The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

By coincidence, I finally got around to watching GREY GARDENS last night for the first time, and I immediately had to watch the "sequel" THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS right after it. Many people seem to talk about how bizarrely strange, sad, creepy, unusual, campy, exploitive, touching, witty, eccentric, etc., the film and its subjects are. It (and they) may well be all of that, but while watching I was constantly reminded of more than a few people I know and have known over the years. Big and Little Edie may not live average everyday lives, but they are far from unusual.

Great documentary, that makes me want to revisit CRUMB finally (which is one of my Criterion Blu-rays that's been sitting unopened, as it remained vivid in my memory for years after seeing it in the theatre).

I love Grey Gardens, what an experience! I need to get on to that sequel ASAP! also would you recommend Crumb? is it same style? I love most docs and debating whereto to try this one :P

Ugh Criterion Maintenance !

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Had a quick look on IMDB and certain parts of trailer remind me of Days of Heaven - but it does look quite twangy and sandy haha XD

Not sure if I am brave enough top try it haha!

Try it, It's a wondrous experience. Think of it as a western version of Barry Lyndon, with every frame being a stunning work of art.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Two words: Heaven's Gate.

Yes!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

Try it, It's a wondrous experience. Think of it as a western version of Barry Lyndon, with every frame being a stunning work of art.



Yes!

Damn it you know how to sell a film haha! XD



Is the booklet artwork a screenshot from film? Looks stunning!

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Damn it you know how to sell a film haha! XD

[Show spoiler]

Is the booklet artwork a screenshot from film? Looks stunning!

Yes, that is a screen-shot from the film. Truly, Heaven's Gate is one of the most beautiful films that I have seen, with the vast plains and mountainous terrain giving the film a larger-than-life look. That fits, because the film is a grand epic, one that is over three-hours, one that was seen as a failure; even though it definitely isn't. The characters are the main focus, and it makes the film feel extremely intimate, regardless of the scope or the battles.

Basically, I love Heaven's Gate. The battle at the end is so compelling, the acting is great, the scenery is wonderful, and the film isn't afraid to go to dark places in regards to the characters.

It isn't for everybody, and the rewatch value is pretty low, but I find it to be a fascinating and lovely piece of work.

[georgec]

Random question - per Criterion's announcement last month, are the dual format editions going out of print and being replaced with separate BD and DVD editions? Or will Criterion continue to print the dual formats as is but also produce separate DVD editions for those films?

For example, something like Thief was released in January as a dual format release. I'm wondering if in the future Thief dual format will still be printed alongside a separate DVD-only edition, or if the dual format will be "split" into BD and DVD editions as before the dual formats first started.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

Yes, that is a screen-shot from the film. Truly, Heaven's Gate is one of the most beautiful films that I have seen, with the vast plains and mountainous terrain giving the film a larger-than-life look. That fits, because the film is a grand epic, one that is over three-hours, one that was seen as a failure; even though it definitely isn't. The characters are the main focus, and it makes the film feel extremely intimate, regardless of the scope or the battles.

Basically, I love Heaven's Gate. The battle at the end is so compelling, the acting is great, the scenery is wonderful, and the film isn't afraid to go to dark places in regards to the characters.

It isn't for everybody, and the rewatch value is pretty low, but I find it to be a fascinating and lovely piece of work.

To be honest I will rematch ANY film I adore, even certain scenes ill watch on repeat, I watch Requiem For a dream 9 times in a row when I first saw it haha!

Heavens gate does sound exciting and I have never heard of it before, I won't watch online, ill probs just be brave an buy on Criterion and watch it, gets me in mood having physical copy lol

You are selling it well though

I can sit through a boring film if its is beautiful filmed or if something is well done in that film so will give it a try

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

To be honest I will rematch ANY film I adore, even certain scenes ill watch on repeat, I watch Requiem For a dream 9 times in a row when I first saw it haha!

Heavens gate does sound exciting and I have never heard of it before, I won't watch online, ill probs just be brave an buy on Criterion and watch it, gets me in mood having physical copy lol

You are selling it well though

With the half-off sale, It's a tremendous deal for Heaven's Gate, hope you enjoy it!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

With the half-off sale, It's a tremendous deal for Heaven's Gate, hope you enjoy it!

I am UK so can't enjoy the sales! but the prices don't really bother me, half the time I buy the film not even looking at price - which is probably a stupid thing to do haha, but who needs money for food when you have a great film to digest?!

[Spire]

To anyone who's bought Scanners and The Great Beauty or The Freshman, are the cases the same size?

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Can someone give me a good rational as to why Westerns in the collection are so great and what is so good about them?

I have never really found much appreciation for that genre and find it very dull/boring, not sure if its the twangy voices or the sandiness or whatever haha but would be nice to see why you guys find so much appreciation towards this genre?

As I said before, I think it was the scene in 'The good, The Bad, The Ugly' I did find a certain scene in that really amazing and well executed but thats all I can think of.

