The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jonschmidt

I have recently started getting into some Australian cinema. I love what I've seen. Might anyone recommend maybe a top 10 list of Australian films available on US blu ray? Dunno if they would make it onto the list, but I already have Sweetie and Rogue.

Well, some of these are no-brainers. I don't know if I can come up with ten, as I'm not sure what Aussie films are available on US BD other than the obvious (I suppose I could cheat and list the three Mad Max films separately, but I won't). Note: there's no Jane Campion in my list because, quite frankly, I don't care much for her films. In no particular order:

1. Breaker Morant
2. Walkabout
3. Picnic at Hanging Rock
4. Master and Commander
5. the Mad Max trilogy
6. Moulin Rouge
7. Strictly Ballroom
8. Dark City
9. The Odd Angry Shot
10. Quigley Down Under

Wow. I actually found ten.

Originally Posted by oildude

I recall reading somewhere a while back a rumor that Criterion might release the Australian New Wave classic Breaker Morant on Blu-ray (I believe they released it on laser disc). The Image Blu-ray, which I have (thankfully) is apparently out of print.

Yes, they did release it on LD, but they didn't have the rights for a DVD release, so I don't know what the prospects are for putting it out on Blu-ray. I didn't know that the Image release was OOP.

[captveg]

My Brilliant Career (1979) is another great Australian film, and it has a solid US Blu-ray release from Blue Underground.

Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, a long, long time ago I did. It will be the next thing I watch now. Already getting Twin Peaks withdrawal, 1 day after I finished the series. Lol.



It's true, it does feel like a soap opera at times. But the comedy/campy humor only heightens the terror and horror in the show. Duchovny was funny but I really couldn't stand Billy Zane. How that guy became famous I have no idea but there's no redeeming quality in that guy's acting. I think its okay they stretched that season 2 with all that filler because it kept the viewer tuning in to another episode. I'm just glad any of these episodes were made. I'm going to have to find a Twin Peaks thread on this forum somewhere because I feel so guilty I'm just posting about this in the Criterion thread.

If you do head over to a Peaks thread, link me up...I love to discuss the series, and would definitely like to continue this discussion. Always fun to talk about it with someone who's just discovered how great it is.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by captveg

My Brilliant Career (1979) is another great Australian film, and it has a solid US Blu-ray release from Blue Underground.

It is a terrific film. I didn't know it had a Blu-ray release here. I'll have to add it to my list.

Another I'd forgotten is The Man from Snowy River.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Coen

Two terrific Australian films that I have not seen mentioned yet that are available on BD are The Proposition and Mary and Max. I also highly recommend Candy but I don't believe there is a Region A BD. My favorite Australian film by far is Picnic At Hanging Rock - can't wait to pick it up next month. I saw Sweetie a couple months ago and did not care for it at all.

A friend of mine was one of the animators on Mary and Max.

If you can find it, I really liked the film Noise. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0809931/

i know it was on Netflix a couple of years ago, as I recommended some folks watch it on another forum. Not sure if it still is.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

TCMs Friday Night Spotlight for this month will focus on Australian cinema. Picnic at Hanging Rock, An Angel at My Table, and other Criterion titles will be shown throughout the month. Here's a link to the website:
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/articl...an-Cinema.html

Also on TCM's site is the line-up for the Memorial Day Week-end 72 hour marathon (Carnival in Flanders, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Steel Helmet, etc.):

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/articl...n-5-24-26.html

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

TCMs Friday Night Spotlight for this month will focus on Australian cinema. Picnic at Hanging Rock, An Angel at My Table, and other Criterion titles will be shown throughout the month. Here's a link to the website:
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/articl...an-Cinema.html

Awesome, I TiVo'd quite a few a few months ago. Looking forward to recording more of these great films. Appreciate the heads up!

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Also on TCM's site is the line-up for the Memorial Day Week-end 72 hour marathon (Carnival in Flanders, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Steel Helmet, etc.):

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/articl...n-5-24-26.html

Thanks as well… looks like I am going to have a lot of movie watching coming up.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, a long, long time ago I did. It will be the next thing I watch now. Already getting Twin Peaks withdrawal, 1 day after I finished the series. Lol.



It's true, it does feel like a soap opera at times. But the comedy/campy humor only heightens the terror and horror in the show. Duchovny was funny but I really couldn't stand Billy Zane. How that guy became famous I have no idea but there's no redeeming quality in that guy's acting. I think its okay they stretched that season 2 with all that filler because it kept the viewer tuning in to another episode. I'm just glad any of these episodes were made. I'm going to have to find a Twin Peaks thread on this forum somewhere because I feel so guilty I'm just posting about this in the Criterion thread.

