The Criterion Collection

[dmarvin]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I used to own Robinson Crusoe on Mars on Criterion DVD before I sold the DVD copy in anticipation of upgrading to Blu-ray. I simply have not got around to buying the Blu-ray yet. I really did like the movie a lot, but there are a lot of other Criterions that I've prioritized above that one to upgrade. I'll be in a specific mood to revisit that movie in time, and will probably upgrade then.

I picked this up a week ago as a blind buy because I really like older sci-fi films. Haven't gotten around to watching it yet but I'm intrigued now to tackle it within the next week or so.

Completely unrelated to RCOM, I just watched Paris, Texas for the first time and was blown away by it. Such a beautifully shot and acted (and quite surprising) film. It held me in a kind of suspense that virtually no films have been able to mimic ever since. It's simply not the type of suspense I'm used to seeing in modern cinema. Loved every second of it.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by dmarvin

Completely unrelated to RCOM, I just watched Paris, Texas for the first time and was blown away by it. Such a beautifully shot and acted (and quite surprising) film. It held me in a kind of suspense that virtually no films have been able to mimic ever since. It's simply not the type of suspense I'm used to seeing in modern cinema. Loved every second of it.

Well said!

Paris, Texas is a majestic film, and it's gradually become one of my all-time favorites. It's so different than most films of its era, and the casting is brilliant.

Stepping outside of my Criterion dealer addiction for a few seconds to rave about the news that Scream Factory will be releasing the 1982 version of Cat People in 2014. Nastassja Kinski starred in this film around the same time, and it's a fun role for her (although the movie pales in comparison to Paris, Texas).

[dannyfriar]

For those that have made blind purchases, what has been your favourite, and least favourite?

[dmarvin]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Well said!

Paris, Texas is a majestic film, and it's gradually become one of my all-time favorites. It's so different than most films of its era, and the casting is brilliant.

Stepping outside of my Criterion dealer addiction for a few seconds to rave about the news that Scream Factory will be releasing the 1982 version of Cat People in 2014. Nastassja Kinski starred in this film around the same time, and it's a fun role for her (although the movie pales in comparison to Paris, Texas).

Cat People is on my wishlist too. Love it when there is an acting crossover between a Criterion title and a Scream Factory title. These are basically the only two collections I have been buying Blu-rays from (if you check my wishlist, about 80% of them are CC or SF titles).

[JHas]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Well said!

Stepping outside of my Criterion dealer addiction for a few seconds to rave about the news that Scream Factory will be releasing the 1982 version of Cat People in 2014. Nastassja Kinski starred in this film around the same time, and it's a fun role for her (although the movie pales in comparison to Paris, Texas).

Putting out the fire with gasoline!

Another unrelated note, I have been re-reading "Salem's Lot" over the past week or so. I rented "The Return to Salem's Lot" on Amazon Video last night out of curiosity. Just an awful film with no relevance to the Stephen King characters or story. But it does have one redeeming value; an old Samuel Fuller plays a badass Nazi Killer turned Vampire Killer. So there is a grain of Criterion relatedness to this post.

[dmarvin]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

For those that have made blind purchases, what has been your favourite, and least favourite?

I seriously can't pick a favorite. I've lost count of the pleasant surprises I've got from my many, many CC blind buys. Last Days of Disco, Paris Texas, The Killing and Badlands are the ones that have really wowed me recently. I also have about 10 that I haven't even watched yet. I haven't had a bad experience with a CC blind buy, so I can't even pick a least favorite either.

EDIT: Okay, I just thought of my favorite CC blind buy: On the Waterfront. I knew it won Best Picture and was an AFI Top 100 film, but I didn't expect for it to be as great as it is. And it holds up very well still today. And the presentation by Criterion is absolutely mind-boggling. I watched every last special feature as soon as I finished the movie.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

For those that have made blind purchases, what has been your favourite, and least favourite?

Favorites:

The Thin Red Line, Solaris, Marketa Lazarova

Least favorite: Brazil, Black Narcissus

[Mansinthe]

Favorite:

In the Mood for Love (awesome movie, the colors and the music )

Least favorite: Secret Sunshine (it was still a good movie i might even watch again but...)

so far no criterion or moc movie i did NOT like

[dannyfriar]

I purchased 4 blind buys recently:

Kiss Me Deadly
Weekend (2011)
Ride With The Devil
Ministry of Fear

I will probably pick up another handful over the next week or two as well.

