The Criterion Collection

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by CHEЯNOБLY!

I blind bought The Night Porter last week. I can't say that I cared for it, and I regret paying full price a week after the B&Ns sale.

Not bad though, I'm happy with the majority of my CC blind buys.

I grabbed this one today at barnes with a coupon, I know Roger Ebert disliked the film a great deal when it was released. I never grabbed the old Criterion DVD and figured I would finally grab this edition.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jayembee

The easiest way to tell is to look up the title at criterion.com. If the DVD is OOP, then it's 99-44/100% certain that they've lost the rights to it. Any title they have the rights to they keep in print indefinitely.

Off hand the only examples I can think of are films that were only released in box sets, and now the set is out of print. Any examples of single film releases that are oop but presumably Criterion still holds the rights?

[callahan09]

Who has the rights to Chungking Express? I really love the film and recently wanted to upgrade my DVD to Blu-Ray, and Criterion's edition is out of print. I didn't see another U.S. edition anywhere either, though I may not have looked hard enough. I really just want Criterion for that title, but it is a bit too pricey on eBay for me.

[The Great Owl]

My Darling Clementine is a class act of a Blu-ray disc.

I watched the longer prerelease version first, and then watched the theatrical version with the commentary track.

The prerelease version is rougher around the edges in terms of the transfer, but I prefer it just the same because of the storytelling and the luxurious pacing. My Darling Clementine is such a cool-looking movie, with the Monument Valley background, some great framing shots on the wooden porch, and a great stagecoach interruption scene during the big gunfight.

Victor Mature, who plays Doc Holliday, was underrated, and he appeared in some good film noirs. If you have not yet seen the Twilight Time Blu-ray of Violent Saturday, then watch it at your earliest convenience.
Of course, it goes without saying that Henry Fonda knocks it out of the park.

Stagecoach remains my favorite John Ford movie, but I love the vibe of My Darling Clementine. It stands alongside Gunfight at the O.K. Corral as my favorite film based on the Wyatt Earp legend.

Next up... My UK Blu-ray of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

[thecalm_7]

Originally Posted by callahan09

Who has the rights to Chungking Express? I really love the film and recently wanted to upgrade my DVD to Blu-Ray, and Criterion's edition is out of print. I didn't see another U.S. edition anywhere either, though I may not have looked hard enough. I really just want Criterion for that title, but it is a bit too pricey on eBay for me.

While not CC, the Korean edition is quite nice and can be had for 40$ shipped from several retailers. Kimchi had it might still be able to get it. It's region a too. 102$ is cheapest I saw on Amazon for cc edition. Also check mom and pops record stores/movie stores. I've seen OOP cc titles for sale at many that were very fair priced.

[callahan09]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

While not CC, the Korean edition is quite nice and can be had for 40$ shipped from several retailers. Kimchi had it might still be able to get it. It's region a too. 102$ is cheapest I saw on Amazon for cc edition. Also check mom and pops record stores/movie stores. I've seen OOP cc titles for sale at many that were very fair priced.

Thanks for the help! I will see what I can find.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Off hand the only examples I can think of are films that were only released in box sets, and now the set is out of print.

I'm not sure that there are any such films that Criterion still has the rights to. There are certainly some films that they released only in one set or another, but it's not clear that they owned the rights to the film outside of a license to include it in the set (eg. Madadayo in the AK100 set). There are a couple of titles that were available only in the Essential Art House set that never got an individual EAH release, nor as a regular CC release, so I would assume that their rights to those titles were limited to the set.

[QUOTEAny examples of single film releases that are oop but presumably Criterion still holds the rights?[/QUOTE]

Possibly the Saul Turell documentaries that were in the Essential Art House set, or Mayerling, which was another EAH title (and is part of the Winchester catalog). But those are guesses.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I'm not sure that there are any such films that Criterion still has the rights to. There are certainly some films that they released only in one set or another, but it's not clear that they owned the rights to the film outside of a license to include it in the set (eg. Madadayo in the AK100 set). There are a couple of titles that were available only in the Essential Art House set that never got an individual EAH release, nor as a regular CC release, so I would assume that their rights to those titles were limited to the set.

[QUOTEAny examples of single film releases that are oop but presumably Criterion still holds the rights?

Possibly the Saul Turell documentaries that were in the Essential Art House set, or Mayerling, which was another EAH title (and is part of the Winchester catalog). But those are guesses.[/QUOTE]

Madadayo is currently on Criterion's hulu, so I don't think there are any rights issues there.

Same can be said for 2 of the 3 films in The BRD Trilogy.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The Zatoichi box set and the DVD of Wait Until Dark are probably the best blind buys of all time, methinks.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

100% agree on Zatoichi, its an INCREDIBLE set, you don't just get these incredible films, but you get beautiful packaging and so much stunning artwork included in it - it hits all the senses and definitely gets you in the mood! The price is pretty incredible too for what you are getting!

Zatiochi is definitely my favorite blind buy of all time. The content and packaging make it the best title Criterion has ever released in my humble opinion. I still haven't seen at least 33% of Criterion's titles though.

