The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Well, I knew hitting the sale early was dangerous. I already picked up Close-Up, Certified Copy (blind buy that I watched last night; Kiarostami is phenomenal), Persona, and La Notte.

But, now I'm feeling the need to pick up Breaking The Waves, Like Someone in Love, and Picnic at Hanging Rock (all three would be blindbuys).

Although, as I was writing this I checked Hulu and noticed Picnic at Hanging Rock is there. And, since I've seen nothing from Peter Weir, I'll check it out there first.

Whew, well that just leaves another $36 to spend... (which will put me over my $100 per sale budget... I have no will power).

The Picnic at Hanging Rock BluRay set contains the original novel too. So you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

And as for The Beatles, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT displays a tiny fraction of their output as they were rising to fame, and is by no means representative of the group's overall significance. The importance of The Beatles is not in any of their individual songs, but in the unusually wide range of genres and styles they explored throughout their active 10-year career. From making it big largely through early 60s bubblegum routine rock & roll, they developed their own individuality and sense of experimentation, crafting pieces that today can be played as "classical music" by classical string ensembles (not "classic rock" but that as well) and popular ballads now covered as "elevator music" to ethnic (especially Indian) harmonies and rhythms to avant-garde experimental pieces to precursors of heavy metal and even to songs in the style of 1920s pop hits (e.g., "Honey Pie"). A good many of these can be found just on their "White Album." Some arrangement even include nods to J.S. Bach and others. They knew what they were doing and did what they wanted rather than catering strictly to market demands, one reason that contributed to the group's splitting up to go their own ways. By contrast, the vast majority of today's music stars quickly get stuck in whatever rut and formula that first makes them the most money.

And now, back to the Criterion Collection and other movies. As for me, when my Criterion Blu-ray of A HARD DAY'S NIGHT arrives, I plan on watching it as the first feature in a double-bill with my new Blu-ray of KISMET, a pop musical derived from the classical music of Borodin. How's that for variety and diversity!

Great description of The Beatles' musical history. I have all their albums and I would listen to them frequently (with Led Zeppelin) when I was 15 years old, at that time I believed that they were the greatest band/s in the world.

Yes they were inspired by Indian music (through George Harrison's mentor Ravi Shankar) and used an orchestra for some of their composition. The orchestral arrangements and actually some of the classic Beatles songs musical structures were made by George Martin and sometimes by Mike Leander. So in conclusion, it is not right to give the Beatles all the credit for beautiful orchestral and even chord progression that were created by Mr. Martin.

There were better pop/Rock musicians during the late 60s and early 70s. For example Frank Zappa that actually wrote his own music, has by far a more complex musical arrangement. He made pop, blues, jazz, orchestral, and doo-wop pieces. Unfortunately, no one has truly followed his footsteps, probably because you would need an advance music degree, instead of just playing a few chords and scales on your guitar and letting someone recycle orchestral pieces to embellish a song.

This is one example within the realm of pop music. Jazz composers were making more complex and great music at this time.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The Picnic at Hanging Rock BluRay set contains the original novel too. So you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.

How could you!?

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Wow big difference. The size of the collection really varies in different stores I've been in, I definitely consider myself fortunate.

B&M Store? For these sales gather info online and order once you know you have enough for free shipping (2 should do it for most CC sales). You are sure of a full selection that way.

[Paulito240]

(in descending order)

1) Three Colors Trilogy (Red being my favorite)
2) Paris, Texas
3) Wings of Desire
4) Red Shoes
5) Sweet Smell of Success

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Paulito240

(in descending order)

1) Three Colors Trilogy (Red being my favorite)
2) Paris, Texas
3) Wings of Desire
4) Red Shoes
5) Sweet Smell of Success

Lancaster's performance in SSoS is really powerful.

[Sifox211]

I am so jealous of you people Stateside - all we can do is import from BIOH, but their prices have gone back to normal

Annoyingly, I was in San Diego last week, and there was a B&N right next to the hotel (Mission Valley); they don't stock more than a paltry selection of DVDs but if my timing had been better I assume I could've had store pickup... oh well, next time I arrange a trip I must align it with one of these sales!

