The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

RIP Wes Craven.

The Last House on the Left is too mean-spirited for my tastes, and, although I am an enthusiastic fan of most slasher cinema from the late 1970s and early 1980s, that film is still not a part of my collection. I totally appreciate why it is considered a high point for the horror movies of that era, but it's quite difficult for me to watch.

Funnily enough, my own introduction to Wes Craven's work was by way of Swamp Thing, which I loved during my childhood and which I still enjoy today.

I believe that Deadly Blessing is one of the most underrated horror films of the 1980s, and I'm glad that Scream Factory did justice to it at long last.

If Criterion is to release a Wes Craven film, then I'd love for it to be Deadly Friend. Not exactly Criterion fare, but it did kickstart my longtime crush on Kristy Swanson.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

But a film about a child killer is?

I don't remember any horrific child-killing scenes in Nightmare on Elm Street.

...nor brutal rapes for that matter.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I don't remember any horrific child-killing scenes in Nightmare on Elm Street.

...nor brutal rapes for that matter.

But Freddie is a child murderer.

Yes, though, you're right about Last House of the Left -- it's incredibly brutal. I mean, OK, it's no Irreversible. Then again, what is? But yeah. It's certainly not for everyone.

[Polaroid]

How can you not get the 'its so bad its god' type of films...

They are very corny or silly film that are pretty bad if you want to analyse it but its so entertaining it makes it fun to watch.

Like 'The People Under the Stair' its pretty silly and has so many stupid moments, but its rather entertaining and you don't need to think to watch it lol.

Ok its hard to explain! Also a lot of B horrors are pretty corny but entertaining to watch

[Cujo]

My favorite Craven film is The Hills Have Eyes, followed closely by the underrated Deadly Blessing (which I learned, years later, was filmed in the county right next to mine). I have the excellent Arrow edition of the latter, but the former has no quality Blu, so in the unlikely chance that Criterion ever did a Craven film, I would hope for it.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

RIP Wes Craven.

The Last House on the Left is too mean-spirited for my tastes, and, although I am an enthusiastic fan of most slasher cinema from the late 1970s and early 1980s, that film is still not a part of my collection. I totally appreciate why it is considered a high point for the horror movies of that era, but it's quite difficult for me to watch.

Funnily enough, my own introduction to Wes Craven's work was by way of Swamp Thing, which I loved during my childhood and which I still enjoy today.

I believe that Deadly Blessing is one of the most underrated horror films of the 1980s, and I'm glad that Scream Factory did justice to it at long last.

If Criterion is to release a Wes Craven film, then I'd love for it to be Deadly Friend. Not exactly Criterion fare, but it did kickstart my longtime crush on Kristy Swanson.

I remember the TV and radio ads for The Last House on the Left with the "it's only a movie" that became one of the more memorable taglines from that era. I didn't see it until the VHS came out and it's a very unsettling experience. I think the ultra-low budget actually makes it more difficult to watch and I felt almost like an accessory to the goings on with the fly on the wall feel of it. On one hand I admire what Craven and Co. were able to achieve with what they had to work with but it's an unpleasant film and this coming from someone who isn't squeamish and generally likes the Slasher genre.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

What the hell is a "so bad it's good" type film? I hate that phrase and it never made any sense to me. A movie's either good or bad.

The Last House in the Left is a genuinely good film. If you don't like it then that's just a matter of taste. And you can't deny the talent it took to make it.

Most of the films that MST3K showed were examples of that phrase.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

RIP Wes Craven.

The Last House on the Left is too mean-spirited for my tastes, and, although I am an enthusiastic fan of most slasher cinema from the late 1970s and early 1980s, that film is still not a part of my collection. I totally appreciate why it is considered a high point for the horror movies of that era, but it's quite difficult for me to watch. .

Have you watched the Virgin Spring by Ingmar Bergman? It's basically an unofficial remake(ripoff).

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

Have you watched the Virgin Spring by Ingmar Bergman? It's basically an unofficial remake(ripoff).

The Virgin Spring is one of my favorite Bergman films but I wouldn't call Last House in the Left a ripoff. It's an original interpretation of the same story which Bergman himself took from an old Swedish ballad.

[AaronJ]

This reminds that I haven't seen Virgin Spring in a very long time. I need to correct that soon.

Can't do that tonight as I'm engaged in a Scream series marathon in honor of Wes. Maybe tomorrow night.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

But Freddie is a child murderer.

Yes, though, you're right about Last House of the Left -- it's incredibly brutal. I mean, OK, it's no Irreversible. Then again, what is? But yeah. It's certainly not for everyone.

Honestly, ive seen both of those & didn't find them at all that brutal & in the case of Irreversible I was really bored. Maybe ive seen so many horror films since childhood that ive become too jaded & nothing really bothers me.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Honestly, ive seen both of those & didn't find them at all that brutal & in the case of Irreversible I was really bored. Maybe ive seen so many horror films since childhood that ive become too jaded & nothing really bothers me.

There's other stuff in Irreversible, obviously. But that rape scene is pretty tough to take, IMO. It just goes on and on and on and ... well, you get the idea.

Don't get me wrong: I thought it was a good film. I even own on DVD -- though I don't know why as it's not something I can really imagine wanting to watch again.

[Norbie]

Looks at this lovely package Barnes & Noble has sent me....


image.jpg

.... who knew that Barnes & Noble deals with second hand items?

The history......

During the Criterion sale I ordered this set as well as the 3 Rossillini with Bergman one. The Rossillini set was fine, it came with the same issues that we all are familiar with when it comes to this style of digipack and it included the regular blu-ray sticker that comes with every item.

But this.... No blu-ray sticker and not the original cellophane covering the set. This is the third or fourth time they have done this to me. I believe they think they can do this because I'm an international customer (Australia) and it will be a ***** to deal with their "customer service" people.

