The Criterion Collection

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The solution is obvious. Criterion needs to release white-tie-and-tails editions of every movie ever made, and do it by next month.

What are they waiting for? Slackers.

Well, "Slackers" is Sony product, so it's certainly possible!

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Well, I think the problem is the use of the word "lame". If they were saying "Too bad, there's nothing this month that floats my boat", that would be one thing. But when they say "what a lame month", what we hear is "God, why would anyone want to watch any of these stupid movies?"

That might be what you heard, but that's not what was said. I think it goes without saying that general statements such as "How disappointing" or "What a let down" are obviously personal opinions, not even remotely directed at anyone. Have people became so intent on jumping on every single possible hidden meaning from word usage that we really have to start adding disclaimers to statements of displeasure?

*The above statement is my personal opinion and mine alone. It is not directed at any particular user, group or loosely tied affiliation. My sponsors do not endorse nor support my opinion. This opinion cannot be reprinted without the expressed written consent of ESPN Networks and the National Football League. Warranty void where prohibited, no purchase necessary and you must be 18 or older to win. Tax titles and fees are due at signing. Any similarities between any persons living or dead is unintentional and any offense at said statement is unintentional.

[Scottie]

Having finally completed the "America Lost And Found: The BBS Story" set, this is how I rank the films.

½ The Last Picture Show (1971)
Five Easy Pieces (1970)
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
Head (1968)
Easy Rider (1969)
Drive, He Said (1971)
½ A Safe Place (1971)

I'm being REALLY generous with Drive..., Easy Rider, and Head.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

As per usual. Announcement day drama....it never ends. October 15th will probably be no different.

I would like to see a mix of releases to keep everyone at least marginally happy. 1 foreign film, 1 art house film, 1 classic American film, 1 cult following film. (or something to that effect). That really ups the chances that there's something for everyone. For me, I was hopeful we'd see something like the ones previously mentioned (Eraserhead, Scanners, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World etc), as it stand the only 1 that remotely interests me is Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, however having never seen it I don't think it'll be a blind buy.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Gotta love some of the snob attitudes here; as if liking a non mainstream film somehow makes you better or a more well versed movie lover than someone else. Or gives you the right to try and invalidate the feeling of disappointment people have expressed.

When you come down off the high horse let the rest of us know.

Originally Posted by smoss469

That might be what you heard, but that's not what was said. I think it goes without saying that general statements such as "How disappointing" or "What a let down" are obviously personal opinions, not even remotely directed at anyone. Have people became so intent on jumping on every single possible hidden meaning from word usage that we really have to start adding disclaimers to statements of displeasure?

So reading between the lines is okay except when it isn't. Or isn't okay except when it is.

Or something like that.

Got it.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

As per usual. Announcement day drama....it never ends. October 15th will probably be no different.

And it's not like we can even get any of these Criterion discs before waiting THREE MORE MONTHS! I guess it's good to get a 90-day headstart on how much and what all to start saving for preorders/first-day/week buys, and what to hold off on for later reviews and rave recommendations in the forum threads before deciding that Criterion really does release some pretty interesting movies even if you've never heard of them before.

[smoss469]

Nope, my original response was very clearly directed at statements people made, not insinuations nor "feelings" on unspoken comments.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Nope, my original response was very clearly directed at statements people made, not insinuations nor "feelings" on unspoken comments.

Really? Somebody actually said liking non mainstream film somehow made him or her a better or a more well versed movie lover than someone else?

That wasn't simply your inference?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Having finally completed the "America Lost And Found: The BBS Story" set, this is how I rank the films.

½ The Last Picture Show (1971)
Five Easy Pieces (1970)
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
Head (1968)
Easy Rider (1969)
Drive, He Said (1971)
½ A Safe Place (1971)

I'm being REALLY generous with Drive..., Easy Rider, and Head.

Awww, come on Scott.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

And it's not like we can even get any of these Criterion discs before waiting THREE MORE MONTHS! I guess it's good to get a 90-day headstart on how much and what all to start saving for preorders/first-day/week buys, and what to hold off on for later reviews and rave recommendations in the forum threads before deciding that Criterion really does release some pretty interesting movies even if you've never heard of them before.

Yeah, will I ever get ALL the Antonioni I want? Probably not. But, as has been stated thousands of times before, Criterion is still the best of the best. There's something for everybody in each and every month. People just have to give them a rent or HULU stream.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

½ The Last Picture Show (1971)

I had a feeling that you'd enjoy The Last Picture Show. I'd love to read your thoughts about the film.

