The Criterion Collection

[Crimson King]

Dig out my CC Carnival of Souls 2-DVD set out today, great underrated film, a blu release would be most awesome!

[ccfixx]

Both criterionforum.org & DVDBeaver have their reviews up for "Black Orpheus" now for those interested.

Criterionforum.org also has their review up for DVD of von Sternberg's "Underworld" for those interested.

CC

[capnnarcolepsy]

Well, everything but "Night and Fog" has shown up. Here's my new leaning tower of Criterion with a dash of Eclipse:



also, did everyone die? This is the longest I think the thread has gone without a post in quite some time.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by capnnarcolepsy

Well, everything but "Night and Fog" has shown up. Here's my new leaning tower of Criterion with a dash of Eclipse:

Nice!!!!!

[capnnarcolepsy]

Originally Posted by kndy

Nice!!!!!

thanks! I'm most excited about the Oshima set, Teshigahara and "Science is Fiction". I think tonite is going to be either "Walkabout" or "Bigger Than Life" though. I must admit, the Cassavetes is a complete blind buy, but I always hear so many wonderful things and it was too good of a deal to pass up. I have a good feeling about it though.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by whbinder

On a slightly different tangent. I was hoping to get some thoughts on "Bad Timing".

I mentioned several pages back that I didn't enjoy "Walkabout" but perhaps it was time to give it another chance. Well, I still can't say I enjoy it. It just doesn't make the emotional connection with me personally that I think it was intended to.

But I respect it.

It got me into looking a little deeper into some of Roeg's other works including "The Man Who Fell To Earth". Again, I didn't really dig it, but I have mad respect for the sterile nature of his creation.

But more, I started enjoying the overall themes of his films; the excellent use of camera to view our world from a puzzled outside viewpoint, the failure of language to understand each other. The universal nature of sexuality.

So I was wondering if I should push "Bad Timing" up on my to-do list.

Any thoughts?

I loved Walkabout, and find it myself to be one of the more emotionally satisfying - not to mention sexually charged - films i've ever seen. Maybe try Don't Look Now which is his unbelievable take on the "horror" genre, or maybe Petulia with Julie Christie, which was directed by Richard Lester but shot by Roeg - it has the fractured narrative and electrifying editing that Roeg would later impliment in his own work.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by capnnarcolepsy

thanks! I'm most excited about the Oshima set, Teshigahara and "Science is Fiction". I think tonite is going to be either "Walkabout" or "Bigger Than Life" though. I must admit, the Cassavetes is a complete blind buy, but I always hear so many wonderful things and it was too good of a deal to pass up. I have a good feeling about it though.

The Cassavetes set is prob the best release Criterion ever had. Not trying to say that being a big fan, it just is. Hope ya like it.

P.S., your pic isn't showing up. Just a red X.

[capnnarcolepsy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

The Cassavetes set is prob the best release Criterion ever had. Not trying to say that being a big fan, it just is. Hope ya like it.

P.S., your pic isn't showing up. Just a red X.

Weird, it was totally working earlier. Either way, it's up and alive again.

I thought you might have a good thing or two to say about the Cassavetes set.

[Juiceboxjerry]

Just got done watching Ride With the Devil, and I can't understand why Criterion felt the need to release this movie. First off, it's not very good imo. Not awful, but definitely not something that I feel is up to their standards.

Second, there's basically no special features. An Ang Lee commentary, and a 15 minute conversation with Jeffrey Wright. Seeing as I don't care much for the film, this really doesn't bother me, but I thought one of the main reasons they pursued a film was because they'd be able to add several supplements to the package.

This doesn't seem like a cash grab in the vein of The Rock, Armageddon or Benjamin Button (which I liked), because the movie wasn't very popular when it was released, and I don't think that has changed much since. The only thing it really has going for it is Ang Lee, but this is definitely not his best work. I don't know, am I being too harsh? Did anyone else find this release to be a little curious, and lacking?

(Btw, it probably didn't help that I watched this right after watching Pierrot le fou again, which is probably my favorite title that Criterion has released on Blu to this point)

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Juiceboxjerry

Just got done watching Ride With the Devil, and I can't understand why Criterion felt the need to release this movie. First off, it's not very good imo. Not awful, but definitely not something that I feel is up to their standards.

Second, there's basically no special features. An Ang Lee commentary, and a 15 minute conversation with Jeffrey Wright. Seeing as I don't care much for the film, this really doesn't bother me, but I thought one of the main reasons they pursued a film was because they'd be able to add several supplements to the package.

This doesn't seem like a cash grab in the vein of The Rock, Armageddon or Benjamin Button (which I liked), because the movie wasn't very popular when it was released, and I don't think that has changed much since. The only thing it really has going for it is Ang Lee, but this is definitely not his best work. I don't know, am I being too harsh? Did anyone else find this release to be a little curious, and lacking?

(Btw, it probably didn't help that I watched this right after watching Pierrot le fou again, which is probably my favorite title that Criterion has released on Blu to this point)

I enjoyed Ride w/ The Devil, being a Civil War buff also helped. My only reservation was having Jewel in it, but surprisingly, she was pretty good in it. I've enjoyed most of Ang Lee's films. Hopefully, The Ice Storm will make it's way to blu.

