The Criterion Collection

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

My favorite color films from the collection:

I keep seeing Paris, Texas on lists for top color films. Should that be among my next B&N purchases? I have the budget for 3 more buys but this would be a blind buy for me. I have seen Wings of Desire, but it didn't really stick with me like I thought it would. I remember liking it okay.

Yes. This film is a must see, even if you had despised Wings of Desire I'd still recommend it.

[Sinthetic]

Most pleasing colour tone/use for me:

In the Mood For Love
The Great Beauty
The Double Life of Veronique (I'm a fan of the "piss filter")
Hausu
All That Heaven Allows
The Ballad of Narayama (amazing splashes of red/green)
Fantastic Mr. Fox

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I enjoy a good comedy, I have a varied sense of humour.

I've seen Hulot's Holiday, which was the celluloid equivalent of a 24h flight delay, lost luggage, flea pit hotel and your Wife running off with the Waiter.

I watched part of Playtime and had to stop as I found it wasn't funny in the slightest and I found the main "character" to be a complete idiot.

Of course, respect to you all that will be buying the set, I just did not see anything in those two films that has me believe Jacques Tati is anything other than someone, professionally, I did not like.

Sorry but I cannot respect someone's opinion on Tati who watched only 1 Tati film and maybe 20-30 minutes of another Tati film. It sounds like you didn't give his films much of a chance, because I consider Playtime a work of massive technical merit. Just the whole choreography involved and building of the amazing sets in that film is more impressive than the production design in most films these days. Sure, Tati is a very different type of actor, but you have to understand that he uses his miming skills rather than act which you're used to seeing in characters. So when you say his character is a "complete idiot", that is obviously intentional if you know about this going in. I would give Playtime a second chance, at least for the last half of the film of the restaurant scene that is just pure brilliance.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by blujazz

Heavy is the right word. Have you seen Dancer in the Dark? It's like von Trier killing Bambi. Slowly.

Originally Posted by R o d

Yeah, you pretty much nailed it.

Every once in a while you come across a movie that is disturbing, yet strangely hypnotic. Match Point comes to mind, and also the film depicted in your avatar.

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

JW, Great review sir, well done!

Thanks.

I need to see Dancer in the Dark. I recently had proclaimed Lars Von Trier as my least favorite director but I'm giving it another shot with him and I think its paying off.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ngower

I'm at work, so it's not the best, but...

[Show spoiler]

It didn't come out exactly as I'd hoped—wanted a bit more of a painterly quality too it, but it's still fine. My frustration is that I've got other film-related tattoos and you can tell what it is immediately, whereas this one requires a bit of explanation. Probably my least favorite of the tattoos I've got, but it's here forever, so...

[EDIT] While I'm at it...

[Show spoiler]

I've also got the Imperial insignia from Star Wars on my leg, but y'all know what that looks like. One day I hope to get a bad-ass Blade Runner something-or-other, but I want it to be HUGE.

Wow, very unique tattoos, thanks for posting these. I never thought I'd see a Grey Gardens tattoo on someone, but its a good choice as I can still remember that scene of Little Edie waving the American flag and dancing in the hallway.

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Is this only open to British films?

Hahaha!

God save the queen!

I meant to quote the OP of the question in my response, but for some reason it didn't do it properly.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jw007

Sorry but I cannot respect someone's opinion on Tati who watched only 1 Tati film and maybe 20-30 minutes of another Tati film. It sounds like you didn't give his films much of a chance, because I consider Playtime a work of massive technical merit. Just the whole choreography involved and building of the amazing sets in that film is more impressive than the production design in most films these days. Sure, Tati is a very different type of actor, but you have to understand that he uses his miming skills rather than act which you're used to seeing in characters. So when you say his character is a "complete idiot", that is obviously intentional if you know about this going in. I would give Playtime a second chance, at least for the last half of the film of the restaurant scene that is just pure brilliance.

I've seen less than Clare has and that was more than enough. I've only seen Mr. Hulot's Holiday. I'm going to go ahead and say that his style is more divisive than Wes Anderson or any other highly regarded filmmaker. To me, his style comes off as an anachronism and I wholeheartedly agree with the other poster who said that he does stuff that Chaplin pulled off in a manner 3 times more clever and 3 times funnier and well.. 30 years earlier.

I, personally, would give Playtime a chance being that it is supposed to be his best, but comedy is the most subjective genre and if it doesn't work, sitting through it can be a pretty insufferable experience. with that said, why isn't one film enough? especially being that he plays the same character.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by octagon

It's a great disc. It's gorgeous and if you like your movies leisurely paced (I once saw it described as 'painterly' in a program guide description and thought that was the perfect word) then it's hard to go wrong.

That said, I have to admit that I am one of the very few who felt it didn't really pay off in the end. It was a fantastic ride though and most people think it did pay off and in a very moving way.

interesting because for me, the payoff elevated the film from "well, it's ok... a bit disappointed w/ my blind buy" to "wow! one of the best CC titles I've seen!" the way it wrapped up also caused me to reevaluate everything that came before it.

regarding the transfer... personally, I think it could have looked better. I'm not a PQ expert, so I can not put my finger on it, but so many scenes shot in daylight... I think CC has done a better job with more recent releases.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

I keep seeing Paris, Texas on lists for top color films. Should that be among my next B&N purchases? I have the budget for 3 more buys but this would be a blind buy for me.

I usually don't blind buy highly-acclaimed films, because they're usually hit or miss for me.
I watched Paris, Texas 1 month ago and i loved it!!
Surely it will be my purchase in the next sale. (I almost bought it today, but I picked Seconds instead)

Wonderful photography and colors, loved the regional setting of the film, and unexpectedly i found it had so much suspense and kept your interest until the end!
I was hearing about this film for 25 years now, and hadn't watched it.
I thought I would be disappointed, but I wasn't.

