The Criterion Collection

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Since we talked about Hitchcock films earlier this week and mentioned Suspicion, I watched it! And it was great! I'll get the weak stuff out of the way first: it takes a little while to get into, but once the suspicion begins, the movie becomes more engaging and quietly suspenseful. It never reaches the suspense highs of say the windmill scene in Foreign Correspondent or in any of the director's later masterpieces, instead this is more of a slow burn mystery. It's not as well made as later films in the Hitchcock canon, there's some missteps, and the ending is rather unsatisfying.

Besides those flaws, the movie on the whole is immensely enjoyable and sustains your interest. Cary Grant and the beautiful Joan Fontain do a wonderful job and play their characters well. Grant is charming but also arrogant, and Fontain is understandably confused. I was really into seeing where the plot went and how it wrapped up. There are some really well shot scenes, the cinematography in black and white is gorgeous and I loved some of the camera movements. The lighting is perfectly chilling at times, and I loved the use of shadows. There is one particular shot where a glass of milk appeared to glow.

Overall, a worthwhile entry in Hitch's filmography that, save for some flaws, was on the whole very good and showed the promise of the Master of Suspense. If Foreign Correspondent was second rate Hitchcock, I would rate Suspicion in between that and his later classics, such as Vertigo, Psycho, Rear Window, Rope, North by Northwest, etc. (still haven't seen Strangers on a Train or Dial M for Murder). FC had some amazing set pieces, but Suspicion I found had a more straightforward, interesting plot.

I hated the movie because of Cary Grant's character. He was so good at playing his role that I really hated even seeing him on screen! He was so lazy and dishonest!

[Mansinthe]

watched Foreign Correspondent today and i liked it ! fellt like rewatching ministry of fear during the movie

39 steps is the last Criterion hitchcock movie that i have left to watch. and the lodger from the UK

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I hated the movie because of Cary Grant's character. He was so good at playing his role that I really hated even seeing him on screen! He was so lazy and dishonest!

I was disappointed in that aspect of his character.

[Show spoiler]At the end, she's made out to be the flawed, crazy one. But he had flaws too, he could have been more trusting with her.

It wasn't a prevailing flaw for me like it was for you though. There are reasons this doesn't rank among the director's best works.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched Foreign Correspondent today and i liked it ! fellt like rewatching ministry of fear during the movie

39 steps is the last Criterion hitchcock movie that i have left to watch. and the lodger from the UK

I watched Criterion's FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT earlier this week, the first time I'd seen it in decades. It was pretty much like seeing it the first time, as not only did the picture quality look like a brand new print in a 1940 movie theatre (having been scanned from the original negative), but the only scenes I could remember from seeing it before were the umbrellas on the steps, the windmills, and the water crashing through the plane cockpit (likely because they're always used as clips in documentaries or stills in books). Interestingly, I was also thinking about MINISTRY OF FEAR while watching it, as well as THE LADY VANISHES, THE 39 STEPS, and THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, of course.

Seeing it again has put FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT into my top five or certainly top ten Hitchcock films, and by a narrow margin possibly his top one or two from the 1940s.

Still haven't gotten around to watching my UK Blu-ray of THE LODGER, although I've seen the film several times in various editions of widely varying quality.

[Mansinthe]

the bonus features are pretty interessting as well.. watched the first 2 after the movie. gonna watch the interview with Mr. Hitchcock later today.

Pretty good movie. so far my favorite of the Criterion hitchcock releases.

[tisdivine]

Ive been reading all you guys B&N shipping horror stories and I have to say mine could be a lot worse. Just got my B&N order of

Picnic at Hanging Rock
Identification of a Woman
Battle of Algeris
World On Wire
Seven Samurai
Orpheus
Black Orpheus
Red Desert
The Organizer
Cul-De-Sac
Earrings Of Madame De...
Amarcord

The only one that has to be returned is Amarcord. Every corner is bent up. The one side looks like it was dropped on it. Even has a large scuff where the red dress is completely white. Dont understand how all of them are perfect and this one could be so bad? Crazy!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Not sure about American Amazon but a lot of people get banned seem to get banned on Amazon UK, Amazon are so strict and won't even listen or let you appeal a ban and the don't even give warnings :/ when ever I spoke to Amazon about a problem they told me to file an AZ claim, they even did it on my behalf without me having to ask! its so annoying that I get banned for it when half the time it was them doing the refunds/returns etc :/

I can't even imagine the feeling of seeing all them Criterions on the shelves in the stores - it would be like Disney Land for me lol

When I went to America before in past I wasn't aware of Criterions, now fi I go again I am so worried about spending, cause I will want to go to B&N and see them, will be like a tourist attraction lol

Boy, I really am spoiled because I go so often to Barnes and Noble here and just see all those beautiful Criterions sitting pretty on the racks. I really do not want to imagine how brutal it must be having to wait almost 2 months for Criterions to ship to me as the only way of purchasing them overseas. Yes, we folks here in the states who live in cities are spoiled in that regard. But next time you come to the states, make sure you have a second suitcase just for all those dozens of Criterions you're planning on buying in person (and come only in July or November when that sale is happening!).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Anyone else wishing Criterion was releasing the new Twin Peaks Bluray set ...?

I'm fine with it being released on Paramount because David Lynch himself oversaw the transfer and release, so I know its going to be top notch (esp. with all those stunning supplements already included here).

