The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Seconds!

Ah that's right! Nashville, too.

EDIT: I searched and found I Married a Witch and The Uninvited, as well. Ignore my previous comment.

[Saucerful]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Seconds!

Oops... duh! I even bought that one.

That's good though. I was just trying to figure out if Paramount stuff was still being considered for new Criterion releases.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Ah that's right! Nashville, too.

EDIT: I searched and found I Married a Witch and The Uninvited, as well. Ignore my previous comment.

I Married a Witch and The Uninvited were originally Paramount films, but Paramount sold off their catalog to Universal in the late 40s, so Paramount doesn't own them anymore.

[schlock]

I see the DVD of HOPSCOTCH is now listed as discontinued. Anyone know if that's true or not? Was holding off getting it hoping for a Blu, but if the DVD is as good as we're going to get, I don't want to miss out.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by schlock

I see the DVD of HOPSCOTCH is now listed as discontinued. Anyone know if that's true or not? Was holding off getting it hoping for a Blu, but if the DVD is as good as we're going to get, I don't want to miss out.

It's not listed as Out of Print on Criterion's website, so I would assume that the seller has just ran out of inventory and is waiting for a new stock of it.

[pro-bassoonist]

Picnic at Hanging Rock Blu-ray REVIEW



It is a lovely release, and Criterion have also included Joan Lindsay's beautiful novel as a bonus.

I think, however, that fans of the film might want to pick up the UK release as well, since there are other supplemental features on it that are not included on this release. I have not seen the German release and cannot comment on it.

I know that photos are needed for this release, so when the market version arrives I will make sure to post packaging photos here and in the individual thread.

Enjoy what's left of the long weekend everyone

Pro-B

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished watching In the Realm of the Senses and I personally think it is one of the worst films that I have ever seen.

This is one of the only films that I have ever seen where I could not devote a huge portion of myself to the material thrown my way. From the moment that the film began until it (finally) ended, I could not get into it. A lot of it has to do with the film's progression. All of the oral sex scenes and other sexcapades grew excessively repetitive to the point that the film was an unofficial pornographic film. I'm not trying to be prude, as I think that sex, like everything else, can serve a particular purpose in film. It's just the way that it was carried out led to a very boring piece of work, in my opinion.

I can see that the overall message of the film is about such an extremely intense passion and the

I am not knocking Oshima's directing necessarily, as I think he did an overall decent job considering the material that he was directing, but I thought the story and the entire events surrounding the film were both terrible. I'm not questioning the validity of what actually transpired, but I had a hard time believing that everything thrown to the audience was fact.

This is one of the only films that I could not devote a huge portion of myself while watching it. From the moment that the film began, I could not get into it. As the film progressed, the oral sex scenes and other sexcapades grew more and more repetitive, eventually transforming into an unofficial pornographic film. To make a long story short, it grew boring pretty fast.

I can see the film's overall message as being one about extremely intense passion, but I did not enjoy the way that it was carried out. I'm really trying my best not to knock Oshima's directing as I guess he did a decent job with the material he was filming, but it's hard not to take a negative attitude at times with it.

I don't know, I'm just really conflicted with my feelings right now.

Long story short: I didn't like it.

Agreed. Sold my copy after watching it.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Page14

I don't want to sway you one way or the other on this, because I think what people like is very personal and unique to each individual. I've followed other people's recommendations before, only to be somewhat let down upon seeing the film myself. (I still try to appreciate the films by learning more about them).

So that being said, I seem to be in the unpopular crowd here who loves Robinson Crusoe on Mars. In fact, I went out of my way to find it on DVD (then upgraded to bluray) ... which, I'm pretty sure, is the film that opened my eyes to the Criterion company. Having seen the film originally in the theater as a 9 or 10 year old ... over and over and over again ... my reasons for loving it are highly sentimental. (I don't know that I can separate the sentimentality from my opinion).

For what it's worth ...

That was one of my first Criterions!

