The Criterion Collection

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Speaking of OOP titles, Chungking Express is an example of a movie I'd probably own if it wasn't ridiculously overpriced.

If you want it, still have a beautiful transfer, only pay $12 US plus shipping , you can order the British version from Amazon.uk. It's not the Criterion release but it's an alternative over paying what it's going for now

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

The OOP always become a serious problem for many. Due to price a lot of time you hold off on certain titles thinking I will get them later cause too many others I want now. Then they end up OOP and the prices become a serious issue quickly for those. To go for them or not, that is hard to say. So far myself ony one OOP I regret not going for when I should The Third Man. At the time I had the DVD and I figured I will keep that. Then the Blu-ray went OOP and I took too much time in making my mind up. The priced just quickly went to high and so I decided not to go for it but I regret it now.

I don't think I've ever held off on titles because I thought the price was too high, it's usually been, I don't have money at the time, I need it for something else more important.

The Third Man, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Playtime, and Chunking Express are the OOP titles I'm missing, but I'm not too terribly upset by that. I haven't watched Chunking Express, and I didn't particularly enjoy the previous three titles. I may change my mind about The Third Man, once I read the Grahame Green novel, but as pointed out, there's still a Studio Canal release.

I admit that I did jump on the Pierrot le fou bandwagon back in 2011, but then, that film took forever to go OOP, and the prices on it didn't really go crazy like they have for Marienbad and the Melvilles. I'm actually kind of curious about why that one didn't seem to go as crazy as all the other OOP titles.

Also, Marienbad was one of the first ever Criterion BDs, why is it that now it's going OOP, people are clamoring for it? How many held off on getting it because of the cardboard case, which there still seems to be an abundance of?

[FilmCafe]

I just finished watching The Wages of Fear and it's the second film I've viewed from this great director Henri-Geroges Clouzot since I own Diabolique on blu-ray and it was highly suspenseful plus I think I'm in love with Vera Clouzot, shame she only starred in 3 films before she died from heart issues.

[moviecriticsonline]

Anyone know when the next Criterion sale is going to happen?

[Spire]

Arrrggg. Just got an email from the 2nd online store that my order for AOS is backordered. Guess i'm going to B&N tomorrow.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Yeah was a bit of a surprise, just happen in matter of seconds and he was gone. I did the CPR right away but doctor told me later not to feel bad nothing could have been done, he was just gone by the time he was down. Been thinking about it a lot the last few days, life is sort weird just a few seconds before he was all smile and everything. You really have to just appreciate every single second you have, you just never know when its just going to be done.

My condolences. I kind of know the feeling. My dad had a stroke a few years ago and he's been on the long road to recovery. It's really tough because his speech hasn't come back yet and I miss talking with him.

All the best.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by Lino11

I'm sure it's been said already, it's hard to keep up with this forum, but I guess this means we won't see an upgrade to Le Samourai anytime soon...?

Le Samourai is not a Studio Canal property, so it is safe from this particular OOP-wave. As mentioned there appears to be a hint in the New Year's drawing.

[joie]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Speaking of OOP titles, Chungking Express is an example of a movie I'd probably own if it wasn't ridiculously overpriced.

There is an inexpensive UK release. It may be different than Criterion's, but is region-free and may be closer to what Quentin Tarantino introduced on his Rolling Thunder DVD label:



BEWARE: It's region free, but in the "special features," Quentin Tarantino's intro, the Wong Kar Wai interview and Christopher Doyle's video about the movie's locations are PAL and won't be playable on most U.S. Region A players and/or displays. The trailer and two filmographies will play, however. The subtitles are Britiish English.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

Le Samourai is not a Studio Canal property, so it is safe from this particular OOP-wave. As mentioned there appears to be a hint in the New Year's drawing.

I think so. I just checked my copy a day or so ago and I didn't see Studiocanal listed.

[Freeza]

Originally Posted by tonylopez

The Warriors holds up extremely well as far as cult films go. The transfer is truly impressive. Just curious, what Walter Hill film would you pick of all his films to be added to the Criterion Collection?

