The Criterion Collection

[NoirFan]

Are there any Criterion 3-disc releases that are in regular-sized amarays as opposed to digipaks?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Exactly! People's sensibilities and judgements concerning sex and pretty much everything else have changed substantially over the past few decades, especially since the '60's. Most people are comfortable with reasonably sensible and sensitive and yes, tasteful, depictions of sex in film where there is some relevance to it's inclusion. But it's the salacious, smarmy, leering, exploitative, meant-to-shock treatments of the subject that draw adverse reactions. And sorry but Salo and it's ilk fit into the latter category no matter what aesthetic or intellectual gymnastics are employed to try to justify them.

And of course the compulsory, albeit needless, sex scene, added willy-nilly (no pun intended) for no apparent purpose is usually just boring and distracting. Same goes for strong language. Used properly in the proper context it's powerful and meaningful. Used inappropriately for effect it's just crass and reflects poorly on everyone associated with the production.

Americans' attitudes towards sex are still even today nowhere near as open-minded as most Europeans', for example.

As for strong language, are you a fan of how it's used in The Big Lebowski?

[YouGotMeFeelingBlu]

So was The Soft Skin delayed by a week? Site says it should be out today but other places say the 17th.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by YouGotMeFeelingBlu

So was The Soft Skin delayed by a week? Site says it should be out today but other places say the 17th.

Nope, it was released today but has sold out on Criterion's website due to the flash sale.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Are there any Criterion 3-disc releases that are in regular-sized amarays as opposed to digipaks?

L'Eclisse and All That Heaven Allows come in 3 disc Scanavo cases. They are a little thicker than the standard Criterion case. Not sure what other releases use them too

[yoyokid8]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Are there any Criterion 3-disc releases that are in regular-sized amarays as opposed to digipaks?

Samurai Trilogy, I think. This is three movies though.

[ajburke]

Lots of titles sold out on criterion.com. Just placed an order for Safe, Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind and All That Jazz.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

L'Eclisse and All That Heaven Allows come in 3 disc Scanavo cases. They are a little thicker than the standard Criterion case. Not sure what other releases use them too

All That Jazz
The Big Chill
Hearts and Minds
Judex
Love Streams

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by yoyokid8

Samurai Trilogy, I think. This is three movies though.

Samurai Trilogy is only 2 discs.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

So is Fellini Satyricon generally thought of as "going too far", like Scott asserted, or is it not in the same vein as films I have no desire to see, such as Salo, Antichrist, Nymphomaniac, etc.?

Oh, dear. You keep asking about Fellini Satyricon, and I keep biting my tongue, trying not to say anything. But the desire to interject my opinion is too strong.

I absolutely loathed, despised and hated Fellini Satyricon. I bought the MGM DVD release because I'd heard all these wonderful things about it. I found it to be a very long, very boring film which seemed to be about two young men in ancient Rome competing for the sexual attentions of a very young boy. There were a lot of subplots, but none of them made sense to me, and therefore I felt like the ordeal of watching it was torturous.

The movie didn't offend me at all. It simply irritated me. The set designs, art direction and cinematography were all beautiful, but I felt they were wasted on this film. Researching contemporary reviews of the film, I found a lot of critics who absolutely doted on it ... and an equal number who excoriated it. When I learned that Criterion was adding it to the collection, I thought, "Well, maybe I need to give it another chance," and I watched it all the way through again. Fooled me twice ... shame on me.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Oh, dear. You keep asking about Fellini Satyricon, and I keep biting my tongue, trying not to say anything. But the desire to interject my opinion is too strong.

I absolutely loathed, despised and hated Fellini Satyricon. I bought the MGM DVD release because I'd heard all these wonderful things about it. I found it to be a very long, very boring film which seemed to be about two young men in ancient Rome competing for the sexual attentions of a very young boy. There were a lot of subplots, but none of them made sense to me, and therefore I felt like the ordeal of watching it was torturous.

The movie didn't offend me at all. It simply irritated me. The set designs, art direction and cinematography were all beautiful, but I felt they were wasted on this film. Researching contemporary reviews of the film, I found a lot of critics who absolutely doted on it ... and an equal number who excoriated it. When I learned that Criterion was adding it to the collection, I thought, "Well, maybe I need to give it another chance," and I watched it all the way through again. Fooled me twice ... shame on me.

