The Criterion Collection

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I decided to limit myself to four Criterions BDs in this sale since I bought 11 Criterion titles on the Amazon sale. However, The Devil's Backbone was part of my purchases but since it won't be on sale, I chose Kiss Me Deadly but now I'm reading lots of positive things about Charade and now I'm debating which one to get.

This three are definite purchases:

Marketa Lazarova
The Life of Oharu
Wild Strawberries

But between Kiss Me Deadly and Charade, which one??

Haven't seen Charade but I adore Kissing Me Deadly. I've watched the BD multiple times already. If you're into pulpy film noir, get it.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I only ordered Things to Come and Richard III on this round. May go "in store" in the next couples weeks to get Lord of the Flies, Ice Storm and Babette's Feast.

I'm waiting on Richard III as there might be a Olivier's Shakespeare set with Hamlet, and Henry V included as well.

Sadly, the prints Criterion used for the Hamlet and Henry V dvd's were not in the greatest condition, a proper restoration needs to be done on those two IMO.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I don't consider Heavens Gate a failure at all. In fact, I think it's one of the best films in the collection.

Note: it may take a second viewing to appreciate its start-stop pacing.

Oh, I know a lot of people now consider it a masterpiece. I'm just saying if I do consider it a failure, at least it'll be an interesting one. I'm excited to see it. Some of the screens are beautiful.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Crimson King

I'm waiting on Richard III as there might be a Olivier's Shakespeare set with Hamlet, and Henry V included as well.

Sadly, the prints Criterion used for the Hamlet and Henry V dvd's were not in the greatest condition, a proper restoration needs to be done on those two IMO.

I thought about that, but I am anxious to see the restoration.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I thought about that, but I am anxious to see the restoration.

plus Richard III was one of the few British films to use the VistaVision process

[stlcards]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

I'll be getting the Charade (Criterion Edition) .. however i noticed there's another one out today .. any thoughts/will this be a better transfer?

Charade is one of my favorites. I own the Criterion version but I am still interested in reading reviews of the Universal one in comparison to the Criterion one (kind of like with the two releases of Traffic).

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Oh, I know a lot of people now consider it a masterpiece. I'm just saying if I do consider it a failure, at least it'll be an interesting one. I'm excited to see it. Some of the screens are beautiful.

Fair enough. It's an absolute visual knockout on BluRay, so prepare your retinae.

[SolidBlu]

Is Things to Come worth the blind buy? thanks

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I decided to limit myself to four Criterions BDs in this sale since I bought 11 Criterion titles on the Amazon sale. However, The Devil's Backbone was part of my purchases but since it won't be on sale, I chose Kiss Me Deadly but now I'm reading lots of positive things about Charade and now I'm debating which one to get.

This three are definite purchases:

Marketa Lazarova
The Life of Oharu
Wild Strawberries

But between Kiss Me Deadly and Charade, which one??

Charade!

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I decided to limit myself to four Criterions BDs in this sale since I bought 11 Criterion titles on the Amazon sale. However, The Devil's Backbone was part of my purchases but since it won't be on sale, I chose Kiss Me Deadly but now I'm reading lots of positive things about Charade and now I'm debating which one to get.

This three are definite purchases:

Marketa Lazarova
The Life of Oharu
Wild Strawberries

But between Kiss Me Deadly and Charade, which one??

You can't go wrong with either of those two choices. I'm pretty sure you'll like either of them. Great films.

[HotRats]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I decided to limit myself to four Criterions BDs in this sale since I bought 11 Criterion titles on the Amazon sale. However, The Devil's Backbone was part of my purchases but since it won't be on sale, I chose Kiss Me Deadly but now I'm reading lots of positive things about Charade and now I'm debating which one to get.

This three are definite purchases:

Marketa Lazarova
The Life of Oharu
Wild Strawberries

But between Kiss Me Deadly and Charade, which one??

You can't really compare the two. I'd find some way to buy both as they are equally good in different ways.

Charade is the closest anyone has got to premium Hitchcock. Great cast, witty dialogue, suspense, pure entertainment.

