The Criterion Collection

[Trace17]

Originally Posted by Arlington

Hey everybody...I'd appreciate some help/advice from Criterion experts. I just spent some $$$ for a used copy of The Third Man Blu-ray on ebay, and it arrived today. There are some red flags with the packaging, and if anyone has a copy and can chime in, I'd appreciate it. My first concern was that there was no booklet, and the item was described as "Absolutely MINT Condition! Only reason it is LIKE NEW is that this disc is not shrink wrapped."

And quite frankly, the sleeve looks like it was copied. First, there is NO ART on the inner sleeve--is there supposed to be? It's just white inside, and all of the Criterion blus I have have art on the inner sleeve. EDIT: Another thread on here says that "The inner lining is plain black except for a tiny version of the front cover photo, about the size of a silver dollar, directly under the hub, which can barely be seen because of the hub." (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...119683&page=16) If anyone can confirm that, it would be great (and post a pic if able). I e-mailed Criterion to see if they ever produced any sleeves for the disc that were plain white in the inside.

Plus, the front is very dark, and when I look at pictures of the cover online, I see more brick detail--they go out further, whereas this one has far darker edges.

And the text overall isn't solid and smooth; it looks light all around, ESPECIALLY in the two paragraphs on the right side of the back: the "Under exclusive license..." paragraph and the "The Criterion Collection is dedicated..." graph. I am attaching pics, although I'm not sure how detailed they will look here...any feedback is appreciated. (As for the disc, I haven't explored it yet, but I was very wary based on the sleeve).

1) There is a booklet, but you already knew that.
2) The other thread link you have describing the inside art (black with small cover art under hub) is correct. You can't see the hub art here but you can see that it is not white (last photo) http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-pa...collection/499
3) I looked at mine and the "text smoothness" as you describe, kinda matches in the criterion paragraph. On mine, the "under license" part looks fine but the "collection is dedicated" part does look poorly printed, similar to yours.

Judging by your description, I would think someone re-printed artwork for it. But that doesn't mean the disc isn't legit, it could have just been spilled coffee on the original artwork and they printed a replacement.

Of course the bigger issue here is nothing of which you describe I would describe as "like new". Just my two cents.

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am glad someone else agreed that Yojimbo is one of his best films. It is his most western, and in my opinion, the most entertaining.

I really enjoyed Fellini's Amarcord, it is at times bit fanciful. I would say it is not as great as 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita and La Strada. I would like to see a blu ray release by criterion of one of Fellini's movies with Giulietta Masina (Federico's Wife).

I think I need to give La Dolce Vita a try. I watched a bit of 8 1/2 but it didn't grab me. I need to go back this week.

Yojimbo is just awesome. It's shot so amazingly well, both from a technical standpoint and a aesthetic. It is one of the most crisp and beautiful films I've seen in HD, it looks fresh and current and I remember drooling while I watched it. Listening to Prince's commentary opened it up even more, and took an amazing story into amazing heights. It was funny, kind but still stayed close enough to the culture to not make it seem too far out of place and foreign.

Sadly, having seen it first, will forever ruin A Fistful of Dollars for me; I'll never appreciate that film for what it is because of how it stole, shot for shot, all of Yojimbo. I do feel a bit better having heard that Kurosawa's lawsuit that won him 15% of the take ended up earning him more than he made with the overwhelming Japanese success OF Yojimbo... Oh wait, maybe that doesn't make me that happy =\

Also, hearing that Eastwood ONLY considered the movie because he recognized it came from Yojimbo, a movie he saw and loved, just made me respect Clint that much more. Seriously, how many people saw the movie in the west to begin with, let alone an actor who was starring in westerns? Mad respect for that man, regardless of his faults. And Bronson passing it off because he thought the script was terrible. Pffft.

OT, sort of, has anyone noticed how STUNNING (hot hot hot) Alain Delon's daughter, Anouchka Delon, is?



He's still working it, too. He had her in his 50s I think, she's 20ish, 22 maybe? And STUNNING. I was just looking for a recent pic of his and stumbled across her. He was always very, very handsome, clearly he has some great genetics

I really don't think I'd have enjoyed Cercle or Samourai NEARLY as much without him. He can say nothing and OOOOOZE compellingness.

