The Criterion Collection

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I'd say skip A Christmas Tale and buy Summer Hours.

Agreed. Summer Hours is deceptively lightweight, but packs a huge emotional punch by the end. The acting is impeccable. A Christmas Tale is almost more of a comedy than Summer Hours in some ways. But one can never get enough Mathieu Almaric if you ask me.

[PowellPressburger]

I watched Red Desert last nite and I really liked it but not as much as L'eclisse or L’avventura. I felt after seeing the film the cover art for the release was fitting even though the cover art was simple as I'd ever seen.

Some of the transfer has some imperfections that seem to be beyond restoration, but there is a heavy grain structure and the film was given a really high bit rate, I thought it looked amazing. I started the commentary and watch the small Vitti interview that was filmed in 1990 included. She still looked great.

I still think Monica was a true classic beauty. In L'eclisse I can't take my eyes off her.

[rkish]

I had a chance to watch a couple of new purchases this weekend!

Mystery Train was as great as I had remembered it was! The film "looked" great and as much as I wish the sound quality could have been a bit better, I was able to hear dialogue clearly and other sounds, etc. were distinct.

The Q & A session was worth the price of the BD alone. Easily made up for the lack of a commentary.

The Man Who Fell to Earth was a first watch for me...my wife had seen sections of it years ago. An interesting film story-wise...visually a beautiful film. This is a film that I'll have to see a couple of times more to really appreicate...a much different film than Walkabout...I was surprised how different two films by the same director could be. Bowie was quite good in his first film. Looking forward to "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence".

I'll watch the commentary with Roeg and Bowie when I get a chance. I found it a wild coincidence that at one point in the film, Bowie (who is starring in a Criterion BD that is going OOP) is watching "The Third Man" on one of his many TVs (another Criterion BD title that has gone OOP).

Next on the purchase list will probably be Bigger Than Life (rented and loved on NetFlix) and much against my MO, Night Train to Munich...waiting for the B & N sale in a few weeks.

[Xerios]

2 questions:

Is there a Criterion Released Blu-ray in Digipak that does NOT have a replacement Blu-ray case?

Which titles are currently OOP or soon to be (within the month OOP)?

Im sure the latter I could answer by hunting through the thread, but i know the people who check this thread usually know right off the bat.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by Xerios

Which titles are currently OOP or soon to be (within the month OOP)?

As far as Blu-ray is concerned:

1. The Third Man
2. Pierrot Le Fou
3. The Man Who Fell To Earth (Will go OOP on the 30th)

Justin

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Xerios

Is there a Criterion Released Blu-ray in Digipak that does NOT have a replacement Blu-ray case?

Only one would be "By Brakhage" but I don't think that one really counts.......

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Xerios

Is there a Criterion Released Blu-ray in Digipak that does NOT have a replacement Blu-ray case?

Yeah, if you're talking about the original 9 digipak releases, then no there isn't one that doesn't have a replacement case. All of the original nine have a replacement case available.

CC

[Volume11]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Agreed. Summer Hours is deceptively lightweight, but packs a huge emotional punch by the end. The acting is impeccable. A Christmas Tale is almost more of a comedy than Summer Hours in some ways. But one can never get enough Mathieu Almaric if you ask me.

They really compare well in that they are both French made and feature large families trying to find their way in new and changing societies/circumstances but differed in that ACT was too long, too wordy, too meandering, and too cute (in that it was very juvenile and unrefined), whereas SH was subtle, poignant, and honest (in that all it took was a few sentences of dialogue from the granddaughter to cement the thesis of the film and hit you in the gut with more emotional impact than ACT tried to squeeze out of a film significantly longer and repeatedly throughout).

[sixteenvolt420]

This is the last time i'm posting about them before they go to the burn barrel, as my replacement cases came today. Anybody want my cardboard cases for Bottle Rocket, The Last Emperor, Chungking Express, El Norte, The 400 Blows, The Man Who Fell To Earth, Last Year At Marienbad, and The Last Metro? Just pay shipping, and they're yours. PM me if you want them.

[stobbart]

watched Kind Hearts and Coronets yesterday, that was really good. Sad its going OOP but ill be picking up my copy of it soon.

After watching That Obscure Object of Desire I was kind of hesistant to watch all the Bunuel films that are going OOP to see if I should buy them. However, The Phantom of Liberty was such a good film I am now looking towards seeing the rest in the next few days.


Also can someone explain what Merry Christmas Mr. Laurence is like? I have been very happy with the Oshima that I have seen thanks in part to Criterion. But this film is unavailable on Netflix so I cant see it before buying it. Im assuming it is a more refined film like In the Realm, and Empire of Passion just because it is getting an actual release as opposed to an eclipse.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I watched Red Desert last nite and I really liked it but not as much as L'eclisse or L’avventura. I felt after seeing the film the cover art for the release was fitting even though the cover art was simple as I'd ever seen.

I enjoyed the film but I have enjoyed other Antonioni films much more. With "Red Desert", the first things that came to my mind was:

[Show spoiler]It was interesting to see how people reacted towards pollution back then. Granted, the film was never about ecology but in a historical look at how these industrial and chemical plants really did a number on the water and the fish (joking how it tasted like petrol)... I found it very interesting watching it today.

The other thing was Giuliana's condition. At the time, not many people understood what she was going through and although clinically depressed and suicidal, these days - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is now well-known today. Today, people would be given Zoloft or Prozac but in those days, people figured a person can deal with it and grow out of it through time. So, that was another of my modern take of a situation from the film.

