The Criterion Collection

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Maybe Criterion can get Mann to recut it and release it as an extra on the Thief blu ray.

Dammit, now I want that.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by octagon

Dammit, now I want that.

I think that's my third unreasonable Criterion request in as many weeks:
1) Give us the original 8hour cut of Eric Von Stroheim's Greed.
2) Give us the restored version of The Magnificent Ambersons
3) this.

By the way, who has the rights for Greed?

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Even more on the fence than Public Enemies or Miami Vice? I know quite a few people who fell off the Mann-dwagon upon seeing those.

I'm not really into the later Mann stuff, and I definitely like Collateral more than those later films, although for me it's not as satisfying as Thief, Manhunter, and Heat, which are his films I find to be most rewarding and personally essential.

Never seen the Keep, and I'm very curious now. That would indeed make a nice box alongside Thief.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

I'm not really into the later Mann stuff, and I definitely like Collateral more than those later films, although for me it's not as satisfying as Thief, Manhunter, and Heat, which are his films I find to be most rewarding and personally essential.

Never seen the Keep, and I'm very curious now. That would indeed make a nice box alongside Thief.

I love all his films so much that I can't draw a line on what's essential and what's not. I was initially disappointed with Miami Vice and Public Enemies. But upon revisiting them, their virtues have become even more evident in fact, they might be his two most formally inventive films. I mean, come on, restaging scenes in the exact place where the events took place, in digital cinema verite style no less, its far from your standard bio pic.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

That's what I've heard, but I still want to see it in its original OAR as I've read some of the settings are visually arresting.

Maybe Criterion can get Mann to recut it and release it as an extra on the Thief blu ray.

Re-cutting it might help, but that all depends on the footage he actually shot. The cool thing about the book — the evil that lived and moved in the shadows — was replaced by evil that lived in blinding white light in the film. Can't do much about ever fixing that, lol.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

Re-cutting it might help, but that all depends on the footage he actually shot. The cool thing about the book — the evil that lived and moved in the shadows — was replaced by evil that lived in blinding white light in the film. Can't do much about ever fixing that, lol.

Yeesh. Fixing it is going to require a hell of a digital intermediate.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I love all his films so much that I can't draw a line on what's essential and what's not. I was initially disappointed with Miami Vice and Public Enemies. But upon revisiting them, their virtues have become even more evident in fact, they might be his two most formally inventive films. I mean, come on, restaging scenes in the exact place where the events took place, in digital cinema verite style no less, its far from your standard bio pic.

...And the Winnnnerrrrr!! Ten posts in one hour!!

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I love all his films so much that I can't draw a line on what's essential and what's not. I was initially disappointed with Miami Vice and Public Enemies. But upon revisiting them, their virtues have become even more evident in fact, they might be his two most formally inventive films. I mean, come on, restaging scenes in the exact place where the events took place, in digital cinema verite style no less, its far from your standard bio pic.

I don't think PE would have the hate that it does if the digital video didn't look so awful. It's a shame Spinotti talked Mann out of shooting on film — he was planning to — then somehow delivered a digital look that was 10 steps back from what Mann had done previously. But I think we got way off topic, lol.

Criterions, yay!

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

then I strongly suggest you seek out La Notte, L'Ecclisse, Red Desert, Blow Up, The Passenger and even Zabriskie Point before seeing Identification of a Woman. I wouldn't want you to misread Antonioni. It's like seeing Frenzy before Vertigo or North by Northwest.

Additional note: I think Identification of a Woman pairs neatly with Fellini's 8 1/2 in the same way both filmmakers' L'Avventura/La Dolce Vita do: both pairs feature the respective filmmakers tackling roughly similar subject matter in their distinct ways.

As to the Hitch comp (just because I re-watched Frenzy recently): I'd say Frenzy can be appreciated without seeing those two pictures, especially since it has much in common with Hitch's late British work - The 39 Steps, etc. - even moreso, I find, than his middle Hollywood (peak) period. It's not an excessively complicated thematic film, but a very well-made and executed one just the same.

It's also become a favorite of mine from him recently. Definitely his best late period work.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

By the way, who has the rights for Greed?

Warner Bros. (being an MGM property).

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

That's what I've heard, but I still want to see it in its original OAR as I've read some of the settings are visually arresting.

Maybe Criterion can get Mann to recut it and release it as an extra on the Thief blu ray.

Anybody seen any more hints/rumors of a Criterion release of Thief? A few months ago it seemed like a done deal, now not so much. I keep thinking it is going to pop up on the release list one month, but no such luck so far. Love the movie and Mann in general.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Anybody seen any more hints/rumors of a Criterion release of Thief? A few months ago it seemed like a done deal, now not so much. I keep thinking it is going to pop up on the release list one month, but no such luck so far. Love the movie and Mann in general.

For all the chatter, I'm not sure there's ever been any hint or mention of any official stripe.

