The Criterion Collection

[Icemouth]

Originally Posted by smoss469

A lot of people seem to think that CC has to release a lot of foreign films to maintain any "cred". At least that's the vibe I've picked up from people on several forums.

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I have absolutely no problem with foreign films and I respect them and enjoy them and own some. I always make sure to watch a foreign film in its original language first, unless it's like a cheesy monster b-movie or 80s slasher where the dub is highly entertaining and the acting isn't going to improve with the original performances. That being said, I definitely prefer watching films in English as its so much easier to become immersed in the story. It's a true testament to a foreign film's power if I forget I'm reading subtitles. When I discover a new Criterion title or highly regarded classic film, I secretly hope it's in English. But being in another language won't turn me away from a good film. So while I certainly enjoy foreign films in the collection and own some myself, I am typically drawn to Criterion's English language titles. I wouldn't however complain if one month was entirely foreign films. It's just one month, it'll pass. In the end, I just want great movies and Criterion should I believe release a variety, whether mainstream or from across the pond.

You're implying that they don't speak English in any Foreign countries?

[Mansinthe]

watched "Thief" yesterday.. i dont get the 5/5 rating for everything on this one. the story was "ok" , videoquality was good but not that awesome... sound was pretty good. and the extras are interessting.

but this movie is really overrated(a lot)in my opinion, at least the "story" wasnt that awesome like i hoped it to be.
i liked movies like blow out and runaway train much more.


my recently watched favorite criterion release is "wild strawberries" great movie! and i just finished reading bergman's book "the magic lantern"

[ycbbh]

Originally Posted by Icemouth

You're implying that they don't speak English in any Foreign countries?

That would be a very uncharitable reading of his post. I don't think he implies that in the slightest. Like many he simply has a preference for films, wherever they're made, in his native language which I don't think is unreasonable.

I know I'm looking forward to Snowpiercer more than I normally would a Korean film because it is in English (and it's based on pretty great material)

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

What's wrong with that?

Originally Posted by smoss469

A lot of people seem to think that CC has to release a lot of foreign films to maintain any "cred". At least that's the vibe I've picked up from people on several forums.

Would you have the same attitude if their slate was all French-language, or all-Italian?

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Would you have the same attitude if their slate was all French-language, or all-Italian?

I like films for what they are, not because they're in a certain language. A film can be great if it's in Italian or it can be awful if it's in French. The native language really has nothing to do with it.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched "Thief" yesterday.. i dont get the 5/5 rating for everything on this one. the story was "ok" , videoquality was good but not that awesome... sound was pretty good. and the extras are interessting.

but this movie is really overrated(a lot)in my opinion, at least the "story" wasnt that awesome like i hoped it to be.
i liked movies like blow out and runaway train much more.


my recently watched favorite criterion release is "wild strawberries" great movie! and i just finished reading bergman's book "the magic lantern"

I am with you on Thief. I would give it a 3/5 compared to Mann's other work. I think that Caan was great as always and the last heist sequence was beautifully filmed. The soundtrack is quite interesting also, but not much else worked for me. I was just waiting for everything to go downhill like it normally does in this type of movie. I believe that Thief is a great directorial debut though.

Also, do you have to be a hardcore Bergman fan to enjoy The Magic Lantern?
P.S. What film is represented by your avatar?

[mrjohnnyb]

I watched my recently purchased Flicker Alley blu-ray of Georges Melies's A Trip to the Moon.

I highly recommend this blu-ray to all who, like me, are obsessed with the history of cinema. It comes with an incredible documentary regarding the restoration process of the color-painted version. In addition, you get the B&W version along with two other short Melies films.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched "Thief" yesterday.. i dont get the 5/5 rating for everything on this one. the story was "ok" , videoquality was good but not that awesome... sound was pretty good. and the extras are interessting.

but this movie is really overrated(a lot)in my opinion, at least the "story" wasnt that awesome like i hoped it to be.
i liked movies like blow out and runaway train much more.


my recently watched favorite criterion release is "wild strawberries" great movie! and i just finished reading bergman's book "the magic lantern"

Wild Strawberries is one of Bergman's great films. This film requires multiple viewings to be able to appreciate all the great work in cinematography and narrative.

You are probably looking forward for Persona, this is my favorite Bergman film. The faith/God trilogy is also great.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Wild Strawberries is one of Bergman's great films. This film requires multiple viewings to be able to appreciate all the great work in cinematography and narrative.

You are probably looking forward for Persona, this is my favorite Bergman film. The faith/God trilogy is also great.

The intro to Persona is incredible and so haunting! such a brilliant film - would love Criterion to release ALL his films as a MASSIVE box set haha, would deb ace, I know there is one but its not Criterion :P

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I watched my recently purchased Flicker Alley blu-ray of Georges Melies's A Trip to the Moon.

