The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

What made Mystery Train a day-1 blind buy for you?

I expect I'll be rewatching my Blu-ray of it quite a bit as well!

Deadpan.


I tend the watch the film every June. For me it's a summer movie.

[IanSchultz23]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

Ran is an adaptation by Kurosawa of Shakespeare's King Lear. The Criterion DVD is out-of-print, but there is a blu release by Studio Canal out there. Ran is probably my favorite Kurosawa film as of today. Although, I still haven't seen the films in the Postwar Kurosawa Eclipse set yet.

Random thought:
Criterion has released an animated film for February for the past two years. So, in my dreams they will announce the release of The Iron Giant on November the 16th(the 15th is a Sunday) of this year. Maybe they can pry it out of Warner Bros. hands. It is hard to believe that this film hasn't been released on blu yet.

Ian McKellen's Richard the III and Throne of blood are great Shakespeare adaptations

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by IanSchultz23

Ian McKellen's Richard the III and Throne of blood are great Shakespeare adaptations

Throne of Blood is a great take on Macbeth. I haven't seen any version of Richard the III yet, but I have only seen positive reviews for the Olivier and McKellen versions. I think Olivier's Richard the III is on Criterion's Hulu plus page right now, so I will try to watch that later this week. I may be able to catch the McKellen one on Netflix.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've been trying to familiarize myself with the works of Shakespeare lately by watching film adaptations of the plays. So far, I've watched Olivier's 'Richard III', Polanski and Welles' productions of 'Macbeth', and I plan on watching Mankiewicz's 'Julius Caesar' and Kurosawa's 'Throne of Blood' this weekend. Can you guys recommend any favorite adaptions of yours for me to watch next?

I've always been partial to Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. I'd avoid Titus at all costs.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by oildude

I would recommend a good set of headphones if you are watching late at night alone and don't want to disturb neighbors or sleeping family members. I bought a pair last year and it has made all the difference in my enjoyment of movie watching in the wee hours.

Originally Posted by octagon

Yeah, I have a pair of Sennheisers I really like. They (understandably enough) don't anchor sound to the screen very well but I couldn't have muscled through the Cassavetes or BBS sets without them.

I can relate. I listen to most of my movies/films through a set of headphones (also Sennheisers ... model #555 and a still to be tested out #598 pair). I don't know much about good headphones, but I've been happy with what I have. I bought them based mostly on user comments in places like Amazon.com combined with sales going on at the time I was looking.

To add something Criterion related to this post, I went to a free showing of Roman Polanski's Knife in the Water last night. I had never seen it before and knew little of the story ahead of time. I liked it. Fairly simple set (mostly taking place in one setting). The presentation could have been better though, as it was vertically distorted (stretched, skinny people).

[spargs]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've been trying to familiarize myself with the works of Shakespeare lately by watching film adaptations of the plays. So far, I've watched Olivier's 'Richard III', Polanski and Welles' productions of 'Macbeth', and I plan on watching Mankiewicz's 'Julius Caesar' and Kurosawa's 'Throne of Blood' this weekend. Can you guys recommend any favorite adaptions of yours for me to watch next?

Add my voice to those recommending Kurosawa's Ran, his adaptation of King Lear. One of my favorite films.

Also check out both Olivier and Branagh's versions of Henry V... both are great films. Olivier's is on Criterion DVD (spine #41, long overdue for an upgrade to Blu), and Branagh's was just released on Blu last month by Shout.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I find that statement amusing. Western novels have been really, really big in the UK. Some of the most prolific writers of Western novel series of the last few decades have been Brits.

I am failing to understand what part of what I wrote you find amusing. What you say may be true, but it does nothing to discredit what I wrote.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've been trying to familiarize myself with the works of Shakespeare lately by watching film adaptations of the plays. So far, I've watched Olivier's 'Richard III', Polanski and Welles' productions of 'Macbeth', and I plan on watching Mankiewicz's 'Julius Caesar' and Kurosawa's 'Throne of Blood' this weekend. Can you guys recommend any favorite adaptions of yours for me to watch next?

I am very much looking forward to next month's release of Kiss Me Kate, a fun film to watch if you're looking to "brush up on your Shakespeare." In addsition to the Liz and Dick version of The Taming of the Shrew, there's also a fun BBC version with Monty Python's John Cleese, of all people. TTotS is one of my favorite Shakespeares, a very unPC battle of the sexes, an early harbinger of the romantic comedy genre, although these days the women usually win.

The 1935 version of A Midsummer Night's Dream has been mentioned, but check out a film it influenced, Smiles of a Summer's Night, and the film SoaSN influenced, Woody Allen's A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.

Finally, Olivier. Hamlet. Nuff said.

[tisdivine]

I am so ready for this flash sale. I already have six blus picked out and possibily the new Fellini if the timing of the sale allows it.

