The Criterion Collection

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by jw007

Blah blah blah! All this talk on Wes Anderson is giving me a headache! How about Paul Thomas Anderson for a change? When is Criterion finally going to bring him into the collection? Hard Eight is a film that would be a perfect introduction to his filmography. I hope its on Criterion's radar in 2014.

I could definitely get on board with that.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Blood for Dracula aired on EPIX recently, so I tried to watch it. It was tough to get through at first, but then I decided to stop taking it seriously. I'm glad that I checked it out, but it isn't my cup of tea.

[Show spoiler]Also, the ending was almost too over the top for me. I think that the Count has every limb chopped off as he runs away from Mario. The Count didn't even put up a fight and I found that disappointing. Maybe I shouldn't have expected the type of vampires you find in Bram Stoker's Dracula and True Blood

I will definitely watch Flesh for Frankenstein if I get the chance though.

If you thought the ending of Blood for Dracula was over-the-top, wait 'til you get a load of Flesh for Frankenstein's WTF of a denouement. haha

I really wish Criterion would bring these back into the Collection and release them on BD.

[tylergfoster]

People keep saying Moonlight Kingdom when they mean Moonrise Kingdom.

Would be very pleased if Hard Eight and Punch-Drunk Love went to CC. Concerned Hard Eight would be more likely to go to TT.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by The Narrator

Quite a few others. They've been doing business since 2004, and of course, Fox also provides the MGM titles.

I figured, as much... I haven't been able to keep track of the 700 or so titles they have And yeah, I thought twice about the MGM factor with Mad, Mad... World.

I'm just glad that 2014 is looking quite promising already for Criterion... I also have a better feeling about Scanners, which I didn't even know Criterion officially released via iTunes.

[hustlermane]

I didn't know Hard Eight had this many fans…it's ok, I guess, but IMO pales in comparison to his subsequent films (and I'm not even the biggest PTA fan) and doesn't strike me as CC calibre. I suppose there'd be a bunch of supplements they could find and PTA would be glad to help I'm sure and maybe there is an audience for it, it's just one I'd be unlikely to revisit. I'd be on board for a Punch-Drunk Love release, however.

But considering there are few working directors with multiple entires (is Wes the only one with >3?) there are a lot of contemporary filmmakers that I think could better use the profile boost that CC offers, like Gray or Weerasethakul or personally, Claire Denis (though White Material is there already). Mind you, I'm not saying here that those 3 are necessarily better or more deserving than PTA, but strictly from an availability perspective I think generally films that have had no adequate home release should be further up the priority list (which is why it seems plenty were sort of confused about Fantastic Mr Fox).

Also, on the Andersons, Lindsay Anderson has 2 films in the collection also :P

[Hubunkey]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

I didn't know Hard Eight had this many fans…it's ok, I guess, but IMO pales in comparison to his subsequent films (and I'm not even the biggest PTA fan) and doesn't strike me as CC calibre. I suppose there'd be a bunch of supplements they could find and PTA would be glad to help I'm sure and maybe there is an audience for it, it's just one I'd be unlikely to revisit. I'd be on board for a Punch-Drunk Love release, however.

But considering there are few working directors with multiple entires (is Wes the only one with >3?) there are a lot of contemporary filmmakers that I think could better use the profile boost that CC offers, like Gray or Weerasethakul or personally, Claire Denis (though White Material is there already). Mind you, I'm not saying here that those 3 are necessarily better or more deserving than PTA, but strictly from an availability perspective I think generally films that have had no adequate home release should be further up the priority list (which is why it seems plenty were sort of confused about Fantastic Mr Fox).

Also, on the Andersons, Lindsay Anderson has 2 films in the collection also :P

I would enjoy Hard Eight if they included both of PTA's short films as extras

[spanky87]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

I didn't know Hard Eight had this many fans…it's ok, I guess, but IMO pales in comparison to his subsequent films (and I'm not even the biggest PTA fan) and doesn't strike me as CC calibre. I suppose there'd be a bunch of supplements they could find and PTA would be glad to help I'm sure and maybe there is an audience for it, it's just one I'd be unlikely to revisit. I'd be on board for a Punch-Drunk Love release, however.

But considering there are few working directors with multiple entires (is Wes the only one with >3?) there are a lot of contemporary filmmakers that I think could better use the profile boost that CC offers, like Gray or Weerasethakul or personally, Claire Denis (though White Material is there already). Mind you, I'm not saying here that those 3 are necessarily better or more deserving than PTA, but strictly from an availability perspective I think generally films that have had no adequate home release should be further up the priority list (which is why it seems plenty were sort of confused about Fantastic Mr Fox).

