The Criterion Collection

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by Vidya

For M, skip the Criterion. This is the release you want (it's region free): https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/M-Blu-ray/18091/

My I ask why? Since it is all in German, I can't compare and contrast the special features. I know the Criterion doesn't have the best visual quality but that is all I know that is better in other editions.

Scratch that, I can just read on the review page... I skipped right to the Amazon page.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Vidya

For M, skip the Criterion. This is the release you want (it's region free): https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/M-Blu-ray/18091/

Thanks, that's another Criterion title I need to double-up on.

[ThatOneGuy]

Yeah, reading up I think I'm still going to stick with the Criterion version (since that has everything in my native language) and if I really like the movie, I'll get the German version.

[llj]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Everything from start to finish, including the mise-en-scene and editing.

I really liked the mystery because initially you don't think it's a big deal, but then you realize that there's something more than meets the eye. Furthermore, France has been featured in so many films, but I felt like this was the first time that I was right in the heart of the country.

I'm a fan of Le Pont du Nord as well. It's freewheeling, shot-on-location filmmaking at its best. It really pulsates with raw, unadorned energy, not to mention it introduced me to the curious appeal of Pascale Ogier. If she had lived longer, she probably would have been remembered as an international icon of the 80s.

On another note, I see this week we've moved onto people hating on another sacred cow in L'Avventura.

It's in my top 3 of all time. It ticks off a lot of what I like on my checklist of cinema. Hot girls, characters aimlessly wandering around from place to place, beautiful cinematography, personal alienation. Oh yeah.

[SammyJankis]

Just a heads up for your Malick poster lovers. Mondo is releasing a print for The Thin Red Line tomorrow at a random time (their sales typically go up around noon.) Not a huge fan of the artwork myself (hope their Tree of Life one is better), but I figured it was worth posting.

[Show spoiler]

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by John Klein

Yeah, reading up I think I'm still going to stick with the Criterion version (since that has everything in my native language) and if I really like the movie, I'll get the German version.

I'll probably get the German edition - it sounds like it has a slight uptick in quality, and there's a 60+ minute doc on it with English subs.

But then, I can speak some Deutch, so es ist kein problem fuer mich.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Just a heads up for your Malick poster lovers. Mondo is releasing a print for The Thin Red Line tomorrow at a random time (their sales typically go up around noon.) Not a huge fan of the artwork myself (hope their Tree of Life one is better), but I figured it was worth posting.

[Show spoiler]

The film is one of my favourites ever (and the reason why I discovered Criterion), but yes, I also don't like it much.
Although I would prefer it for a Criterion cover over the current one.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by llj

On another note, I see this week we've moved onto people hating on another sacred cow in L'Avventura.

It's in my top 3 of all time. It ticks off a lot of what I like on my checklist of cinema. Hot girls, characters aimlessly wandering around from place to place, beautiful cinematography, personal alienation. Oh yeah.

Yeah, negative posts concerning L'Avventura initially break my heart. Then I realize that it's just one of those films that not everyone is going to connect with, and that's the way it is. It's way up on my list as well, for pretty much the same reasons. That entire trilogy is endlessly watchable and provocative. And Monica Vitti -- like I could ever get enough of Monica Vitti!

When you add in Red Desert, along with L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, and La Notte -- it's sort of amazing the run that Antonioni was on during the 60s.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

The film is one of my favourites ever (and the reason why I discovered Criterion), but yes, I also don't like it much.
Although I would prefer it for a Criterion cover over the current one.

Seeing it in 35mm a month ago was one of my favorite theater experiences.

Really? I love the Criterion cover. Just realized this is the same artist that did the Mondo Boyhood cover, which I think is hideous.

[pro-bassoonist]

Ettore Scola (1931–2016)

One of the last three giants of Italian Cinema has passed away.

Thank you for the great films, Maestro!

Ettore Scola â—� A Simple Tribute - YouTube

[Vidya]

Originally Posted by John Klein

Yeah, reading up I think I'm still going to stick with the Criterion version (since that has everything in my native language) and if I really like the movie, I'll get the German version.

The most important improvement is the audio quality. For example, sound effects that were inaudible on the Criterion are now audible and scenes that are supposed to be silent are now completely silent.

[CriterionBlues]

Say it ain't so, Criterion thread? Hating on Tati and Antonioni?

