The Criterion Collection

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of this movie for a while now. Jacques Tourneur's Night of the Demon/Curse of the Demon is horror done right.

Tourneur directed some key Val Lewton horror titles (Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man) before brilliantly applying what he learned with those horror titles to film noir with Out of the Past. Night of the Demon blends both genres for a great effect (but obviously leans more to the horror side of the equation).

Are you aware of the French release put out by Wild Side Video?

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Curse...Blu-ray/79814/

According to the website, the disc is playable on Region A players.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Are you aware of the French release put out by Wild Side Video?

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Curse...Blu-ray/79814/

According to the website, the disc is playable on Region A players.

Yeah, I've been eyeing this, but I'm holding out for a good American release with English extras and such. I'll give it another few months.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of this movie for a while now. Jacques Tourneur's Night of the Demon/Curse of the Demon is horror done right.

Tourneur directed some key Val Lewton horror titles (Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man) before brilliantly applying what he learned with those horror titles to film noir with Out of the Past. Night of the Demon blends both genres for a great effect (but obviously leans more to the horror side of the equation).

I'd love to see the Val Lewton titles on Blu as well. If any films prop up what Blu-Velvet said about horror as sociopolitical commentary, it's films like Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

What snobbish, nonsense are you talking about.

When does anybody watch a "horror" film for intellectual purposes? It would be similar to trying to find a nihilistic philosophy in Looney Tune cartoons.

This is why I dont often visit this thread. There is hardly discussion. I didn't say it was a bad film, and I didn't piss in your cereal either. So relax.

Yes, you can literally shut your mind off for that film. No, horror does not have to be that way and the greats are not.

I actually think your point about the Looney Tune cartoons is spot on. I would say in terms of the horror genre Carnival is more in the Looney Tune Sunday morning category. That;s just my opinion. It has a nice mood to it, I put the DVD in just now

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of this movie for a while now. Jacques Tourneur's Night of the Demon/Curse of the Demon is horror done right.

Tourneur directed some key Val Lewton horror titles (Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man) before brilliantly applying what he learned with those horror titles to film noir with Out of the Past. Night of the Demon blends both genres for a great effect (but obviously leans more to the horror side of the equation).

I loved Curse when it was shown in the syndication package on TV. I never knew there was a longer (Night) version until the Columbia dvd was released. The added scenes, whether just seconds or a minute or so in length, collectively add so much more to the film.

As good as it is, just imagine if Val Lewton had been the producer and not the bonehead who insisted that the Demon be shown (at the very beginning, no less!)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I loved Curse when it was shown in the syndication package on TV. I never knew there was a longer (Night) version until the Columbia dvd was released. The added scenes, whether just seconds or a minute or so in length, collectively add so much more to the film.

As good as it is, just imagine if Val Lewton had been the producer and not the bonehead who insisted that the Demon be shown (at the very beginning, no less!)

The first time I saw it was back in the late 80s, on a tape an internet friend made for me with three sf/fantasy/horror movies that I really wanted to see but had not managed to catch up with. This was one; Quatermass and the Pit was another; I don't recall the third.

Anyway, loved Curse, but oddly enough the thing that I remember most about that viewing was saying, "Oh, so that's where that line comes from!" (Kate Bush's song "Hounds of Love" starts off with a sample of the line, "It's in the trees! It's coming!" and at the time I had no idea where the hell it came from.)

Oh, and of course, there's the line in The Rocky Horror [Picture] Show's "Science Fiction Double Feature": "Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes / And passing them used lots of skill"...

Ah...just thought of the third film on that tape: Peter Watkin's The War Game.

[hustlermane]

Finally got into my Trilogy of Life set, one of the most curiously overlooked releases on this board; it might be the most impressive set Criterion has yet given us. Watched The Decameron - film was terrific, and the presentation impeccable, one of the most impressive transfers I've seen.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Finally got into my Trilogy of Life set, one of the most curiously overlooked releases on this board; it might be the most impressive set Criterion has yet given us. Watched The Decameron - film was terrific, and the presentation impeccable, one of the most impressive transfers I've seen.

I got the DVD set and adore it, really need to upgrade it but just extra cost and I have others need to upgrade.

I adore this set though, incredible films and I want more Pasolini films upgrades/added to collection.

The boxset art is also incredible

[Josh B]

Why is this thread in 2 different places?

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Josh B

Why is this thread in 2 different places?

It is due to everyone here being so awesome

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

It is due to everyone here being so awesome

Yeah, that's probably it.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The first time I saw it was back in the late 80s, on a tape an internet friend made for me with three sf/fantasy/horror movies that I really wanted to see but had not managed to catch up with. This was one; Quatermass and the Pit was another; I don't recall the third.