It showed up in a (criterioncast, maybe?) column/article two or so years ago but that was basically just a list of predictions/hopefuls. Many of them have come to pass so the author has a little more credibility than say me but I don't think there was ever any specific inside info behind the speculation.

That all said, I'd love to see it happen. It's kind of like Blow Out for me...I could have very easily lived without that release but I absolutely love having it.

[Scottie]

I finally got around to watching my copy of Monsieur Verdoux. It is such an extraordinarily unique film by the great Charlie Chaplin. I've said it once and I'll say it again, but Chaplin is a legend. It's rare to see many directors, especially nowadays, writing, directing, producing, choosing the music, etc., like Chaplin did in the past.

Monsieur Verdoux had me laughing quite often, but in my opinion, it was a perfect blend of comedy and drama. It had great acting by Charles Chaplin, once again, as well as Martha Raye and the supporting cast. The quality of the film looked excellent and the essay included with the film is very thick.

One of the chapters in the essay is "Sympathy For The Devil" and that's all I felt throughout the film, especially during the ending.

After seeing all four Chaplin films in the Criterion Collection, I would say that my favorites are in the following order: Monsieur Verdoux, The Great Dictator, Modern Times (despite falling asleep for a few minutes), and The Gold Rush.

As far as March 2013's releases go, I have seen all of them except for The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. The order that I would rank them in would go as follows: Badlands, Monsieur Verdoux, A Man Escaped, Ministry Of Fear, and The Blob.

Long story short - buy this film immediately!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I finally got around to watching my copy of Monsieur Verdoux. It is such an extraordinarily unique film by the great Charlie Chaplin. I've said it once and I'll say it again, but Chaplin is a legend. It's rare to see many directors, especially nowadays, writing, directing, producing, choosing the music, etc., like Chaplin did in the past.

Monsieur Verdoux had me laughing quite often, but in my opinion, it was a perfect blend of comedy and drama. It had great acting by Charles Chaplin, once again, as well as Martha Raye and the supporting cast. The quality of the film looked excellent and the essay included with the film is very thick.

One of the chapters in the essay is "Sympathy For The Devil" and that's all I felt throughout the film, especially during the ending.

After seeing all four Chaplin films in the Criterion Collection, I would say that my favorites are in the following order: Monsieur Verdoux, The Great Dictator, Modern Times (despite falling asleep for a few minutes), and The Gold Rush.

As far as March 2013's releases go, I have seen all of them except for The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. The order that I would rank them in would go as follows: Badlands, Monsieur Verdoux, A Man Escaped, Ministry Of Fear, and The Blob.

Long story short - buy this film immediately!

It's funny that your rankings are coincidentally by run time too. What did you think of the epic runtime of Monsieur?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

It's funny that your rankings are coincidentally by run time too. What did you think of the epic runtime of Monsieur?

Oh wow haha that's weird. Honestly, I understand that it was 2 hours long but it went by soooooooo fast!

[The Great Owl]

I would love to see a Criterion release of Michael Mann's Thief.

I have been an enthusiastic fan of Michael Mann's work since the original airings of the Miami Vice series (Mann was the executive producer of Miami Vice, and the cast selections and overall vibe of the series bear his influence.). I rented Manhunter as soon as I could, because I knew that the film shared a similar sleekness to the Miami Vice series.

When it comes to Michael Mann's movies, it's Heat for the win. I watched Heat on Blu-ray for the first time last week, and was enthralled all over again. It's one of the perfect films of the 1990s.

I need to buy Mann's feature film of Miami Vice someday. Most people did not warm up to that movie, but I love how Mann updated the concept without pandering to the campiness of most modern film versions of 1980s television shows.

[AronofskyFan]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Ditto on waiting to see it on the big screen, even if it supposedly is lesser Malick.
There's a list of the theaters it will release in here (not every theater is listed, obviously):

[Show spoiler]
Opening
4/12/2013
Austin, TX: Alamo Slaughter Lane 8
Austin, TX: Violet Crown Cinemas
Baltimore, MD: Charles Theatre
Berkeley, CA: Shattuck Cinemas 10
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema 9
Dallas, TX: Angelika Film Center and Cafe
Denver, CO: Mayan Theatre
Houston, TX: River Oaks Theatre 3
La Jolla, CA: La Jolla Village Cinemas
Minneapolis, MN: Uptown Theatre
Nashville, TN: Belcourt Theatre
New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema 5
New York, NY: Walter Reade Theater
New York, NY: Cinemas 1,2,3
Palo Alto, CA: Aquarius 2
Philadelphia, PA: Ritz East
Plano, TX: Angelika Film Center and Cafe
San Francisco, CA: Embarcadero Center Cinema 5
Seattle, WA: Egyptian Theatre
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema
West Los Angeles, CA: The Landmark 12