[JediFonger]

that's a good point juiceboxjerry. it's not just Blu-Rays, i've been noticing a trend w/DVDs as well like make way for tomorrow, night train munich, etc.

what has happened to the behind the scenes/extras for Criterion releases?

it actually doesn't affect me personally. i'm of the mind that film magic shouldn't be "discussed" cause it ruins the suspension of belief. but i know people luv 'extras'.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I enjoyed Ride w/ The Devil, being a Civil War buff also helped. My only reservation was having Jewel in it, but surprisingly, she was pretty good in it. I've enjoyed most of Ang Lee's films. Hopefully, The Ice Storm will make it's way to blu.

I was more concerned with Spider-man myself

[Juiceboxjerry]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

that's a good point juiceboxjerry. it's not just Blu-Rays, i've been noticing a trend w/DVDs as well like make way for tomorrow, night train munich, etc.

what has happened to the behind the scenes/extras for Criterion releases?

it actually doesn't affect me personally. i'm of the mind that film magic shouldn't be "discussed" cause it ruins the suspension of belief. but i know people luv 'extras'.

I'm the same way. I've never been huge on extras. Occasionally, if I really love a movie I'll listen to the audio commentary or watch some behind the scenes stuff. I hate deleted scenes (unless it's a comedy). I figure if I was supposed to see those scenes, the director would've put them in the movie, or released a new cut of the film.

Actually, I do find myself watching the supplements more often with Criterion because they really do a great job with them. That's why I was a little surprised with how bare Ride With the Devil was.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Juiceboxjerry

Just got done watching Ride With the Devil, and I can't understand why Criterion felt the need to release this movie. First off, it's not very good imo. Not awful, but definitely not something that I feel is up to their standards.

Second, there's basically no special features. An Ang Lee commentary, and a 15 minute conversation with Jeffrey Wright. Seeing as I don't care much for the film, this really doesn't bother me, but I thought one of the main reasons they pursued a film was because they'd be able to add several supplements to the package.

This doesn't seem like a cash grab in the vein of The Rock, Armageddon or Benjamin Button (which I liked), because the movie wasn't very popular when it was released, and I don't think that has changed much since. The only thing it really has going for it is Ang Lee, but this is definitely not his best work. I don't know, am I being too harsh? Did anyone else find this release to be a little curious, and lacking?

(Btw, it probably didn't help that I watched this right after watching Pierrot le fou again, which is probably my favorite title that Criterion has released on Blu to this point)

Agree. It was a box office bomb, and not a great film by any means. The extended edition has been available for years on DVD, so not even that is new. Not the best title to fuel sales.

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I was more concerned with Spider-man myself

Ride With the Devil came out in 1999. That's back when Tobey Maguire had a pretty solid streak of acting performances. The Ice Storm, Pleasantville, The Cider House Rules, and Wonder Boys all in a span of 3 years.

[johnns]

First post. Just purchased a sealed copy of The Third Man (in the original plastic case for that matter) from a seller on Amazon. It cost me more than it would have to go for the upcoming Lionsgate release, but I prefer the Criterion edition.

Can't say wether I would purchase any other titles in the Criterion Collection, as I haven't seen most of them. But I plan to fix that now that I have Netflix.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

that's a good point juiceboxjerry. it's not just Blu-Rays, i've been noticing a trend w/DVDs as well like make way for tomorrow, night train munich, etc.

what has happened to the behind the scenes/extras for Criterion releases?

it actually doesn't affect me personally. i'm of the mind that film magic shouldn't be "discussed" cause it ruins the suspension of belief. but i know people luv 'extras'.

I can understand some of these newer titles, which are becoming more obscure films, having less features (Night Train, von Sternberg silents, somewhat Dillinger is Dead, etc). But since you all are talking about Ride With The Devil, being a newer, more mainstream film, I don't understand why they couldn't get any more features than they have.

[johnns]

With the direction Criterion is taking, I'm hoping they release the Leslie Howard version of The Scarlett Pimpernel - one of my favorites.

[tyrone_slothrop]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I can understand some of these newer titles, which are becoming more obscure films, having less features (Night Train, von Sternberg silents, somewhat Dillinger is Dead, etc). But since you all are talking about Ride With The Devil, being a newer, more mainstream film, I don't understand why they couldn't get any more features than they have.

The simple answer is: "Money." It costs money to produce or license everything that appears as a supplement on a Criterion disc, and as we all know Criterion's pockets aren't lined with gold. They have to make a calculation just like anyone else would and weigh the cost of supplements versus potential sales.

Keep in mind that films like Night Train or Dillinger probably don't cost much to license compared with, say, Dazed and Confused, or a popular classic like The Third Man (which, obviously, they weren't able to hold on to). It seems to me they try to maximize revenue on less expensive, lower profile, films by not adding exorbitantly to the cost of production by producing commentaries, feature length docs, etc. On more popular titles that sell better and may have more existing material to include (cheaply) on the disc, they make a more substantial investment to produce a feature laden disc that fans will buy year in, year out.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by johnns

First post. Just purchased a sealed copy of The Third Man (in the original plastic case for that matter) from a seller on Amazon. It cost me more than it would have to go for the upcoming Lionsgate release, but I prefer the Criterion edition.

Can't say wether I would purchase any other titles in the Criterion Collection, as I haven't seen most of them. But I plan to fix that now that I have Netflix.

Someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong..... but I'm fairly certain that Criterion never released "The Third Man" in the plastic case.......