The Criterion Collection

[Cat III]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I find Kiki gets better upon repeat viewings. I liked it enough to buy it when it came out reently on Blu-ray, and I find I did enjoy it upon viewing it again, but compared to Spirited Away, Totoro, Mononoke, and yes, even Howl, it still falls behind them.

[Show spoiler]I think the problem with Howl is that Miyazaki tried to add more action to a novel that didn't have a whole lot of action. It is pretty much a slice of life character piece, with mild action. Howl turning into a massive bird and fighting in the war, and all the anti-war commentary do not occur in the novel He's also cut out a bunch of stuff from the novel such as the Black portion on the door circle goes into our world, notably to Wales in the 1980s, where Howl and Suliman are actually from, Sophie's sisters and their love interests, Markel is actually Michael and closer to Sophie's age, and Suliman's actually a man and marries one of Sophie's sisters. He and Prince Justin have been fused together by the Witch of the Wasteto create the perfect man.

So I do enjoy it, and the late Diana Wynne-Jones enjoyed this adaptation of her beloved novel but it does indeed have issues.

That's a good summation of how I felt about the picture. I haven't read Wynne-Jones original novel so I didn't have quite the same perspective (something which is a mixed blessing whenever going into a film based on a novel).

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Interesting to see the opinions on Howl. While not my favorite, if probably rate it higher than Kiki, Ponyo, Wind Rises, and maybe Porco Rosso out of the Miyazaki films. .

[Show spoiler]
As always, I would love to see some Ghibli with Criterion. The ultimate would be a collection of the short films they show at the museum (Good luck with that Criterion!)

And since we're on the topic of Ghibli, this: was my Christmas gift from my wife, framed and ready to be put over the fireplace (just the picture, not the helpful labels). Can't wait to put it up!

It would be so amazing if Criterion got ahold of the Ghibli shorts (a guy can dream). At least with Watership Down coming in a few, we may see more animation. My fingers are crossed for The Plague Dogs, the works of Rene Laloux, and the Raymond Briggs' adaptations.

Also, nice score with that Christmas present.

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.

Congrats on getting a region-free BD player. I'll try to come up with some good recommendations. Here are a few I can think of [they're hyperlinked so you can click the image to go to the database entry]:




I can come up with more if you'd like. I also recommend CJ Entertainment from Korea. They're dependable for releasing the best in contemporary Korean cinema.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Holy Hera, I just watched The Thin Red Line which arrived today. First off, it had been a while since I had seen it and I had somewhat forgotten how affecting it is. I finished it and felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Wow.

But OMG is it gorgeous. The PQ is off the charts, crazy good. This may be the most beautiful film I own on BD. Combine the PQ with Malick's direction and John Toll's cinematography -- on a scale of 1-10, this is like a 13. I usually have pretty high expectations for Criterion releases to begin with. But this surpassed even those.

I really wish I had the three hours needed to listen to the commentary right now (need to get up early to go hit golf balls at the dome). I just want to listen to the commentary while letting myself melt into the gorgeousness that is this film. The team of Malick and Toll nailed this, and add to that the job that Criterion did -- just wow.

I had a similar experience when I saw this for the first time on blu-ray, but when I first saw it in the cinema I actaully didn't like it. I think I was expecting more of a Platoon or Apocalypse Now type of film, not what it acutally was. I didn't hate it, but it just wasn't what I was expecting so it really threw me for a loop. But once I got the Criterion release, and sat down on my sofa and just let it play, I was blown away. So great I got this disc... one my favorite releases.

And yes, the PQ and sound are just amazing... just turn off the sound even and let it play....

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Cat III

Congrats on getting a region-free BD player. I'll try to come up with some good recommendations. Here are a few I can think of [they're hyperlinked so you can click the image to go to the database entry]:




I can come up with more if you'd like. I also recommend CJ Entertainment from Korea. They're dependable for releasing the best in contemporary Korean cinema.

