The Criterion Collection

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I also really like both these films. I first saw Vampyr ages ago on my local tv station in it's Saturday night horror film time slot and was just transfixed by it. I just loved the look of it and the minimal dialogue and score. It just seemed so otherworldly. I liked it so much that I got a Super 8 sound copy of it. Yes, this was in the pre-VHS days when home video consisted of 8 or 16mm film.
Seconds is such a ballsy film considering when it was made and it's so damn grim for something with a major studio label. Plus B&W? Rock Hudson?? All really going against the grain of what would make box office sense in '66. I must say that as good as Hudson is in this; and he's terrific, John Randolph is amazing as the before character because he has to set the stage with his frustrations and failures for Hudson's after character. Incredible film.

Couldn't agree more about Rock Hudson. As I said, I hadn't really seen a full movie of his (I've seen clips here and there), but thought it was a great move to play him against that typical comedy, romance, style. It was amazing to see him playing a character that is losing grip on reality and has no way to do anything about it, save to go back to where it all began.

And I too thought John Randolph did an amazing job.

[Show spoiler]The scene in the hotel so surreal and acid trip feeling, but he pulled every second of it off, making seem totally natural.

The bonus features were quite amazing as well. I loved Alec Baldwin's interview. He is one of my favorite actors of his generation.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Have you seen them before? Becuase I don't think that'd be the right way to watch them the first time through; they're individual films all saying their own unique message in their own unique style and should be enjoyed seperately to be enjoyed as a collective whole later on.

I have not seen them before.. so thanks for the heads up on that. I knew they were not all related, and were their own, but not so much as to know that I should watch them seperatley. Thanks!

[tylergfoster]

I blind buy almost everything! The Criterions that were not blind buys would be a more reasonable list for me. I find I don't regret it, because they retain enough of their value and I only regret it so often.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

We neeeeeeeeed dogville, epidemic or dancer in the dark on bluray.

NOWWWWWWW!!!!!!


And Medea!!!

Pretty sure Dancer in The Dark has been available on blu for awhile.

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I have not seen them before.. so thanks for the heads up on that. I knew they were not all related, and were their own, but not so much as to know that I should watch them seperatley. Thanks!

I mean they're not totally unconnected of course but they're all done in different styles (due to different DPs) and they don't really share a common message (besides the basic theme of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity). I'd say spreading it over three nights is the way to go either way, though (also because you'd likely get a bit tired of it after 4.5 hours, I know I was having a hard time staying through Red despite loving it greatly the last time I tried to watch them all in one sitting)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Pretty sure Dancer in The Dark has been available on blu for awhile.

Only in Japan, though it's getting a release in Germany in August.

The problem with the film, with respect to releasing it on Blu-ray, is that the non-musical scenes were shot in SD PAL video, which means they have to be upscaled on a Blu-ray.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

I mean they're not totally unconnected of course but they're all done in different styles (due to different DPs) and they don't really share a common message (besides the basic theme of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity). I'd say spreading it over three nights is the way to go either way, though (also because you'd likely get a bit tired of it after 4.5 hours, I know I was having a hard time staying through Red despite loving it greatly the last time I tried to watch them all in one sitting)

Cool.. thanks again! Appreciate the suggestions. And yeah, 4.5 can be a bit much sometimes... though I tend to binge every so often.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

All Is Lost was my favorite film of 2013. It's spectacular.

I've got Three Days of the Condor (excellent film!) and All the President's Men on Blu-ray. Sadly, Downhill Racer is the only Criterion release starring Redford, to the best of my knowledge.

I'll be buying Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I only have three of the Marvel films, because most of them don't get through to me, but Captain America: The Winter Soldier is my favorite Marvel film to date by a long mile.

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Ordinary People is surely an inevitability assuming Paramount doesn't want to keep it to themselves?

That would be great. And an upgrade of Downhill Racer to blu-ray would be cool too. You know, that 1992 movie Sneakers starring Redford would be a good fit on the Criterion Collection. Well, maybe not.. it's too Hollywood/mainstream maybe.

Owl, glad to hear you loved All is Lost too. I thought it was superb and so realistic! I want more films like that.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by CMNPlanet

Late September/early October would be the next likely Flash sale based on the past two years.

