The Criterion Collection

[bizarre_eye]

I find that the term 'troll' has become over-used; almost to the point where it has become synonymous with someone who doesn't share the opinions of the majority.

Anyway, back on topic:

A double-bill of Sazuki's Branded to Kill and Tokyo Drifter the other week confirmed in my mind that Branded is the superior film. The ending in the boxing ring is one of my favourite scenes in the history of cinema.

That said, both are still fantastic films. Let's hope Criterion release some more Nikkatsu Noir on Blu-ray very soon (perhaps even harvesting some of the films from their excellent Eclipse Series 17 boxset).

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye

I find that the term 'troll' has become over-used; almost to the point where it has become synonymous with someone who doesn't share the opinions of the majority.

Anyway, back on topic:

A double-bill of Sazuki's Branded to Kill and Tokyo Drifter the other week confirmed in my mind that Branded is the superior film. The ending in the boxing ring is one of my favourite scenes in the history of cinema.

That said, both are still fantastic films. Let's hope Criterion release some more Nikkatsu Noir on Blu-ray very soon (perhaps even harvesting some of the films from their excellent Eclipse Series 17 boxset).

You're a big hairy troll because Tokyo Drifter is clearly the superior film.

All kidding aside, I do slightly perfer Tokyo Drifter to Branded to Kill, largely in part due to the soundtrack. I just love my cheesy mid-1960s pop rock. I also prefer it because it's a bit more linear and coherant, although I still love my "non-coherant" films.

[bizarre_eye]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Love Kiss Me Deadly. I'd also recommend Night of the Hunter, if anyone's hunting around for a good film noir.

I've had Night of the Hunter on my wish-list since it was released, but have yet to pull the trigger... the higher price always puts me off (I keep deluding myself that it will be cheaper the next time I look) and I opt for another title instead.

My Criterion wish-list is getting thin, so I'm sure it will be mine sometime this year!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye

That said, both are still fantastic films. Let's hope Criterion release some more Nikkatsu Noir on Blu-ray very soon (perhaps even harvesting some of the films from their excellent Eclipse Series 17 boxset).

Nikkatsu is one of the Eclipse sets I am thinking of getting during the next sales. I have been by-passing it for too long. As for moving them to Blu-ray, it's possible but they seem to be very slow in moving what they have in their Eclipse series to Blu-ray

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

...allow me to complete that with "opinion".

Yours I always pay attention to even when I disagree with it, because you think, not merely parrot. You've added colour...and character...and knowledge...to this board, which makes it a lively interesting read even when verging on the "WTF?"

You were also the first person on Blu-ray.com to extend friendship to the noobie Canuck poster with the goofy nick and goofier avatar asking a lot of tourist-style questions when he first popped in last fall. In my experience, "trolls" do not do such things.

Sorry this flaming bag landed on your porch SB.

I don't think anyone will ever accuse CG for not giving as good as he got. Back in the days before I bothered to register, I would still read this CC thread from time to time and I knew exactly who he was (which I suspect was the point). He didn't get this thread's highest post count by quoting Ghandi.

The guy has mellowed and the thread is better for it, but if you think all that business with Tiny Furniture was ridiculous it was nothing to the days of bating Wes Anderson/Kurosawa fans.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye

I've had Night of the Hunter on my wish-list since it was released, but have yet to pull the trigger... the higher price always puts me off (I keep deluding myself that it will be cheaper the next time I look) and I opt for another title instead.

My Criterion wish-list is getting thin, so I'm sure it will be mine sometime this year!

22.50 when it's on sale with an online 10% off coupon applied at B&N, and there's a sale coming up in July. It's well worth the full price though, since it is a two-disc set.

It's a shame that Laughton didn't direct anything else after it, because the critics hated it back when it was first released. Like a lot of other films currently in the collection, it gets far more love today. Robert Mitchum is superbly creepy.

If you're desperate to watch it, and don't mind a slightly dimished quality, Netflix has it for "HD" streaming, at least in Canada, I'm not sure if it's also on the US site or not.

[bizarre_eye]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

You're a big hairy troll because Tokyo Drifter is clearly the superior film.

