The Criterion Collection

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

As much as I like Criterion work on their cover art (and it's pretty clear that aspect of every release is not an afterthought for them, but something they put a lot of care into, looking for the right artist and the right design), quite often I wish they had used the original poster instead.

(I'm glad they kept one of the several classic promotional art pieces by Jack Davis for IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD)

Maybe they could borrow a leaf from Shout Factory and provide reversible covers with the original poster inside.

+1. I don't like the covers they do and I really don't get why they simply can't use the original poster instead. The Criterion covers are too artsy and pretentious for me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

Public Enemies (and Heat, actually) tried a little too hard for my liking but Miami Vice is very entertaining. I'm not going to wax poetic about wind-kissed hair or anything but it was a pretty fun ride.

It would probably take the sixth spot on a top ten.

I'm not that big of a fan of Heat either, actually. Maybe I should give it the 5th spot and bump up The Last Of The Mohicans and Manhunter.

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

+1. I don't like the covers they do and I really don't get why they simply can't use the original poster instead. The Criterion covers are too artsy and pretentious for me.

Criterion have had some truly horrendous cover art the past couple of years.
Heavens Gate is shamefull for example.
They used to be a lot better but now they just stick a blurry filmframe on the cover and call it art.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just listened to this...not bad but slightly abstract and not enough layers in there. Still good though. Thnx.

Np. I see what you mean, I think I like synthpop to be stripped down as it gives more power to certain elements such as the higher synths that come in towards the end of that track.

Another recent film with a gorgeous synth soundtrack is Laurence Anyways, which features a particularly wonderful scene involving Visage's Fade to Grey.

[Abdrewes]

Who else is pining for Ali to be released by CC?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

I am extremely squeamish so if I can handle it, anyone can.

Heh, this. The ultra is definitely there but it's not pervasive. Anybody who can turn their head (or look through fingers, he said thinking of nobody in particular, honest) for thirty or so seconds should be fine.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who else is pining for Ali to be released by CC?

Ugh.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You really should shell out for the Miami Vice TV series at some point.

Michael Mann produced that series, and the first episodes in 1984 already looked better than most movies at the time. None of us had ever seen anything like it on television, as far as visuals are concerned.

I never got into Miami Vice. Now Crime Story, that's a different matter.

But that said, to be honest, I've never been a fan of Mann's films.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by octagon

Wow, talking about digging deep to find something to ***** about.

The weight of three DVDs???

Nice

I'm not worried about weight, but I hate those soft/cardboard boxes that some releases use (On the Waterfront, Seven Samurai, Sweet Smell of Success, etc). They are more susceptable to damage, either crushing damage from shipment or just getting worn out on a shelf. The likelihood that this will require some type of cardboard box type packaging is very high.

I get why they are doing the dual format overall, but in the case of multi-disc sets, it seems impractical to me. The Zatôichi set is just especially crazy to have 9 blu-rays but 18 DVD's.

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who else is pining for Ali to be released by CC?

Nah, we need more noirs. Crimes of passion is with MGM, so they could get it. Ditto, A Kiss Before Dying.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Ugh.

Shame on Chris Nolan for blatantly ripping images from the film for Batman Begins.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

It's almost too over the top and I didn't find it overtly disturbing; I actually found it quite silly at times. I am extremely squeamish so if I can handle it, anyone can.

Noted.

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

As much as I like Criterion work on their cover art (and it's pretty clear that aspect of every release is not an afterthought for them, but something they put a lot of care into, looking for the right artist and the right design), quite often I wish they had used the original poster instead.

(I'm glad they kept one of the several classic promotional art pieces by Jack Davis for IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD)

Maybe they could borrow a leaf from Shout Factory and provide reversible covers with the original poster inside.

Yes, that is what makes Criterion stand apart I believe. They get these original artists to come in and design alternate cover art...most of the time it works. But yes, every now and then I wonder why the original cover artwork isn't used more? Is it licensing/publishing copyrights? I wonder.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

No, it is the greatest film ever. just kidding , but IMO, it might be my favorite film in the last 10 years. I feel it's better than anything Tarantino has done outside of Pulp Fiction.

as far as it being ultra-violent.. I have heard people complain about Refn's films for that reason. my grandma was watching Criminal Minds and the story was about a killer who was convincing young girls to go back to his apartment, drugging them, and then slowly draining their blood so he could use it as paint in an attempt to become some kind of avant garde famous painter.

point is.. haven't we all been so desensitized to violence as depicted on film and tv anyway? and Criminal Minds is on TV! I find Tarantino's depiction of violence far more objectionable, but again.. my opinion. playing it for laughs doesn't diffuse it from what it is - just violence.

anyway, back to Drive.. love it! see it! violence no more disturbing than anything else

Okay, thanks for explaining all that! I do have to say that I also find Tarantino's glamorizing of violence to be more of a turn-off these days as I get older. I find myself reaching less for Tarantino movies on my shelf to watch. Maybe I'm just maturing?

Originally Posted by SimBelm

Np. I see what you mean, I think I like synthpop to be stripped down as it gives more power to certain elements such as the higher synths that come in towards the end of that track.

Another recent film with a gorgeous synth soundtrack is Laurence Anyways, which features a particularly wonderful scene involving Visage's Fade to Grey.

I can't even begin to name all these synthpop songs...I might get back to you on that soon enough.

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Would a release of Garden State be out of place in the collection?

Funny, I just posted a quote from that movie yesterday in response to that now banned/suspended user. Good pick.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who else is pining for Ali to be released by CC?

Not me really.

It's a very good movie but Criterion can't be the Outlet of First Resort for every Columbia title Sony won't release (ie every Columbia title). I would be fine with a Mill Creek release but if it winds up with Twilight Time then so be it.

[chris_sc77]

They need to do a damn Spike Lee collection. I have been saying it for 10 years. Mo Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Crooklyn, Clockers, He Got Game, Summer of Sam.
They all deserve great releases with tons of supplements.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

What the hell is The Long Day Closes?

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Just one of the greatest arthouse films ever...

Now I can't wait for the fabulous Terence Davies Trilogy in HD, though!
Great month.

I've not managed to see any of Davies' films, but this one seems like prime blind-buy material. It's one of the reasons why I like Criterion so much.

As for the month as a whole, I'm excited most about the two upgrades, as they're both terrific movies that should work well on Blu-ray. I'd also include the Eclipse Ray set, but that it's DVD-only dulls the excitement a tad.

[jlk5844]

I think some Criterion covers are unique and cool, but if it's a case where the original artwork is awesome, use that. I do like the covers for Rififi and Throne of Blood here, for instance. But some posters for older movies in the 30s-50s suck. Kinda random here, but In a Lonely Place doesn't exactly have a good poster.

[starman15317]

Holy announcement! I can't wait for Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! Too bad I bought the extended version on laserdisc a few months ago but it's awesome to finally have it be released again!

I haven't seen Thief yet (I've been wanting to for a while) but I'm glad that they're releasing it. Also cool to see Throne of Blood and Riffi being released (I still have to see them).

[Hellraiserfan]

I'm definitely buying Thief and Throne of Blood. I haven't seen Rififi, but I'm thinking of doing a blind buy on that due to all the praise I've read.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Who else is pining for Ali to be released by CC?

I assume you're talking about the Mann film with Will Smith. Didn't care for it.

Now, if you're referring to Fassbinder's Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (which Criterion released on DVD ten years ago), that's a different story.

[Carletty]

Another Kurosawa instead of something Italian? Booooooooooring.