The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I enjoyed the commentary about the American version more than the actual film.

Same. I'm watching the Japanese version, and then I'm going to watch the commentary of the American version. Both commentaries are excellent, though. (I used to own the DVD, but this is my first time watching the entire Blu-ray of the movies.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Keith577

Aside from The Third Man, The 400 Blows and The Wages of Fear are two films that are absolutely essential for every serious film library.

Don't forget Seven Samurai. Not a single wasted second in that film.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

If you want to watch in sync, then go to that chapter.

This makes me want a thread-wide weekly live-watch or something (of course that would need a separate thread, but still...)

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Same. I'm watching the Japanese version, and then I'm going to watch the commentary of the American version. Both commentaries are excellent, though. (I used to own the DVD, but this is my first time watching the entire Blu-ray of the movies.

The commentary really offers some fascinating info about the time period, from race assumptions to the history of dubbed films. I'd recommend it to anyone that usually puts them off.

[Scottie]

I just watched Cul-de-sac.

Eh, it was alright. It wasn't my favorite Polanski fan, but it was still an entertaining film for approximately two hours.

The film isn't your typical "bad guy bothers good couple" film. It was humorous and it was fairly unique.

I still think Repulsion is Polanski's best work. I've only seen Cul-de-sac, The Ninth Gate, and Rosemary's Baby, though.

I should probably get around to watching my copies of Chinatown, The Ghost Writer, and The Pianist.

[octagon]

Speaking of supplements, I finally got around to watching the 90 min doc Shadowing the Third Man on the Criterion BD. It's not part of the Studio Canal release and I don't know whether it's available anywhere else but it's really good.

It's very well edited. The mix of interviews, archival footage, stills and clips from the film is extremely well paced. I was only been able to watch 30 minute chunks but I never felt like it dragged or stayed too long on any one subject/person.

[A Sith Lord?]

Watched The Killing yesterday, and Paths of Glory just now.

First off, I can't state enough how much applause I give to Criterion for the remastering of these movies. They look beautiful. The audio quality in Paths of Glory was amazing. The dialogue was so crisp and clear to hear for a movie from the 50's, that I had forgotten how old the movie was.

As for the movies themselves:

The Killing took a little while to develop for me. I kept looking at Johnny and kept trying to remember where I'd seen him before, then I kept looking at his mannerisms and delivery and realized he was crooked Capt. McCluskey from the Godfather! I loved how the heist played out, the flashbacks that lead up to the heist, the diversions. The airplane runway scene was well executed. Loved the movie.

Paths of Glory was a masterpiece for me. The cinematography alone was worth my money for this. The vision of Kubrick to direct the hundreds of actors on the battlefield and the smoothness of the camera. The scenes of walking through the trenches seeing the fatigue and weariness of all the soldiers. The court trial scenes. The firing squad, etc. I was not bored with this movie at all. I loved the exchange of wisdom quotes, I loved the insane general and his irrational superior. I loved Douglas' character. I will watch this movie again and again after I get through with my other Criterions. Certainly money well spent on this money!

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I should probably get around to watching my copies of Chinatown, The Ghost Writer, and The Pianist.

That one has potential to quickly break into your all-time favorite films list.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

That one has potential to quickly break into your all-time favorite films list.

I can imagine. It's gotten significant praise.

Also, I really need to thoroughly make a list of my "favorite films of all time". I don't have a top 10 or anything for that matter set in stone. However, The Double Life Of Veronique and The Matrix are definitely in it

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I still think Repulsion is Polanski's best work.

I do as well. Although I feel like once you see those other films, you'd put them ahead of it.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I do as well. Although I feel like once you see those other films, you'd put them ahead of it.

Maybe Chinatown and The Pianist, but I don't think The Ghost Writer will make it's way above Repulsion for me. It's just a well-crafted horror film, but not in the traditional sense.

I hope Criterion releases more Polanski, though. Even if I'm not won over by all of them, it's still great to see his work.

[octagon]

Oh, I'll play...

Favorites (basically in order but the first two are a really close call)
Rosemary's Baby
Chinatown
The Tenant
Repulsion

Jury is still kind of out
The Pianist
Cul de Sac
Carnage
Frantic (not really in the same class as these but not really a guilty pleasure either)

Guilty pleasures
The Ninth Gate
The Ghost Writer

So far Fearless Vampire Killers is the only Polanski I really, really don't like. The Ninth Gate is pretty awful overall but the good bits are actually pretty good.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by octagon

Speaking of supplements, I finally got around to watching the 90 min doc Shadowing the Third Man on the Criterion BD. It's not part of the Studio Canal release and I don't know whether it's available anywhere else but it's really good.

IIRC, it is available in the European editions of the Studio Canal release, just not on the US BD.

[ahmedreda]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362622248.164844.jpg
I am new to the criterion collection.. I ended up with two copies of the chungking express. Planning to keep one and sell the other.. One of the ones that i got has a slip cover and has a different looking case than the rest of the criterion blus that i own.. The other is in a normal criterion case packaging.. Is one better than the other?

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by octagon

Oh, I'll play...

[Show spoiler]Favorites (basically in order but the first two are a really close call)
Rosemary's Baby
Chinatown
The Tenant
Repulsion

Jury is still kind of out
The Pianist
Cul de Sac
Carnage
Frantic (not really in the same class as these but not really a guilty pleasure either)

Guilty pleasures
The Ninth Gate
The Ghost Writer

So far Fearless Vampire Killers is the only Polanski I really, really don't like. The Ninth Gate is pretty awful overall but the good bits are actually pretty good

.

No verdict on Knife In The Water?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Also, I really need to thoroughly make a list of my "favorite films of all time". I don't have a top 10 or anything for that matter set in stone. However, The Double Life Of Veronique and The Matrix are definitely in it

We get so many of these lists in the movies section on the forum...would be more interesting to see them from the guys here.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

No verdict on Knife In The Water?

I haven't seen it yet. Every time I think about adding it to my NF queue that little voice starts whispering that it's sure to be out on BD (either as a feature or a supplement) sooner or later.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

The Ninth Gate is pretty awful overall but the good bits are actually pretty good.

I agree. It was a pretty unique film, as well, so that's why I enjoyed it as well.

Originally Posted by ahmedreda

Attachment 60561
I am new to the criterion collection.. I ended up with two copies of the chungking express. Planning to keep one and sell the other.. One of the ones that i got has a slip cover and has a different looking case than the rest of the criterion blus that i own.. The other is in a normal criterion case packaging.. Is one better than the other?

You should keep the DigiPack version (the cardboard version) and just buy the replacement case through the Criterion store for $5. That way you have the best of both worlds

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by ahmedreda

I am new to the criterion collection.. I ended up with two copies of the chungking express. Planning to keep one and sell the other.. One of the ones that i got has a slip cover and has a different looking case than the rest of the criterion blus that i own.. The other is in a normal criterion case packaging.. Is one better than the other?

They're the same. The one with the slip is one of the early releases they re-did in the other packaging. I prefer the cardboard packaging for the look, but the clear case is probably more durable...so it's your choice which you prefer.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

Frantic

Talk about a blast from the past...

I remember loving Frantic when I rented it on VHS back in high school when the movie was released, but I somehow never got around to seeing it again after that. It would be a fun Criterion title, if for no other reason, to have a Harrison Ford flick in the Criterion catalogue.

I really should pull the trigger on Rosemary's Baby, since it's only $29 at the Best Buy down the street. Someday.