The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I am trying to seek out new titles to watch and not just Criterion. I have spent the last week going back through this thread for ideas (I started at May 2013).

Not specific film questions but can anyone answer the following:

Hulu - Is there a way to view Criterion streaming outside of the US?

I'm pretty sure that Criterion's disc and streaming rights to their titles cover Canada as well as the US, but there might be exceptions. If not, there are always ways to disguise your IP with a proxy service to make it look like you're in the US.

Amazon Traders - I hear people buying on Amazon all the time, who are the Traders to buy from / avoid?

When you buy from an Amazon Marketplace seller, you're asked to rate them after the transaction is completed. And when you look at an item from one, the seller will have a rating noted in the listing, so you can generally use that to tell how reliable a seller is.

At any rate, Amazon says that they will stand behind any Marketplace transaction, so if you have a problem with a dealer, you can get it resolved through Amazon.

My personal experience with Amazon Marketplace transactions is quite good. I've received all items well within the estimated time frame, and as far as I can recall there's been only once instance in which the item wasn't quite as described.

Region Free - Another way to open your collection is region free. I currently have a Region 1 player and would look at changing to a RF but first would like feedback on Models / Price etc from those who have players already.

Wouldn't mind hearing that myself. As I posted not long ago, I'm generally content with not having the temptation to order discs from outside the US, but there are definitely some non-Region A titles that I long for.

[the sordid sentinel]

Grabbed The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes from B&N. Been wanting these forever but other priorities pushed them to the back burner. Can't wait to check out some early Hitchcock!

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I'm pretty sure that Criterion's disc and streaming rights to their titles cover Canada as well as the US, but there might be exceptions. If not, there are always ways to disguise your IP with a proxy service to make it look like you're in the US.



When you buy from an Amazon Marketplace seller, you're asked to rate them after the transaction is completed. And when you look at an item from one, the seller will have a rating noted in the listing, so you can generally use that to tell how reliable a seller is.

At any rate, Amazon says that they will stand behind any Marketplace transaction, so if you have a problem with a dealer, you can get it resolved through Amazon.

My personal experience with Amazon Marketplace transactions is quite good. I've received all items well within the estimated time frame, and as far as I can recall there's been only once instance in which the item wasn't quite as described.



Wouldn't mind hearing that myself. As I posted not long ago, I'm generally content with not having the temptation to order discs from outside the US, but there are definitely some non-Region A titles that I long for.

I always read Seller reviews on Amazon but always good to hear someone recommended.

I had a quick look on Amazon for a RF, players range from $50 to $350+. My BR player from April cost around $80 and I'll not be going to far from that range for a RF.

[14728]

Okay, yesterday I watched Metropolis in my Keeping My Sanity till Christmas Event. Since it's not Criterion-related, I've decided not to post my review on the thread, but instead on the films home-page. Here's my reviewhttps://www.blu-ray.com/Metropolis/2...ow=userreviews. Anyways, tonight's selection is Hoop Dreams. I'll post the review tomorrow.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I quite like Buffalo Bill and the Indians, though in comparison to Nashville it was a bit of a come down.

But "maybe he just couldn't sustain humor over the length of a feature". Really? You're saying this about the guy who directed M*A*S*H?

LOL....never post before coffee. MASH and Brewster McCloud!

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by oildude

Actually, these two make an excellent pair. If you like Smiles of a Summer Night, you will most likely find Design for Living enjoyable as well. DFL has a lot of pre-code risque innuendo and is a suprising amount of fun to watch. It is a sexual farce in the best Lubitsch style. The acting and dialogue are excellent all around. Gorgeous transfer also.

Originally Posted by jayembee

It's Lubitsch.

That's all you need to know.

Agreed... thanks guys.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Well said.

The high frame rate made each and every setting look like a sound stage, and that ultra-realism took my mind out of this new Hobbit movie several times.

The trade was that the digital effects looked quite real in the new high frame rate format. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, when viewed in this high frame rate, looks like a daytime soap opera or an old BBC episode that just happened to have a bunch of talented real-life orcs, dragons, and giant wolves.

The most interesting aspect of the HFR format was that it gives one a taste of what Brainstorm would've been like if Trumbull had been able to get his Showscan process off the ground 30 years ago.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Amazon Traders - I hear people buying on Amazon all the time, who are the Traders to buy from / avoid?

Region Free - Another way to open your collection is region free. I currently have a Region 1 player and would look at changing to a RF but first would like feedback on Models / Price etc from those who have players already.

I have never had a bad experience with Amazon marketplace; much better than ebay, for example.

Google up Momitsu (cheap) and Oppo (expensive, well, more expensive) and "region free blu ray player". You'll want to look at current info. After you get one, if you're like me, you won't bother keeping up with the latest. I have a Sherwood Momitsu clone (same machine, different case) that I got for a little more than 100 bucks 3 years ago. Anyway, you'll want to check out recent comments on forums like this one, AV Club etc which should turn up on your google search.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Wouldn't mind hearing that myself. As I posted not long ago, I'm generally content with not having the temptation to order discs from outside the US, but there are definitely some non-Region A titles that I long for.

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I always read Seller reviews on Amazon but always good to hear someone recommended.

I had a quick look on Amazon for a RF, players range from $50 to $350+. My BR player from April cost around $80 and I'll not be going to far from that range for a RF.

The best bet for bargain hunting is keeping an eye on the player forum and being ready to jump if/when a bargain player shows up. The refurbished Insignias and Seiki closeouts were both really good deals but they didn't last forever.