Thanks, and suggestions are appreciated. You're not the first to recommend some Korean titles, or Fantastic Planet. I'll check out the CJ titles as well... some of them look kind of cool.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by jw007

The Thin Red Line is still my "go to" war movie to show to people if they haven't seen it. It's simply one of the finest war films ever made and one of the best movies in general. I actually would call it more of an anti-war movie along the lines of Paths of Glory.

Just an astounding experience. It's Hans Zimmer's finest hour.. along with Malick and Toll.

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I had a similar experience when I saw this for the first time on blu-ray, but when I first saw it in the cinema I actaully didn't like it. I think I was expecting more of a Platoon or Apocalypse Now type of film, not what it acutally was. I didn't hate it, but it just wasn't what I was expecting so it really threw me for a loop. But once I got the Criterion release, and sat down on my sofa and just let it play, I was blown away. So great I got this disc... one my favorite releases.

And yes, the PQ and sound are just amazing... just turn off the sound even and let it play....

Speaking of The Thin Red Line, I found this very engaging, provocative essay by British philosopher Simon Chrichtley concerning the film, and Malick's work in general (at the time).

For those who haven't seen the film, this essay spoils nearly every relevant event in the film. So keep that in mind. Also, it's long.

http://www.film-philosophy.com/vol6-2002/n48critchley

[ShellOilJunior]

Just a reminder the year end poll voting is still open. Originally I said the deadline was 12/31/14 but I'll allow more votes a few days into 2015. I'm doing this because the forthcoming New Year's card will no doubt dominate discussion beginning tomorrow.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Cat III

That's a good summation of how I felt about the picture. I haven't read Wynne-Jones original novel so I didn't have quite the same perspective (something which is a mixed blessing whenever going into a film based on a novel).



It would be so amazing if Criterion got ahold of the Ghibli shorts (a guy can dream). At least with Watership Down coming in a few, we may see more animation. My fingers are crossed for The Plague Dogs, the works of Rene Laloux, and the Raymond Briggs' adaptations.

Also, nice score with that Christmas present.



Congrats on getting a region-free BD player. I'll try to come up with some good recommendations. Here are a few I can think of [they're hyperlinked so you can click the image to go to the database entry]:




I can come up with more if you'd like. I also recommend CJ Entertainment from Korea. They're dependable for releasing the best in contemporary Korean cinema.

Korea is Region A, so that recommendation can go for everyone on the US, not just the region free people (as least where blu-ray is concerned).

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by jw007

The Long Day Closes disappointed me greatly. It was one of the bleakest, unfulfilling films I've ever seen. I'm glad I didn't buy it...borrowing it from the library was enough for me. I just did not like this film AT ALL. Better "try" before you buy (just my opinion).

Oh, no, that's a disappointing reaction! But thank you for your opinion, which I value highly. I think I will move it down the list ... I also found out after I posted that The Long Day Closes is a companion film (one person called it a "sequel") to another Terence Davies film which I've also not seen, Distant Voices, Still Lives. Have you seen that one, and if so, what did you think?

[bwdowiak]

In 2015, I’m hoping for the following from Criterion. I don’t think it is asking for too much.

New stuff:
A new Hitchcock title please.
Deliver the Apu Trilogy as promised

Upgrades:
Another Bresson
Please let the next Kurosawa title be Ikiru
Heaven Can Wait

..and something new that doesn’t seem too far fetched:
how about Almodovar’s Talk to Her?

[joie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Of course. I loved revisiting L'Avventura a couple of days ago.

Antonioni excelled at intuitively visual storytelling, even to the extent that his films could be perfectly understood without the dialogue.

Monica Vitti is so amazing in all four of these films. It's really a wasted opportunity that she never appeared as a Bond girl in one of the 007 movies back then. She would have been perfect for such a role, and these Antonioni movies are proof of her qualifications.

Perfect? She couldn't see a thing without her glasses, so how could she help Bond cheat at cards?

[mrjohnnyb]

Since it is already 2015 in certain parts of the world, I would like to take this time to thank everyone here for contributing to this incredible blog. I have really enjoyed reading the informative and entertaining posts, as well as commenting from time to time. Thank you for this sublime, interactive experience!

