The Criterion Collection

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by tallrichard

Awesome haul...only question would be why 2 copies of A Hard Day's Night??

He is a good Son and has bought a copy for his Dad

[jmclick]

I've just watched another incredible foreign language film that I wish had been released by Criterion rather than another distributor (in this case, Magnolia Pictures). It's Jagten / The Hunt from Denmark, and it stars Mads Mikkelsen, who won the 2012 Best Actor at Cannes. I've been a fan of Mikkelsen since I first saw him in Efter brylluppet / After the Wedding back in 2007 at the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, Texas. After the Wedding is another film which I wish Criterion would release (it's never been made available on blu-ray in North America).

The Hunt is an incredibly gripping film, with a superb, incisive screenplay co-written by Tobias Lindholm and the film's director Thomas Vinterberg. All the performances are exactly right, but Mikkelsen is truly outstanding. The ending is a shocker; interestingly, an alternate ending is presented on the blu-ray. Either one would have been an effective conclusion to a great film, but I think Vinterberg made the best choice. If Criterion ever secures the rights, it would be a Day One purchase for me; they would be able to provide the in-depth supplements I feel it deserves.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I've just watched another incredible foreign language film that I wish had been released by Criterion rather than another distributor (in this case, Magnolia Pictures). It's Jagten / The Hunt from Denmark, and it stars Mads Mikkelsen, who won the 2012 Best Actor at Cannes. I've been a fan of Mikkelsen since I first saw him in Efter brylluppet / After the Wedding back in 2007 at the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, Texas. After the Wedding is another film which I wish Criterion would release (it's never been made available on blu-ray in North America).

The Hunt is an incredibly gripping film, with a superb, incisive screenplay co-written by Tobias Lindholm and the film's director Thomas Vinterberg. All the performances are exactly right, but Mikkelsen is truly outstanding. The ending is a shocker; interestingly, an alternate ending is presented on the blu-ray. Either one would have been an effective conclusion to a great film, but I think Vinterberg made the best choice. If Criterion ever secures the rights, it would be a Day One purchase for me; they would be able to provide the in-depth supplements I feel it deserves.

Great film.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I stopped at my local B&N during my lunch hour and spent 10 minutes or so reading the back of the boxes for the Eclipse series sets that they had in stock.

How do people like the Kobayashi box set? I have to admit that several months ago, when someone said Kobayashi, I thought of the hot dog eating champ. The film descriptions made the films seem pretty accessible. My exposure to Japanese cinema is limited to the half dozen or so Kurosawa films I've seen, so I need something that isn't too political or is a too difficult to grasp social commentary, etc.

That box set is great. They're not heavy films, but still contain some depth and criticisms of society. In fact, I Will Buy You (in the Kobayashi set) is my favorite film that he made.

But speaking of Kobayashi, would you guys recommend blind buying The Human Condition?

[jackfiore]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Still disappointed with the Mulholland Dr artwork :P

They could have come ups with something so beautiful and dreamy for this film - I know I'm annoying going on and on but still :P

Mocked this up.. not exactly Criterion design but more just a character poster, but gives a good sense of the mood and style they could have maybe gone for without making the artwork look like just a copy of existing posters... I don't know, this may be crap lol

That's great, loved the way you incorporated text, subtle and stylish, so pretty much the opposite of the original cover . Try emailing that to Criterion, you never know...

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

oh, you have seen it and liked it?

I did see it & enjoyed it. A CC release would be a day 1 for me.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

And just to complete the rounds.

It sounds like the BN 50% sale has been extended through August 3 -- 2 instore clerks said they just got the information today.

Man I hope that's true. I still have like 5 more titles I'd like to grab but I wouldn't be able to until after the 27th so if true I'd be one happy camper.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by Fabs

That box set is great. They're not heavy films, but still contain some depth and criticisms of society. In fact, I Will Buy You (in the Kobayashi set) is my favorite film that he made.

But speaking of Kobayashi, would you guys recommend blind buying The Human Condition?

If you find yourself in line with his societal criticism, I would say "yes". It's my favorite of his works, truly engaging for all 9 hours! I actually watched it again the night after I finished it the first time, and it still sticks with me.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I've just watched another incredible foreign language film that I wish had been released by Criterion rather than another distributor (in this case, Magnolia Pictures). It's Jagten / The Hunt from Denmark, and it stars Mads Mikkelsen, who won the 2012 Best Actor at Cannes. I've been a fan of Mikkelsen since I first saw him in Efter brylluppet / After the Wedding back in 2007 at the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, Texas. After the Wedding is another film which I wish Criterion would release (it's never been made available on blu-ray in North America).

The Hunt is an incredibly gripping film, with a superb, incisive screenplay co-written by Tobias Lindholm and the film's director Thomas Vinterberg. All the performances are exactly right, but Mikkelsen is truly outstanding. The ending is a shocker; interestingly, an alternate ending is presented on the blu-ray. Either one would have been an effective conclusion to a great film, but I think Vinterberg made the best choice. If Criterion ever secures the rights, it would be a Day One purchase for me; they would be able to provide the in-depth supplements I feel it deserves.

I saw The Hunt last year, courtesy of a YouTube stream (sorry, everyone!), and I loved the film. I've been a big Mikkelsen fan since I first saw Casino Royale, and he continues to impress me.

[Namuhana]

Well, now that the sale might be extended, I may just have to pull the trigger on the David Lean Directs Noël Coward set.

I'm hoping to pick up Belle de jour, Safe, and My Beautiful Laundrette this weekend.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I wish Criterion would release some Charles Burnett. I've only seen Killer of Sheep and Nightjohn, but I thoroughly enjoyed both.

Nightjohn is a Hallmark movie, but it is a great little film and highly accessible. After seeing it for the first time, I immediately wanted to show it to my entire family.