(although there might still be a few Seiki kicking around)

http://www.searsoutlet.com/Blu-ray-P...25&mode=seeAll

If by chance you're close to one of these locations I would highly recommend grabbing of these players while you can. I haven't used mine all that much so I can't speak to durability but so far it's been basic but functional and you can't beat the price.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by scorsetinogilliam

After you watch Nebraska, go re watch The Last Picture Show to remember how to end a film without superfluous, over-the-top redemption in the third act. Payne hasn't made a great film in so many years...

There wasn't anything wrong with the ending, in my opinion.

In fact, I think it fit nicely for the film as a whole.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

There wasn't anything wrong with the ending, in my opinion.

Agreed

[Ausjdm]

Monday I'm going for the B1F1 at B&N. I've called all the stores around here
Only one supposedly has one copy left of investigation of a citizen above suspicion. I'm going blind on it and Hunger. McQueen is one to watch.

OT: Just saw Dallas Buyers Club, Incredible story and performances by McConaughey and Leto. Easy top 10 of the year!

Also saw passion of Joan of Arc yesterday I dvr'd. I appreciated the camera work and acting. Much emotion shown considering its a silent film, but I just couldn't get into it. I guess I'm more of a Talkie guy..

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Grabbed The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes from B&N. Been wanting these forever but other priorities pushed them to the back burner. Can't wait to check out some early Hitchcock!

I'm probably going to be doing this too.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Just watched The Double Life of Veronique and it made no real impact on me. The movie was so beautifully shot and lit, Irene Jacob was stunning and have a great performance, the soundtrack was wonderful but I didn't really feel anything remotely strong throughout it. I think perhaps I've missed something and didn't quite "get it" on first viewing but it doesn't seem especially complex.

After watching Blue as well a while back and having a similar experience, I'm afraid this guys films just aren't for me. I have the three colours trilogy though so I'll give White and Red a chance eventually but I'm having trouble making a connection with his films so far which is unfortunate because they're so technically impressive.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

I blind bought Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and I loved it. To put it simply, if you're interested in human civilization (Example, Capitalists, Socialists, communists, etc.), philosophy, the human condition, than you'll enjoy this movie.

Thanks for the reply! I plan to add Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and the Zatoichi set to my collection as soon as possible. Cinema Paradiso is the only Italian film I own, so I would like to expand that part of my collection. My collection of foreign films is very heavy on French and Asian films with some German sprinkled in.

My Criterion announcement wishlist for Monday:

In a Lonely Place
Don't Look Now
Gilda
Ugetsu upgrade

Most of these have already been mentioned. Maybe if enough of us wish for it, it will happen.

[Mansinthe]

region free player topic..


just get a player from the other region and use 2 different players with a power converter.. like this u dont have to spend 500-700$ on a region free oppo or get a cheap player that gets already no more updates....

myself i use a Sony S4100 (region B ) and a panasonic bdt210 (region A)


criterion topic:

watched things to come yesterday and did fall asleep through half the movie. gonna try watch it again today or tomorrow... was probably tired from working late shifts all week.

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Thanks for the reply! I plan to add Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and the Zatoichi set to my collection as soon as possible. Cinema Paradiso is the only Italian film I own, so I would like to expand that part of my collection. My collection of foreign films is very heavy on French and Asian films with some German sprinkled in.

My Criterion announcement wishlist for Monday:

In a Lonely Place
Don't Look Now
Gilda
Ugetsu upgrade

Most of these have already been mentioned. Maybe if enough of us wish for it, it will happen.

Don't Look Now is a great choice. My wishlist, which most probably won't come up, are

Le Samourai
The Tenant (although I doubt it will come up since Criterion are releasing a Polanski title, Tess, in February)
Eraserhead/Mulholland Drive (Been waiting for these for ages)
The Passenger

[Infernal King]

Tokyo Story didn't hold up as well as I was hoping. I've seen nearly all of Ozu's films from Late Spring on and most of them are really similar to each other, yet still watchable. With the exception of Late Spring, I can't imagine wanting to revisit any of these other works from his "late period". I won't deny that he's a great director and Late Spring is still a wonderful film but Tokyo Story, recently rated the #3 film of all time by Sight & Sound, just didn't do much for me the second time through. I'm guessing most of his films will turn out to be the same way if I re-watch them: better left as "one and done".


I'll bet I'm in the extreme minority with this opinion and maybe it's better suited for the Unpopular movie opinions thread...

[joie]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

region free player topic..


just get a player from the other region and use 2 different players with a power converter.. like this u dont have to spend 500-700$ on a region free oppo or get a cheap player that gets already no more updates....

myself i use a Sony S4100 (region B ) and a panasonic bdt210 (region A)

[...]

Some players may have "universal" power supplies. Those work with 50/60 Hz and 110/220 volts, so a power converter isn't necessary, but a plug adapter may be.

[smoss469]

I finally sat down and watched Solaris. It was interesting to say the least. However, I had a few questions about the movie, specifically the ending.

[Show spoiler]Kris went to the station because there was debate on if the "guests" were real, or just hallucinations created by the planet. The crew made the planet made, in essence by exposing it to radiation as an experiment correct? The "guests" were almost like a retaliation.

Also, the ending, after Hari goes away for good, he says he's returning back to Earth as his mission is now complete. He gets home and immediately something is wrong. For 1, it's raining in the house and his dad doesn't seen to care. Then the camera zooms out and he's still on Solaris on 1 of the new islands that was created as a result of the "annihilator" ? If he was going back to earth, how did he end up on the planet?

If anyone could answer those 2 questions, I'd be most appreciative!