The Criterion Collection

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just realized that in another day or so, we will have the 2015 New Years newsletter.

I just realized that, with that newsletter, the CC bloggers here will get another update of your incredible list!

[soarinsteven]

As far as consecutive filmmaking streaks go nothing top Hitch's 1-2-3 punch of Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Psycho for me.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

It's not all his stuff, but it's a great deal for $30 and you get the UK cut of The Shining.

What is different about the UK cut?

[ShellOilJunior]

Truffaut

1962 Jules and Jim
1960 Shoot the Pianist
1959 The 400 Blows

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

What is different about the UK cut?

It's shorter. I believe it cuts out most, if not all, of the scenes that occur outside of the hotel.

[mrjohnnyb]

I am also a big fan of the following Andrei Tarkovsky five film streak:

Ivan's Childhood
Andrei Rublev
Solaris
The Mirror
Stalker

[Stig-Helmer]

Originally Posted by soarinsteven

As far as consecutive filmmaking streaks go nothing top Hitch's 1-2-3 punch of Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Psycho for me.

I must agree. As a Hitchcock-lover (let's hope Hitch don't fall off somehow in that sentence haha) those three are among my top favourite movies all time

[shadedpain4]

If anyone is looking for a fun way to start a journey into Fassbinder's filmography, I did these 4 films in this order this weekend and really enjoyed it:

- All That Heaven Allows
- Ali: Fear Eats The Soul
- Angst Isst Seele Auf
- The American Soldier

Only 2 are actually directed by Fassbinder of course, but they all have pretty obvious connections when you watch them.

I had previously seen World On A Wire, but that was it. Now I'm looking forward to the rest of the Early Fassbinder Eclipse set.

Anyone have additional Fassbinder recommendations? SpiderBaby?

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by jw007

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence: It's one of my favorite films in the collection and is truly a good blind buy in my opinion for any cinema buff. I remember after having watched it a while back, I totally understood and enjoyed every second of this film. The last time I had an experience like that with a Criterion film was that great Italian 60s movie called Il Sorpasso.

I watched Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence for the first time on Christmas Eve this year. While it wasn't the festive, holiday movie I had in mind, I was completely blown away by how good it was. The ending was very moving, and the soundtrack was a definite highlight. I'll be picking this up during the July sale for sure.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I used to feel the same way but over the years I've come to think that it was pretty spot on to cast a real life Hollywood husband and wife, and they are nearly perfect here.

Disagree wholeheartedly. One of the reasons the film works as well as it does is how the film plays against Tom Cruise's public/usual film persona.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Eyes wide shut would have been better if Tom cruise hadn't been in the lead role, imho

Agreed. Over the years I've gone back and forth on Eyes Wide Shut generally and the casting specifically.

When I first saw it I thought it was disappointing overall but very well cast and I've since changed my mind on both.

I like both of them a lot but they were just a little too pretty and a little too perfect and a little too plastic to sell the insecurity that should have been at the heart of those characters.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If anyone is looking for a fun way to start a journey into Fassbinder's filmography, I did these 4 films in this order this weekend and really enjoyed it:

- All That Heaven Allows
- Ali: Fear Eats The Soul
- Angst Isst Seele Auf
- The American Soldier

Only 2 are actually directed by Fassbinder of course, but they all have pretty obvious connections when you watch them.

I had previously seen World On A Wire, but that was it. Now I'm looking forward to the rest of the Early Fassbinder Eclipse set.

Anyone have additional Fassbinder recommendations? SpiderBaby?

The Third Generation which personally I find pretty humorous, I don't know how intentionally funny he was being or not, but this is a great film. The BRD trilogy is essential and I hope Criterion upgrades sometime soon, these stories focus on women as central characters. As far as blu-rays, Olive titles released Despair which I really like, it is a very strange doppelganger story with some awesome camera work. Criterion have the Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant coming up too.

