The Criterion Collection

[malakaheso]

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).

Yes, i guess they are more 'symbolic' works, at least 3 Women and Images are definitely. So that might be the 3rd category of Altman films.

[MKej]

Isn't Harry and Tonto (1974) a perfect movie for Criterion to bring back to life?
Is there a chance to get the rights?

[jbieste]

Originally Posted by moviecriticsonline

What evidence do you have that it won't ship out? This is for the Duel-Disc release, it's not discontinued. The single disc edition is the one that's OOP.

What made me wonder about it was how it was listed on the bby site. There isn't any cover art shown, Criterion isn't listed as the studio in item details, the vendor is listed as import vendor. There is a link to the Criterion Blu-ray, DVD version as other version with a listed selling price of 27.99. This 27.99 version includes Criterion cover art and Criterion as studio in the details section.

Granted blu-ray.com does link to the 8.99 out of stock listing on the bby site and the bby site for the 8.99 item does use a Criterion Collection trailer for the item. To me it just seemed off. While it could be a Criterion release, personally I wouldn't expect Best Buy to actually send me the Criterion release.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jbieste

What made me wonder about it was how it was listed on the bby site. There isn't any cover art shown, Criterion isn't listed as the studio in item details, the vendor is listed as import vendor. There is a link to the Criterion Blu-ray, DVD version as other version with a listed selling price of 27.99. This 27.99 version includes Criterion cover art and Criterion as studio in the details section.

Granted blu-ray.com does link to the 8.99 out of stock listing on the bby site and the bby site for the 8.99 item does use a Criterion Collection trailer for the item. To me it just seemed off. While it could be a Criterion release, personally I wouldn't expect Best Buy to actually send me the Criterion release.

I think the more likely answer here is that the entry on this site is linked to the wrong Best Buy page.

[xxnomad]

Originally Posted by MKej

Isn't Harry and Tonto (1974) a perfect movie for Criterion to bring back to life?
Is there a chance to get the rights?

it sure is the perfect movie for criterion to bring to the masses. i just watched it the other day. so much warmth and humor in that movie.

it would pair nicely with umberto D. Umberto D first, followed by harry and tonto. I'd never wish an audience to sit through umberto d last. too heartbreaking.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by cine74

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

I hadn't seen it in decades and was a little worried about whether it would live up to my nostalgia-fueled expectations and if anything it was better than I remembered. And yeah, it was very much like seeing it for the first time again. The transfer really was that good and that film-like.

One minor point of disagreement: Warner has released some really, really nice discs through their Warner Archive Collection brand. If they had gone that way with The In-Laws my guess is it would have looked pretty stellar too.

But yeah, this is a great release.

[MifuneFan]

Yeah probably the Umbrella release. For some reason I thought The dual format release was OOP since Criterion has been phasing them out. It being backordered also strengthened that.

[bwdowiak]

I watched my copy of Arrow's release of Koreeda's I Wish (first time watch) and once again was not disappointed w/ HK.

[Show spoiler]In fact, the moment at which the trains pass each other felt like some of the most non-manipulative tears I've ever shed during a film that could be labeled as sentimental. what a great moment!

there was also a trailer for a Japanese film called A Simple Life that looked interesting. I hadn't heard of it, but I've since discovered that it has met with some very high praise. At $8 or so the next time Zavvi has a flash sale, I'll be picking it up.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Vogler

[Show spoiler]dropped a deuce.

Well, the guy lives in his truck, it is understandable that it has to happen from time to time, I guess the question is whether it needed to be filmed or not, and then if it could be faked, but yeah outside probably Jackass I don't think I have seen such a scene on film before, but it didn't seem outrageous to me, probably because of the context.

Now the girl of Fish Tank

[Show spoiler]peeing on Fassbender house,

that came out of nowhere so it was more disturbing I think.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I watched my copy of Arrow's release of Koreeda's I Wish (first time watch) and once again was not disappointed w/ HK.

[Show spoiler]In fact, the moment at which the trains pass each other felt like some of the most non-manipulative tears I've ever shed during a film that could be labeled as sentimental. what a great moment!

there was also a trailer for a Japanese film called A Simple Life that looked interesting. I hadn't heard of it, but I've since discovered that it has met with some very high praise. At $8 or so the next time Zavvi has a flash sale, I'll be picking it up.

If that's the Hong Kong/Andy Lau film, it has a US blu which can regularly be obtained for under $10.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by MKej

Isn't Harry and Tonto (1974) a perfect movie for Criterion to bring back to life?
Is there a chance to get the rights?

Paul Mazursky was one of the hot directors in the 70s and, to a lesser extent, the 80s. His comedies were not just critical and commercial successes but also explored contemporary topics that hadn't been represented in mainstream movies before. Some of his great works include:

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (sexual revolution)
Harry & Tonto (aging with dignity)
An Unmarried Woman (women's liberation)

He also made some movies that are harder to categorize, such as Tempest and Enemies, A Love Story. None of these would be out of place in the Criterion Collection.