[Wotan420]

Been buying a lot of Criterion's lately, wanting to get caught up on old stuff I'd never seen before. My favorites from the start of the sale that I blind bought....

Carlos - I probably enjoyed this one the most so far. First two parts were great, third was a little slower but they really did a great job on this miniseries. Edgar Ramirez was excellent.

Three Outlaw Samurai - Really liked this one for some reason, Harakiri was also good but liked Three Outlaw Samurai better.

Cronos - Really dug this movie having not seen it before, great first film for Del Toro, definitely picking up Devil's Backbone. Was a Del Toro fan before seeing this so that probably helped.

M - This one really stuck with me, didn't think I'd get into it but still thinking about it weeks after watching it. Wish I had seen it years and years ago.

Night of the Hunter - Great Flick enjoyed it start to finish.

House - WOW just wow, doubt I could even find the words to describe this movie. Psychedelic Scooby Doo episode is a fitting description. Not for everyone but if you like weird horror movies it's hard to stop watching once you start. Those Japanese sure are weird. But you'll be relieved to know Japanese schools girls look exactly the same today as they did in the 70's

Harakari - Good but not great IMO

12 Angry Men - Great movie but not the most exciting thing to watch.

Ride with the Devil - Good but not great, am a sucker for Civil War movies.

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Favorites:

The Thin Red Line, Solaris, Marketa Lazarova

Least favorite: Brazil, Black Narcissus

Ooh, what is Solaris like? (very vague question, I know!). The only Tarkovsky film I have seen is Stalker, and I found it hard to finish!

[Abdrewes]

I finally saw my bluray copy of The Cell (I've only seen it on DVD prior), and there's definitely a bit of room for improvement in terms of PQ. Mark it up as another dream Criterion release.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I finally saw my bluray copy of The Cell (I've only seen it on DVD prior), and there's definitely a bit of room for improvement in terms of PQ. Mark it up as another dream Criterion release.

Please tell me you're joking.

That was one of the worst films to ever be made.

[paulgeneacepeter]

Recently opened and watched Che and Crumb. Really like how Che came with a mini movie poster and Crumb came with a copy of the art test. Would like to see more of this kind of stuff put in the cases.

Rushmore I think came with a map.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Please tell me you're joking.

That was one of the worst films to ever be made.

I'm not joking. I think the film is phenomenal. Hopefully I will have time today to write an appreciation for the blog.

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by EricJ

It helps to start asking these questions early, while you still CAN answer them without defending them.
Just because chocolate, or gambling, or mall-shopping, won't send you to the emergency room doesn't mean they don't start tinkering around upstairs once you start saying that it's, well, just part of my lifestyle, and just me!

Dude, you have 12,000 posts on a forum dedicated to blu-rays... yet your implication is that some people have no lives.

[COLD_COBRA_]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

For those that have made blind purchases, what has been your favourite, and least favourite?

All 33? or so of my Criterion blu-rays have been blind buys thus far. That streak ends when I pick up The Devil's Backbone on Tuesday. I had a good run.

Favorites

Belle de Jour
Paris, Texas
Wages of Fear
Wings of Desire
Chungking Express
Days of Heaven

Good
Broadcast News
Cronos
Repo Man

Okay
Blowout
The Game

I still need to watch Seven Samurai, 3 colors, double life of veronique, on the waterfront, and other "classics" I have. So far I think i've done a good job blind buying. Broadcast news and Ride with the Devil are probably my least "essential" to most people.

[Abdrewes]

^^^
Blow Out is Incredible. Alongside Femme Fatale, it is DePalma's best film.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

Ooh, what is Solaris like? (very vague question, I know!). The only Tarkovsky film I have seen is Stalker, and I found it hard to finish!

The vaguest way to answer that would be the East's response to 2001. It's a very beautiful film. I much prefer it over Stalker, but I know many who would disagree with that.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by dannyfriar

For those that have made blind purchases, what has been your favourite, and least favourite?

I have so many blind buys yet to see, but so far ...

Favorite blind buys:
Tie: Paris, Texas & Crumb

Least favorite blind buy:
I realize this is almost a universal favorite and critically acclaimed, and might be hard to believe for many, but ... Charade.

[Show spoiler]It just seemed so (not coming up with the right word here, but) ... unbelievable ... to me.