The Criterion Collection

[TravmacDaddy]

I don't like Wes Anderson, but I love Rushmore, I only buy Blu-Rays, is Rushmore supposed to be making a Criterion appearance on Blu-Ray any time soon, cuz I may pick that one up.

And in regards to my collection, I only buy movies my wife likes, I like alot of cinema, but she likes mainstreem crap, so I buy what she both enjoys as well as myself.

[horseflesh]

Nobody loves me.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

P@t_Mtl got me beat. But it would be funny if I reach it.

Wow you do have me beat and me who try so hard to follow the good Canadian guy tradition Did I fail?

Thank for the answer on Studio Canal.

And why is there another Criterion thread started, just saw it in the listing? Will go and have a look, I suppose they will get merge.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

The Cassavetes films look great (well 4 of the 5 anyway) so I don't think they need that much work. I was thinking more of Criterion releasing Cassavetes' Love Streams, there was some talk about it last year. But I would love A Woman Under the Influence blu release.

About Cassavetes, ZIP will be finally sending me The Killing of a Chinese Bookie after more then two months, took a while but it's coming. I should receive it on Friday according to them and they are usally pretty spot on. I will be able to watch it during the weekend. It will be the first movie directed by him I get to see. I saw him as an actor in The Killers & The Dirty Doezen but I do not recall him at all.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

ChadFL, bentvalve, and retablo, if you all can remind me tomorrow, I will give you all reps. It says I did too much today to give out anymore. So if I forget, remind me and I'll hook you all up.

Sweet... i dont even know what all this rep stuff is but i guess i want it?

i might curl up with my Aussie import of Picnic at Hanging Rock... then this weekend is the restored Metropolis at the Laemmele Theater...

[P@t_Mtl]

I enjoy Criterion since it's one of the rare collection that will releases movies from Sergei Eisenstein, Akira Kurosawa, Yasurijo Ozu....Movies that just won't really get a wide releases like Avatar cause they will not be liked by a very large public So I am always happy for Criterion or Studio Canal and Kino for this, otherwise I would not be able to buy these movies. I don't buy every Criterion movies. Yes I guess some of the regulars in the main Criterion thread do buy all of them and I can't comment on their choices, it's up to them. I go and buy those that truly interest me but I will rent as many of the others I can manage. I am curious and a fan of cinema and so I will want to see them at least once. As for the snobs, well yes I suppose that certain people who enjoy Criterion may sound snobs at time but it's not exclusive to them let me tell you

As for what are the best movies to start to enjoy Criterion. Certain directors are a bit easier to get into then others and the movies of AKira Kurosawa do fall into that. You may want to rent Seven Samurai (DVD only for now) or catch on Blu-ray the movies Kagemusha, Ran, Yojimbo & Sanjuro. I think he is a fairly easy director to introduce yourself to Criterion. After that as per your taste there is so much but it's hard to recommend something. I would suggest to rent them one at a time and get introduce to them. There are so many excellent directors in Criterion Jean Renoir, Fredirico Fellini, François Truffaut, Ingmar Bergman.....just go into them with an open mind and of course don't approach them like a general Hollywood releases but give them time and they might surprise you.

[also]

Originally Posted by TravmacDaddy

That was for my Wife, not me, lol.

And as far as their releases, is there any of them I should really look into, maybe checking out or watching, possibly buying. I know my blu ray collection makes me look like I have a poor taste in movies, but I mean anything that stands out to most people who buy Criterion.

And I'm not interested in any of the Wes Anderson ones, I'm not a big fan of his dark humor, except for The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Thing is, Criterion just releases movies. It doesn't make them. So there isn't much of a through line in their catalog beyond, they got the rights to it and they (for whatever reason) decided it was worth releasing.

And while I like a lot of films they have released, I am never going to see Salo, because I never want to watch it. I appreciate its unique place in cinema history, but that doesn't mean I would get anything positive out of watching it, Criterion or not.

So if you scan through the catalog and a couple films look interesting, then at least you know that the Criterion release will be a high quality release. But I wouldn't suggest blindly buying some of their films, especially if the likes of Wes Anderson seem too dark for your taste.

