The Criterion Collection

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Have there been any new rumors regarding bringing some of David Lynch's films to Criterion (Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, etc)? Considering importing a set from Germany, but would prefer to wait until a proper U.S. release.

Eraserhead is currently playing on Hulu, so that one is a safe bet to get a spine number.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Eraserhead is currently playing on Hulu, so that one is a safe bet to get a spine number.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by doowopman

So I finally got a chance to watch my Criterion BD of Paris, Texas. Probably one of the most quietly beautiful films I've ever watched. I actually liked this a little better than Wings of Desire. Harry Dean Stanton really laid his heart out for that role.

The landscape photography throughout was ridiculously beautiful and Ry Cooder's score sounded better than ever.

As usual, Criterion did a bang-up job with this release. Stacked with awesome extras (which I'm still going through). And the transfer is really good, IMO.

+1
And you said it perfectly. I was unprepared for the humanity in Paris, Texas, and I think I liked it a bit more than Wings of Desire, too. Close call, though, cause they're both so heartfelt and crafted so well.

Did you see Pina when it was at theaters? It's a documentary, a eulogy and a film about art.....and very warm but unsentimental. I was so touched by it the first time that I went again. And it, with Cave of Forgotten Dreams, helped me see that 3D doesn't have to be a gimmick. But I guess you'd expect that from Wenders.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by RojD

+1
And you said it perfectly. I was unprepared for the humanity in Paris, Texas, and I think I liked it a bit more than Wings of Desire, too. Close call, though, cause they're both so heartfelt and crafted so well.

Did you see Pina when it was at theaters? It's a documentary, a eulogy and a film about art.....and very warm but unsentimental. I was so touched by it the first time that I went again. And it, with Cave of Forgotten Dreams, helped me see that 3D doesn't have to be a gimmick. But I guess you'd expect that from Wenders.

I was just recently alerted that Pina is now streaming on Netflix, and I watched it other day. Not in 3D of course, and even if something might be lost in translation due to the film being natively shot that way, the beauty of the compositions and ballet still ring true.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by RojD

+1
And you said it perfectly. I was unprepared for the humanity in Paris, Texas, and I think I liked it a bit more than Wings of Desire, too. Close call, though, cause they're both so heartfelt and crafted so well.

Did you see Pina when it was at theaters? It's a documentary, a eulogy and a film about art.....and very warm but unsentimental. I was so touched by it the first time that I went again. And it, with Cave of Forgotten Dreams, helped me see that 3D doesn't have to be a gimmick. But I guess you'd expect that from Wenders.

I can't imagine watching Pina in 2D. I think the effect is that powerful and neccesary for the experience.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Eraserhead is currently playing on Hulu, so that one is a safe bet to get a spine number.

That's good to hear, now if only Mulholland Drive could receive a proper Criterion treatment as well.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I was just recently alerted that Pina is now streaming on Netflix, and I watched it other day. Not in 3D of course, and even if something might be lost in translation due to the film being natively shot that way, the beauty of the compositions and ballet still ring true.

I have that sitting in my instant queue as well. Need to find time to check it out.


I did watch The Boy With The Bike, also streaming on Netflix.

I had only previously seen Rosetta by the Dardenne brothers, but the two films are very similar, and I imagine La Promesse goes the same way. They both have a way of meandering through their narratives until they reach the last 5 minutes then the slow pot of water begins to boil violently. In Rosetta this worked to greater effect than BWTB, the ending to the latter left me with more of a confused look on my face than a shocked one the former left. They have a "make it or break it in the last 5 minutes" attitude and while Rosetta stuck, BWTB did not reach the same heights. I don't think I will pick up the Blu as I have a hard time imagining myself returning to it. I will say however the lead boy is a great little actor.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

First of all, I'm new to this forum as of today, so it's great to see an ongoing Criterion discussion.

I bought my first HDTV and Blu-ray player a week and half ago (LG 32'' 1080p LCD television and Samsung Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player). I have no intention of replacing all of my current Criterion DVDs, but here are the ones that I upgraded this week after trading in my DVD copies and taking advantage of some cool Christmas Barnes and Noble member sales and such...

