The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

Could 'digital release' even refer to making it available on Hulu?

I would imagine.

If I recall correctly, The Great Beauty was released on Hulu on the same day that it hit Blu-ray.

[Scottie]

I am FINALLY done with the Stan Brakhage set.

If watching A Hollis Frampton Odyssey and both volumes of By Brakhage over the past month or so has taught me anything, it is that for the most part, I really, really, really dislike the avant-garde and experimental film genres. I do enjoy the works of David Lynch and I think Man with a Movie Camera is a neat little film, but for the most part, the genre is definitely not for me.

There were a couple of short films that I did find fascinating, despite how hard they were to watch from a graphic perspective (the birth of Brakhage's daughter and Brakhage's recording of autopsies), but overall I found more of the films to be losers than winners. I mean...there were 50-something films in the Brakhage set and about 95% of them were the same exact thing...random, flashy colors repeating over and over and over and over and over again for what seemed like forever.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I am FINALLY done with the Stan Brakhage set.

If watching A Hollis Frampton Odyssey and both volumes of By Brakhage over the past month or so has taught me anything, it is that for the most part, I really, really, really dislike the avant-garde and experimental film genres. I do enjoy the works of David Lynch and I think Man with a Movie Camera is a neat little film, but for the most part, the genre is definitely not for me.

There were a couple of short films that I did find fascinating, despite how hard they were to watch from a graphic perspective (the birth of Brakhage's daughter and Brakhage's recording of autopsies), but overall I found more of the films to be losers than winners. I mean...there were 50-something films in the Brakhage set and about 95% of them were the same exact thing...random, flashy colors repeating over and over and over and over and over again for what seemed like forever.

I loooooove Stan Brakhage and Hollis Frampton's work so so much ><!

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by octagon

So The Godfather wouldn't be a good fit for the collection because it's not sufficiently obscure?

That's a little snobbish, no?

No, it's just a fact that Criterion's niche seems to be obscurish titles. There are, or course, some exceptions.

[Oblivion138]

I think The Godfather would be a fine fit for Criterion, but it already has a brilliant BD release. These are the kind of "Wish List" titles I can never understand. Why would anyone prefer Criterion to release something that already has a great transfer and gobs of extras, when they could be focusing on something that hasn't been released on BD yet? Or at the very least titles that have only been released barebones, or in inferior quality?

The Godfather films are certainly "Criterion-level" cinema (particularly the first two), but Paramount has already given them the premiere treatment. It doesn't need a "C" on the cover to be the definitive release.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by octagon

Could 'digital release' even refer to making it available on Hulu?

That and/or iTunes, I would imagine.

[silverlakephil]

What's everybody's opinion on French-Vietnamese Director Tran Anh Hung? I never really paid attention to his films other the beautifully filmed The Scent of Green Papaya? There's already a Kino-Lorber release of this film, but I feel it would be a perfect fit for a Criterion release.

The Scent of Green Papaya - Blu-ray sample - YouTube

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

I think The Godfather would be a fine fit for Criterion, but it already has a brilliant BD release. These are the kind of "Wish List" titles I can never understand. Why would anyone prefer Criterion to release something that already has a great transfer and gobs of extras, when they could be focusing on something that hasn't been released on BD yet? Or at the very least titles that have only been released barebones, or in inferior quality?

The Godfather films are certainly "Criterion-level" cinema (particularly the first two), but Paramount has already given them the premiere treatment. It doesn't need a "C" on the cover to be the definitive release.

Now this I absolutely agree with. Over the years I've softened on this a bit (I still kind of shake my head at things like The Fantastic Mr. Fox but they don't bother me anymore) because I'm not as convinced that releasing Title A pushes Title B (or C or D or E) back all that much but yeah, lobbying for a whacky C just for the sake of a whacky C doesn't seem like the best use of resources.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

What's everybody's opinion on French-Vietnamese Director Tran Anh Hung? I never really paid attention to his films other the beautifully filmed The Scent of Green Papaya? There's already a Kino-Lorber release of this film, but I feel it would be a perfect fit for a Criterion release.

The Kino can't be better. No need for a Criterion release.

Now, his film 'Cyclo' which I have the OOP New Yorker Films dvd release of (and a favorite of mine) can get a Criterion release.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by octagon

Now this I absolutely agree with. Over the years I've softened on this a bit (I still kind of shake my head at things like The Fantastic Mr. Fox but they don't bother me anymore) because I'm not as convinced that releasing Title A pushes Title B (or C or D or E) back all that much but yeah, lobbying for a whacky C just for the sake of a whacky C doesn't seem like the best use of resources.