Not sure if its just cause I've caught snippets of bad westerns on TV and I just have an image in my head and am expecting them all to be the same but yeh - let me know please ! Thanks ))

and a westerny style emoticon

If you don't mind going outside the Collection I would recommend:
Shane-as basic as a western can get. Good guys vs bad guys. Alan Ladd and Jack Palance in one of the ultimate show-downs that you'll see in the genre. Just shows what a great director could do with a simple story.
Once Upon a Time in the West-they sometimes refer to westerns as "horse operas" which was a variation of soap opera but here Leone almost literally takes this film to operatic heights. It just builds and builds to another great show-down.

In the Collection I would recommend:
Red River-just think of it as Mutiny on the Bounty on horseback.
Heaven's Gate-slow but rewarding. It sort of reminds me of The Leopard as far as the attention to detail and how wonderful they both look.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

If you don't mind going outside the Collection I would recommend:
Shane-as basic as a western can get. Good guys vs bad guys. Alan Ladd and Jack Palance in one of the ultimate show-downs that you'll see in the genre. Just shows what a great director could do with a simple story.
Once Upon a Time in the West-they sometimes refer to westerns as "horse operas" which was a variation of soap opera but here Leone almost literally takes this film to operatic heights. It just builds and builds to another great show-down.

In the Collection I would recommend:
Red River-just think of it as Mutiny on the Bounty on horseback.
Heaven's Gate-slow but rewarding. It sort of reminds me of The Leopard as far as the attention to detail and how wonderful they both look.

Thanks I will look into these

I am going to buy Heavens Gate, especially after you said it reminds you of The Leopard which I adore, such a beautiful film!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Spire

To anyone who's bought Scanners and The Great Beauty or The Freshman, are the cases the same size?

Scanners and Great Beauty are same size, not sure about The Freshman though

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

How many other people have bought Red River? I used an "$8 off $40 or more" coupon at B&N yesterday and got it for $14 (normally priced at $50).

I just bought a copy today. I had a "20% off one item" coupon, and with my membership, it ran me $18.

This is my first "classic" western in the collection (excluding Heaven's Gate) as I'm not a fan of them but I figured this is better than Jubal, Stagecoach, 3:10 to Yuma, The Furies, the 2 Fuller Westerns or the upcoming title of My Darling Clementine.

I'd say that Red River is better than any of the above, with the exception of My Darling Clementine, which is (as I've said before) my favorite Western of all time.

[Spire]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Scanners and Great Beauty are same size, not sure about The Freshman though

Thanks. Freshman is, I do own TGB and TF.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Also, Primer and Upstream Colour are superb indy films that need more attention thrown at them!

I tried watching Upstream Color on Netflix a couple of months back, and it kept losing me. I finally gave up about a third of the way through it. But I suspect it's just because I was tired that night, or just not in the mood for it. All of the positive comments about it make me inclined to try it again when I'm more focused.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

When/if you do get Beauty and the Beast, watch it with Philip Glass' soundtrack/opera. It really really makes a better experience and the opera just goes so well with the visuals.

Sorry, but I can't imagine Philip Glass making anything a better experience. Except maybe masochism.

[SammyJankis]

Boyhood has been confirmed by Linklater.

Q: The Criterion Collection has worked with you before putting together special editions of your films. Is there a Criterion edition of Boyhood coming in the future and if so, can you talk about some of the special features we might see on the release?

Linklater: Yeah, we’ve got a ton of behind the scenes stuff. We made this in the era where everyone has a digital camera so we unearthed an interview from year one with Ellar, Lorelai, Patricia and myself, Patricia interviewed me in 2002. I hadn’t seen this since we shot it, Ellar had forgotten quite a bit of it but he got to see himself as a wide-eyed six year old. For people who like the movie, I think there will be a lot of cool little treasures.

Q: Have you been to the Criterion office to put together the Blu-Ray yet?

Linklater: Not yet.

Q: Most of my Blu-Rays are Criterions.

Linklater: Bless Criterion, without them where would we be? And it’s magical the stuff they dig up. The Persona Blu-Ray had this making of a Bergman film. It was fascinating. It’s incredible to see what it’s like to hang out on the set of Persona. (laughs)

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Boyhood has been confirmed by Linklater.

Yes! I haven't seen it just yet, but I have a feeling I'm going to just adore it.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I tried watching Upstream Color on Netflix a couple of months back, and it kept losing me. I finally gave up about a third of the way through it. But I suspect it's just because I was tired that night, or just not in the mood for it. All of the positive comments about it make me inclined to try it again when I'm more focused.

Yeah you need to be in mood I think and have a bit of patience but for me it was an incredible experience, I fell in love with Upstream Colour, and been a huge fan of Primer for long time

Originally Posted by jayembee

Sorry, but I can't imagine Philip Glass making anything a better experience. Except maybe masochism.

I am guessing you are not a fan? lol

-

I am going to see Boyhood tomorrow hope it is good haha!

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Boyhood has been confirmed by Linklater.

Great! I also hope they are preparing a "Before" trilogy boxset!