The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

So I own every Hitchcock film released on blu except The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

I've been hesitant because I don't much enjoy the other two Hitch films I own from the 30's (Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps). It's odd because I normally love films from this decade. I happen to LOVE Foreign Correspondent. Should I pick this one up? Make me decide!!

since you have every other Hitch, I'd say 'yes'
but since you didn't like the other two from the 30's, I'd say 'don't bother'

which is more important to you? are you a Hitch collector? sounds like you are... or are you shopping for the film and considering it like you would anything else?

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by ubergooberfunk

I don't think i'm being overly picky. I'm just here to find out if it is some sort of production flaw or if its intentional. If it's intentional then fine all is good, but my hunch is that isnt supposed to look blurry and out of focus, and in that case, i think its alright to express feeling a bit let down. It's my first criterion disk, maybe i had high expectations with every aspect, including packaging and presentation.

and like i said, i'm not commenting on the content of the disk itself. i'm just commenting on the disk art. thats it.

Return it, or buy a second disc from the label and see if it is just the artistic choice on this title. Or maybe post a pic? It's possible you have a disc where there was an error in printing, but in my personal experience having over 300 titles from them I've never had one like that or felt like their discs had stickers slapped on them instead of actual ink.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

So I own every Hitchcock film released on blu except The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

I've been hesitant because I don't much enjoy the other two Hitch films I own from the 30's (Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps). It's odd because I normally love films from this decade. I happen to LOVE Foreign Correspondent. Should I pick this one up? Make me decide!!

His early British films are my fav, and if you didn't like those two you mentioned I'm prone to say it won't be for you, but it's also a very different film than those two. I'd say go for it because it's quite good IMO, much better than his remake of it. The BW cinematography is pretty great and Lorre is as always a treat to watch.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

So I own every Hitchcock film released on blu except The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

I've been hesitant because I don't much enjoy the other two Hitch films I own from the 30's (Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps). It's odd because I normally love films from this decade. I happen to LOVE Foreign Correspondent. Should I pick this one up? Make me decide!!

It's hard to say. For me, Foreign Correspondent is right between the more disordered early stuff and the more tightly plotted (slightly) later stuff like Shadow of a Doubt and Rebecca and Notorious.

The first TMWKTM is probably more like early stuff than the later stuff but I still like it quite a bit. Peter Lorre is always fun to watch, some of the shots are pretty cool and, well, it's Hitchcock.

FWIW, I used to be pretty cool toward earlier things like The Lady Vanishes and The 39 Steps too but I've somewhat warmed up to them over the past few years. They're definitely not the Hitchcock I prefer but they definitely have their moments and taken on their own terms they can be pretty enjoyable.

[Rich Pure Doom]

My haul so far this sale:

Walkabout
An Autumn Afternoon
Close-Up
Watership Down
Day In The Country
The River
Fellini Satyricon
Cries and Whispers
Limelight
The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant
Make Way For Tomorrow
Design For Living
The Palm Beach Story
Odd Man Out

Going back next week for a few more.

[ubergooberfunk]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Return it, or buy a second disc from the label and see if it is just the artistic choice on this title. Or maybe post a pic? It's possible you have a disc where there was an error in printing, but in my personal experience having over 300 titles from them I've never had one like that or felt like their discs had stickers slapped on them instead of actual ink.

I tried taking a pic with my phone (only camera worth a crap that i got), but I couldn't get a decent enough picture. Ultimately the best way to describe it, is it looks like the title is written over, but just like a millimeter off. kind of like looking at something through those flimsy paper 3d glasses. like its double written i guess. it isnt downright awful, and it isnt something i'll return it over. it was just something i wanted to know if anyone else had an issue with. as i said, i felt a bit let down. i wasn't absolutely destroyed over it.

i'll watch the disk later tonight. if there are any flaws there, then of course i'll go ahead and send it back. For now i just wanted to see if it was a common issue. From what i gather its actually pretty rare.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Lol. I actually did get them at other times this year, just whenever there wasn't a sale! Sad that B&N just drops sending you coupons after awhile. Some membership.

Originally Posted by hariseldon

That is really odd. It's usually an all or none (you get them all the time or not at all), not just getting them at specific times. If it was repeated ove multiple sales that makes me wonder about someone filtering your BN mail upstream. You can also use the extra New Member coupons (5off50 and maybe 8off40 which can make your membership break even a lot faster)

I haven't gotten any USPS coupons since I cancelled my first membership. When i rejoined with the same mailing address I never started receiving them again. The same thing happened with my work address -- once off the mailing list it seemed to be nearly impossible to get back on.

Anyway for those not following in the deals thread -- there is a set of 15/20% emails going out for this weekends use.

There is another possibility, though it would be illegal.

