The Criterion Collection

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I have never seen Cronos or The Devil's Backbone and am thinking of picking both up during the BN sale next month. Is there any film that they would be comparable with?

Devil's Backbone is basically a companion piece to Pan's Labyrinth. It also stars a child and is exploring the violence of the spanish revolution using fantasy elements. It's comparable to both Pan's Labyrinth and haunting movies like The Orphanage or The Innocents. I'd VERY highly recommend it.

Cronos is not in the same vein at all, I'm not really sure what I'd compare it to. It's some kind of riff on vampire movies, but is mainly about the temptation of eternal life and the destruction it wreaks on the lives of those who pursue it. I don't like it nearly as much as GDT's other movies (excepting Mimic), but it's definitely interesting.

They're both on sale for 19.99 at Amazon right now if you want to get them now instead of waiting for the B&N sale.

[jlk5844]

It's nice to hear the discussion of Kuroneko. That was one of the films listed that I wasn't too familiar with. I'll add it to the list of possible titles to get in the upcoming B&N 50% off sale. Japanese cinema is something I'm interested in exploring, particularly horror. Old black and white Japanese horror is a fascinating thing to me at this point.

[AaronJ]

As to the cost of the "Criterion Collections" book, as others have said it's less than $70 on Amazon. But for me, considering the cost of the Absolute Editions of DC Comics that I've bought over the years, this is nothing.

Absolute All Star Superman
Absolute Watchmen
Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths
Absolute Dark Knight
Absolute Batman Hush
Absolute Kingdom Come
Absolute DC: The New Frontier
Absolute Superman For Tomorrow

I don't even want to contemplate what that collection cost me. Scary.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Devil's Backbone is basically a companion piece to Pan's Labyrinth. It also stars a child and is exploring the violence of the spanish revolution using fantasy elements. It's comparable to both Pan's Labyrinth and haunting movies like The Orphanage or The Innocents. I'd VERY highly recommend it.

Cronos is not in the same vein at all, I'm not really sure what I'd compare it to. It's some kind of riff on vampire movies, but is mainly about the temptation of eternal life and the destruction it wreaks on the lives of those who pursue it. I don't like it nearly as much as GDT's other movies (excepting Mimic), but it's definitely interesting.

They're both on sale for 19.99 at Amazon right now if you want to get them now instead of waiting for the B&N sale.

Thanks, you convinced me to give them a purchase.

[The Great Owl]

I am an enthusiastic fan of The Criterion Collection, but I'm going to pass on the coffee table book.
That money will buy three or more Criterion Blu-rays during the November sale.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I am an enthusiastic fan of The Criterion Collection, but I'm going to pass on the coffee table book.
That money will buy three or more Criterion Blu-rays during the November sale.

^^^ this.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Devil's Backbone is basically a companion piece to Pan's Labyrinth. It also stars a child and is exploring the violence of the spanish revolution using fantasy elements. It's comparable to both Pan's Labyrinth and haunting movies like The Orphanage or The Innocents. I'd VERY highly recommend it.

Cronos is not in the same vein at all, I'm not really sure what I'd compare it to. It's some kind of riff on vampire movies, but is mainly about the temptation of eternal life and the destruction it wreaks on the lives of those who pursue it. I don't like it nearly as much as GDT's other movies (excepting Mimic), but it's definitely interesting.

They're both on sale for 19.99 at Amazon right now if you want to get them now instead of waiting for the B&N sale.

I personally don't find it comparable to those films at all. It does involve similarities in thematic subject matter with Pan's, but I wouldn't go any further. I should also admit that I'm a big fan of Devil's but really did not like Pan's.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I am an enthusiastic fan of The Criterion Collection, but I'm going to pass on the coffee table book.
That money will buy three or more Criterion Blu-rays during the November sale.

My thoughts as well. I don't see any value in buying it, especially at that price.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

As to the cost of the "Criterion Collections" book, as others have said it's less than $70 on Amazon. But for me, considering the cost of the Absolute Editions of DC Comics that I've bought over the years, this is nothing.

When you're used to buying academic texts $70 is nothing!

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

My thoughts as well. I don't see any value in buying it, especially at that price.

I'm really looking forward to it (it streets the week before my birthday so my wife is getting me it). For me the major selling point is the glossary of covers from the laserdisc days. I know that many (all?) of these are available to view online, but having high quality reproductions of these in one volume is of great appeal to me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I have never seen Cronos or The Devil's Backbone and am thinking of picking both up during the BN sale next month. Is there any film that they would be comparable with?

They are okay, but then again, I'm not a huge fan of Del Toro. Speaking of those two, I end to rewatch them to see if my opinion has changed.

I think his best contribution to the world has been The Orphanage.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think his best contribution to the world has been The Orphanage.

Didn't he only executive produce that? Or is that your point? Regardless of who "contributed it," I think it's one of the very best horror movies I've ever seen. The ending pulls off the coup of being incredibly beautiful and incredibly depressing.

Regarding GDT, Pan's Labyrinth is a nearly flawless movie, imo. I really love Devil's Backbone as well, and think his big budget movies also display far more imagination than you see in practically anything else (Hellboy 2 especially). His concept sketchbooks for his movies are real works of art.

