The Criterion Collection

[ChadFL]

Citizen Kane #1? Sorry but I'll never understand that one. I always thought it was a good, not great film. These lists also have a serious bias in favor of old black&white films. Over 2/3rds of the best films of all-time made in the black&white era? Ya right.

[RAZGRIZ-1]

These Criterion Collection films have really peaked my interest, I've looked into a few of them and Tokyo! looks pretty good. But I would like to know which CC blu's would be the best "Gateway" movies for someone new to the Criterion Collection.

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by Kakashi Sensai

These Criterion Collection films have really peaked my interest, I've looked into a few of them and Tokyo! looks pretty good. But I would like to know which CC blu's would be the best "Gateway" movies for someone new to the Criterion Collection.

Everybody is likely to give you different answers but The Wages of Fear and The 400 Blows are my favorites on Blu so far.

[Zen_Amako]

I'm a bit confused about Paris, Texas. DVDTalk gave the audio a low score (2 out of 5) and described some issues with the new six-channel remix. The reviewer there suggested forcing your receiver to output stereo because of the odd way the surround sound has been mixed. This site, on the other hand, gave the audio a perfect score. Could it be a problem with the DVDTalk reviewer's equipment?

I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade to the Blu-ray or keep my DVD.

[OhDamaso]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Citizen Kane #1? Sorry but I'll never understand that one. I always thought it was a good, not great film. These lists also have a serious bias in favor of old black&white films. Over 2/3rds of the best films of all-time made in the black&white era? Ya right.

I agree with this completely. It's like an obligation that it has to be #1 on any list, but I wasn't that impressed with it.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Kakashi Sensai

These Criterion Collection films have really peaked my interest, I've looked into a few of them and Tokyo! looks pretty good.

I'm sorry, but "Tokyo!" has never been released by The Criterion Collection.

CC

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade to the Blu-ray or keep my DVD.

The Wim Wenders-approved transfer and supplements, I think, should be enough for anyone to upgrade from any of the earlier DVD releases from any country.

CC

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by OhDamaso

I agree with this completely. It's like an obligation that it has to be #1 on any list, but I wasn't that impressed with it.

Glad I am not completely alone on this one. I have a ton of respect for Orson Welles and his enormous contribution to cinema, but I think the love for Citizen Kane among film critics/enthusiasts is overblown. As I said, Citizen Kane is a good film and was FAR ahead of it's time, just not anywhere near the greatest film of all-time in my book.

One more question for you Criterion film buffs. Has 8 1/2 always been considered among the great films of all-time? I honestly never even heard of it until very recently. Or maybe it's just big considered a big deal in Europe and not well known here in the U.S.

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

The Wim Wenders-approved transfer and supplements, I think, should be enough for anyone to upgrade from any of the earlier DVD releases from any country.

CC

It's more a question of "double dipping" on a film I already own (albeit on DVD) or using that money to acquire a title I don't already own. I'm sure the transfer and supplements will be a nice upgrade from the previous releases on DVD. However, if there is a problem with the audio (the DVDTalk review calls it "partially bungled"), I'd like to know about it before making my decision.

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

One more question for you Criterion film buffs. Has 8 1/2 always been considered among the great films of all-time? I honestly never even heard of it until very recently. Or maybe it's just big considered a big deal in Europe and not well known here in the U.S.

8 1/2 is very respected within the film community (directors, scholars, critics). Not long ago, Empire magazine put out a special issue in which a bunch of different directors listed their favorite films, and 8 1 /2 appeared on quite a few lists. La Dolce Vita seems to be the most popular Fellini, while filmmakers and other creative people usually like 8 1/2.

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Glad I am not completely alone on this one. I have a ton of respect for Orson Welles and his enormous contribution to cinema, but I think the love for Citizen Kane among film critics/enthusiasts is overblown. As I said, Citizen Kane is a good film and was FAR ahead of it's time, just not anywhere near the greatest film of all-time in my book.

Citizen Kane is considered the best because of what it did for filmmaking, not necessairly the story. I agree it was not the greatest movie of all time. But what it contributed to filmmaking in general and how people thought about how a story could be told through filmmaking techniques that this film pioneered.

Also, found Ran at a local store for $30 picking it up tomorrow because it is OOP, never seen it. What do you all think of this movie?

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Citizen Kane is considered the best because of what it did for filmmaking, not necessairly the story. I agree it was not the greatest movie of all time. But what it contributed to filmmaking in general and how people thought about how a story could be told through filmmaking techniques that this film pioneered.

Also, found Ran at a local store for $30 picking it up tomorrow because it is OOP, never seen it. What do you all think of this movie?

I'm sure you are correct. In the minds of critics who compile these lists greatness is probably based more in long-term effects of the film on the industry rather than how great the film is to watch.

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Also, found Ran at a local store for $30 picking it up tomorrow because it is OOP, never seen it. What do you all think of this movie?