Interesting! I hadn't considered some people might actually be bored by this film but I suppose if you can't engage with its story or vibe or whatever, then all you're left with are the pretty pictures?

The subject matter isn't something cinema tends to cover, and the fact that it was released in 1969 shocks me. So that angle is intriguing. I'm so torn about blind-buying it! I don't have time to rent it from Netflix before the flash sale is over.

[Infernal King]

Alain Delon is probably the handsomest man in cinema so I'm interested in seeing some more of his movies. Unfortunately, Le cercle rouge is out of print. But there's still:

L'eclisse (Is it possible to enjoy this without having seen the other films in the "trilogy" or indeed any of Antonini's cinema?)

&

The Leopard

Remember, I'm primarily interested in them because of Delon.

(For those wondering, I'm still looking through the collection. Probably gonna blind buy Investigation, though.)

[zkirkland]

I told myself I wouldn't participate since i just bought the MLB package for the season. Of course I caved.

Don't Look Now
Fellini Satyricon
Time Bandits

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Alain Delon is probably the handsomest man in cinema so I'm interested in seeing some more of his movies. Unfortunately, Le cercle rouge is out of print. But there's still:

L'eclisse (Is it possible to enjoy this without having seen the other films in the "trilogy" or indeed any of Antonini's cinema?)

&

The Leopard

Remember, I'm primarily interested in them because of Delon.

(For those wondering, I'm still looking through the collection. Probably gonna blind buy Investigation, though.)

Yep, Delon is yummy. He is looking great in L'eclisse... which by the way also happens to be a wonderful film.

It's really too bad the Criterion Le Cercle Rouge is out of print because it is a gorgeous film as well as a captivating caper flick.

Edited to add: L'eclisse is part of a thematic "trilogy", not a narrative one. So no need to see the others first.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I will simply state that I have a hard time believing that anyone will not be bothered by the scene. It's simply Lars von Trier stooping to an entirely new low. Where can he go from there?

I wasn't bothered with it, i think that's the sort of things one should expect from a Lars Von Trier film called Nymphomaniac, i don't say it was easy to watch, but don't see what is wrong.

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Alain Delon is probably the handsomest man in cinema so I'm interested in seeing some more of his movies. Unfortunately, Le cercle rouge is out of print. But there's still:

L'eclisse (Is it possible to enjoy this without having seen the other films in the "trilogy" or indeed any of Antonini's cinema?)

&

The Leopard

Remember, I'm primarily interested in them because of Delon.

(For those wondering, I'm still looking through the collection. Probably gonna blind buy Investigation, though.)

You are aware of the splendid Purple Noon, yes?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Yep, Delon is yummy. He is looking great in L'eclisse... which by the way also happens to be a wonderful film.

It's really too bad the Criterion Le Cercle Rouge is out of print because it is a gorgeous film as well as a captivating caper flick.

Edited to add: L'eclisse is part of a thematic "trilogy", not a narrative one. So no need to see the others first.

Oh, good. I'm glad I wouldn't have to see two other movies to enjoy L'eclisse. What did you think of the movie itself?

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

You are aware of the splendid Purple Noon, yes?

I already own it and was singing its praises a few pages back.

[myka22]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Alain Delon is probably the handsomest man in cinema so I'm interested in seeing some more of his movies. Unfortunately, Le cercle rouge is out of print. But there's still:

L'eclisse (Is it possible to enjoy this without having seen the other films in the "trilogy" or indeed any of Antonini's cinema?)

&

The Leopard

Remember, I'm primarily interested in them because of Delon.

(For those wondering, I'm still looking through the collection. Probably gonna blind buy Investigation, though.)

Have you seen Purple Noon? That was one of hist first major movies. I watched it awhile ago and enjoyed it.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I'm glad I wouldn't have to see two other movies to enjoy L'eclisse. What did you think of the movie itself?

I love it.... as typical of Antonioni during this period, every frame is a work of beauty.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by myka22

Have you seen Purple Noon? That was one of hist first major movies. I watched it awhile ago and enjoyed it.

I already own it and was singing its praises a few pages back.

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

I love it.... as typical of Antonioni during this period, every frame is a work of beauty.

What do you love about it, besides the visuals? Not saying those aren't important by any means - they're the most important aspect of cinema - but I'm just trying to get an idea of the film's appeal, especially since I've never seen anything by Antonini.