The Criterion Collection

[pedromvu]

I think it is interesting how we all decide which movies we want to own, i have heard some people saying they would never buy depressing movies because they don't plan to ever seeing again.

In my case i try to own films that gave me an interesting, intense or unusual emotional response, be it because what i am seeing is technically impressive, or because it made me think in some aspect of my own life, or just because it is plain and simply something very sad or happy, of course the rest of the movie should also keep certain standard, although i don't think many films have some incredibly done scenes while having the rest of it being pretty bad.

Of course i tend to purchase favorite films that i plan to watch again, but i feel that sometimes it is cool to just be able to put certain film to revive those feelings you may have experienced the first time you saw it, although here the line probably blurs and maybe that second reason is why a film become a favorite of mine in the first place.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by GenPion

There is no point in owning them all. There's no way any one person can enjoy all of the films in the collection. I'm sure even Criterion's employees and the people helping to pick releases feel this way. I know some like the collect them all because of the numbering system, but it really is impossible to appreciate every film included. I've seen Criterion's that rank amongst the best films of all time for me and ones where I wondered (upon seeing them) how they even ended up in the collection.

Nicely put. In any collection of art, cinematic or otherwise, no one's tastes or sensibilities are so eclectic that they can appreciate the whole range of offerings. And waiting only for what you really want or really interests you is half the pleasure. It's fine with me if two or three 'announcement' months go by without seeing something that I must own so long as there's one in the fourth or fifth month that I can revel in for the fact that it's one of my most wished for, and it's a Criterion. A chap by the name of Bertrand Russell said it best: "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness".

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

[Show spoiler]That depends on the person. Sure, there are the occasional duds, but they do a good job curating their library to appeal to a certain type of film fan. I've been a Criterion collector for nearly 15 years and have re-watched many of them. I'll watch many more in the years and decades to come. You're right that if a title doesn't work for you, that it is not worth keeping. I do that with other boutique labels, but Criterions are the ones that I tend to keep coming back to year after year. As you experienced, they are easy to sell, so I'll get my money back if I change my mind.

But you're right that a big part of it is the collection aspect. For most of my adult life I've wanted to own the complete Criterion Collection and now I almost do.

And that's as valid a reason for collecting as any other. Good on you!

Originally Posted by octagon

[Show spoiler]I think people sometimes get too hung up on the 'significance' of buying movies as opposed to renting or streaming or DVRing them. If you were to say 'I've decided I want to see every movie in the collection' nobody would blink.

Some people only buy their favorite movies or movies they think they're going to watch over and over. And that's fine.

Other people - like us, for instance - are more inclined to buy movies on spec. And that fine too.

When I first moved to BD I decided to make a point of collecting the AFI 100 and it's been very rewarding. Do I love every movie on the list? Of course not. But I love a lot of them and even the ones I'm not entirely crazy about are worth revisiting. And I probably wouldn't have gotten around to revisiting many of the titles I've come to really love (Network and All the President's Men are two prime examples) if I didn't have this particular focus.

And it's not like this an outrageously expensive hobby. Some people spend more on a single putter than I've spent on half my AFI titles combined

Yes, but we are talking a putter here!!

[pedromvu]

Just watched Hoop Dreams, what a great documentary, don't think anyone mentioned, it reminded me of Boyhood in some parts, but i think only 5 years passed during this one, but those kids change pretty dramatically. Had to have been a nightmare to edit all the footage they probably ended up with , but at the end it is and incredible story, feels like it could easily have been scripted.

[Polaroid]

Still think Criterion should explore more Asian horrors, like Ringu, Grudge etc. Even something like Noroi the Curse which I found generally very creepy.

Just sayin'

Oh also, Takashi Miike should be in collection too.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Still think Criterion should explore more Asian horrors, like Ringu, Grudge etc. Even something like Noroi the Curse which I found generally very creepy.

Just sayin'

Oh also, Takashi Miike should be in collection too.

As far as J-Horror goes, I think Kiyoshi Kurosawa would be perfect for the collection. He has a real art-house style to his films, Cure and Pulse are begging for high-def releases.