Ran is an excellent film. You shouldn't be disappointed if you like epic drama.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Citizen Kane is considered the best because of what it did for filmmaking, not necessairly the story. I agree it was not the greatest movie of all time. But what it contributed to filmmaking in general and how people thought about how a story could be told through filmmaking techniques that this film pioneered.

Also, found Ran at a local store for $30 picking it up tomorrow because it is OOP, never seen it. What do you all think of this movie?

Actually I've never seen Ran. I'll probably check it out fairly soon though. Wasn't that movie actually canned for Blu-Ray due to licensing?

[kndy]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Actually I've never seen Ran. I'll probably check it out fairly soon though. Wasn't that movie actually canned for Blu-Ray due to licensing?

Unfortunately, "Ran" and "Contempt" was lost and now going to be released by Lionsgate. I've heard bad things about the Studio Canal releases but hopefully the US release is much better in PQ. But I picked up the OOP disc...those OOP Criterions are a pain in the arse to get sometimes. I swear I didn't want to pay that much for "Tokyo Olympiad" on DVD ($99)...no way...I settled for the Criterion LD for $13. I want "Nights of Cabiria" but don't want to spend $40 for it either.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Citizen Kane #1? Sorry but I'll never understand that one. I always thought it was a good, not great film. These lists also have a serious bias in favor of old black&white films. Over 2/3rds of the best films of all-time made in the black&white era? Ya right.

Don't give up on B&W films, there are really good ones out there from silents to my favorites typically from the 1920's-early 1940's. You'll have to give "Passion of Joan of Arc", "Pandora's Box" or even the Silent Ozu's a try.

But I do agree about the "Citizen Kane". My first time watching it, I was expecting the greatest film of all time that would knock my socks off but it didn't...I did feel it was very good but if it came out on Blu-ray tomorrow, I won't buy it immediately. Granted, I understand why it's considered a milestone in what it contributed to filmmaking but I think I came watching the film with too high of expectations. But I'll leave the debate to the film students and hardcores.

If you have a chance, give "The Rules of the Game" by Jean Renoir (available from Criterion, not on Blu) a watch and let me know if you enjoy this film better than CK.

[Xerios]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

This is kind of pissing me off now. Up to this point, I have been very patient with them, and not even posted once about these replacement cases since I ordered them. However, after Kevtronn received his yesterday (having ordered them on 12/10) I contacted them to check on my order (which was placed almost a week prior to Kevtronn's on 12/4), and this is the reply I just got today...

Hi Troy,

Thank you for email! I'm very sorry, but we are out of stock on all cases and expect more to arrive within the next two weeks. As soon as we receive more cases, we will ship them out through First Class/Priority USPS Postal Service, so you should expect to receive your order within 3-5 weeks from now.

Once again, I apologize for the delay. Please let me know if you have any more questions and thank you for supporting Criterion!

Best,

Karen
The Criterion Collection

On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 12:53 AM, Troy Weets <weets03@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hello, I am writing today to inquire about the status of my replacement case shipment. I ordered 8 of the replacement cases on Dec. 4th, but have not yet received any of them, or any notices regarding their shipment. I was just curious if there is any expected delivery date or any more information at all about the status of this order? I have listed the Payment Details below for your reference as well. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Payment details
Amount: $25.00 USD
Transaction Date: Dec 4, 2009
Transaction ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

You see, it wouldn't be so bad, but they are obviously not fulfilling these in the order that they received them. If it does indeed take another 3-5 weeks, it will have been at least two months without any sort of update from them except for me having contacted them. I am a huge Criterion supporter, but this is absolutely ridiculous, and I honestly feel cheated by being skipped over for someone who was seemingly tended to because they spoke up and I waited silently. (no offense to Kevtronn here, as I'm glad he received his, but it just seems quite absurd from where I'm sitting.)

i ordered mine on 12/10 and still have not seen anything either, you are not alone, and i have not raised any questions because they did disclose the 3-5 weeks from the start... in 2 weeks i will start to ask questions, for now i just bide my time

[jamal2]

Originally Posted by kndy

Unfortunately, "Ran" and "Contempt" was lost and now going to be released by Lionsgate. I've heard bad things about the Studio Canal releases but hopefully the US release is much better in PQ.

The Lionsgate releases are exactly the same as the ones from Studio Canal.

[captveg]

Citizen Kane is a great film, IMO, including its story. Where it ranks among the great films I have no idea; I stopped attempting to rank the great films against each other a few years ago. If you're great, then you're great, and that should suffice.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Citizen Kane #1? Sorry but I'll never understand that one. I always thought it was a good, not great film.

Agreed, and I'll go one further.
Not only did I think it wasn't a great film, I didn't even think it was a good film.
I disliked it, watched it in 2 different film classes, and I hope to God I never have to watch it again.

[jacobsever]

And is it just me, or does my friend look like Marcello Mastroianni from 8 1/2?



At least a little bit.