Keep in mind that some of the more mainstream titles are great sellers for Criterion that allow them the freedom to pursue some of the more niche titles.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

Keep in mind that some of the more mainstream titles are great sellers for Criterion that allow them the freedom to pursue some of the more niche titles.

Jon Mulvaney doesn't even exist but I trust his judgment

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

What's everybody's opinion on French-Vietnamese Director Tran Anh Hung? I never really paid attention to his films other the beautifully filmed The Scent of Green Papaya? There's already a Kino-Lorber release of this film, but I feel it would be a perfect fit for a Criterion release.

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

The Kino can't be better. No need for a Criterion release.

Now, his film 'Cyclo' which I have the OOP New Yorker Films dvd release of (and a favorite of mine) can get a Criterion release.

I quite agree, it seems to be off everybody's radar though. Checking wikipedia, he did a couple short films prior to Green Papaya. They would make fine extras if Criterion ever releases any of his films. I've checked out bits of his other films on Youtube, Cyclo, The Vertical Ray of the Sun, Norwegian Wood, etc. and they all look interesting. The cinematography on his films generally look beautiful.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by octagon

Jon Mulvaney doesn't even exist but I trust his judgment

He doesn't exist?? Unbreak my heart....

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

What's everybody's opinion on French-Vietnamese Director Tran Anh Hung? I never really paid attention to his films other the beautifully filmed The Scent of Green Papaya? There's already a Kino-Lorber release of this film, but I feel it would be a perfect fit for a Criterion release.

I have Norwegian Wood and I Come With the Rain on blu and enjoyed them each in different ways. Im not sure how good the latter is as a film, but anytime you include A Silver Mt Zion songs as part of your soundtrack you've got my attention.

[BTTF_]

Linklater has totally been linking up with Criterion in these past few months. I know the assumption is on Boyhood, but let's not forget that the "Before" trilogy is finally completed.

IN MY OPINION:

If Certified Copy and Like Someone In Love are Criterion worthy (great films by the way).....then the "Before' films are too. By a landslide.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by BTTF_

Linklater has totally been linking up with Criterion in these past few months. I know the assumption is on Boyhood, but let's not forget that the "Before" trilogy is finally completed.

IN MY OPINION:

If Certified Copy and Like Someone In Love are Criterion worthy (great films by the way).....then the "Before' films are too. By a landslide.

It's not about "worthiness" here. It's about the distributor that has the rights to the film. Criterion and IFC have a partnership, which is why those two films were placed into the collection. It's almost guaranteed they would not have Criterion releases if they had been picked up by SPC or Cinema Guild or some other distributor.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by BTTF_

Linklater has totally been linking up with Criterion in these past few months. I know the assumption is on Boyhood, but let's not forget that the "Before" trilogy is finally completed.

IN MY OPINION:

If Certified Copy and Like Someone In Love are Criterion worthy (great films by the way).....then the "Before' films are too. By a landslide.

The Before Trilogy would be amazing.

[BTTF_]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

It's not about "worthiness" here. It's about the distributor that has the rights to the film. Criterion and IFC have a partnership, which is why those two films were placed into the collection. It's almost guaranteed they would not have Criterion releases if they had been picked up by SPC or Cinema Guild or some other distributor.

That sort of tarnishes my views on Criterion then. If they are only grabbing at films that they have access too, rather then the ones that they feel are "worthy" enough...If part of the "criterion" for getting into the collection is convenience-- then bullocks. Although you are making perfect sense that is extremely upsetting to me. This new realization has put me in an odd mood.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by BTTF_

That sort of tarnishes my views on Criterion then. If they are only grabbing at films that they have access too, rather then the ones that they feel are "worthy" enough...If part of the "criterion" for getting into the collection is convenience-- then bullocks. Although you are making perfect sense that is extremely upsetting to me. This new realization has put me in an odd mood.

Criterion are the worst aren't they?

[BTTF_]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Criterion are the worst aren't they?

Not what I'm saying.

It's like Christmas...you can grow up to realize that it wasn't what you always thought it to be when you were younger, you don't love it any less...but you certainly feel odd when you realize that it is "different."

(I'm stretching for a metaphor lol)