The Criterion Collection

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

I wouldn't be too surprised if they didn't, CC isn't big on multiple versions of AR or fps...Waterfront being the exception (can't think of any others especially their silents). It will be the Oslo cut though.

Perhaps, but the question was whether they would release a blu of Joan of Arc, not what it would include.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Perhaps, but the question was whether they would release a blu of Joan of Arc, not what it would include.

In that case, you're absolutely correct. It will be re-released.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

The Oscars are pretty good at nominating good/great documentary, though their winners are frequently debatable, Wikipedia has a list here.

Only since '00 or so has the Oscar Best Documentary been opened up out of privately-submitted committee documentaries to allow those that actually showed in theaters. (Some of the better, including Thin Blue Line, Roger & Me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Hoop Dreams were disqualified for one committee-stickler reason after another about re-enactments or theatrical engagments.)

And then, usually on the basis of current headlines and feel-good subjects (eg. music/dance):
Alex Gibney won on the anti-Bush guilt of Taxi to the Dark Side, while Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room was only nominated as a breakout first-film, and Casino Jack & the United States of Money didn't even make the cut.

Originally Posted by joie

Got a Criterion news letter Friday. There was no "hint." Has Criterion decided to stop toying with its customers? From a business practice point of view, all the speculation about what they might release doesn't help them, in my opinion.

(Um....maybe they just didn't HAVE anything in the negotiations ether this month that Legal thought solid enough to hint about?
I didn't get my extra surprise bonus points from this month's Disney Movie Rewards e-mail, that doesn't mean I think the corporation's about to fold.)

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've always enjoyed Criterion's cartoon hints, because they encourage me to use my brain, and because it's fun to have the teasers for the coming attractions.

I've been a riddle fan since I was a kid, and having between the abstract literal-title hints, or scene-specific movie trivia hints, it helps keep the label's image as Movies For Smart People.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

Perhaps, but the question was whether they would release a blu of Joan of Arc, not what it would include.

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

In that case, you're absolutely correct. It will be re-released.

Do either of you own the MoC version?

[Page14]

I just finished watching Still Walking for the first time. It seemed like a very even-keeled film to me ... no extreme highs or no extreme lows. Pleasant. I'm thinking most people could relate to it in one way or another

[Show spoiler] (... being that it deals with interfamily relationships)

.

[JohnDoe NY]

Originally Posted by joie

Got a Criterion news letter Friday. There was no "hint." Has Criterion decided to stop toying with its customers? From a business practice point of view, all the speculation about what they might release doesn't help them, in my opinion.

I wonder whether there is any business continuity plan in place. It's been in business so long that a lot of the honchos must be thinking about retiring. I don't know whether it's an independent, private company or some subsidiary of a larger business.

You are literally embarassing yourself on a public forum Priceless!

[The Great Owl]

It's been a non-Criterion weekend here, because I watched my Blu-ray box set of the five original Planet of the Apes films. The original unrated version of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes is available for the first time on the Blu-ray, so it was a big deal for me to see it at long last.
Revisiting these does make me want to grab the Blu-ray of Island of Lost Souls, so all roads still lead to Criterion no matter what.

On the subject of documentaries, the feature-length Behind the Planet of the Apes movie, hosted by Roddy McDowall, is spectacular. I revisited it after watching the five films, because it is included as a special feature for the first movie.

Right now, I'm watching Rocky on Blu-ray, and will be watching Rocky II later tonight. Rocky III and IV tomorrow night, probably. I did not bother upgrading the final two movies.

I'm enjoying finishing up my last few still unwatched Blu-rays in the collection, but I'll still make time for 12 Angry Men again, although I watched my copy just last month. One can never see that one too many times.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by rkish

Do either of you own the MoC version?

I do. Haven't watched it yet, wanted to watch the Oslo version whenever CC releases it and had assumed that was going to be pretty soon following the MoC release. I have the old CC DVD and have watched it. Did you have a question?

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by rkish

Do either of you own the MoC version?

I don't, because at this point I am not region free. It looks like a great set, although I wish it had the Anonymous 4 score, just because I love it.

[The Great Owl]

I've never seen The Passion of Joan of Arc, but I'm compelled to check it out after revisiting Vivre Sa Vie a few nights ago. (Because of the scene with Nana watching that movie in the theater)

A Criterion Blu-ray release seems like an inevitability.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Great recommendations. I will definitely watch more Errol Morris.

If you are happy to watch dvds, any Errol Morris is good. My personal favorite is Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control. Also, if you can find it, his documentary series First Person is pretty great.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've never seen The Passion of Joan of Arc, but I'm compelled to check it out after revisiting Vivre Sa Vie a few nights ago. (Because of the scene with Nana watching that movie in the theater)

A Criterion Blu-ray release seems like an inevitability.

