The Criterion Collection

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

It's always interesting to hear what people view as worth purchasing or just watching.

There are some movies I have watched multiple times but do not own, yet movies I own and have yet to watch.

The vanishing is interesting because everyone who has seen it considers it to be a good film, yet some will buy it immediately and others will not get it at all. I think the reasoning is the replay-ability. It plays out a difficult subject matter that turns off some people immediately. I myself watched and enjoyed The Vanishing years ago, but have no interest in buying it probably because of the difficult subject matter and the replay-ability. Now, I would like to watch it again if the chance presented itself, but won't buy it because I have an itch to watch it after X number of years it has been.

Well that may be how some people rationalize it. For me, I really liked\was disturbed by the film. I would probably buy it if it had more features but it is pretty scant thus the reason why I will likely pass on it. For me, it has nothing to do with the subject matter.

[Majin Blu]

Had a storm last night, so I watched "Picnic at Hanging Rock" for the first time. Picked it up during the sale and I asked a few about. They lI've it, bug didn't recommend it as a blind buy. I'm glad I went with my instincts because it was a good movie. I actually watched it twice in a row. I don't know if anyone else felt this way, but the score was haunting; I loved it.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Can anybody recommend the film Johnny Guitar? It is referenced in a few Godard films and I seem to recall that it may have been cited by some other director as a major influence. Wondering what the fuss is about...

It's a great film. A definite must have.

[zoodermin]

The October titles look amazing. I did not expect La Dolce Vita which was the best surprise of all!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Only have budgeted 5 more CC buys this month. Going for-

Au Revior les Enfants
Scanners
Insomnia
Antichrist
Pickpocket

Anyone see/buy/recommend breaking the waves? I liked antichrist and just blind bought Nymphomanic. I remember being bored of breaking the waves but I also was like 16 when it came out... Wait a sec why was I watching that so young.. Nm lol. My life experience is much larger now so I was thinking of giving it a second run.

If you like Antichrist (I love you!) then Breaking The Waves is a safe buy, worse case scenario you return or sell

Nymphomaniac is a weird film, its got some incredible moments but also a few flawed moments, I wish we had the full cut as some of the storyline felt rushed and characters needed further developing (loads was cut).

But it's a very Lars Von Trier film and a must have if you like his style

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

OMG don't get me started the movie has everything! It is a western, noir, soap opera. I waited for a decent DVD for so long and Olive finally got us a BLU. While the BLU transfer doesn't floor me it doesn't dissapoint me either. The less you know about the film the more you will enjoy it.. just pop it in and watch. Great lines of dialogue IMO

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

For me it has a hign camp factor, with two prominant female characters, namely Joan Crawford dressed in highly masculine cowboy garb half the time and Mercedes McCambridge (The voice of pazuzu in The Exorcist!) who has it out for her. People read into it as some vague lesbian plotppoint, but who knows? I'm not an authority on Weterns, but I don't think it's one of the greats, but it's alot of fun to watch.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

A great film and very educational.

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

It's a great film. A definite must have.

just swung and missed on Ebay for this one... an example of how I will go from 0 - 60 in one morning on a film that was hardly a part of my consciousness one day ago. so, yeah, based on some enthusiasm here and the very little bit I researched on the film, I cannot wait to see it!!

[aes3728]

I woke up this morning and saw that the Complete Jacques Tati was indeed happening and not just a dream. And my email confirmation of pre-order came as well. Such a great day.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Is it true that some Criterions play on a region B player with the stop+top menu trick?

What do you mean?

[minister_x]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Is it true that some Criterions play on a region B player with the stop+top menu trick?

Yes, for some Panasonic players, and a selection of Region A titles (not just Criterions). However I don't know if there's a list of all the models or even if all the models work the same for all titles.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

What do you mean?

It's a workaround for those with certain Region B players - some Criterion titles (obviously locked to 'A') can be 'tricked' into playing after getting the region incompatibility message by stopping the disc (with Stop), then pressing Top Menu, which bypasses the coding. It was for some of the older Panasonic players, but newer ones may have closed the loophole...

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Yes, for some Panasonic players, and a selection of Region A titles (not just Criterions). However I don't know if there's a list of all the models or even if all the models work the same for all titles.



It's a workaround for those with certain Region B players - some Criterion titles (obviously locked to 'A') can be 'tricked' into playing after getting the region incompatibility message by stopping the disc (with Stop), then pressing Top Menu, which bypasses the coding. It was for Panasonic players, but newer ones may have closed the loophole...

Ah cool - guess you can't do on Ps4 woulda been nice as that's my UK bluray player >.<

What titles work? Wanna test lol

[minister_x]

Yeah I doubt it would work on a PS4 sadly - can't see Sony allowing such a good feature on their platforms!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Can anybody recommend the film Johnny Guitar? It is referenced in a few Godard films and I seem to recall that it may have been cited by some other director as a major influence. Wondering what the fuss is about...

I bought Johnny Guitar and Rio Grande from Barnes & Noble during their big Christmas Blu-ray sale this past year, and they're both still in my unwatched Blu-ray stack. I suck at life.

I've always heard great things about the movie, though, and I've been loving the Olive Films releases that I have so far.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Yeah I doubt it would work on a PS4 sadly - can't see Sony allowing such a good feature on their platforms!

