The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Anyone else enjoy Bergman's 3 'Summer' films? I'll check out the other two soon.

I've somehow managed to not see Summer with Monika and Summer Interlude (mostly because buying other Criterions gets in the way), but Smiles of a Summer Night is my favorite Bergman film.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Leavi.../20238/#Review

I saw this, but would love a CC release so we could get some extras...

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I've somehow managed to not see Summer with Monika and Summer Interlude (mostly because buying other Criterions gets in the way), but Smiles of a Summer Night is my favorite Bergman film.

favorite, yeah? cool! I think I'm going to see that one next.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Those are all excellent Blu-rays.

There's a lot of talk about a proper remaster of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly coming out next year, and I'm keeping up with the news with great interest, but I still enjoy my current Blu-ray just fine. It's a good enough movie for me that I'll double-dip for a superior transfer, but it's not like I'm going to be thinking, "I can finally enjoy this movie now."

The problem with the current Blu of TGTBTU for me is the fact that it only includes the terrible extended cut of the film, which ruins the pace in a dramatic way. I'm just hoping when they re-release it, they include both cuts.

[alien2010]

One more week to go till Criterion posts their March releases. Here's hoping for Lynch, Cronenberg, and Melville. Although Polanski's Tess is already being prepped for February, I hope Criterion would announce The Tenant sometime during 2014.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by alien2010

One more week to go till Criterion posts their March releases. Here's hoping for Lynch, Cronenberg, and Melville. Although Polanski's Tess is already being prepped for February, I hope Criterion would announce The Tenant sometime during 2014.

I am really curious about the upcoming 'Leaving Las Vegas' release. I pray that we get it in 2014

[Carletty]

Originally Posted by alien2010

One more week to go till Criterion posts their March releases. Here's hoping for Lynch, Cronenberg, and Melville. Although Polanski's Tess is already being prepped for February, I hope Criterion would announce The Tenant sometime during 2014.

I really really really hope for a Blu-ray upgrade of Eisenstein Sound Years.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

The problem with the current Blu of TGTBTU for me is the fact that it only includes the terrible extended cut of the film, which ruins the pace in a dramatic way. I'm just hoping when they re-release it, they include both cuts.

I hope that the re-release of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly will have both cuts as well, but I personally prefer the Extended Cut. The scenes in the Extended Cut make certain story elements more logical, and the movie still flows superbly. I'm not one to notice small inconsistencies (Eastwood's then-vs.-now voice, etc.), so the added scenes enhance the film instead of disrupting it.

More than anything, I like how the added scenes in the Extended Cut flesh out the characters a lot more. Tuco is less of a comic relief figure, Angel Eyes is more complex, and the Civil War scenes are more melancholic. All in all, the long version is quite majestic.

Ideally, I'd love to see the even-longer Italian premiere cut included on the release.



On another topic...

Those of you who enjoy Fritz Lang's M and Ministry of Fear might want to check out Cloak and Dagger. I just finished watching this one, and it's a solid second-tier Lang thriller with some beautiful espionage/suspense moments. It's quite serious in tone with respect to the risks on the line during WWII, but there are also some cool Hitchcock-esque moments and even a dash what would later characterize the Indiana Jones flicks. Lilli Palmer is...great!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Watched The Searchers yesterday and was just blown away. I love this movie... Ford really is one of the greatest directors of all time.

On a related note, during the Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday sales I picked up a handful of Westerns, Man with No Name Trilogy and The Outlaw Joesy Wales. I still need to buy Unforgiven.

Looking forward to sitting down with these.

If you haven't already, you should watch Shane.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On another topic...

Those of you who enjoy Fritz Lang's M and Ministry of Fear might want to check out Cloak and Dagger. I just finished watching this one, and it's a solid second-tier Lang thriller with some beautiful espionage/suspense moments. It's quite serious in tone with respect to the risks on the line during WWII, but there are also some cool Hitchcock-esque moments and even a dash what would later characterize the Indiana Jones flicks. Lilli Palmer is...great!

