The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I've been watching the Italian versions and I'm contempt with them.

Why?

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by zkirkland

When will the next sale be?

Originally Posted by smoss469

First we thought yesterday. We were wrong.
Then we thought today. We were wrong.
It might be tomorrow, but we'll probably be wrong.

Maybe they'll do one of their "gotchas" and won't have one.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

So I got $25 credit from sending my Carlos/White discs. Thought it would just be $20.

Now, bring on that sale, Criterion!

... Criterion?

I also received $25 credit instead of $20, so that is awesome. I already used about half of it on replacement blu-ray cases for TMWFTE and 400 Blows (+ shipping), but if the sale doesn't happen until next month, I'll wait. (yet, the November B&N sale will be here before you know it!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CriterionJunkie

I don't mind sharing. Which do you mean? Personal little shorts? Or actual projects I've worked on? If it's my own, then I've very little projects I've done. And the stuff I did do, I'm not too fond of. They were early experiments and attempts at composition, editing, and pacing.

I did my first micro-budget project a few years ago, which to this day is still in the process of getting completed. I got asked to direct a short webisode for a friend's idea. That was really challenging and fun. Though, I've been hungry to do another.

Oh, was just wondering what were your biggest/most successful projects you worked on, and if its anything I might have seen/heard about. I also made some embarrassing little shorts (about 6-7 years ago) and sometimes I watch these but I'm always disappointed somehow, since they could have been better (in terms of quality/camera-work).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Slacker
A lot of people who see this film for the first time apparently turn it off before finishing, because "nothing happens, it's just a bunch of people talking about nothing." Which certainly seems to be true on the surface. But if you're patient and you give it some thought, you may find that there's a lot going on.

Austin, Texas, in the late 1980's, in a neighborhood located between the state capitol building and the local university. An area populated by 20-somethings who may have lots of education, but who seem to have little desire to put that education to use in a way that the "normal" world might recognize. But they do all seem to want to talk. Most of the things they talk about are the definition of "sophomoric"... the sort of navel-gazing that afflicts college sophomores. But there are some absolutely amazing gems in there:

* The opening scene with the "multiple futures" guy who wishes he had stayed at the bus station where he could have met a beautiful woman instead of choosing the future that involved taking a cab alone.
* The "NASA on the moon in the 1950's" crackpot who makes absolutely no connection with the people he accosts with his unprovable theories about Nazi anti-gravity machines and missing persons.
* Blue Smurfs preparing innocent, unknowing children for Hinduism.
* The "Conspiracy-A-Go-Go" writer who's still consumed by a 25-year old murder.
* The TV viewer who dislikes reality because you can't put it on slow motion and the blood doesn't look real.

I've met people like this, and have then tried to avoid them forever after.

But among all the people talking about nothing, the most thought-provoking is the woman who continually repeats the same "You should, you should never...I'm a medical doctor" mantra. Some form of mental illness has caught this woman in a loop from which she can't escape. Now, how is this woman any different from the crackpots, loafers, and conspiracy theorists that we also meet in this movie? Will they ever break out of the loops that they're in? It's a mystery.

In terms of picture and audio quality...the film was shot for $23,000 on 16mm film. Given those limitations, the Criterion Blu-ray version looks and sounds remarkably good. But if you want a film with a plot, and a resolution for that plot, this film isn't it.

Since I have seen this movie at least a dozen times, I have to tell you that there are indeed some awesome little gems in this low budget film. Unlike you, I don't avoid crazy people like those portrayed in the film, but I'm actually rather fascinated, intrigued and/or entertained by them (as a part-time documentary filmmaker). I would even go as far as calling myself a "slacker" as well, or at least an under-achiever of society (as in well-educated and intelligent but avoiding work). I just bought this for $30 at B&N with a 20% coupon but I'm thinking of just returning it and buying it for $18 when the next sale in November hits. As much as I absolutely love and adore this movie, I still wouldn't mind saving a few extra pennies (I was just so excited and rushed with my 20% coupon to the store on the last day and bought this title).

As much as people are "talking about nothing", they are indeed talking about "something", even if they are crazy, eccentric, deranged, delusional or paranoid. Since I am a lover of sociology, documentaries and pop culture and heavily into "characters" (as opposed to story), this is a really re-watchable film for me at least. I find Slacker absolutely hillarious at times and love how authentic and "cinema-verite'esque" this film is. It's also great because it covers 24 hours in a strange day in Austin and captures the late 1980s in all its essence.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

That is the most depressing thing I've read recently.

I agree! The way I see the Martin Scorcese World Cinema Project box set is like the same as Shoah, as I might just watch it all once but its great history and worth showing to people who might never have known about films like these.

