The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

what are the opinions out there on the David Lean 4 film set? If it was just Brief Encounter, I'd be set to pull the trigger on a blind buy. but, I'm not looking so much for an opinion if a blind buy would be worth my while... I am just curious if people like it. Is it a better set than, say, the Rosselini set?

[fdm]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Anyone else kind of hate the way the back cover paper is usually more bunched up crimped on these new dual layer cases? It just looks kind of cheap. I know others had to notice.

About sums it up. Decided only choice was to lower the bar for what I'll settle for with those. (And now with slots seemingly becoming more of a standard, the bar is getting pretty dam low.)

Was hoping with Sony taking over distribution maybe some of the worst offenders would become a thing of the past, but it didn't take me long to cast that optimism aside. Still a glimmer of hope left though, so will wait and see.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

what are the opinions out there on the David Lean 4 film set? If it was just Brief Encounter, I'd be set to pull the trigger on a blind buy. but, I'm not looking so much for an opinion if a blind buy would be worth my while... I am just curious if people like it. Is it a better set than, say, the Rosselini set?

Let's put it this way: Brief Encounter is the most moving film out of all those you just mentioned. I don't plan on revisiting the others very often, but I plan on seeing Brief Encounter over and over again. I would honestly be surprised if your verdict does not turn out to be similar.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

Weird question: are you supposed to blind buy Criterions? Like, is that part of the expirence? I've only been buying ones that I have an overt familiarity with but I feel like one's not supposed to watch them and consider picking them up, but experience the whole thing with the booklet and the 'new' art one's discovered.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

To me streaming or watching a film on DVD and then buying the BD is like renting it before seeing it in a theater.

Back when I still went to theaters I would prioritize films according to whether I wanted to see them on a nice first-run screen or was okay with either waiting to see a more beat up print in a neighborhood theater or waiting to rent it or catch it on cable.

Today BD is that 'nice first-run screen' tier. Whenever practical I prefer to see any new film in that manner but I'm particularly inclined to see better films or films that are more impressive visually on BD and Criterions tend to fall into those categories.

Originally Posted by Nielsb90

Found a used copy of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence for sale locally. Thinking of blind buying it as I am a big fan of war movies. Is this a dark/brutal movie or is it more in the vein of classic movies like "Bridge on the River Kwai"? Hope you understand the question.

Solidly in between. MCML is definitely much stronger than River Kwai but it's not really brutal in a torture porn sort of way. It has some graphic moments but that's not what gets under your skin.

Fair warning...it's not really a war movie or a POW movie in the conventional sense. It's got a very artsy, surreal 'stream of concsiousness' feel to it at times.

That said, it's an OOP Criterion. If you wind up hating it you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your money back down the road.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

what are the opinions out there on the David Lean 4 film set? If it was just Brief Encounter, I'd be set to pull the trigger on a blind buy. but, I'm not looking so much for an opinion if a blind buy would be worth my while... I am just curious if people like it. Is it a better set than, say, the Rosselini set?

So far I've watched Brief Encounter and In Which We Serve and absolutely love the set. I expected In Which We Serve to be a bit more sappy and sentimental and was pretty pleasantly surprised at just how much I liked it overall.

Brief Encounter flat out floored me. It sounds like you agree so I'm not going to blather on but yeah, flat out floored.

I can't remember what I paid but I got it during a B&N sale and I'm sure after coupons and whatnot I'm sure I've already gotten my money's worth out of the set.

[AndersonVision]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

what are the opinions out there on the David Lean 4 film set? If it was just Brief Encounter, I'd be set to pull the trigger on a blind buy. but, I'm not looking so much for an opinion if a blind buy would be worth my while... I am just curious if people like it. Is it a better set than, say, the Rosselini set?

Not as good as the Rosselini set. But, the Lean set captures a moment in time for a master as he moves into the prime of his career.

[shadedpain4]

I don't think MCML is OOP.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I don't think MCML is OOP.

Doh, you're right...I was thinking of Man Who Fell to Earth...off to change that...

[ShellOilJunior]

Speaking of Rififi and Dassin, I'm wondering if Criterion would ever release a film like Never on Sunday. I don't know if they would consider it too light.

[Carletty]

I hope they announce the Tati set tomorrow so that the one by StudioCanal can be cancelled.

[Brad1963]

I forgot that tomorrow is the 15th, seems like it was just New Years Eve. Yeah, the Tati set would be great.

These are my guesses for April.

The 400 Blows (BD/DVD repackaging)
Ace in the Hole (Blu ray upgrade)
Beyond the Hills
Midnight Cowboy
l' avventura
Breaking the Waves

[Mansinthe]

Its time for a kwaidan upgrade. And another fritz lang movie.

[ShellOilJunior]

Long overdue for some Fellini.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Long overdue for some Fellini.

Spring is the perfect time to release Julietta of the Spirits and could look stunning in HD! This is the Fellini I want so bad in HD... Although I'd take whatever they release.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Long overdue for some Fellini.

I want them to upgrade my favorite Fellini movie, I Vitelloni.

[Scottie]

My copies of Rififi and Thief came in this morning.

I think I'm going to have a Michael Mann marathon this week.

[The Great Owl]

Your Amazon.com order of "The Third Man (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]" has shipped!‏

Alright! Let's throw this party.

(...and keep our fingers crossed that "Used - Like New" lives up to the description)

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by iScottie

My copies of Rififi and Thief came in this morning.

I think I'm going to have a Michael Mann marathon this week.

My copy of Thief is coming in Friday, I guess a Heat/Thief double feature is in order!

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Your Amazon.com order of "The Third Man (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]" has shipped!‏

Alright! Let's throw this party.

(...and keep our fingers crossed that "Used - Like New" lives up to the description)

Owl, I've ordered multiple Blu-rays with the "Used-Like New" description on Amazon; and I have never had any problems. They always look brand new to me.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

My copies of Rififi and Thief came in this morning.

I think I'm going to have a Michael Mann marathon this week.

You've got a perfect double feature right there in your post.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

My copies of Rififi and Thief came in this morning.

I'll be watching Rififi and Thief this weekend, as I'm picking them up at Barnes & Noble tomorrow, along with Throne of Blood, for the B2G1 sale.

My copy of Who Framed Roger Rabbit arrived in the mail today from ImportCDs. I intended for this to be the final movie in my film noir marathon, so I'll wait and watch it after Rififi and Thief.