The Criterion Collection

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The word around the campfire is that it's just a matter of time before Criterion upgrades Hiroshima Mon Amour. Such a wonderful film!

Last Year at Marienbad is one of my favs, although it's quite an insidiously complex film that I am still trying to get my mind around.

I even name-dropped Last Year at Marienbad in a hasty review that I wrote yesterday.

I've been hoping for Hiroshima to be announced every month now since the restoration premiered. It's only a matter of time at this point. I really can't wait, especially since it's likely to get a complete overhaul with the extras too.

Originally Posted by Judex

Cristian Mungiu is listed on Criterions site now. Hopefully 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days will be announced shortly.

My vote is leaning more towards Beyond the Hills, but I would be ecstatic about either film.

[LSZ]

Worth it to upgrade my standard edition blu-rays of Being John Malkovich and Dazed & Confused to the Criterions?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by LSZ

Worth it to upgrade my standard edition blu-rays of Being John Malkovich and Dazed & Confused to the Criterions?

Yes

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by LSZ

Worth it to upgrade my standard edition blu-rays of Being John Malkovich and Dazed & Confused to the Criterions?

only thing that bugged me about the Criterion "Dazed & Confused" is that in the very beginning of the movie, the graffiti on the shack at the school now reads "Eat more possum." not sure if this was the case w/ the original BD, but i can't understand at all why it was changed in the first place...

[momaw]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

pale flower is a great movie as well. i like them both, in the realm of the senses is a odd one but still a goot movie. should check out "empire of passion" as well.

I thought Empire of Passion was far superior to In The Realm Of Senses. I wish criterion had put it out on Blu-ray instead.

[The Great Owl]

As I watched Robert Altman's 1975 ensemble film, Nashville, for the first time tonight, my initial impressions were unenthusiastic. On the surface, Nashville has a smarmy aesthetic to it, as though the story were told by one of those people who seems to be laughing at you on the inside while he or she converses with you in a supposedly straightforward fashion. As I continued to watch this multiple-narrative film, resolving to observe with an open mind, I gradually began to pinpoint treasures and genuine charms as they emerged from the fog. The effectiveness of good cinema is partly dependent on what the viewer brings to the table, and my own reception to the early scenes admittedly stemmed from my preconceived associations of Altman films with smug NPR archetypes. Ultimately, Nashville uses a myriad of plot lines to outline modern-day America in a nutshell, with its laughable delusions and its earnest strengths both exposed under a microscope slide for all to see, but it's up to the viewer to spot these traits in equal measure. My advice for fellow first-time participants who are underwhelmed at first echoes a lyric from a country song featured in one of Nashville's most pivotal moments. "Keep a-goin."

In terms of plot structure, Nashville reminds me of the nineteenth-century George Eliot novel, Middlemarch, that utilized numerous characters in interlocking narratives to paint a portrait of political issues, gender roles, ethics, religious themes, and social customs of its era. The self-congratulatory satire that I initially expected is there for the taking in several scenes revolving around the political and musical circles in the story, and I couldn't help but wonder what Altman would think of the current television phenomenon, American Idol, where many people with no semblance of vocal talent venture onto the stage under the illusion that they are destined for lucrative musical careers. One particular character, a BBC reporter, gave me an idea of what Altman must have thought of many Cannes Film Festival media presences. As one takes a closer look, though, devastating sadness and admirable resolve can be found in these characters. My heart went out to an elderly man, Mr. Green, who loses his wife during the story while dealing with a superficial niece. Lily Tomlin's housewife character reveals an uncanny integrity and self-assurance as she exits the bedroom after an affair with a singer who simultaneously reveals a forlorn side to his callous exterior during the sequence. An older country singer who inspires our extreme dislike early in the story eventually displays an unshakeable strength when he places the welfare of an audience over his own injury. A strangely fragmented and displaced female character who seems to be tossed around the story like a rag doll finally shows a stately grace as the film concludes. This assortment of souls is flawed, yet resilient, just as America is flawed, yet resilient.

I'm not quite ready to list Nashville among my personal favorite Criterion Collection titles, but I will treat myself to repeat viewings of this title because, as one of Kurosawa's seven samurai states to another, its characters fascinate me. The booklet essay by Molly Haskell makes a great case for this film's legacy, as does the 2013 documentary, The Making of Nashville. Robert Altman's commentary track, which I'm watching right now as I write this, provides a pleasing look at the director's working relationship with faithful friends over the years.

I was compelled to purchase this Criterion Blu-ray, my first Altman title, because of its reputation, namely its placement on the American Film Institute Top 100. What I've found is one of the most challenging titles that I have watched in recent memory, but I am glad to have this film in my collection in a beautifully-presented edition with an impressive video transfer and crisp audio quality so that I can revisit it and uncover more of its strengths over time.

[The Great Owl]

Oh, and it's best to see Robert Altman's Nashville before you see Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. If not, you will keep expecting to see Ronee Blakley's Barbara Jean character suddenly grasped from behind by Freddy Krueger's razor-gloved hand and pulled through a door window.

It's not always easy to be an '80s kid.

