The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by octagon

It's ironic. For all the abuse (much of it well-deserved) he took over colorization Ted Turner has probably done more for the preservation and promotion of classic films than most of his critics combined.

I freaking love TCM.

Even without TCM to consider, Turner's misguided colorization scheme alone would've helped the preservation of classic films in that prior to colorizing them, the original black-&-white prints would be cleaned up considerably. It wasn't restoration, but the originals looked better than they had in a long time.

[demonknight]

I had quite the scare a few minutes ago. I was on WB's site and thought they had Brazil now. You can understand my shock seeing a BD titled "Brazil with Michael Palin" and it's listing having no picture. Good thing I looked here to see it was a completely separate Michael Palin project called Brazil.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

see these guys if you want "the closest most of us (would) get to seeing them live."

Speaking of live music, I just found out that the Morrissey concert here in Atlanta tomorrow night has just been cancelled. I had killer seats to this show, and I was looking forward to it. I guess that another introvert night at home with Criterion Blu-rays is in my future.

On a happy note, all of this talk about A Hard Day's Night has compelled me to put my Beatles CDs on rotation.

[EPlay]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Criterion Blu-ray of In the Mood for Love. This is my first experience watching a Wong Kar-wai film.

I was surprised you had not seen a Wong Kar-wai film. I think you will enjoy his other films, too.

Of course, "In the Mood for Love", "Chungking Express", "Happy Together", "Days of Being Wild" and "Fallen Angels" are oft talked about, and great films. I feel in the minority, but I'm also very fond of "My Blueberry Nights", which I find to be a melancholy, lovely film. (I love the Japanese release cover!)

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by demonknight

I had quite the scare a few minutes ago. I was on WB's site and thought they had Brazil now. You can understand my shock seeing a BD titled "Brazil with Michael Palin" and it's listing having no picture. Good thing I looked here to see it was a completely separate Michael Palin project called Brazil.

Not being a Terry Gilliam fan, my first reaction was "Palin's still doing travelogues?? "

(Although they never really got any better than "Pole to Pole", and the original "Around/80 Days".)

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Not being a Terry Gilliam fan, my first reaction was "Palin's still doing travelogues?? "

(Although they never really got any better than "Pole to Pole", and the original "Around/80 Days".)

I liked his Ripping Yarns series. Especially the School Bully episode. Funny stuff.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jayembee

As others have mentioned, Wong Kar-Wai is a truly gifted director. Chungking Express remains my favorite of his; too bad it's OOP. Fallen Angels (available on Blu from Kino) is kinda sorta somewhat a "Chungking Express 2", but doesn't work as well. The other Kino Blu release, Happy Together is probably my second favorite WKW film.

Happy Together is my second fav, too. There's tremendous power in that story.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Not being a Terry Gilliam fan, my first reaction was "Palin's still doing travelogues?? "

(Although they never really got any better than "Pole to Pole", and the original "Around/80 Days".)

Not a Gilliam fan? I don't think we can be friends...

Brazil, the Python stuff, and Fear & Loathing are all phenomenal.

Speaking of Fear and Loathing, I'm going to try to get my copy signed by Depp next Saturday... if I can find him around Cambridge. I'm also going to try to find John Waters, who is at Harvard that day.

[skylog]

Originally Posted by EricJ

....my first reaction was "Palin's still doing travelogues?? "

(Although they never really got any better than "Pole to Pole", and the original "Around/80 Days".)

amen. that said, i did also very much appreciate "Himalayas" and "Sahara." i have a weakness for these types of shows, but i think he did a great job.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by octagon

It's ironic. For all the abuse (much of it well-deserved) he took over colorization Ted Turner has probably done more for the preservation and promotion of classic films than most of his critics combined.
I freaking love TCM.

TCM came about as his penitence for the public spanking he took over that colorized-Citizen Kane and "I own 'em" tumble over the cliff--
But it seemed to have done him all the better for it. Spare the rod and spoil the classic-vault owner.

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I liked his Ripping Yarns series. Especially the School Bully episode. Funny stuff.

Ripping Yarns was Everything That Was Wrong with Python's Fourth Season (meaningless non-sequitur jokes extended into running gags, Palin playing oddball detail-obsessed nerds), without Graham Chapman to make it funny.

But, no, we're talking Palin travelogues, and while they're funny, they're not comedies:

[Show spoiler]

Michael Palin's Pole to Pole: At the North Pole - YouTube

Hadn't seen him do one since "New Europe", but nice to know he's still getting about in his 70's. He was about ready to quit while trying to get through said Africa route.