Has there been anyone who is an international customer dealt with B&N because they sent an item like the one above? Did you ask for a refund or for them to replace the item? Was it a ***** dealing with them?

[CoenP]

Originally Posted by Norbie

Looks at this lovely package Barnes & Noble has sent me....


Attachment 122613

.... who knew that Barnes & Noble deals with second hand items?

The history......

During the Criterion sale I ordered this set as well as the 3 Rossillini with Bergman one. The Rossillini set was fine, it came with the same issues that we all are familiar with when it comes to this style of digipack and it included the regular blu-ray sticker that comes with every item.

But this.... No blu-ray sticker and not the original cellophane covering the set. This is the third or fourth time they have done this to me. I believe they think they can do this because I'm an international customer (Australia) and it will be a ***** to deal with their "customer service" people.

Has there been anyone who is an international customer dealt with B&N because they sent an item like the one above? Did you ask for a refund or for them to replace the item? Was it a ***** dealing with them?

Bummer. I've had the same with my David Lean blu ray box. I emailed B&N and they gave me the choise: sent it back and get a refund or get a 10% discount. I chose the latter.

[Marlow27]

Recently watched Ride the Pink Horse


What a great film. Montgomery's performance was great, the perfect blend of coldness and humanity, and the script is superb with classic dialogue and a deft handling of the plot. Really fine cinematography from Metty as well. There's a real harshness and brutality to this film, that is balanced by brief moments of feeling or comedy, which was really well handled and enjoyable.

Great restoration by Criterion, it looks and sounds great.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Norbie

Looks at this lovely package Barnes & Noble has sent me....


Attachment 122613

.... who knew that Barnes & Noble deals with second hand items?

The history......

During the Criterion sale I ordered this set as well as the 3 Rossillini with Bergman one. The Rossillini set was fine, it came with the same issues that we all are familiar with when it comes to this style of digipack and it included the regular blu-ray sticker that comes with every item.

But this.... No blu-ray sticker and not the original cellophane covering the set. This is the third or fourth time they have done this to me. I believe they think they can do this because I'm an international customer (Australia) and it will be a ***** to deal with their "customer service" people.

Has there been anyone who is an international customer dealt with B&N because they sent an item like the one above? Did you ask for a refund or for them to replace the item? Was it a ***** dealing with them?

Please can you censor your images in the future, this is so horrific and disturbing to see.

Please think of mothers before posting! Lol

[jazzbo]

Originally Posted by CoenP

Bummer. I've had the same with my David Lean blu ray box. I emailed B&N and they gave me the choise: sent it back and get a refund or get a 10% discount. I chose the latter.

I had the same thing happen when I ordered the David Lean/Noel Coward box during the last B&N sale. Individual cases were obviously shop worn, and it didn't look like the original shrink wrap.

All of the discs looked pristine (and played fine) so I didn't make a big deal out of it.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

How cool would it be if Criterion was somehow able to get the rights to release the original Nightmare as a Criterion?

...as a tribute to Wes.

...and a great gift to me.

Personally I was always a fan of Serpent and the Rainbow more then the Nightmare on Elm street movies. Great build up though it goes off the rails by the end. Meaning it ruins the plausible story and mystery by having a typical horror ending.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Norbie

Looks at this lovely package Barnes & Noble has sent me....


Attachment 122613

.... who knew that Barnes & Noble deals with second hand items?

[Show spoiler]
The history......

During the Criterion sale I ordered this set as well as the 3 Rossillini with Bergman one. The Rossillini set was fine, it came with the same issues that we all are familiar with when it comes to this style of digipack and it included the regular blu-ray sticker that comes with every item.

But this.... No blu-ray sticker and not the original cellophane covering the set. This is the third or fourth time they have done this to me. I believe they think they can do this because I'm an international customer (Australia) and it will be a ***** to deal with their "customer service" people.

Has there been anyone who is an international customer dealt with B&N because they sent an item like the one above? Did you ask for a refund or for them to replace the item? Was it a ***** dealing with them?

I'm a U.S. customer and I had to return 3 separate copies of the Eclipse: Late Ozu set. They all looked like they had been dropped - corners were crushed, spines had creases... For one thing, the shrink wrap cardboard packaging they use to mail these kinds of sets is awful. I made a "formal complaint," but that isn't likely to change anything.

The last copy I took to the store for a refund. They were very understanding that I wanted a 'clean' copy and even offered to have a 4th one sent.

That's ok. I'll wait for CC's next flash sale.

[Al_The_Strange]

To me a "so bad it's good" film would have to be something like Birdemic, The Room, Troll 2, Zaat, and stuff like that - the B-movies that are so bad they make you laugh. Hence, it's so bad, you enjoy it. Not sure what's not to get about it, I think those films are indeed hilariously stupid.

I'd even group Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Iron Sky, and Sharknado in the mix, but those are bad on purpose, and that's where a lot of people draw the line.

But of course, in a Criterion thread, these films are sacrilege.

I would have thought Last House on the Left as a Criterion edition would be sacrilege too - I think the film is trashy beyond belief - but somebody around these parts (forget if it was this thread, it might have actually been The Great Owl) defended the film and claimed that it would be good Criterion fodder, because it has a following and influence and is made by a great director. Given that Criterion has released other films from directors that are pretty abstract, zany, gory, low-budget, or with nasty reputations (like Cronenberg movies, Salo, House, etc), in addition to blockbusters, I no longer question whether Criterion would or wouldn't release something. I believe if they see value in it somewhere and get the rights, they will do it, regardless of whether we think it's "good" or "bad." We kid about them putting out Kindergarden Cop and stuff, but hey, you never know.