The Criterion Collection

[joie]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

Has there been any word on when we can expect the special edition of Blue is the Warmest Color yet?

December had fewer releases than usual. Maybe it was planned for December, but they hit a snag.

[DaveyJoe]

I watched Anti Christ and decided that Lars Von Trier just isn't for me.

[jlk5844]

Since someone in this thread mentioned it was on Netflix, I decided to revisit The Thin Blue Line (having seen it for the first time in fall 2012 as part of a film class). I had forgotten about the unconventional omission of narration and names of the interview subjects in text (I can understand why Morris didn't include that but at the same time it would've been helpful). I'll get this out of the way: the Philip Glass score is incredible. It's moody and dramatic, even a little intrusive some might say, and it adds to the more cinematic style that Morris gave this documentary. That cinematic style includes a series of noir-like, artistic re-enactments of the central crime in question, the murder of a police officer, which I thought were simply cool and helpful visually if at times a little silly or superfluous. The last note of the movie involving a tape recorder, the way it's shot and edited and executed, and with the revealing dialogue, is brilliant. It works as a great conclusion to a crime drama fiction film as well as a non-fiction one.

The film, however, is interesting as opposed to fascinating, important more so than entertaining. It's also just a tad hard to follow at first in the way it's structured, but it's easier if you read a brief synopsis beforehand, you can still pick up on all of the core details though. The story itself just didn't completely grip or captivate me. Though you will shake your head in aversion at some of the interview subjects who show no remorse in putting an innocent man on death row (a sentence that reads rather harsh considering Randall Adams' clean record). It's well-made and should be seen by film buffs, but I wonder if its significance in freeing an innocent man in the real world has overshadowed the quality of the film somewhat. I'm not 100% sure I want to own it, but I do very much like some aspects of it.

Out of a possible five, I'll grant it

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Since someone in this thread mentioned it was on Netflix, I decided to revisit The Thin Blue Line (having seen it for the first time in fall 2012 as part of a film class). I had forgotten about the unconventional omission of narration and names of the interview subjects in text (I can understand why Morris didn't include that but at the same time it would've been helpful). I'll get this out of the way: the Philip Glass score is incredible. It's moody and dramatic, even a little intrusive some might say, and it adds to the more cinematic style that Morris gave this documentary. That cinematic style includes a series of noir-like, artistic re-enactments of the central crime in question, the murder of a police officer, which I thought were simply cool and helpful visually if at times a little silly or superfluous. The last note of the movie involving a tape recorder, the way it's shot and edited and executed, and with the revealing dialogue, is brilliant. It works as a great conclusion to a crime drama fiction film as well as a non-fiction one.

The film, however, is interesting as opposed to fascinating, important more so than entertaining. It's also just a tad hard to follow at first in the way it's structured, but it's easier if you read a brief synopsis beforehand, you can still pick up on all of the core details though. The story itself just didn't completely grip or captivate me. Though you will shake your head in aversion at some of the interview subjects who show no remorse in putting an innocent man on death row (a sentence that reads rather harsh considering Randall Adams' clean record). It's well-made and should be seen by film buffs, but I wonder if its significance in freeing an innocent man in the real world has overshadowed the quality of the film somewhat. I'm not 100% sure I want to own it, but I do very much like some aspects of it.

Out of a possible five, I'll grant it

Yeah was me :P I didn't know anything about the film, I thought it was the TV comedy with Rowan Atkinson!

I blind bought A Brief History of Time and fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, everything was perfect (the score was a surprise and I was so happy!)

When I started to stream The Thin Blue Line I had no idea it was same director but I could tell right away it was him! Its such an incredible documentary and I love how he does the reenactments and presents evidence to us on screen, its so visual and the score backs everything up so well.

I am definitely buying and then I realised we have two more of his documentaries being added to collection, so will be buying those!

I wish we had more documentaries like this! I would def recommend any of his stuff I have seen so far !

Criterion has introduced me to so many incredible Documentrys, Grey Gardens in particular! I can't wait to pick up Les Blanks set!