I am a huge fan of 50s sci-fi, and the Criterion Blu-ray perfectly represents the film. It's cheesy, and silly, but above all, It's really fun.

[Iamspartacus]

Has anyone seen Riot in Cell Block 11? Was thinking of blind buying this one.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Iamspartacus

Has anyone seen Riot in Cell Block 11? Was thinking of blind buying this one.

Riot in Cell Block 11 is a quintessential "social noir" and it's a brilliantly intense film. Here is my User Review.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Iamspartacus

Has anyone seen Riot in Cell Block 11? Was thinking of blind buying this one.

It's a decent film, but I would recommend renting it beforehand. I don't see much replay value in it.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Picnic at Hanging Rock Blu-ray REVIEW

[Show spoiler]

It is a lovely release, and Criterion have also included Joan Lindsay's beautiful novel as a bonus.

I think, however, that fans of the film might want to pick up the UK release as well, since there are other supplemental features on it that are not included on this release. I have not seen the German release and cannot comment on it.

I know that photos are needed for this release, so when the market version arrives I will make sure to post packaging photos here and in the individual thread.

Enjoy what's left of the long weekend everyone

Pro-B

Thanks, Pro-B. I actually have the import DVD, which I'll hold onto for the additional cut and the "Dream Within a Dream" featurette, but I'm looking forward to picking this up during the next sale.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by schlock

I see the DVD of HOPSCOTCH is now listed as discontinued. Anyone know if that's true or not? Was holding off getting it hoping for a Blu, but if the DVD is as good as we're going to get, I don't want to miss out.

I love the DVD version, I really hope it gets an upgrade. One of the better films in the CC IMO.

[filmmusic]

I was just wondering:

I have seen many countries represented in the Criterion Collection.
Why not Greece too?

Eg.
-Theo Angelopoulos movies (Landscape in the Mist, Ulysse's Gaze, Eternity and a Day - Palme D'Or Cannes)
- Never On Sunday (nominated for 5 Oscars including best actress, director and script, won for song)
- Electra, The Red Lanterns, Blood on the Land, Iphigeneia (all nominated for Best foreign film at the Oscars)
- A girl in Black, A Matter of Dignity, Stella (all Palme D' Or nominations)

Though I hate to admit, being Greek, I haven't seen any of them. Only Iphigeneia in my childhood, but I don't remember anything.
But I see they are highly regarded internationally.

[nondiatonic]

I watched L'Avventura, La Notte, and L'Eclisse over the course of last week. Each film produced in me a common feeling that I had never felt from other directors. Honestly, I didn't know what I thought of them while watching. But, as soon as each ended and I began going over them in my head and reminiscing about my favorite scenes, I realized how much I enjoyed them. I am quite certain they will be even greater upon a second viewing.

On a less Criterion related note, I just finished Melancholia. Looks like von Trier is 4/4 in my book. Beautiful and uncomfortable film. I will be blind buying Breaking The Waves and Nymphomaniac soon. Can never tell what this guy will do next.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I watched L'Avventura, La Notte, and L'Eclisse over the course of last week. Each film produced in me a common feeling that I had never felt from other directors. Honestly, I didn't know what I thought of them while watching. But, as soon as each ended and I began going over them in my head and reminiscing about my favorite scenes, I realized how much I enjoyed them. I am quite certain they will be even greater upon a second viewing.

On a less Criterion related note, I just finished Melancholia. Looks like von Trier is 4/4 in my book. Beautiful and uncomfortable film. I will be blind buying Breaking The Waves and Nymphomaniac soon. Can never tell what this guy will do next.

Antonioni's films are some of my favorite films in both The Criterion Collection, and all-time. They're full of drama and mystery that makes you want more.

Regarding Lars Von Trier, I would not recommend blind buying Antichrist or Nymphomaniac. They're incredibly dark and graphic, so if anything, I would recommend checking them out beforehand. I personally enjoyed Antichrist and I thought Nymphomaniac was decent overall on an initial watch, but not many others enjoy them.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Iamspartacus

Has anyone seen Riot in Cell Block 11? Was thinking of blind buying this one.