Perhaps someone is stealing your B&N members coupons before they arrive in the mailbox. There could be a coverup going on in your local post office or even something much larger. Perhaps your local mail carrier is a big Criterion fan and knows when the bi-annual sales occur.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

That was what I was implying "Upstream" It would be odd unless someone (postman, sorter, etc) is a B&N customer that they would know about these coupons and scarfing them up (selling them on Ebay) -- are they mailed in an envelope or are they mailers the you can see directly?
If they still feel like a card inside an envelope I guess someone might think it's a credit card or rebate card.

Oh, they're plain out in the open. No envelope. It says "Member Savings...this summer". Here, I just took a pic and attached it here so you can see for yourself. (excuse the slight blurriness)

[Fabs]

Just this so far. They were out of stock on House, and Hiroshima mon amour is not out until next week. So one more trip to B&N to go

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

Had a nice Criterion watching session yesterday. Went to Barnes and picked up a few and then did nothing the rest of the day but watch movies, haha.
Watched in order:

The Killers: (Repeat) Awesome film noir. The first time I saw this I really didn't pay as much attention as I should have, so the story fell from beneath. This time I was glued though. I kept thinking is this guy an insurance agent or FBI? Didn't seem like the law was interested in what happened to the Swede. Solid film though.

Can't recommend this movie enough If you are a fan of Film Noir this is one of the holy grail's. Very tight economic script with a well put together segmented flashback structure. Brilliant dialog and every character plays their part with a very believable authenticity. Keeps you riveted the whole time and lacks any of the usual Hollywood tropes from the era. Plus Ava Gardner is reason enough to pick this up. This is the movie that made Burt Lancaster a star and is brilliantly directed with very dark expressionistic tones.

[Show spoiler]As far as the law. An early scene shows the local police chief shrugging off the crime since it was obvious the killers came for the swede, a recent outsider to the local town, and the fact they left the restaurant employee's alive and left the town. Even though murder is in his jurisdiction he just appears not to care. The FBI doesn't investigate murders. The insurance agent should of just let it go as his boss said, but was determined to find the answers

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by ubergooberfunk

I tried taking a pic with my phone (only camera worth a crap that i got), but I couldn't get a decent enough picture. Ultimately the best way to describe it, is it looks like the title is written over, but just like a millimeter off. kind of like looking at something through those flimsy paper 3d glasses. like its double written i guess. it isnt downright awful, and it isnt something i'll return it over. it was just something i wanted to know if anyone else had an issue with. as i said, i felt a bit let down. i wasn't absolutely destroyed over it.

i'll watch the disk later tonight. if there are any flaws there, then of course i'll go ahead and send it back. For now i just wanted to see if it was a common issue. From what i gather its actually pretty rare.

Just sounds like the printer registration was off a bit. Happens from time to time.

[Tom Monahan]

Is The River a safe blind buy? I have a coupon so I can get it for $15.99.

Thanks,
Tom

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Is The River a safe blind buy? I have a coupon so I can get it for $15.99.

Thanks,
Tom

Absolutely.

It reminds me a lot of the Powell and Pressburger films, so if you're a fan of those, do not hesitate to pull the trigger.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Is The River a safe blind buy? I have a coupon so I can get it for $15.99.

Thanks,
Tom

well, it wouldn't be to me.
It's a very beautiful film aesthetically, but honestly, I don't think I would watch it a second time.
I was bored a bit even the first time.

[bwdowiak]

I bought a new cabinet (turns out it is really only a bookshelf... I thought it had a glass sliding door.. stupid me) and assembled it last night. I'm sorting my collection the shadepain4 way - by director. So, that's exciting. I have not, however, bought a new Blu-ray in about 6 weeks. suffering from withdrawal.

Scottie indirectly, but effectively, talked me out of My Beautiful Laundrette. doesn't seem like anyone is really too warm to it.

what should I pick up? better question - what do you think I'd like?

[Polaroid]

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I've got something that might make you feel a little better.

Cheer Up Charlie - YouTube

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Is The River a safe blind buy? I have a coupon so I can get it for $15.99.

It would be a terrific blind buy at list price. Getting it for $15.99 is a steal.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I am in the same situation as I had mentioned earlier in the thread. (and not only in this sale. I can't purchase ANY bluray! )
But may I ask why can't you take part in the sale?
short of money right now?

[jmclick]

Okay, I made my first trip to Barnes & Noble this afternoon and am very pleased with my haul:

Fanny & Alexander @ $18.99 ($59.99 less 50% less 10% less another $8.00)
The Killers @ $14.39 ($39.99 less 50% less 10% less 20%)
The Bridge, Make Way for Tomorrow, and Odd Man Out @ $16.32 each ($39.99 each less 50% less 10% less another $1.67 each using the $5.00 off a purchase of $50 coupon)

It wasn't difficult to choose the ones I wanted, since I've been planning this purchase for a very long while now; what was hard was leaving so many on my want list behind! But I'm sure I'll go back at least once before the sale is over ... I conveniently have a birthday coming up before the 27th, so I'm sure I'll be able to convince myself to give in to temptation at least one more time!