The Criterion Collection

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I would add Days of Heaven, as well. It has some of the best cinematography I have ever seen.

Yeah it does. That's what happens when Malick is directing and Nestor Almendros is the cinematographer.

Really, if you look at Malick's 6 films (well, 7 if you count the upcoming Knight of Cups) he's had these DPs work with him:

Tak Fujimoto (there are actually 3 credits for Badlands, but Tak was the primary as I understand it)

John Toll

Emmanuel Lubezki

When you're working with guys like that, it's not surprising your films are going look as gorgeous as his do. Hell, *I* could direct a film made on on my iPhone, and if Lubezki were my DP it would look amazing!

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I upgraded my DVD of The Bridge the other day, which brought my Criterion blu-ray collection to a total of 49. I was thinking about upgrading A Hard Day's Night, but I've seen that film so many times that I'd like to try something new. Also, my collection is heavy on classics and lacking in the contemporary area. Then again, there's a few Kurosawa and Bergman films I really need. So many films, so little time.

Anybody want to make my indecisiveness worse and suggest some contemporary films (anything after... we'll say 1970) for my 50th purchase?

For more "recent" Criterion releases, I'd recommend RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, THE ICE STORM, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, DARJEELING LIMITED, and second an earlier recommendation of FRANCES HA. Then there's always the peculiar but fun MY WINNIPEG. This Monday would also be the perfect night to watch FOR ALL MANKIND.

It's not Criterion, but seeing as you like A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, I would recommend getting Julie Taymor's ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (2007) for its amazing use of Beatles songs to construct the plot and characters, besides the performances worked into the story. Plus, it has stunningly beautiful HD imagery and a great soundtrack. You should also have GOOD OL' FRIEDA (2013), a great documentary about the Beatles' secretary.

[darkness2918]

I wonder if Criterion will ever release Un Flic. I really hope so. I also wanna get Le Samurai on DVD but I'm not sure if I should hold out on a possible BD release.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by iScottie

For Easy Rider and The Last Picture Show, yes. I'm still waiting for standalone releases for those.

I saw Easy Rider a couple of weeks ago, and I found it a real chore to sit through (except for the Jack Nicholson scenes)!
Maybe I didn't "get it" because I'm not an American?
I don't know..

[myka22]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

I wonder if Criterion will ever release Un Flic. I really hope so. I also wanna get Le Samurai on DVD but I'm not sure if I should hold out on a possible BD release.

Le Samurai might be coming sooner than later, so I would hold off if I were you. I heard they just added an HD version on iTunes which is usually a good sign of a potential upgrade.

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by NolanvsNathan

Bought my first five Criterions!

M
Brazil
Charade
Sweet Smell of Success
The Earrings of Madame de... (the only blind buy)

The first of many, but my wallet needs some breathing space. Can anyone share their thoughts on Madame de...??


Next up, I'll be looking to get The Essential Jacques Demy, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, The Last Days of Disco & The Game. (Though I'm sure some of the end-of-year releases will sneak their way in, the expected titles are great - Before Trilogy! After Hours!)

Awesome first five criterions! Wecome to the obsession.

[Priam]

I've been meaning to buy The Killers in this sale (I figure this is the cheapest it's gonna be for quite some time - even on Amazon - until the next sale). It's a blind buy for me as I've never owned the DVD, but is it really worth it? Some reviews online highly recommend it, but I'm on the fence. Thanks!

[spanky87]

Days of Heaven, Badlands, and Thin Red Line are all essential to own. These films comprise the period before Terrence Malick disappeared up his own ass.

[filmmusic]

Another animated film may be coming from Criterion!!

Coming from a presentation on Criterion's cover art legacy which featured their art director Eric Skillman.
http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/...519139#p519139

The best part of the night was learning that we're apparently getting another animated film soon.

I hope the person mentioning that understood correctly, and the "animation" film didn't refer to Jellyfish Eyes, that has computer animation.

Please, please, please let it be Gandahar!!

Maybe it could be Plague Dogs to couple with Watership Down?

