The Criterion Collection

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

I agree with all the above. I think Seventh Seal is a great film, but I find it a bit lesser than the ones I've mentioned. I find more personal works on the whole to be more endearing. And I absolutely love that image from Persona. I will def. check out The Magician, although I'm really wanting to see Summer with Monika.

On Bresson, I can't decide if I want to wait on upgrades for his other films or find a way to view them now. I also recently discovered Letter Never Sent which I highly recommend and I'm eagerly awaiting a viewing of Cranes are Flying.

The one film that comes the closet to Persona in overall feel is Hour of the Wolf. Surprisingly, I see very few people ever mentioning it.

For Bresson, I have been waiting for blu ray releases also. Some DVDs are pretty expensive from second hand sellers. I would recommend streaming the films from itunes, amazon, etc.

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

When did it go in effect? '33? I'm guessing that's the year because those May West films that came out just before had quite a bit of double entendre.

Pre-code Hollywood began in 1930, and the Breen era in 1934.

This sums it up better than I can.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_...roduction_Code

[Mansinthe]

a re-release would be awesome. studiocanal did a real good job on in the realm of the senses and for my taste even more at empire of passion.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by jcez28

Ya Im the same had very little interest in these films but because of the "if" factor that I might actually enjoy it make this an instant buy. But being that their OOP makes them easier to sell or trade on the forum

To me, if I ended up not enjoying the films, it would be ideal if I could trade them back in for the same price I bought them for. Or even if I could trade them in for $10 or so less than what I paid for them, that would still be okay. That way, in my mind, it would be like paying for the price of admission to see the movies in a theater. (You don't get that admission price back either ... whether you liked the movie or not).

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

I agree with all the above. I think Seventh Seal is a great film, but I find it a bit lesser than the ones I've mentioned. I find more personal works on the whole to be more endearing. And I absolutely love that image from Persona. I will def. check out The Magician, although I'm really wanting to see Summer with Monika.

Bergman is one of my all-time favorites. The Seventh Seal was my first introduction to him (like many people, I assume), so it will always be front and center for me. Through a Glass Darkly, however, might be my favorite film of his. The entire "faith" trilogy (Glass, Winter Light, The Silence) are remarkable. As is the 5-hor cut of Fanny & Alexander.

Not a huge fan of The Magician, maybe because it's rather slight, and — perhaps oddly — I never warmed up to Wild Strawberries, although I'm looking forward to seeing Criterion's eventual disc.

Cries & Whispers is unbelievable. I also like Shame a lot, and while Scenes From a Marriage is rather dull visually compared to his other work, it probably contains Liv Ullman's greatest performance, one of the best performances I've ever seen.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

If this is true then it confirms at least 3 new spines for July. The highest spine is Shoah at 663. This is assuming Del Torro would get spine 666.

Ah, very true I had not thought of that. July is looking to be crazy!

[ccg1978]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

Bergman is one of my all-time favorites. The Seventh Seal was my first introduction to him (like many people, I assume), so it will always be front and center for me. Through a Glass Darkly, however, might be my favorite film of his. The entire "faith" trilogy (Glass, Winter Light, The Silence) are remarkable. As is the 5-hor cut of Fanny & Alexander.

Not a huge fan of The Magician, maybe because it's rather slight, and — perhaps oddly — I never warmed up to Wild Strawberries, although I'm looking forward to seeing Criterion's eventual disc.

Cries & Whispers is unbelievable. I also like Shame a lot, and while Scenes From a Marriage is rather dull visually compared to his other work, it probably contains Liv Ullman's greatest performance, one of the best performances I've ever seen.

My first was Seventh Seal as well. Enjoyed it. Summer with Monika was ok. Now struggling through Fanny and Alexander. About an hour in and not sure if I'm going to finish. Not really a plot yet.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

If this is true then it confirms at least 3 new spines for July. The highest spine is Shoah at 663. This is assuming Del Torro would get spine 666.

What are the other 2?

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

My first was Seventh Seal as well. Enjoyed it. Summer with Monika was ok. Now struggling through Fanny and Alexander. About an hour in and not sure if I'm going to finish. Not really a plot yet.

I bought Fanny & Alexander on DVD a few years ago and probably tried watching it twice (the TV version of course). I ended up selling it and upgrading to the BD. Think I tried watching the BD twice as well soon after it came out. Finally managed to power through the first part one night last summer. Once you get through the first part, it's all smooth sailing. Things get much more interesting and considerably weirder. I've watched the theatrical version since and listened to the commentary and think it's fantastic. If I were to watch Fanny & Alexander for the first time with the gift of hindsight, I'd probably watch the first 58 minutes of the theatrical version, then switch over to the TV version starting at Part 2.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

Bergman is one of my all-time favorites. The Seventh Seal was my first introduction to him (like many people, I assume), so it will always be front and center for me. Through a Glass Darkly, however, might be my favorite film of his. The entire "faith" trilogy (Glass, Winter Light, The Silence) are remarkable. As is the 5-hor cut of Fanny & Alexander.

I've always had trouble connecting with the dark sisterhood depicted in The Silence, but still find it fascinating. Cries & Whispers is a more interesting exploration though imo.