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

I just hit stop on the disc, I plan on leaving it in and forcing myself to watch the rest before I can watch anything else. I just might put off doing that for a while.

I know the movie looks how it's supposed to and the disc's picture quality is nearly flawless, I just hate the visual style of it.

I never watch extras before I finish the movie, so maybe afterwards!

You're supposed to think it's hideous, though - that's the idea of it. Therefore it looks great.

[Spanish Scott]

Not to continue dragging this thing on, so some last thoughts this topic:

The thing that attracted me to this thread is that everyone is very educated about films and/or very passionate about them. The fact that conversations branch off into other movies or music is just illustrative of that love or a kind of exhaustive knowledge of movies. Like how Pro B will come in here from time to time and drop all kinds of recommendations related to new Criterion releases. Strict enforcement of the topic here would basically snuff out a lot of the value this thread provides.

I mean, the Marvel discussion dove tailed into convos about Judex (which I really enjoyed and would love to see more talk about on here) that introduced some users to Judex, and other Criterion films too. Most of the off topic posts I see here usually boomerang back to Criterion in one way or another.

If people want more "on-topic" discussions, well that's a two way street. Everyone is perfectly capable and free of trying to begin a discussion on Criterion films here. If they're not seeing enough of it, they can initiate it.

Oildude was nobly posting a lot of very interesting stuff about Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence while there was a lot of bickering going down. The kind of analysis and observation I enjoy about this thread. I find it a little ironic that all the posters complaining about the "off-topic" stuff here completely ignored OilDude's excellent posting in order to keep an off topic discussion going.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

I watched Anti Christ and decided that Lars Von Trier just isn't for me.

I am thankful that I didn't watch that film first, as I may have reached the same conclusion. It's the one title by LVT I can't bring myself to add to my collection even though it has some interesting things to say ahead of the final few acts of the film.

[depooter]

Do we know for sure if some of the digipacks are being re-released in standard clear criterion cases? I'm interested in Dazed and Confused and Fantastic Mr. Fox...thanks

[Polaroid]

Antichrist isn't as shocking as it's made out to be tbh, I think Breaking the Waves is worse because of the realism. Antichrist has a dark faory tale feeling to it which for me makes it less shocking and disturbing.

[ravenus]

Today evening I had the pleasure of watching In The Mood for Love with a friend at a cinema screening (I have the blu-ray, but to see it in an actual movie theater!). It was a lovely experience in a cozy arthouse movie hall. We sipped green tea and ate momos while watching the film, which dovetailed with the scene of Tony and Maggie at the restaurant

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by depooter

Do we know for sure if some of the digipacks are being re-released in standard clear criterion cases? I'm interested in Dazed and Confused and Fantastic Mr. Fox...thanks

Dazed and Confused probs won't be, as it was not a blu/DVD combo. Fox I'm suprised hasen't shown up yet.

The only ones to be released in plastic cases AFAIK are Foreign Corrispondent and Tess.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Today evening I had the pleasure of watching In The Mood for Love with a friend at a cinema screening (I have the blu-ray, but to see it in an actual movie theater!). It was a lovely experience in a cozy arthouse movie hall. We sipped green tea and ate momos while watching the film, which dovetailed with the scene of Tony and Maggie at the restaurant

I'd love to see In the Mood for Love on the big screen at a theatrical showing, although, like you, I already own the Blu-ray. The use of colors in the movie is phenomenal, and I'm sure that it would come across so well in a theater.

Some movies, especially the big colorful ones, are really worth seeing as intended on a big screen, as I was reminded when I saw theatrical screenings of Vertigo and Rear Window about five months ago.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Antichrist has a dark faory tale feeling to it which for me makes it less shocking and disturbing.