Killer of Sheep vaguely feels like Cassavete's Shadows in composition (free form, loose, seemingly improvised). It feels extremely authentic (and is thus highly affecting).

Charles Burnett deserves more press than he gets (although it looks like he's getting mentioned in some circles based on that list).

Sony is debuting its new restoration of To Sleep with Anger at Venice. That could well imply a future blu release.

[Dislimb]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

He is a good Son and has bought a copy for his Dad

Exactly correct! Besides, he's the man who got me into the Fab 4 at a young age over 30 years ago.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Not really Criterion related but came across this and I'm sure A LOT of us can appreciate it

Top 10 Most Beautiful Movies of All Time - YouTube

Does feature a few Criterion films though! And if you haven't seen them - get watching :P!

Interesting list, and it's hard to dispute most of them. I do think, however, that there are more beautiful films than what they pick for #8-10 (Citizen Kane, Manhattan, and Russian Ark -- all of which I do think are beautiful). I'd probably replace them with (in no particular order) Black Narcissus, The River, and The Scent of Green Papaya.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I've just watched another incredible foreign language film that I wish had been released by Criterion rather than another distributor (in this case, Magnolia Pictures). It's Jagten / The Hunt from Denmark, and it stars Mads Mikkelsen, who won the 2012 Best Actor at Cannes. I've been a fan of Mikkelsen since I first saw him in Efter brylluppet / After the Wedding back in 2007 at the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, Texas. After the Wedding is another film which I wish Criterion would release (it's never been made available on blu-ray in North America).

The Hunt is an incredibly gripping film, with a superb, incisive screenplay co-written by Tobias Lindholm and the film's director Thomas Vinterberg. All the performances are exactly right, but Mikkelsen is truly outstanding. The ending is a shocker; interestingly, an alternate ending is presented on the blu-ray. Either one would have been an effective conclusion to a great film, but I think Vinterberg made the best choice. If Criterion ever secures the rights, it would be a Day One purchase for me; they would be able to provide the in-depth supplements I feel it deserves.

I enjoyed this one, too. It seems like you are checking out some recent foreign language films... The Lunchbox is very good. My wife and I also liked The Attack.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I enjoyed this one, too. It seems like you are checking out some recent foreign language films... The Lunchbox is very good. My wife and I also liked The Attack.

Thank you for the recommendations! Yes, as much as I love living in the Ozarks surrounded by nature, I do miss the the incredible film programs back in North Texas, especially the weekly series at the Modern Museum of Art in Fort Worth. That's where I saw so many amazing films, some of them enjoying their North American debuts. Much obliged!

[WonderWeasel]

Stopped by B&N after work and picked up Jubal as a blind buy. I think I'll be making it a double feature with the excellent German anti-war film The Bridge tonight.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

Stopped by B&N after work and picked up Jubal as a blind buy. I think I'll be making it a double feature with the excellent German anti-war film The Bridge tonight.

Jubal is fantastic. In many ways, I think of it as a "western noir."

Here's my User Review that I wrote a year or so ago...


I love me some 1950s CinemaScope, and Jubal is one amazing-looking film. The outdoor scenery of the Wyoming mountains is stunning, and the indoor scenes are lighted in a wonderful noir-edged shadowy style. I could watch westerns like this all day long.

Glenn Ford is impressive as the title character, and he almost outshines his role in Daves's 3:10 to Yuma. The late great Ernest Borgnine is perfect in one of his many roles as a character whom you would love to meet. Rod Steiger commands just as much attention, though, as a vindictive and envious antagonist. Charles Bronson and noir-fixture Jack Elam both shine in their small roles, and Valerie French is a western femme-fatale that has to be seen to be believed. The beautiful Felicia Farr is just as memorable here as she is in 3:10 to Yuma.

Jubal is a luxuriously-paced western that kept me fascinated all the while, thanks to Daves's trademarks of likable characters and spectacular scenery.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Jubal is fantastic. In many ways, I think of it as a "western noir."

Here's my User Review that I wrote a year or so ago...


I love me some 1950s CinemaScope, and Jubal is one amazing-looking film. The outdoor scenery of the Wyoming mountains is stunning, and the indoor scenes are lighted in a wonderful noir-edged shadowy style. I could watch westerns like this all day long.

Glenn Ford is impressive as the title character, and he almost outshines his role in Daves's 3:10 to Yuma. The late great Ernest Borgnine is perfect in one of his many roles as a character whom you would love to meet. Rod Steiger commands just as much attention, though, as a vindictive and envious antagonist. Charles Bronson and noir-fixture Jack Elam both shine in their small roles, and Valerie French is a western femme-fatale that has to be seen to be believed. The beautiful Felicia Farr is just as memorable here as she is in 3:10 to Yuma.

Jubal is a luxuriously-paced western that kept me fascinated all the while, thanks to Daves's trademarks of likable characters and spectacular scenery.

Yep, wonderful film. I'm looking forward to watching a bunch of Western Noirs/noirish westerns after we wrap up the Noir course. Will probably include this one.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Interesting list, and it's hard to dispute most of them. I do think, however, that there are more beautiful films than what they pick for #8-10 (Citizen Kane, Manhattan, and Russian Ark -- all of which I do think are beautiful). I'd probably replace them with (in no particular order) Black Narcissus, The River, and The Scent of Green Papaya.

Yeah true, but they did get a mention which was cool :-)

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Interesting list, and it's hard to dispute most of them. I do think, however, that there are more beautiful films than what they pick for #8-10 (Citizen Kane, Manhattan, and Russian Ark -- all of which I do think are beautiful). I'd probably replace them with (in no particular order) Black Narcissus, The River, and The Scent of Green Papaya.

There are some great films there, but he's missing so many films. Whether he's seen them or not is another story.