Not a huge fan of The Magician, maybe because it's rather slight, and — perhaps oddly — I never warmed up to Wild Strawberries, although I'm looking forward to seeing Criterion's eventual disc.

The same can be said about The Virgin Spring, but the strongest aspect of both is the thematic power of the story. A simple narrative with a strong theme often helps a film "stick" as a parable of sorts.

(Spring wasn't written by Bergman though, which might be one reason it isn't one of the more beloved among his films.)

[nametag]

Originally Posted by Rizor

I bought Fanny & Alexander on DVD a few years ago and probably tried watching it twice (the TV version of course). I ended up selling it and upgrading to the BD. Think I tried watching the BD twice as well soon after it came out. Finally managed to power through the first part one night last summer. Once you get through the first part, it's all smooth sailing. Things get much more interesting and considerably weirder. I've watched the theatrical version since and listened to the commentary and think it's fantastic. If I were to watch Fanny & Alexander for the first time with the gift of hindsight, I'd probably watch the first 58 minutes of the theatrical version, then switch over to the TV version starting at Part 2.

Interesting to hear you say that, I really had to power through Part 1 as well (I'm sure I fell asleep a couple of times) and wondered at the time whether I should have just watched the theatrical cut instead. Then I started to really love it around part 2/3 and thought, actually, I don't want any of this cut out.

The first part is also the longest I seem to recall, and they're all pretty irregular lengths.

Love Persona... definitely worth watching if you're a Lynch Fan. I did find Cries and Whispers a bit of a struggle, same with Seventh Seal though I saw that years ago. Wild Strawberries, Hour of the Woolf, Virgin Spring and Scenes from a Marriage are all on my to-watch list.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

What are the other 2?

Limite and I could care less about the other, just release Limite.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I believe there are two parts to any film:

1)There is the technical aspect: script, direction, acting, cinematography, etc.
2) The idea/s and themes behind the film.

This actually applies to any art form. I think if the ideas and themes are great, it gives any art work longevity. Technical aspect is essential to covey the film makers message.

Agreed, and that is where the strongest connection lies between the two. Proper execution of an idea depends on the technical ability of the filmmakers/cast. Not so much the other way around though, which is when we get style over substance.

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

For those who have both, now a few years after release, what is your opinion of Studio Canal's Ran blu-ray.

I own the Criterion release, but let's say for $13, is it worth the upgrade?

Criterion had Ran on blu ray?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MasturB

Criterion had Ran on blu ray?

Only DVD and apparently the quality was good.

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Only DVD and apparently the quality was good.

Oh ok.

I knew Criterion had cancelled the planned release, it's just JackTwists' comment threw me off the way he worded it.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

What are the other 2?

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Limite and I could care less about the other, just release Limite.

If Devils Backbone is indeed spine number 666, and we only know of spine 663 to this point, it stands to reason that there will be two other spines announced with the July titles, making for 3 new spine numbers for that month. Unless of course Criterion gives Devil's Backbone spine number 665 just to make everyone angry.

I don't know if Limite is confirmed of not.

So as of right now my July candidates are:

-Devil's Backbone (highly likely)
-Lord of The Flies (Confirmed release without time table)
-The Life Aquatic (It was hinted at being a good candidate for a "summer" release, Royal Tenunbaums was released last August.)
-Jules et Jim (For some reason I think this is coming sooner rather than later)

Three new spines in 1 month is very exciting.

[Lepidopterous]

Some Giulietta Masina would be nice.

[ianungstad]

Originally Posted by Snicket

If Devils Backbone is indeed spine number 666, and we only know of spine 663 to this point, it stands to reason that there will be two other spines announced with the July titles, making for 3 new spine numbers for that month. Unless of course Criterion gives Devil's Backbone spine number 665 just to make everyone angry.

I don't know if Limite is confirmed of not.

So as of right now my July candidates are:

-Devil's Backbone (highly likely)
-Lord of The Flies (Confirmed release without time table)
-The Life Aquatic (It was hinted at being a good candidate for a "summer" release, Royal Tenunbaums was released last August.)
-Jules et Jim (For some reason I think this is coming sooner rather than later)

Three new spines in 1 month is very exciting.

My random picks:

Lord of the Flies
Devil's Backbone
Spring Breakers
Kids
Wenders box

[InspectorLupus]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Has anyone else copy of Le Cercle Rouge from Amazon has already shipped? i ordered on March 31, and still not in shipping soon status :S.

I placed an order for Le Cercle Rouge and Last Year... on Amazon on April 5th, and it says Not Yet Shipped with a delivery estimate of 4/22 - 5/4. I really hope Amazon comes through.

I ordered Army of Shadows and Léon Morin, Priest from Barnes & Noble a few days before that and they sent me an email saying Army of Shadows was canceled while the other film shipped. Well, at least I know I'll have one of the most recent OOP titles. I have never seen any of these films, but after reading a little about them I can say that it seems like I will love them all. If I have to pay upwards of $50 for the rest, then so be it. Wouldn't be the first time. (I'm looking at you, Play Time and The Man Who Fell to Earth)