The Criterion Collection

[Jwilly019]

For those of you in the Columbus, OH area, The Ohio State University will be hosting a Criterion Release Party June 7th to commemorate the release of Mystery Train. Attending the event will be Lee Kline and Susan Arosteguy. Tickets are just $7 to the general public. Here is the announcement:

Join us for a special DVD release party for the Criterion Collection's edition of Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train the night before it hits the street.

Criterion Technical Director Lee Kline and Senior Producer Susan Arosteguy visit the Wexner Center for a public onstage conversation with Film/Video Curator Dave Filipi about working on this (and other) Criterion projects.

Kline's role is to bridge the gap between film and video presentations, working closely with filmmakers to make sure their artistic vision is carried over to the home theater format. He overseeing all technical aspects for the DVD and Blu Ray releases, from film transfers to video compression.

Arosteguy has produced over 55 Criterion special editions since 1994. Her favorite projects include Jarmusch's Stranger Than Paradise, Night on Earth, and of course, Mystery Train, along with Richard Linklater's Slacker, Wim Wenders's Wings of Desire, Wes Anderson's Rushmore, the road flick Two Lane Blacktop (starring singer/songwriter James Taylor and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson in their only acting roles), chilly true-crime tale The Honeymoon Killers, and eerie B-movie Carnival of Souls.

Come early and shop. Kline and Arosteguy will be in the Wexner Center Store from 6 to 7 PM in connection with our daylong Criterion sale. Choose titles, including Mystery Train, from our extensive inventory and save 20% off the list price. Members save 30%! You can also get inside insights from these Criterion specialists.

Stay on to watch. We'll be screening Mystery Train in 35mm starting at about 8 PM. Jarmusch's third film is an anthology of three stories about visitors—a pair of Japanese tourists, an Italian widow, an unemployed Englishman—to Memphis: home of Sun Studios, Stax Records, and Elvis. Filled with the director's typical deft wit, precise observation, and affection for music and his characters, Mystery Train is, as the Criterion Collection's own blurb describes it, "one of Jarmusch's very best movies, a boozy and beautiful pilgrimage to an iconic American ghost town and a paean to the music it gave the world."

Can't make it in person? We’ll be streaming the conversation live at wexarts.org.

Source

Justin

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I wish I got Sundance

Don't feel too bad Beta Man...I normally don't get Sundance...it's currently part of a 3 month "freebie" from DirecTV. It's also only in SD at the present time.

BUT...it's given me a chance to check out a few "obscure" movies (not mainstream) before making a decision to buy.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by rkish

Same here in "upstate" New York. Never saw "M" in BB stores and it doesn't even show up on their website, when I do a search. Wound up going to B & N and paying $34.99.

They are stocking "Walkabout", which I'm considering picking up today. It looks like they'll carry "Stagecoach" as well...no surprise there, as it's an old classic western with John Wayne.

Looks like they will be stocking the By Brakhage set also. That is a shocker for me.

[JediFonger]

my 'M' shipped =). can't wait. luv the movie.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by vveksuvarna

Finally got myself 'The Seventh Seal',

Next week : 'M'

If I had more money, I'd get Stagecoach too, but I have to save it for Seven Samurai/Antichrist/Darjeeling Ltd

What did you think about "The Seventh Seal" personally? I have a sealed copy from Borders (got it for $23.99 a few weeks ago with 40% coupon) and have read a lot of accolades about it.

"M" I bought the day it was released at B & N for $34.99...it's GREAT and I don't regret the purchase!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Looks like they will be stocking the By Brakhage set also. That is a shocker for me.

WOW...that is a BIG surprise!

Why would they carry a more "obscure" title like "By Brakhage" and not a slightly more "popular" title like "M".

Makes no sense?!

[italy12]

While I'm kind of new to the whole Criterion BD thing, I have admired their work for the last few years. I only owned 3 of their DVDs, The Rock, Armageddon, and The Vanishing, with The Man Who Fell to Earth's Anchor Bay version.

I know those first two are pretty tame compared to Criterion's library of amazing classics, but as I got older, I started to appreciate those finer films. I now find myself blind buying many of their titles based solely on the short synopsis from Criterion's site and the reviews found on this site.

I currently own The Third Man (rented a few times before purchasing), The Man Who Fell to Earth (replaced my Anchor Bay copy), and Repulsion (blind buy).

I should be receiving M, Walkabout, The Wages of Fear, and Bigger Than Life within the next week or so...all blind buys.

There are many more that I am interested in seeing, such as Ride With the Devil, Revanche, Hunger, 8 1/2, Last Year at Marienbad, and Bottle Rocket among others.

What do you guys recommend and what makes your choice worth seeing!?

Thanks!!!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by italy12

While I'm kind of new to the whole Criterion BD thing, I have admired their work for the last few years. I only owned 3 of their DVDs, The Rock, Armageddon, and The Vanishing, with The Man Who Fell to Earth's Anchor Bay version.

I know those first two are pretty tame compared to Criterion's library of amazing classics, but as I got older, I started to appreciate those finer films. I now find myself blind buying many of their titles based solely on the short synopsis from Criterion's site and the reviews found on this site.

I currently own The Third Man (rented a few times before purchasing), The Man Who Fell to Earth (replaced my Anchor Bay copy), and Repulsion (blind buy).

I should be receiving M, Walkabout, The Wages of Fear, and Bigger Than Life within the next week or so...all blind buys.

There are many more that I am interested in seeing, such as Ride With the Devil, Revanche, Hunger, 8 1/2, Last Year at Marienbad, and Bottle Rocket among others.

What do you guys recommend and what makes your choice worth seeing!?

Thanks!!!

I always recommend "Wages of Fear" but it looks like that one is already on the way to you.......

