The Criterion Collection

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by lemonski

For the record, I'm a big fan of The Game and pretty much all Fincher's work, though strangely enough I loathe The Social Network.

...always finding a way to bring up The Social Network in a thread.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The New World may be the weak link in Malick's canon, but it's still an A+ in my book.

I don't know why anyone thinks it's his weak film. A+ for me too...one of my favorite Malick films. The Thin Red Line might edge it out on my list of Malick films, but New World is a hauntingly beautiful film to experience. I love the scene where Poca and Smith are teaching each other words...could have been cheesy but Malick captured that gentle sweetness between them.

Too bad Criterion hadn't of pick it up to round out their Malick collection.

[dag]

I'm really appreciative of the very positive reactions to Malick's The New World. I still can't express just how profoundly that film affected me.

I attended the North American premier of To the Wonder last September here at the Toronto International Film Festival. I have to admit,

[Show spoiler]I would consider it the least impressive of his films that I've seen - what I would consider lesser Malick. But that's just my opinion, and it's great that we can discuss this here.

Earlier today I saw Leviathan, the new "experiential" documentary (if you can call it that) about modern, industrial fishing. Sort of like The Deadliest Catch, but from the perspective of the fish, the sea, and the boat. I found it without focus or perspective, and suffered from some poor editing choices.

On a Criterion note, I just finished watching On the Waterfront (1:66.1), and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by dag

I'm really appreciative of the very positive reactions to Malick's The New World. I still can't express just how profoundly that film affected me.

I attended the North American premier of To the Wonder last September here at the Toronto International Film Festival. I have to admit,

[Show spoiler]I would consider it the least impressive of his films that I've seen - what I would consider lesser Malick. But that's just my opinion, and it's great that we can discuss this here.

That is awesome that you went to the premier of To the Wonder. Thank you for posting your opinion. It's been receiving mix reviews by critics. I am just curious how you rank your Malick films (I hate to ask because it would be hard for me to do it).

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Heh, I love the random non-Criterion watching of Criterion posters. I myself received Tristana today and still have to watch, on blu-ray, Two-Lane Blacktop and The Tree of Life, but opted for continuing my millionth rewatch of Gilmore Girls instead

This is great on 2 fronts: Can't wait to get Tristana myself and also, I love Gilmore Girls!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

this is great on 2 fronts: can'nt wait to get tristana myself and also, i love gilmore girls!

+1

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

For All Mankind is a beautiful film, and one that doesn't get talked about enough.

As a NASA geek I need to buy it. I did, however, just get When We Left Earth which is also quite good.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

This is great on 2 fronts: Can't wait to get Tristana myself and also, I love Gilmore Girls!

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Hypnosifl

Available where? Both the British and French blus seem to be the same 172 minute "extended cut" available in the US.

The 150-minute version was released only as a Digital Download for buyers of the US theatrical cut DVD and on DVD in Italy as part of Italian distributor Eagle Pictures 2-disc set, containing both the "short" and "long" versions of the film.

[blujazz]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

this is great on 2 fronts: Can't wait to get tristana myself and also, i love gilmore girls!

+1

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by dag

I'm really appreciative of the very positive reactions to Malick's The New World. I still can't express just how profoundly that film affected me.

I attended the North American premier of To the Wonder last September here at the Toronto International Film Festival. I have to admit,

[Show spoiler]I would consider it the least impressive of his films that I've seen - what I would consider lesser Malick. But that's just my opinion, and it's great that we can discuss this here.

Earlier today I saw Leviathan, the new "experiential" documentary (if you can call it that) about modern, industrial fishing. Sort of like The Deadliest Catch, but from the perspective of the fish, the sea, and the boat. I found it without focus or perspective, and suffered from some poor editing choices.

On a Criterion note, I just finished watching On the Waterfront (1:66.1), and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was going to make my way into the city to see Leviathan yesterday, but I decided I'll be doing it sometime during the week instead. The TIFF Bell Lightbox's spring line up is pretty great. Disappointed To The Wonder isn't on the schedule though.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

My son is watching Peter Pan, I still can share some films with my son without it being 3000 limited release.

Same thing here Fellini...even though I am an almost 55 year old, I've got a 10 year old and 13 year old son and the classic Disney/Pixar/Studio Ghibli stuff is not only a huge interest of mine, but some of the best stuff we can show our kids. I never get sick of it and collect it as feverishly as my Ozu, Chaplin, and silent films.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by starman15317

I had been working my way though some of Chaplin's films, but I still haven't seen this one. Can't wait to, though.

It is vastly different than his earlier films, but a well done effort nonetheless. Chaplin proved he not only could make the leap from silent to sound films, but cold do "dramadies" as well. I would almost say that this film has a very Hitchcockian feel to it. I think you will enjoy it!