Army of Shadows
Le Cercle Rouge
Days of Heaven
The Thin Red Line
Solaris
Godzilla

I also bought Purple Noon. I've never owned this one in any format, so the timing of the release was spot-on.

It goes without saying that I am eagerly awaiting an eventual Criterion BD release of Le Samouraï. It's my favorite Criterion and my favorite movie.

As an enthusiastic follower of the Malick films, I am excited beyond words that Badlands was announced this week while I was in the middle of upgrading the other releases.

I have a ton of other Criterion movies on DVD, but will probably hold on to the DVD versions and just enjoy the upconvert (since it admittedly does not make a massive difference on my 32'' HDTV). There are still a handful that I will likely upgrade as they become available at some point in the future (The Vanishing and The Naked Prey are two that come to mind, aside from the other Melville gangster flicks.), but I'm pretty content now that I've upgraded my personal necessary favorites listed above.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but it's good to meet y'all.

Awesome! I hope to hear more from you as I think your Criterion favorites are flat out great. Furthermore, you should check out the titles Kino & Olive have on Blu.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Eraserhead is currently playing on Hulu, so that one is a safe bet to get a spine number.

There are about 200 films on Hulu that don't have spines but I agree with you - it's only a matter of time for Eraserhead.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I remember you posting this as a blind buy weeks ago. It's definitely the Great hyperlink film of the 2000's. And one of the greatest gangster films of recent memory along with Carlos and A Prophet.

I hear many people have a problem keeping up. I thought each strand was quite simple but together they form something pretty great and multi-faceted. After Gomorrah, all other "fun or cool" gangster films kind of lose their meaning.

Gomorrah's an excellent film, and nicely compliments the depiction in "Mafioso" of the hold of the mafia on all segments of Italian society from the folks in the villages to those in the urban centers. Mafioso is particularly effective because it is developed in a pseudo-'fun' manner that makes it's more serious elements that much more effective. (And it contains a neat reference to Boccacio 70 during a convertible ride through the streets of Manhattan).

To ramble on, Great Owl, both The Vanishing and Naked Prey would be high on my list for an up-grade as well, although Naked Prey does look pretty good as is. And yes, I'm pumped about Badlands as well.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I remember you posting this as a blind buy weeks ago. It's definitely the Great hyperlink film of the 2000's. And one of the greatest gangster films ofaracely memory along with Carlos and A Prophet.

I hear many people have a problem keeping up. I thought each strand was quite simple but together they form something pretty great and multi-faceted. After Gomorrah, all other "fun or cool" gangster films kind of lose their meaning.

I'd add Animal Kingdom to your list. And Mesrine, though it doesn't have the scope of Carlos. There are some great crime movies coming out.

Didn't know anything about Gomorrah first time though at a theater, and I just sat there patiently waiting for it to start making narrative sense. It was a major rush when I suddenly realized there were several related strands and I could put them together as aspects of the same situation. I've enjoyed rewatching it, but wow....there's nothing like the first time.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Awesome! I hope to hear more from you as I think your Criterion favorites are flat out great. Furthermore, you should check out the titles Kino & Olive have on Blu.

Kino has some great ones. Nosferatu is an obvious candidate in my collection for an upgrade to Blu-ray.

I have an old Kino of Akira Kurosawa's Dersu Uzala. This would be worth seeing in high definition just for the one scene where the sun is in the upper corner of the screen and the moon is in the opposite upper corner of the screen in the same take. Some great wilderness photography in this one.

I own all of the Akira Kurosawa Criterions on DVD, but I'm afraid to replace one with Blu-ray, because I'd want to replace them all. The DVD upconverting suffices for now. (I have a strange feeling that I'm not the first person who has posted something like this in the forum.)

[Bateman84]

Just pre ordered badlands, the blob and ministry of fear.

Not being to knowledgeable on fritz Lang - can anyone suggest some of his other movies I should seek out??

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Bateman84

Not being to knowledgeable on fritz Lang - can anyone suggest some of his other movies I should seek out??