Tati to me is the opposite of boring. Playtime is such a delight. I laugh more with each viewing.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yeah, negative posts concerning L'Avventura initially break my heart. Then I realize that it's just one of those films that not everyone is going to connect with, and that's the way it is. It's way up on my list as well, for pretty much the same reasons. That entire trilogy is endlessly watchable and provocative. And Monica Vitti -- like I could ever get enough of Monica Vitti!

When you add in Red Desert, along with L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, and La Notte -- it's sort of amazing the run that Antonioni was on during the 60s.

I won't dare say the film is bad, it just doesn't suit me and I've noticed that happens a lot with Italian cinema with me. I get the people who love the film, I just don't.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Say it ain't so, Criterion thread? Hating on Tati and Antonioni?

Tati to me is the opposite of boring. Playtime is such a delight. I laugh more with each viewing.

I must admit that I've never seen any Tati. It doesn't strike me as my kind of thing, but having never seen any I guess I really need to give him a chance. I see that they have Playtime on Hulu. So, maybe I'll give it a shot when I get home from the golf dome tomorrow.

But yes, hating on Antonioni is utterly unacceptable behavior!

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yeah, negative posts concerning L'Avventura initially break my heart. Then I realize that it's just one of those films that not everyone is going to connect with, and that's the way it is. It's way up on my list as well, for pretty much the same reasons. That entire trilogy is endlessly watchable and provocative. And Monica Vitti -- like I could ever get enough of Monica Vitti!

When you add in Red Desert, along with L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, and La Notte -- it's sort of amazing the run that Antonioni was on during the 60s.

I like La Notte quite a lot, but the three others you mentioned don't really do anything for me.

I do find myself watching Monica Vitti in those Antonioni films and thinking to myself, "Man...it seems like all she ever does is complain about how unhappy she is, regardless of the movie or the situation. I wish she would stop complaining."

There is an element of what I would consider to be first world "woe is me" sensibility that I find a little off-putting.

Honestly, what do these people really have to complain about?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I like La Notte quite a lot, but the three others you mentioned don't really do anything for me.

I do find myself watching Monica Vitti in those Antonioni films and thinking to myself, "Man...it seems like all she ever does is complain about how unhappy she is, regardless of the movie or the situation. I wish she would stop complaining."

There is an element of what I would consider to be first world "woe is me" sensibility that I find a little off-putting.

Honestly, what do these people really have to complain about?

The emptiness that exists within their lives.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The emptiness that exists within their lives.

I cringe when well-off people mope around complaining about the emptiness of their lives.

...go tell that to someone living in some third world hellhole.

[jacobb1313]

Originally Posted by John Klein

My I ask why? Since it is all in German, I can't compare and contrast the special features. I know the Criterion doesn't have the best visual quality but that is all I know that is better in other editions.

Scratch that, I can just read on the review page... I skipped right to the Amazon page.

As a proud owner of this one I can say the landscape (soundscape) created by the restored sound brings a new vitality to the film. I cannot recommend it highly enough for that reason alone. It's not all about the screencaps. (Although I do prefer the video a small smidge to the Criterion.)

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I cringe when well-off people mope around complaining about the emptiness of their lives.

...go tell that to someone living in some third world hellhole.

When I think back on movies that moved me - City of God, District 9, The Grapes of Wrath, etc - I realize that the plight of the poor and the harsh slum settings intrigue me way more than things like L'avventura. I personally see more significance in watching and reflecting on the suffering in a low-class setting than in the upper class. Might be another reason why I dislike L'avventura - can't connect or care about debonair hotshots on a boat moaning and stuff.

[applemac]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

Say it ain't so, Criterion thread? Hating on Tati and Antonioni?

Tati to me is the opposite of boring. Playtime is such a delight. I laugh more with each viewing.

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I must admit that I've never seen any Tati. It doesn't strike me as my kind of thing, but having never seen any I guess I really need to give him a chance. I see that they have Playtime on Hulu. So, maybe I'll give it a shot when I get home from the golf dome tomorrow.

But yes, hating on Antonioni is utterly unacceptable behavior!

I bought the box set blind buy on sale. Couldn't have been happier. One of my favorite scenes in any movie comes from this set - the dancing scene in Mr. Hulot's Holiday.

Highly recommend watching the other Mr. Hulot movies before Playtime to fully understand it