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Boy, I really am spoiled because I go so often to Barnes and Noble here and just see all those beautiful Criterions sitting pretty on the racks. I really do not want to imagine how brutal it must be having to wait almost 2 months for Criterions to ship to me as the only way of purchasing them overseas. Yes, we folks here in the states who live in cities are spoiled in that regard. But next time you come to the states, make sure you have a second suitcase just for all those dozens of Criterions you're planning on buying in person (and come only in July or November when that sale is happening!).

You're so mean! lol

I'll be looking to get 2-3 suitcases haha!

Originally Posted by jw007

I'm fine with it being released on Paramount because David Lynch himself oversaw the transfer and release, so I know its going to be top notch (esp. with all those stunning supplements already included here).

Don get me wrong its a superb release and I'm so excited - and would be hard to top - would just love to see part of the Criterion collection and on y shelf alongside AK100 and Zatoichi :P

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

I'm happy that Criterion isn't releasing the Twin Peaks Blu set: as has been said, I'm not convinced they could do a better job than what's being done...Plus, if Criterion released this the price would almost certainly be twice as much as what we're paying now....

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

I'm happy that Criterion isn't releasing the Twin Peaks Blu set: as has been said, I'm not convinced they could do a better job than what's being done...Plus, if Criterion released this the price would almost certainly be twice as much as what we're paying now....

Well price doesn't bother me so thats not an issue for me :P plus you guys can get in a sale no doubt

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yah email Criterion and you send them $5 over paypal and they ship you desired item.

Basically its $5 per item, so case $5, booklet $5 and artwork $5, they actually make loss on doing this so its not that bad.

Ive done a few times from UK and had fast and safe deliveries

You can buy the Criterion cases on Ebay and stuff but they are like £10 or so which is stupidly expensive, seeing s you an get for like £3 from Criterion. I had Shoah packaging replaced and came perfect condition and NO problems at all, and a few booklets which came perfect

Criterion will ship booklets? I thought they only sold replacement cases. I have a about 10 blus that came brand new with ripped/bent up books but I didnt realize they would replace them. Thats amazing news Polaroid. You made my day!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

You're so mean! lol

I'll be looking to get 2-3 suitcases haha!



Don get me wrong its a superb release and I'm so excited - and would be hard to top - would just love to see part of the Criterion collection and on y shelf alongside AK100 and Zatoichi :P

Well, hey, I wish the Stanley Kubrick collection had been released by Criterion, but I don't mind. I think the Warner Bros. release is superb (https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Stanl...Blu-ray/20820/) and as much as I wish Criterion had access to all of Kubrick's films, I know that will never happen. I'm glad we at least have Paths of Glory and The Killing in the Criterion Collection on blu-ray. If Criterion owned/released everything out there, then quality would go down while quantity went up. They'd monopolize everything. I'm happy where they stand. If there were more video distributors like Criterion, then it would be a perfect world.

(and yes, bring at least 1 or 2 more suitcases for all those Criterions. ha)

[jlk5844]

Criterion doesn't even release television shows. Their mission statement specifies films.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Criterion will ship booklets? I thought they only sold replacement cases. I have a about 10 blus that came brand new with ripped/bent up books but I didnt realize they would replace them. Tham amazing news Polaroid. You made my day!

They replace any part of a release

Booklet, artwork, case, digipak outer case, digipak innercase etc

Its a greta service, but apparently they do make a loss on it - but still nice they offer it, even if the damaged item wasn't down to them.

Its $5 per but I think that is fair, least they aint charging $10+ and trying to make profit etc - just shame they get damaged by 3rd party in first place

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Criterion doesn't even release television shows. Their mission statement specifies films.

http://www.criterion.com/films/3560-...-of-television

:P

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Criterion doesn't even release television shows. Their mission statement specifies films.

Well, with the rare exception of Fishing with John which was a failed tv show created by John Lurie (had 6 episodes I think). It's one of my favorite Criterion releases though and was one of my first over a decade ago.

http://www.criterion.com/films/580-fishing-with-john

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, hey, I wish the Stanley Kubrick collection had been released by Criterion, but I don't mind. I think the Warner Bros. release is superb (https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Stanl...Blu-ray/20820/) and as much as I wish Criterion had access to all of Kubrick's films, I know that will never happen. I'm glad we at least have Paths of Glory and The Killing in the Criterion Collection on blu-ray. If Criterion owned/released everything out there, then quality would go down while quantity went up. They'd monopolize everything. I'm happy where they stand. If there were more video distributors like Criterion, then it would be a perfect world.

(and yes, bring at least 1 or 2 more suitcases for all those Criterions. ha)

Im hoping Criterion some how get Kubricks original edit of Eyes Wide Shut! :P (miracles can happen!!! :P)

Yah would love more Kubrick, but can't get everything

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Im hoping Criterion some how get Kubricks original edit of Eyes Wide Shut! :P (miracles can happen!!! :P)

Yah would love more Kubrick, but can't get everything

I would do anything for a 4 hour cut of Eyes Wide Shut.

[Mansinthe]

had to order a few replacement cases myself already. some people on ebay sell their used copys in pretty bad condition. without saying something about that even a piece of the case is missing etc...

and these go for 20+ € at ebay sometimes.. lol