The Criterion Collection

[Joe Dalek]

Two months in a row now with "upgrades" that are just repacks of previously released Blu-rays and DVDs. These are almost anti-upgrades, announced for the benefit of the DVD crowd before the pricier dual format release replaces the separate formats. Criterion doesn't typically announce packaging changes but I guess the dual format warrants promotion as if a new release... I hope Criterion gets back to some actual upgrades-to-Blu-ray in the coming months.

[Shanew800]

Hey guys, I was browsing some criterion titles on amazon and wanted some suggestions. I'm definitely getting thief but could use some more suggestions. I'm not looking for something too artsy or complex but more enjoyable and satisfying. I only currently own repo man, Paris Texas, wings of desire, kiss me deadly, and three outlaw samurai so I'm just getting started. Help me out guys!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Hey guys, I was browsing some criterion titles on amazon and wanted some suggestions. I'm definitely getting thief but could use some more suggestions. I'm not looking for something too artsy or complex but more enjoyable and satisfying. I only currently own repo man, Paris Texas, wings of desire, kiss me deadly, and three outlaw samurai so I'm just getting started. Help me out guys!

Based on what you mentioned, I'd suggest looking into:

Rififi
The Killing
Dazed and Confused
Breathless
The Wages of Fear
Yojimbo/Sanjuro (

[Show spoiler]couldn't help mentioning some of my Mifune favs , but they do fit the enjoyable/satisfying and not artsy bill

)

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Hey guys, I was browsing some criterion titles on amazon and wanted some suggestions. I'm definitely getting thief but could use some more suggestions. I'm not looking for something too artsy or complex but more enjoyable and satisfying. I only currently own repo man, Paris Texas, wings of desire, kiss me deadly, and three outlaw samurai so I'm just getting started. Help me out guys!

I highly recommend Fish Tank, Badlands, and Frances Ha!

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Hey guys, I was browsing some criterion titles on amazon and wanted some suggestions. I'm definitely getting thief but could use some more suggestions. I'm not looking for something too artsy or complex but more enjoyable and satisfying. I only currently own repo man, Paris Texas, wings of desire, kiss me deadly, and three outlaw samurai so I'm just getting started. Help me out guys!

Eating Raoul
Harakiri
M
Sweet Smell Of Success
Anatomy Of a Murder
Night Of the Hunter
The Battle Of Algiers
Blow Out
Seconds

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Two months in a row now with "upgrades" that are just repacks of previously released Blu-rays and DVDs. These are almost anti-upgrades, announced for the benefit of the DVD crowd before the pricier dual format release replaces the separate formats. Criterion doesn't typically announce packaging changes but I guess the dual format warrants promotion as if a new release... I hope Criterion gets back to some actual upgrades-to-Blu-ray in the coming months.

I have a feeling they had to delay a title since the month they repackaged Breathless had more than enough releases in addition to that one.

[bwdowiak]

hey everyone -

PSA if you've got a Hitchcock itch to scratch... Amazon marketplace vendors have The Lady Vanishes and The 39 Steps for $17.85 and $16.13, respectively. Both are eligible for free shipping because they ship from the Amazon warehouse. You'll actually need to buy something else for $1.02 more to get to $35, but if you need... idk... batteries or something, $34 for two great Criterion titles is a nice deal.

edit: they are in 'like new' condition. never had a problem w/ that before, myself, but should just let you know.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Two months in a row now with "upgrades" that are just repacks of previously released Blu-rays and DVDs. These are almost anti-upgrades, announced for the benefit of the DVD crowd before the pricier dual format release replaces the separate formats. Criterion doesn't typically announce packaging changes but I guess the dual format warrants promotion as if a new release... I hope Criterion gets back to some actual upgrades-to-Blu-ray in the coming months.

I thought that it was really nice of them to announce a Blu-ray upgrade of Truffaut's Jules and Jim for next month. There's also a Blu-ray upgrade of Ace in the Hole on the horizon, and I'm hugely excited about that.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Two months in a row now with "upgrades" that are just repacks of previously released Blu-rays and DVDs. These are almost anti-upgrades, announced for the benefit of the DVD crowd before the pricier dual format release replaces the separate formats. Criterion doesn't typically announce packaging changes but I guess the dual format warrants promotion as if a new release... I hope Criterion gets back to some actual upgrades-to-Blu-ray in the coming months.

Actual upgrades? Oh you mean like all the actual upgrades they did announce in the previous two months?

Persona
The Hidden Fortress
Jules and Jim
George Washington

4 upgrades in 2 months is pretty damn good if you ask me. They also did 2 upgrades in January (Throne of Blood, and Rififi), making 6 already for the first 3 months. Will every month be like that? Obviously not, but surely there will be months with more, and it likely will all even out at the end of the year.

[Shanew800]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Some of those were actually ones I was interested in and some others I'll look into. Looks like you knew what I was going for, thanks!

[The Great Owl]

Rififi, one of my favorite DVDs from the early years of my collection, has received a stellar upgrade to high definition with this new Criterion Dual-Format Blu-ray/DVD edition. The video presentation shines with superior detail that accentuates the film's engaging cinematography in overcast Paris settings and reduces print damage to a minimum. The improvements in audio quality are beyond reproach, and this is important for a movie that generates tension with extended dialogue-free sequences and generates sensuality with nightclub music scenes. The Criterion Collection receives high marks for kicking off 2014 with this upgrade of one of the most worthwhile titles in the studio's catalogue, and I predict that this Blu-ray will deservedly draw many new fans into the fold.