[CriterionJunkie]

Originally Posted by jw007

Oh, was just wondering what were your biggest/most successful projects you worked on, and if its anything I might have seen/heard about. I also made some embarrassing little shorts (about 6-7 years ago) and sometimes I watch these but I'm always disappointed somehow, since they could have been better (in terms of quality/camera-work).

Before I answer that, I have a big question for you or anyone else here on this forum. What happened to the Criterion release for The Third Man??? I've held off from picking it up when it first saw blu ray release from Criterion, but when I finally decided to get it - GONE!!! Out of Print!! And I never found out why and what happened! I've been surfing the net for a copy, but it's going for $250 - $400 brand new???

I'm on a witch hunt to get this movie brand new from Criterion but I'm not paying those ridiculous prices!! Do you know if Criterion is ever going to get another re-release in the near future?

Now, to answer your question...I'll tell you in PM.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Oh, by the way, before I get to my book, I was going through my CD collection this past weekend and thought that this would suit one of the upcoming October titles...

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZlMzB_sNxk

Fugazi – "Cassavetes"

Then there's the Le Tigre song with title that always cracks me up, "What's Yr Take on Cassavettes?"

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

I agree! The way I see the Martin Scorcese World Cinema Project box set is like the same as Shoah, as I might just watch it all once but its great history and worth showing to people who might never have known about films like these.

Yeah, I've been eyeing those films for a while, so there's bound to be a few keepers in the set (maybe all of them). Even if I'm only enthusiastic about three films, it will be worth my money.

Plus, this is literally the only way I can watch these films in high quality. Its not like these are going to be sitting on the shelves of my blockbuster any time soon. If you want quality, you have to pay a small premium.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

Then there's the Le Tigre song with title that always cracks me up, "What's Yr Take on Cassavettes?"

Or this one from Jewel's "Stephenville, TX:

"Hey, everybody thought Godard was a clown.."

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CriterionJunkie

Before I answer that, I have a big question for you or anyone else here on this forum. What happened to the Criterion release for The Third Man??? I've held off from picking it up when it first saw blu ray release from Criterion, but when I finally decided to get it - GONE!!! Out of Print!! And I never found out why and what happened! I've been surfing the net for a copy, but it's going for $250 - $400 brand new???

I'm on a witch hunt to get this movie brand new from Criterion but I'm not paying those ridiculous prices!! Do you know if Criterion is ever going to get another re-release in the near future?

Now, to answer your question...I'll tell you in PM.

Oh, The Third Man! Trust me, I'm not the right person to give you the complete low-down on this one. However, with that being said, I actually caved in recently (June 2013) and bought this Criterion on Blu-ray for the grand sum of $125 via Ebay (complete with a mint condition disc + original digipack + replacement case). That is the most I've ever spent on any movie ever. I was eyeing this title for a year or so but only started obsessing about it towards the end. I just "had to" have this. I was lucky to get a decent deal on Ebay though.

So, my assumption is, the reason this title is fetching such enormous prices is because 1) it was the very first Criterion Blu-ray to go out of print, 2) it is a great film and 3) there are like 9 hours of supplementary materials that make this edition really superlative to anything else in history. I believe this title was released in December 2008 and went out of print in November 2009 (or in Autumn 2009). If anyone can buy this for under $100 these days, they should consider themselves lucky, since its going for $200-250 on Amazon. Recently someone posted on here and said he found a brand new Blu-ray of this release at a local Barnes & Noble store in his town but I just cannot believe this myself (after almost 4 years after going out of print).

[pro-bassoonist]

Stromboli Blu-ray REVIEW

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yeah, I've been eyeing those films for a while, so there's bound to be a few keepers in the set (maybe all of them). Even if I'm only enthusiastic about three films, it will be worth my money.

Plus, this is literally the only way I can watch these films in high quality. Its not like these are going to be sitting on the shelves of my blockbuster any time soon. If you want quality, you have to pay a small premium.

I see it that way as well. I guess I'm fortunate enough to have the space and money to buy box sets like these, on blind buy whims, as I would otherwise see myself renting movies like these at the local library or find a stream online. As CriterionJunkie on here said recently about preferring physical films as opposed to digital or streams, I too prefer having physical films, because I feel like a bigger snob than ever before showcasing my rare and unique films on my shelves.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I am also wondering this.

Hi Eddie

Rossellini films and versions to watch: Definitely the English-language versions

Pro-B

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Hi Eddie

Rossellini films and versions to watch: Definitely the English-language versions

Pro-B

Fantastic! Thanks!