Takashi Miike might be better suited for Arrow Films, they are releasing Happiness of the Katakuris on BD this June. I hope it does well so they can release more of his films.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

As far as J-Horror goes, I think Kiyoshi Kurosawa would be perfect for the collection. He has a real art-house style to his films, Cure and Pulse are begging for high-def releases.

Takashi Miike might be better suited for Arrow Films, they are releasing Happiness of the Katakuris on BD this June. I hope it does well so they can release more of his films.

I've not actually seen Happiness of... The poster reminds me of The Sound of Music or something though lol

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

As far as J-Horror goes, I think Kiyoshi Kurosawa would be perfect for the collection. He has a real art-house style to his films, Cure and Pulse are begging for high-def releases.

I agree with this completely. A couple years ago there was a rumor that Cure was coming to the Collection. I cannot remember whether that was from a leak somewhere, newsletter clue, or what. For whatever reason it hasn't happened. His Kairo / Pulse is probably my favorite J-Horror and it does have a major art-house sensibility -- so much that most traditional J-Horror fans probably reject it. That said, any horror is probably tricky to get the rights to.

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

Takashi Miike might be better suited for Arrow Films.

Right on. Audition has already been released by Shout Factory with some decent extras, but it looks like Ichi the Killer could use some boutique label treatment. Arrow would be my choice.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I agree with this completely. A couple years ago there was a rumor that Cure was coming to the Collection. I cannot remember whether that was from a leak somewhere, newsletter clue, or what. For whatever reason it hasn't happened.

Criterion have it up on Hulu

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I've not actually seen Happiness of... The poster reminds me of The Sound of Music or something though lol

It's pretty hard to describe, it has elements of musical, comedy, and horror films. It's a remake of the Korean film The Quiet Family by Jee-Woon Kim but much more zany and energetic, and full of the WTF moments you'd expect from a Miike film. It's one of my favorite films by him, and I can't wait to get the Arrow release.

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I agree with this completely. A couple years ago there was a rumor that Cure was coming to the Collection. I cannot remember whether that was from a leak somewhere, newsletter clue, or what. For whatever reason it hasn't happened. His Kairo / Pulse is probably my favorite J-Horror and it does have a major art-house sensibility -- so much that most traditional J-Horror fans probably reject it. That said, any horror is probably tricky to get the rights to.

Pulse is easily the best J-Horror film of contemporary times. Not only is it very creepy and unsettling, but it deals with fascinating and relevant themes of

[Show spoiler]technology, the internet specifically, causing human beings to isolate themselves as society disintegrates around them.

Kiyoshi's films have a very unique style, they are artistic, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking. I would be ecstatic to see Criterion tackle films like Cure, Pulse, and Charisma.

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Right on. Audition has already been released by Shout Factory with some decent extras, but it looks like Ichi the Killer could use some boutique label treatment. Arrow would be my choice.

I haven't checked out Shout's BD for Audition yet, because it got underwhelming ratings on picture, but perhaps the film just can't be made to look very good on HD. It's a gritty, low-budget flick. It's one of my favorite films though, I've been meaning to get it but have been hoping the price would drop a bit first.

Ichi the Killer definitely needs some love and it would be right up Arrow's alley. An Arrow rep was recently taking questions on the boards, and I asked if they were considering releasing any more Miike films, and he responded that it depends on the sales for Happiness of the Katakuris, so be sure to pick that one up.

I could also see them looking at the Dead or Alive trilogy, Zebraman, Gozu, and Rainy Dog.

Originally Posted by Yami

Criterion have it up on Hulu

That's a good sign, I hope they do put it out on BD. I haven't been able to find my old DVD of Cure.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

Pulse is easily the best J-Horror film of contemporary times. Not only is it very creepy and unsettling, but it deals with fascinating and relevant themes of

[Show spoiler]technology, the internet specifically, causing human beings to isolate themselves as society disintegrates around them.

Kiyoshi's films have a very unique style, they are artistic, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking. I would be ecstatic to see Criterion tackle films like Cure, Pulse, and Charisma.

