The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

I finally finished Bigger Than Life.

It was an exceptionally made film. Too bad it isn't talked about much around here. I was actually surprised on how much I liked it. It reminded me a lot of The Night Of The Hunter during some instances.

Getting ready to watch La Promesse.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I finally finished Bigger Than Life.

It was an exceptionally made film. Too bad it isn't talked about much around here. I was actually surprised on how much I liked it. It reminded me a lot of The Night Of The Hunter during some instances.

I've been wanting to see Bigger Than Life for quite some time now.

I've always been fascinated by movies and music showcasing the dark underbelly of 1950s America that people do not think about these days. People tend to associate the 1950s with the Happy Days television show or picturesque hamburger & milkshake diners, but there was so much more to it. The media makes a big deal out of school shootings in current day news, but that sort of thing happened back then. Leather jackets were not just a fashion statement in the 1950s, and kids wore them to school because, if someone approached them in the school hall with a switchblade knife, the leather in the jacket would help protect from a knife blade. Of course, there was were people like Ed Gein, the criminal who inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I have this CD box set, Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s, that features rock songs from the 1950s intercut with actual radio recordings from that time of preachers, politicians, and groups discussing how rock music is corrupting the youth. It's an amusing listen, and the songs are a hundred times more subversive than anything that Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, or any of the rap bands have ever recorded in recent decades. When you think of the true meanings of the euphemisms in the 1950s songs, you're basically listening to XXX-rated material.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I finally finished Bigger Than Life.

It was an exceptionally made film. Too bad it isn't talked about much around here. I was actually surprised on how much I liked it. It reminded me a lot of The Night Of The Hunter during some instances.

Getting ready to watch La Promesse.

I really enjoyed BTL, but given the dark places it went I definitely felt like the sanguine resolution at the end was studio-mandated as it felt a bit inconsistent with the rest.

[Abdrewes]

Empire of the Sun vs. The Last Emperor:
http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/?p=7730

Damn, this really makes me want to revisit The Last Emperor

[Scottie]

I'm almost done with La Promesse and I love it so far.

I can't believe that Jérémie Renier (who plays Igor) is Guy from The Kid With A Bike. Fifteen years sure makes a difference.

While Krzysztof Kieslowski is my favorite Criterion director thus far, I would say that the Dardenne Brothers are my second favorite.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been wanting to see Bigger Than Life for quite some time now.

I've always been fascinated by movies and music showcasing the dark underbelly of 1950s America that people do not think about these days. People tend to associate the 1950s with the Happy Days television show or picturesque hamburger & milkshake diners, but there was so much more to it. The media makes a big deal out of school shootings in current day news, but that sort of thing happened back then. Leather jackets were not just a fashion statement in the 1950s, and kids wore them to school because, if someone approached them in the school hall with a switchblade knife, the leather in the jacket would help protect from a knife blade. Of course, there was were people like Ed Gein, the criminal who inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I have this CD box set, Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s, that features rock songs from the 1950s intercut with actual radio recordings from that time of preachers, politicians, and groups discussing how rock music is corrupting the youth. It's an amusing listen, and the songs are a hundred times more subversive than anything that Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, or any of the rap bands have ever recorded in recent decades. When you think of the true meanings of the euphemisms in the 1950s songs, you're basically listening to XXX-rated material.

I agree. I think these older films are the best.

I don't even want to watch the newer movies anymore really lol

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I really enjoyed BTL, but given the dark places it went I definitely felt like the sanguine resolution at the end was studio-mandated as it felt a bit inconsistent with the rest.

I noticed that as well. It seems as if the color was altered a tad bit during the last few minutes.

[Xtempo]

looks like AK 100 is sold out now so its OOP

[ZooTv]

The Third Man is going to be on at 10:00pm (est) tonight on TCMHD.

[Scottie]

Just as I suspected - La Promesse was fantastic.

A strong recommendation, in my opinion.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Kind of surprised more people are chiming in to report they've snagged the $15 deal on the StudioCanal edition.

If that's supposed to be aren't then yeah, I kind of surprised too.

Hell, I have the Criterion BD and I was half-tempted just to be able to compare them.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by octagon

If that's supposed to be aren't then yeah, I kind of surprised too.

