The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Given that many of those films were shot on consumer DV cameras I'm not sure they'd really make the most of the Blu-ray format, AV-wise at least. I'd much rather Criterion put their efforts in to these Hellman flicks, which I'd never dared dream would be on the receiving end of such lavish treatment.

But look at breaking the Waves transfer, I know it's not dogme but it's very close in style :-) and it's not just about transfer quality, it's also about creating a strong and nice set full of great supplements which allows more people access to these films - I personally think dogme manifesto was very important to cinema and did help create some very unique films. Would be nice to see a set that's makes them accessible to more people :-)

It's also about preserving important films and keeping them alive and not forgotten

[myka22]

I finally got around to watching Nymphomaniac. I knew Trier was obviously a big Tarkovsky fan, but I wasn't expecting so many blatant references to Solaris, Andrei Rublev, and The Mirror. Also referencing Anti-Christ was a little awkward.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by myka22

I finally got around to watching Nymphomaniac. I knew Trier was obviously a big Tarkovsky fan, but I wasn't expecting so many blatant references to Solaris, Andrei Rublev, and The Mirror. Also referencing Anti-Christ was a little awkward.

I'm the biggest Lars Von trier fan, and I agree, the antochrist reference was a tad awkward, would have been better without the music. It's an incredible piece but it was too much.

Nymphomaniac is an incredible film but it has got it's flaws, I need to see uncut as my main issue was lack of character development and I wanted more digressions and stories.

I also HATED the floating scene, I felt it was badly executed and a tad corny, Tarkovksy did a better job with a floating women scene, same for Malick with the tree of life.

But yeah there are some incredible parts that make up for it's flaws so I don't mind :-)

For me, nymphomaniac was a celebration of all of Lars Von Triers work and also a celebration of the artists who have inspired him, I just wish it was a bit more controversial and risky, I found Nymphomaniac too tame :/

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

But look at breaking the Waves transfer, I know it's not dogme but it's very close in style :-)

Like you say, it's not Dogme, therefore the aesthetic rules don't apply so there's no comparison to be made.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

and it's not just about transfer quality, it's also about creating a strong and nice set full of great supplements which allows more people access to these films - I personally think dogme manifesto was very important to cinema and did help create some very unique films. Would be nice to see a set that's makes them accessible to more people :-)

I agree with the sentiment, and am a big fan of the Dogme films that I've seen. The thing is though, many of them are already available in great editions. The tenth anniversary edition of Festen, for example, which is widely available for around £6, has several hours worth of extra material, including audio commentary, retrospective documentaries etc. I'm not sure what Criterion could add tbh, nor do I see much point in them putting the effort in to a film that already has a fairly definitive release on disc. As DVDBeaver say in their review of the disc, "the quality of the print is as perfect as can be, given the source".

Originally Posted by Polaroid

It's also about preserving important films and keeping them alive and not forgotten

Festen et al are hardly forgotten. In the grand scheme of things they're also a lot better known than the Hellman Westerns.

[ultlife2013]

All of Nolan's films should be released by criterion but no go because of Warner's bros.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Like you say, it's not Dogme, therefore the aesthetic rules don't apply so there's no comparison to be made.



I agree with the sentiment, and am a big fan of the Dogme films that I've seen. The thing is though, many of them are already available in great editions. The tenth anniversary edition of Festen, for example, which is widely available for around £6, has several hours worth of extra material, including audio commentary, retrospective documentaries etc. I'm not sure what Criterion could add tbh, nor do I see much point in them putting the effort in to a film that already has a fairly definitive release on disc. As DVDBeaver say in their review of the disc, "the quality of the print is as perfect as can be, given the source".



Festen et al are hardly forgotten. In the grand scheme of things they're also a lot better known than the Hellman Westerns.

There area. Lot of unknown brilliant dogme films though plus I think comparison is fine with breaking as it was recorded from VHS to get the grain etching so it was very low quality.

I get what you are saying, I'm just no big on westerns so would prefer something I like haha, totally selfish reasons tbh lol

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

All of Nolan's films should be released by criterion but no go because of Warner's bros.

You mean the Batmans too? by Criterion?
Well, even if they could release them, I wouldn't see it happening..