[andsoitgoes]

I sent our poor, dear Arlington some pics to confirm what we are all feeling, that the seller sold him a rotten egg.

Here are pics I took from my disc bought just before it went OOP.

Strange question, did Playtime come similar to this without the criterion blue sticker and WITH security tape? I know Third Man came with tape, I still have, I take them off and adhere them to the back of my cases . I picked up Playtime new off Amazon and it looked like the "old" style, but no blue sticker. It was direct from amazon though, so I don't think it was a fake.

Anyhow, this is what the third man should look like, see attachments

[Arlington]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I sent our poor, dear Arlington some pics to confirm what we are all feeling, that the seller sold him a rotten egg.

Here are pics I took from my disc bought just before it went OOP.

Strange question, did Playtime come similar to this without the criterion blue sticker and WITH security tape? I know Third Man came with tape, I still have, I take them off and adhere them to the back of my cases . I picked up Playtime new off Amazon and it looked like the "old" style, but no blue sticker. It was direct from amazon though, so I don't think it was a fake.

Anyhow, this is what the third man should look like, see attachments

Big thanks to everyone chiming in and especially andsoitgoes for the pics...clearly, the slipsleeve is NOT original; the disc may very well be fine (the trickery with the packaging doesn't help me believe that), but I sent my concerns to the seller and we shall see. For more than $100, I don't expect to be tricked. Sigh...maybe I'll just get the Kino one.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

What are you thoughts on Harold Lloyd? And what is your second favorite Keaton film?

I love Harold Lloyd, probably more than Chaplin. Safety Last is great (and I'm looking forward to the Criterion release), but other gems like Speedy, Why Worry, The Freshman and Girl Shy are all just as good IMO. I have the DVD box of all the films (as well as the KINO Complete Buster Keaton set - which isn't complete since it's missing a few films he made for MGM, like The Cameraman).

The General is obviously a Keaton masterpiece. And everyone loves Steamboat Bill, Jr, for it's remarkable finale. For me, I think one of his funniest films is The Navigator. It seems to get lost in the shuffle sometimes but has some of his funniest and most innovative on-screen moments.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I picked up Playtime new off Amazon and it looked like the "old" style, but no blue sticker. It was direct from amazon though, so I don't think it was a fake.

Mine was bought with sticker (well, badly scratched sticker). I have gotten at least one from amazon in that way, though, in the past.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

La Strada would probably get the nod but I'd like to see Juliet of the Spirits. I can just imagine those wild images in HD.

I entirely agree with your comment about Juliet of the Spirits.

Mrs. Masina looks very sad in that movie.

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I think I need to give La Dolce Vita a try. I watched a bit of 8 1/2 but it didn't grab me. I need to go back this week.

Yojimbo is just awesome. It's shot so amazingly well, both from a technical standpoint and a aesthetic. It is one of the most crisp and beautiful films I've seen in HD, it looks fresh and current and I remember drooling while I watched it. Listening to Prince's commentary opened it up even more, and took an amazing story into amazing heights. It was funny, kind but still stayed close enough to the culture to not make it seem too far out of place and foreign.

Sadly, having seen it first, will forever ruin A Fistful of Dollars for me; I'll never appreciate that film for what it is because of how it stole, shot for shot, all of Yojimbo. I do feel a bit better having heard that Kurosawa's lawsuit that won him 15% of the take ended up earning him more than he made with the overwhelming Japanese success OF Yojimbo... Oh wait, maybe that doesn't make me that happy =\

Also, hearing that Eastwood ONLY considered the movie because he recognized it came from Yojimbo, a movie he saw and loved, just made me respect Clint that much more. Seriously, how many people saw the movie in the west to begin with, let alone an actor who was starring in westerns? Mad respect for that man, regardless of his faults. And Bronson passing it off because he thought the script was terrible. Pffft.

The first time I watched 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita I found them uninteresting. I was 18 or 17 at the time. 5 years later they were my favorite movies. I understand Marcello Mastroianni's characters a little better now. I do strongly believe that both films complement each other.

Many directors stole ideas from Kurosawa. Another example is George Lucas for Star Wars, he stole some ideas from Hidden Fortress. Kurosawa is not a saint either, I swear I see some John Ford shots in his movies.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Thank you for the response. I will definitely check out these box sets.

