The Criterion Collection

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by One4Deuce

Has there been any word on Y Tu Mama Tambien being released? I thought this was hinted at as a future Criterion release a while back.

It was in the Wacky New Years cartoon in the two years prior to the last one. The director, Cuaron, is/has been too busy to complete some task Criterion thinks is vital. Can't remember if its approving the transfer or recording a commentary, but its something along those lines

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

The plantation sequence is great as a deleted scene, but as part of the film, it stops the narrative dead in its tracks. I'm glad we have access to it (and wish we had access to more of the material that was cut), but the original theatrical cut is definitely the stronger version of the film.

The 1979 theatrical version of Apocalypse Now was engraved into my psyche since my early teenage years, when I used to rent it on VHS tape whenever I got a chance. It's one of the truly flawless movies in my collection, and it's a mentally exhausting, but fulfilling view each time even after all these years.

I saw Apocalypse Now Redux at the theater back in 2001 (less than a month before the 9/11 attacks, incidentally), and had a favorable impression of the movie, but it also rattled me somewhat. After years of watching the 1979 version, seeing certain added sequences was like watching a parent or close friend whom I have known for years do something completely out of character that makes me realize that I might not know this person well at all. Watching Kilgore (Robert Duvall) order a medical transport helicopter for wounded and watching Willard (Martin Sheen) joke around while stealing Kilgore's surfboard was just too strange and different, and I do not believe that these scenes will ever feel right to me.

As I watched the movie on Blu-ray for the first time last night, I enjoyed the experience in an ideal way by watching the 1979 version in its entirety, then skipping to various deleted scenes for the Redux version.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by MattvonSyborg

I still think it's crazy Suburbia hasn't even seen a DVD release. It's no masterpiece, but it has a lot of nostalgic value for me with the Sonic Youth score and everything, and last time I saw it I think it held up well as an "indie" movie from that time. I'd buy a Criterion release of it in an instant.

Good call on Suburbia. I would not mind seeing that one again. It'll sit well on the shelf with Dazed and Confused.

Lots of talk here lately about Matthew McConaughey. He has enjoyed several prominent film roles, but I'll forever associate him with his character in Dazed and Confused, with his swagger and grin. That role somehow reverberates in everything that he had played since.

[Abdrewes]

All this Apocalypse Now: Redux talk has got me wanting to Watch Alexander: the Final Cut

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

All this Apocalypse Now: Redux talk has got me wanting to Watch Alexander: the Final Cut

Alexander is one of those movies that it has just never occurred to me to watch. My eyes always glaze over it in the stores. I'd be interested to read comments about it, although I doubt I'll be seeing it in the near future.

I just placed an order for the Twilight Time disc, Experiment in Terror. I've wanted to see this one for a while, and I figured that it may not be around forever.

[Cocophone]

Originally Posted by amoergosum

Because Wim Wenders said:

"there's this twilight between day and night"

This kind of light can only be seen when the sun is below the horizon.

slightly off topic but I love this line from "Wings of Desire"

Why am I me, and why not you? Why am I here, and why not there? When did time begin, and where does space end?

That is why I love that film.

[CusackstheMan]

I had never seen On the Waterfront until I watched my Criterion Blu last week with a friend. I thought it was very good after that viewing. Then I watched it last night by my lonesome, and I now put it on my top 5 movies of all time list. It took the second viewing to get me to realize that not only is the acting near perfection but the entire film is as well. It's a very important, timeless and wonderful American treasure that I could probably watch for the next five days and enjoy every minute of it. Love the quote by Kazan in the included booklet where he said he got choked up every time he saw the scenes with Brando and Saint. My only disappointment is that the movie made me more interested in getting insight on Brando, but none of the included extras were about him. Still, I only own 10 Criterions but OTW tops Paris, Texas as the best I've seen yet.

[ShellOilJunior]

I'm hoping Criterion finds time to get around to Resnais and Truffaut again. . .