Hell, I have the Criterion BD and I was half-tempted just to be able to compare them.

I just finished up watching the StudioCanal release... In terms of A/V quality, the difference between the 2 is pretty much indiscernible i.m.o.

[The Great Owl]

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

I've got a free day on Saturday after my morning training run, though, so I'm going to go for it. When I had my old DVD copy of Fanny and Alexander, I only watched the full 312-minute television version a couple of times, so this will be my first time watching this version on Blu-ray. It's a sprawling and comprehensive, yet beautiful and engaging film, and I expect that it will be twice as fascinating in the new format.

I was fortunate to grab the Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray for 40% off a few weeks ago at Barnes & Noble, and I've been wanting the time window to watch it for a while. It's my favorite Bergman film, although there are quite a few to choose from.

[ElliesDad]

For anyone passing through wondering about dealing through the Criterion website...

Joined the flash-sale frenzy yesterday and for the first time opened an account and ordered five releases. Unfortunately I assumed that by going to the Criterion-Blu-ray section I would be dealing exclusively with Blu-rays and in my girlish excitement rather stupidly neglected to notice that the DVD edition was listed as well and just went for the first green 'add to basket' button that scrolled up. With the unfortunate result that three of my five selections showed as DVD's when I glanced at the order again after checking out. Despite that the mistake dawned within five minutes of the order being placed, the acknowledging e-mail was already in my in-box indicating that no changes were possible. Needless to say I was not a happy camper...

Sent an e-mail to 'order support' this morning and within ten minutes received the following response...

Hello Mr. (ElliesDad),

Thanks for your email, though I'm sorry to learn of the trouble. Orders from the sale have already processed, and we are not able to edit. When you receive your order please send the incorrect items to us at the address below with a copy of this correspondence and we will refund you or exchange your items.

The Criterion Collection
Attn: ORDERS
215 Park Avenue South 5th Floor
New York, NY 10003

Thanks for supporting Criterion and enjoy your movies!

Best,

Claire

Now that's customer service!!

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

The Third Man is going to be on at 10:00pm (est) tonight on TCMHD.

Thanks! Heading down right now to watch...!

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

It was pretty but beyond that not all that appealing in this Blu-ray Age, so no tears shed here. I'll be much happier with the 8 or 10 feature-laden Blu-ray editions of the films I actually want, once they get around to them.

They don't have all the movies' rights still do they? I thought also that some of them were only available in AK 100 and not separately otherwise we would have seen them on BD or at least a possibility

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

It was pretty but beyond that not all that appealing in this Blu-ray Age, so no tears shed here. I'll be much happier with the 8 or 10 feature-laden Blu-ray editions of the films I actually want, once they get around to them.

This. I had a passing fancy about that box set yesterday when I got the notice that it was selling out, but I've owned most of those on DVD already, and am awaiting better Blu-ray transfers in the future.

What's the word around the campfire on the StudioCanal release of Ran, by the way. I thought about buying it a couple weeks back when I bought Fellini's 8 1/2 and Bergman's The Seventh Seal, but, in a rare showing of fiscal restraint, I decided not to pull the trigger. My impression after reading the review is that it's considered a less-than-stellar high definition transfer, but that it is still better than any existing DVD picture quality.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just as I suspected - La Promesse was fantastic.

A strong recommendation, in my opinion.

Would you place it above their other films in the collection?

[R o d]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I finally finished Bigger Than Life.

It was an exceptionally made film. Too bad it isn't talked about much around here. I was actually surprised on how much I liked it. It reminded me a lot of The Night Of The Hunter during some instances.

It's a great film and it deals with an important subject, both then and now. There was a fair amount of discussion when it first came out, but it is worth revisiting so it's good you brought it up. And it makes us yearn for more Nicholas Ray - particularly In a Lonely Place.

[CusackstheMan]

Originally Posted by Page14

I noticed the same thing at my local Walmart ... their bluray section has been cut way way back. Bummer.

Really?! What did they replace the Blurays with? DVD's? We are talking about WalMart here.

[hoytereden]

Pre-ordered Badlands from Amazon.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Pre-ordered Badlands from Amazon.

Nice, hoping to grab it at BB on its release day for sub $10 with the help of a few RZ certificates.