(As compensation, I did get DeepDiscount to send me three Criterions with their 40% sale and free shipping: Life Aquatic, Red River and Ace in the hole). And I got the UK disk of Like someone in love for under £7 - basically identical to the Criterion.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

I am so jealous of you people Stateside - all we can do is import from BIOH, but their prices have gone back to normal

Annoyingly, I was in San Diego last week, and there was a B&N right next to the hotel (Mission Valley); they don't stock more than a paltry selection of DVDs but if my timing had been better I assume I could've had store pickup... oh well, next time I arrange a trip I must align it with one of these sales!

(As compensation, I did get DeepDiscount to send me three Criterions with their 40% sale and free shipping: Life Aquatic, Red River and Ace in the hole). And I got the UK disk of Like someone in love for under £7 - basically identical to the Criterion.

I hear you! It would have been great if BIOH always had those prices. Luckily I have a friend in New York who can go to B&N for me.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Tns49

B&M Store? For these sales gather info online and order once you know you have enough for free shipping (2 should do it for most CC sales). You are sure of a full selection that way.

I get free shipping as a member. However as a member you get an extra 10% in stores only. The Barnes and Noble by me is always very well stocked. I've never not found what I was looking for in terms of Criterions in 6 years.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by edcresdee

Question about Belle de Jour. It's released by StudioCanal in the UK, but Criterion's SC titles expired, so why is the Criterion Belle de Jour still available?

The UK digibook range is going OOP soon apparently and trying to prioritize what titles to get. Thanks

So I should get Belle de jour?

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm not entirely sure what films Criterion currently has the rights to, but I don't remember reading anything about them losing the Studio Canal rights to Belle de Jour. If they did, are you sure Criterion did not renew their rights to it?

You can't go wrong with it anyway, regardless of whether it's going OOP or not. It's an incredibly haunting and fascinating film.

I wouldn't describe it as haunting at all. It's f*cked up, but not haunting. It's comically dark.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Jakamarak

Obviously, any ranking of films is going to be highly subjective. I was very heartened to see Persona at number 1. The biggest thing that jumped out to me was the low ranking for In the Mood For Love. That should be considerably higher, in my opinion. It would be on my list of top 5 Criterion Blu Rays. As evidenced by some of the lists supplied here, it ranks very high for many others as well.

Yeah, I've heard so many great things about that film; just not sure if it's my type of movie.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I could have guessed that Polaroid doesn't like the Beatles.

BUT... if he likes modern rock music of any kind, he has the Beatles to thank as they have influenced everyone from bands as poppy as the Smiths and REM to bands as heavy as Nirvana to Metallica, etc.

I don't like The Beatles either, as I think they're way overrated. I only like three of their songs. But you can't say they influenced someone if that person hasn't confirmed it. Granted, those you mentioned probably did cite The Beatles.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

If you don't think Wes Anderson is an auteur, the only explanation is that you literally have no idea what an auteur is.

Omg. Yes! This passage should be included in Martin Scorsese's Film Bible.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Nah, I'd say Moonrise is sooner rather than later (it's already been licensed to Criterion, given its having clips included on Mr. Fox features and it was mentioned in the Costco magazine that Anderson was recording a new commentary for one of his films at the Criterion studio the other month). Maybe not before the end of the year but possibly early next year.

The only Wes Anderson film that I didn't like was Moonrise Kingdom. But I'll still double dip for it since it's a Criterion release for one of my Top 5 favourite directors.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Every time somebody mentions "California Dreamin'", I want to rewatch my copy of Chungking Express.

Me too! Well actually, every time someone mentions "California Dreamin'", I always remember the scenes in Chungking Express when Fay is kinda Melancholy/In the restaurant.

It's a f*cking weird film, but I love it since Quentin Tarantino brought it to light with his studio.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Lancaster's performance in SSoS is really powerful.

Have you seen his performance in The Swimmer?

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

Have you seen his performance in The Swimmer?

No, I have not but it's on a very long list of movies I have to see in my lifetime.

[Polaroid]

Scanners is a DIGIPAK

Filled with lots of awesome artwork - really nice release =]

[RandyK]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Scanners is a DIGIPAK

Filled with lots of awesome artwork - really nice release =]

Makes it even more important that I order a bunch of titles along with it during the sale so that it gets shipped in a box.

Do you have a link for pics?