The Criterion Collection

[joie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've got the Masters of Cinema edition of Murnau's Sunrise in the mail to me, and it should be here any day now. The price was $18.99, including shipping.

The domestic Kino edition of Nosferatu should be arriving this week from Barnes & Noble as well, so it's looking like a Murnau double feature next weekend.

The Czech version on Eureka's Sunrise disc is surprisingly good (visually).

[The Great Owl]

Here are a few words about Criterion's latest outstanding title.



Charlie Chaplin's movies strike a chord with me, because his Tramp character is the greatest cinematic representation of my own apprehensions about social awkwardness and about making a fool out of myself in public. Whenever I lecture to a crowd of people for a work presentation, lead a group on a weekend training run, or even participate in friends' weddings as a groomsman, I can alleviate my nervousness by recalling footage of Chaplin inadvertently wreaking every kind of havoc imaginable at social gatherings, assembly lines, and other everyday settings.

The fact that Chaplin's 1931 masterpiece, City Lights, ranks prominently on several movie lists leads me to believe that I am not the only one who relates to the Tramp's bungled misadventures and that I am not the only one who delights in his rare triumphs. It is easy to imagine that moviegoers identified with Chaplin's underdog persona at the time of this film's release, when many lost souls were struggling through the Great Depression. City Lights is a hilarious, but sentimentally powerful tour through the lives of such lost souls, namely Chaplin's Tramp, Virginia Cherrill's blind flower girl, and Harry Myers's alcoholic millionaire. Difficult themes involving unemployment, suicide attempts, marital separation, and rent defaults are acknowledged with the appropriate emotional impact, but the film's buoyant comedic timing keeps a smile on my face as those story elements unfold. Scenes involving party whistles and misplaced shower soap had me laughing out loud. My choice for the best Charlie Chaplin film is a tie between this title and The Gold Rush, but City Lights has an irresistible pathos that will likely grab me all the more during subsequent viewings, especially because of the remarkable final scenes.

I was hugely impressed with the picture quality of this Criterion Blu-ray of City Lights, because the amount of detail in this presentation belies the film's age. The audio quality brings Chaplin's significant utilization of music to the forefront. I just finished listening to the commentary track by author Jeffrey Vance, who excels with a good play-by-play discussion that also touches on key anecdotes about Chaplin's career. A handful of documentaries regarding the director's on-the-set approaches are also entertaining. This is one of Criterion's first Dual Format Blu-ray/DVD titles, and, while I prefer the old Blu-ray case setup, this new format is a beautiful and durable package.

[tylergfoster]

I like Wes Anderson's movies, so I'm biased, but even if I didn't, I agree that the more mainstream popularity of his movies is a coup for Criterion that helps fund other projects. It seems like such empty bitterness to complain about someone whose films are in the collection rather than just rooting for those who aren't, and should be.

Originally Posted by spanky87

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.

Perhaps Hard Eight will be an extra on Punch Drunk Love! Hey, I can dream.

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

They could (and totally should) rescue The Big Lebowski and Barton Fink from Universal.

Barton Fink is 20th Century Fox in the US, but there are definitely a ton of 20th Century Fox titles in the collection, and they didn't release it themselves, so I could see that happening, and would definitely be thrilled.

I also doubt they'll ever give up The Big Lebowski, simply because it sells well enough for them to actually have done a real special edition when the 10th Anniversary rolled around.

The one I'm really hoping for, though, is The Man Who Wasn't There. I'd be happy enough if it was just the extras from the DVD plus the color version on a second disc.

[joie]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, that is what I mean! I didn't think of that. There could be an intermediary non-profit organization that goes between the government and the private sector for restoration, remastering and re-release of certain films. But these would not just be limited to "historical" films (much like the The National Trust for Historic Preservation), but instead a committee-run panel of diverse film scholars, filmmakers and geniuses who are able to select overlooked or underrated films for selection into this non-profit organization's monthly offering for releases in a private company such as Criterion/Janus.

But I think a government sponsored non-profit would have to release films, because private companies wouldn't be interested in releasing everything that gets preserved/restored, so it would probably be best if for-profit companies were left out of the loop. With government sponsorship there is the risk of politicalization already and with for-profit companies in the loop, there is the risk that the non-profit could be influenced by what private companies consider important, i.e., profitable.