With Repo Man just hitting the collection I feel The Warriors (theatrical, not the 'ultimate director's cut' nonsense) would be a good addition. Aside from that, The Long Riders or Streets Of Fire. Hard Times and Southern Comfort have always been favorites, and while I'd love them to be added, they just don't seem a good fit.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Agreed. I may check out the remake anyway, but I find it strange that he directed it too. Probably for the money is my guess.

A bit off-topic, but I came across Haneke's Top Ten, where he lists L'Eclisse as one of his picks, which is my favorite Antonioni as well. I thought I was the only one!

Jon Rosenbaum's too!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by oildude

[Show spoiler]Personally, I would recommend Eclipse 21: Oshima's Outlaw Sixties ahead of ITROTS if you are looking for more Oshima in the Criterion Collection. It is an excellent set. While I liked ITROTS, it isn't something I feel compelled to revisit anytime soon, unlike the Eclipse set.

One thing I find striking about Oshima is that in many of his films he questions and raises awareness about the darker side of the Japanese psyche. He often acknowledges the postwar implications of the formerly death-obsessed nature of society during the militaristic period before and during WWII, including its cultural impacts and carryover into a rebuilt and thriving Japan. He was doing this at a time when few others dared such a thing. The films in this set were all made barely 20 years after Japan's surrender, and only 10 years after the signing of a final peace treaty with the US.

Each film in the Eclipse set is unique, not just in plot, but also in overall look and "feel", even while re-using some of the same actors (who are invariably great in each role they play). In a way, Oshima's Outlaw Sixties is like a Japanese BBS set, all directed by Oshima. Pleasures of the Flesh and Japanese Summer: Double Suicide are probably my favorites.

The most complex and memorable film in the set by far, in my opinion, is Sing a Song of Sex. At its core, Sing a Song of Sex chronicles the actions of four disillusioned and frequently callous Japanese youths who seem only interested in pursuing a good time while remaining unaffected by and disinterested in the social activism swirling around them. Parts of the film are laugh-out-loud funny in the antics of the four students, making it both the most humorous and the most darkly serious film in the Eclipse set. It has multiple layers and subtexts involving, among other things, getting laid, sex fantasies, the poor treatment of Koreans in Japanese society, the clash of traditions vs 1960s modernism in post-war Japan, alienation and self-doubt in the face of peer pressure, and even the deeper social and political meanings in bawdy pub songs sung by working class Japanese (hence, the title of the film). Ironically, the bawdy nature of these songs is why the young men enjoy them; singing these songs becomes their only real connection to the social activism surrounding them

.

Thank you so much for the write up oildude. It sounds like a fascinating set!

When I read the news of his passing earlier this year, I immediately regretted not picking this up. The few films I've seen by Oshima have lodged themselves deep in my mind, and from what I can tell these will be no different.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I am happy to say that (on my TV anyway) the new Criterion BD of Richard III looks absolutely incredible. There is a brief introduction at the start of the disc describing the restoration. (4K scan and color correction performed by The Film Foundation) It will be interesting to read the review as I would bet the video is highly regarded.

I watched all of Richard III last nite and the HD 4K transfer is really good IMO. Curious to see what Pro-B writes on the image quality. The Life and Death of Colonial Blimp I think bests Richard III, but only because you do notice color pulsations on Richard III, however I never found them distracting in the least. I think the transfer is remarkable and the restoration demonstration by Martin Scorsese is a good one. I like when detail is given on how the restoration occured and how much work was involved. I would however like to know how much the restoration cost.

Seeing new restorations of films like The Life and Death of Colonial Blimp, and Richard III in wonderful Technicolor only makes me want The Tales of Hoffmann even more on BLU. I would almost bet Martin Scorsese would be working on a restoration of that film. I could only hope Criterion / Studio Canal could reach a licensing agreement on a re-issue. The Criterion commentary track is much to valuable to lose.

Richard III is currently available at Barnes & Noble exclusively thru April 23rd.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Oh my, what happens on the main menu? I have seen the movie so many times and it is not one of my favorites so I don't own it but don't make me go out and buy it just for the menu Spoiler it up for me PLEASE!

Edit**** Now if a hand comes out of the screen I am going to have to buy it!!!!!

