The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Blind bought The Man Who Fell To Earth about a week ago bc I found a great deal on eBay $70 shipped with the plastic case version. Anyway I am literally 1 hour and 15 minutes into it and I had to pause it and write this because it is A bit confusing.

Im going to be honest Im not sure Im getting all the subtext that Roeg is putting down but its just so weird to me. I keep having to rewatch parts because I keep thinking I know im missing something because that scene makes no sense in that particular spot. I hate having to re-watch mid-movie because I feel like it distorts the intended flow.

Theres a good chance Im over analyzing and have built this movie up in my head. Plus I have to admit I really like it. It makes me want to keep watching even though half the time I have no idea whats going on lol. I can see a lot of parallels with Walkabout. The aboriginal boy and Newton are basically playing the same character. Trying to discover a new world. I hope TMWFTE doesnt have such a horrible outcome. I am a Roeg and Bowie fan.

I did enjoy the Gatsby reference with the blue light at the end of the dock. Well played Roeg well played!

Hope others share this sentiment bc Ive definitely seen many a more challenging movie and got through it fine. Ok just had to say that and now back to watching.

let's be honest.. there are MANY movies in the CC that are heavy to the point where one sitting just isn't enough. I say, "thank God for that!" because it assures that your 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th viewing will be rewarding.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Blind bought The Man Who Fell To Earth about a week ago bc I found a great deal on eBay $70 shipped with the plastic case version. Anyway I am literally 1 hour and 15 minutes into it and I had to pause it and write this because it is A bit confusing.

Im going to be honest Im not sure Im getting all the subtext that Roeg is putting down but its just so weird to me. I keep having to rewatch parts because I keep thinking I know im missing something because that scene makes no sense in that particular spot. I hate having to re-watch mid-movie because I feel like it distorts the intended flow.

Theres a good chance Im over analyzing and have built this movie up in my head. Plus I have to admit I really like it. It makes me want to keep watching even though half the time I have no idea whats going on lol. I can see a lot of parallels with Walkabout. The aboriginal boy and Newton are basically playing the same character. Trying to discover a new world. I hope TMWFTE doesnt have such a horrible outcome. I am a Roeg and Bowie fan.

I did enjoy the Gatsby reference with the blue light at the end of the dock. Well played Roeg well played!

Hope others share this sentiment bc Ive definitely seen many a more challenging movie and got through it fine. Ok just had to say that and now back to watching.

What I generally do for "challenging" movies is watch it the first-time straight through, just letting it wash over me, then re-watch it again if necessary (and still interested) to get the deeper meaning, subtle references, etc. My favorite films are always an emotional experience first. I think we can all think of films that affected us like a punch in the gut or some other visceral reaction. I don't want to miss that, which is why when I'm really into a film I don't want to hit the pause button (my bladder can wait).

Anyway, TMWFTE was one of those films that I had a strong emotional reaction to, and no, I didn't understand everything. Still don't, but wow, I still remember how I felt.

[Clare2904]

I've lost a bet (another) and I need to purchase 2 Criterions for delivery to the UK. Where am I best looking right now in terms of price etc?

Thanks, and no, I won't make a bet with you

[fahrenheit290]

With Five Easy Pieces coming out, anyone think The Last Picture Show (or any of the other America Lost and Found set movies) will get a single release?

Also, did anyone ever figure out the "Nausicaa" girl from the January cartoon?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by DfndroftheFaith

I'd like to thank all the people on this forum who passionately recommended Il Sorpasso. I had known nothing about this film, and it was near the bottom of my very long list of Criterion titles I wanted to buy. After I saw several glowing reviews here, it became one of the first titles I added to my cart during the last flash sale. I watched it this past weekend and loved it. Between all the gritty film noir and serious art house fare I've been watching recently, it's easy to forget how much fun movies can be. I'm looking forward to more releases or upgrades for more Italian comedies.

I knew nothing of this film either, and now it's become one of my favourite films ever!
I'm not sure why..

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Just found this clip on Youtube for Picnic at Hanging Rock: ***SPOILERS***

[Show spoiler]Picnic at Hanging Rock (The Original Ending) - YouTube

Wondering why it wasn't included as a supplement? Never even knew there was an alt ending...?

Thanks.
hmmm.. I'm not sure I like this. (although I can't remember how the film ended exactly since I saw it once).

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

With Five Easy Pieces coming out, anyone think The Last Picture Show (or any of the other America Lost and Found set movies) will get a single release?

Also, did anyone ever figure out the "Nausicaa" girl from the January cartoon?

I am doubting it. I also doubt that we'll get Brief Encounter. BE is, by far, the main attraction for the David Lean set. If they release it as a stand alone, sales for the box will go to s**t. If they have the 2 most desired titles available as stand alones from the 'America' set, then... well, you get it.

Just my suspicion.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

With Five Easy Pieces coming out, anyone think The Last Picture Show (or any of the other America Lost and Found set movies) will get a single release?

Also, did anyone ever figure out the "Nausicaa" girl from the January cartoon?

I hope they release both The Last Picture Show and Koyaanisqatsi as standalones.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I am doubting it. I also doubt that we'll get Brief Encounter. BE is, by far, the main attraction for the David Lean set. If they release it as a stand alone, sales for the box will go to s**t. If they have the 2 most desired titles available as stand alones from the 'America' set, then... well, you get it.