[CriterionJunkie]

Originally Posted by jw007

Oh, The Third Man! Trust me, I'm not the right person to give you the complete low-down on this one. However, with that being said, I actually caved in recently (June 2013) and bought this Criterion on Blu-ray for the grand sum of $125 via Ebay (complete with a mint condition disc + original digipack + replacement case). That is the most I've ever spent on any movie ever. I was eyeing this title for a year or so but only started obsessing about it towards the end. I just "had to" have this. I was lucky to get a decent deal on Ebay though.

So, my assumption is, the reason this title is fetching such enormous prices is because 1) it was the very first Criterion Blu-ray to go out of print, 2) it is a great film and 3) there are like 9 hours of supplementary materials that make this edition really superlative to anything else in history. I believe this title was released in December 2008 and went out of print in November 2009 (or in Autumn 2009). If anyone can buy this for under $100 these days, they should consider themselves lucky, since its going for $200-250 on Amazon. Recently someone posted on here and said he found a brand new Blu-ray of this release at a local Barnes & Noble store in his town but I just cannot believe this myself (after almost 4 years after going out of print).

Ohh...man! Looks like I really have no other option than to seek that movie out brand new on Amazon or Ebay then! I read that the Studio Canal release was a complete disaster! Nothing compared to the quality of the Criterion treatment.

And damn that lucky sonofa***** who scored that brand new blu ray off B&N!! (shaking my fist).

I'm also eyeing that Rosselini's War Trilogy set as well! Though, I'm wondering if I should be patient and hold off to see if they will re-release it on Blu!

By the way, I sent you a private message about the other question regarding what I worked on! Check your inbox!

[CriterionJunkie]

Originally Posted by jw007

I see it that way as well. I guess I'm fortunate enough to have the space and money to buy box sets like these, on blind buy whims, as I would otherwise see myself renting movies like these at the local library or find a stream online. As CriterionJunkie on here said recently about preferring physical films as opposed to digital or streams, I too prefer having physical films, because I feel like a bigger snob than ever before showcasing my rare and unique films on my shelves.

Hahaha! I actually get a lot of curious browsers when friends come over my place and see my movie shelf.

My current distaste for digital media is that I don't want to go online to watch streaming video. If the connection is unstable, the picture quality and the movie itself gets disrupted during viewing! Which is why I prefer a physical copy. Pop it in the player and just let it play! If I had to take a quick break for any reason, I can pause it.

Also, I love revisiting the movies that are in my collection. If I don't care for something, that's why I don't mind catching it at some random moment when you have the television on and just surfing channels out of boredom.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by CriterionJunkie

Ohh...man! Looks like I really have no other option than to seek that movie out brand new on Amazon or Ebay then! I read that the Studio Canal release was a complete disaster! Nothing compared to the quality of the Criterion treatment.

The SC release is not as good as the Criterion but to call it a complete disaster is blatant falsehood. I own it, it's pretty good on its own and has most of the extras as well (if you own any of the region B releases) apart from the Soderbergh commentary track. It's a great alternative to paying ridiculous sums for an incrementally better transfer and a "C" logo.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Looks like I was out buying the new Stephen King novel and the new Halloween Blu-ray while everyone was waiting for the Flash Sale to happen. Sorry I missed out on the anticipation, but I'm good for now.

As far as my purchases from B2G1 yesterday, I'm about to write up To Be or Not to Be after watching the movie and all of the extras last night, but I'm saving Repulsion and Kiss Me Deadly (and Halloween) until after I'm done with the Stephen King book. The King always takes immediate priority at my place. I've seen all three of those movies before on DVD and elsewhere, though, so it'll just a matter of appreciating the awesomeness of the Blu-ray presentations.

Kiss Me Deadly just oozes coolness. Great, great film. I really need that one on Blu-ray.

[CriterionJunkie]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The SC release is not as good as the Criterion but to call it a complete disaster is blatant falsehood. I own it, it's pretty good on its own and has most of the extras as well (if you own any of the region B releases) apart from the Soderbergh commentary track. It's a great alternative to paying ridiculous sums for an incrementally better transfer and a "C" logo.

Ok, I was being over presumptuous about the SC transfer. I hate to be such a stickler about quality that I come off obnoxious like some fanatic. Though, rest assured, I will NOT be going out of my way to dish out a few hundred dollars for the rare, out-of-print Criterion Third Man.

I love Criterion's treatment of the titles they acquire, though, I don't also want to sound like they are the 'end-all-be-all' company for all things classic cinema. As I've mentioned to JW, I'm still open to other third party home video companies to release great films.

Though, it is hard to beat Criterion's label with all the quality they put into their collection.