The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I know a bluray would be good but if you can get the DVD release it's totally worth it. The PQ is pretty good and it could hold you out until the possibility of the bluray being released.

My Criterion DVD of Le Samouraï looks better than the French Pathe Blu-ray of the film. The Pathe Blu-ray is not the worst Blu-ray that I own in terms of picture quality, but there is a distinct "Jean-Pierre Melville's House of Wax" look to the faces of the characters, because the detail has been scrubbed to death, there is no natural grain, and the filmic look is absent.

I am intrigued, however, by the darker look of Le Samouraï on the Pathe Blu-ray, because it falls more in line with the look of Melville's next film, Army of Shadows. I'm not sure if the darker image is "correct", but it's quite interesting and cool.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

2 days ago as I had said previously i watched THE THIN RED LINE, and yesterday continuing the Mallick films, i watched DAYS OF HEAVEN (for the 2nd time).
Well, it's certainly no Thin Red line, I couldn't connect much to the characters but nonetheless the photography/cinematography and generally the period atmosphere are exquisite and the music is quite good too.
I'm glad that I bought it.

The one thing that bugged me a bit though and thought didn't fit much, was the narration, and I think that was because of the girl's voice. I didn't like it much. I would prefer a more delicate girly voice.

IF i were to rate the Mallick films I would put them in this order (haven't seen his last yet):

1) The Thin Red Line
2) The Tree of Life
3) Badlands/Days of Heaven (can't decide what i like best. Maybe Days of Heaven because i like period films)
4) New World

Malick For Me:
---------
Tree of Life
The Thin Red Line
Badlands
New World
Days of Heaven
To The Wonder

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My Criterion DVD of Le Samouraï looks better than the French Pathe Blu-ray of the film. The Pathe Blu-ray is not the worst Blu-ray that I own in terms of picture quality, but there is a distinct "Jean-Pierre Melville's House of Wax" look to the faces of the characters, because the detail has been scrubbed to death, there is no natural grain, and the filmic look is absent.

I am intrigued, however, by the darker look of Le Samouraï on the Pathe Blu-ray, because it falls more in line with the look of Melville's next film, Army of Shadows. I'm not sure if the darker image is "correct", but it's quite interesting and cool.

Yeah, I saw screens of the bluray and it does look quite dark. I actually like the color timing on the DVD because it makes everything so cold and stark, which really suits the film and the character's personality well.

[Mansinthe]

watched Ikiru today. this movie needs a bluray upgrade before we get the next samurai kurosawa.. awesome movie !

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Now go watch the spinoff... Rob Marshall's Nine.

Tbh it's not a terrible film/musical, it feels very mainstream but still feels different to most mainstream films - probably better on stage though.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

how so? (not a rhetorical question.. accepting the fact I might be wrong here ) its just paper and plastic. hard to believe they'd take a loss on it.

I dunno tbh really, logically it would still be profit if they have the batch made, maybe they make the replacement stuff separately in smaller batches which would bring cost up for them to order - who knows haha

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

2 days ago as I had said previously i watched THE THIN RED LINE, and yesterday continuing the Mallick films, i watched DAYS OF HEAVEN (for the 2nd time).
Well, it's certainly no Thin Red line, I couldn't connect much to the characters but nonetheless the photography/cinematography and generally the period atmosphere are exquisite and the music is quite good too.
I'm glad that I bought it.

The one thing that bugged me a bit though and thought didn't fit much, was the narration, and I think that was because of the girl's voice. I didn't like it much. I would prefer a more delicate girly voice.

IF i were to rate the Mallick films I would put them in this order (haven't seen his last yet):

1) The Thin Red Line
2) The Tree of Life
3) Badlands/Days of Heaven (can't decide what i like best. Maybe Days of Heaven because i like period films)
4) New World

I saw The New World a while back, and I'd have to agree with your ranking. The beauty of the film's visuals was astonishing at times (that lead actress - forget her name - was worth the price of admission alone) but I felt the poetic narrative was way overdone to the point of being downright sleep-inducing.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched Ikiru today. this movie needs a bluray upgrade before we get the next samurai kurosawa.. awesome movie !

I've been completely thrilled with the recent releases of Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress so I can't really beat this particular drum too hard but yeah, I'm hoping for more swordless Kurosawa too.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

La Ceremonie is a good watch. I'll second that. Not without a few faults, IMO, but worth a look.

I think I'd go as far as calling it my favorite Chabrol. Mind you, that's only 6 films from a 50 year career, but I've basically seen all the essentials. To me, it's the kind of film that Michael Haneke has always tried to make, but he has never succeeded in creating the atmosphere that Chabrol did.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I think I'd go as far as calling it my favorite Chabrol. Mind you, that's only 6 films from a 50 year career, but I've basically seen all the essentials. To me, it's the kind of film that Michael Haneke has always tried to make, but he has never succeeded in creating the atmosphere that Chabrol did.

