The Criterion Collection

[NolanvsNathan]

Psyched about the release of Boyhood, and am eagerly awaiting the release of more Linklater titles in the future.

Any chance of Me and Orson Welles getting a Criterion release? It's easily in my Top 5 Linklater Films. It received an appalling Theatrical release and is currently only available on Blu-Ray in Germany and France. Would be such a perfect addition into the collection! Thoughts?

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by Samantha

I think I bought into the hype about Boyhood. I found it extremely underwhelming although I will say I adore Patricia Arquette and was happy to see her finally get some acting recognition with the Oscar win.

Boyhood was a "one and done" movie for me. I enjoyed it, but I don't think I will need to see it again. I found the current Blu-ray for $3.99 at my local grocery store (used) and passed, so obviously I won't be buying the Criterion. I WOULD buy the "Before" trilogy, however.

[jbieste]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

I HATE Westerns & I HATE Altman but I LOVE McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Let's discuss how this is possible.

Leonard Cohen has a way of touching the deepest parts of your soul while you're watching the movie.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by MeMynonsense

I’m sure it was an unintentional omission more than anything, but no love for MASH bro?
Am I the only one who thinks Altman is at his debauch-est here?

Yeah, "MASH" is interesting because it combines the elements of his ensemble films and the elements of reconstructing a genre (war movies). Just left it out of that post for some reason haha.

[aes3728]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think it will be released in 2017. Criterion usually doesn't release films from the same director a few months apart in their release schedule (Although they did with Wenders).

This year though we've gotten/will get three Altmans in a span of 5 months

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by mja345

"3 Women" is the film that's out on an island, because its so indescribable, but it still has Altman's stylistic touches.

I think "3 Women", "Images", and "The Company" are a nice sub-heading of Altman, a side that isn't present much in his other stuff.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by aes3728

This year though we've gotten/will get three Altmans in a span of 5 months

I have a feeling that these had probably gotten bottlenecked somewhere along the way; Altman's widow passed on earlier this year, so I kind of suspect that the estate had probably put some things on hold for a little while and now these were all ready at the same time. McCabe is the only one that is new to the collection, the other two are just upgrades of previous releases with new transfers.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Payne

=/

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think it will be released in 2017. Criterion usually doesn't release films from the same director a few months apart in their release schedule (Although they did with Wenders).

Altman, Anderson, The Coens, and the already mentioned Wenders have all had multiple releases close to each other (at least in the same calander year).

That and November usually has a popular box set.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I think "3 Women", "Images", and "The Company" are a nice sub-heading of Altman, a side that isn't present much in his other stuff.

What connects those films other than the fact that the leads are women?

[Member-222782]

Just finished watching my copy of The In-Laws and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the film. Sorry for the cliche but it was like watching the film for the first time. The PQ, for the most part, was fantastic. For some reason Criterion editions of mainstream studio films always look far, far better than what the studios themselves deliver on average. I can't imagine the film looking this good had Warner themselves released it. Thank goodness there are labels like Criterion who go the extra mile and it's because they are run by true film fans. Fans of The In-Laws will be very pleased with this BD

[KCota15]

Excited for Boyhood but hoping it'll be a digipak to go with the other Linklater films and includes the film's trailer. Criterion doesn't list it, but it's on the page for the movie so I'm not sure.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Im about 55 minutes into McCabe & Mrs. Miller and I have to admit I really really like it. I know it's universally loved around here so this isn't a shocking statement. Hang on this is where it gets crazy....

I Generally do NOT like Robert Altman movies.

I almost always HATE westerns (exception is any Leone & the Original 3:10 To Yuma)

I HATE Westerns & I HATE Altman but I LOVE McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Let's discuss how this is possible.

You love it so much you had to stop 55 minutes in to post on here?

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Does anyone born in the 70's or later (37 or older) think Boyhood is a great film?

Just a theory I have.. no one needs to entertain my somewhat rhetorical question.

I think it could've been a little shorter, but yeah, I do.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

What connects those films other than the fact that the leads are women?

Even for a director who isn't really plot-driven, those movies are more driven by visuals and imagery and less plotty. But, as much as anything, it's about the way that don't fit in either the ensemble side nor the genre deconstruction side very comfortably. They're about the one main character. Come to think of it, "Secret Honor" would fit well in there too (I never thought to put it there, but it seems like it would sit nicely alongside them).

