The Criterion Collection

[Tom Monahan]

Does Criterion have the rights to Odd Man Out and Sullivan's Travels. I see both can be imported from Amazon UK but if Criterion has them then I'll wait.

Thanks,
Tom

[hustlermane]

So, only this week signed up to Hulu+, primarily (actually, it was the only reason) for the Criterion Collection on there and…it's incredible. I'm surprised it's not talked about more. It's not in anyway supplanting my plans to buy blu-rays, but in particular is the stuff that only has dvd releases, or none at all. I saw Ermanno Olmi's Il Posto and I Fidanzati, and they were both really good (and for DVD only, exceptionally high picture quality). Anyone else have suggestions from the Hulu library?

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

So, only this week signed up to Hulu+, primarily (actually, it was the only reason) for the Criterion Collection on there and…it's incredible. I'm surprised it's not talked about more.

That's because most of our crowd doesn't believe in seeing Criterion movies for free before you buy them...Their spiritual discipline would be offended.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by EricJ

That's because most of our crowd doesn't believe in seeing Criterion movies for free before you buy them...Their spiritual discipline would be offended.

I think Criterion deserve our money and support for all their handwork and efforts!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've always heard that Grave of the Fireflies is a devastating film.

As far as sad animated films go, The Plague Dogs probably tops my list of the ones that I've seen. That would be a great Criterion title.

I still need to see it, but sadly I've never really been emotionally affect by animated cinema, probably cause I know its not real? will give it a try though!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Does Criterion have the rights to Odd Man Out and Sullivan's Travels. I see both can be imported from Amazon UK but if Criterion has them then I'll wait.

Sullivan's Travels is a Paramount film owned by Universal. Criterion did license it from Universal and released it on DVD back in 2001. The DVD is still in print, so I would assume Criterion still has the rights. Whether it's among their plans for a Blu-ray upgrade is another question.

As for Odd Man Out, it was released by Criterion on laserdisc back in 1995. In 1999, it was one of a bunch of films from Janus (one of the owners of Criterion) released on DVD by Image rather than on the Criterion label. Since Janus presumably still has the film distribution rights to it, I would guess that Criterion could release it here, but I know of no such plans.

I never really understood why Janus licensed a bunch of their films to Image instead of releasing them through Criterion; it's not like Criterion wasn't already releasing DVDs by then. There were quite some interesting films in that bunch, including David Lean's Blithe Spirit, Ken Russell's Mahler, Lindsay Anderson's This Sporting Life, Kenji Mizoguchi's The 47 Ronin, Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition, and a pair of Bulldog Drummond thrillers from the 30s.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished The Virgin Spring and all I can say is...wow...what a film.

I've only seen Autumn Sonata and The Seventh Seal on top of this one, and this one seemed to be the most engrossing.

I loved Autumn Sonata, but I wasn't very warm towards The Seventh Seal when I first saw it a year or so ago. Hopefully when I rewatch it I'll like it better.

I've seen 16 of Bergman's films but for some reason I've never felt inclined to watch The Virgin Spring. I find his films that heavily deal with religion far less engaging than films like The Silence, Persona, Shame etc.

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I've seen 16 of Bergman's films but for some reason I've never felt inclined to watch The Virgin Spring. I find his films that heavily deal with religion far less engaging than films like The Silence, Persona, Shame etc.

And the Seventh Seal?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

might wanna slap some spoiler tags in the second paragraph there, my friend.

thanks,

Criterion thread police

I think The Virgin Spring is one of the few films that cannot be spoiled. By this I mean I could tell someone what's going to happen and it won't ruin their viewing. It's all about execution.

An interesting double bill would be The Virgin Spring and Viridiana.

[ShellOilJunior]

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

And the Seventh Seal?

I like it but it does not sit very high in my ranking of his filmography. Mind you it was the first work of his I had seen and that was some time ago. Another viewing might change that.