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by momaw

I thought Empire of Passion was far superior to In The Realm Of Senses. I wish criterion had put it out on Blu-ray instead.

Honestly, I agree. I know In The Realm Of The Senses is more well known out of Oshima's body of work (hence why it had a Blu-Ray release, since this was before Criterion did this for every release), but I enjoyed Empire Of Passion a lot more.

They've started going back and upgrading titles from that period, so hopefully we'll get it sooner, rather than later.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by dorothyv

I really want to pick up Investigation of a Citizen Under Suspicion in the B1G1 sale, but I can't think of another title to pair with it that I don't already own (on either BD or DVD) and that I really want.

So, I figure that I will just get the BD release of a DVD title that I already own. Does anybody have any thoughts as to which of the following represents the best upgrade from the DVD version to BD?

Criterion DVD releases:
- Rushmore
- Videodrome
- Double Life of Veronique

Non-Criterion DVD releases:
- 8 1/2
- Wings of Desire
- Being John Malkovich
- Shallow Grave
- Rosemary's Baby
- Devil's Backbone

If you do not already have it in your collection, you should consider adding Francesco Rosi's The Moment of Truth. It is an astonishing film.




Also coming to Blu-ray next month is Rosi's Many Wars Ago:



Pro-B

[momaw]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

Honestly, I agree. I know In The Realm Of The Senses is more well known out of Oshima's body of work (hence why it had a Blu-Ray release, since this was before Criterion did this for every release), but I enjoyed Empire Of Passion a lot more.

They've started going back and upgrading titles from that period, so hopefully we'll get it sooner, rather than later.

I ended up getting the MOC blu-ray of Empire of Passion which was a nice upgrade on the Criterion DVD although the criterion art-work is much nicer.

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by momaw

I ended up getting the MOC blu-ray of Empire of Passion which was a nice upgrade on the Criterion DVD although the criterion art-work is much nicer.

I am region free, so I will look into that. Thank you for the heads up.

EDIT: Just looked it up, the only UK Blu-Ray I'm seeing is Studio Canal via Optimum, not Eureka's MoC line. That's not a deal-breaker by any means, just figured I would point that out...

[jrsl76]

Anyone know why Barnes & Nobles seem to have removed the Check In store availability on the Criterion titles?

I was looking to see if Nashville and Investigation were available at my closest store and it won't let me check.

[The Keeper]

Copy the item number of the title you want to find. Then find a title for which you can search in-store. Click "Find In-Store." Now replace the item number in the url with the one you want to find and hit "return" again.

[jrsl76]

Thanks!

[shane01]

Originally Posted by GaragePoet

only thing that bugged me about the Criterion "Dazed & Confused" is that in the very beginning of the movie, the graffiti on the shack at the school now reads "Eat more possum." not sure if this was the case w/ the original BD, but i can't understand at all why it was changed in the first place...

What did it say before? I saw a film print of D&C over the summer and it said "Eat more possum" during that scene

[retablo]

Originally Posted by GaragePoet

only thing that bugged me about the Criterion "Dazed & Confused" is that in the very beginning of the movie, the graffiti on the shack at the school now reads "Eat more possum." not sure if this was the case w/ the original BD, but i can't understand at all why it was changed in the first place...

It's said that on every edition of the movie I've ever owned, going back to Laserdisc, which was not Criterion.

[momaw]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

I am region free, so I will look into that. Thank you for the heads up.

EDIT: Just looked it up, the only UK Blu-Ray I'm seeing is Studio Canal via Optimum, not Eureka's MoC line. That's not a deal-breaker by any means, just figured I would point that out...

Sorry, you are right. Studio Canal. Was at work and for some reason assumed it was a MOC.

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by shane01

What did it say before? I saw a film print of D&C over the summer and it said "Eat more possum" during that scene

Originally Posted by retablo

It's said that on every edition of the movie I've ever owned, going back to Laserdisc, which was not Criterion.

i could swear that it originally said "Eat more p*ssy." i watched that movie about 15 times in one week when i got it way back on VHS, and maybe i never noticed the change on the Universal DVD (i'll have to double-check). but it also looks like it's been changed, as you can see a clear line where it's been edited, the wood is a completely different color. i'll have to do some digging around about this...

P.S. i've done a couple google searches and even though no one seems to know why the change was made, i'm not the only one who remembers it this way...

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

I

EDIT: Just looked it up, the only UK Blu-Ray I'm seeing is Studio Canal via Optimum, not Eureka's MoC line. That's not a deal-breaker by any means, just figured I would point that out...

why ? the studiocanal release is great. video quality is on one level with in the realm of senses..

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by LSZ

Worth it to upgrade my standard edition blu-rays of Being John Malkovich and Dazed & Confused to the Criterions?

Dazed and Confused is well worth the upgrade!

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Oh, and it's best to see Robert Altman's Nashville before you see Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. If not, you will keep expecting to see Ronee Blakley's Barbara Jean character suddenly grasped from behind by Freddy Krueger's razor-gloved hand and pulled through a door window.

It's not always easy to be an '80s kid.

hahaha! +1