The Criterion Collection

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

So... Kill myself?

Just be sure to film it so we can make a gif.

[AaronJ]

Well, if everything goes according to Amazon, I'll have a region-free Sony player tomorrow. It's refurbished, but that led to getting for $50 cheaper and it had very good reviews across the board. So, we'll see

I also ordered the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc. Which I will now be able to play!

All around a good day the other day.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

... All around a good day the other day.

You won't regret it! (Well, your wallet might...)

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

You won't regret it! (Well, your wallet might...)

Exactly.

But when it comes right down to it, I'm going to make the most of it.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, if everything goes according to Amazon, I'll have a region-free Sony player tomorrow. It's refurbished, but that led to getting for $50 cheaper and it had very good reviews across the board. So, we'll see

I also ordered the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc. Which I will now be able to play!

All around a good day the other day.

What model did you get? I've been waffling on the idea of going region free for a over year now because of the MoC Dr. Mabuse releases and the StudioCanal release of Port of Shadows.

[ravenus]

The other day I saw Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes on blu-ray.

TLV was one of the last films that Hitchcock made in Britain before he made his way to Hollywood. Apart from this one I have only seen The Man Who Knew Too Much and The 39 Steps from the Brit period and there's a fair degree of similarity between these films, mainly in the relatively frothy carefree spirit that embodies them, and the typical British deadpan humor.

The first act of the film, set in a crowded resort of a fictitious European country where we are introduced to most of our main cast, is primarily a comic act with some racy verbal humor. Apart from Iris (Margaret Lockwood) and Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) whose spicy spats only convince us they'll be in love before long, there is the archetypal sweet old spinster Miss Froy and the cricket crazy "no sex, we're BRITISH" stiff-upper-lip duo of Charters and Caldicott. This act concludes with the characters getting on a train as they journey to London.

The second act occurs almost entirely in the confines of the train (shot fantastically on a small stage with use of miniatures, rear/front projection, shaky movements to mimic the train motion...every trick in the book). Iris, who has received a knock on the head from a mysterious falling flowerpot at the station and made good friends with Miss Froy, falls into deep sleep and wakes up only to find that sweet old lady gone. What's more, no one in the train, including the staff and fellow passengers, is willing to admit to the presence of such a person, insisting that Miss Froy is a figment on Iris' imagination. The headstrong girl, even as she starts to doubt her own sanity, is only more determined to dig deeper into the matter for which she must take flighty Gilbert's help, even if he doesn't entirely believe her. This act is classic Hitchcock suspense, with clever sleight-of-hand and deliberate misdirection. While the plot isn't hard to figure out, it's smoothly executed and a delight to watch. There's a canny mix of humor and thrill in the unfolding that engages the senses and keeps the mind from asking those pesky questions about plausibility. The third act is the rip-roaring off-the-rails (heh) climax, where much mayhem ensues before (British) good triumphs over (foreign) evil.

So what we have here is an easily palatable adventure, but with those delightful character touches and deft writing that raise it well above the norm. Parallels have been drawn between the depiction of the British characters in the film, how they choose to ignore Iris' suspicions in favor of "just getting on with it", and how the British government initially dealt with Hitler and the rise of Nazism. The observation does seem relevant, although it is not a necessary component of one's enjoyment of the film.

The video quality on Criterion's blu-ray is excellent for a 1938 film, with good contrast and detail. The mono sound is limited but effective. Extras include a decent critic's commentary, a video essay on the film, a short audio excerpt from the Hitchcock-Truffaut sessions..and yeah, an entire other film - Crook's Tour - featuring the duo of Charters and Caldicott (I saw some 15 min of that and got bored ).

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The other day I saw Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes on blu-ray.

TLV was one of the last films that Hitchcock made in Britain before he made his way to Hollywood. Apart from this one I have only seen The Man Who Knew Too Much and The 39 Steps from the Brit period and there's a fair degree of similarity between these films, mainly in the relatively frothy carefree spirit that embodies them, and the typical British deadpan humor.