We started it last night (almost all movies we watch since we've had a baby are in two sittings, so only getting an hour in isn't a comment on the quality of the film).

However, I think I agree with Scottie, thus far I'm not convinced it has a lot of replay potential. As the Great Owl said, it's a "social noir" and is very much thrusting its message at you.

Having said that, we have another 30 mins to go on it, and it may pull it out.

At the moment I think it's fine, but may not be a Blu Ray I hold on to.

(The story behind the film is really interesting though, so maybe the supplements will win me over?)

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Antonioni's films are some of my favorite films in both The Criterion Collection, and all-time. They're full of drama and mystery that makes you want more.

Regarding Lars Von Trier, I would not recommend blind buying Antichrist or Nymphomaniac. They're incredibly dark and graphic, so if anything, I would recommend checking them out beforehand. I personally enjoyed Antichrist and I thought Nymphomaniac was decent overall on an initial watch, but not many others enjoy them.

I don't know where this thought process comes from. Maybe if you run in circles with people who typically watch studio fare and happened to come across the films. Sure, Antichrist wasn't Von Trier's most critically acclaimed film, but it has quite a sizable following, most of whom have overwhelmingly positive feelings towards the film. Nymphomaniac, on the other hand, has been quite warmly received by most credible critics and is largely viewed as his best work since Dogville.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by iScottie

[...] Regarding Lars Von Trier, I would not recommend blind buying Antichrist or Nymphomaniac. They're incredibly dark and graphic, so if anything, I would recommend checking them out beforehand. I personally enjoyed Antichrist and I thought Nymphomaniac was decent overall on an initial watch, but not many others enjoy them.

Antichrist was the first von Trier I saw. I own it and Melancholia. The other two in my 4/4 mentioned previously are The Element of Crime and Europa. My high regard of those has earned him a few blind buys from me.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I was just wondering:

I have seen many countries represented in the Criterion Collection.
Why not Greece too?

Eg.
-Theo Angelopoulos movies (Landscape in the Mist, Ulysse's Gaze, Eternity and a Day - Palme D'Or Cannes)
- Never On Sunday (nominated for 5 Oscars including best actress, director and script, won for song)
- Electra, The Red Lanterns, Blood on the Land, Iphigeneia (all nominated for Best foreign film at the Oscars)
- A girl in Black, A Matter of Dignity, Stella (all Palme D' Or nominations)

Though I hate to admit, being Greek, I haven't seen any of them. Only Iphigeneia in my childhood, but I don't remember anything.
But I see they are highly regarded internationally.

I've only seen 3 of these, but I would rate both Iphigenia and Electra as outright masterpieces (and they are part of a loose trilogy by Mihalis Kakogiannis (aka Michael Cacoyannis), along with The Trojan Women - that 3rd film I didn't really care for). I'm not Greek, but I stumbled upon Iphigenia by accident 6 months ago (on VHS of all things) and was floored by it, and then sought out some of his other films. The much earlier Electra was just as devastating and actually plays as a sequel to Iphigenia even though it was shot 15 years prior. The amazing Irene Pappas is in both; in Electra she plays the vengeful daughter of the mother she would end up playing later in Iphigenia. If you're at all into the ramifications of the Trojan War and the revenge and tragedy involved, both films are absolutely essential and I picked up the two MGM dvd's afterwards (although Iphigenia is long OOP).

I also picked up his early film A Girl in Black, which was very good, and the scene

[Show spoiler]with the children on a sinking boat and the tragedy that ensues will stick with you long after the film ends.

Another sad, tragic film. Unfortunately, I never got around to some of his other early films like Stella, but I did rent his most famous and successful film, Zorba the Greek, and pretty much hated it. But I need to check out some of his other early films and it would be great if Criterion looked into some of these.