Originally Posted by Cat III

I watched the first Zatoichi recently. It was an above average, though less than brilliant, flick. I'm impressed with Shintarô Katsu as the blind swordsman. This is my first experience with the franchise outside of Beat Takeshi's reboot. So now I wonder where the series goes from here. Do things get better? Is the there consensus as to which is the best installment? I know this was a major cash-cow for Daiei Studios so I it's safe to assume they didn't veer far from the established formula, but are there any entries that stand out?

I agree with you about the first Zatoichi film. The series doesn't really find its footing until #3 with the switch from b&w to color. The balance between plot development and action scenes is much better by the third film. The series gets better with each film until #16 Zatoichi the Outlaw with the exception of #13 Zatoichi's Vengeance. With #16 the violence starts to become more over-the-top and occasionally gruesome as you will see in #24 Zatoichi in Desperation, which is a bleak grindhouse entry directed by Katsu. Even though I believe there is a small dip in quality starting with #16, one of my favorite Zatoichi films is #21 Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival. #21 is considered a fan favorite, and the main villain is an interesting foil for Zatoichi as he is also blind.

Although I don't think that all 25 films are great, I don't think any of them are bad or unwatchable. Here is my top 10 list for the series in no particular order:

Zatoichi #1-4
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword #7
Adventures of Zatoichi #9
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert #12
Zatoichi's Cane Sword #15
Zatoichi Challenged #17
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival #21

Zatoichi #15 is also considered a fan favorite. Zatoichi is told that his sword can only hit or be hit a few more times before it shatters. So, he spends the whole film avoiding confrontation more than usual because he loves and needs that sword.

I was just thinking the other day that I love this series more than the Bond series. I have a soft spot for Bond films because I grew up with them like most people here probably did. Bond is a good character, but I find Zatoichi more likeable. There is a slight similarity in the formulas between both series: There is a main bad guy that has to be defeated and usually two "girls" to represent all that is good or bad in the world. The bad guy is usually defeated. Zatoichi rarely sleeps with or is romantically interested in the girls though.

One last note: I like Beat Takeshi, but the 2003 Zatoichi film is horrible. Well, if you look at it as a Zatoichi film it is horrible. Zatoichi is nothing like himself in that film from what I recall. Maybe I should give it another try some day.

Hopefully, The Great Owl and Polaroid will also give you their two cents. I think blu-bry may chime in also. I hope my longwinded post helps you somewhat.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Those who have seen The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 version or 1978?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Those who have seen The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 version or 1978?

I watched the shorter one (1978) and it's my favorite of his films.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Those who have seen The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 version or 1978?

Watch the shorter version. At least first.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Those who have seen The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, 1976 version or 1978?

I watched the longer version first. The shorter re-release removed a large portion of the nightclub acts present in the original, plus has some different takes of the same scene and scene rearrangements. I actually greatly prefer the longer version. This was Cassavetes' original vision as released in 1976, but was pulled from limited release after only a week. Cassavetes decided to re-edit and release the shorter version two years later.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Yes definitely! That would make for a great bill. I liked Pina but I feel I still havent seen the film because I haven't seen it in 3D as intended. Maybe that's a bit much, but I am really interested in the difference it would make. Especially with Herzog's film.

I never really bought into the whole 3D comeback thing and I don't feel like upgrading my TV to 3D or have to buy 3D glasses or get a new blu-ray player to play 3D movies. Yes, Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams was shot in 3D and sure, Wenders' Pina was as well, but a movie is a movie and if its good, I don't need more advanced technology to appreciate it. I'm sure I'll have a different perspective, but that's about it.

[Hintermann]

Thinking about The Phantom Carriage (It'll be a blind buy) and Design For Living after X-mas. Normally, I would not spend Criterion dough on a romantic comedy like DFL but the fact that it is Ernst Lubitsch makes the difference.

[Cat III]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

I agree with you about the first Zatoichi film. The series doesn't really find its footing until #3 with the switch from b&w to color. The balance between plot development and action scenes is much better by the third film. The series gets better with each film until #16 Zatoichi the Outlaw with the exception of #13 Zatoichi's Vengeance. With #16 the violence starts to become more over-the-top and occasionally gruesome as you will see in #24 Zatoichi in Desperation, which is a bleak grindhouse entry directed by Katsu. Even though I believe there is a small dip in quality starting with #16, one of my favorite Zatoichi films is #21 Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival. #21 is considered a fan favorite, and the main villain is an interesting foil for Zatoichi as he is also blind.

Although I don't think that all 25 films are great, I don't think any of them are bad or unwatchable. Here is my top 10 list for the series in no particular order:

[Show spoiler]Zatoichi #1-4
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword #7
Adventures of Zatoichi #9
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert #12
Zatoichi's Cane Sword #15
Zatoichi Challenged #17
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival #21

Zatoichi #15 is also considered a fan favorite. Zatoichi is told that his sword can only hit or be hit a few more times before it shatters. So, he spends the whole film avoiding confrontation more than usual because he loves and needs that sword.