[lordmorpheus72]

quick off topic post here.. I finally got my region free blu-ray player set up at home, it's a Seiki SR4KP1. Thanks for all the suggestions on the Masters of Cinema titles, and others. Going to start adding some of those that are worth picking up, that aren't already Criterion released.

[obscurelabel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

While we're on the subject, Welles himself has a fine three-film streak right here, even after the universally applauded Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons...

The Stranger
The Lady from Shanghai
Macbeth

These are great. I am as impressed by this run of three:

Touch of Evil
The Trial
Chimes at Midnight

Has anyone mentioned Michael Powell?

A Matter of Life and Death
Black Narcissus
The Red Shoes

For someone who only officially directed nine features, I think you can pull out three straight for Alexander Mackendrick:

The Ladykillers
Sweet Smell of Success
Sammy Going South

The last one may not be that well known (probably due in part to no U. S. DVD or BD release) but it's excellent. The other two are so very good that maybe SGS can get some spillover

David Lean:

Brief Encounter
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist

The Bridge on the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia
Doctor Zhivago

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Disagree wholeheartedly. One of the reasons the film works as well as it does is how the film plays against Tom Cruise's public/usual film persona.

Originally Posted by octagon

Agreed. Over the years I've gone back and forth on Eyes Wide Shut generally and the casting specifically.

When I first saw it I thought it was disappointing overall but very well cast and I've since changed my mind on both.

I like both of them a lot but they were just a little too pretty and a little too perfect and a little too plastic to sell the insecurity that should have been at the heart of those characters.

I think this is where it backfired on him, maybe people just can't see past Cruise and Kidman. Also maybe a different couple would have worked better, but I still feel more positive than you guys about the casting! All of the pretty, plastic look and naivete of the two lead characters is important to the story, as to how they get caught up in the childish things they do and the jealousy and sexual tension, etc. For me it works better and better over the years but Cruise's acting and casting did irk me when I first saw it.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

quick off topic post here.. I finally got my region free blu-ray player set up at home, it's a Seiki SR4KP1. Thanks for all the suggestions on the Masters of Cinema titles, and others. Going to start adding some of those that are worth picking up, that aren't already Criterion released.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, it's not MoC but this is a nice region-B disc...

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

The Third Generation which personally I find pretty humorous, I don't know how intentionally funny he was being or not, but this is a great film. The BRD trilogy is essential and I hope Criterion upgrades sometime soon, these stories focus on women as central characters. As far as blu-rays, Olive titles released Despair which I really like, it is a very strange doppelganger story with some awesome camera work. Criterion have the Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant coming up too.

Thanks. Despair is already on my shelf so that makes it the logical next step when I finish the Eclipse set.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I am also a big fan of the following Andrei Tarkovsky five film streak:

Ivan's Childhood
Andrei Rublev
Solaris
The Mirror
Stalker

He's the one director (of multiple films) where I don't think any work is considered minor. Every single one of his features has a place on the TSPDT list.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by obscurelabel

These are great. I am as impressed by this run of three:

Touch of Evil
The Trial
Chimes at Midnight

Has anyone mentioned Michael Powell?

A Matter of Life and Death
Black Narcissus
The Red Shoes

For someone who only officially directed nine features, I think you can pull out three straight for Alexander Mackendrick:

The Ladykillers
Sweet Smell of Success
Sammy Going South

The last one may not be that well known (probably due in part to no U. S. DVD or BD release) but it's excellent. The other two are so very good that maybe SGS can get some spillover

David Lean:

Brief Encounter
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist

The Bridge on the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia
Doctor Zhivago

I think that the responses to this question have proven that you can pull out three straight for nearly anybody who has ever directed a film... ever.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

He's the one director (of multiple films) where I don't think any work is considered minor. Every single one of his features has a place on the TSPDT list.

I love Tarkovsky but it's really the middle period that was A+ material. Ivan's Childhood is great but not at his peak and The Sacrifice bores me to tears. Everything in the middle is near perfection.