The Criterion Collection

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Criterion don't ship internationally, so them not having a sale isn't hurting me, meanwhile Masters of Cinema keeps having Flash Friday sales! Managed to get a few really cheap Blu Rays of stuff Criterion hasn't released at this point:

Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler
Das Testament Des Dr Mabuse
The Lost Weekend
A Time To Love And A Time To Die
City of Women

And, even though Criterion have released it, I went with their version of

La Notte

I really need to go region-free. I've been waiting for Criterion blus of Lang's 'Dr. Mabuse' films. If you could, please let me know how the MoC releases look; I may end up picking up a region-free player with my tax return.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I really need to go region-free. I've been waiting for Criterion blus of Lang's 'Dr. Mabuse' films. If you could, please let me know how the MoC releases look; I may end up picking up a region-free player with my tax return.

I'm lucky because it's much cheaper to go region free here in Australia (from what I've read) than it is in the us. I have a less-than-$90 blu ray player that plays all regions. Super happy with it.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

Is 'The Music Room' a good introduction to Ray? I found a used copy today but held off because I don't know enough about it.

The Music Room was my first Ray film. It is a magnificent movie, and a happy example of my initially negative preconceptions being knocked to the ground once I watched it. Knowing nothing about it, I first did a youtube search and what I found turned me off. There were three clips, all focused on the three performances that take place in the music room during the course of the film. I thought the singing on display in two of these performances was really awful. No way I was going to watch this, I thought.

But there was enough praise for the film in this thread three years ago that I decided to take a chance and blind bought it at a B&N sale. It is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Criterion Collection. Not only is the restoration a marvel to behold, the story is compelling and the acting superb. It is a tale of willful self-destruction and woe; about how a vain, proud Bengali zamindar (a land holding aristocrat) remains oblivious while his land - the source of his wealth - falls into decay from neglect. His income is shrinking and yet he "fiddles while Rome burns", spending as he pleases to keep up appearances. He maintains his haughty airs, especially toward an upstart commoner, a successful business man who has recently moved in next door. In the zamindar's world view, breeding and noble blood triumphs above all. The business man is not shy about using his new riches to celebrate in a princely style. The difference between them is that the commoner is more judicious about his wealth. He is a bit of an uncouth slob, but he is shrewd and works extremely hard. The reward is that the business man's wealth is growing and his world looks to the future, while the aristocrat's world is a relic of the past that is no longer sustainable.

There are many memorable scenes in this film. One of the most poignant makes the viewer realize that the uncultured and illiterate peasants and town dwellers do not value the new self-made status of the business man, who is closer to them in social origin, as much as they value the old traditions of homage to the princes. Ray's sure direction gives the audience a strong sense that this, too, must pass away for India to fulfill her destiny.

The black and white PQ is luminous, possibly one of the most astonishing restorations I have ever seen. The film score is outstanding. There are passages where the music adds a real emotional element to the visuals on the screen. As for the live performances held in the music room itself during the course of the film (the three scenes I saw in those gnarly looking youtube clips), my opinion is decidedly less generous. My views haven't changed toward the first two performances in the music room. The singing is still pretty dreadful to my ears, especially the second performer, the old man with the enormous beard, who at one point sounds like a cat being strangled. However, I find the third performance, that of the energetic kathar dancer, to be mesmerizing. Her dance alone is worth the price of admission.

It is a testament to the power and brilliance of this film that I can overlook a relatively small film element that I greatly dislike, to write glowing praises about what Ray created. The Music Room is a wonderful cinematic gift to the world.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by oildude

The Music Room was my first Ray film. It is a magnificent movie, and a happy example of my initially negative preconceptions being knocked to the ground once I watched it. Knowing nothing about it, I first did a youtube search and what I found turned me off. There were three clips, all focused on the three performances that take place in the music room during the course of the film. I thought the singing on display in two of these performances was really awful. No way I was going to watch this, I thought.

I almost completely agree on this, it was my first Ray too so i didn't know what to expect, after that i have really liked every other Ray film i have seen so i am impatiently waiting for the Apu Trilogy which i still haven't seen.

I am not sure what you thought about the music after seeing the film vs based on the clips, but i thought the musical numbers worked perfectly, i found the music kind of hypnotic in a way and this number specially was impregnated in my mind for a while, the dancing, the framing, just perfect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPTdqjAP8Ww

[oildude]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I am not sure what you thought about the music after seeing the film vs based on the clips, but i thought the musical numbers worked perfectly, i found the music kind of hypnotic in a way and this number specially was impregnated in my mind for a while, the dancing, the framing, just perfect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPTdqjAP8Ww

Umm...did you read my post? I mention exactly that at the end . And the clip you posted is the kathar dancer, who is a highlight of the film. The two singers, not so much. My opinion of course.