I second the recommendation (although I have the old Artisan DVD, rather than the Olive BD).

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Those are all excellent Blu-rays.

There's a lot of talk about a proper remaster of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly coming out next year, and I'm keeping up with the news with great interest, but I still enjoy my current Blu-ray just fine. It's a good enough movie for me that I'll double-dip for a superior transfer, but it's not like I'm going to be thinking, "I can finally enjoy this movie now."

While the film itself is magnificent, regardless of presentation, MGM/Fox's BD transfer is dreadful. Even worse than their Fistful of Dollars transfer. A lot worse, actually. I already have the German editions of Fistful and FAFDM, but there is currently no good English-friendly option for TGTBATU. The Italian release has a beautiful transfer, but no English-language track. The film is such a masterpiece, it really does need a remaster.

[smoss469]

Received The Gold Rush today, can't wait to check it out. I've only seen City Lights and I'm looking forward to this one! It will probably be a few days, decided to revisit 12 Angry Men first.

Talk about an incredible movie. 1 room, 12 men, lots of emotion, heat and conflict! Great character development with a perfect setting. Normally a movie that's 100% dialog driven makes me wary but this one is so well made. The 90+ minutes just fly by!

[hustlermane]

On Frankenheimer, The Train and Birdman of Alcatraz are must-sees. Frankenheimer-Lancaster doesn't get enough props when talking about the best director-actor partnerships. Although I do need to see Seven Days in May…

EDIT: Hopes for March for me is Antonioni on blu first, everything else second.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Except that IMHO most Criterion films are extremely boring and overrated. Most of them are just for the artsy-fartsy crowd.

[Saucerful]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

On Frankenheimer, The Train and Birdman of Alcatraz are must-sees.

Agreed. I've long been hoping for a Criterion release of The Train. When Seconds was announced a few months ago, I thought at the time that it was likely we would eventually see it. Now there seems to be some talk of a Twilight Time release on the horizon.

[klindsey425]

I know I am pretty behind on Criterion Collection but I have about 300 blus now and wanted to start collecting Criterion blu's. I would really like to actually get some I know I would watch from time to time though and not get them just because.

Wanted everyone to make a list of the Top 10 or 20 ones you think u should get first. Either your favorites or just the essential ones to get to start collecting.
Thanks in advance guys

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by klindsey425

I know I am pretty behind on Criterion Collection but I have about 300 blus now and wanted to start collecting Criterion blu's. I would really like to actually get some I know I would watch from time to time though and not get them just because.

Wanted everyone to make a list of the Top 10 or 20 ones you think u should get first. Either your favorites or just the essential ones to get to start collecting.
Thanks in advance guys

Seven Samurai
City Lights
Breathless
Battle of Algiers
Tokyo Story
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
M
Kiss Me Deadly
Wages of Fear
Blow Out
Rosemary's Baby
8 1/2
The 39 Steps
The Gold Rush

[RojD]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm on a film noir kick, and I've heard Pale Flower mentioned several times in context to that genre. Other than that, I'm flying blind.

Pale Flower is black and white and has gangsters, but I'm not sure I'd call it film noir. I responded to it like to an Antonioni or to some 60s euro-existential movie. It's a surprising movie and one of my favorite Crits; I was so moved by it I bought a couple of copies during the BN sale the year it came out and gave them for Christmas presents. ("Merry Christmas! Here, stare into the abyss!")

Thanks for the Cloak and Dagger tip. Didn't realize that was Lang, and will certainly check it out.

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Seven Samurai
City Lights
Breathless
Battle of Algiers
Tokyo Story
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
M
Kiss Me Deadly
Wages of Fear
Blow Out
Rosemary's Baby
8 1/2
The 39 Steps
The Gold Rush

Fish Tank
Three Colors Trilogy
Hunger

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by RojD

("Merry Christmas! Here, stare into the abyss!")

Hahaha, this comment made my day.

And not that you 'sold me' on Pale Flower (I blind-bought the blu from BN, waiting on shipment), but you made me that much more excited for it.