The Criterion Collection

[TomN245]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

Tatsuya Nakadai in The Human Condition.

That would be my number 1 as well.

2) Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence.

3) Gunter Lamprecht in Berlin Alexanderplatz

4) Renee Falconetti in Passion of the Joan of Arc

5) Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter

[myka22]

Am I the only one who didn't enjoy Breaking the Waves? The movie is solid for the most part, but the ending is just atrociously bad.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by myka22

Am I the only one who didn't enjoy Breaking the Waves? The movie is solid for the most part, but the ending is just atrociously bad.

I don't know if you're the only one or not, but that is certainly the polar opposite opinion of mine regarding the ending.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'd love to see Out of the Past on a big theater screen. Let me know your thoughts on the film after the fact.

Leave Her to Heaven is a pretty amazing color film noir (one of the few color films in the genre). I cannot add much to watch oildude already said above, but I'd certainly take advantage of the chance to see it on a big screen. The Twilight Time Blu-ray has my enthusiastic recommendation, even if some folks are down on the way that the film was restored. Considering what they probably had to work with, I think that it looks beautiful.

I had seen the film plenty of times, and not even the man in front of me, violently screaming at various people in the theater because they ganged up on him for rudely telling the man in front of him during the previews to shut off his phone, could ruin the experience. It was a 35mm print and it was glorious. It almost becomes comical at how often the characters smoke. It even seems, towards the end, that the characters themselves are aware of the excessive smoking and poke fun at it. And that ending. Still my favorite noir.

Leave Her to Heaven wasn't quite what I expected and I'm glad. I was expecting something more along the lines of a typical noir, tropes and all. I can certainly understand the double bill: plucking characters out of expected settings into one that often feels unfamiliar. While watching it, and as I reflect on it, I really don't think the film would work at all had someone else been cast as Ellen. It really is a difficult role; the entire film hangs on it and if we don't buy into it, the picture would seem laughable with its seemingly simplistic and soapy scenario. Gene Tierney just nails that part with her seductive qualities and stone-like expressions. She is a real presence, always commanding attention while on screen. It's almost impossible to look away. The boat scene, in particular, is spectacular. The technicolor photography cannot be praised enough. It is just gorgeous throughout, especially when they're at the cabin. Those colors are vibrant and pop. What a film. Now, time to order the Blu.

[myka22]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I don't know if you're the only one or not, but that is certainly the polar opposite opinion of mine regarding the ending.

I can respect that. For me it was just way too corny to be taken seriously.

[blu-bry]

I watched "Modern Times" again (for the 4th or 5th time, but the first time on Blu-ray), and I still laugh out loud at certain parts. Chaplin was a genius with certain routines. The roller skating gets me every time.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I watched "Modern Times" again (for the 4th or 5th time, but the first time on Blu-ray), and I still laugh out loud at certain parts. Chaplin was a genius with certain routines. The roller skating gets me every time.

I'm not really a Chaplin fan but that was absolutely brilliant.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Looking back at Criterions past releases, I remember being interested in these two releases when they were first anounced: Children of Paradise and Les Visiteurs Du Soir. I never really heard much about these once they released so kinda just forgot about them. Anyone seen these and can give an opinion? Worth a watch?

My copy of Les Visiteurs Du Soir just arrived yesterday. Haven't seen either yet though.

[adamhopelies]

Just watched LOLA. unfortunately the transfer is as bad as the reviews suggested. The film itself is strong enough to distract, but it's by far the worst criterion presentation I've ever seen on Blu-ray.

Thankfully the rest of the set is very much the opposite. Still, what a shame!

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've recently gotten into Ingmar Bergman and am considering including Autumn Sonata in another B&N order. Aside from the fact that it's supposed to be a good film, the main draw is the making of documentary which is 207 minutes long. My question is, is the documentary actually great? Long doesn't always equal great, in fact sometimes it can make things worse.

That documentary is one of my favourite special features on any of the CC blu rays. It is a very in depth, fly-on-the-wall look at the making of the film. An essential title for the Bergman fan.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by jw007

Wise Blood! It's time we put this film on the map.

Last night I tore open the plastic of this Criterion DVD and watched it. The experience was brutal. The main character that Brad Dourif plays (Hazel Motes) is one of the most unlikeable and crazed characters I've ever witnessed. There are plenty of flaws in this film, including some characters never getting fully fleshed out (the younger 18 year old kid for instance who went around wearing a gorilla suit), but the story is really an allegory about religious obsession. I was quite disturbed at times by the Motes character and how insensitive he was towards people in the story.

Director John Huston was a cinematic, rambling troubadour though, shooting from the hip and unafraid of being provocative (esp. in this film with all the racist language being spoken, but I guess that's how people spoke back then in the deep south such as in Georgia). The main character is truly a loose cannon in all ways.

