The Criterion Collection

[prior]

I so want an Antoine Doinel box set from Criterion, not from Artificial Eye. What are the chances of that happening some time soon?

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by prior

I so want an Antoine Doinel box set from Criterion, not from Artificial Eye. What are the chances of that happening some time soon?

Presumably if they had any plans whatsoever to do it they'd not have re-released 400 Blows in April. I'd like to imagine Criterion has a pipe-line of a year or two for most releases so they can get new transfers done and organize interviews and the like so it seems pretty likely it'll be a while before there's any movement on that front from Criterion.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Presumably if they had any plans whatsoever to do it they'd not have re-released 400 Blows in April.

Criterion has always had The 400 Blows in release separate from the box set, whereas the other films were only available in the box. While you may be right about Criterion not having any short term plans for upgrading the set (I don't know either way), I'm not sure that their Dual Format reissue of The 400 Blows is evidence of one way or the other.

[Roninblues]

Originally Posted by dwk

Yoshiyuki Kuroda has a newly added "phantom page". Hopefully this means LONE WOLF AND CUB is happening.

Yes, how about The Invisible Swordsman and Journey with Ghost Along Yokaido Road.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

The fact that you mentioned Kieslowski totally sold me.

It has elements of Kieslowski but Akin isn't nearly as "arthouse" as him or has the exquisite "A grade" production design and cinematography. The themes are familiar though and there is a lot of emotion in those 2 films I watched. Not sure this makes a whole lot of sense.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

You are welcome, jw007.

[Show spoiler]Don't waste your time with Soul Kitchen, it is a very average film at very best. The two films you have already seen are Akin's best work. The only other film worth seeing is In July, but the old U.S. DVD release is quite poor. Solino is interesting, but if you want to see great films about Italy made by Turks you should go to Ferzan Ozpetek. He remains one of the best directors currently working in Italy.

We actually have a review for his Oscar entry Facing Windows. Fantastic film. Ozpetek is a very sensual director and I have not really seen anyone else film food as well as he does -- possibly with the exception of Roland Joffé (see his Vatel with Gerard Depardieu).

This is the review for La finestra di fronte, which is also out on DVD in the U.S. via Sony Pictures Classics. It was the great Massimo Girotti's final film.




Facing windows original trailer (ITA with sub ENG) - YouTube

I've been planning to add a review for Ozpetek's latest film, but I have been quite busy. I will do it shortly. It is out on Blu-ray in Italy and it is English-friendly. (Looks like we don't have a profile for it, but I will create one).




Back to Tony Gatlif: Obviously he is not a Turk, but his films have the same ethnic element Akin's films do. You would learn quite a lot about gypsy culture, rituals and music from them. Just about all of them are road pictures. Probably the most conventional one is Exiles, with Romain Duris (from The Spanish Apartment trilogy). The U.S. DVD release from Image Entertainment is very good. But you can start with Transylvania, since you already like Ünel.



And if you discover that you enjoy Gatlif's films, you can transition straight into the crazy world of Emir Kusturica. Obviously, he does not need to be introduced, but I should say that his mid-period films are his best. In addition to Underground, Black Cat White Cat and Life is a Miracle are definitely worth seeing. Black Cat... is one of the funniest films you would ever see It is my favorite. (I believe it is only out on an English-friendly DVD in Australia. It is the one I have). Unfortunately, for the equally charming Time of the Gypsies there is no good English-friendly DVD release. The French disc is quite nice, but it has only French subtitles.



Black Cat white Cat - YouTube

Underground (1995) trailer - YouTube

Thanks as always again... I watched all the trailers you posted. Emir Kusturica has some "zany" humor. Zany is the best word that came to mind. One movie that I loved of his and one I could totally understand was Arizona Dream, which I think seriously seriously needs a blu-ray release. Ferzan Özpetek will be another director I'll check out. I will investigate Gatlif and Girotti's work too.

On a side note and more important question for you, do you have any recommendations for films/directors that have good deadpan/dry humor like Jim Jarmusch and Aki Kaurismäki? I really want to see more films in those two directors' styles.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Thanks as always again... I watched all the trailers you posted. Emir Kusturica has some "zany" humor. Zany is the best word that came to mind. One movie that I loved of his and one I could totally understand was Arizona Dream, which I think seriously seriously needs a blu-ray release. Ferzan Özpetek will be another director I'll check out. I will investigate Gatlif and Girotti's work too.

On a side note and more important question for you, do you have any recommendations for films/directors that have good deadpan/dry humor like Jim Jarmusch and Aki Kaurismäki? I really want to see more films in those two directors' styles.

I'd say off the top of my head, Sofia Coppola - In particular The Virgin Suicides and the brilliant Lost in Translation, they have the same sort of mood and atmosphere to them.

If you want a film that is on par with Only Lovers Left Alive in terms oft he vampire genre, check out Let The Right One In* (an incredible vampire film), even the remake isn't that and tbh! But I prefer the original. Also Thirst is meant to be a good vampire film too, but I have yet to see it, but it is made by Chan-wook Park so I have faith it will be good.

These are more in response to Jim Jarmusch, not really seen the other directors work you mentioned.

*I'd expect Twilight to have been like this had Lynne Ramsay got her hands on it haha!

When I saw OLLA I had a few that were very similar in style and mood but I can't think of them at the moment - its a superb film though!

The Coen brothers film are great for dry humour, Burn After Reading is so funny, but also quite sad and Frances McDormand is incredible in her role. Also A Serious Man is hilarious.

[Human Allusion]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Unfortunately, for the equally charming Time of the Gypsies there is no good English-friendly DVD release. The French disc is quite nice, but it has only French subtitles.

