The Criterion Collection

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by octagon

I would (and possibly did, I cant recall whether I actually watched it or not)watch something like that only after seeing the film simply because I wouldn't want somebody else's thoughts on the film - no matter how insightful or brilliant - ratting around in my head while I was trying to watch the film. And having the film to reference often makes clicking with the introduction a lot easier too.

And speaking of extras - and Id better talk fast, the ambien seems pretty perky this morning - I just finished F for Fake and the Tom Snyder/Orson Welles interview might have just passed the discussion of Duke Ellington's score on the Anatomy of a Murder disc as my favorite supplement.

Snyder sucks up a little but not too much and he badgers and bullies but again, not too much. It's an interesting dynamic and Welles says some really interesting things about interesting things.

The 45 minutes felt like fifteen.

It's well worth a look.

The entire package of F For Fake caused me to become a much bigger fan of Orson Welles and spurred on many additional purchases of books and movies with and/or about him.

[Roninblues]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

My copy looks like it got hit by a mack truck because i've worn it out.

... or had it shipped by B&N.

[soarinsteven]

Watched a couple of movies on Hulu for the first time yesterday.

The Vanishing. I admit I thought this a bit of a slog to get through. The actor who played Rex, the man searching for his inexplicably missing girlfriend, could not be more bland in the role. But THAT ENDING. The last 20 mins or so when things start coming together were very compelling, and it ends in such a genuinely terrifying way that made me appreciate how quiet, cryptic, and unassuming the rest of the film was.

Diabolique. This had me from the start. Incredibly effective suspense film even 60 years after its release, and had me guessing till the very end. Again, THAT ENDING. The inky black cinematography, the eerie sense of dread, the performances, and that jaw-dropping reveal made for an unforgettable finish.

Also, watched my copy of Nashville last weekend which I saw was talked about a few pages ago. I love the sweep of the film, and range of characters. It's humor, sadness, cynicism, resilience of its characters, and the unease of the political climate is still so palatable. Watched the documentary on the disc as well. Great watch, and made me miss the talent of Robert Altman all over again. Truly one of a kind.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is ………. and I’ve watched it approximately ….. times.

I could never choose a favorite release. I couldn't even make a top 10. But as far as most watched it would be:

Videodrome = 6
Rosemary's Baby = 6
Naked Lunch = 5
Seven Samurai = 5
Rashomon = 5

There is a very clear reason for these being my most watched. When I first started seriously getting into film there came a moment in which I realized the practicality of seeking out movies based on director. The first director whose movies I sought out (based on his connection to them) was Cronenberg. The second: Kurosawa. As for Rosemary's Baby, I just tend to watch it around Halloween.

[Scottie]

How does Every Man for Himself compare to the other Godard films on Blu?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by octagon

I would (and possibly did, I cant recall whether I actually watched it or not)watch something like that only after seeing the film simply because I wouldn't want somebody else's thoughts on the film - no matter how insightful or brilliant - ratting around in my head while I was trying to watch the film. And having the film to reference often makes clicking with the introduction a lot easier too.

I agree. I'd rather start collecting my own thoughts on a film before seeing what someone else (even if it's the director) has to say about it.

[lordmorpheus72]

So back after a week of horrible internet service at home and super stressful and full week in the office.... looking to relax and talk movies again with everyone. What'd I miss?

Haven't watched any Criterion releases in the last week or so, but did see American Sniper and The Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies.

[TJS_Blu]

Restoration news for 3 films by Criterion Collection Director Kon Ichikawa:

Japanese director Kon Ichikawa (1915–2008) made more than 80 films over the course of his lengthy career, the last of which in 2006 at the age of 90. He never achieved widespread popularity outside Japan, mainly due to the fact that his cinematic oeuvre was pretty much impossible to categorise. Personal projects alternated with contract work of all different genres, with Ichikawa himself dividing his films into “light” and “dark”. What makes him truly unique is the ironic view he takes of Japanese post-war society. Tormented characters are frequently at the heart of his films and are increasingly driven to take extreme action. The Forum is showing recently restored prints of three of Kon Ichikawa’s films from the late 50s to the early 60s. Enjo (Conflagration, 1958), which is based on a novel by Yukio Mishima, tells of how a novice at a Kyoto monastery despairs at the priests’ double standards. Ototo (Her Brother, 1960) makes sophisticated use of colour to give dramatic shape to this portrait of a young woman at risk of being crushed by her dysfunctional family. Commonly regarded as a classic, Yukinojo henge (An Actor's Revenge, 1963) is a revenge drama set in the Kabuki milieu in which Ichikawa plays around with illusion and reality, weaving them together into a delirious widescreen work full of vivid colours.