[FestinaLente]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Awesome!! I didn't know about this. I'll check it out.

I created a thread over in the Movies forum for people to discuss and recommend films streaming on Watch TCM. It also has links to the site. Hoping it can grow into a lively conversation. Check it out. I wanted to let people know about this great resource.

Watch TCM - On Demand films/recommendations

[fdm]

Originally Posted by jayembee

As others have mentioned, Wong Kar-Wai is a truly gifted director. Chungking Express remains my favorite of his; too bad it's OOP. Fallen Angels (available on Blu from Kino) is kinda sorta somewhat a "Chungking Express 2", but doesn't work as well. The other Kino Blu release, Happy Together is probably my second favorite WKW film.

Another no one's mentioned is 2046, kind of a sequel to In The Mood For Love. Can't recall whether they were shot concurrently or 2046 immediately/soon afterwards.

[JoeBuck]

Hey B, you almost ready with that All That Heaven Allows review?
Dying to see those screenshots!

[The Great Owl]

Last night, I watched Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon.

I've seen this movie several times before by way of the 2002 Criterion DVD, but I'm awestruck by the improvements in picture quality on the restoration for this Blu-ray. If anyone reading this is still holding tight to that 2002 DVD edition, then I have to recommend the Blu-ray as one of the most worthwhile upgrades in terms of the presentation.

The movie itself does not seem outdated in the slightest. I've always thought that Rashomon would be a great film to show to high school students or even middle school students as a lesson that we cannot always believe what we see simply because it is shown on camera.

Whenever I revisit Rashomon, I am oddly reminded of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, because that film centers on three characters who are all unreliable narrators. Jack is succumbing to alcoholism and to the isolation in the hotel, while Wendy and Danny are both suffering from the trauma of abuse. The storylines of these two movies are vastly different, but they would nonetheless make for an interesting double feature night.

My double feature last night, however, consisted of watching Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love a second time, and then watching Rashomon.
I'm enjoying going through my December sale Criterion Blu-rays at long last.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Last night, I watched Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon.

I've seen this movie several times before by way of the 2002 Criterion DVD, but I'm awestruck by the improvements in picture quality on the restoration for this Blu-ray. If anyone reading this is still holding tight to that 2002 DVD edition, then I have to recommend the Blu-ray as one of the most worthwhile upgrades in terms of the presentation.

The movie itself does not seem outdated in the slightest. I've always thought that Rashomon would be a great film to show to high school students or even middle school students as a lesson that we cannot always believe what we see simply because it is shown on camera.

Whenever I revisit Rashomon, I am oddly reminded of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, because that film centers on three characters who are all unreliable narrators. Jack is succumbing to alcoholism and to the isolation in the hotel, while Wendy and Danny are both suffering from the trauma of abuse. The storylines of these two movies are vastly different, but they would nonetheless make for an interesting double feature night.

My double feature last night, however, consisted of watching Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love a second time, and then watching Rashomon.
I'm enjoying going through my December sale Criterion Blu-rays at long last.

You picked up The Hidden Fortress yet?
I nabbed it last week and was blown away by how incredible the video quality on it was. Real glad I added that one to my shelf!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

You picked up The Hidden Fortress yet?
I nabbed it last week and was blown away by how incredible the video quality on it was. Real glad I added that one to my shelf!

I've got The Hidden Fortress Blu-ray at home, but have not watched it yet. The Blu-rays of The Hidden Fortress, Throne of Blood, and High and Low are all in my still-unwatched Blu-ray stack.

I've seen all of these movies before by way of the DVDs, so it's just a matter of enjoying the high definition improvements. They're all such great films!

[Mansinthe]

you made a double feature out of 2 of my favorite criterions ever

i watched rashomon already 3 times at least , in the mood for love es well.

startet to show some of these movies to my girlfriend as well , she liked "in the mood for love" alot same for hidden fortress (i watched that one now 2 times since its release on bluray )


BIOH at ebay has currently a criterion sale. several criterions für 19,14$ + shipping (4,99$ + 1,50$ for every additional item)


i ordered several blurays now, tess + la notte + lady vanished and a few more

[panmanthe2nd]

Do we know when the next Barns and Noble 50% off Criterion sale is?

[Judex]

Originally Posted by panmanthe2nd

Do we know when the next Barns and Noble 50% off Criterion sale is?

July 1st I think. They have a 40% off one on at the moment.

[Clare2904]

I am thinking of offloading a few of my Criterions that I wasn't keen on and know I will not watch again in order to fund the upcoming B&N sale. Where is the best place to sell them online ?