The Criterion Collection

[IronWaffle]

Babette's Feast has shown up on Amazon Instant. The image has the Criterion logo and what I assume will be the cover art. My memory's dodgy, but so far haven't we only seen the newsletter hint for it?

http://www.amazon.com/Babettes-Feast...ZYS5RNNKYXSK10

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by metaridley

lol @ Twin Peaks FWWM. Just... lol.

Apparently that film received an unprecedented amount of booing @ whatever festival (Cannes?) it played at. Ebert hated it (along with most of what Lynch directs anyway) with Tarantino saying Lynch, who he used to idolize, had lost it.

Yeah, it wasn't a very good movie.

When I saw it in theaters on opening night there definitely wasn't booing, but there were people dressed as characters, which was very entertaining. I don't think the film is perfect, by any means, and it doesn't compare to the show, but I don't think it is bad.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Babette's Feast has shown up on Amazon Instant. The image has the Criterion logo and what I assume will be the cover art. My memory's dodgy, but so far haven't we only seen the newsletter hint for it?

http://www.amazon.com/Babettes-Feast...ZYS5RNNKYXSK10

Hmmmm? I picked up the DVD very cheap in the fall. Would I be doing myself a disservice by watching that before the inevitable blu ray release?

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Babette's Feast has shown up on Amazon Instant. The image has the Criterion logo and what I assume will be the cover art. My memory's dodgy, but so far haven't we only seen the newsletter hint for it?

http://www.amazon.com/Babettes-Feast...ZYS5RNNKYXSK10

We had the New Year's hint, the newsletter hint and it's been up on Hulu Plus with that image for the movie. I'm guessing the cover will be different as most of the Hulu Plus images are different than the eventual covers upon release.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Also, I'm curious as to what everybody's top Criterion releases are (in general). For me personally, it's the following. The ones in bold are my top favorites.

I'm a few days late, but here are my top ten Criterions (off the top of my head). I'm including Blu-rays and DVDs alike...

Le Samouraï
Army of Shadows
Le Cercle Rouge
Paris, Texas
Touchez Pas Au Grisbi
The Vanishing
Night of the Hunter
The 39 Steps
Bob le Flambuer
Seven Samurai

[Antonmassacre1]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Additions to octagons heist list

The original Italian Job, the heist is soooooo much fun.
Bound
Thief
Gun Crazy
Jackie Brown
Pickup on South Street

I've always enjoyed Thunderbolt & Lightfoot. Not a great flick but a good one with a strong cast.

[R o d]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

On the topic of silent films, I want to add my own support to those recommending City Girl and Sunrise. Get them both.
Also, definitely agree with getting any Buster Keaton films, Chaplin films, Lonesome and The Phantom Carriage.
Buster Keaton's The General and Sunrise are regulars in Sight and Sound's all-time top ten lists.
I also want to say again, Fritz Lang's Die Nibelungen is extraordinary.
And don't forget Fritz Lang's Metropolis - not a bad, little film
To get this back to Criterion (if not blu-ray), I also want to highly recommend 3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg. Sure, they're only DVDs, but quality is very good and each film is great. Easily one of my favourite box-sets. Seriously, I think they're all 5 star films (whatever that means ) with re-watch potential. Plus, each film comes with two scores.

I second the recommendation for the Sternberg silents. A solid set.

On the broader topic of silent films, has anybody checked out the 3 Janet Gaynor/Charles Farrell films directed by Frank Borzage? To my knowledge they are available only in French editions:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/7th-H...Blu-ray/13280/

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Stree...Blu-ray/16015/

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Lucky...Blu-ray/13282/

I think they are region-free, but still, I would love to see a US release of these classics.

[Scottie]

I started watching Diabolique last night but I fell asleep because I was tired

It was a really good movie, though from what I've seen!

[obscurelabel]

Originally Posted by Antonmassacre1

I've always enjoyed Thunderbolt & Lightfoot. Not a great flick but a good one with a strong cast.

For some reason I think Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is a masterpiece. It's as good a "modern Western" as I can think of. I love the

[Show spoiler]fight scene between Clint and George where they're so out of shape they can only throw a few punches before they're exhausted and have to collapse on the ground.

I think Eastwood working as a hands-on producer was able to get the very best out of Cimino, and wish they had made more movies together. If Criterion can do Heaven's Gate there would be no disgrace in TaL, it's a much more focused and accomplished movie, if less notorious.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

When I saw it in theaters on opening night there definitely wasn't booing, but there were people dressed as characters, which was very entertaining. I don't think the film is perfect, by any means, and it doesn't compare to the show, but I don't think it is bad.

Agreed.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

We had the New Year's hint, the newsletter hint and it's been up on Hulu Plus with that image for the movie. I'm guessing the cover will be different as most of the Hulu Plus images are different than the eventual covers upon release.