Tokyo Story
Insignificance (last Roeg blu I need)
Kagemusha (last Kurosawa blu I need)
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (last Fassbinder blu I need)
The Great Beauty

And either

Marketa Lazarova
Or
Sansho The Bailiff

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Wait, Y Tu Mama Tambien is one of your favorite films of all-time but you haven't picked up the Blu-ray yet? Why not? Budget hasn't allowed it?

Maybe throw the Blu-ray of Mystery Train into your cart for the upcoming Criterion flash sale?

What are some foreign films from the 80s that you've been enjoying lately?

For buying, I tend to prioritize movies that I have never seen over movies I have or even love. I’ve seen Y Tu Mama several times over the years. It will reach the top of my buy list when the desire to revisit it gets really strong. That seems to be happening right about now, so I’ll pick it up soon.

I should have probably said that “Criterion has enhanced my appreciation for the 80’s” as I just looked at my lists and for foreign film could only find Au Revoir les Enfants which I found to be a complete knockout. Other great film from the decade that I’ve just seen in the last year or so are Paris, Texas, Thief, and the Jarmusch stuff is really worthwhile, too. Still, IMO, not a great decade for film. My favorite decade was the 40’s followed by the 70’s.

@oildude – I’ll keep my eye out for the films you mentioned. I’ve only heard of/seen one of them – Witness. It is a good film, but the soundtrack in that film is part of what I don’t like about that decade. Those synth scores that were very popular at the time sound more dated to me than bell bottoms, disco, and anything and everything from even the 40’s and 50’s.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

I am so ready for this flash sale. I already have six blus picked out and possibily the new Fellini if the timing of the sale allows it.

Tokyo Story
Insignificance (last Roeg blu I need)
Kagemusha (last Kurosawa blu I need)
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (last Fassbinder blu I need)
The Great Beauty

And either

Marketa Lazarova
Or
Sansho The Bailiff

That's a great list of purchases.

Is the smart money on Feb 24 for the flash sale?

[The Great Owl]

Hey everybody, I watched the Criterion Blu-ray of Jean Renoir's A Day in the Country last night.



The 1936 film, A Day in the Country, is oft-discussed for being an unfinished work by Jean Renoir, due to the fact that he had to leave the production for another commitment, but I personally found nothing lacking in this 41-minute feature, and it comes across as a complete story on its own terms. Astute fans of Renoir may be able to pick out the scenes that were helmed by assistant director Jacques Becker in Renoir's absence, but everything comes together quite well.

This film, which is based on a short story by Guy de Maupassant, is, on the surface, a simple tale about a brief afternoon love affair that happens when a Parisian shop owner takes his family for an outing in the countryside by the banks of the Seine. As the daughter, played by the unbelievably gorgeous Sylvia Bataille, and her mother are spotted and approached by two working class men who plan to seduce them, the narrative plays out in an oddly comical way that might remind contemporary viewers of the cheesy "pickup artist technique" videos on YouTube and elsewhere. Ultimately, though, the story achieves a surprisingly touching and resonant emotional conclusion.

Renoir's talent for visual storytelling and subtle body language cues is on full display here, and the joy of A Day in the Country can be found in observing how quickly the viewer understands the characters despite having only a short time to become acquainted with them. The use of camera angles and framing, especially during an early scene as the two potential suitors watch through a window while the daughter enjoys a swing and during an intimate sequence late the film, is remarkable filmmaking, pure and simple. Nature is a character in itself throughout the film, and the use of nature can be appreciated both as Renoir's tribute to his renowned painter father, and as a possible influence for later directors like Terrence Malick.

I am impressed by the fact that A Day in the Country does not seem "homeworky" in the slightest, and by how fast-paced the movie is even considering its abbreviated run time. The film works a lot of material into a short time, even managing to familiarize us with the tensions between the wealthy and the lower class, in a seemingly effortless way, and there is an intuitive ease to the way that the story travels from light comedy to a melancholic "all that could have been" ending. I read the Maupassant story online after watching the film, but I prefer how the movie conveys everything that we need to know by the use of visual markers.

The idea of paying full price for a Criterion Blu-ray of a 41-minute movie is a tough sell, of course, but I have no trouble recommending the disc, especially to those who are interested seeing Renoir's directing in action during the feature-length supplement, Un Tournage a la Champagne, a collection of outtakes from the film's production. Renoir historian Christopher Faulkner also provides a thorough and entertaining guide to the film and its place in the director's history in the supplement, The Road to A Day in the Country. The 2K restoration of A Day in the Country looks incredible on this Blu-ray and the audio quality is spot-on.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

For buying, I tend to prioritize movies that I have never seen over movies I have or even love. I’ve seen Y Tu Mama several times over the years. It will reach the top of my buy list when the desire to revisit it gets really strong. That seems to be happening right about now, so I’ll pick it up soon.

