The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I like Shane, but I don't love it.

Same here. The novel is a work of genius, however.

[Polaroid]

Thanks for feedback guys - will give them a try :-) quite excited now - not sure why I get put off by Samurai films :/ - I loved kill bill haha!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Thanks, Scott! I've been saving the real stuff for my June 26 show, so that statement is a nice vote of confidence.

For what it's worth, you should do some rough sketches of covers for already released Criterions. I think it would be neat.

Originally Posted by jayembee

That was silly of you. The Long Riders is a terrific film.

For what it's worth, My Darling Clementine is my favorite Western, bar none.

I like Shane, but I don't love it.

I may just order it on Amazon if it's not on the TV Guide anytime soon. Also, I will record My Darling Clementine, although I'm not always the biggest fans of westerns that retell a story (i.e. the Wyatt story).

I actually just finished watching Shane and I really liked it. I think it's in my Top 10, although I can see why people are a bit let down by it. I really hated Joey, the annoying kid in it.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

i would not consider myself a fan of westerns by any means and I was not aware of this film's existence...

But, Ebert's inclusion as a 'Great Movie', Jay's vote, and 25/25 100% on rotten has me intrigued.

I see that it is a 20th Century Fox title. it'd be nice if they put it out. at one of their 50% sales, it could then be had for 8 bucks. those are the kind of blind buys I love!

Agreed with all of that.

[The Great Owl]

This ongoing discussion reminds me that I need to order The Long Riders at some point. I rented it on VHS a couple of decades ago and got a kick out of it, but I haven't seen it since.

I'm on a good Walter Hill streak, having bought Hard Times, The Driver, and The Warriors on Blu-ray over the past year. All three of those movies are beyond reproach.
With all due respect to The Criterion Collection, the upcoming Shout Factory Blu-ray of Southern Comfort might just be my most eagerly-awaited disc of the summer. I love that movie so much.

[The Great Owl]

Good news for Criterion fans. In particular, Bergman fans.

The cast for Star Wars: Episode VII was officially announced today.

Guess who is on board?

(Drumroll, please...)

[Show spoiler]Max von Sydow!

I love it. He is one of the most badass actors alive. I would love to see him play the villain of all villains in Star Wars: Episode VII and kill all of the other characters.

Seriously, this is cool. He should lend the same mystique of coolness to the upcoming Star Wars film that Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness lent to the first film.

[Edward J Grug III]

After all this Western talk, Amazon has a bunch of Olive Films on sale, including Johnny Guitar which someone recommended earlier...

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

After all this Western talk, Amazon has a bunch of Olive Films on sale, including Johnny Guitar which someone recommended earlier...

I picked up a few titles, and threw in Riot in Cell Block 11 while I was at it!

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Good news for Criterion fans. In particular, Bergman fans.

The cast for Star Wars: Episode VII was officially announced today.

Guess who is on board?

(Drumroll, please...)

[Show spoiler]Max von Sydow!

I love it. He is one of the most badass actors alive. I would love to see him play the villain of all villains in Star Wars: Episode VII and kill all of the other characters.

Seriously, this is cool. He should lend the same mystique of coolness to the upcoming Star Wars film that Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness lent to the first film.

Yeah, I would be seriously surprised if he is not playing one of the bad guys in the film. Will be interesting. He is a great actor and this should be cool news to fellow Bergman fans.

[Clare2904]

Anyone know why we now have a "Thanks" button next to the "quick reply"?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I picked up a few titles, and threw in Riot in Cell Block 11 while I was at it!

I purchased four Olive titles (The Red Menace, The Atomic City, Escape from Zahrain, The Mountain), as well as the region free Italian import of Gilda (which was only $17 including shipping). I've been wanting to replace my DVD of Gilda for a while now. Of course, a domestic Blu-ray of Gilda will probably hit these shores now that I've ordered the import.

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Anyone know why we now have a "Thanks" button is next to the "quick reply"?

This is basically the equivalent of the "Like" button on Facebook. I've seen it on other forums. It's probably a good non-cluttered way to express approval for someone's post without posting a reply.

[Visco.]

Wow that Star Wars cast!

Oscar Isaac and John Boyega. This is awesome.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

What would you guys say are the best film to start with from Akira Kurosawa?