The first act of the film, set in a crowded resort of a fictitious European country where we are introduced to most of our main cast, is primarily a comic act with some racy verbal humor. Apart from Iris (Margaret Lockwood) and Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) whose spicy spats only convince us they'll be in love before long, there is the archetypal sweet old spinster Miss Froy and the cricket crazy "no sex, we're BRITISH" stiff-upper-lip duo of Charters and Caldicott. This act concludes with the characters getting on a train as they journey to London.

The second act occurs almost entirely in the confines of the train (shot fantastically on a small stage with use of miniatures, rear/front projection, shaky movements to mimic the train motion...every trick in the book). Iris, who has received a knock on the head from a mysterious falling flowerpot at the station and made good friends with Miss Froy, falls into deep sleep and wakes up only to find that sweet old lady gone. What's more, no one in the train, including the staff and fellow passengers, is willing to admit to the presence of such a person, insisting that Miss Froy is a figment on Iris' imagination. The headstrong girl, even as she starts to doubt her own sanity, is only more determined to dig deeper into the matter for which she must take flighty Gilbert's help, even if he doesn't entirely believe her. This act is classic Hitchcock suspense, with clever sleight-of-hand and deliberate misdirection. While the plot isn't hard to figure out, it's smoothly executed and a delight to watch. There's a canny mix of humor and thrill in the unfolding that engages the senses and keeps the mind from asking those pesky questions about plausibility. The third act is the rip-roaring off-the-rails (heh) climax, where much mayhem ensues before (British) good triumphs over (foreign) evil.

So what we have here is an easily palatable adventure, but with those delightful character touches and deft writing that raise it well above the norm. Parallels have been drawn between the depiction of the British characters in the film, how they choose to ignore Iris' suspicions in favor of "just getting on with it", and how the British government initially dealt with Hitler and the rise of Nazism. The observation does seem relevant, although it is not a necessary component of one's enjoyment of the film.

The video quality on Criterion's blu-ray is excellent for a 1938 film, with good contrast and detail. The mono sound is limited but effective. Extras include a decent critic's commentary, a video essay on the film, a short audio excerpt from the Hitchcock-Truffaut sessions..and yeah, an entire other film - Crook's Tour - featuring the duo of Charters and Caldicott (I saw some 15 min of that and got bored ).

Hitchcock's British era is a mixed bag. The Man Who Knew Too Much, The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes are not only the best films he made in Britain, but some of his best work outright. The first film is, IMO, far better than the baubbled Techincolor 1956 remake which lacked the wit and humour of the original. The original maybe cheap and grimy, but that adds the charm.

But for every great, you have a few stiffs such as Jamaica Inn and Young and Innocent, these films are not only inept, but annoyingly give up half way with plot and interest. The same could be said of the rarely seen Secret Agent, but at least the intrigue keeps it moving along. One of the best films from this period if Sabotage an effective retelling of Conrad's The Secret Agent. That film has brilliant suspence filled sequences and not to mention of the most effective set pieces Hitchcock made up to that point, I am talking about the boy on the bus sequence. I know you can import Sabotage the UK, but it would be great if Criterion can get their hands on the rights also.

[SkyAntoine]

I'll get up some comments on the films later, but I had a great movie watching weekend. Nothing like getting snowed in for four days!
I met my goal of watching 8 Criterions and actually started my 9th (Solaris) late last night.

[ShellOilJunior]

Thanks to those who have voted. The deadline is 1/29. Results to be posted soon after.

[Ray Jackson]

I watched Pickpocket last night on TCM...it was the second time I'd seen it.

I'm not the world's biggest Bresson fan, but this is just an amazing film.

The character of Michel has to be one of the most tragic characters in movie history.

...I'm putting this one on my list for the July sale.

[AaronJ]

Oooh, received my Sony multi-region player. Need to hook it up once I finish watching Laggies. Wish I had a multi-region disc to test, but oh well, will come this Wednesday from what I can tell.

[Scottie]

Ohhhh babyyyyy!



https://www.criterion.com/shop_produ...er-well-poster

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, if everything goes according to Amazon, I'll have a region-free Sony player tomorrow. It's refurbished, but that led to getting for $50 cheaper and it had very good reviews across the board. So, we'll see

I also ordered the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc. Which I will now be able to play!

