The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

As you may or may have not noticed, I included Melancholia on my list of films I've yet to see. I plan on seeing it asap.

Ah sorry I missed that! I think its an incredible film and such a fresh take on the end of the world

[Helikaon]

Hmm. Not a fan of the fold out booklet/poster for La Dolce Vita.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Hmm. Not a fan of the fold out booklet/poster for La Dolce Vita.

Was same for Macbeth and The Innocents - not sure why they have gone back to these, I know a few releases in past had them and a lot of the old DVD's too.

But meh - Criterion is about the entire package - so disappointing.

If they needed content why not include behind the scene photos, image of the script/props etc be so interesting to have them all in a booklet to read when I cab to put disc in lol - Fantastic Mr Fox had stuff like that, sketches etc was awesome.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Was same for Macbeth and The Innocents - not sure why they have gone back to these, I know a few releases in past had them and a lot of the old DVD's too.

i liked the one they used for Ace in the Hole alot. but i prefer booklets like the one they made for kagemusha that features some nice art !

i dont really need booklets that have only critic reviews.. i can read plenty of these online.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Hmm. Not a fan of the fold out booklet/poster for La Dolce Vita.

I agree. To echo a sentiment from a few pages back, I would expect more from such a top release. The foldouts are disappointing. That being said, it certainly will not affect me purchasing it! Looking forward to it.

[amoergosum]

Originally Posted by jw007

As you may or may have not noticed, I included Melancholia on my list of films I've yet to see. I plan on seeing it asap.

Melancholia is a brilliant movie. Fantastic performance by Kirsten Dunst.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

i liked the one they used for Ace in the Hole alot. but i prefer booklets like the one they made for kagemusha that features some nice art !

i dont really need booklets that have only critic reviews.. i can read plenty of these online.

Kagemusha's booklet really is one of Criterion's best ever

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I really enjoyed College, but not quite as much as The General, Seven Chances, Sherlock Jr., Our Hospitality, Battling Butler, or One Week. It's tough to compare it to Lloyd's The Freshman, because both movies stand out in different ways.

Up next is Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Harold Lloyd is by far my favorite silent comedian. I'm so glad Criterion is releasing his movies on Blu-ray. I've tried watching Keaton but haven't been able to connect with that stoic face. I'd love to get that box set and probably will if it drops again to under $150, but I'll probably enjoy it more for other reasons than his humor.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

i liked the one they used for Ace in the Hole alot. but i prefer booklets like the one they made for kagemusha that features some nice art !

i dont really need booklets that have only critic reviews.. i can read plenty of these online.

Kagemusha is excellent example of practical way to use a booklet.

Film criticism can be technical, analytical or the critics own experience in viewing the film. To me, a lot of the essays turn out to be pseudo-intellectual, and can easily confuse the reader (especially if he/she is unfamiliar with the terms)

For example, Gary Indiana's essay for Pickpocket. I care less about this film being his first film he saw under the influence of LSD. He mentions Michel was an "asserted version of Raskolnikov's Nietzscheanism" First of all, Dostoevsky never read any of Nietzsche's writings, so Crime and Punishment has nothing to do with Nietzscheanism (whatever that means, I am guessing he is talking about nihilism which is different than Nietzsche's philosophy).

Second, he uses Freudian psychoanalysis to conclude that Michel's stealing has "a specific psychosexual meaning for him" and quote "he can cop an orgasm if he manages to be in the right place". This is only one fourth into the essay. This pseudo-intellectual garbage is exactly what am talking about. That essay is more about the author than the movie, I even wonder if he saw the film (he was probably on LSD when he wrote it). Unfortunately it is a recycled essay from the old DVD release.

I found the essays in The Thin Red Line (David Sterritt), 8 1/2 (Fellini's interview) and Persona to be real good. But I find it hit or miss with many of the booklets. Again this is my opinion.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by amoergosum

Melancholia is a brilliant movie. Fantastic performance by Kirsten Dunst.

One of my favourite performances form her - she was transformed.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I'd also like to add how much I dislike the fold-out's. Booklets are among my favourite extra's and them returning to fold-out's is disappointing. I actually take booklets with me on flights and stuff to read. They're small, usually meaty and full of great info. I can't really imagine taking the fold-outs with me on transport.