[MifuneFan]

The Iron Giant

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Priam

I've been meaning to buy The Killers in this sale (I figure this is the cheapest it's gonna be for quite some time - even on Amazon - until the next sale). It's a blind buy for me as I've never owned the DVD, but is it really worth it? Some reviews online highly recommend it, but I'm on the fence. Thanks!

The Killers just might be my favorite Criterion release of the year, and it's a great upgrade over the old DVD set.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The Iron Giant

Is there any evidence that Criterion could release this?
Before "Jellyfish Eyes", the "Iron Giant" didn't seem like a film that cries for Criterion to me, but after "Jellyfish Eyes", I guess anything is possible!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Is there any evidence that Criterion could release this?
Before "Jellyfish Eyes", the "Iron Giant" didn't cry for Criterion to me, but after "Jellyfish Eyes", I guess anything is possible!

Nothing hinted, just wishful thinking. Warner announced a theatrical re-release, and then a digital release after. I found it strange that they wouldn't announce a Blu-ray or DVD the same time. So, theyre either holding off longer to announce that, or perhaps they couldn't because they licensed it to Criterion. Like I said, wiahful thinking.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Well, what Kurosawa and Bergman films do you really need? Either of those directors' films would make a great 50th film in your collection. Fo r Kurosawa, The Hidden Fortress. For Bergman, The Magician, The Seventh Seal, Persona, or Smiles of a Summer Night. Bergman is trickier for recommending films because they became so radically differrent as his career progressed.

Also, it seems like you have a lot of war and western movies. Check out Red River, The Shooting/Ride the Whirlwind, My Darling Clemintine, and Stagecoach.

Also, +1 to The Thin Red Line recommendation for a great war film.

Not enough people mention Kurosawa's High and Low. His masterpiece, IMO

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by Fabs

Not enough people mention Kurosawa's High and Low. His masterpiece, IMO

https://thedissolve.com/features/mov...-high-and-low/

^ A fantastic article which delves in Kurosawa's mastery of the image in this film.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Fabs

Not enough people mention Kurosawa's High and Low. His masterpiece, IMO

It's just right below Ran for me. But yes, it's among the greatest thrillers ever made. Those first 40 minutes cannot be beat.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by ijustblumyself

https://thedissolve.com/features/mov...-high-and-low/

^ A fantastic article which delves in Kurosawa's mastery of the image in this film.

Great article. High and Low is an amazing film, and certainly the most dynamic that Kurosawa has made in terms of the films' halves . I think it's a great tragedy that a lot of people only associate Kurosawa with samurai films, failing to look beyond those to his greater body of work, some arguably his very best. Even when we discuss films like High and Low that are not discussed enough, there are even more films thst are barely talked about at all. The Lower Depths is hugely underrated for instance, but everything about that film is masterfully crafted. Even earlier films like Scandal deserve more recognition too, Shimura gives one of his best perfomances in it.

[prior]

High and Low is brilliant, the way the film changes its direction several times without falling apart. I've just watched The Bad Sleep Well and loved the way the Hamlet plot was adapted. The opening scene alone was amazing. I also immensely enjoyed The Quiet Duel although the film is far from perfect. Actually I've never seen a Kurosawa I didn't like.

That's different with Bergman, as I didn't care much for Persona. You can kill me now.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I saw Easy Rider a couple of weeks ago, and I found it a real chore to sit through (except for the Jack Nicholson scenes)!
Maybe I didn't "get it" because I'm not an American?
I don't know..

Nope, I had the same reaction. I found it a tedious bore. Usually with the "classics" I can find some hook to at least appreciate it, but I really found nothing good about it at all.

No one ever talked about High and Low, so it was the one Kurosawa Criterion blu-ray I hadn't picked up! I think I will do so right now. I didn't really even know what it was apart from not being a samurai movie. Going to get Harakiri as well, since it's been getting so much love as a response to the Kwaidan announcement.

[jmclick]

I got totally spoiled yesterday on my birthday. My family members have ordered me:

Broadcast News
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
The Long Day Closes
The Night Porter
People on Sunday

and I received enough cash and B&N gift cards to buy another dozen Criterions next week before the sale ends. It was quite a nice and unexpected surprise ... usually I get a couple of shirts, some new socks and one or two pieces of antique Vaseline glass, which is more than enough. I have the best family ever!