[ravenus]

^Indian classical vocal music is, like Opera I guess, an acquired taste. I will back the previously expressed opinions and say that The Music Room is a great film, one of my favorites by Ray. If you like that, you should also try the other Ray releases, they are also wonderful.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by oildude

Umm...did you read my post? I mention exactly that at the end . And the clip you posted is the kathar dancer, who is a highlight of the film. The two singers, not so much. My opinion of course.

Ahh sorry, that's what happens when i get an idea to before reading the whole post.

but yeah i just heard the other two songs since i didn't remembered them too well and while i understand the second one gets pretty weird at the end (but who knows maybe if you are smoking what they are in the film you could hear it's totally awesome ) i think they still do a pretty good job contributing to the atmosphere of the film.

My recommendation for first Ray film would go to The Big City, no weird music in that, although it has a great score composed by Ray himself too.

[myka22]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Criterion don't ship internationally, so them not having a sale isn't hurting me, meanwhile Masters of Cinema keeps having Flash Friday sales! Managed to get a few really cheap Blu Rays of stuff Criterion hasn't released at this point:

Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler
Das Testament Des Dr Mabuse
The Lost Weekend
A Time To Love And A Time To Die
City of Women

And, even though Criterion have released it, I went with their version of

La Notte

Nice, I also ordered a bunch of steelbooks from their sale. Shipping to the US was pretty high, but I wanted to support them as a company. They, along with Criterion, do some excellent work.

[monorail91]

Marathon day yesterday of 3 1/2 movies, including Safe and Cries and Whispers.

• Safe - I quite liked the first half of it, which was often uncomfortable, unsettling, and very sad. The dark electronic music also reminded me of Angelo Badalamenti's score for Mulholland Drive. The movie kinda lost me when
  [Show spoiler]she went to Wrenwood - made sense from a story perspective and I appreciated its critique (without being overly condescending) of self-help culture, or just the desperation of not being able to find a cure
  . From that on though, the movie just became rather dull and I was honestly relieved when it was over.
  Cries and Whispers - So far I kinda struggle to get through Bergman, with the strong exception of Persona. I liked the ideas in this and found the color choices rather striking, but it too wasn't as compelling as I wish it were. Almost reminded me too much of Persona and Autumn Sonata too much to enjoy it.

[saprano]

Anybody have their booklets damaged by the inside of the casing? There's 4 small things aligning the inside where disc is on the top and bottom. When you open and close the case i'm guessing is rubs against the book because a few of my Criterion's booklet have small rips on top and bottom. My Videodrome book has a few torn pages at the side edges too since, i'm guessing, there's also a plastic lining to the left of the disc holder. It seems the book slids towards it and when i open or close the case, or move it around, the pages touch it.

I hope you guys understand what i'm talking about. I don't have a pictures. PS4's game case is similar to Criterion's and what Sony does is have the game manual or whatever paper sit between to plastic boarders that act as a shelving. It would reduce the book size since i tried to put a booklet inside the PS4 case and it doesn't fit but i think it would work better imo.

EDIT-

It seems they realised this? I just checked my Theif Criterion case and it has two tiny ones at the bottom?

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by saprano

Anybody have their booklets damaged by the inside of the casing? There's 4 small things aligning the inside where disc is on the top and bottom. When you open and close the case i'm guessing is rubs against the book because a few of my Criterion's booklet have small rips on top and bottom. My Videodrome book has a few torn pages at the edges since, i'm guessing, there's also a plastic lining to the left of the disc holder. It seems the book slids towards it and when i open or close the case, or move it around, the pages touch it.

I hope you guys understand what i'm talking about. I don't have a pictures. PS4's game case is similar to Criterion's and what Sony does is have the game manual or whatever paper sit between to plastic boarders that act as a shelving.

I think I know what you mean--every so often I get one that's a bit scuffed or slightly damaged. Could have them replaced, probably, but it doesn't bug me that much much.

Maybe try turning the booklet around so the spine faces the center of the case? That way the little flanges don't catch the edges of the pages.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by saprano

Anybody have their booklets damaged by the inside of the casing? There's 4 small things aligning the inside where disc is on the top and bottom. When you open and close the case i'm guessing is rubs against the book because a few of my Criterion's booklet have small rips on top and bottom. My Videodrome book has a few torn pages at the side edges too since, i'm guessing, there's also a plastic lining to the left of the disc holder. It seems the book slids towards it and when i open or close the case, or move it around, the pages touch it.

I hope you guys understand what i'm talking about. I don't have a pictures. PS4's game case is similar to Criterion's and what Sony does is have the game manual or whatever paper sit between to plastic boarders that act as a shelving. It would reduce the book size since i tried to put a booklet inside the PS4 case and it doesn't fit but i think it would work better imo.