Kiss Me Deadly is sort of a hybrid film noir/nuclear nightmare, Spillane did not like it because it portrays his square jawed Commie-basher Mike Hammer as a greedy, sadistic thug (watch the expressions of glee on Meeker's face as he tortures people) who cares more about his car and easy money than helping anyone. Its villains are notable, there's a neat spin on Pandora's box, ground breaking violence that led to censorship in many countries, striking photography and an ending that is often misinterpreted.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by stlcards

Charade is one of my favorites. I own the Criterion version but I am still interested in reading reviews of the Universal one in comparison to the Criterion one (kind of like with the two releases of Traffic).

well, for starters the Criterion seems to have a lossless audio track, while this seems to have a lossy one. Am i right?

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I don't consider Heavens Gate a failure at all. In fact, I think it's one of the best films in the collection.

Note: it may take a second viewing to appreciate its start-stop pacing.

I agree that it's worthwhile, a success, and warrants repeat viewings. It's my favorite western of all-time, awesome soundtrack, great location shots, and some unforgettable scenes.

[Snicket]

This thread will be moving at light-speed for the next few weeks!

See you all on the other side!

[Rich Pure Doom]

Which should I get:

Last Temptation of Christ
or
Belle de Jour?

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Haven't seen Charade but I adore Kissing Me Deadly. I've watched the BD multiple times already. If you're into pulpy film noir, get it.

Originally Posted by iScottie

Charade!

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

You can't go wrong with either of those two choices. I'm pretty sure you'll like either of them. Great films.

Originally Posted by HotRats

You can't really compare the two. I'd find some way to buy both as they are equally good in different ways.

Charade is the closest anyone has got to premium Hitchcock. Great cast, witty dialogue, suspense, pure entertainment.

Kiss Me Deadly is sort of a hybrid film noir/nuclear nightmare, Spillane did not like it because it portrays his square jawed Commie-basher Mike Hammer as a greedy, sadistic thug (watch the expressions of glee on Meeker's face as he tortures people) who cares more about his car and easy money than helping anyone. Its villains are notable, there's a neat spin on Pandora's box, ground breaking violence that led to censorship in many countries, striking photography and an ending that is often misinterpreted.

Thanks for the input guys! I'll try to get both as they seem awesome films but if I just can buy one, I think I'll go with Charade this time around. Looks like a Hitchcock film plus Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn so I can't go wrong with that one!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

I agree that it's worthwhile, a success, and warrants repeat viewings. It's my favorite western of all-time, awesome soundtrack, great location shots, and some unforgettable scenes.

There's no getting around it, it's an indulgent and at times preachy film. So those qualities along with the huge budget are what no doubt had critics gunning for it back in the day. Now that time has passed and Cimino's full vision can be experienced in HD, I suspect it's recognition as a great cinematic achievement will only grow.

I hope everybody considers acquiring it during the sale

[DaveT1081]

For me it's:

Life of Oharu
Anatomy of a Murder
Shock Corridor
Babette's Feast & The Ice Storm (both marked down for pre-order)

Hate to pass up a golden opportunity, so I'm considering blind-buying the America Lost & Found box - 7 films (most of them great) for about $56 after B&N 10% member discount???

I've got a couple weeks to save up some extra cash by cutting out meat and eating just beans and rice... or the landlord will just have to wait!

[Jr7936]

nothing for me, and i was good, i walked by a b&n which sells 50% off criterions but since i didn't want to wait 15 min until they opened in tj max, i just left

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by DaveT1081

Hate to pass up a golden opportunity, so I'm considering blind-buying the America Lost & Found box - 7 films (most of them great) for about $56 after B&N 10% member discount???

I've got a couple weeks to save up some extra cash by cutting out meat and eating just beans and rice... or the landlord will just have to wait!

That America Lost and Found box set is a joy to own and to watch. I owned it on DVD, upgraded to Blu-ray, and wrapped up the last movie two days ago. The set is worth having just for Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and The Last Picture Show, but they're all quite fascinating movies.

I'm fortunate that I do not have any big races for the rest of July, and that I do not have to travel over the next couple of months, so this enables me to buy a few titles during the sale.