The Criterion Collection

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I would just like to give a big thanks to Dr. Svet Atanasov, the person who writes the awesome Criterion reviews here for this site!

Pro-B is my favorite movie reviewer. Reading his work makes me interested in watching the movie. For example, after reading his review of "Play Time", I knew I had to buy it...ditto for The Leopard. A great asset to have in this site .

[neo78956]

Had a thought today. What modern-ish films would fit well in the criterion collection? I'll list a few to get us started.

There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
The Hurt Locker
Memento
The Fountain
The Wrestler
The Assassination of Jesse James
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Proposition
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The White Ribbon
The New World
Shutter Island
The Prestige
The Road
Inglourious Basterds
Pulp Fiction
Jackie Brown
Reservoir Dogs
Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2
A Single Man
Zodiac
Red Cliff
Letters from Iwo Jima
Brokeback Mountain
Let the Right One In
Pan's Labyrinth

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Had a thought today. What modern-ish films would fit well in the criterion collection? I'll list a few to get us started.

There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
The Hurt Locker
Memento
The Fountain
The Wrestler
The Assassination of Jesse James
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Proposition
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The White Ribbon
The New World
Shutter Island
The Prestige
The Road
Inglourious Basterds
Pulp Fiction
Jackie Brown
Reservoir Dogs
Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2
A Single Man
Zodiac
Red Cliff
Letters from Iwo Jima
Brokeback Mountain
Let the Right One In
Pan's Labyrinth

I am not against Criterion getting its hands on newer films. At the same time, there are so many films older films that need to be brought forward to today's audience.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

I am not against Criterion getting its hands on newer films. At the same time, there are so many films older films that need to be brought forward to today's audience.

That right there is the caveat of the whole thing. I've discovered so many older films I never knew existed through CC, as well as newer ones via their IFC deal.

[capnnarcolepsy]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I can't look at it any longer...... I am ordering that "house" t-shirt from the criterion store....... I've wanted it for far too long now....

I LOVE it. wear it all the time. Now, the poster is doing the tempting.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

I am not against Criterion getting its hands on newer films. At the same time, there are so many films older films that need to be brought forward to today's audience.

I almost feel the same way, although I am looking forward to more WES ANDERSON releases. However the IFC deal to me is a double edged sword. It is cool that these films are getting more publicity etc, yet at the same time I wonder how many classic Criterion titles would be given more treatment esp to HD faster.

I own several IFC releases however I am still hard pressed to buy them as easily.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I almost feel the same way, although I am looking forward to more WES ANDERSON releases. However the IFC deal to me is a double edged sword. It is cool that these films are getting more publicity etc, yet at the same time I wonder how many classic Criterion titles would be given more treatment esp to HD faster.

I own several IFC releases however I am still hard pressed to buy them as easily.

You are right. It is a very fine line. On the one hand, there is film preservation and exposure. On the other hand, a company needs to be able to make a profit, retain its technical integrity while expanding sales. It is not an easy task, and I am sure it is a dilemma that Criterion has struggled with over the years.

Like you, I would love to see an expanded base of Blu-rays. But, at what cost to the aforementioned.

You and neo have brought up valid points.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

You are right. It is a very fine line. On the one hand, there is film preservation and exposure. On the other hand, a company needs to be able to make a profit, retain its technical integrity while expanding sales. It is not an easy task, and I am sure it is a dilemma that Criterion has struggled with over the years.

Like you, I would love to see an expanded base of Blu-rays. But, at what cost to the aforementioned.

You and neo have brought up valid points.

I think there are certain modern films that would really benefit from a CC preservation in the future, as well as added supplemental material. In terms of a limited number of films, I would narrow my earlier list down to this

There Will Be Blood
Memento
The Proposition
The Road
The Fountain
The New World
Brokeback Mountain
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Assassination of Jesse James

Those films to me are the modern masterpieces that need the kind of attention and care Criterion can offer.

P.S. Can't wait to see Criterion's treatment of Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Following.

[SpiderBaby]

Criterion can make enough money off of Chaplin, Paths of Glory, Five Easy Pieces?, Night of the Hunter type releases that I don't think they would need to pay out the *** to get newer Hollywood films like those listed above. Also, there is no way studios would let them go.

Popular catalogue titles can do both things. 1st, to keep the point of Criterion in the first place and not see every new movie asked for a Criterion release (Facebook people requesting Inception, like Warner Bros won't release it). And 2nd, give Criterion more mainstream films to make money off of.

In a time like this, where studios are more giving with their catalogue titles, it is a perfect time to do that.

And "attention" and "care" for a film like There Will Be Blood? Seriously? That film doesn't get attention? And last I checked, it looked okay on blu-ray to me. The only thing it is lacking is features, but it will most likely get another re-release around PTA's next film. And Inglourious Basterds doesn't need a Criterion release either.

Is it because you want a "C" on it and a clear case? There is already great releases with studios backing them up on those titles.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I think there are certain modern films that would really benefit from a CC preservation in the future, as well as added supplemental material. In terms of a limited number of films, I would narrow my earlier list down to this

There Will Be Blood
Memento
The Proposition
The Road
The Fountain
The New World
Brokeback Mountain
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Assassination of Jesse James

Those films to me are the modern masterpieces that need the kind of attention and care Criterion can offer.

I think that The Proposition is already solid blu-ray release.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Thanks to B&N, I've picked up Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes on BD, and The Scarlet Empress and Haxan on DVD. I just hope the last two won't be out on BD for awhile...

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I think that The Proposition is already solid blu-ray release.