If they continue this trend, I suggest someone makes a thread with a poll for booklets vs fold-out's. The clear case vs. Digipak thread got an overwhelming amount of votes for clear cases and no doubt helped make them aware how many fans hated digipak's for releases that weren't special, and merely had 3 discs, 2 being DVD copies. Could be useful in raising awareness, otherwise they'll just keep doing it and thinking we're all fine and don't care about booklets.

[Polaroid]

I've emailed Jon regarding this

On side note watching some Documentary called Jesus Camp - scary stuff lol :/ Love a good doc though

[soarinsteven]

Did some overdue Hitchcock rewatching this weekend. First time watching The 39 Steps and Foreign Correspondent on BLU, and was blown away by the pristine picture quality of the latter. If only all classic films could look this good.

It had been too long since I've watched some Hitch. A few years back I went thru his entire Hollywood career, and it turned him into my favorite director. I could live off his filmography. It's amazing how effective his suspense, and set pieces still are, and told with such dark, wicked sense of humor. Bought the Universal masterpiece collection some months ago, and will be revisiting many more through the rest of the month.

I watched pretty much all the extra features on both films, and lots of goodies to be found on them. The Dick Cavett interview on the FC disc is such a treat.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

One of my favourite performances form her - she was transformed.

Frankly I thought Kirsten Dunst was just window dressing in Melancholia. Charlotte Gainsbourg, however, transported me.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by soarinsteven

Did some overdue Hitchcock rewatching this weekend. First time watching The 39 Steps and Foreign Correspondent on BLU, and was blown away by the pristine picture quality of the latter. If only all classic films could look this good.

It had been too long since I've watched some Hitch. A few years back I went thru his entire Hollywood career, and it turned him into my favorite director. I could live off his filmography. It's amazing how effective his suspense, and set pieces still are, and told with such dark, wicked sense of humor. Bought the Universal masterpiece collection some months ago, and will be revisiting many more through the rest of the month.

I watched pretty much all the extra features on both films, and lots of goodies to be found on them. The Dick Cavett interview on the FC disc is such a treat.

Im gonna be hated here for this but I can't be doing with Hitchcock - I've tried watching his films snd they do nothing for me :/ I know he did some great stuff in his film which I appreciate and acknowledge but I just don't like his films :/

Would love to like them but given up and not tried in year s- if you had to suggest a film to watch of his what would it be?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Frankly I thought Kirsten Dunst was just window dressing in Melancholia. Charlotte Gainsbourg, however, transported me.

Charlotte is incredible in everything she does - she is so natural and raw and really connects with the character and the emotions. She's also a brilliant singer - Absolutely love her

Her performance in Antichrist was jaw dropping.

[mcvitie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Im gonna be hated here for this but I can't be doing with Hitchcock - I've tried watching his films snd they do nothing for me :/ I know he did some great stuff in his film which I appreciate and acknowledge but I just don't like his films :/

Would love to like them but given up and not tried in year s- if you had to suggest a film to watch of his what would it be?

I've just about forgiven you for not liking The Beatles, but this...

My personal Hitch favs are Shadow Of A Doubt and Strangers On A Train

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by mcvitie

I've just about forgiven you for not liking The Beatles, but this...

:'( Im so sorry D:

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Im gonna be hated here for this but I can't be doing with Hitchcock - I've tried watching his films snd they do nothing for me :/ I know he did some great stuff in his film which I appreciate and acknowledge but I just don't like his films :/

Rear Window came on Blu a month or two ago--
If you don't like Hitch on his own terms from THAT movie, there's something seriously wrong with you, and you've freely admitted as much.

[soarinsteven]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Frankly I thought Kirsten Dunst was just window dressing in Melancholia. Charlotte Gainsbourg, however, transported me.

Whaat?! Dunst's performance is one of the most heartbreaking, authentic feeling portrayals of depression I've seen onscreen. She should have won the Oscar that year, but sadly, tho not surprisingly missed on a nomination. Streep won for The Iron Lady that year.

Also Dunst should have been nominated for Marie Antoinette, tho 2006 was an atypically strong year for best actress. Helen Mirren for The Queen swept everything I believe, but Streep for The Devil Wears Prada, Winslet for Little Children, Dench for Notes on a Scandal, Cruz for Volver were also nominated. All strong performances. Naomi Watts for The Painted Veil was a favorite performance that year that unfortunately flew under the radar.