All around a good day the other day.

Excellent. There are some fantastic releases from Eureka and Arrow (among others) in the UK that will surely please any Criterion fan.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by ZeTi

# Hideo Gosha #

What we have:
*3 Outlaw Samurai
*Sword of the Beast
*Heat Wave (on Hulu)

What we need:
*Goyokin
*Hitokiri
*The Wolves
*Hunter in the Dark
*Bandit vs. Samurai Squad
*Samurai Wolf 1+2
*Secret of the Urn

Hunter in the Dark, and Bandits VS Samurai Squad are also on Hulu, but really need a physical release.

To this day I'm truly surprised that Hitokiri (Tench) has not had a legit release in the U.S. Most people consider it to be one of the best Japanese films ever made, and I don't think I've ever read a bad review about it. I honestly expected a DVD/Blu of this film a decade ago. Not sure what's going on there.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Excellent. There are some fantastic releases from Eureka and Arrow (among others) in the UK that will surely please any Criterion fan.

Well, checking out a regular Region A flick on my new player, and it seems pretty damned nice (Gone Baby Gone, btw). Took me a little while to hook everything up, but I think I'm OK for now anyways.

We'll see with The Passion of Joan of Arc.

But definitely looking forward to those other titles. As someone else said, may not be nice to be my wallet, however.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Excellent. There are some fantastic releases from Eureka and Arrow (among others) in the UK that will surely please any Criterion fan.

And add BFI to the list as well.

Arrow had some of the best releases recently. Three of my top 10 blu ray releases were from Arrow last year.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, if everything goes according to Amazon, I'll have a region-free Sony player tomorrow. It's refurbished, but that led to getting for $50 cheaper and it had very good reviews across the board. So, we'll see

I also ordered the MoC Passion of Joan of Arc. Which I will now be able to play!

All around a good day the other day.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Excellent. There are some fantastic releases from Eureka and Arrow (among others) in the UK that will surely please any Criterion fan.

I can safely recommend these titles from Eureka/Moc. As far as I know these are definitely Region B only:

Onibaba
The Naked Island ( a possible Criterion release though)
The Tarnished Angels
Pickup on South Street
Das Testament of Dr.Mabuse
Coeur Fidele
The Lost Weekend
Lifeboat
La Planete Sauvage

[AaronJ]

Thanks.

I will be looking into all of those.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

I can safely recommend these titles from Eureka/Moc. As far as I know these are definitely Region B only:

Onibaba
The Naked Island ( a possible Criterion release though)
The Tarnished Angels
Pickup on South Street
Das Testament of Dr.Mabuse
Coeur Fidele
The Lost Weekend
Lifeboat
La Planete Sauvage

The transfer on Lost Weekend is totally black crushed. I'd skip that one and wait for a US release.

[SkyAntoine]

A rundown of my watches over the weekend...

Purple Noon - Fantastic stolen identity/crime drama. Delon plays Ripley perfectly and despite many complaints I have seen the ending is very fitting. 8/10

The American Friend - Initially it was difficult seeing Hopper as Tom Ripley, however he was more of a background character even though his actions drive this narrative. Ganz was terrific and Wenders captured the emotions that push him into Walter White territory. 8/10

Design for Living - I cannot imagine how the public perceived this movie in 1933. A very frank look at love and happiness all from a risqué pre-code film. Wonderful dialogue and cast. 9/10

Mullholand Drive - My second viewing was different but no less enjoyable. Watched with my cousin who knew nothing about the movie and we had a good discussion of our interpretations after it finished. Multiple viewings allow you to catch the subtle hints that go unnoticed the first time. 10/10

Trouble in Paradise - Nice pairing with Design for Living. Lubitsch paved the way with a new way of making movies in Hollywood. Smart, funny and daring. Fantastic film. 9/10

The Ballad of Narayama - Gorgeous cinematography and set design. Unique story about life, death and sacrifice for family. 9/10

The Lady Eve - Another Sturgess hit. My take away...women are evil. 8/10

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamota - I like where this is going. Mifune is larger than life on screen. The Count of Monte Cristo with a samurai flair. 8/10