Have you had much exposure to Akira Kurosawa??? His films are pretty easy for most people to sit and enjoy, and they also contain many great elements/themes too for those who like to dissect/interpret films..... (CG is gonna get peeved at the recommendation probably )

Also, I watched "Ride With The Devil" for the first time last night actually...... very engaging.... you won't be let down if you decide to pick that one up..... It's great if you like civil war period pieces..... plenty of action without dumbing down the complexity of the characters and plot.

El Norte takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, and holds your interest...... read the synopsis and see if it's for you...

The Last Metro is one I rarely see recommended, but love it.... perhaps I'm a sucker for different perspectives from time periods or war/political importance.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

WOW...that is a BIG surprise!

Why would they carry a more "obscure" title like "By Brakhage" and not a slightly more "popular" title like "M".

Makes no sense?!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/M+-+Wide...lang&lp=1&cp=1

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I always recommend "Wages of Fear" but it looks like that one is already on the way to you.......

Have you had much exposure to Akira Kurosawa??? His films are pretty easy for most people to sit and enjoy, and they also contain many great elements/themes too for those who like to dissect/interpret films..... (CG is gonna get peeved at the recommendation probably )

Also, I watched "Ride With The Devil" for the first time last night actually...... very engaging.... you won't be let down if you decide to pick that one up..... It's great if you like civil war period pieces..... plenty of action without dumbing down the complexity of the characters and plot.

El Norte takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, and holds your interest...... read the synopsis and see if it's for you...

The Last Metro is one I rarely see recommended, but love it.... perhaps I'm a sucker for different perspectives from time periods or war/political importance.

Ride With the Devil is definitley on my list of "need to see Criterions"!

As far as Kurosawa, I do enjoy his films. I have seen The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, The Hidden Fortress, and only Yojimbo. I do wish to check out the Yojimbo/Sanjuro BDs.

Thanks for the recommendations!! I'll definitley add them to my list!

[italy12]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/M+-+Wide...lang&lp=1&cp=1

While I teach during the day, I work at Best Buy in the evenings (wife and I just had a baby, so the extra money helps!) and we have copies of Ride With the Devil, Vivre Sa Vie, Summer Hours, Gomorrah, Monsoon Wedding, Wings of Desire, and Che. We also have the DVD of Walker, starring Ed Harris.

I checked our inventory on the computer right before M was released and our store will not be carrying that title.

This is @ the Best Buy in Hickory, NC.

All have prices of either 29.99 or 29.90, while Che is either 34 or 44..can't remember...

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

(CG is gonna get peeved at the recommendation probably )

I won't get peeved. I seen my share and own my share of Kurosawa films. It's not that I hate him. It's that I don't feel like his films bring anything to the table for me anymore. People will hate my comments because they don't feel the same yet, or that they are just stuck on him, which is fine, everyone has favs.

[JediFonger]

italy... what is your 'employee discount'?

[JediFonger]

you felt Rashomon brought nothing to the cinematic table?

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I won't get peeved. I seen my share and own my share of Kurosawa films. It's not that I hate him. It's that I don't feel like his films bring anything to the table for me anymore. People will hate my comments because they don't feel the same yet, or that they are just stuck on him, which is fine, everyone has favs.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/M+-+Wide...lang&lp=1&cp=1

Thanks CG...how the hell did I miss that?

BTW...NO BB stores in my area are stocking it.

At least I paid the same for it at B & N.

[Banned User]

Just ordered Third Man. Was quite expensive. Then found that StudioCanal was releasing the third man in Sept. From the looks of some of their other titles they have the same features as the Criterion versions. I wonder if Criterion will sell their transfer of the film to StudioCanal. Many of the StudioCanal transfers are blah. See Ran, Ladykillers.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Just ordered Third Man. Was quite expensive. Then found that StudioCanal was releasing the third man in Sept. From the looks of some of their other titles they have the same features as the Criterion versions. I wonder if Criterion will sell their transfer of the film to StudioCanal. Many of the StudioCanal transfers are blah. See Ran, Ladykillers.

I have The Third Man on DVD, I never got around to pick it up on Blu-ray and by the time I was thinking of doing it, was OOP and prices where way up.

Beenn hoping that the Studio Canal release would be the same quality but like you I wonder.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

you felt Rashomon brought nothing to the cinematic table?

Anymore I said. I'm not one for holding onto a film for so long, because I will prob see a better one later. It's funny when people say "so and so is the best film ever!". I don't do that, because you can't hold a film to another. You just can't. I went through my Kurosawa time, and it doesn't interest me anymore. For the people who find that "stupid", are the ones who dismiss my reasoning due to their safe nature of films. They never want to have their own views and jump on the bandwagon of top film lists.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Anymore I said. I'm not one for holding onto a film for so long, because I will prob see a better one later. It's funny when people say "so and so is the best film ever!". I don't do that, because you can't hold a film to another. You just can't. I went through my Kurosawa time, and it doesn't interest me anymore. For the people who find that "stupid", are the ones who dismiss my reasoning due to their safe nature of films. They never want to have their own views and jump on the bandwagon of top film lists.

I always say "best movie ever" is without any doubt the most over used phrases on the Internet The best movie ever as really no meaning. I think everyone as their favorite (my own are well known ) and I sure enjoy coming back to them and watch them again. However I also like to discover new movies and you never know what a movie will bring to your life until you actually sit down and take the time to see it. I think people should stop using the phrase "best movie ever" and use the phrase "my favorite movie ever". And even then that as really not much in meaning. I am far from being the same person I was 25 years ago in college. My taste as change, I want to see different things....I believe it's probably the same for most people.

[Nick At Now]

got my copy of Hunger and Walkabout today