Well, the scenes I have in mind aren't so much "shocking and disturbing"... more like they require a stomach of steel (and possibly a puking bucket) without regard to context. LOL

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Well, the scenes I have in mind aren't so much "shocking and disturbing"... more like they require a stomach of steel (and possibly a puking bucket) without regard to context. LOL

I love the making off where they show the prosthetics and the guys are like we lived paying attention to that scene as we are making sure we made no mistakes lol

I just see it as prosthetics so doesn't reallllly bother me but I get it can for others lol

Also I don't find intro shocking but I know q lot of parents are shocked because they can relate with having a child lol

[The Great Owl]

I've only seen Melancholia, and, while I enjoyed the priceless table conversation scene between John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling, I still left with the impression that Lars von Trier is not in my cinematic bag of tricks.

My viewing of Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom on YouTube a few months ago cured my need to check out extreme movies, so I don't feel so bad about chickening out on Antichrist.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've only seen Melancholia, and, while I enjoyed the priceless table conversation scene between John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling, I still left with the impression that Lars von Trier is not in my cinematic bag of tricks.

My viewing of Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom on YouTube a few months ago cured my need to check out extreme movies, so I don't feel so bad about chickening out on Antichrist.

Sweet Movie is worse than Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom - You rarely see anyone discuss that film, which is made for pure shock value haha, its hilarious

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Sweet Movie is worse than Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom - You rarely see anyone discuss that film, which is made for pure shock value haha, its hilarious

[mdawg1972]

Has anybody ever contacted Mulvaney @ Criterion or someone else @ Criterion to see if they are planning a flash sale? Just curious if they give a response because I am overwhelmed with disappointment we did not get a Feb sale.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by mdawg1972

Has anybody ever contacted Mulvaney @ Criterion or someone else @ Criterion to see if they are planning a flash sale? Just curious if they give a response because I am overwhelmed with disappointment we did not get a Feb sale.

I'm disappointed too, since I buy very few Criterions compared to most people here and usually use the Flash Sale to my full advantage, as it gives me points towards that $50 gift certificate. But oh well. I suppose I'll have to wait until the Barnes & Noble sale in July and deal with all their bullshit (it's so much easier just ordering from Criterion).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Right on to all of this. Threads about recent movies are just dire if you want to talk about the movie. Big Hero 6 in particular is mindboggling, there are hundreds and hundreds of posts about lenticular slipcovers and buying 4 copies of it from different countries etc and maybe 5% of the posts (if that) even mention the movie, and they instantly get buried by the slipcover discussion.

And yeah, my impression of this board often is that you have a lot of OCD collector types that have to have everything in its right place or they freak out, and they apply the same principle to thread content. WHAT?! A POST THAT ISN'T EXACTLY ON SUBJECT?! *brain short circuits*

For the on-topic section of my post, I started to watch Breaking the Waves last night and was overcome with violent hatred for it. I only made it an hour in. The entire look of it was absolutely sickening (everything's a hideous brassy color and the camera is constantly shifting around like an Office episode, and worst of all it's bookended by these chapter screens where they blare wildly inappropriate rock music) and watching the pieces start to come into alignment was unbearable since I liked Emily Watson too much.

I was watching it immediately after "Happy-Go-Lucky," which is one of my favorite movies ever and is like the absolute polar opposite in style, so that was probably a mistake. But yeah, I'm dreading trying to get through the next hour and a half of the movie, having read Ebert's review and thus knowing most of what's going to happen.

EDIT: And I DID make it through Antichrist no problem, so I am not just a Von Trier wimp!

Breaking the Waves is a very dark film. But I consider it Lars Von Trier's finest film as well. I think if you can survive watching the rest of the film, try and revisit it within the next year like I did and you will see just how you'll appreciate it even more. It's an absolutely "beautifully horrifying" film and that is the best way I can describe it. It's as tragic and dark as any film I've seen in my life. Von Trier is one of the darkest filmmakers in general but unlike some of his later work, the story here works so well because of the editing and casting.

You might be right about people having OCD as well where just about every page must have relevant posts related to Criterion. Like I've said before and I'll say it again, this thread is not insecure enough to derail anytime soon. It will always get back on track and continue rolling ahead with Criterion Collection Discussion. No worries.