This film is more timely than ever as even today in the year 2014, there are religious fanatics and evangelists deep in the heart of the American south who go around preaching the word of Jesus yet many are charlatans and snake oil salesmen. This film reminded me of a better, later film called The Apostle (and man, this would be a perfect addition to the Criterion Collection!), with Robert Duvall playing a preacher (who is far more likable despite his flaws and sins). The Apostle isn't even available on blu-ray yet too! Man, do we need this one ASAP!

Great post. Although I think we could talk about some things in this film and make them clearer such as the racism in it. Wise Blood is one of those that has endless depth while at the same time being a film I could live in and watch over and over, just enjoying the world it creates. I disagree with Brad Dourif about the film and what he says on the DVDs extras. I think it is significant and the film is a much heavier affair than meets the eye. The only gripe I have with it is that the director John Huston didn't have a view either way on its religious message while shooting. It is, however, more than up to the viewer and I love the film for being a fun, funny experience while at the same time carrying considerable weight on your mind. In one of the darkest scenes, I can't help but think of the influence on the Radiohead music video 'Karma Police'. Amazing film, 10/10 from me.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thinking about blind buying Picnic at Hanging Rock. Is there that much of a difference between theatrical vs directors? (Like 8 minutes shortened?) Anybody seen both? I read there may be a Japan import coming out soon that may have the original cut, but it is unclear if thats accurate and may not even be in HD. Any thoughts? Should I even bother seeking out the import or just pick up the Criterion?

bump

[anthonyls]

I wonder if there is anybody here who has bought/collected every DVD/BD/LD that Criterion has ever released...

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thinking about blind buying Picnic at Hanging Rock. Is there that much of a difference between theatrical vs directors? (Like 8 minutes shortened?) Anybody seen both? I read there may be a Japan import coming out soon that may have the original cut, but it is unclear if thats accurate and may not even be in HD. Any thoughts? Should I even bother seeking out the import or just pick up the Criterion?

It's been a while since I've seen the original theatrical cut (I have it on a Japanese laserdisc), but I don't recall that there's any significant difference. The IMDb entry for the film notes the changes on the "Alternate Versions" page.

My recommendation would be to just bite the bullet and get the Criterion.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thinking about blind buying Picnic at Hanging Rock. Is there that much of a difference between theatrical vs directors? (Like 8 minutes shortened?) Anybody seen both? I read there may be a Japan import coming out soon that may have the original cut, but it is unclear if thats accurate and may not even be in HD. Any thoughts? Should I even bother seeking out the import or just pick up the Criterion?

I picked up the UK Deluxe edn DVD since it was cheap and it has the Theatrical but, most importantly, it has A Dream Within A Dream (a 113 minute long 'making of' documentary from 2004 that is "as good as they come"). I watched my CC blu this weekend but haven't gotten around to the UK disc. I doubt if I will be looking at importing another release for the 8 minutes trimmed, but cannot categorically say so until after I watch the longer version.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thinking about blind buying Picnic at Hanging Rock. Is there that much of a difference between theatrical vs directors? (Like 8 minutes shortened?) Anybody seen both? I read there may be a Japan import coming out soon that may have the original cut, but it is unclear if thats accurate and may not even be in HD. Any thoughts? Should I even bother seeking out the import or just pick up the Criterion?

If you're region free, go with the Second Sight UK release. It has the 8 mins of deleted scenes on it as a bonus feature. In my opinion, the film is better off without this 8 mins. Even still I would recommend the UK release and pick up a copy of the novel on your own if you're still interested.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

I wonder if there is anybody here who has bought/collected every DVD/BD/LD that Criterion has ever released...

I was working on it back in the LD days, but never managed to get more than about two-thirds of the releases before various factors caused me to abandon the thought of completing the collection.

I also have most of the first 150 DVD releases, but my collection is spotty after that. I have maybe about a third of the Blu-rays.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Looking back at Criterions past releases, I remember being interested in these two releases when they were first anounced: Children of Paradise and Les Visiteurs Du Soir. I never really heard much about these once they released so kinda just forgot about them. Anyone seen these and can give an opinion? Worth a watch?

Avoid Children of Paradise blu ray at all cost, great film but the restoration blew it big time.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thinking about blind buying Picnic at Hanging Rock. Is there that much of a difference between theatrical vs directors? (Like 8 minutes shortened?) Anybody seen both? I read there may be a Japan import coming out soon that may have the original cut, but it is unclear if thats accurate and may not even be in HD. Any thoughts? Should I even bother seeking out the import or just pick up the Criterion?

UK BD release includes those 8 minutes deleted from the original theatrical release. I watched the film first in 1979. That was a great experience.

Next time Peter Weir should cut another 20 min to nix all clues to make it more mysterious.

[shamus]

thanks everyone