But overall, it was a good film but as I mentioned before on here, for those starting out with Antonioni, this may not be the best first film for them. Maybe something "Blowup" or "L'avventura".

On a side note: For Michael Haneke fans...you'll definitely enjoy "The White Ribbon" Blu-ray release. Plenty of lengthy special features in regards to Haneke and his previous films. It's not Criterion but from Sony Pictures Classics...but an awesome upcoming release worth checking out!

[Codyblaze]

Originally Posted by Knapsack

I feel like Lloyd was the best of the three at making pure comedies with the widest appeal. When I watch Chaplin, I feel like the Grinch with my heart growing three sizes. When I watch Keaton, I can't get over his physical feats and cleverness. When I watch Lloyd, I can't stop smiling and laughing. They're all great in their own way, which, I guess, is why they're known as the three geniuses.

Now I've got to see about some Lloyd and Chaplin. Silents are a new thing for me, I really hadn't watched one in adulthood until I recieved Stagecoach and watched the Ford silent western on it. I realized that I have never really given silent films a chance at all, and decided to pick up two of the most famous now available on blu. I picked up The General and Sunrise, and watched the General this weekend...wow am I happy I did so! The General was an amazing piece of filmmaking, and rightly deserves it's place as one of the greatest films ever. I'd say it's the oldest example of the blockbuster action film, nonstop action with that one...not what I was expecting at all

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Codyblaze

Now I've got to see about some Lloyd and Chaplin. Silents are a new thing for me, I really hadn't watched one in adulthood until I recieved Stagecoach and watched the Ford silent western on it. I realized that I have never really given silent films a chance at all, and decided to pick up two of the most famous now available on blu. I picked up The General and Sunrise, and watched the General this weekend...wow am I happy I did so! The General was an amazing piece of filmmaking, and rightly deserves it's place as one of the greatest films ever. I'd say it's the oldest example of the blockbuster action film, nonstop action with that one...not what I was expecting at all

Buster Keaton was prob the best thing you could of done to start with, getting into silents. Physical comedy always is a win for a silent film (or any other type of film), and Keaton IMO did it best. Hope you like Sunrise, so you can get into more Murnau.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by kndy

I enjoyed the film but I have enjoyed other Antonioni films much more. With "Red Desert", the first things that came to my mind was:

[Show spoiler]It was interesting to see how people reacted towards pollution back then. Granted, the film was never about ecology but in a historical look at how these industrial and chemical plants really did a number on the water and the fish (joking how it tasted like petrol)... I found it very interesting watching it today.

The other thing was Giuliana's condition. At the time, not many people understood what she was going through and although clinically depressed and suicidal, these days - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is now well-known today. Today, people would be given Zoloft or Prozac but in those days, people figured a person can deal with it and grow out of it through time. So, that was another of my modern take of a situation from the film.

But overall, it was a good film but as I mentioned before on here, for those starting out with Antonioni, this may not be the best first film for them. Maybe something "Blowup" or "L'avventura".

On a side note: For Michael Haneke fans...you'll definitely enjoy "The White Ribbon" Blu-ray release. Plenty of lengthy special features in regards to Haneke and his previous films. It's not Criterion but from Sony Pictures Classics...but an awesome upcoming release worth checking out!

I agree... I even think Zabriskie Point is more accessable than Red Desert. I still love the film but it isn't for everyone. Blow Up I usually watch all through the summer.... just wish we had a BD counterpart. So many have said the WB DVD Framing is way off.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by stobbart

watched Kind Hearts and Coronets yesterday, that was really good. Sad its going OOP but ill be picking up my copy of it soon.

Its sad Criterion is losing so many titles. I just hope StudioCanal does a Bluray release here of Kind Hearts and Coronets. Either that or they don't region lock it.

I'm still upset that Night train to Munich didn't get a Bluray release. I assume that means they couldn't get a good enough print to warrant a Bluray.?

[Cowboy300]

Can someone give me the link, either here or PM so I don't forget about it, to where I can buy individual cases of blu ray titles. I have 4 Criterion titles now, 2 of each, and I think I prefer the cases.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Cowboy300

Can someone give me the link, either here or PM so I don't forget about it, to where I can buy individual cases of blu ray titles. I have 4 Criterion titles now, 2 of each, and I think I prefer the cases.

First post of this thread has all of the info......


For those in the Cleveland area..... anyone else going to see the new print of "Stray Dog" ??? it's still a month away unfortunately

Wife won't go with me to see Sunrise

[AaronSCH]

I just picked up "Bigger Than Life" and I noticed that the insert is improperly cut—the title doesn't line up on the spine and there is no wiggle room to shift the insert. Is this something that is unique to my copy or did all the inserts get trimmed incorrectly? I'm going to contact the good folks at Criterion as well.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I'm still upset that Night train to Munich didn't get a Bluray release. I assume that means they couldn't get a good enough print to warrant a Bluray.?

It could be they got the rights of it before they were doing blu-ray, like the excuse they gave for the Josef von Sternberg silents coming out. I don't know why it would hurt to ask for them now!?!

Speaking of,
Roissy Films is one to seem to not give blu rights out, being the 3 films Criterion got from them are Dillinger Is Dead, Z, and the upcoming L'enfance nue, all being dvd only, which sucks because that is 3 releases that would of looked good on blu.

[Beta Man]

CG.... thanks to you, I ordered this just the other day.....