[Daaark]

I'll put it simply:

Criterion made a lot of breakthroughs early on with original aspect ratios, bonuses, director's commentary, etc... They are a home video premium brand. They treat home video like a first class product, and not an afterthought like some others. Criterion will license a movie for home video distribution, and then give it the best possible release they can.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

Criterion specializes in classics, foreign language films, and art films, and put great effort into quality transfers. Their films may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think we can all respect the quality of their presentations.

[Old Geezer]

Just finished watching Hiroshima Mon Amour. Now one of my favorite Criterions', even though it's not on blu. Fantastic movie - there were spots that reminded me of Last Year at Marienbad (the memory conversations).

[BaronVH]

To me, blind buying is not a good idea. It surprises me the number of people that do this. I also would not advise buying a Criterion just to collect. That said, the reason people like Criterion is that they always have a great product, and it tends to be non-commercial films. Many people are just into mainstream movies, but if you truly love movies, then you are limiting yourself. Their customer service is superb. Send an email to Universal or Warner Brothers and see what happens. With Criterion you will get a personal response. Further, you may not like or appreciate The Seventh Seal. Fine. If it weren't for Criterion, the people that appreciate it might never get it, or if they did, it would be a crappy release. I say Criterion is the best company out there. Look at the Blu-ray release of Ran. Criterion's DVD is almost as good as the Studio Canal Blu-ray. Criterion's Kurosawa Blu-rays are amazing. Some may that they only release obscure art house films, yet Stagecoach came out Tuesday. If you can't be entertained by that, I truly feel sorry for you.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by TravmacDaddy

I don't like Wes Anderson, but I love Rushmore, I only buy Blu-Rays, is Rushmore supposed to be making a Criterion appearance on Blu-Ray any time soon, cuz I may pick that one up.

And in regards to my collection, I only buy movies my wife likes, I like alot of cinema, but she likes mainstreem crap, so I buy what she both enjoys as well as myself.

Why not rent a DVD....... or perhaps see what the local library has to offer.

[jello_02]

Hello i was wondering if anyone knew if the Third Man came in one of those folding/ flap cases. Because i was looking at the picture in the BD slipcover thread, and it looks like it has a slipcover and comes with in a flapable/foldable case. i could be mistaken. mine came used with just the white, clear case.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by wilky61

Criterion Collection releases the films for the film snobs.

If you must check 'em out (and I don't recommend blind-buying CC films), I would recommend something other than The Seventh Seal/Vivre Sa Vie. Yeah, I would never want to watch either of these films again.

I don't see blind buying as a problem. I have recently "blind bought" a handful of Criterion titles and have been pleased thus far! M was fantastic, Bigger than Life was amazing, and I have heard only great things about Walkabout, Wages of Fear, and The 400 Blows. I also have Pierrot le fou on the way, and am interested in seeing that one for the first.

Yesterday, using a coupon someone posted on here a few days ago (thanks to whomever that was!!!), plus my membership discount, and B&N's 10% sticker, I was able to pick up By Brakhage Anthology, Vols. 1&2 for about $55. Total blind buy! I went home and started watching only to be amazed at the quality of these films. "The Art of Seeing With One's Own Eyes" was something I thought I'd not be able to finish based on the subject matter, but I made it through with no problems (: It was beautifully filmed!

I look forward to more blind buys (Marienbad, Revanche, Hunger, Ride w\With the Devil, Playtime...)

Criterion has not let me down...yet.

-Dave

[italy12]

Originally Posted by jello_02

Hello i was wondering if anyone knew if the Third Man came in one of those folding/ flap cases. Because i was looking at the picture in the BD slipcover thread, and it looks like it has a slipcover and comes with in a flapable/foldable case. i could be mistaken. mine came used with just the white, clear case.

Where did you purchase it from? The first version of that and other Criterion releases (I think their first 9 or 10 or so) had cardboard digipacks and a thin slipcover. They went to a clear plastic case shortly after and offered a replacement case for $5 to anyone who wanted to replace their cardboard case for the newer plastic ones. Some people thought they were more sturdy, and some people wanted to display their collection uniformly.

I just purchased The Third man from a user on Amazon's marketplace, and it came in a cardboard digipak. I also just ordered The 400 Blows from Best Buy. This was another cardboard digi. release. I am curious to see if I will get the plastic case or the cardboard one.