Some of his films sound so intriguing and get rave reviews and he seems to be a very important director? Also his films get great releases form Criterion.

Been eyeing up films like Seven Samurai, Yojimo/sanjuro, High and Low and Hidden Fortress...

I have Rashomon but not had chance to watch.

I originally watched Yohimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress...building my way to Seven Samurai .

[John_Drake]

I agree with Blu Titan--working your way up to Seven Samurai is a right start.
If you include DVDs in your pool, definitely start with Stray Dog.

[Meek12345]

I tried to put together a top ten western list, but it was difficult. I had to leave out many great films, such as Red River. Well here's my current top ten:

1. Once Upon a Time in the West
2. Johnny Guitar
3. A Fistful of Dollars
4. The Outlaw Josey Wales
5. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
6. McCabe and Mrs. Miller
7. The Searchers
8. Winchester '73
9. Blazing Saddles
10.The Magnificent Seven

I wish Criterion could get the rights to Johnny Guitar. Olive Films released it on blu back in 2012, but it is a bare bones release. I'm not sure if I should be grateful that Johnny Guitar received a blu release at all or if I should expect more from Olive Films. It would be nice to have more Nicholas Ray in the Criterion collection.

Side Note: Mercedes McCambridge is one of the many reasons Johnny Guitar is such a great and unusual western. I recommend checking out her performance in All the King's Men (another film I emailed Criterion about).

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Wow that Star Wars cast!

Oscar Isaac and John Boyega. This is awesome.

Plus Andy Serkis, Adam Driver and Max von Sydow.

Not too shabby.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

i would not consider myself a fan of westerns by any means and I was not aware of this film's existence...

But, Ebert's inclusion as a 'Great Movie', Jay's vote, and 25/25 100% on rotten has me intrigued.

I see that it is a 20th Century Fox title. it'd be nice if they put it out. at one of their 50% sales, it could then be had for 8 bucks. those are the kind of blind buys I love!

It's terrific and Fonda is perfect as Earp and it's always good to see Walter Brennan, especially in a darker role than usual. His best Western (IMO) is The Westerner playing Judge Roy Bean. Steals the film from star Gary Cooper and wins an Oscar in the process.

Without reading back posts-Has anyone mentioned The Ox-Bow Incident yet?

[Scottie]

I think Criterion should release The Coen Brothers' "Barton Fink".

I just watched it (it was the last Coen Brothers film that I had not seen) and I truly can't explain what I just witnessed.

This is one of the greatest things that I may have ever seen. I don't know what else to say. It was just so deep and haunting.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think Criterion should release The Coen Brothers' "Barton Fink".

I just watched it (it was the last Coen Brothers film that I had not seen) and I truly can't explain what I just witnessed.

This is one of the greatest things that I may have ever seen. I don't know what else to say. It was just so deep and haunting.

Great film. They wrote it while suffering writer's block on Miller's Crossing (my favourite film)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Great film. They wrote it while suffering writer's block on Miller's Crossing (my favourite film)

Miller's Crossing is a great film and certainly one of the best crime films that I've seen. I really like it, but it's not my favorite film by them.

My order (more or less):

01. Barton Fink (1991)
02. Fargo (1996)
03. No Country For Old Men (2007)
04. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
05. Miller's Crossing (1990)
06. The Big Lebowski (1998)
07. The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
08. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
09. Raising Arizona (1987)
10. Blood Simple. (1984)
11. A Serious Man (2009)
12. Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
13. Burn After Reading (2008) - I can't remember about much this one
14. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
15. The Ladykillers (2004) - I can't remember about much this one, either.
16. True Grit (2010)

[jayj15]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think Criterion should release The Coen Brothers' "Barton Fink".

I just watched it (it was the last Coen Brothers film that I had not seen) and I truly can't explain what I just witnessed.

This is one of the greatest things that I may have ever seen. I don't know what else to say. It was just so deep and haunting.

Such a great film, I even have the movie poster in my room. Definitely has replay value for sure. Did you watch it on the UK bluray boxset? I know some people disagree, but I thought the video looked great! I'm not sure how much better a Criterion blu would look, in addition to the fact that the Coen brothers aren't big on extras or commentaries.