I was just thinking the other day that I love this series more than the Bond series. I have a soft spot for Bond films because I grew up with them like most people here probably did. Bond is a good character, but I find Zatoichi more likeable. There is a slight similarity in the formulas between both series: There is a main bad guy that has to be defeated and usually two "girls" to represent all that is good or bad in the world. The bad guy is usually defeated. Zatoichi rarely sleeps with or is romantically interested in the girls though.

One last note: I like Beat Takeshi, but the 2003 Zatoichi film is horrible. Well, if you look at it as a Zatoichi film it is horrible. Zatoichi is nothing like himself in that film from what I recall. Maybe I should give it another try some day.

Hopefully, The Great Owl and Polaroid will also give you their two cents. I think blu-bry may chime in also. I hope my longwinded post helps you somewhat.

Thanks for the detailed post. You definitely have me anticipating the rest of the series. It did strike me that a little bloodshed would spice up the film. #15 has a great premise so I'm glad to hear that fans consider it to be one of the best.

As far as Beat Takeshi's film, it has been years since I've seen it. I quite liked it, particularly the musical numbers since they were such a bold addition for an action movie, especially an action movie with a built-in fanbase and high expectations. Now, of course, Takeshi's film was my first exposure to the franchise so I had no attachment to the character and no hopes that could be crushed. Takeshi was in a hard place. If he played the character like Katsu did, he'd be unfavorably compared to the original. Do it his own way and people will resent him for changing the character. However good the movie is there will be some people who won't like it on principle (not saying you're part of that contingent, Meek12345). Once I'm finished with the series, I should return to the Takeshi movie with my new perspective.

And, yeah, I'd like to hear other opinions.

[The Bronx Bull]

Gentlemen,

I'm thinking about doing a trip out to the Los Angeles/San Francisco area in a few months - coming from New York, fly into LA and ride (a motorcycle) up to SF via Route 1. I'm trying to compile a list of things I would like to see along the way that are film related. In addition to some sight-seeing, I have a special interest in seeing famous and/or old filming locations - with a special interest in film noir. Places where a pivotal scene took place in a movie, or an authentic location where an old-school Hollywood type would hang out are fascinating to me, just to stand there.

Here's what I have so far:

Los Angeles
Bogart/Bacall "Rat Pack" house
Universal Studios - Psycho filming location
Pacino/DeNiro "Heat" diner scene location - I was informed that this was closed.
Dietrichson Home from Double Indemnity
Possible locations for: The Big Sleep, Kiss Me Deadly, etc
Griffith Observatory from Rebel Without a Cause

Along Route 1
Heart Castle (from Citizen Kane)
James Dean's crash location

San Francisco
Bodega Bay - The Birds filming locations
Santa Rosa - Shadow of a Doubt filming locations
Alcatraz Island

Can anyone from the Golden State make any recommendations?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

Gentlemen,

I'm thinking about doing a trip out to the Los Angeles/San Francisco area in a few months - coming from New York, fly into LA and ride (a motorcycle) up to SF via Route 1. I'm trying to compile a list of things I would like to see along the way that are film related.

I'm not in California, but if you're driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, make sure you stop in Monterey, CA, one of the most scenic seaside towns I've ever been to, and drive by the Monterey Bay Aquarium at 886 Cannery Row, because in 1986, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was filmed there (but keep in mind, there aren't any humpback whales there).

[Sifox211]

I just watched a superb BBC Imagine... documentary on Mike Leigh - this would make a great supplement for a future Criterion. What are the chances they might release Mr Turner, one of the year's best films? It would be a perfect fit in the collection.

Its put me in mind to pick up some of his films - the excerpts from Life is sweet showed a luminously beautiful cinematography, something you might not associate with his work. Mr Turner was also fabulously lit, like a Dutch master come to life.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

Gentlemen,

I'm thinking about doing a trip out to the Los Angeles/San Francisco area in a few months - coming from New York, fly into LA and ride (a motorcycle) up to SF via Route 1. I'm trying to compile a list of things I would like to see along the way that are film related. In addition to some sight-seeing, I have a special interest in seeing famous and/or old filming locations - with a special interest in film noir. Places where a pivotal scene took place in a movie, or an authentic location where an old-school Hollywood type would hang out are fascinating to me, just to stand there.

Here's what I have so far:

Los Angeles
Bogart/Bacall "Rat Pack" house
Universal Studios - Psycho filming location
Pacino/DeNiro "Heat" diner scene location - I was informed that this was closed.
Dietrichson Home from Double Indemnity
Possible locations for: The Big Sleep, Kiss Me Deadly, etc
Griffith Observatory from Rebel Without a Cause

Along Route 1
Heart Castle (from Citizen Kane)
James Dean's crash location

San Francisco
Bodega Bay - The Birds filming locations
Santa Rosa - Shadow of a Doubt filming locations
Alcatraz Island

Can anyone from the Golden State make any recommendations?

Check out The Dresden from the movie Swingers. The old couple still sing there. Cool bar too.