'm treating it. I'm going to get shot for this, but I chose the DVD set over the BD of Rebecca, because of the 5 dollar price difference, and because I enjoy Imitation of Life 1959 just a wee bit more than Rebecca. The 1959 version is one of the few films that hit me hard emotionally.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

It's two things for me.

1) There is just as much tension every time I watch it, and,

2) The interaction amongst them as they 'make the drive' is brilliant.

I agree. I think one of the major elements that makes the film so brilliant is that all the main characters are pretty much slimey opportunists, but we care about them anyway.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by oildude

I agree. I think one of the major elements that makes the film so brilliant is that all the main characters are pretty much slimey opportunitists, but we care about them anyway.

I love the film, don't get me wrong, but I have always wished they shot the ending a little differently... it seems kind of blatant when the final thing happens... to me, it would've been more effective had it been a little less over the top and more of an "accident".

It's amazing, though, how much suspense Clouzot wrings out of trucks plodding along at 10-20 miles an hour. It's like the Speed 2 of the 50s.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by retablo

I love the film, don't get me wrong, but I have always wished they shot the ending a little differently... it seems kind of blatant when the final thing happens... to me, it would've been more effective had it been a little less over the top and more of an "accident".

It's amazing, though, how much suspense Clouzot wrings out of trucks plodding along at 10-20 miles an hour. It's like the Speed 2 of the 50s.

Absolutely. I didn't think there was any way they'd be able to hold me for the entire runtime but they did and then some. But then after being manipulated - in the best of ways - for two solid hours it felt really jarring to be so blatantly (and that really is the best word) manipulated at the very end.

[Show spoiler]I didn't just roll my eyes as he started that return ride...I think I said aloud 'oh come on'.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by retablo

I love the film, don't get me wrong, but I have always wished they shot the ending a little differently... it seems kind of blatant when the final thing happens...

Yeah, I feel the same way. Then again, when I think about it,

[Show spoiler]the ending does have a real life feel to it in how the guy is not the sharpest tool in the shed and is a risk taker. He makes it through, becomes a hero, then the final thing happens because of overconfidence and stupidity. This kind of absurdity happens in life.

But it comes off in the film as a bit random and over the top, at least to me. The first time I watched the film I had a WTF?? feeling at the end of the movie, just like it would in reality. Not the ending I wanted, but it didn't take away from recognizing the greatness of the film.

[ShellOilJunior]

At least the ending isn't like Dassin's Thieves' Highway...

[P@t_Mtl]

I think it's a great ending, it reflect and show how we would have all acted after such an adventure and facing danger. Over confidence after facing danger thinking yes I made it and now I can just go for it cause there is no more danger. It show that life is a b!tch and that you can't ever take it for granted.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I think it's a great ending, it reflect and show how we would have all acted after such an adventure and facing danger. Over confidence after facing danger thinking yes I made it and now I can just go for it cause there is no more danger. It show that life is a b!tch and that you can't ever take it for granted.

Some people over at IMDB also feel

[Show spoiler]that Mario did it intentionally, because he was suicidal after all the loss he suffered, with Joe, Luigi, Bimba, and the fact that their lives were worth so little.

Personally, I think that reasoning is a crock of shite, and I'm more inclined to agree with P@t about what happened. Still, the film is one of my favourites, and I dare say that I preferred it to Diabolique.