The Criterion Collection

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I did blind buy Santa Sangre (but haven't watched it yet )

While I think it's, like, the greatest ever, that film isn't that good of a representation of the rest of his work (in my opinion)...the other films are much more surreal and don't have as much of a narrative.

..but do watch it soon

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

While I think it's, like, the greatest ever, that film isn't that good of a representation of the rest of his work (in my opinion)...the other films are much more surreal and don't have as much of a narrative.

..but do watch it soon

Yes, I still need to watch Upstream Color. I started watching it but then I wasn't 100% focused so I shut it off.

All I know is that I'm more than likely going to be confused, especially with the whole worm thing.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yes, I still need to watch Upstream Color. I started watching it but then I wasn't 100% focused so I shut it off.

All I know is that I'm more than likely going to be confused, especially with the whole worm thing.

That's also a greatest thing ever for me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

That's also a greatest thing ever for me.

You better explain it to me if I don't understand it! I'm holding you to it since you've watched it 1,000 times already!

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I did blind buy Santa Sangre (but haven't watched it yet )

Please do, it's a terrific film. If you boil it down to the core, it's a horror/slasher flick but designed in so creative a fashion that it stands completely apart from the stereotype. It's one of the most beautiful looking movies too. I assume you got the Severin release, which is a fantastic package as well. It's a very emotional experience to hear Jodorowski talk about the film since the lead in the film was a favorite son of his that later happened to die quite young.

At least much better than some frou-frou new wave French films

[Indyjones]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

The current 40% off sale at Barnes and Noble may not be great for Citerion Collection films (knowing that the July 50% off CC sale is right around the corner.) However, I have used it to make some pretty shrewd buys, the shrewdest coming tonight as I possessed a 15% off one item coupon. I was able to purchase with that coupon and the current 40% off sale and my 10% off membership Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion (Studio Canal) for $13.86, which includes a sales tax of zero since I made the purchase in the state of Delaware.

I pulled the trigger on a couple of OOP titles I came across over the weekend - Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge - both blu-ray. I try to hold off picking up titles until the criterion sales pop up, unless I get them through trade-ins or sellers on here, but obviously I couldn't let those sit there. I didn't mind paying $23 for those.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

You better explain it to me if I don't understand it! I'm holding you to it since you've watched it 1,000 times already!

Pfft, only 7

Originally Posted by ravenus

Please do, it's a terrific film. If you boil it down to the core, it's a horror/slasher flick but designed in so creative a fashion that it stands completely apart from the stereotype. It's one of the most beautiful looking movies too. I assume you got the Severin release, which is a fantastic package as well. It's a very emotional experience to hear Jodorowski talk about the film since the lead in the film was a favorite son of his that later happened to die quite young.

At least much better than some frou-frou new wave French films

It's one of my favorite releases in terms of bonus material...so much more bonus material than I could have expected

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

You better explain it to me if I don't understand it! I'm holding you to it since you've watched it 1,000 times already!

Yes. Rent El Topo and Holy Mountain before you but them they are really divisive films (that contain very offputting material and graphic nudity). Personally, I find Jodorowski's symbolism in Holy Mountain to be heavy handed and uninvolving from a narrative standpoint. I was rolling my eyes at most of the stuff.

That said, the widescreen compositions are absolutely astounding. There are a handful of images that really stick.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yes. Rent El Topo and Holy Mountain before you but them they are really divisive films (that contain very offputting material and graphic nudity). Personally, I find Jodorowski's symbolism in Holy Mountain to be heavy handed and uninvolving from a narrative standpoint. I was rolling my eyes at most of the stuff.

I love his desire to fill the frame with such conventionally 'ugly' imagery. It's in that 'I love this ugliness' way and not the 'I want to exploit this ugliness' way. I can definitely see viewers finding it too disturbing/off-putting.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I love his desire to fill the frame with such conventionally 'ugly' imagery. It's in that 'I love this ugliness' way and not the 'I want to exploit this ugliness' way. I can definitely see viewers finding it too disturbing/off-putting.

Will you concede that the symbolism sometimes feels like an afterthought and the experience is much more important than the "meaning"?