I highly recommend this blu-ray to all who, like me, are obsessed with the history of cinema. It comes with an incredible documentary regarding the restoration process of the color-painted version. In addition, you get the B&W version along with two other short Melies films.

I want a Criterion release of this, but thanks for recommendation - will probably get

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched "Thief" yesterday.. i dont get the 5/5 rating for everything on this one. the story was "ok" , videoquality was good but not that awesome... sound was pretty good. and the extras are interessting.

but this movie is really overrated(a lot)in my opinion, at least the "story" wasnt that awesome like i hoped it to be.
i liked movies like blow out and runaway train much more.


my recently watched favorite criterion release is "wild strawberries" great movie! and i just finished reading bergman's book "the magic lantern"

Thief is so bad. In my opinion it only works as a comedy. In hindsight I can't take Jim belushi seriously anymore in it either. I had seen it a few times way back, but after cc releasing it and everyone talking about it I had to check my memory and watch it again. It was still awful and awfully funny, and has aged poorly. Nothing about the direction is even notable to me; I just don't get people who say Mann has any style or knows what he's doing beyond the basics. I've seen all of his films and the best parts are always the actor or the script. I can't think of anything any of his films say or do. They kind of just go and you're supposed to say whoa cool. After all these years Thief just seems dated and truly funny in a lot of areas. It is as hollow as his stuff that proceeds it and the handful of films it influenced (meaning using LA neon lights on car hoods combined with crime?) were just as good in my opinion.

[The Great Owl]

I just grabbed the new Criterion Blu-ray of Jules and Jim for $24 at Barnes and Noble by way of a 20% coupon + 20% off sticker + membership discount. I'm glad that I found one in perfect condition, because it's a beautiful package. I'll watch it later today if I have time.

This morning, I attended a matinee of the new Robocop remake for free, using the coupon that came with the 4K Blu-ray of the original movie. The remake doesn't suck, and it actually has more of an emotional center than I expected. I wouldn't recommend paying normal ticket price for it, but it's good for a dollar rental from Redbox in a few months, since it's worth seeing once.

[dorothyv]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just grabbed the new Criterion Blu-ray of Jules and Jim for $24 at Barnes and Noble by way of a 20% coupon + 20% off sticker + membership discount. I'm glad that I found one in perfect condition, because it's a beautiful package. I'll watch it later today if I have time.

Do you remember if there were any other Criterions that were on sale in-store?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by dorothyv

Do you remember if there were any other Criterions that were on sale in-store?

Nope. I had a one-track mind during this trip to Barnes & Noble. I walked in, bought Jules and Jim, and left.

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by Carletty

Really? They are 100 times better than amazon and use lots of bubble wraps. I have ordered almost all of the existing Digipaks from them and received only two damaged ones.

All but a few of my Amazon Blu-ray shipments were in solid boxes that prevented any damage. It all depends on how many they ship and which shipping center.

[pro-bassoonist]

Foreign Correspondent Blu-ray REVIEW





Do not miss the long interview from The Dick Cavett Show. It is actually better than the film. Classic Hitchcock at his very best

Pro-B

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Foreign Correspondent Blu-ray REVIEW

Thank you! I'm really excited to see this release.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Thank you! I'm really excited to see this release.

+1, that packaging is pure class.

[MifuneFan]

So I decided to contact Scanavo today an inquire about any larger size cases, since people seem to complain about the digipacks often now with the new dual format editions, and I got a nice response already from them:

Hi, My name is Nick Coughlan and I'm the Sales and Marketing Director for Scanavo Americas. I really appreciate your message.

It's fans like yourself who keep this industry in business.

I've worked with Criterion for a long time on bringing their current Scanavo cases to market and I continue to work with them, always hoping to come up with great new designs for cases that hold more discs etc.

For the purposes of my ongoing discussions at Criterion, is there a large percentage of their fan base that would like a new Scanavo case which can hold the 3rd and 4th discs?

Best,

Nick

So I replied and told him that I see a lot of people complaining about the digipacks and wishing there were a plastic case that held more discs. Hopefully this leads to a discussion with Criterion, and perhaps new cases that will bring back some more uniformity to our collections

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

So I decided to contact Scanavo today an inquire about any larger size cases, since people seem to complain about the digipacks often now with the new dual format editions, and I got a nice response already from them:



So I replied and told him that I see a lot of people complaining about the digipacks and wishing there were a plastic case that held more discs. Hopefully this leads to a discussion with Criterion, and perhaps new cases that will bring back some more uniformity to our collections

Did you use any specific email address to get a reply? If so, PM me as well and I'll be sure to email them to ask for a larger capacity case as well!