EDIT-

It seems they realised this? I just checked my Theif Criterion case and it has two tiny ones at the bottom?

Yes, I know exactly what you're talking about, and my feeling is that short of installing that shelf-like thing, you can't fight physics. It's not worth dropping $5 on every somewhat dog-eared Criterion insert you have.

[Bates_Motel]

Wim Wenders' 5-hour director's cut of Until the End of the World screened yesterday with a Janus logo at the beginning, so its inevitable release is getting closer.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by saprano

Anybody have their booklets damaged by the inside of the casing? There's 4 small things aligning the inside where disc is on the top and bottom. When you open and close the case i'm guessing is rubs against the book because a few of my Criterion's booklet have small rips on top and bottom. My Videodrome book has a few torn pages at the side edges too since, i'm guessing, there's also a plastic lining to the left of the disc holder. It seems the book slids towards it and when i open or close the case, or move it around, the pages touch it.

I hope you guys understand what i'm talking about. I don't have a pictures. PS4's game case is similar to Criterion's and what Sony does is have the game manual or whatever paper sit between to plastic boarders that act as a shelving. It would reduce the book size since i tried to put a booklet inside the PS4 case and it doesn't fit but i think it would work better imo.



EDIT-

It seems they realised this? I just checked my Theif Criterion case and it has two tiny ones at the bottom?

I mentioned this exact same thing many moons ago. I think it happens when the booklets are packed at the factory. I'm assuming it's an automated process and if it's packaged a little high or low you get those "bite marks" on the top or bottom of the booklets. I just make sure that when I get out a disc or the booklet to line it up correctly before closing it back up. That doesn't cure the ones that are damaged at the factory but it makes sure the ones I have aren't getting chewed up as well.

[BagheeraMcGee]

I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Criterion Blu-Ray of "The Last Emperor" is now selling for almost $60.00 on Amazon? I went to one of the Costcos near me earlier today and they still had a few for $19.95 so I grabbed one.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Criterion Blu-Ray of "The Last Emperor" is now selling for almost $60.00 on Amazon? I went to one of the Costcos near me earlier today and they still had a few for $19.95 so I grabbed one.

Well, from what I can see, Amazon itself isn't selling them, but are fulfilling orders from Marketplace sellers. Why they are charging that much is probably because they think they can get away with it. It's still in print, and available from Criterion themselves for 20% off the $39.95 MSRP.

The only other reason I can think of is that the Amazon Marketplace sellers who are offering it for that (or similar) price are confused, because $59.95 is the MSRP of Criterion's 4-disc DVD edition (it includes the extended TV cut, which isn't on the Blu-ray).

The weird thing is that the dealers offering it at this price have 100% (or close to it) ratings from buyers, so it's not likely that they're scammers.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Criterion Blu-Ray of "The Last Emperor" is now selling for almost $60.00 on Amazon? I went to one of the Costcos near me earlier today and they still had a few for $19.95 so I grabbed one.

That is weird criterion doesnt say its oop but eBay sellers have started selling for $75 as well. Have to keep watch. Not a movie I was in a hurry to get but might bump to the top of the list if its going to start selling for that kind of money

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by myka22

Nice, I also ordered a bunch of steelbooks from their sale. Shipping to the US was pretty high, but I wanted to support them as a company. They, along with Criterion, do some excellent work.

Strange. I've been ordering from them for quite some time, and the shipping is really reasonable. I ordered Too Late Blues, Silent Running, Pigs and Battleships, Metropolis (Steelbook), Intolerance, Diary of a Lost Girl, and Spione. Shipping came out to $3.71.

Maybe it's because you ordered multiple steels, and they ship them separately?

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by BagheeraMcGee

I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Criterion Blu-Ray of "The Last Emperor" is now selling for almost $60.00 on Amazon? I went to one of the Costcos near me earlier today and they still had a few for $19.95 so I grabbed one.

I believe it's because Criterion finally switched it over to the clear plastic case rather than the thin digipack it originally came in. It dropped out of print for a while, if I recall, which might explain the inflated prices.

Edit: Amazon may be in the process of re-listing it. Or, I don't know. The internet is weird. As mentioned, as long as Criterion's website lists it as in print, all is well.

[myka22]

Regarding The Last Emperor, for some reason Amazon has the list price set at $59.99, so all the third parties selling new copies are sticking around that price.

Prices don't always follow logic, most people just price it at what other people are selling it for. If someone else comes along they aren't going to price it thirty dollars less than the next copy.

Also sometimes used copies of an item will skyrocket just because the trend starts going that way, which doesn't actually mean that the item is really worth that much or that anyone is actually buying it at that price.