4/19/2013
Atlanta, GA: Midtown Art Cinemas 8
Campbell, CA: Camera 7
Chicago, IL: Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
Cleveland Heights, OH: Cedar Lee Theatres
Encino, CA: Town Center 5
Fairfax, VA: Angelika Film Center & Cafe 8
Fort Worth, TX: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Indianapolis, IN: Keystone Art Cinema 7
Kansas City, MO: Tivoli @ Manor Square
Milwaukee, WI: Downer Theatre
North Hollywood, CA: Laemmle NoHo 7
Pasadena, CA: Playhouse 7 Cinemas
Royal Oak, MI: Main Art Theatre
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas
Santa Ana, CA: South Coast Village 3
Santa Cruz, CA: Nickelodeon Theatres
Santa Rosa, CA: Summerfield Cinemas 5
University City, MO: Tivoli Theatre

4/26/2013
Charlotte, NC: Movies @ CrownPoint 12
Honolulu, HI: Kahala Theatres 8
Ithaca, NY: Cinemapolis 5
Palm Desert, CA: Cinemas Palme D'Or 7
Portland, OR: Cinema 21 Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT: Broadway Centre Cinemas
Santa Fe, NM: CCA Cinematheque
Scottsdale, AZ: Camelview 5 Theatre
Tucson, AZ: The Loft Cinema
Tulsa, OK: Circle Cinema

4/28/2013
Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan Theater

5/3/2013
Memphis, TN: Ridgeway 4
Omaha, NE: Dundee (Art)
San Antonio, TX: Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro 6

5/9/2013
Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma City Museum of Art

5/10/2013
Champaign, IL: Art Theatre
Des Moines, IA: Varsity Theatre
Duluth, MN: Zinema 2
Hartford, CT: Real Art Ways Cinema
Spokane, WA: Magic Lantern Theatre

5/17/2013
Bend, OR: Tin Pan Theater
Columbus, OH: Gateway Film Center 8

5/30/2013
Mesilla, NM: Fountain Theatre

Why do limited distribution movies hate Florida so much?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I would love to see a Criterion release of Michael Mann's Thief.

I have been an enthusiastic fan of Michael Mann's work since the original airings of the Miami Vice series (Mann was the executive producer of Miami Vice, and the cast selections and overall vibe of the series bear his influence.). I rented Manhunter as soon as I could, because I knew that the film shared a similar sleekness to the Miami Vice series.

When it comes to Michael Mann's movies, it's Heat for the win. I watched Heat on Blu-ray for the first time last week, and was enthralled all over again. It's one of the perfect films of the 1990s.

I need to buy Mann's feature film of Miami Vice someday. Most people did not warm up to that movie, but I love how Mann updated the concept without pandering to the campiness of most modern film versions of 1980s television shows.

Love Heat, but I feel The Insider to be his best, most mature work. Then Maybe Mohicans, then Heat. I love all his films except The Keep, and wasn't too warm on PE, although I still enjoyed much of it despite the awful video look.

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by retablo

I love all his films except The Keep

Yeah, ditto. Finally saw it just recently, and ... wow, what a disappointment. Doubly so, since I'm a big fan of F. Paul Wilson's novels. As a version of the story, the film was just bizarre.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by retablo

Love Heat, but I feel The Insider to be his best, most mature work. Then Maybe Mohicans, then Heat. I love all his films except The Keep, and wasn't too warm on PE, although I still enjoyed much of it despite the awful video look.

The Insider is a marvelous movie, and probably my second favorite Michael Mann film behind Heat. Heat appeals to the same part of me that loves the Jean-Pierre Melville films, so it takes the front spot.

The Keep was fun in that 1980s throwaway sense. I loved the F. Paul Wilson novel. (I loved all those paperback horror authors during the 1980s. Robert R. McCammon was another favorite of the bunch.)

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I would love to see a Criterion release of Michael Mann's Thief.

I have been an enthusiastic fan of Michael Mann's work since the original airings of the Miami Vice series (Mann was the executive producer of Miami Vice, and the cast selections and overall vibe of the series bear his influence.). I rented Manhunter as soon as I could, because I knew that the film shared a similar sleekness to the Miami Vice series.

When it comes to Michael Mann's movies, it's Heat for the win. I watched Heat on Blu-ray for the first time last week, and was enthralled all over again. It's one of the perfect films of the 1990s.

I need to buy Mann's feature film of Miami Vice someday. Most people did not warm up to that movie, but I love how Mann updated the concept without pandering to the campiness of most modern film versions of 1980s television shows.

To tell you the truth, THIEF would make for an amazing title for Criterion, but I would have a nerd-gasm if MANHUNTER got the CC love. Its infamous for having some great deleted scenes and it has a lot of talent that I feel is still very relevant today. Great style like many of his films. THE KEEP has been some 20+ years since I've seen it. I don't really remember the film.