I haven't checked out Shout's BD for Audition yet, because it got underwhelming ratings on picture, but perhaps the film just can't be made to look very good on HD. It's a gritty, low-budget flick. It's one of my favorite films though, I've been meaning to get it but have been hoping the price would drop a bit first.

Ichi the Killer definitely needs some love and it would be right up Arrow's alley. An Arrow rep was recently taking questions on the boards, and I asked if they were considering releasing any more Miike films, and he responded that it depends on the sales for Happiness of the Katakuris, so be sure to pick that one up.

Agreed on the thematic power of Pulse. Another Kurosawa I'd like to see with a better release here is Bright Future, which also covers modernity, specifically the Japanese Millenials. It doesn't seem to have received as much love or attention, although it also isn't a J-horror by any stretch.

Audition would be tough, but I would be all over an Arrow release even if imperfect. It's been about a decade since I've seen it, and I still shudder at that ending.

Pre-ordered the Miike Arrow. Thanks for the heads up.

[The Great Owl]

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of Pulse (Kairo) for a long time now. It's probably my favorite horror film of the 2000s so far, and it's also one of the greatest movies ever made about the nature of the world wide web.

The tower scene in that film...wow...

I'm glad to see that there are other fans in the fold here.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of Pulse (Kairo) for a long time now. It's probably my favorite horror film of the 2000s so far, and it's also one of the greatest movies ever made about the nature of the world wide web.

The tower scene in that film...wow...

I'm glad to see that there are other fans in the fold here.

And the airplane scene. There are so many fantastic shots and camera movements in that film.

We should all submit it as a request to Criterion. Apparently they do listen to those.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Pre-ordered the Miike Arrow. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for doing your part.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've been clamoring for a Criterion release of Pulse (Kairo) for a long time now. It's probably my favorite horror film of the 2000s so far, and it's also one of the greatest movies ever made about the nature of the world wide web.

The tower scene in that film...wow...

I'm glad to see that there are other fans in the fold here.

The use of dial-up internet and older operating systems may date the film a bit, but the themes of technology leading to loneliness and isolation are more relevant than ever.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I agree with this completely. A couple years ago there was a rumor that Cure was coming to the Collection. I cannot remember whether that was from a leak somewhere, newsletter clue, or what. For whatever reason it hasn't happened. His Kairo / Pulse is probably my favorite J-Horror and it does have a major art-house sensibility -- so much that most traditional J-Horror fans probably reject it. That said, any horror is probably tricky to get the rights to.

I believe there was some speculation that Cure was hinted in the latest new year drawing, the part with the man and woman holding knives and a X in their mouth, although there is also speculation that it was the Silent Ozu - Three Crime dramas since there are more people with knives but the faces of the other two can't be seen.

[Roninblues]

I have those on DVD awaiting Blu-ray upgrades.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

And the airplane scene. There are so many fantastic shots and camera movements in that film.

We should all submit it as a request to Criterion. Apparently they do listen to those.

I just suggested Cure and Pulse to Criterion, I hope they listen!

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I believe there was some speculation that Cure was hinted in the latest new year drawing, the part with the man and woman holding knives and a X in their mouth, although there is also speculation that it was the Silent Ozu - Three Crime dramas since there are more people with knives but the faces of the other two can't be seen.

If I remember right, some people also thought that clue might have been The Brood. I haven't seen it and could be mistaken. The silent Ozu set does make sense though.

[filmmusic]

Just watched Les Choses De La Vie (1970).

I thought it was a very good film and I would welcome a Criterion of it!

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Still think Criterion should explore more Asian horrors, like Ringu, Grudge etc.

Devils advocate:
What about Kuroneko, House, the Oshima movies, and Godzilla?

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Devils advocate:
What about Kuroneko, House, the Oshima movies, and Godzilla?

Kwaidan and Onibaba are probably in my top 5 that I wish would get bluray upgrades. I finally got around to watching Kuroneko last night (bought it during that Amazon halloween sale) and didn't really like it apart from the dreamy first 20 minutes, but everything I've read suggests I'd like Onibaba much more. I've seen Kwaidan and loved it.