Well, ain't I like a monthly magazine in the Internet age?




In possible REAL news, Badlands is on HDNet Movies tonight.

[Alex DeLarge]

Originally Posted by obscurelabel

For some reason I think Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is a masterpiece. It's as good a "modern Western" as I can think of. I love the

[Show spoiler]fight scene between Clint and George where they're so out of shape they can only throw a few punches before they're exhausted and have to collapse on the ground.

I think Eastwood working as a hands-on producer was able to get the very best out of Cimino, and wish they had made more movies together. If Criterion can do Heaven's Gate there would be no disgrace in TaL, it's a much more focused and accomplished movie, if less notorious.

Nice to see some respect for Cimino's debut film as director. I too think it's damn near a masterpiece as Cimino even fooled Eastwood into thinking this was only an action film. But if you read the film through juxtaposition of images and subtext, it's obvious that Cimino has made a unrequited love story between two men. Just like he did with THE DEER HUNTER.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

In possible REAL news, Badlands is on HDNet Movies tonight.

Good find, just set the DVR for record.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Antonmassacre1

I've always enjoyed Thunderbolt & Lightfoot. Not a great flick but a good one with a strong cast.

I always loved Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, but I haven't seen it for over 20 years (yikes ).
I never got it on DVD because I think it was supposed to be a pretty ordinary disc, possibly not anamorphic.
Jeff Bridges received a very deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by R o d

I second the recommendation for the Sternberg silents. A solid set.
On the broader topic of silent films, has anybody checked out the 3 Janet Gaynor/Charles Farrell films directed by Frank Borzage? To my knowledge they are available only in French editions:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/7th-H...Blu-ray/13280/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Stree...Blu-ray/16015/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Lucky...Blu-ray/13282/
I think they are region-free, but still, I would love to see a US release of these classics.

Yes, please
Those screenshots for Lucky Star look gorgeous.

[drbikeshorts]

I recently had another Epic Criterion Day at my place, but only one friend could make it. It made the choice easy:
Carlos.
We watched the first part and then had lunch. After that we had to push on, otherwise we'd be going into the evening and Mrs DrBikeShorts was already being tolerant of us taking over the lounge room for 6 hours on a Saturday.
Melbourne was suffering some pretty stinking hot weather, so I had a portable air-conditioner going between each part. However, not long after turning it off the heat in the room would pick up pretty quickly.
But we were determined to have the room completely dark and with no extra noises from the air-conditioner.
Mrs DrBikeShorts came and sat with us for about 2 minutes during part 3, then told us we were crazy to be sitting there in the heat and left. We disagreed and kept watching (and quietly sweating)
I love Olivier Assayas and blind-bought the UK edition of Carlos based on him, the film's reputation, Edgar Ramirez, and subject matter. I ended up selling this edition and getting the Criterion edition. I think I've watched it three times, but this was the first time I'd had the chance to watch all three parts in one go. Frankly, this is the best way to see the film.
Ramirez really gives an amazing performance, effortlessly switching between so many languages, even during a domestic shouting match.
Criterion's package is really fantastic, with some pretty decent extras.
I definitely recommend it and I recommend watching it all in one day if you can find the time

[Scottie]

I just finished Diabolique and I found it to be one of the best mystery films that I've seen to date.

It was definitely unique and kept you guessing to the end.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I recently had another Epic Criterion Day at my place, but only one friend could make it. It made the choice easy:
Carlos.

Carlos is incredible.

I used to use NF streaming to audition Criterions. I would give a film ten or twenty minutes and f I decided it was something I was likely to buy I would stop watching and wait for the disc. I really, really, really tried to do that with Carlos but I could not turn off the first half and only lasted a day or two before going back to watch the second half.

Every single aspect was perfectly executed. The script was clever and engaging without being even remotely preachy or grinding any axes. The cinematography was spot on in capturing both an 80s feel and a semi-documentary feel. Ramirez was fantastic but was only one of several outstanding performances.

And Joy Division? Pure genius. The last time period music pieces completely trasported me to that extent Billy Batts was telling Tommy to go home and get his ****ing shinebox

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do you happen to know if this is Region Free?

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/John-...Blu-ray/60336/

Oh what the hell, what's thirty-six bucks. That's not even half a bottle of Calvados.

I'll either be getting this in a week or three or I just enlisted in the German navy.

I'm not completely sure which.

[rkish]

I really wish you all had access to Hulu Plus. I just finished my 54th film and really love the access to so many wonderful films. I don't have the luxury of a library like Joe Dalek or a disposable income, so this has been a great cost effective option for me. "Twenty Four Eyes" was my last film and I was good until the last twenty minutes...and then I gushed. Just a wonderful film. Without Hulu, I would never have discovered Kinoshita or his films.