For those that haven't had the pleasure...check out the Chaplin at Keystone DVD set if you are able. For those that are region free...the BFI set is significantly cheaper than the Flicker Alley set and sans the packaging, it is identical in content and the thick booklet that accompanies it. This will give you an idea of how Chaplin developed his art and you get to see the birth of The Tramp. It still pales a bit, compared to his later work at Mutual and Essanay, but is a great team effort restoration and the various new scores are wonderful. My last experience with seeing these films, was a bargain bin PD set that severely pales in comparison, as far as the quality of the source material and scores.

For those with the older Mutual/Essanay sets...don't upgrade them quite yet. I also own the pre- 2006 sets that Image released and was this close to buying the updated versions. It appears that David Shepard is currently working on an yet another upgrade from the last sets that came out and this will hopefully be released later this year or early in 2014. I checked with the ever cordial Ben Stodart from BFI and unfortunately, BFI has no plans to release this new set. My guess would be either Flicker Alley or who knows...maybe even Criterion will release these shorts in a boxset. I don't know if they own the US rights to his Mutual/Essanay films, but maybe Pro-B or someone in the know can comment about this.

[L0xNS0cks]

Back when I was the same age as your kids, my uncle started to really get me into film. He would slowly introduce me into classic films. Everytime my family and I would go to visit him, I would be introduced to new films. Today, because of him, I have become a great cinephile. I love passing this on to friends and I plan on passing it on when I have a family of my own. It is truly a great feeling.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

As a NASA geek I need to buy it. I did, however, just get When We Left Earth which is also quite good.

I am a NASA geek as well. I was young enough to follow the Apollo launches and remember explicitly following Apollo 13 in the news and on TV. Pleasant memories of watching them on CBS with Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra.

When We Left Earth is a great documentary and a good compliment to For All Mankind, which takes a more artistic perspective. Both come highly recommended.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by rkish

Same thing here Fellini...even though I am an almost 55 year old, I've got a 10 year old and 13 year old son and the classic Disney/Pixar/Studio Ghibli stuff is not only a huge interest of mine, but some of the best stuff we can show our kids. I never get sick of it and collect it as feverishly as my Ozu, Chaplin, and silent films.

My son is 3 years old, and really enjoys the Disney and Studio Ghibli films. I can't lie, I also enjoy re watching them with him.

It brings back fond childhood memories of my dad buying a VHS tape player and watching these classic films with my brothers. I hope my son will have similar memories.

[RandyK]

Man Frys had ONE copy of The Blob and they sold it before I got there. Didn't see the sign for BOGO 50% off either. Best Buy says they don't have it either according to their availability page but I'm gonna check since I'm going there anyway.

Not a good start to the weeks deals so far.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RojD

I actually think Tree of Life might be the weakest one of his films, but I also think it's central. I have this idea that all the "way of grace"/"way of nature" stuff in it is really what all Malick's films are about, starting with Badlands. Which would mean that his is one of the most cohesive bodies of film that I know. I think Tree is more an cinematic essay than a narrative film, and I can't wait to have the time to rewatch Tree and then go through all Malick's films with the ideas from that one in mind. Someday....

What I always take home from Malick films is that nature always keeps its majestic beauty, indifferent to the struggles and life priorities of humans in its midst. Our life events may seem monumental from our self-serving point of view, but they're simply another part of the grand scope of nature.

This is particularly apparent when watching Badlands.

Days of Heaven is the only Malick film where my above assessment seems shaky, because of the likeness of events in the film to the Biblical plagues.

When I was younger, I interpreted The Thin Red Line to mean that war is an affront to nature itself. As I grow older, I figure that war is not an "affront" to nature, simply because humans and their wars are just...not that important in the grand scheme of nature. I must be getting cynical in my midlife crisis years.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Heh, I love the random non-Criterion watching of Criterion posters.

These are fun to read.

The good news: I finished my 17th marathon today and earned my second fastest finish time (4 hours, 28 minutes). I wanted a new personal record today, but this was the hottest weekend of 2013 here in Georgia by far, and my body rebelled against me in the final miles.

The better news: After hanging out with friends after the race, I'm too exhausted to do anything other than continue my Blu-ray viewings. Onward to Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

[vader4]

Pretty excited about Wild Strawberries on blu-ray, just felt I needed to say that.

[oildude]

Every month when it is time for release announcements, I keep waiting and hoping Criterion will surprise me with upgrades of:

Le Samourai
The Cranes are Flying
Ballad of a Soldier
The Naked Prey
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Andrei Rublev
Ace in the Hole
Pickup on South Street
Picnic at Hanging Rock

or any from about 30 more on my upgrade list, especially from Bergman and my favorite Japanese directors. I really look forward to upgrade announcements.

Excited we may be getting Wild Strawberries on Monday, and Le Samourai at some point this year.