Wishes for a blu-2015:

Los Olvidados (or most anything else by Luis Buñuel)

Dekalog (or most anything else by Krzysztof Kieslowski)

Wagon Master (or most anything else by John Ford)

Le Samouraï (or most anything else by Jean-Pierre Melville)

Napoléon (or most anything else by Abel Gance)

The Wrong Man (or most anything else by Alfred Hitchcock)

and mostly anything by Andrei Tarkovsky, Satyajit Ray, Nicholas Ray, Béla Tarr, Theo Angelopoulos, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Alexander Dovzhenko and anyone else that I may have inadvertently missed!

[BohemianGraham]

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 it would have been interesting if Kubrick had gone with his original choice of Ford/Flockheart, though I'm not a fan of Flockheart personally. I think my problem with Cruise is that I don't enjoy anything he's done. If I do like a film of his, it's usually for the rest of the cast.

[soarinsteven]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

In 2015, I’m hoping for the following from Criterion. I don’t think it is asking for too much.

New stuff:
A new Hitchcock title please.
Deliver the Apu Trilogy as promised

Upgrades:
Another Bresson
Please let the next Kurosawa title be Ikiru
Heaven Can Wait

..and something new that doesn’t seem too far fetched:
how about Almodovar’s Talk to Her?

More Almodovar would be most welcome, and Ikiru along with My Own Private Idaho, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Bicycle Thieves, and Ugetsu are titles I'd love to see them upgrade in 2015. Oh, and yes, more Luis Buñuel as well.

[bwdowiak]

yes forgot about Bunuel...
please - more Bunuel!! been too long

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I think it would have been interesting if Kubrick had gone with his original choice of Ford/Flockheart, though I'm not a fan of Flockheart personally. I think my problem with Cruise is that I don't enjoy anything he's done. If I do like a film of his, it's usually for the rest of the cast.

Cruise is not a great actor so he tries to make up for it with effort. Sometimes it works (Minority Report) and sometimes it does not (War of the Worlds).

[drat]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

yes forgot about Bunuel...
please - more Bunuel!! been too long

How many of Bunuel's films do they still have the rights to? That Obscure Object of Desire and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie have already been released on Region 1 Blus by other companies.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Korea is Region A, so that recommendation can go for everyone on the US, not just the region free people (as least where blu-ray is concerned).

Thanks for that info!!

[lordmorpheus72]

Happy New Year to everyone, hope you all have a wondeful, healthy year!!

As for my Criterion wishes, I'd like to see new, or updated releases of Mulholland Drive, Man Who Fell to Earth, The Kid, My Own Private Idaho, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Bicycle Thieves, and if they could swing it somehow, The Fisher King. I know some one said something about this before, but I can't remember what was said about that chance of it happening.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Cruise is not a great actor so he tries to make up for it with effort. Sometimes it works (Minority Report) and sometimes it does not (War of the Worlds).

Apparently he's decided to avoid taking risks and stick with the tried-and-true: his next three films are going to be Mission: Impossible 5, Top Gun II, and Jack Reacher II. I suppose he's just following the Sylvester Stallone Playbook since Sly has been announced for a new Rambo, a new Rocky, and The Expendables 5.

What do any of these have to do with the Criterion Collection? Nothing. And I predict they never will.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by drat

How many of Bunuel's films do they still have the rights to? That Obscure Object of Desire and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie have already been released on Region 1 Blus by other companies.

Viridiana, Simon of the Desert, The Exterminating Angel.. there might be more. that's off the top of my head.

Diary of a Chambermaid, I think, is OOP

[CPinheiro]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Holy Hera, I just watched The Thin Red Line which arrived today.

A friend of mine just gave me this beautiful film today! And coincidentally early this morning I was watching Days of Heaven...what a nice way to end my year. Hope we have more Malick in the collection for 2015.

Oh as for my wishes, some more Wenders and hopefully Polanski's The Tenant.