[RipleyLV426]

Phantom Carriage is going to be an amazon deal tomorrow 12:20 pm pacific,fyi. Is that a good blind buy, I have heard it moves slow. Curious what price it will be.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by joie

But I think a government sponsored non-profit would have to release films, because private companies wouldn't be interested in releasing everything that gets preserved/restored, so it would probably be best if for-profit companies were left out of the loop. With government sponsorship there is the risk of politicalization already and with for-profit companies in the loop, there is the risk that the non-profit could be influenced by what private companies consider important, i.e., profitable.

Yes, it seems like for-profit and non-profit companies do not mix well. I could not have said it any better than what you wrote here.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RipleyLV426

Phantom Carriage is going to be an amazon deal tomorrow 12:20 pm pacific,fyi. Is that a good blind buy, I have heard it moves slow. Curious what price it will be.

Hmmm. Color me intrigued. I used to own this DVD, but have not yet upgraded.

The Phantom Carriage is an eerie, but touching silent film that moves at a leisurely pace to impressive results. A scene in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is descended from this movie, but I will not spoil the fun.

[Gusto-Guus]

How much will that The Phantom Carriage be? I've always been hesitant about getting it.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

How much will that The Phantom Carriage be? I've always been hesitant about getting it.

Don't know yet. Probably won't until the sale goes live.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, it seems like for-profit and non-profit companies do not mix well. I could not have said it any better than what you wrote here.

There are a few folks in the UK that aren't terribly happy with the way BFI is allocating funds.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by mdonovan

John Boorman would be an astounding addition.

Point Blank. Bring it!

[JavaJulien]

I just got 12 Angry Men today. One of my absolute favorite movies.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

I just got 12 Angry Men today. One of my absolute favorite movies.

It's an awesome Criterion Blu-Ray, enjoy!

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by RipleyLV426

Phantom Carriage is going to be an amazon deal tomorrow 12:20 pm pacific,fyi. Is that a good blind buy, I have heard it moves slow. Curious what price it will be.

It does move at a slow pace but definitely has an eerie effect especially when coupled with the KTL score (there are two scores on the disc). It's essentially a darker telling of A Christmas Carol.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Point Blank. Bring it!

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Point Blank is one of my most desired upgrades.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by RipleyLV426

Phantom Carriage is going to be an amazon deal tomorrow 12:20 pm pacific,fyi. Is that a good blind buy, I have heard it moves slow. Curious what price it will be.

I guess I am in the minority here, but I didn't find it slow when I watched it. Regardless, it is a great film, and if you like silent movies it is definitely worth picking up.

[Bluballs31]

Is there any other way to reach someone at Criterion?? Jon Mulvaney has not responded to me


I had a faulty disc 2 for Carlos and shipped it back to them. I sent it with tracking and it did arrive. Just i've received nothing back and no response at all

[octagon]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I guess I am in the minority here, but I didn't find it slow when I watched it. Regardless, it is a great film, and if you like silent movies it is definitely worth picking up.

Slow is a tricky word. Paris, Texas is by most reasonable definitions fairly slow but the time flies by nevertheless. It's slow but it doesn't feel slow.

The Phantom Carriage was kind of in between for me. Time definitely didn't fly but I never felt like it was dragging either.

And yeah, I'm not sure I would recommend it to people new to silent films but to people who've already gotten their feet wet I would say 'buy with confidence'.

[jw007]

Made my 3rd haul for the sale today at Barnes & Noble... bought 3 more!

I was lucky to find a copy of Frances Ha with a partially exposed Criterion signature sticker (with the B&N price tag covering most of it)! How rare!

The same CSR who let me use a 20% coupon plus the $5/50 coupon was working in the media department again today. Got lucky again.

I used some of the $75 on my B&N gift certificate to buy the $48 worth of movies today.

Naked Lunch ($12.96 + tax) (20% coupon + $5 off $50 or more coupon + 10% member discount)
Frances Ha ($16.20 + tax) ($5 off $50 or more coupon + 10% member discount)
Rushmore ($16.21 + tax) ($5 off $50 or more coupon + 10% member discount)

Picture:

[BruceWayneMartin]

Frances Ha came out? Didn't realize that.
I picked up Lord of the Flies, Seven Samurais, and On the Waterfront. All blind buys. Can't wait to watch them.