-Dave

[italy12]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I enjoy Criterion since it's one of the rare collection that will releases movies from Sergei Eisenstein, Akira Kurosawa, Yasurijo Ozu....Movies that just won't really get a wide releases like Avatar cause they will not be liked by a very large public So I am always happy for Criterion or Studio Canal and Kino for this, otherwise I would not be able to buy these movies. I don't buy every Criterion movies. Yes I guess some of the regulars in the main Criterion thread do buy all of them and I can't comment on their choices, it's up to them. I go and buy those that truly interest me but I will rent as many of the others I can manage. I am curious and a fan of cinema and so I will want to see them at least once. As for the snobs, well yes I suppose that certain people who enjoy Criterion may sound snobs at time but it's not exclusive to them let me tell you

As for what are the best movies to start to enjoy Criterion. Certain directors are a bit easier to get into then others and the movies of AKira Kurosawa do fall into that. You may want to rent Seven Samurai (DVD only for now) or catch on Blu-ray the movies Kagemusha, Ran, Yojimbo & Sanjuro. I think he is a fairly easy director to introduce yourself to Criterion. After that as per your taste there is so much but it's hard to recommend something. I would suggest to rent them one at a time and get introduce to them. There are so many excellent directors in Criterion Jean Renoir, Fredirico Fellini, François Truffaut, Ingmar Bergman.....just go into them with an open mind and of course don't approach them like a general Hollywood releases but give them time and they might surprise you.

One of the easiest films for me to digest upon a first viewing was "Bigger Than Life." I thouroughly enjoyed James Mason's portrayal of a teacher who becomes addicted to this new drug, cortisone, and how it effects him, his family, and his job.

-Dave

[jello_02]

Originally Posted by italy12

Where did you purchase it from? The first version of that and other Criterion releases (I think their first 9 or 10 or so) had cardboard digipacks and a thin slipcover. They went to a clear plastic case shortly after and offered a replacement case for $5 to anyone who wanted to replace their cardboard case for the newer plastic ones. Some people thought they were more sturdy, and some people wanted to display their collection uniformly.

I just purchased The Third man from a user on Amazon's marketplace, and it came in a cardboard digipak. I also just ordered The 400 Blows from Best Buy. This was another cardboard digi. release. I am curious to see if I will get the plastic case or the cardboard one.

-Dave

FYE, used. Mine came in the plastic one. out of curiousity, does the slipcover fit on the clear plastic case?

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by italy12

Where did you purchase it from? The first version of that and other Criterion releases (I think their first 9 or 10 or so) had cardboard digipacks and a thin slipcover. They went to a clear plastic case shortly after and offered a replacement case for $5 to anyone who wanted to replace their cardboard case for the newer plastic ones. Some people thought they were more sturdy, and some people wanted to display their collection uniformly.

I just purchased The Third man from a user on Amazon's marketplace, and it came in a cardboard digipak. I also just ordered The 400 Blows from Best Buy. This was another cardboard digi. release. I am curious to see if I will get the plastic case or the cardboard one.

-Dave

If you view the first post in the thread, you will see information on how you can order the plastic replacement case for "The 400 Blows," "The Third Man," and several other titles.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

If you view the first post in the thread, you will see information on how you can order the plastic replacement case for "The 400 Blows," "The Third Man," and several other titles.

Yes, I am aware...I purchased one for my copies of The Third Man and The Man Who Fell to Earth. I should have waited, however, because you get $2.50 off of each one that you order over 2. So, 4 would have been $15 instead of $20. And, I do plan on purchasing more of the older Criterion Blu ray releases...oh well...

Thanks for helping anyway, I appreciate it!

-Dave

[italy12]

Originally Posted by jello_02

FYE, used. Mine came in the plastic one. out of curiousity, does the slipcover fit on the clear plastic case?

No, the cardboard case can be saved or chucked, your preference. I saved mine just because I have always liked the Criterion packages.

What Criterion does is send the case with the artwork. Your book that comes in the cardboard digipak will fit in the pastic case just like any other book that comes w/a Criterion release. So basically, once you get a plastic case from them, you will have a product that mirrors the others that Criterion continues to release.

-Dave