Please see it ASAP!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

If you are happy to watch dvds, any Errol Morris is good. My personal favorite is Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control. Also, if you can find it, his documentary series First Person is pretty great.

I've never seen First Person, but my God! Is Fast, Cheap & Out of Control great it saddens me that not a one Errol Morris film is in the CC Collection.

[joie]

Originally Posted by JohnDoe NY

You are literally embarassing yourself on a public forum Priceless!

I don't feel embarrassed. Are you mad about something? Was I right that CriterionCast's offices are in Starbucks? Another thing Criterion could do to improve its image is to get CriterionCast to stop trading on its name.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by joie

I don't feel embarrassed. Are you mad about something? Was I right that CriterionCast's offices are in Starbucks? Another thing Criterion could do to improve its image is to get CriterionCast to stop treading on its name.

Fixed. They really do Suck

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Only since '00 or so has the Oscar Best Documentary been opened up out of privately-submitted committee documentaries to allow those that actually showed in theaters. (Some of the better, including Thin Blue Line, Roger & Me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Hoop Dreams were disqualified for one committee-stickler reason after another about re-enactments or theatrical engagments.)

I guess I meant relatively good as compared to say best picture, best foreign language film, etc. There have been a few notable misses, but probably fewer than those other categories and still a good place to start looking for recommended titles.

Originally Posted by EricJ

And then, usually on the basis of current headlines and feel-good subjects (eg. music/dance):
Alex Gibney won on the anti-Bush guilt of Taxi to the Dark Side, while Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room was only nominated as a breakout first-film, and Casino Jack & the United States of Money didn't even make the cut.

If Taxi won based on "anti-Bush guilt" then the Academy wasn't alone in voting on the basis of "current headlines and feel-good subjects", it won plenty of awards, deservedly so, it's a great film. Enron was nominated for best documentary feature, it lost to the Marching Penguins movie . And while Casino Jack was under-rated, it would be pretty hard to say it was more deserving than the films that were nominated that year, I believe the only award of note that Casino Jack rec'd was a Sundance award.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by oildude

Nice. I have read both of Beevor's books dealing with the Eastern Front of WWII - Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin. He is a masterful writer and puts into words as visual an account of history as I have ever read. His books are like documentary film narratives, filled with eye-witness descriptions, intimate details, and often harrowing behind-the-scenes accounts (for example, his illuminating discussions in his magnificent Stalingrad about the "hiwis" - Soviet prisoners of war who earned a reprieve from POW camps by serving the German forces. Or the activities of the Soviet secret police units - the NKVD - behind the Soviet lines during the battle). His books bring home to an audience seven decades removed from these events a connection to the time of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

I have quite a few modern historians whose books I seek out. In addition to Beevor and Keegan, I can also highly recommend Max Hastings, Robert K. Massie, Orlando Figes, William Manchester, Barbara Tuchman, Anna Reid, Nathaniel Philbrick, Hugh Thomas (who specializes in Spain and the Spanish empire) and Adrian Goldsworthy (ancient Rome), among others.

Another history reader. Thank you for the recommendations.

It is pleasure to know that there are another readers that appreciate Beevor's superb writing. His research and dedication really pays off. As you mentioned (great summary by the way), Stalingrad immerses readers directly in the middle of the war.

I read parts of Max Hastings All Hell Let Loose, magnum opus WW2 book. The two volume world war 2 book I am currently reading is by Henri Michel, a French historian. He goes in detail in the economical aspect of pre World war 2 Europe, but he is short on personal accounts.

Ivan's Childhood is a great movie that really supplements Beevor's Stalingrad (visa versa). Beevor goes in detail how the soviets had child scouts/spies as well as women soldiers. Tarkovsky is a poet with his film making. Anyone who enjoyed Ivan's Childhood should give Beevor's Stalingrad a try.

[ultlife2013]

I'm subscribed to this thread to just read about all the cool movie discussions. It's great.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

does anyone know other great documentaries, especially from criterion or on blu ray?

Perhaps the one that is considered to be the first feature-length documentary is a good recommendation

Terrific release from Flicker Alley



Serge Bromberg and Eric Lange's documentary film The Extraordinary Voyage included on the release below is also quite fascinating!



Pro-B

[rkish]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

I do. Haven't watched it yet, wanted to watch the Oslo version whenever CC releases it and had assumed that was going to be pretty soon following the MoC release. I have the old CC DVD and have watched it. Did you have a question?

I own it and have watched the 20 FPS version with the piano score. I noticed an audio dropout for about a second or so at the very end if the film, as the credits are fading to black. I wondered if it was my copy or an issue with the transfer. I've contacted MoC about it, but haven't heard back from them yet. I wondered if you noticed this audio issue as well.