Awesome article. I have only seen Safety Last on TMC, it became instantly my favorite silent comedy (I have seen almost all of Keaton's and Chaplin's). Grandmas Boy, the title itself sounds very interesting. I really hope Safety Last will sell well, so we can see more Lloyd out on blu ray by criterion.

The best post of the month so far. Very eloquent.

Thank you sir, you're too kind!

Originally Posted by Fellini912

[Show spoiler]I am glad someone else agreed that Yojimbo is one of his best films. It is his most western, and in my opinion, the most entertaining.

I really enjoyed Fellini's Amarcord, it is at times bit fanciful. I would say it is not as great as 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita and La Strada. I would like to see a blu ray release by criterion of one of Fellini's movies with Giulietta Masina (Federico's Wife).

Have loved Amarcord for many years. A few scenes a little overly-Felliniesque, but others incredibly poignant and beautiful. The snowfall in the piazza is one of my all time favorite scenes. And I've been plugging for a blu-ray re-issue of Nights of Cabiria since joining the site. Masina is utterly compelling in this and the music in the final scene, coupled with the radiance of her expression, is so beautifully evocative that it has to bring a tear to the eye.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

I love Harold Lloyd, probably more than Chaplin. Safety Last is great (and I'm looking forward to the Criterion release), but other gems like Speedy, Why Worry, The Freshman and Girl Shy are all just as good IMO. I have the DVD box of all the films (as well as the KINO Complete Buster Keaton set - which isn't complete since it's missing a few films he made for MGM, like The Cameraman).

The General is obviously a Keaton masterpiece. And everyone loves Steamboat Bill, Jr, for it's remarkable finale. For me, I think one of his funniest films is The Navigator. It seems to get lost in the shuffle sometimes but has some of his funniest and most innovative on-screen moments.

Thanks for the response. After laughing non-stop with Safety Last, I definitely want to see more his films, thank you for the recommendations. The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are my favorite Keaton films.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Awesome article. I have only seen Safety Last on TMC, it became instantly my favorite silent comedy (I have seen almost all of Keaton's and Chaplin's). Grandmas Boy, the title itself sounds very interesting. I really hope Safety Last will sell well, so we can see more Lloyd out on blu ray by criterion.

Grandma's Boy is....okay and one of his better-known, but if you have to go for a second Lloyd after Safety, The Freshman is considered his second contribution to silent-movie history. (Lloyd in college, trying to be just like the varsity-hero character in his favorite novels, including going out for the big football game...)

[Show spoiler]

Harold LLoyd: The Freshman (1925) Football Short Film - YouTube

Otherwise, the shorts aren't as well-known, except for "Why Worry?" and "Never Surrender", but at least he had a longer sound career than Keaton did.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

My first inclination is to say get them all.
Sorry to hear that the Yojimbo/Sanjuro set has high tax, because that would be my best recommendation.

i will get them all sooner or later. thats for sure. ; but i wanted to start with the good ones that i dont have to pay tax for. maybe i find the more expensiv ones used in germany. or i might find someone that wants to send them to me marked as "gift" so i would not have to pay tax

but retail sellers wont do that , otherwise i would not have to order each movie one by one. (+ tax 20% for the more expensiv ones + shipping fee for each movie 4,99$)

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by Arlington

Big thanks to everyone chiming in and especially andsoitgoes for the pics...clearly, the slipsleeve is NOT original; the disc may very well be fine (the trickery with the packaging doesn't help me believe that), but I sent my concerns to the seller and we shall see. For more than $100, I don't expect to be tricked. Sigh...maybe I'll just get the Kino one.

Might as well give the disc a spin...I wouldn't expect it to be anything but genuine. Still, I would be just as angry as you...probably even more so...if I'd been tricked. Especially at that price point. I paid $50 for the disc alone, with no packaging...I knew what I was getting, and thought it worth it. For $100+, and under the assumption that you were getting a "Like New" copy, you have every right to raise hell with the seller.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Thanks for the response. After laughing non-stop with Safety Last, I definitely want to see more his films, thank you for the recommendations. The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are my favorite Keaton films.