I should have probably said that “Criterion has enhanced my appreciation for the 80’s” as I just looked at my lists and for foreign film could only find Au Revoir les Enfants which I found to be a complete knockout. Other great film from the decade that I’ve just seen in the last year or so are Paris, Texas, Thief, and the Jarmusch stuff is really worthwhile, too. Still, IMO, not a great decade for film. My favorite decade was the 40’s followed by the 70’s.

Paris, Texas is so good. Definitely one I would recommend looking into as well.

@oildude – I’ll keep my eye out for the films you mentioned. I’ve only heard of/seen one of them – Witness. It is a good film, but the soundtrack in that film is part of what I don’t like about that decade. Those synth scores that were very popular at the time sound more dated to me than bell bottoms, disco, and anything and everything from even the 40’s and 50’s.

There are many synth scores from the '70s and '80s that I love, but far from all of them. The Terminator for example is one where, whenever I watch it, it's like "ouch, this just doesn't sound very good". But on the other hand, films like A Clockwork Orange, Halloween I-III, Apocalypse Now, Blade Runner and Escape from New York have some great synth scores. And not to forget Eduard Artemyev's fantastic work on the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, also very synth-heavy.

I'd say that, just like with any other type of score, whether it's the typical symphonic score or one that leans towards any other genre of music, there are some very good ones and there are some very bad ones. I don't think the synthesizer is inferior or any less valid an instrument than anything else.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

StudioCanal has the rights, they released Obscure Object of Desire but looks like they don't plan on releasing any other of his films soon, i think there is a Canadian release similar to the UK one.

I wouldn't like to wait for it, but if StudioCanal really doesn't have any interest in releasing those titles there is still hope that some day in the future Criterion could get them back.

It's not a question of whether StudioCanal has any interest in releasing them. The question is whether Lionsgate, who has the US rights to the StudioCanal Collection, is interested in releasing them. And the answer to that seems to be "no".

[belcherman]

Just read the news that Eureka is bringing out Pickup on South Street on blu ray. Sure would be nice to see a Criterion upgrade. Hint, hint.

edit: Love the cover art. I know Criterion would never do anything like this, but still...

[Show spoiler]

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

That's a great list of purchases.

Is the smart money on Feb 24 for the flash sale?

It would fit the pattern but I feel like it would actually detract from their usual barrage of publicity/advertising on their new releases that they like to do on Tuesdays. I'm inclined to think it'll be either today, next Wednesday or next Thursday. It was on a Thursday in October last flash sale. But it is imminent in any case.

[joie]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've been trying to familiarize myself with the works of Shakespeare lately by watching film adaptations of the plays. So far, I've watched Olivier's 'Richard III', Polanski and Welles' productions of 'Macbeth', and I plan on watching Mankiewicz's 'Julius Caesar' and Kurosawa's 'Throne of Blood' this weekend. Can you guys recommend any favorite adaptions of yours for me to watch next?

"Coriolanus."

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've been trying to familiarize myself with the works of Shakespeare lately by watching film adaptations of the plays. So far, I've watched Olivier's 'Richard III', Polanski and Welles' productions of 'Macbeth', and I plan on watching Mankiewicz's 'Julius Caesar' and Kurosawa's 'Throne of Blood' this weekend. Can you guys recommend any favorite adaptions of yours for me to watch next?

Richard Loncraine's Richard III
Kenneth Branagh's Henry V
Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet
Franco Zefferelli's Hamlet (yes, seriously, the one with Mel Gibson)
Franco Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet
Oliver Parker's Othello (with Laurence Fishburne)
Orson Welles's Othello
Akira Kurosawa's Ran

That should get you started. Not all of them are available on Blu-ray.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Paris, Texas is so good. Definitely one I would recommend looking into as well.



There are many synth scores from the '70s and '80s that I love, but far from all of them. The Terminator for example is one where, whenever I watch it, it's like "ouch, this just doesn't sound very good". But on the other hand, films like A Clockwork Orange, Halloween I-III, Apocalypse Now, Blade Runner and Escape from New York have some great synth scores. And not to forget Eduard Artemyev's fantastic work on the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, also very synth-heavy.

I'd say that, just like with any other type of score, whether it's the typical symphonic score or one that leans towards any other genre of music, there are some very good ones and there are some very bad ones. I don't think the synthesizer is inferior or any less valid an instrument than anything else.

I love the synthesizer and electronic music in general. The scores you mention are great. Maybe I shouldn't have singled out the synth. Many 80's scores have not aged well, though, IMO. synth or otherwise.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

I am so ready for this flash sale. I already have six blus picked out and possibily the new Fellini if the timing of the sale allows it.

Tokyo Story
Insignificance (last Roeg blu I need)
Kagemusha (last Kurosawa blu I need)
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (last Fassbinder blu I need)
The Great Beauty

And either

Marketa Lazarova
Or
Sansho The Bailiff

Marketa Lazarova
Marketa Lazarova
Marketa Lazarova
Marketa Lazarova
Marketa Lazarova
Marketa Lazarova