[The Great Owl]

My Australian Blu-ray of Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat arrived in the mail yesterday, and I took it for a spin last night. The extras are identical to the MoC release, and the transfer appears to be identical as well. It's a beautiful (and region A playable) disc.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I've seen 16 of Bergman's films but for some reason I've never felt inclined to watch The Virgin Spring. I find his films that heavily deal with religion far less engaging than films like The Silence, Persona, Shame etc.

I understand what you mean. However, I was engaged throughout the entire film and I couldn't break away.

It's a really good film. You should definitely check it out!

[Page14]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Thank you for the heads up ... again. There was a time when I thought all the Beatle films would be totally forgotten, so this is more than awesome news!

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My Australian Blu-ray of Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat arrived in the mail yesterday, and I took it for a spin last night. The extras are identical to the MoC release, and the transfer appears to be identical as well. It's a beautiful (and region A playable) disc.

One of my favorite Hitchcock films. It was also the first disc I bought from the MoC collection. The steelbook is gorgeous.

Originally Posted by iScottie

I understand what you mean. However, I was engaged throughout the entire film and I couldn't break away.

It's a really good film. You should definitely check it out!

Now that I am back home with library access I definitely will. I've still got the Eclipse set and Artificial Eye's Bergman collection to get through too. I went on a big Bergman kick a few months ago but by the time these had shown up, I had moved on to other films.

[lordmorpheus72]

Picked up Jules and Jim today ay B&N using one of the 20% coupons I got in the mail (it was already 20% off as a new release, with additional 10% for members). While I was there, I noticed some of the Criterion documentaries were included in the "Up to 50% off" doc sale. They weren't 50% off, but some were 30%. The 2 I noticed were Gimme Shelter and For All Mankind. Not a huge Stones fan, but I keep toying with the idea of picking it up. Maybe I'll watch it on Hulu first. :-)

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I think Criterion deserve our money and support for all their handwork and efforts!

I'm pretty sure Criterion sees some money from Hulu. I don't need (nor can I afford) to own all the great movies out there. I look at Hulu Plus as an extension of my video library. Sometimes I see films on Hulu that I decide later that I want to own, such The Gold Rush. It's win-win, really.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I'm pretty sure Criterion sees some money from Hulu. I don't need (nor can I afford) to own all the great movies out there. I look at Hulu Plus as an extension of my video library. Sometimes I see films on Hulu that I decide later that I want to own, such The Gold Rush. It's win-win, really.

Pretty much do the same thing... trying to watch all the World Cinema films to see if the boxset is worth it. I really love The Housemaid but not sure I can justify $125 for the one film.

[Tom Monahan]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Sullivan's Travels is a Paramount film owned by Universal. Criterion did license it from Universal and released it on DVD back in 2001. The DVD is still in print, so I would assume Criterion still has the rights. Whether it's among their plans for a Blu-ray upgrade is another question.

As for Odd Man Out, it was released by Criterion on laserdisc back in 1995. In 1999, it was one of a bunch of films from Janus (one of the owners of Criterion) released on DVD by Image rather than on the Criterion label. Since Janus presumably still has the film distribution rights to it, I would guess that Criterion could release it here, but I know of no such plans.

I never really understood why Janus licensed a bunch of their films to Image instead of releasing them through Criterion; it's not like Criterion wasn't already releasing DVDs by then. There were quite some interesting films in that bunch, including David Lean's Blithe Spirit, Ken Russell's Mahler, Lindsay Anderson's This Sporting Life, Kenji Mizoguchi's The 47 Ronin, Masaki Kobayashi's The Human Condition, and a pair of Bulldog Drummond thrillers from the 30s.

Wow, I wasn't expecting such a in depth response. I can't thank you enough for helping me out.

I forgot to mention that I am interested in importing Make Way For Tomorrow from the UK as well. Do you know the status of that film?

Thanks again,
Tom

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Wow, I wasn't expecting such a in depth response. I can't thank you enough for helping me out.

I forgot to mention that I am interested in importing Make Way For Tomorrow from the UK as well. Do you know the status of that film?

Make Way For Tomorrow is another Paramount film owned by Universal and licensed to Criterion, who released it on DVD in 2010. It's still in print, but I don't know if a Blu-ray upgrade is currently being planned.