All kidding aside, I do slightly perfer Tokyo Drifter to Branded to Kill, largely in part due to the soundtrack. I just love my cheesy mid-1960s pop rock. I also prefer it because it's a bit more linear and coherant, although I still love my "non-coherant" films.

Speaking as a huge fan of Jodorowsky, I found Branded to be extremely coherent.

The visual flair coupled with the soundtrack to TD is a huge plus in regards to it's appeal for me, although the moody (more 'psychotic', for the want of a better word) structure of Branded just appeals to me more, I guess!

[bizarre_eye]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

22.50 when it's on sale with an online 10% off coupon applied at B&N, and there's a sale coming up in July. It's well worth the full price though, since it is a two-disc set.

It's a shame that Laughton didn't direct anything else after it, because the critics hated it back when it was first released. Like a lot of other films currently in the collection, it gets far more love today. Robert Mitchum is superbly creepy.

If you're desperate to watch it, and don't mind a slightly dimished quality, Netflix has it for "HD" streaming, at least in Canada, I'm not sure if it's also on the US site or not.

I live in the UK, so unfortunately don't have access to Netflix, and am unable to buy from B&N - unless I want a hefty customs bill added on top of my order!

So far, I've bought most of my Criterion BDs from Planet Axel. They're not too badly priced, but I'd be looking at about £25 (US $40) shipped for NOTH.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye

I live in the UK, so unfortunately don't have access to Netflix, and am unable to buy from B&N - unless I want a hefty customs bill added on top of my order!

So far, I've bought most of my Criterion BDs from Planet Axel. They're not too badly priced, but I'd be looking at about £25 (US $40) shipped for NOTH.

B&N charges customs on UK orders? Man, I thought I had it bad with my Canadian ones. I have to pay something like 5 bucks shipping plus 5% sales tax on my orders of a single disc, and it takes about a month for them to get here.

As far as Netflix is concerned, you may want to look into Unblock US, which allows for access to streaming content from sites that might be geographically restricted, for about 5 bucks a month.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Just saw Sweet Smell of Success tonight. Enjoyed it a lot. Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis were both great. The dialogue was so fast with nonstop memorable one liners. "I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic."

Have to give it a re-watch sometime soon. Anything else in the Criterion Collection like this?

I keep meaning to upgrade the DVD, it's such a great movie.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Okay, now I kinda...sorta...mayyyybeee...see what you're talking about Dr. But so many other aspects of those frames are solid, how could something like that possibly stand out for you? Especially in motion?

If I still notice this next time I watch Anatomy of a Murder though, you're getting a bill.

Damn it! I knew I should've kept my big mouth shut

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by JoeDeM

I keep meaning to upgrade the DVD, it's such a great movie.

This is one of the best upgrades I've done. Great transfer (no more non-anamorphic!) and stellar supplements. And the, uh, movie itself's not bad

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

This is one of the best upgrades I've done. Great transfer (no more non-anamorphic!) and stellar supplements. And the, uh, movie itself's not bad

The Sweet Smell of Success is what made me appreciate Tony Curtis as an actor. Most of what I had watched him in before, I considered him fluff, or not all that interesting, or felt that others, such as Jack Lemmon, often stole the show. I heard he was a bit of an ass though IRL, at least according to Jamie Lee, who said that her husband, Christopher Guest, and Tony never got along. I also still prefer Burt Lancaster in the film, because Burt was such a fantastic actor overall, even in fluff films like The Crimson Pirate.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Just saw Sweet Smell of Success tonight. Enjoyed it a lot. Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis were both great. The dialogue was so fast with nonstop memorable one liners. "I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic."

Have to give it a re-watch sometime soon. Anything else in the Criterion Collection like this?

Looks like you'd better get The Killing - an outstanding late-noir film from Kubrick. Great dialogue. Sterling Hayden. Awesome blu-ray package.
Kiss Me Deadly is also worth a look.
You should also look outside of Criterion for great noir...