[mja345]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Even for a director who isn't really plot-driven, those movies are more driven by visuals and imagery and less plotty. But, as much as anything, it's about the way that don't fit in either the ensemble side nor the genre deconstruction side very comfortably. They're about the one main character. Come to think of it, "Secret Honor" would fit well in there too (I never thought to put it there, but it seems like it would sit nicely alongside them).

I agree completely that there are major parallels between "Images" and "3 Women". As both go on, they become increasingly surreal to the point that the line between reality and the headspace of the main character/characters is very difficult to discern. "Images" is more of a horror film/psychological thriller, whereas "3 Women" is the ultimate enigma. But you're on the money with that comparison.

[thatguamguy]

I know nobody is with me on "The Company", but for one I just think all of the dance stuff is wonderfully filmed. It isn't as surreal as the others I lumped in there, because it never loses sight of the difference between reality and the fiction they're doing, but the way that it's made makes the fiction clearly a much more appealing and beautiful world, and gets into the way that an obsessive artist sees things. A lot of Altman films have sort of "bumper" bits, recurring throughout to give you a downbeat in between sequences... I kind of think of any time "The Company" goes into the characters as just like when Radar comes on in "M*A*S*H", and that it's run-of-the-mill because it's not her *real* life, the stuff on stage is, along with all the backstage stuff she has to suffer through. At the same time, even with all of that defense, I don't think it's as good as the other two I mentioned it in the same breath as.

[ShellOilJunior]

Black Girl (Ousmane Sembene, 1967) Presented by Janus Films - 4K DCP

The program began with Sembene's documentary-like 20 minute short film Borom sarret (1963) "The Wagoner". The film concerns a Senegalese wagoner that tries to make a living providing transportation in and around the slums. All he has is a horse and a simple wagon. Some of his customers pay, some do not, others merely shake his hand and some cheat him. More than anything, the film is an illustration of poverty and joblessness in Senegal.

The main features clocks in at a taut 65 minutes and like the short that opened the program it is also filmed much like a documentary. Diouana is chosen by a French woman to live with her family in the South of France where she is to help look after the children or at least that's what Diouana believes the job to be. Instead, Diouana finds her job to be mostly cooking and cleaning and not as a governess for children. Her France is bedroom, kitchen and living room.

Sembene utilizes narration to explore Diouana's thoughts. Her life in Dakar is explored through flashbacks. The narrative examines how the mindset of some French has not changed even in a post-colonial world. I did not feel any of it was heavy-handed although aside from the politics and post-colonialism Black Girl is a human drama.

[theater dreamer]

The reserve price doesn't ever reflect any sale. You could call the store ahead of your trip there to confirm, but really, that's not even necessary.

Originally Posted by Samantha

Thanks for clearing that up. Guess for my next trick, I'll be starring in the dinner theatre version of "Dumb and Dumber."
I keep checking online and Picnic is still out of stock. I'm going to wait a few more days, then probably reserve it at the closest furthest store. It does keep saying on the B&N website that the prices posted when reserved ARE the prices that will be charged. If they try to charge me $39.99 I think I will tell them belcherman assured me I would get the 50% off. That should work.
Tomorrow I'm going to work on finding that elusive coupon...

[theater dreamer]

Holy hell, Best Buy is selling the dual format version of Godard's Breathless for $8.99.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by mja345

It's surprising that you dislike Altman's other films you've seen so much and like "McCabe" such a great deal. I always think of "McCabe" as the film that is at the forefront of his genre reconstruction films ("The Long Goodbye" (detective stories), "California Split" (buddy comedies), "Brewster McCloud" (screwball comedies), "A Perfect Couple" (romance), and "Quintet" (sci-fi). "Nashville" is kind of at the forefront of his ensemble films like "Short Cuts", "The Player", "A Wedding", and "Gosford Park". "McCabe" and "Nashville" have always been the two films that I would show people if they want to get into Altman, and go from there. "3 Women" is the film that's out on an island, because its so indescribable, but it still has Altman's stylistic touches.

I maybe should have stated the Altman that Ive seen, which are -

The Player - enjoyed it but wouldnt want to watch again
Nashville
Short Cuts
3 Women
Pret a Porter - really enjoyed
Dr. T
Gosford Park - loved it but I would watch Maggie Smith read a phonebook