I missed the show when it first came out, but an English professor friend of mine said it was great and needed to check it out. I watched the first season but never made it through the season season. And really made the mistake of watching Firewalk with Me before I watched anything… which I was warned might confuse things. I need to try to watch this again… Should I just ignore FireWalk with Me this time??

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by oildude

I recall reading somewhere a while back a rumor that Criterion might re-release the Australian New Wave classic Breaker Morant on Blu-ray (I believe they released it on laser disc). The Image Blu-ray, which I have (thankfully) is apparently out of print.

...It is Beresford's masterpiece and hopefully the rumor will come true and it will re-enter the Criterion Collection. A film this good should not be out of print.

Whatever it's merits, I doubt Breaker is on too many all-time top 10 lists, but is on mine. I love it. The elements don't appear to be in great shape, so it would be fantastic if someone, especially Criterion, would do a proper resto/remaster and get it back in circulation.

[Steric_Hinderance]

On the subject of Australian films being released in the US...Think 'The Rocket' is due out shortly and won an audience award in the US and at Leeds International Film Festival.

[The Great Owl]

Everyone who does not already own the Australian film, Wake in Fright, should purchase it at the earliest convenience. It's a marvelous, albeit disturbing, film. I saw the film in theaters when it was first restored, and the Blu-ray release lives up to the big screen experience.

On the B-movie end of the Australian film spectrum, Synapse was supposed to be releasing a Blu-ray of the 1978 eco-horror flick, Long Weekend. I saw this movie on DVD a few years back, and I enjoyed it. Long Weekend tells the story of vacationing couple whose propensity to litter the environment catches up to them when the animals take vengeance into their own hands. Be nice to Mother Nature, because she'll smack you down in a bad way if you are not respectful.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I missed the show when it first came out, but an English professor friend of mine said it was great and needed to check it out. I watched the first season but never made it through the season season. And really made the mistake of watching Firewalk with Me before I watched anything… which I was warned might confuse things. I need to try to watch this again… Should I just ignore FireWalk with Me this time??

Hmmm...difficult question. I'm inclined to say that the movie, while it clarifies certain things from the series, would not be essential for understanding the series. But it does provide some closure to the series, so I don't think I'd advise skipping it.

[Visco.]

Guys, Broken Circle Breakdown needs to be picked up by Criterion. This film desperately needs a blu-ray release. The black levels on the DVD are absolutely awful.

The film is probably the most powerful romance I've ever seen. It makes Blue Valentine look like a Disney picture. I haven't seen The Great Beauty but it's going to take a lot to top this as my favorite foreign film last year.

I'm tempted to email CC right now.

[Polaroid]

waaaaaaaaaah missed delivery for The Man Who Fell To Earth Now I have to wait till tuesday for it stupid Bank holidays >

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I missed the show when it first came out, but an English professor friend of mine said it was great and needed to check it out. I watched the first season but never made it through the season season. And really made the mistake of watching Firewalk with Me before I watched anything… which I was warned might confuse things. I need to try to watch this again… Should I just ignore FireWalk with Me this time??

Absolutely, utterly and by all means available at your disposal.
Think of it as the X-Files 2 of the series.

And while you're at it, go ahead and skip most of the second season, and pretend an iconic TV classic was cancelled in its prime after one season.
Lynch didn't care who killed Laura, and the growing self-boredom shows.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Visco.

Guys, Broken Circle Breakdown needs to be picked up by Criterion.

Noooooo. The first half of that film is heartbreakingly beautiful, but the second half is a damned chore.

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Noooooo. The first half of that film is heartbreakingly beautiful, but the second half is a damned chore.

No way dude. The second half perfectly compliments the first half. Plus that's when the film really impressed me with its direction, cinematography, and even the performances.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I missed the show when it first came out, but an English professor friend of mine said it was great and needed to check it out. I watched the first season but never made it through the season season. And really made the mistake of watching Firewalk with Me before I watched anything… which I was warned might confuse things. I need to try to watch this again… Should I just ignore FireWalk with Me this time??

When I saw the movie a long time ago I pretty much forgot about it quickly afterwards. So seeing it now fresh after seeing the tv series might be enlightening for me. I think one should see the tv show first and then the movie even though I heard the movie is the actual prequel (not sequel).

[RandyK]

Watched my first Wes Anderson in Rushmore today. Really enjoyed it. I love Bill Murray in everything. Think I'll pick up The Life Aquatic when it comes out.