I was absolutely goo goo ga ga over Le Boucher when I saw that not too long ago. It plays a bit more in line w/ my tastes. A few Jean Yanne films have been released recently and am hoping that Le Boucher isn't far behind.

But yeah, La Ceremonie is pretty chilling with some good acting, too. ..oh, and a cute young Virginie Ledoyen, so you don't go wrong there either.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I was absolutely goo goo ga ga over Le Boucher when I saw that not too long ago. It plays a bit more in line w/ my tastes. A few Jean Yanne films have been released recently and am hoping that Le Boucher isn't far behind.

But yeah, La Ceremonie is pretty chilling with some good acting, too. ..oh, and a cute young Virginie Ledoyen, so you don't go wrong there either.

Le boucher is absolutely my second. It's fantastic. I really like the two Criterion have released on blu-ray as well, but they don't really line up as an accurate representation of his work.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

watched Ikiru today. this movie needs a bluray upgrade before we get the next samurai kurosawa.. awesome movie !

It's actually extremely likely that Ikiru will get upgraded "before we get the next samurai kurosawa". Believe it or not, there's only one Kurosawa samurai film that has not been upgraded to Blu-ray: The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail.

(Two, if you want to count Ran, given that it wasn't upgraded by Criterion.)

Every other Kurosawa film yet to be upgraded to Blu-ray -- regardless of whether Criterion has the rights or not -- is non-samurai.

[ngower]

Originally Posted by Freder Fredersen

Just thought I'd reiterate this post, as I am curious, to those that have seen Harold and Maude, what did you think of it?

Harold is tattooed on my skin. It is one of my favorite films.

[Polaroid]

NOT CRITERION but OMG !

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/9...ece-collection

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M7F47F0/

Hate being banned on Amazon sometimes...!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

NOT CRITERION but OMG !

http://blog.criterioncast.com/post/9...ece-collection

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M7F47F0/

Hate being banned on Amazon sometimes...!

I'm not sure why Warner Bros. feels the need to continue re-releasing the same films over and over when they have a huge backlog of their own catalogue titles and Paramounts now (with the deal they reached).

Not to mention, the Kubrick films have been released in the Kubrick collection, a triple pack, DigiBooks, standard cases, and now this. Very unnecessary.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm not sure why Warner Bros. feels the need to continue re-releasing the same films over and over when they have a huge backlog of their own catalogue titles and Paramounts now (with the deal they reached).

Not to mention, the Kubrick films have been released in the Kubrick collection, a triple pack, DigiBooks, standard cases, and now this. Very unnecessary.

I know but I get so excited about anything Kubrick haha! XD plus looks nicer than the set I have from them - so flimsy and cheap! :/!

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Hate being banned on Amazon sometimes...!

Mind elaborating?

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm not sure why Warner Bros. feels the need to continue re-releasing the same films over and over when they have a huge backlog of their own catalogue titles and Paramounts now (with the deal they reached).

Not to mention, the Kubrick films have been released in the Kubrick collection, a triple pack, DigiBooks, standard cases, and now this. Very unnecessary.

The hell? This is basically the same exact release that I already own, except it's missing Spartacus... 100:1 odds that there are no new transfers included, either.

This begs the question... why did they take the original Kubrick boxed set (the one with nine films, not seven) out of production? This one was quite a bit higher in quality, and came in nice storybook format. I'm glad I got this one before it went OOP.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Mind elaborating?

Too many refunds/returns – I don't accept damaged goods when advertised as brand new, when I had issues I spoke to Amazon and they advised me on what I can do to get sorted, then one day they just ban me with no warnings.

Oh and I wasn't going over the top or abusing their system, I just went along with what customer service suggested - Oh well!

Oh and when I did go to Royal Mail, they told me they can;t do anything about damaged goods and said I had to deal with Amazon lol...

[jw007]

I just posted this in the B&N/Criterion Collection 50% sale thread but decided to post this here as well. Here are all the Criterions I purchased during the July Barnes & Noble 50% sale. Most of them were newer releases except for a few (If...., Black Narcissus and Wise Blood).

I bought 24 Criterion releases using a combination of the $5/50 coupon, the $8/40 coupon (only on one release - Red River), several 20% coupons, a few 15% coupons and my 10% members discount.

Several of these I already opened and watched!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just posted this in the B&N/Criterion Collection 50% sale thread but decided to post this here as well. Here are all the Criterions I purchased during the July Barnes & Noble 50% sale. Most of them were newer releases except for a few (If...., Black Narcissus and Wise Blood).

I bought 24 Criterion releases using a combination of the $5/50 coupon, the $8/40 coupon (only on one release - Red River), several 20% coupons, a few 15% coupons and my 10% members discount.

Several of these I already opened and watched!

Oooh that is some eye candy! (except that annoying DVD sticking out! :P)