The Criterion Collection

[joie]

Hey! The individual movies from the BBS set now show-up in the database. "A Safe Place" is the only one without a picture.

So ... I've been able to break-up the set in my "collection." I've also broken-up the Stanley Kubrick set into standalones.

By the way, I wish that they would give us the choice of calling it a "library" instead of a "collection." I don't collect movies.

[joie]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Libraries call their collections "collections".

OK. They could give us the choice of calling it "Movies" or "Films," something other than a "Collection."

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Libraries call their collections "collections".

This. I took a course on Collections Development. Mind you, librarians aren't as obsessive about their "collections" as the members on this forum are. We don't buy multiple copies of one book based on their different covers, and we can't always go for the lowest price point on objects. Also, we don't add stuff we do t really need because its on sale, or because we need to have a giant collection if stuff the majority won't look at. We also embrace digital downloads (at least this Librarian does, as again, tool a course on Digital Libraries).

[TJS_Blu]

Was there a list of Czech titles acquired by CC in addition to those on Pearls of the Czech New Wave set? Second Run (UK) just released their own collection (described below) and I'd like to avoid a double dip.Second Run's set has some extras...

Diamonds of the Night / Démanty noci (Jan Němec,1964)
Němec's thrilling and startlingly original debut chronicles the tense and desperate journey of two teenage boys who are trying to stay alive after escaping from a German train bound for a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
Intimate Lighting / Intimní osvětlení (Ivan Passer, 1965)
Regarded as one of the finest works of the Czechoslovak New Wave, this wonderfully subtle and affectionately comic study of provincial life becomes, in Passer’s masterful hands, a film of profound compassion and universal resonance. Stunningly shot by the great cinematographer Miroslav Ondricek.
The Cremator / Spalovač mrtvol (Juraj Herz, 1968)
This nightmarish comedy of terror about a professional cremator working in Nazi-occupied Prague and able to give vent to his increasingly deranged impulses. A uniquely dark and disturbing experience, heightened with a terrific score by the great Zdeněk Liška.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

Was there a list of Czech titles acquired by CC in addition to those on Pearls of the Czech New Wave set?

Roots of Czech New Wave:

Something Different
Transport from Paradise
Diamonds of the Night
The Cry
Courage for Every Day

Echos of Czech New Wave:

All My Good Countrymen (<-----can't wait for this one)
The Cremator
The Ear
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders


Hopefully more as mainline, like Marketa Lazarova.

[SimBelm]

I'd love to see them bring out Happy End on a Czech set.

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

Gaumont did a pretty lame job on Band of Outsiders, so probably not worth getting this one until it's kinda cheap.

Supposedly they did an even worse job on La Chinoise.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by SimBelm

I'd love to see them bring out Happy End on a Czech set.

fun movie.

Also curious why Vera Chytilova's (Daisies) other most known film Fruit of Paradise didn't get picked up, both being past Facets releases.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Also curious why Vera Chytilova's (Daisies) other most known film Fruit of Paradise didn't get picked up, both being past Facets releases.

Another one I'd like to see, if only just for that intro.

[Darkcritic]

My city is having an exhibition related to film and so I went and checked out a film I was really interested in and I sincerely can't believe how good it was. The film was Jean Eustache's The Mother and the ***** (La Maman et la Putain, damn you censorship!) and if there ever was a film that holds a "picture" of itself to represent "Masterpiece" in the dictionary, this is it. I don't like making fast judgement over my top-10 favorite films but I think this will go up there right now, it is that freakin good. A tour-de-force for everyone involved, from the three leads (Jean Pierre Leaud in his best performance, hands-down) to Jean Eustache, how build an incredibly great first feature. Criterion should work its hardest to get the rights for this film, seeing how they are in limbo (Because of the great asking price the family is setting) at the moment. Such a sad fate for such an essential masterwork.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Not according to the review.

Gaumont seems to have a lower ceiling than most boutique labels yet any time there's an announcement people get excited. It's the same case with Olive. I'm grateful they released Johnny Guitar but in the hands of someone like Crit Co or MOC the release would be a knockout rather than "acceptable".

I think I forget how spoiled I am with Criterion.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Not according to the review.

Oh I didn't know that was up yet. A friend who ordered both told me the DNR was worse and that the colours had a lot of problems on that release, that they were far from what the colours were intended to look like. After reading the review on here though and looking at the screens I'm fairly happy that I can now order this release.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Gaumont seems to have a lower ceiling than most boutique labels yet any time there's an announcement people get excited. It's the same case with Olive. I'm grateful they released Johnny Guitar but in the hands of someone like Crit Co or MOC the release would be a knockout rather than "acceptable".

I think I forget how spoiled I am with Criterion.

Olive drops the ball everytime by not including English subs. I bought High Noon and Body Snatchers, since just about every blu has subs these days, and now can't watch them. Thanks for screwing the hearing impaired out of enjoying probably the only blu release those films will have for a while.

[Al_The_Strange]

Just watched Shallow Grave last night as a rental. Enjoyed it pretty well. Loved the style of it and the dialogue.

Now I have something to buy for the next B&N sale.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

It sounds like it could have been better, but I don't expect it will be better any time soon.

Yeah agreed and after watching the Band of Outsiders release I thought it still looked pretty decent.

[wcrouse]

What's up with Barnes and Noble's sale? Despite banners proclaiming the sale has been extended until the 26th, prices on all Criterions are back to their pre-sale levels. I wasn't feeling any pressure to pick up the last couple titles I was planning, but now I'm not sure that B&N's management and sales departments are on the same page.

[italy12]

Just went to the store and was able to get Heaven's Gate at 50% off. It rang up with no problems.

Which brings me to the real reason I'm posting: while I have not yet seen Heaven's Gate, I've heard a lot of negative reviews for the film, but then saw a 5 star rating here when the BD was reviewed.

What is everyone's take on the film of those who have either seen the 149 minute or 216 minute versions?

Thanks!

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by italy12

Just went to the store and was able to get Heaven's Gate at 50% off. It rang up with no problems.

Which brings me to the real reason I'm posting: while I have not yet seen Heaven's Gate, I've heard a lot of negative reviews for the film, but then saw a 5 star rating here when the BD was reviewed.

What is everyone's take on the film of those who have either seen the 149 minute or 216 minute versions?

Thanks!

I liked the short version of Heaven's Gate just fine. I picked up the Criterion Blu-ray for 15 bucks from B&N (50 percent off and 8 dollars off) but haven't watched this director's cut version yet. I'm happy that they removed the Intermission out of there by the way.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by italy12

Just went to the store and was able to get Heaven's Gate at 50% off. It rang up with no problems.

Which brings me to the real reason I'm posting: while I have not yet seen Heaven's Gate, I've heard a lot of negative reviews for the film, but then saw a 5 star rating here when the BD was reviewed.

What is everyone's take on the film of those who have either seen the 149 minute or 216 minute versions?

Thanks!

I'm guessing that since it works "in-store" and not online, that the B & N webmaster still has the website set for the sale ending yesterday, as it had been originally scheduled. I'll assume that they will sort this out and have it back to 50% at some point.

[zoodermin]

I’m a B&N member and that supposedly means that I get free expedited shipping but so far none of my 9 criterion BDs have arrived!! they shipped on Friday last week through USPS but there’s little movement and I doubt they will arrive by tomorrow. What a shame!

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

It's because you're in Ecuador. "Free Express Shipping applies to orders made at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and on Ship-to-Home orders placed at Barnes & Noble retail stores, shipped within the continental U.S. only."

That’s not the case with me because I have a P.O. box in Florida and they have to ship it there not to Ecuador.