There's a UK DVD release, it's exclusive to Movie Mail so people tend to not know about it.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I'd say off the top of my head, Sofia Coppola - In particular The Virgin Suicides and the brilliant Lost in Translation, they have the same sort of mood and atmosphere to them.

If you want a film that is on par with Only Lovers Left Alive in terms oft he vampire genre, check out Let The Right One In* (an incredible vampire film), even the remake isn't that and tbh! But I prefer the original. Also Thirst is meant to be a good vampire film too, but I have yet to see it, but it is made by Chan-wook Park so I have faith it will be good.

These are more in response to Jim Jarmusch, not really seen the other directors work you mentioned.

*I'd expect Twilight to have been like this had Lynne Ramsay got her hands on it haha!

When I saw OLLA I had a few that were very similar in style and

The Coen brothers film are great for dry humour, Burn After Reading is so funny, but also quite sad and Frances McDormand is incredible in her role. Also A Serious Man is hilarious.

I second Sofia Coppola and lost in translation and Virgin suicides. The virgin suicides has a soundtrack done by French band Air that is very good as well as Josh Hartnet in a wig the entire movie.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

I second Sofia Coppola and lost in translation and Virgin suicides. The virgin suicides has a soundtrack done by French band Air that is very good as well as Josh Hartnet in a wig the entire movie.

Honestly you should pick up all of Air's releases. Moon Safari & Talkie Walkie are AMAZING.

[tisdivine]

Just got home from work and realized my coca-poo decided to take her anger out on a few on my blurays that were sitting on my coffee table lol all can be easily replaced except my Man Who Fell To Earth. Thank god she didn't mess up the book.

Does anyone know where I can purchase a plastic case with the front cover? I know CC are out of them. Does anyone on here have an extra they want to sell? Just let me know the price.

My dog makes it hard to love her sometimes lol just kidding I'd lay down my life to save her anyday.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

I second Sofia Coppola and lost in translation and Virgin suicides. The virgin suicides has a soundtrack done by French band Air that is very good as well as Josh Hartnet in a wig the entire movie.

His hair was appauling lol and I adore the soundtrack, its so mesmerising and haunting.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

[...] Also Thirst is meant to be a good vampire film too, but I have yet to see it, but it is made by Chan-wook Park so I have faith it will be good. [...]

Thirst is a very original take on the vampire genre. I remember really enjoying it, although admittedly I haven't seen it in many a moon. It is up there in quality with his Old Boy.

Also, how did people feel about Only Lovers Left Alive? I enjoyed it, but I felt it to be one of his weakest. In fact, second only to Ghost Dog in that regard.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Thirst is a very original take on the vampire genre. I remember really enjoying it, although admittedly I haven't seen it in many a moon. It is up there in quality with his Old Boy.

Also, how did people feel about Only Lovers Left Alive? I enjoyed it, but I felt it to be one of his weakest. In fact, second only to Ghost Dog in that regard.

Its the only film I have seen of his I think and I adored it. The casting was perfect, I wish we saw more of Mia though.

I loved the mood and atmosphere, the film felt like it had no real time, and that reflected so well with in the story, time doesn't exist for the characters really. They just exist and we are seeing a brief moment of that.

I also loved the soundtrack!

I'm a tad obsessed with Tilda Swinton, she is just DIVINE - so I tend to love anything she does haha! She was brilliant in 'I AM LOVE', and I felt she was perfect in 'We Need To talk About Kevin'.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Vampire film Criterion has to get their hands on: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Vampire film Criterion has to get their hands on: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

Is that any good? I saw the trailers and stuff, and some parts looked a bit or weird lol

I mean if the entire film is weird it makes sense and would work but not sure! lol

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Thirst is a very original take on the vampire genre.

i didnt like the international cut (the UK release) because of the green tint and the cut itself. but i got the korean bluray a while later and that movie is now among my top 20 of all time. freaking awesome take on the vampire genre.. love it !

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

i didnt like the international cut (the UK release) because of the green tint and the cut itself. but i got the korean bluray a while later and that movie is now among my top 20 of all time. freaking awesome take on the vampire genre.. love it !

I need to check it out, I avoided just out of fear I may hate it or be disappointed. He's an incredible director though and I know it won the Jury prize at Cannes.

The whole Vampire genre can be tricky, it can be either incredible, or full of cliches and really bad lol. (although I was a sucker for Buffy when I was younger! oh the shame!)

I wish Lynne Ramsay did Twilight though, same for the Lovely Bones.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Its the only film I have seen of his I think and I adored it. The casting was perfect, I wish we saw more of Mia though.

I loved the mood and atmosphere, the film felt like it had no real time, and that reflected so well with in the story, time doesn't exist for the characters really. They just exist and we are seeing a brief moment of that. [...]

His other movies in the 'Collection are significantly better. Down By Law is a masterpiece. It is further elevated by the music by both Tom Waits and John Lurie. Stranger Than Paradise is a classic of independent cinema and very understated and deadpan. Mystery Train and Night on Earth are also both quite good.

Outside of the 'Collection, Dead Man is solid and Broken Flowers is phenomenal and powerful.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

His other movies in the 'Collection are significantly better. Down By Law is a masterpiece. It is further elevated by the music by both Tom Waits and John Lurie. Stranger Than Paradise is a classic of independent cinema and very understated and deadpan. Mystery Train and Night on Earth are also both quite good.

Outside of the 'Collection, Dead Man is solid and Broken Flowers is phenomenal and powerful.

Oh really? I'll have to check them out then I adored OLLA.

Thanks

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What is this monstrosity!?