Press Release from 65th Berlinale Forum

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I rarely watch introductions before watching a film for the first time because they frequently have spoilers I'd have rather not seen prior to my first viewing. I've never seen Rules of The Game before, would you recommend actually watching this prior to an initial viewing?

I actually watch the introduction immediately after watching the movie for the first time so I don't spoil the movie and am not skewed to pay attention to one scene or the other. Also, I have it fresh in my mind so can recall what scenes or characters are referenced.

[mande2013]

I may be late to the party here, but is the replacement disc for the "bronzed" Pierrot Le Fou ULTRA copy protected or something? Because AnyDVD won't read it but will read every other Criterion blu I have. It's no biggie, since my laptop is set to region A anyway and reads the disc just fine without needing to resort to AnyDVD, but the program won't process it, and ImgBurn gives me a message saying the disc is copy protected, but it burns other Criterion blus just fine. Just curious.

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I could never choose a favorite release. I couldn't even make a top 10. But as far as most watched it would be:

Videodrome = 6
Rosemary's Baby = 6
Naked Lunch = 5
Seven Samurai = 5
Rashomon = 5

There is a very clear reason for these being my most watched. When I first started seriously getting into film there came a moment in which I realized the practicality of seeking out movies based on director. The first director whose movies I sought out (based on his connection to them) was Cronenberg. The second: Kurosawa. As for Rosemary's Baby, I just tend to watch it around Halloween.

Have you seen Cronos? Anyone seen it?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Josh B

Have you seen Cronos? Anyone seen it?

Its ok... I prefer The Devils Backbone.

It's one of the only blind buys I was really disappointed with, I do need to give it a re watch though.

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Its ok... I prefer The Devils Backbone.

Haven't seen that, I looked it up and it has really good reviews.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Page14

I watched Solaris for the first time a few days ago, and am currently working my way through the supplements. The film really threw me for a loop. I watched it a second time yesterday with the audio commentary turned on. IMO, the commentary is on the dry side, but it helped me understand parts of the film (and story) that I doubt I would have ever picked up on my own. I have a feeling this is a film that I may never totally understand as well as I'd like to, no matter how many times I watch it ... but a film that I might get more out of each time I see it.

I was considering blind buying 'Solaris', but didn't know much about it outside of the plot, and that it's directed by Tarkovsky. I enjoy deciphering enigmatic movies, so you've sold me on it.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Josh B

Have you seen Cronos? Anyone seen it?

I liked it a lot. It's an interesting variation on vampire mythology and very much in keeping with GDT's 'people are the real monsters' philosophy.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I was considering blind buying 'Solaris', but didn't know much about it outside of the plot, and that it's directed by Tarkovsky. I enjoy deciphering enigmatic movies, so you've sold me on it.

It's one of the greatest movies of all time, in my opinion. I can't decide which film I enjoy more - 2001 or Solaris.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It's one of the greatest movies of all time, in my opinion. I can't decide which film I enjoy more - 2001 or Solaris.

What did you think to Soderbergh's version?

I personally loved it, it did feel a little 'hollywood' (especially when compared to the previous film!) but it had such a great atmosphere to it and felt so mysterious and it has a stunning soundtrack. I haven't read the novel, but I heard the author hated both versions *shrugs*

"Solaris" Soundtrack - First Sleep by Cliff Martinez - YouTube

Tarkovsky's is obviously superior for me, in every way. Hell, it even has Bach! but I do enjoy the other version. .

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

What did you think to Soderbergh's version?

I personally loved it, it did feel a little 'hollywood' (especially when compared to the previous film!) but it had such a great atmosphere to it and felt so mysterious and it has a stunning soundtrack. I haven't read the novel, but I heard the author hated both versions *shrugs*

Tarkovsky's is obviously superior for me, in every way. Hell, it even has Bach! but I do enjoy the other version. .

I haven't seen it, nor am I inclined to see it, but I have heard that it explains the story more directly compared to Tarkovsky's version.

[mande2013]

I already posted about this, but I was wondering, is the replacement disc for the "bronzed" Pierrot Le Fou blu-ray ULTRA copy protected or something? Because AnyDVD won't read it but will read every other Criterion blu I have. It's no biggie, since my laptop is set to region A anyway and reads the disc just fine without needing to resort to AnyDVD, but the program won't process it, and ImgBurn gives me a message saying the disc is copy protected, but it burns other Criterion blus just fine. Just curious.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I haven't seen it, nor am I inclined to see it, but I have heard that it explains the story more directly compared to Tarkovsky's version.

A lot of folks around here w/ good taste will attest to the merits of the Solaris remake. No, it isn't any kind of unappreciated masterpiece, but like Polaroid said, it is atmospheric and a pretty good watch. I only saw it once in the theater when it came out. I'd like to see it again and I'd probably buy a blu-ray release of it.