Yeah most of them already have good releases. It's more that Criterion also acts as a educator and preservation society as well. The ten I just listed are films I think would really benefit from that. Immortalized in the CC, if you will. There Will Be Blood is a good example of a film with a good enough release, but need much more in the way of supplements IMO.

[SpiderBaby]

Yes, let's turn one of the few dvd/blu distributors that releases foreign, arthouse, etc into a 3rd party system for new Hollywood films that doesn't need help being sold, just so we can have "cool" covers for them.YEAH!

That Inglourious Basterds release a few months ago has a crappy cover, let's have Criterion release the same exact thing only with a cool cover. Screw whatever they were going to put out! Dillinger is Dead? Never heard of it. Re-release Avatar!


It seems to me there has become 2 types of people into Criterion. 1st, to have movies they have never seen finally released. 2nd, people that wants their fav movies that have great releases (on blu-ray) for Criterion to "pimp" them out.


I can't wait for Flicker Alley to start releasing blu-rays. The Dark Knight isn't going to re-release itself you know.

I'm Back!

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yes, let's turn one of the few dvd/blu distributors that releases foreign, arthouse, etc into a 3rd party system for new Hollywood films that doesn't need help being sold, just so we can have "cool" covers for them.YEAH!

That Inglourious Basterds release a few months ago has a crappy cover, let's have Criterion release the same exact thing only with a cool cover. Screw whatever they were going to put out! Dillinger is Dead? Never heard of it. Re-release Avatar!


It seems to me there has become 2 types of people into Criterion. 1st, to have movies they have never seen finally released. 2nd, people that wants their fav movies that have great releases (on blu-ray) for Criterion to "pimp" them out.


I can't wait for Flicker Alley to start releasing blu-rays. The Dark Knight isn't going to re-release itself you know.

I'm Back!

Is it just me, or is your post dripping with acerbic sarcasm? lol

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by BasicGreatGuy

Is it just me, or is your post dripping with acerbic sarcasm? lol

CG has awaken. Someone seemed to have called my name 3 times.

[BasicGreatGuy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

CG has awaken. Someone seemed to have called my name 3 times.

LOL +5 for witty cinema retort.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by cassavetesgodard

cg has awaken. Someone seemed to have called my name 3 times.

lawlz

In any case, I think my point about the modern-ish films is not necessarily calling for a re-release very soon, but more just ideas of recent-ish films I could see being added into the CC in the future. It may be as far as decades from now, but it's just a fun "I'm bored topic to discuss I think". In any case, I can't wait for more obscure titles to be released. I love the kinds of films Criterion puts out. I wouldn't be in this thread if I didn't. But I also am not as cynical about modern cinema as a lot of people these days are. There are some truly original and fantastic modern films out there, you just have to know where to look. The motto of the CC is "Gathering important classic and contemporary films from around the world". There shouldn't be room for snobbery there. Anything can join the CC if they like it and want to put it in there. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an example. It makes them money but in my opinion it's a perfect fit. But hey, to each their own.

[SpiderBaby]

But really, I'm not hating on the movies listed (I own half of what I quickly looked through on those lists), it's just that those movies need no help from Criterion, nor does Criterion NEED them to make money. If Criterion wasn't making money, they wouldn't have been around for decades. Like I said, bigger silent, arthouse, etc titles like the upcoming Chaplins can help out with money and keep in line with what Criterion does.

"Modern masterpieces" is silly to me because they are based on hype. Wait 5-10 years and see if they hold up still. That is my problem with Criterion releasing new titles. Who says CHE or Hunger will hold up 10 years from now (CHE prob with the RED camera being groundbreaking)? Also movies that are already on the best format today doesn't need a re-release before films not on blu or even dvd.

No snobbery here when the topic is releasing a film like Inglourious Basterds (which has a loaded blu-ray) coming to Criterion, just because of it being called a "Important" film. If that's the case, Casablanca and other films Criterion can't touch needs to be in the collection too, right?

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

But really, I'm not hating on the movies listed (I own half of what I quickly looked through on those lists), it's just that those movies need no help from Criterion, nor does Criterion NEED them to make money. If Criterion wasn't making money, they wouldn't have been around for decades. Like I said, bigger silent, arthouse, etc titles like the upcoming Chaplins can help out with money and keep in line with what Criterion does. "Modern masterpieces" is silly to me because they are based on hype. Wait 5-10 years and see if they hold up still. That is my problem with Criterion releasing new titles. Who says CHE or Hunger will hold up 10 years from now (CHE prob with the RED camera being groundbreaking)?

I think a film can be considered a masterpiece even if it is recent. "There Will Be Blood" (I hate to belabor the point here) is a perfect example. That film just gets better every time and for my money is a landmark film. In terms of hype, the ten I shortlisted as modern masterpieces were films I felt had very little hype and a very small fanbase (Brokeback Mountain aside). Obviously not everything Criterion puts out is a masterpiece, but I'm simply going by the films I PERSONALLY consider as such. Obviously we have different definitions of the word, and I use it more liberally than you CG. But that's the great thing about cinema as a whole. Different reactions, views ect. on the art. If there were true consensus that would be boring.

[SpiderBaby]

I don't really care about the "said" film, but more about having a large Hollywood studio backing it up and ALREADY has a blu release, why does Criterion need it? Criterion can't get Casablanca for example, so why do they need to get There Will Be Blood because it's "important". Not everything "important" comes Criterion way.

And I'm "" the word important because important to me means more than awarded/critically acclaimed films.

Important can be a really bad film, but the first of it's kind, or groundbreaking. Not because it has Daniel Day-Lewis and directed by the best Hollywood director today in PTA.