[mcvitie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Really annoyed with Criterion.

I have been buying replacement cases form hem $5 a piece.

But went to buy Nigh to Hunter which website advertises as $5 for ARTWORK AND CASE and they want me to pay $5 per item so $10!

No where eons its does it say, *$5 per item to international buyers.

Really annoyed, I understand its a loss for them but why advertise it! Oh yet they sold me FULL shoah replacement case $5 (case, inner case and booklet) and no questions asked?? :/

The other day my local shop had 8 pack kit-kats for £1, today they were £2.19!

[Scottie]

Am I the only one who would be down for a Criterion release of Gaspar Noé's Irreversible?

I watched it last night via Netflix and I was rather surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. For those who have not seen the film, it is highly controversial. Not only does it contain a rather long and uncomfortable rape scene involving Monica Bellucci, but no two people's opinion about the film seems to be the same. Take all that aside, though, and you have a rather unique and perplexing mystery film.

The thing that stands out the most about the film is that it chronicles the importance of time through a non-traditional linear structure with the narrative told in backwards, reverse order. The film begins at the very end where the two main protagonists are tracking down the man who raped and brutalized their friend. From there, it goes further backwards to see what eventually led to her rape and the actions that they took earlier in the day to lead them where they end up.

Noé's directing style is what makes this film stand out from a bulk of the mystery films, especially of this century. Even though the outcome is known from the very beginning, the events leading up to the ending, as well as the details revealed about each character throughout, make for a rather interesting story.

[Lord Summerisle]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Am I the only one who would be down for a Criterion release of Gaspar Noé's Irreversible?

I would buy Irreversible in a heartbeat. I consider it one of the great films of the 00s. The thought of seeing Irreversible in 1080p is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. A Gaspar Noé box set with I Stand Alone and Enter The Void would be awesome.

[Jakamarak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

In terms of favorite color transfers in The Criterion Collection, I'll go with...

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Black Narcissus
The Red Shoes
Red Desert
Bigger Than Life
The Blob
The Double Life of Veronique
Revanche
Paris, Texas
Purple Noon

Although it's OOP, Pierrot le fou's color transfer is ridiculously wonderful.

[bemaed]

I heard there's a B&N 20% off coupon floating around. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I need to pick up some criterions during this sale!

[willieconway]

Originally Posted by bemaed

I heard there's a B&N 20% off coupon floating around. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I need to pick up some criterions during this sale!

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=242733

[olivianewtonyawn]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I usually don't blind buy highly-acclaimed films, because they're usually hit or miss for me.
I watched Paris, Texas 1 month ago and i loved it!!
Surely it will be my purchase in the next sale. (I almost bought it today, but I picked Seconds instead)

Wonderful photography and colors, loved the regional setting of the film, and unexpectedly i found it had so much suspense and kept your interest until the end!
I was hearing about this film for 25 years now, and hadn't watched it.
I thought I would be disappointed, but I wasn't.

Originally Posted by Coen

There is a scene towards the end that just might be my favorite 15 minutes in any film ever.

Okay, okay, I'll buy it! Thanks for the feedback.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Jakamarak

Although it's OOP, Pierrot le fou's color transfer is ridiculously wonderful.

I haven't chimed in here.

Best color transfer: Godard's Weekend

Best color films: I think the original poster was looking for English language films so, I'd say Rosemary's Baby and Paris, Texas with Black Narcissus not far behind

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Haven't heard anything but it's a great set. I can only imagine how spell-binding Woman in the Dunes would look in HD. Even on dvd the sand seems alive and becomes another character in the film.

I've given up waiting on upgrades that haven't been hinted at so I'm planning on getting Brute Force, The Naked City, and The Killers (if I can find it.) before the current B&N sale ends. Patience may be a virtue but I'm tired of waiting on these.

Thank you, hoytereden. Perhaps I'll wait for the Nov B&N sale since I've waited this long already!

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jw007

Sorry but I cannot respect someone's opinion on Tati who watched only 1 Tati film and maybe 20-30 minutes of another Tati film. It sounds like you didn't give his films much of a chance, because I consider Playtime a work of massive technical merit. Just the whole choreography involved and building of the amazing sets in that film is more impressive than the production design in most films these days. Sure, Tati is a very different type of actor, but you have to understand that he uses his miming skills rather than act which you're used to seeing in characters. So when you say his character is a "complete idiot", that is obviously intentional if you know about this going in. I would give Playtime a second chance, at least for the last half of the film of the restaurant scene that is just pure brilliance.

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion. I saw Mr. Hulot's Holiday years ago and I don't think I even finished it (it was shown on the local PBS station, I believe). While I appreciate the technical artistry involved, that type of humor (bumbling slapstick) is not my cup of tea, nor are the various Inspector Clousseau and Mr. Bean comedies. It just makes me uncomfortable, which probably says more about me than it does about Tati and the others. As I said, each to his own taste.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Speaking of tattoos, heres mine based on Science Is Fiction cover art, slight changes to style (taken day after it was done), needs touching up nowbut yeah ....

Science is Fiction is one of my favorite sets in the whole collection. (Recognized that image right away.) Watched the whole set over three nights and even got a book with some essays on and by Painleve to read while I was going through the films. The set gave me great context for a lot of experimental cinema and science documentary, and that's not mention the content of the films. It's one of my best Criterion experiences, and it's a set that no one but Criterion would do.

An I like the tatoo. Considering two here. One from Maltese Falcon that would be the statue itself. Looking for a good deco-esque graphic to base it on. Other would be the publicity image from Metropolis with city in the background and the android in the foreground. Now I might hafta think about that seahorse.....