The Criterion Collection

[ajnejedi]

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction everyone!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Just watched An Autumn Afternoon. I've seen several Ozu's, but this one may be my favorite. I think Tokyo Story is better, but I like Autumn better than Late Spring.

So far, I've loved every Ozu I've seen. His use of color in this film is truly incredible. I don't usually watch the commentary, but I rewatched some scenes with the commentary because Ozu was such a master technician in terms of scene composition and editing. The commentary is excellent and very informative.

Overall, I think it's a film that should be given serious consideration to add to your collection. The transfer is also great.

I'm glad to hear this from you, jhiggy. My copy just arrived yesterday. Very much looking forward to it and also the Late Ozu Eclipse set I bought.

@RayJ - I think that you are safe with The Vanishing if it is a title that you are considering buying. It works on many different levels.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

1.77 didn't exist as an aspect ratio when Kubrick shot Barry Lyndon, so there's zero way that could be what he intended. He most likely shot it for 1.66 but had to safe frame for 1.85 since that's the way it would be projected in most countries.

1.77 didn't exist as an aspect ratio then, but 1.75 did.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Just got back from my second trip to B&N for the Criterion sale. This time, I picked up:

Ozu's An Autumn Afternoon
Ray's The Big City and Charulata
Kalatozov's Letter Never Sent
Vláčil's Marketa Lazarová
and
World Cinema Project

I think that's it for me for this sale.

I lied. Today I picked up America Lost and Found: The BBS Story.

I think that's it for me for this sale.

("What? Again?" "This time for sure!" "But that trick never works...")

[Halation]

The Vanishing and House are of similar quality. Neither is worth watching more than once, as their flaws become very obvious on even a second watch, but they're both very interesting for that one viewing.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

What's the scariest movie in the Criterion collection?

I just blind bought The Vanishing and I hope it scares me a little.

...but I have my doubts.

I think The Devil's Backbone is not only the scariest in the collection, but the scariest movie I've ever seen.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Halation

The Vanishing and House are of similar quality. Neither is worth watching more than once, as their flaws become very obvious on even a second watch, but they're both very interesting for that one viewing.

Dammit brother!!!!

I was starting to feel pretty confident about my blind buy until you posted that.

...why did you DO THAT?!!

[schlock]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Dammit brother!!!!

I was starting to feel pretty confident about my blind buy until you posted that.

...why did you DO THAT?!!

You're safe, Ray. You are going to love The Vanishing. I am 99% sure of that based on your view of films. Can't wait to hear your comments.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by schlock

You're safe, Ray. You are going to love The Vanishing. I am 99% sure of that based on your view of films. Can't wait to hear your comments.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

You're already traded Don't Look Now and Eddie Coyle?

That's interesting.

...I bought those too and I'm trying to sell mine.

Yea I was able to trade Don't Look Now for Shallow Grave (great film) & Eddie Coyle for Vengeance is Mine.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Yea I was able to trade Don't Look Now for Shallow Grave (great film) & Eddie Coyle for Vengeance is Mine.

Dude...you and I must share some sort of psychic connection.

I just blind bought Vengeance Is Mine and I'm about to watch it right now.

...didn't care for Eddie Coyle eh?

[Scottie]

The Vanishing gets better with each viewing.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Dude...you and I must share some sort of psychic connection.

I just blind bought Vengeance Is Mine and I'm about to watch it right now.

...didn't care for Eddie Coyle eh?

It was a good movie its just something I know I wont watch more then once.

[movieben1138]

Originally Posted by Will G

Of course the Jacques Demy set showed up in the mail today....totally beat to shit. I wish they would at least use some sort of cushion or padding. It was just loose in a box twice it's size. Unfortunately there is no local B & N store to make an exchange.

I had the same thing happen with the Demy set. Looked like the stock room crew had used it for a soccer ball before tossing it in the box. I exchanged it at a local store last week. Today, however, I got 3:10 to Yuma in the mail and again I'm going to have to go make an exchange. The case was totally smashed on one side. B&N's shipping department is an absolute joke.

-Ben

[repulsed]

I've had a couple small problems with their shipping but nothing near the problems with Amazon and best buy.
Must have shipped 20 or more things back to Amazon in a couple months.

I do appreciate the easy returns in store with Barnes and Noble though. You just walk in and tell them, go find a new one show it to the cashier and walk out. Replaced 2 last night and bought a few and wasn't in the store more than a couple minutes. Talk about night and day from returning things to best buy

Are B&N stores that easy to replace items everywhere?

[darkness2918]

How is The Night Porter for a blind buy?

[mja345]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

How is The Night Porter for a blind buy?

Probably one of the last films in the collection I would blind buy to be honest. It's a thought-provoking, but highly flawed film. Very low rewatch factor IMHO.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

How is The Night Porter for a blind buy?

I watched it on Hulu and thought it was pretty good. I'll admit part of it was to finally see Charlotte Rampling in that outfit I'd seen in photos and posters over the years. I don't think I'd recommend it as a blind buy since it is a really unusual premise. I'd definitely try to see it on Hulu or rent it first.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by Halation

The Vanishing and House are of similar quality. Neither is worth watching more than once, as their flaws become very obvious on even a second watch, but they're both very interesting for that one viewing.

The flaws of House are evident on the first viewing, even if it's still a fun watch. The Vanishing is a god damn classic and national treasure, and there's nothing wrong with it.

[mja345]

Rewatchability is completely subjective. "House" is one of those movies you pop in and say, "Man, that was completely bizarre and demented". Then, a few weeks later, you have some friends over and, after a few drinks, you say, "Hey you want to watch something really bizarre?" And then, you might show it to a different set of friends a few months later.

There are certain films that I might want to watch on my own multiple times. To use the Criterion Collection as a reference, I'd say films like "Rififi", "The 400 Blows", "The Last Picture Show", "Nashville", "8 1/2" are films I would rewatch on my own quite a bit. "House" is a film that I would rewatch among company. I think that's part of the beauty of being a film collector.