Thanks. I'm going to just get a couple of movies from the B&N sale and stock up during the flash sale. With the rewards points + no sales tax it comes out to $18.00 shipped per $39.95 SRP title, versus $21.85 shipped for B&N. If I buy quite a few it starts to add up. Plus I prefer to give my money to Criterion direct.

[lordmorpheus72]

Wife is working late again tonight, and she took a nap earlier, so it's Criterion day/night! Decided today's theme is Japanese Cinema...

Three Outlaw Samurai started out the early afternoon. Very much like the old Saturday afternoons of the 70's, I sat down and watched a great Samurai film. This was the first time I had seen this movie and I was extremely pleased. I've seen many pieces and parts of lots of Saturday afternoon Samurai films, but this was the first that I saw from beginning to end. I now wish I had paid more attention to those films when I was younger... though not sure I would have understood all of the themes, except of course honor and nobility. No matter, watching the film as an adult, it really struck a chord with me. I am now a true film of the genre. And I'll be watching Hidden Fortress and Seven Samuari very soon!

Continued the afternoon with Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell from the When Horror Came to Shochiku. It was exactly what I wanted too, a great, over the top, Japanese monster style film. While the undertones, or really overtones, of nuclear war and the bomb were very heavy handed, I just watched for the pure joy of a Saturday afternoon "monster/alien/horror" flick.

"And now for something completely different..." Tokyo Story.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

"And now for something completely different..." Tokyo Story.

To be quick and to the point, no other movie that I've ever watched in my life has had the emotional impact on me like Tokyo Story did.

[monorail91]

Here's my review of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!: http://sjreviewseverything.tumblr.co...own-1990-pedro. As I was writing it, I realized how much there was to like about this movie, and bumped up my grade in the process.

Also I plan on revisiting Blue is the Warmest Color later today - hoping I like more than the first time (which I liked enough, I don't regret blind-buying it). Before this, has there been a Criterion release, where they've conceded a true special edition is coming later?

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by smoss469

To be quick and to the point, no other movie that I've ever watched in my life has had the emotional impact on me like Tokyo Story did.

Wow... well I have been waiting for a few hours to myself to really sit down and watch this one. I'll be sure to post my experience after I've watched the film.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

We neeeeeeeeed dogville, epidemic or dancer in the dark on bluray.

NOWWWWWWW!!!!!!


And Medea!!!

Dancer has a jap bluray and will get a gernan release soon

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

I find it refreshing.

thanks, Roninblues! that is, if I am understanding your post correctly.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Some Criterions that I love and think are ignored in terms of discussion and recommendation in this thread are as follows:

Au Revoir Les Enfants
Everlasting Moments
Le Havre
Orpheus
Purple Noon
Umberto D
Red Desert

Au Revoir Les Enfants is one of my favorite Criterion titles... I know Umberto D has a wonderful reputation and you are spot on.. 9 months of posting and following this board and I don't think I've seen it mentioned once... Purple Noon does get discussed occasionally.

pulling the trigger, btw, on Umberto D very soon. years ago, I had an Italian barber and he told me every detail of the film once during a hair cut. he loved it so much. luckily, I have forgotten just about all of what he told me. I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't want to hear it because I'd actually seek it out at some point in my life.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by monorail91

Also I plan on revisiting Blue is the Warmest Color later today - hoping I like more than the first time (which I liked enough, I don't regret blind-buying it). Before this, has there been a Criterion release, where they've conceded a true special edition is coming later?

Yes, when Criterion announced the release of Blue Is the Warmest Color, they did announce that there would be a special edition coming later. In fact, it's even stated on the listing for that title at their web site, at the bottom of the "Disc Features" section.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

The Horse Whisperer would be the obvious choice. Or indecent proposal.

Good choices, what does everyone else think about these choices?

[Mansinthe]

movies watched today:

Paths of Glory
absolutly loved the movie. everything is just awesome about this movie. the shots on the battlefield etc.. amazing. wouldnt expect nothing less from kubrik.

5/5 Stars

Sweet Smell of Success
gonna earn some hate here. didnt like a few of the actors that much. movie was more or less "ok". not sure if im gonna keep it or resell it.

3/5

The Fly by Cronenberg
rewatched it already a few times. but the movie is always just freakish sick. i love it !

4/5

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

movies watched today:

Sweet Smell of Success
gonna earn some hate here. didnt like a few of the actors that much. movie was more or less "ok". not sure if im gonna keep it or resell it.

3/5

Don't worry, I thought the film was nothing special too.