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I'd love to see Criterion release WKW's Day's of Being Wild. Kino did the DVD release which had the wrong colour scheme. Rather than retaining Christopher Doyle's green tint, they chose to soak it in a warm tone.

The current blu-ray release by Mega-star is less than ideal. No special features and the English translation apparently ranges from awkward "Do you bring girls home oftenly?" to down right experience ruining when important things are happening and you can barely work out what's going on because of the bad subtitles.

It's been a long time since I've seen Days of Being Wild but I can't justify spending $20+ on the current blu-ray release from Mega-star. Either Kino or Criterion will release it eventually judging from the fact that they've both released 2 WKW films but I guess Kino are more likely to which kind of bums me out.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Kino. I've bought Happy Together (another WKW flick) and that was good and I'm interested in the Buster Keaton set but generally they just strike me as a little bit lazy.

Their technical presentations are okay, but they're far from ambitious when it comes to special features. I just know that if Kino release Days of Being Wild, it'll probably get 20 minutes tops worth of material, if that.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Will you concede that the symbolism sometimes feels like an afterthought and the experience is much more important than the "meaning"?

Yes, I would agree. I barely even look for meaning with that film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Yes, I would agree. I barely even look for meaning with that film.

Will you deem me a wimp if I admit that I am scared to return to the film due to the feces scenes?

[Rich65]

I picked up The Blob at B and N, counting the sale price, member discount and 20% coupon I got it for $17.27 plus tax. I forgot how much fun this movie is, gotta love the song in the beginning and Steve McQueen is the epitome of cool.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Will you deem me a wimp if I admit that I am scared to return to the film due to the feces scenes?

Ugh I'd forgotten about that part

[deepbreathsanddeath]

One of my most wanted titles on blu-ray: Vampyr.
Haven't even seen it yet but I know I'll love it. Recently it's been driving me nuts that I haven't seen it yet, to the point of I'm actually considering ordering the MoC DVD. It's 9.99 GBP + free shipping from their website which is fairly good but I hate buying DVD's when I know a blu-ray will come out eventually.

The Criterion DVD set admittedly looks much better than the MoC release. The Criterion DVD set looks absolutely beautiful. One of the most attractive I've ever seen in fact. But MoC's release contains an audio commentary with Guillermo Del Toro which is the deal breaker for me. I adore his commentaries.

I'm really on the fence right now. I'm trying so hard not to order the DVD lol I'm dying to get Vampyr but ultimately I want to wait. If Criterion AND MoC release it with the same packages their DVD's recieved, I'll be buying both.

[Spire]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

One of my most wanted titles on blu-ray: Vampyr.
Haven't even seen it yet but I know I'll love it. Recently it's been driving me nuts that I haven't seen it yet, to the point of I'm actually considering ordering the MoC DVD. It's 9.99 GBP + free shipping from their website which is fairly good but I hate buying DVD's when I know a blu-ray will come out eventually.

The Criterion DVD set admittedly looks much better than the MoC release. The Criterion DVD set looks absolutely beautiful. One of the most attractive I've ever seen in fact. But MoC's release contains an audio commentary with Guillermo Del Toro which is the deal breaker for me. I adore his commentaries.

I'm really on the fence right now. I'm trying so hard not to order the DVD lol I'm dying to get Vampyr but ultimately I want to wait. If Criterion AND MoC release it with the same packages their DVD's recieved, I'll be buying both.

I would go ahead with the dvd. I watched Vampyr on Hulu and I really dont think a blu upgrade would have much benefit. Some shots in that movie are pretty bad to be honest. Just my thoughts.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Supposedly someone contacted MoC about it and they were told there's no HD master and there won't be any in the near future so I guess so. I want the MoC release for the del toro commentary but the criterion release is so gorgeous and comes with a thick ass book too. Do you think it's worth getting both dvd's?

[EddieLarkin]

Vampyr is available in HD, but don't forget it's a telecine of a 15 year old restoration. To be viable on Blu-ray, Vampyr needs a Passion of Joan style redo. I doubt one will be forthcoming any time soon.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

You are in for a real treat. Might be the best looking B&W film I've seen on the format.

La Grande Illusion is one of the best-looking Blu-rays in my collection. StudioCanal really knocked that one out of the park with a beautiful video presentation.