Do you have any idea is Criterion is releasing a bunch of the Lloyd films, or just Safety Last? The DVD set is pretty extensive, with all his features and shorts, so it kind of stinks if Criterion is going to be releasing one films at a time. I wish on the Chaplin stuff they could've at least spread out his short films and included a few on each disc as an added extra, unless that plan to release them all on one disc someday.

[jrsl76]

Hey, for anyone still looking for Army of Shadows, Le Cercle Rouge or Chungking Express, I noticed that they had them pulled to a non hold shelf where they typically put OOP titles at one of my local Barnes & Nobles. I was looking to see if they had Mafioso since my faith that my order will be fulfilled is dwindling and noticed they had these in Blu and DVD. I couldn't quite tell, but they also seemed to have maybe Marienbad on DVD.

I could possibly help someone acquire them if anyone's interested.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I entirely agree with your comment about Juliet of the Spirits.

Mrs. Masina looks very sad in that movie.

A Fellini film with her I really enjoy is Ginger and Fred. A charming film that doesn't get mentioned often but she and Mastroianni are fun to watch and while I doubt it would ever be a Criterion title it's well worth seeing. Just one of those films that'll have you smiling as it ends and maybe wiping away a as well.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm trying to wrap my head around some people finally realizing films like Last Year at Marienbad and Leon Morin are worthy of purchases just because they're Out of Print.

It's a fifty-fifty chance that some people were genuinely going to get these titles, but had other priorities, while others are only getting them just because they're now going OOP and/or want to sell them. I honestly don't remember seeing any other Criterions fly off the shelf so quickly after they've been announced OOP though. I'm lucky that I bought all 4 in 2011 and 2012.

Originally Posted by Page14

I learned of Black Orpheus through a Carly Simon interview (whose music I love). She explained how the entire film moved to a constant conga-like beat to it ... from the opening shot to the very end ... like it was alive. (I'm sure those aren't her exact words, but it went something like that). I bought the film on DVD (before I owned a bluray player) because of her enthusiasm. I didn't know anything about the Criterion label at the time ... only that they were the company whose name was on the DVD that I bought. I'm not sure if Black Orpheus or Robinson Crusoe On Mars was my very first Criterion film purchase (on DVD), but it was one of those two. FWIW, I have since upgraded both to bluray.

It was the colours, the music, and the costumes that hooked me. Also, it was a unique and interesting take on the Orpheus legend. I kept seeing it advertised on TCM, but it always seemed to come on at an inappropirate time. Finally last summer I was able to watch it, and ended up getting it during the November sale.

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Hope ya like it.

I don't see any reason as to why I wouldn't. It's just waiting and hoping that some B&N in New England has it in-store come June. Heck, I'm hoping that all the B&N we usually go to are still open by them.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

Hey, for anyone still looking for Army of Shadows, Le Cercle Rouge or Chungking Express, I noticed that they had them pulled to a non hold shelf where they typically put OOP titles at one of my local Barnes & Nobles. I was looking to see if they had Mafioso since my faith that my order will be fulfilled is dwindling and noticed they had these in Blu and DVD. I couldn't quite tell, but they also seemed to have maybe Marienbad on DVD.

I could possibly help someone acquire them if anyone's interested.

Pm sent regarding Army of Shadows. Thanks!

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by MasturB

Price for Last Emperor has dropped to $23.99 now, what exactly are some of the problems people have had with this blu ray set?

It'd be a blind buy for me.

The problem is that the cinematographer no longer likes the original aspect ration so he has cropped the image for the Criterion release. There is a Japanese bluray that is the original ratio.

[Jef Costello]

Finally Amazon has shipped my Leon Morin Blu-ray. This completes my Criterion Melvilles.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Grandma's Boy is....okay and one of his better-known, but if you have to go for a second Lloyd after Safety, The Freshman is considered his second contribution to silent-movie history. (Lloyd in college, trying to be just like the varsity-hero character in his favorite novels, including going out for the big football game...)

[Show spoiler]Harold LLoyd: The Freshman (1925) Football Short Film - YouTube

Otherwise, the shorts aren't as well-known, except for "Why Worry?" and "Never Surrender", but at least he had a longer sound career than Keaton did.

That was great! I look at those old films and think how much more difficult it must have been to compose or come up with a great shot, with the lack of the technology that we have today. I would think there wasn't an opportunity for too many second takes. What a great era for film-making!