Metropolis would be my first recommendation. It's fun to watch this one and specifically note how subsequent science fiction movies were influenced by particular scenes.

M is the second one that I would suggest. Peter Lorre is outstanding in this one, and it's a good chiller for the ages.

I've heard good things about The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, but have not seen it yet.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Bateman84

Just pre ordered badlands, the blob and ministry of fear.

Not being to knowledgeable on fritz Lang - can anyone suggest some of his other movies I should seek out??

You can't miss with M or Metropolis. They're both classics, they're both hugely influencial and they're both just damn good movies.

I also really love Scarlet Street and The Woman in the Window. While the City Sleeps is also a fun little crime drama.

I thought The Big Heat was good but it didn't bowl me over. I'm in a bit of a minority there though because it seems like most people who like it really like it.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Metropolis would be my first recommendation. It's fun to watch this one and specifically note how subsequent science fiction movies were influenced by particular scenes.

M is the second one that I would suggest. Peter Lorre is outstanding in this one, and it's a good chiller for the ages.

I've heard good things about The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, but have not seen it yet.

Those plus the Big Heat & Scarlet Street (sitting on my shelf unwatched as we speak)

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I remember you posting this as a blind buy weeks ago. It's definitely the Great hyperlink film of the 2000's. And one of the greatest gangster films ofaracely memory along with Carlos and A Prophet.

I hear many people have a problem keeping up. I thought each strand was quite simple but together they form something pretty great and multi-faceted. After Gomorrah, all other "fun or cool" gangster films kind of lose their meaning.

I had absolutely no problem following all five stories. I thought it was very neatly woven together. I wish they had a better ending to Toto though. All of the others were straight forward (with a common ending), but his really wasn't explained.

As for any other gangster films like The Godfather and Scarface, I think it's funny how much people can idolize something so fictional and absurd to the point of almost making it a harmful reality. I think this is another thing that Gomorrah kind of gives a nudge to with it's Marco and Sweet Pea characters.

[zoodermin]

Just finished watching Late Spring for the firat time and it was a wondrful experience. I loved how a "mundane" story felt so genuine and emotional. The last scene just floored me. I hope more Ozu gets released this year and Tokyo Story is the next in line for a BD upgrade.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Kino has some great ones. Nosferatu is an obvious candidate in my collection for an upgrade to Blu-ray.

I have an old Kino of Akira Kurosawa's Dersu Uzala. This would be worth seeing in high definition just for the one scene where the sun is in the upper corner of the screen and the moon is in the opposite upper corner of the screen in the same take. Some great wilderness photography in this one.

I own all of the Akira Kurosawa Criterions on DVD, but I'm afraid to replace one with Blu-ray, because I'd want to replace them all. The DVD upconverting suffices for now. (I have a strange feeling that I'm not the first person who has posted something like this in the forum.)

Trust me, you will and they're awesome. As soon as you see Kagemusha on Blu ray, you'll immediately place an order for the rest.

Speaking of DVDs, I've never seen Hidden Fortress and the DVD is sitting on my shelf as we speak. As soon as January hits, I'm seeing it.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

First of all, I'm new to this forum as of today, so it's great to see an ongoing Criterion discussion.


Army of Shadows
Le Cercle Rouge
Days of Heaven
The Thin Red Line
Solaris
Godzilla

I also bought Purple Noon. I've never owned this one in any format, so the timing of the release was spot-on.

It goes without saying that I am eagerly awaiting an eventual Criterion BD release of Le Samouraï. It's my favorite Criterion and my favorite movie.

As an enthusiastic follower of the Malick films, I am excited beyond words that Badlands was announced this week while I was in the middle of upgrading the other releases.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but it's good to meet y'all.

Sounds like we have similar tastes.

I recently got Purple Noon, The Leopard, and Le Cercle Rouge. He's one of my favorite actors. And I am also eagerly awaiting an announcement for a Criterion release for Le Samouraï.

I also agree with your point on Terrence Malick. He's a genius for beautiful pictures.

Glad to see that you've become a member! You seem like a nice addition to the site.