Had a and play and doesn't work lol :-( oh well haha

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

Are you sure you don't mean defensive, offended or put off as opposed to surprised? I do think that's a common kneejerk reaction to opposing viewpoints in general, and likewise I think it's common to form preconceptions/biases (however irrational) about those that don't share our view/taste, but surprise? I'm not buying the "commonality" of that one, nothing personal. I'd argue (negative) bias towards an opposing viewpoint is common, while surprise at the very existence of an opposing viewpoint is, uh, "kooky"

Yes, I'm sure -- very sure -- that I "don't mean defensive, offended or put off as opposed to surprised". You say "nothing personal", but that's what you're suggesting is the intent of those expressing surprise: that it's somehow a personal attack. Hell, there have been any number of times someone (whether someone I know well, someone I happen to converse with in a store, or someone who's just a handle on my computer screen) expresses surprise that I like Film X or dislike Film Y. The thing is, I don't take that personally.

And that's the thing. If there's anything that I find "bizarre", it's that some people appear to assume that disagreement with an opinion of theirs is a personal attack.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

So reading the book beforehand didn't ruin some of the suspense of the film? I remember thinking, "Am I glad that I chose to watch the film first," after watching the film for the first time a couple years ago.

Well, if you're going to look at it that way, you're going to get spoiled for one of them if you experience the other one first. I have no opinion one way or the other about which to experience first, other than that I tend to read source stories before seeing a film adaptation because part of my enjoyment of the film comes from seeing how the director brings the story to the screen.

When it comes to film, I'm generally less concerned about what happens then in seeing the artistry of the presentation. And with Peter Weir (in general) and Picnic at Hanging Rock (specifically), the presentation is more important than the specifics of story.

[bstv69]

First: I got the Complete Jean Vigo, what are everyones thoughts on the set. It is a blind buy for me but I saw that L'Atalante is considered one of the greatest love stories and films.
This leads me to my next questions, is the blu-ray a significant upgrade to hulu plus for this set. And are there any other films that are included in Hulu plus that the blu-ray does not make a significant upgrade in PQ?
Thank you again as always

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by octagon

So just to be clear...

Let's say I were to strike up a conversation with a stranger browsing the Criterion section of my local Barnes and Noble. Granted, the chances of that happening are virtually nil but let's say it does. And let's say we start discussing the October slate. Are you saying it would be 'kooky' of me to be even mildly surprised if somebody browsing Criterions showed absolutely no interest in any of those titles?

Or put differently, if you had to bet on whether or not such a person would show at least some interest in at least one of those titles how would you bet?

Would you just flip a coin?

Or would one outcome seem more likely to you than the other?

I would say that's a different context than what I meant and what jayembee seemed to be suggesting. Did you see where I mentioned familiarity earlier? Sure, if some random person is browsing Criterions in B&N and starts buzzing on and on to you about his love for Criterion and "Criterion movies" (lol!) then there's an establishment of (vague) familiarity, thus expectation, thus reasonable grounds for surprise upon learning none of the latest announced titles do it for him. Personally I wouldn't be surprised in that scenario, since we're talking about a tiny swath of a collection of hundreds of films of different genres, but I get the rationale.

But jayembee seemed to be talking about "surprise" at the mere prospect of random stranger feeling differently about something than you do, which yes, I would have to maintain IS "kooky". This is of course ignoring he answered/contradicted himself in his own comment by acknowleding diversity of taste right before questioning why it would be odd to be surprised at someone not liking something that you do, but hey. Like I said previously I think it's semantic and he didnt mean actual "surprise" - more like kneejerk vehemence toward an opposing view about something you're passionate about.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Yes, I'm sure -- very sure -- that I "don't mean defensive, offended or put off as opposed to surprised". You say "nothing personal", but that's what you're suggesting is the intent of those expressing surprise: that it's somehow a personal attack. Hell, there have been any number of times someone (whether someone I know well, someone I happen to converse with in a store, or someone who's just a handle on my computer screen) expresses surprise that I like Film X or dislike Film Y. The thing is, I don't take that personally.

And that's the thing. If there's anything that I find "bizarre", it's that some people appear to assume that disagreement with an opinion of theirs is a personal attack.

Nah, sorry. None of that is even in the vicinity of what I said/meant, but no matter. What's important is it's now clearly established you mean actual surprise and there's no semantic confusion afoot. Surprise at a total stranger whose taste you know nothing of not liking something you like. Good stuff. I shoudn't even have to delve into the myriad ways that's totally nonsensical, but you're entitled to that most interesting reaction. Run with it, I say!

[Scottie]

With the announcement of My Darling Clementine from Criterion, I have decided that now was as good of a time as any to finally watch my recording of the film on my DVR. I'm certainly glad that I did, too, because now I consider it one of my favorite westerns of all time.

Henry Fonda plays Wyatt Earp, an ex-marshal turned cattle driver who is on his way to California from Kansas City. After making a brief pit stop in Tombstone, Arizona, for a shave, Earp and his brothers return to their temporary fort to find their young brother James murdered and their cattle stolen. Wyatt Earp soon return returns to a career in law as the new town marshal, suspecting The Clanton family for their losses. Also involved in the picture is Doc Holliday, a sickly man with demons of his own.

What can I say? John Ford was the definitive western filmmaker. He takes a story that has been told and retold numerous times and frames it into an interesting character portrait that is filled with such concepts as honor and revenge. My biggest issue prior to going into this film was that I was afraid it would be an uninteresting retelling of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, but I was very much surprised by what I saw. I probably would have made the actual gunfight a minute or two longer, as it felt a bit rushed, but overall this film is on par with the best Ford / Wayne collaborations.

[pro-bassoonist]

Donkey Skin Blu-ray REVIEW




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