Anyway, if i would pick a director that they should release all of his movies, it would be Mallick.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

You mean the Batmans too? by Criterion?
Well, even if they could release them, I wouldn't see it happening..

Anyway, if i would pick a director that they should release all of his movies, it would be Mallick.

And Lars Von Trier, Kubrick and Fellini

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

You mean the Batmans too? by Criterion?
Well, even if they could release them, I wouldn't see it happening..

Anyway, if i would pick a director that they should release all of his movies, it would be Mallick.

Nope, not the Batman films. Everything else though is all good. Probably except inception and interstellar. So basically Insomnia, Memento, and The Prestige.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I think comparison is fine with breaking as it was recorded from VHS to get the grain etching so it was very low quality.

I'd object to the comparison on the grounds that the whole point of Dogme was that very specific aesthetic sensibility. Were they to change or manipulate it at this point, ala the Criterion Breaking The Waves it would fundamentally go against the intentions and conditions of the movement.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I'm the biggest Lars Von trier fan, and I agree, the antochrist reference was a tad awkward, would have been better without the music. It's an incredible piece but it was too much.

I agree. This was the only flaw that really stuck out to me during thr one viewing I had. It was way heavy handed for no reason.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

And Lars Von Trier, Kubrick and Fellini

And Charles Laughton. Hey, look, they got it covered!

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by belcherman

And Charles Laughton. Hey, look, they got it covered!

Charles Laughton only directed one film.

[Helikaon]

von Trier is really hit and miss with me. I think the reviewer on this site really nailed it when he said Lars von Trier is a director that unintentionally parodies himself. I.e. he makes a great movie, then makes another movie that tries to ride the thematic wave of the first but turns up like a handicap twin. Nymphomaniac is just so clumsy compared to Melancholia.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Charles Laughton only directed one film.

That was the point!

[SammyJankis]

Just watched Thief and it feels like I watched it for the first time. Good lord, that transfer is stunning. It really feels like an entirely different experience. The polished aesthetic just pops: those lights that bounce off every wet surface; the few day scenes that keep the metallic look intact. It lends itself to Mann's tightest, most emotionally engaging work (and my favorite, too.) Even the score, which reeked of the 80's at its worst initially, seemed to go hand-in-hand with the imagery. James Belushi, however, will always be this film's biggest flaw.

Definitely up there with the best releases of the year.

EDIT: Robert Prosky is perfect casting.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Nope, not the Batman films. Everything else though is all good. Probably except inception and interstellar. So basically Insomnia, Memento, and The Prestige.

Inception was great, and Interstellar looks fantastic in the trailers. All of Nolan's films have been really good in my opinion.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Inception was great, and Interstellar looks fantastic in the trailers. All of Nolan's films have been really good in my opinion.

I don't think he is great at action sequences. Most of the action in the Batman trilogy I find uninspired and poorly directed. Still, he is ambitious, and I hope Interstellar is good.

http://vimeo.com/28792404

[Infernal King]

All of Hirokazu Kore-eda's films need to be released by Criterion. His filmography is extremely underrepresented on Blu-ray (several of his films are also OOP on DVD) and he is a very overlooked director to begin with.

Filmmakers like Nolan don't need any more of the Criterion treatment/exposure than he's already received, due to the sheer popularity and wide availability of his work.

[blujazz]

Tried to watch Naked and I had to stop because it was asking me questions I didn't want to answer.

[Show spoiler]The film feels dated in its politics. It's a good reflection of the time it was made, considering it was filmed only a few years after the Thatcher era when there's just so much hatred towards institutionalised thinking.

But now? I'm not sure. I believe a society can only be judged on how it treats the unfortunate but there's also should be a degree of responsibility for oneself. The protagonist here clearly has little respect for himself so why should I?

The film makes you think of the reasons why the main character is a sexual aggressor and sorry... I don't want to blame "society" for one man's sexual deviance. Rape is rape.

Interestingly, I was reading reviews released at the time of the film's release and none of them really mentioned the sexual violence against women, which is prevalent in this film. Maybe a sign of the times? I hope so.

This movie is not made to be enjoyed... it's like Leigh's version of Funny Games.