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Nikkatsu is one of the Eclipse sets I am thinking of getting during the next sales. I have been by-passing it for too long. As for moving them to Blu-ray, it's possible but they seem to be very slow in moving what they have in their Eclipse series to Blu-ray

You need to stop putting it off. The Nikkatsu Noir is great fun

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

The Sweet Smell of Success is what made me appreciate Tony Curtis as an actor. Most of what I had watched him in before, I considered him fluff, or not all that interesting, or felt that others, such as Jack Lemmon, often stole the show. I heard he was a bit of an ass though IRL, at least according to Jamie Lee, who said that her husband, Christopher Guest, and Tony never got along. I also still prefer Burt Lancaster in the film, because Burt was such a fantastic actor overall, even in fluff films like The Crimson Pirate.

I haven't seen too much Tony Curtis, but he's never much interested me. I find him hammy in a sort of Shatneresque (or even Heston at his least restrained -- NOT to equate these actors!). In my opinion, this film's dark strokes and snappish dilaogue finds good use for this "speciality."

If Christopher Guest, who comes across as a very genial and genuine person, didn't get along with him I think that says quite a bit.

I had a big turnaround on Lancaster several years ago. Growing up in the '80s, I saw him as that old man in Tough Guys who wore a suit instead of acid wash jeans. At times I find him over-bearing but at his best that comes across as such a natural a thoroughbred it can't be disguised. He also made some great choices in his projects, whether producing or acting. The Swimmer is flawed but fascinating (and I'd love to see a *cough* non-barebones *cough* Criterion edition!). Brute Force is a solid prison movie that I think rises above is genre, his turn in From Here to Eternity is quite good, Birdman of Alcatraz is classic even if he cranks the earnestness too high in it, and The Killers is great noir. I really need to finally see The Leopard.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

You need to stop putting it off. The Nikkatsu Noir is great fun

One of my problem is I buy too much other things outside of Criterion (and also KINO, MoC...) I think I am keeping Asia's economy going with all my purchases (just with K-dramas I am probably saving Korea from the recession ) compared to alot of you I always have to make choices and push things to later.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

I haven't seen too much Tony Curtis, but he's never much interested me. I find him hammy in a sort of Shatneresque (or even Heston at his least restrained -- NOT to equate these actors!). In my opinion, this film's dark strokes and snappish dilaogue finds good use for this "speciality."

I also never really like him either and I did see quite a few movies with him in it. Like Kirk Douglas, good actors that for some reasons just cannot reach me with their performances.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Just saw Sweet Smell of Success tonight. Enjoyed it a lot. Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis were both great. The dialogue was so fast with nonstop memorable one liners. "I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic."

Have to give it a re-watch sometime soon. Anything else in the Criterion Collection like this?

I love that quote, too. It features prominently in this six minute review/appreciation from NPR's Fresh Air.

I think the film's tautly acerbic tone has rarely been matched. Considering the tone, the subject and tartness, you may want to try Ace in the Hole (Billy Wilder) and, though not in the Collection, A Face in the Crowd (Elia Kazan).

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

I haven't seen too much Tony Curtis, but he's never much interested me. I find him hammy in a sort of Shatneresque (or even Heston at his least restrained -- NOT to equate these actors!). In my opinion, this film's dark strokes and snappish dilaogue finds good use for this "speciality."

If Christopher Guest, who comes across as a very genial and genuine person, didn't get along with him I think that says quite a bit.

I had a big turnaround on Lancaster several years ago. Growing up in the '80s, I saw him as that old man in Tough Guys who wore a suit instead of acid wash jeans. At times I find him over-bearing but at his best that comes across as such a natural a thoroughbred it can't be disguised. He also made some great choices in his projects, whether producing or acting. The Swimmer is flawed but fascinating (and I'd love to see a *cough* non-barebones *cough* Criterion edition!). Brute Force is a solid prison movie that I think rises above is genre, his turn in From Here to Eternity is quite good, Birdman of Alcatraz is classic even if he cranks the earnestness too high in it, and The Killers is great noir. I really need to finally see The Leopard.

Yeah, Tony had issues from what I read. I mean, he did leave Janet Leigh to marry Christine Kaufmann, and was always going after "younger models." I still prefer many other actors, but The Sweet Smell of Success made me like him as an actor more than say, Spartacus, or The Great Race.

The Leopard is probably my second favourite Criterion release after Head (yes, those damn Monkees again! ). It's quite incredible how they have an Irish-American play one of the last Sicilian aristocrats. I'd have to say one of my favourite Lancaster films is Elmer Gantry though, which TCM is currently touring theatres with.