The main menu screen of Criterion's edition of Videodrome shows

[Show spoiler]scrambled video transmissions involving torture and S&M, just like the Videodrome transmissions that James Woods picks up during the film. In the context of the movie, the main menu is clever, because it appears as though we're picking up the Videodrome programming when we put the Blu-ray into our player.

If you've already seen the movie, you'll get it.
For someone who has never seen Videodrome and who has purchased the Blu-ray as a blind buy, though, it might raise an eyebrow or two, to say the least!
I can imagine someone new to the film inserting the Blu-ray, seeing the main menu, and wondering what he has got himself into.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do you guys think that Criterion will ever release a Walter Hill film?

I just finished watching The Warriors and all I can say is wow. I wasn't sure how I was going to like it, but I absolutely loved it. I can definitely see how it is a cult classic. Also, I can't believe how young James Remar was in that film. I'm so used to how he looks on Dexter that I couldn't believe that it was him in this film!

I'm really looking forward to picking up The Driver and Hard Times via Twilight Time this summer.

Walter Hill's Southern Comfort is one of my absolute favorite adventure/action/horror films, and I grew up watching the movie multiple times on late night cable channels. I would really love to see a Blu-ray release of that film as soon as possible. (I know that a region B Blu-ray is out there, but I want it on these shores.)

I have always wanted to see The Driver, and even more so now, because it's Walter Hill's homage to Melville's Le Samourai. I'm a little chapped that it's going on sale through Twilight Time and that I'll have to get my purchase in the time window, but I'm looking forward to the release nonetheless.

The other Walter Hill films are hit or miss with me. I loved The Warriors and The Long Riders, but some of his later works are of lesser quality.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Page14

Thanks P@t. I have the Third Man DVD also. While I would love to have the bluray, I'm not beating myself up over it because I don't. Then again, I didn't own a bluray player until after The Third Man went OOP, so it wasn't a decision I was forced to make (... that is, to buy the bluray over the DVD).

Same here. I own the Criterion DVD of The Third Man, and it looks superb. The Blu-ray was already long over the rainbow before I bought my first Blu-ray player. I'll be perfectly happy buying the StudioCanal edition someday, I'm sure.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

I think so. I just checked my copy a day or so ago and I didn't see Studiocanal listed.

I don't know, jrsl76. Studiocanal pulled Ran right before criterion was going to release it. Oh, there will be trouble in paradise if they did that to Le Samourai.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Spicoli

That other thread about Criterion got me thinking.

Sorry for being inept . . . where/what is this other thread? I'd appreciate someone pointing me in that direction. Many thanks.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I watched all of Richard III last nite and the HD 4K transfer is really good IMO. Curious to see what Pro-B writes on the image quality. The Life and Death of Colonial Blimp I think bests Richard III, but only because you do notice color pulsations on Richard III, however I never found them distracting in the least. I think the transfer is remarkable and the restoration demonstration by Martin Scorsese is a good one. I like when detail is given on how the restoration occured and how much work was involved. I would however like to know how much the restoration cost.

Seeing new restorations of films like The Life and Death of Colonial Blimp, and Richard III in wonderful Technicolor only makes me want The Tales of Hoffmann even more on BLU. I would almost bet Martin Scorsese would be working on a restoration of that film. I could only hope Criterion / Studio Canal could reach a licensing agreement on a re-issue. The Criterion commentary track is much to valuable to lose.

Richard III is currently available at Barnes & Noble exclusively thru April 23rd.

Watched about an hour or so of the Richard III blu yesterday and the restoration is indeed fantastic, much like Colonel Blimp's. I'm sure these restorations are quite expensive, which is why I gather you typically see multiple companies associated with a given project.

Given his love of the Archers I've no doubt that Tales of Hoffman would be on Scorsese's radar (though Criterion does not appear to have home distribution rights for that title currently).

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I don't know, jrsl76. Studiocanal pulled Ran right before criterion was going to release it. Oh, there will be trouble in paradise if they did that to Le Samourai.

Once again, this will not happen with Le Samourai because Studio Canal does not own the rights to it.

I mean, the rightsholders could conceivably pull the license or whatever, but that party would not be Studio Canal.