Also, on the Andersons, Lindsay Anderson has 2 films in the collection also :P

I like Hard Eight, but it's such a minor work for PT and I think even he would agree. I kind of got that impression during his commentary but that's not surprising since it's only his first feature. Punch Drunk Love would be much more fitting for the Criterion treatment.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Gate

Fair enough, that's one way of looking at it. I still think Criterion could have found some other popular films instead of going the "easy" route and releasing another Anderson film.

But was it "going the easy route"? Just because you (and I and certainly a number of other people) don't like Wes Anderson, maybe the folks at Criterion do and want to put out as many of his films on their label as they can get their hands on. It's their company, so it would be their right.

I imagine that what films they like plays a significant role in what they choose to license and release.

[Meek12345]

Do you all think Paris, Texas is a good blind buy? I have been seeing a lot of rave reviews for Paris, Texas on this forum. I enjoyed and own the Blu of Wings of Desire. Are there any similarities between the two movies?

Also, I may only be able to purchase 1 Criterion this week. If you had to choose between Blow Out and Paris, Texas, which would you choose? I have seen Blow Out and I don't have any De Palma on Criterion yet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

are the hitchcock movies that criterion did release avaible in boxsets of other labels?

Short answer: no.

Longer answer: Certainly not on Blu-ray.➊ There might be some confusion, though, about one of them: The Man Who Knew Too Much. The version that Criterion released is the original, made in Britain in 1934. Universal's Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection set contains Hitchcock's 1956 remake.

➊ Many of Hitch's early, British films were in the Public Domain (at least here in the US) for a while, and so some of the titles that Criterion released might be on DVD (and in a set) from one of the many Public Domain labels light Laserlight. I can't think of any specific examples, though.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Red River? Or that film from my avatar. We need some Hawks in the Collection.

"That film from your avatar" is owned by Warner, so unlikely to be a Criterion title.

[vader4]

The March releases could entirely consist of Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer movies and I'd still be happy because of that announcement yesterday.

[jhiggy23]

Anyone have an opinion on The Uninvited?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Anyone have an opinion on The Uninvited?

If gothic and ghost are words that catch your eye it's definitely worth a watch or three. It's a little too light in tone to produce serious chills (ala The Haunting) but it's reasonably well done and very atmospheric.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Anyone have an opinion on The Uninvited?

It's fairly non-essential and I can't see a situation where I will watch it again, but it's also not worth writing off entirely.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by octagon

If gothic and ghost are words that catch your eye it's definitely worth a watch or three. It's a little too light in tone to produce serious chills (ala The Haunting) but it's reasonably well done and very atmospheric.

Thanks for the reply. I picked it up with Eyes Without a Face and To Be Or Not To Be the other day because of it's very low price tag at the Barnes and Noble sale. I've debated whether to keep it. Obviously the prudent thing to do would just try to watch it in some form first, but I've respected the opinions on this thread for years.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

It's fairly non-essential and I can't see a situation where I will watch it again, but it's also not worth writing off entirely.

Thanks, that's the gist I get. I suspect I'll return it but watch it at a future date. I prefer to own movies that have some degree of rewatchability.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Do you all think Paris, Texas is a good blind buy? I have been seeing a lot of rave reviews for Paris, Texas on this forum. I enjoyed and own the Blu of Wings of Desire. Are there any similarities between the two movies?

Also, I may only be able to purchase 1 Criterion this week. If you had to choose between Blow Out and Paris, Texas, which would you choose? I have seen Blow Out and I don't have any De Palma on Criterion yet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Paris, Texas is absolutely a good blind buy. Easily one of my 5 favorite Criterions. Blow Out is an excellent Criterion that I own and really enjoy, but it bows in reverence before Paris, Texas IMO.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Do you all think Paris, Texas is a good blind buy? I have been seeing a lot of rave reviews for Paris, Texas on this forum. I enjoyed and own the Blu of Wings of Desire. Are there any similarities between the two movies?

Also, I may only be able to purchase 1 Criterion this week. If you had to choose between Blow Out and Paris, Texas, which would you choose? I have seen Blow Out and I don't have any De Palma on Criterion yet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Paris, Texas without a doubt; it's one of the greatest films ever made IMO. The Criterion Blu is wonderful and the majesty of the film makes the entire package a must own.

[blue_streak]

Are most of the titles announced per month already rumored to be in the works?