Anyway, loved Curse, but oddly enough the thing that I remember most about that viewing was saying, "Oh, so that's where that line comes from!" (Kate Bush's song "Hounds of Love" starts off with a sample of the line, "It's in the trees! It's coming!" and at the time I had no idea where the hell it came from.)

Oh, and of course, there's the line in The Rocky Horror [Picture] Show's "Science Fiction Double Feature": "Dana Andrews said prunes gave him the runes / And passing them used lots of skill"...

Ah...just thought of the third film on that tape: Peter Watkin's The War Game.

Lots to love in Curse/Night. One of the best things is Niall MacGinnis' (49th Parallel) performance as Karswell.

[pedromvu]

Just finished watching The Freshman and all its extras and it is an incredible release, just like Safety Last!, the picture is as good or even better and not just for a film this old, it looks like new.

The sound is also perfect, i wish all the Chaplin films got this kind of treatment, only The Gold Rush compares to this in quality, City Lights and Modern Times don't sound like new orchestra recordings, not sure if it is because they had their own soundtracks since they were released on the talkies era already.

The extras are pretty good too, specially the conversation between Kevin Brownlow and Richard Correll, and the remastered shorts.

I know these probably don't sell as much as the Chaplins but i really wish Criterion keeps them coming, since from what i hear from the extras it appears there are at least 3 or 4 more Lloyd silents that are good candidates for standalone releases.

[octagon]

I was really uncomfortable with The Freshman.

In all eras many of the jokes are often at the expense of the comic lead(s). Sometimes you're laughing with them, sometimes you're laughing at them and both can work.

But there was something very awkward and unfunny about the way the audience was positioned. It was too much like we were supposed to guffawing it up with all the douchebags that were making poor Harold's life so miserable.

This was touched on in one of the supplements too and I kind of laughed when one of the participants said something to the effect of 'well, more modern audiences shouldn't have as much of a problem with that aspect'.

The release is great, though and I would love more Harold Lloyd. Buster Keaton is still the king but based on Safety Last! alone I'd be interested in more HL.

[SilentDawn]

Picked up two of my favorite films today: Eraserhead and The Last Temptation of Christ.

I can't wait to see how they look on Blu-ray!

[jhiggy23]

Just watched Il Sorpasso. Very good film, although I wouldn't call it great.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by octagon

I was really uncomfortable with The Freshman.

In all eras many of the jokes are often at the expense of the comic lead(s). Sometimes you're laughing with them, sometimes you're laughing at them and both can work.

But there was something very awkward and unfunny about the way the audience was positioned. It was too much like we were supposed to guffawing it up with all the douchebags that were making poor Harold's life so miserable.

This was touched on in one of the supplements too and I kind of laughed when one of the participants said something to the effect of 'well, more modern audiences shouldn't have as much of a problem with that aspect'.

The release is great, though and I would love more Harold Lloyd. Buster Keaton is still the king but based on Safety Last! alone I'd be interested in more HL.

I find the responses to The Freshman interesting. I had never seen any Harold Lloyd before watching this and Safety Last! plus some of the shorts. I enjoyed all of it, but despite more acclaim, I preferred Safety Last! less than The Freshman. I loved The Freshman and found it incredibly funny.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

I find the responses to The Freshman interesting. I had never seen any Harold Lloyd before watching this and Safety Last! plus some of the shorts. I enjoyed all of it, but despite more acclaim, I preferred Safety Last! less than The Freshman. I loved The Freshman and found it incredibly funny.

I like THE FRESHMAN quite a bit, among my favorite Lloyd features. I used to like SAFETY LAST a bit better, but the more I watch them both the more I prefer THE FRESHMAN. Still my favorite Lloyd features are THE KID BROTHER and HOT WATER. WHY WORRY is also a lot of fun, but then they all are!

Back to THE FRESHMAN, while the Carl Davis score is very good, overall I prefer the Robert Israel score that's on the old DVD. I really wish the Blu-ray had the option of both.

[Scottie]

I topped off the night with Eraserhead and all I will say is that this is one of the best releases of the year. Talk about an absolutely stunning restoration. Wow!

I'm glad I didn't cancel my pre-order.

[pedromvu]

Now that Bob Fosse is in the collection, i wanted to share this clip i found:

[Show spoiler]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AII_YJG1vXQ

Not sure if everyone is familiar with his film Sweet Charity and while i don't think it is as good as his other films, this scene has to be one of the best choreographed dances ever put into a film.