From 1947 to 1950, director Jules Dassin was on a winning streak with Brute Force, The Naked City, Thieves' Highway, and Night in the City. After helming these four legendary American film noir movies, Dassin's career was derailed during the Hollywood blacklist. Fortunately, Dassin's subsequent move to France resulted in the 1955 release of Rififi, which proved to be his crowning cinematic achievement. The main supplementary Blu-ray feature, a 2000 video interview with Dassin himself, where he discusses the specifics behind his blacklisting and his career rebound in France, is almost as engrossing as the film itself.

With Rififi, Dassin took cues from John Huston's 1950 heist noir, The Asphalt Jungle, and set them loose in a work environment free from the confines of Hollywood's production codes. The sexual story elements are more overt, the violence has more hostile immediacy, drug references are explicitly depicted, the dark antihero ethos of Jean Servais's Tony Stephanois can still shock and challenge audiences to this day, and the ultimate fate of Jules Dassin's own character provides a caustic reference to the director's refusal to rat out others during his blacklisting. The centerpiece that spins all of these story elements rests on a riveting and detailed heist sequence that proceeds without dialogue for almost 30 minutes. Those who are well-schooled in the fatalist conventions of 1940s and 1950s crime dramas will be attuned to the idea that things will not end well in this story, but Rififi nonetheless ascends to grace through its portrayal of redemption, even if this redemption has a price.

Rififi will take you on a dark journey, complete with betrayal, addiction, sudden violence, and the bitter failures of best-laid plans, but these shadowy side roads are also a joy to travel. With this latest Blu-ray presentation, one of The Criterion Collection's greatest jewels now glows with a new brilliance. This release earns five stars across the board.

[ShellOilJunior]

Thief - 3 Reasons is up.

http://www.criterion.com/current/pos...-reasons-thief

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Thief - 3 Reasons is up.

http://www.criterion.com/current/pos...-reasons-thief

Thankee-sai.

I intended to enjoy a double feature of Rififi and Thief this weekend, but my self control failed me, and I was unable even to make it one single day with an unwatched Rififi Blu-ray under my roof without diving in.

Fortunately, I also bought Michael Mann's Miami Vice during my trip to Barnes & Noble this week, so I'll make a double feature of that film and Thief tomorrow.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Two months in a row now with "upgrades" that are just repacks of previously released Blu-rays and DVDs. These are almost anti-upgrades, announced for the benefit of the DVD crowd before the pricier dual format release replaces the separate formats. Criterion doesn't typically announce packaging changes but I guess the dual format warrants promotion as if a new release... I hope Criterion gets back to some actual upgrades-to-Blu-ray in the coming months.

I'm not sure what "two months in a row" you're talking about. The April announcement is the first time that they've announced a Dual-Format repackage and no upgrades.

January: Rififi and Throne of Blood
February: Jules and Jim
March: George Washington and The Hidden Fortress

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Shanew800

Hey guys, I was browsing some criterion titles on amazon and wanted some suggestions. I'm definitely getting thief but could use some more suggestions. I'm not looking for something too artsy or complex but more enjoyable and satisfying. I only currently own repo man, Paris Texas, wings of desire, kiss me deadly, and three outlaw samurai so I'm just getting started. Help me out guys!

Based on those films, I would go with:

Videodrome
Quadrophenia
Harakiri
Pale Flower
Blow Out

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Based on those films, I would go with:



Videodrome

Quadrophenia

Harakiri

Pale Flower

Blow Out

You liked Videodrome?

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Based on those films, I would go with:

Videodrome
Quadrophenia
Harakiri
Pale Flower
Blow Out

Good list !!!!!

[Scottie]

Has anyone e-mailed Criterion about the "The Night Of The Hunter" listing?

[bwdowiak]

ok kids.. back with some more semi-obscure completely cheapskate tips for everyone. since now I am on a quest to be fully Jean Pierre Melville blu-ray equipped, I bought Leon Morin, Priest at Amazon in "Like New" condition for 19.99. I bought 5 discs this week which, for me, makes me a bit uneasy. anyway, I was determined to NOT pay $4 for shipping and tried to think of something else that I need in order to make it to $35. I am happy to report that you can purchase a (non-Amazon) gift card to help you get to $35 and get free shipping. So that's what I did - I bought a $25 subway gift card. I'm all about 5 dollar foot longs, so this will CERTAINLY be used.

and best part... I didn't pay the $4, so I feel like I got a deal.

[Joe Dalek]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Actual upgrades? Oh you mean like all the actual upgrades they did announce in the previous two months?

Persona
The Hidden Fortress
Jules and Jim
George Washington

4 upgrades in 2 months is pretty damn good if you ask me. They also did 2 upgrades in January (Throne of Blood, and Rififi), making 6 already for the first 3 months. Will every month be like that? Obviously not, but surely there will be months with more, and it likely will all even out at the end of the year.

Yeah, 2 per month is great (and Persona isn't an upgrade). I was really just complaining about Breathless and The 400 Blows, and how they're being treated as upgrades rather than repacks.

Originally Posted by jayembee

I'm not sure what "two months in a row" you're talking about. The April announcement is the first time that they've announced a Dual-Format repackage and no upgrades.

January: Rififi and Throne of Blood
February: Jules and Jim
March: George Washington and The Hidden Fortress

Assuming Breathless was last month; I know there was at least one other actual upgrade last month. See above. Can we really call The 400 Blows an upgrade? I'd just hate to see this become a trend.