I just finished writing up Drums Along the Mohawk (sadly not a Criterion title, but still wonderfully presented) and am about to start watching the 1958 version of The Fly (also, sadly not a Criterion title, but reportedly wonderfully presented).

[Snicket]

I have no strong feels on any of the new announcements...

That's my contribution.

[Grethiwha]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Got that right. A year with no Kurosawa, nor Polanski, nor Lynch, nor Melville, nor Mann, nor Cronenberg.

A year without a Kurosawa release from Criterion... is no kinda year at all! God, I really hope we see at least a couple next year; kills me how slow they are getting his stuff out on blu-ray.

But they did upgrade Naked Lunch, Cronenberg-wise. Didn't buy it myself though; the only Cronenberg I still really want on blu is Dead Ringers, less'n I rewatch Naked Lunch and like it even more than I remember.

Anyway, nothing for me this month – can't say I've seen any of them I admit, but then can't say I'm interested enough in any to put 'em very high up on my to-watch list. I can't be too disappointed though, after just how very much there was for me last month.

Hopefully we'll see the rumoured Lynch films soon.

[dsman71]

Im not even interested in the Cronenberg films but for the sake of making a lot of fans who know Criterion has them I dont think it would hurt them to release them already - those fans will be happy. Im into Lynch , Hitchcock and American classics + some horror titles. They have released a few titles that I really liked so I appreciate it but the last few months have been downers, but I did watch City Lights and Eyes Without A Face - because they did peak some interest. And Im getting those.
I would like for them to release Le Samourai and Kwaidan as far as foreign films...Eventually they do release a title or two for the casual criterion fan...

[retablo]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Gotta love some of the snob attitudes here; as if liking a non mainstream film somehow makes you better or a more well versed movie lover than someone else. Or gives you the right to try and invalidate the feeling of disappointment people have expressed.

When you come down off the high horse let the rest of us know.

Nothing wrong with liking a mainstream film. It's when people ONLY like mainstream films that is most telling. That's kind of like saying the only good music is Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

More people should get up on that horse and check out the view, instead of immediately writing off films they haven't even heard of as being "bad."

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Got that right. A year with no Kurosawa, nor Polanski, nor Lynch, nor Melville, nor Mann, nor Cronenberg.

Criterion not only failed to release Melville titles this year, but they also lost some Melville titles. They have a negative score on the Melville Scale for 2013.

On a brighter note, my Blu-ray of Melville's Two Men in Manhattan is being shipped to me from Cohen Media. To blatantly steal Eric J's oft-utilized metaphor, I am scoring my fix from a different "dealer."

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Criterion not only failed to release Melville titles this year, but they also lost some Melville titles. They have a negative score on the Melville Scale for 2013.

On a brighter note, my Blu-ray of Melville's Two Men in Manhattan is being shipped to me from Cohen Media. To blatantly steal Eric J's oft-utilized metaphor, I am scoring my fix from a different "dealer."

Le Samorai in 2014 will be nice

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I would like to see a mix of releases to keep everyone at least marginally happy. 1 foreign film, 1 art house film, 1 classic American film, 1 cult following film. (or something to that effect).

This month came pretty darn close to meeting your desired requirements. Each film doesn't fit each category, but I think those words (foreign, arthouse, classic America, cult) are all represented here.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Le Samorai in 2014 will be nice

Indeed! I'm glad that I gave the 2012 French Pathe Blu-ray a chance, but Le Samourai deserves a Rolls Royce treatment from Criterion.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Grethiwha

A year without a Kurosawa release from Criterion... is no kinda year at all! God, I really hope we see at least a couple next year; kills me how slow they are getting his stuff out on blu-ray.

But they did upgrade Naked Lunch, Cronenberg-wise. Didn't buy it myself though; the only Cronenberg I still really want on blu is Dead Ringers, less'n I rewatch Naked Lunch and like it even more than I remember.

Anyway, nothing for me this month – can't say I've seen any of them I admit, but then can't say I'm interested enough in any to put 'em very high up on my to-watch list. I can't be too disappointed though, after just how very much there was for me last month.

Hopefully we'll see the rumoured Lynch films soon.

I feel your pain. I have been waiting seven years for Red Beard, Ikiru, Drunken Angel, The Hidden Fortress and Thorne of Blood to make their Blu-ray debut. The Zatoichi box set is awesome news, but more Kurosawa is needed.