I also just love the guy as a presence in the film world. He's right up there with Quentin Tarantino in his enthusiasm for movies of his childhood, but he's much less annoying than QT and he participates more often in special features for movies that he had nothing to do with. I love stuff like his personal testimony on blue underground's Zombi disc, or his very lengthy interview which is full of fanboy gushing of Paul Williams on Phantom of the Paradise, or his stuff he did for the Criterion Collection on The Man Who Knew Too Much.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I'm really looking forward to it (it streets the week before my birthday so my wife is getting me it). For me the major selling point is the glossary of covers from the laserdisc days. I know that many (all?) of these are available to view online, but having high quality reproductions of these in one volume is of great appeal to me.

That certainly makes sense, I hope you enjoy it!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Didn't he only executive produce that? Or is that your point? Regardless of who "contributed it," I think it's one of the very best horror movies I've ever seen. The ending pulls off the coup of being incredibly beautiful and incredibly depressing.

Regarding GDT, Pan's Labyrinth is a nearly flawless movie, imo. I really love Devil's Backbone as well, and think his big budget movies also display far more imagination than you see in practically anything else (Hellboy 2 especially). His concept sketchbooks for his movies are real works of art.

I also just love the guy as a presence in the film world. He's right up there with Quentin Tarantino in his enthusiasm for movies of his childhood, but he's much less annoying than QT and he participates more often in special features for movies that he had nothing to do with. I love stuff like his personal testimony on blue underground's Zombi disc, or his very lengthy interview which is full of fanboy gushing of Paul Williams on Phantom of the Paradise, or his stuff he did for the Criterion Collection on The Man Who Knew Too Much.

I agree about The Orphanage--phenomenal movie.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

When you're used to buying academic texts $70 is nothing!

Heh. Good point. Those prices are insane.

SO glad I'm not in school anymore.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Didn't he only executive produce that? Or is that your point? Regardless of who "contributed it," I think it's one of the very best horror movies I've ever seen. The ending pulls off the coup of being incredibly beautiful and incredibly depressing.

Yeah, I believe he only executively produced it. I also enjoy Julia's Eyes, as well - another film he produced.

I'm not too big of a fan of his directed films, although I think Pan's Labyrinth is probably his best.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Didn't he only executive produce that? Or is that your point? Regardless of who "contributed it," I think it's one of the very best horror movies I've ever seen. The ending pulls off the coup of being incredibly beautiful and incredibly depressing.

Regarding GDT, Pan's Labyrinth is a nearly flawless movie, imo. I really love Devil's Backbone as well, and think his big budget movies also display far more imagination than you see in practically anything else (Hellboy 2 especially). His concept sketchbooks for his movies are real works of art.

I also just love the guy as a presence in the film world. He's right up there with Quentin Tarantino in his enthusiasm for movies of his childhood, but he's much less annoying than QT and he participates more often in special features for movies that he had nothing to do with. I love stuff like his personal testimony on blue underground's Zombi disc, or his very lengthy interview which is full of fanboy gushing of Paul Williams on Phantom of the Paradise, or his stuff he did for the Criterion Collection on The Man Who Knew Too Much.

He does master classes for TIFF in Toronto that are well worth attending. I would go to those regardless of what film he does.

I do enjoy his films, but I don't think you have to be a fan of his films to be a fan of him.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by fdm

Is there some online resource somewhere that shows all of the Criterion offerings on Hulu Plus, besides Hulu Plus (unless there is something well buried over there (their "menu" leaves a bit to be desired))? Or better yet, perhaps a list of what's only on Hulu Plus, and not available on disc yet?

Need to get rolling...

There is also this:

http://www.criterion.com/hulu

In case the letterboxd link gets removed in the future

[FlexMentallo]

Watched Nashville for the first time last night. What an amazing movie.

Didn't know what to expect, I love many of the 70s New Hollywood films, but I am not into country & western music at all.

Film had a great rhythm and flow to it. Nice use of music, although I think Ashby was better than Altman on that front. Some gorgeous looking and beautifully framed scenes amongst all the heavy character stuff.

The ending was somewhat telegraphed, but I liked that it was a slow burn for many of the characters that builds up across the film.

Enjoyed the extras too, I'll have to check out the commentary at some point.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

They are okay, but then again, I'm not a huge fan of Del Toro. Speaking of those two, I end to rewatch them to see if my opinion has changed.

I think his best contribution to the world has been The Orphanage.

Im sorry but The Orphanage was utter tripe - I found it such a poor and terribly made film.

On the other had, The Devils Backbone is a masterpiece - it has everything, horror, emotion, depth etc etc I also love it avoids tacky horror, cheese and CGI (obvious stuff). Definitely of the better horror/ghost films out there - I did find Cronos to be quite weak and not as developed. Pans Labyrinth is also pretty incredible - but those are his main films, I don't like his mainstream films much though - I'm excited about his new gothic film coming out

Also - was in London and couldn't resist (will upload picture later) but The Criterion theatre was showing The 39 Steps Stage show XD - just found it so amusing that everywhere I look or go Criterion follows me lol!