Just my suspicion.

I'm not sure the same answer applies to everyone. If The Last Picture Show had been available as a standalone, I probably would have gotten it along with the Sony release of Easy Rider and called it a day. I don't regret getting the BBS box though, Five Easy Pieces is better than I remembered and The King of Marvin Gardens has its rewards, particularly Jack Nicholson playing an atypical for him buttoned-down character and Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of the aging beauty queen. The other movies I will probably never watch again, although maybe Head if I ever take up drugs again.

As for the David Lean set, I was more interested in getting some of the early works of one of cinema's great directors than in just getting Brief Encounter, which was synomous in my mind with "weepy melodrama."

My point is, it's hard to generalize, but giving your customers more choices usually leads to more sales, albeit at the cost of higher inventory. While offering standalones might cannibalize some box set sales, I expect a lot of people would pick up on the standalone titles who might otherwise be put off by the high price of the box set. I also expect that the revenue gained from the standalone titles will more than offset the revenue lost from those box set sales, but only time will tell.

[filmmusic]

Since it seems to be wishing time, I wish Criterion would release the new restoration of The Last Emperor that was used for the 3d Bluray!
I want the film so much, but due to the Criterion cropped aspect ratio and the not so good quality of the correct aspect ratio Japanese release (comparing to the 3d one), haven't bought it.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

I wish Criterion had a re-release of the Zatoichi boxset with only the Blu-rays. I haven't any use whatsoever for DVDs anymore unless if they're from a TV show shot in PAL or video. Would be far less expensive compared to lumping in the unnecessary DVDs with it.
Regarding the BBS set. I honestly don't mind buying it eventually even if I did have the individual release of Five Easy Pieces.

At least with Zatoichi you can remove the DVD's and the set doesn't look half-empty because the DVD's are folded back into each page.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I didn't think I'll ever understand the "I wish I got less for the same price" people.

You must not be trying very hard then.

He wants to give up a book he has no intention of reading in exchange for the more compact packaging he prefers. Is that trade-off really that hard to fathom?

[Scottie]

I'm just going to throw it out that I've watched 7 of 25 Zatôichi films and they are ridiculous, but incredibly fun. They remind me of the James Bond movies without all of the espionage and romance.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

I've seen some shots of it online and I guess I could go for it. Even give the DVDs to my best friend who's a fan of Shintaro Katsu's ZATOICHI. Just wish the TV series and the 1989 ZATOICHI were also on Blu-ray. The 100 page hardcover book looks very enticing and the packaging very classy.
Even then I'm still working on my collections of various titles from various companies this year more extensively. Where to begin is another matter entirely.

The set is a treasure. I took about a year to watch all 25 films. The book and packaging are all top notch. I can see myself revisiting the films very often.

[pedromvu]

In these last 2 days i watched It Happened One Night and My Darling Clementine, both great movies, i had watched the former before but was my first time of the latter, i am still not convinced it is top Tier Ford for me, compared to Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and How Green Was My Valley. About MDC

[Show spoiler]Did anyone find odd the shots and editing just before the Corral shootout? it was very disorienting, not sure if it was on purpose but i was unable to get a sense of the space and where were the characters placed, which was a bit bothersome.

Anyway what struck me is that the Picture quality of MDC is almost perfect, and the one of IHON, while good for most parts, is much more inconsistent and distracting yet it has 4.5 vs Clementine 4

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

I've seen the vast majority of them, except the elusive film number 14 or maybe 13 since it wasn't available in the USA yet, the TV Series and the very last film. Agreed on the James Bond connection and just how fun the series is. I already sold all my DVDs of the ones I had though. The review from Dr. Svet Atanasov has me convinced I should buy it for a future Criterion boxset purchase, including the ones already in my wishlist.

I'll be selling mine once I finish the set (as I don't see myself watching them again), so if you're interested, I'll keep you in mind.

[noapologies]

Recent Criterion convert here. I picked up Blow Out (a favorite of mine that I never owned on any media), on Ebay for a good price. Man, what a beautiful transfer..I was completely enthralled.

Picked up Rosemary's Baby last week. Again amazing quality. I honestly had no idea how beautiful Mia Farrow was until I saw this.

So, now I'm hooked. I have The Thin Red Line and La Dolce Vita coming in a few days!

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Since it seems to be wishing time, I wish Criterion would release the new restoration of The Last Emperor that was used for the 3d Bluray!
I want the film so much, but due to the Criterion cropped aspect ratio and the not so good quality of the correct aspect ratio Japanese release (comparing to the 3d one), haven't bought it.

YES YES YES YES. The Criterion Blu looks good (I would never buy it...I got it from the library), but it would be so much better in a release with both cuts of the film under the new restoration with the proper aspect ratio. Charge $49.99 MSRP like for Seven Samurai and Battle of Algiers. It would be about time.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by octagon

You must not be trying very hard then.

He wants to give up a book he has no intention of reading in exchange for the more compact packaging he prefers. Is that trade-off really that hard to fathom?

I suppose im missing what it is that is keeping him from "giving up the book he has no intention of reading" and just putting "the more compact packaging he prefers" on his shelf.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by noapologies

So, now I'm hooked. I have The Thin Red Line and La Dolce Vita coming in a few days!

Excellent choices. Crank the volume up on The Thin Red Line.