[FilmCafe]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm hoping Criterion finds time to get around to Resnais and Truffaut again. . .

I'm still waiting for Hiroshima Mon Amour, it's such a beautiful film.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

All this Apocalypse Now: Redux talk has got me wanting to Watch Alexander: the Final Cut

You're not going to wait for Stone's new (and 4th) cut of the film he's supposedly currently doing?

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by CusackstheMan

I had never seen On the Waterfront until I watched my Criterion Blu last week with a friend. I thought it was very good after that viewing. Then I watched it last night by my lonesome, and I now put it on my top 5 movies of all time list. It took the second viewing to get me to realize that not only is the acting near perfection but the entire film is as well. It's a very important, timeless and wonderful American treasure that I could probably watch for the next five days and enjoy every minute of it. Love the quote by Kazan in the included booklet where he said he got choked up every time he saw the scenes with Brando and Saint. My only disappointment is that the movie made me more interested in getting insight on Brando, but none of the included extras were about him. Still, I only own 10 Criterions but OTW tops Paris, Texas as the best I've seen yet.

+1 big time. Depending on the day, I rank On the Waterfront my favorite film of all time. Some days have me thinking of The Wizard of Oz, or Murmur of the Heart, or Knife in the Water. There are so many , and On the Waterfront is definitely a gem, the acting, the content and themes, the dramatic tension, Kazan at his best me thinks . . . it's all there, and the Criterion package is stellar, although, as you note, it would have been nice to have more Brando-related extras. Brando is just so cool, steady, and on point in that flick.

[shortmartin]

^^^^
Forgot to mention, another of my all time favorites, and to the point of movies about labor struggles, is Harlan County USA. It makes a nice pairing with On the Waterfront.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by FilmCafe

I'm still waiting for Hiroshima Mon Amour, it's such a beautiful film.

I sold off my old Criterion DVD of Hiroshima Mon Amour, because I figured that it's just a matter of time before the film hits on Blu-ray. I hope they take their time with a good restoration.

[Scottie]

Package has been dropped off!

[The Great Owl]

My copy of Rosemary's Baby shipped from Amazon a few days back, so it should be in my mailbox this week. I'll be busy watching my Jurassic Park Blu-ray tonight, but I am really looking forward to seeing how Rosemary's Baby carries over in high definition.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Finally saw Badlands. My first reaction to it was I thought it was a good film, but I keep having it at the back of my mind and the more I think about it the more I realize that it's really a great film. The characters just stick with you. I consider it Malicks best film next to The Thin Red Line. Also, anybody else feel like Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros song "Home" was inspired by this film? I feel like there's a connection.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by FilmCafe

I'm still waiting for Hiroshima Mon Amour, it's such a beautiful film.

I've been calling for it for about 5 years now. What are they waiting for?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I've been calling for it for about 5 years now. What are they waiting for?

They've only been releasing blu's for a little over 4 years (starting in dec 2008)... so you're ahead of the game!

Probably waiting for either a better print or a restoration. I recently re-watched the DVD and it's not great looking.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My copy of Rosemary's Baby shipped from Amazon a few days back, so it should be in my mailbox this week. I'll be busy watching my Jurassic Park Blu-ray tonight, but I am really looking forward to seeing how Rosemary's Baby carries over in high definition.

Rosemary's Baby has become my favorite Criterion Collection blu-ray. As the review on this site boasts, the detail and clarity are dramatically improved when compared to the 2003 Paramount R1 DVD release. I still get chills whenever I see the opening panorama shot of the circa 1966/67 Manhattan skyline which finally focuses in on the Dakota building (the Bramford, in the story.)

[Show spoiler]The scene where Hutch has Rosemary and Guy over for dinner and discusses the dark history of the building is incredibly coincidental in retrospect, considering that this was the building front where John Lennon was shot. In fact, the spot where Terry Gionoffrio's body lands after she has leapt to her death is literally feet away from where Lennon was killed.

[Scottie]

Looks like A Man Escaped is up first and then Monsieur Verdoux