Mazursky definitely deserves a spine and, if I had to pick one, I'd go with An Unmarried Woman. Jill Clayburgh is terrific in it. It would also make a great double-bill with Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which could also use a release of some kind (hint, hint).

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If that's the Hong Kong/Andy Lau film, it has a US blu which can regularly be obtained for under $10.

oh, cool. thanks for that! I think I might have come upon it when trying to see what other Japanese titles were available in the UK, so I had it in my mind that it was only available there. I think Departures is only available in the UK. I know - diff film entirely, but as far as recent Asian cinema goes, I might have gotten confused.

A Simple Life... it's a good film?

EDIT: sorry, too, btw... I called it Japanese and it's Chinese. people are sensitive about that, I think.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

oh, cool. thanks for that! I think I might have come upon it when trying to see what other Japanese titles were available in the UK, so I had it in my mind that it was only available there. I think Departures is only available in the UK. I know - diff film entirely, but as far as recent Asian cinema goes, I might have gotten confused.

A Simple Life... it's a good film?

EDIT: sorry, too, btw... I called it Japanese and it's Chinese. people are sensitive about that, I think.

I liked A Simple Life just fine, but it's no where near as good as Departures, at least for me.

[theater dreamer]

Ok, I think I am officially done with the Criterion sale after two more buys today.

Here's my haul:






For those reading the forum on a tablet or smart phone: John Cassavetes: Five Films, 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman, Summer with Monika, Bicycle Thieves, La Jetée/Sans Soleil, Day for Night, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, 3 Women, Wings of Desire, Only Angels Have Wings, Phoenix, The Bridge, Insomnia, Le silence de la mer, In the Mood for Love, Certified Copy, Autumn Sonata, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion.

I'm absolutely thrilled to have gotten every single movie I wanted during this sale. Now that the work is done, the fun begins. I have no idea what to watch first, though. I guess my mood tonight will dictate my first selection.

By the way, I want to thank you guys, once again, for your invaluable input as to my rapidly-expanding collection. I bought my first Criterion (On The Waterfront) fourteen months ago; since then, I've added 114 more films in 94 releases. I also picked up a few films that I hadn't planned on, namely The Bridge, and Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion. I've seen people speaking so highly of the two films, I figured what the hell. I read the synopsis of each, and they seemed right up my alley. They add quite nicely to what I think is a real diverse set of films.

Now, to start planning for the next Flash sale!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, I think I am officially done with the Criterion sale after two more buys today.

Here's my haul:

[Show spoiler]

For those reading the forum on a tablet or smart phone: John Cassavetes: Five Films, 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman, Summer with Monika, Bicycle Thieves, La Jetée/Sans Soleil, Day for Night, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, 3 Women, Wings of Desire, Only Angels Have Wings, Phoenix, The Bridge, Insomnia, Le silence de la mer, In the Mood for Love, Certified Copy, Autumn Sonata, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion.

I'm absolutely thrilled to have gotten every single movie I wanted during this sale. Now that the work is done, the fun begins. I have no idea what to watch first, though. I guess my mood tonight will dictate my first selection.

By the way, I want to thank you guys, once again, for your invaluable input as to my rapidly-expanding collection. I bought my first Criterion (On The Waterfront) fourteen months ago; since then, I've added 114 more films in 94 releases. I also picked up a few films that I hadn't planned on, namely The Bridge, and Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion. I've seen people speaking so highly of the two films, I figured what the hell. I read the synopsis of each, and they seemed right up my alley. They add quite nicely to what I think is a real diverse set of films.

Now, to start planning for the next Flash sale!

good titles, for sure. hope you know what you're getting into, though, with the Cassavetes set. I liked Shadows, but found the experience of watching Faces and Love Streams to be painful ones.

[bwdowiak]

thanks, SP4 and Andrew, for the feedback on A Simple Life. I just bought a brand new copy for $5.49 shipped. :-)

will probably pick up Departures, too, at some point from the UK. I saw it once shortly after its release and would like to see it again.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

You remembered correctly: I friggin LOVE Quintet and would pay $50 for a blu ray release of it.

And I agree, you can kind of split Altman's filmography in two:

There are films like Quintet and 3 Women, and then he made films like Nashville and Short Cuts. I don't think there are many people or even downright Altman fans who enjoy both of these types equally.

I love Nashville, really like Quintet, and like 3 Women and Short Cuts. Most of the Altman films I've seen range from "I love it" to "I really like it". I can't think of a single Altman film that I didn't like, but then there are still films of his that I haven't seen.

Other than maybe Quintet, I think the most divisive film in Altman's oeuvre is probably Popeye. I know Altman fans who love it (I'm one), and some who hate it.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

As for consensus on Altman, it appears to work that his best work was done in the 70s, with few exceptions. Fans tend to differ on what those exceptions are.

If we're talking consensus, "The Player" and "Short Cuts" are no-question consensus picks, and I have never heard of an Altman fan who didn't like "Cookie's Fortune". Though, yes, the consensus is definitely that MASH through Nashville is the high point of his career.

Quintet is hard to judge because I've never seen a good copy of it, but it seemed like a failed experiment to me.

I watched it with two friends. One bailed after a half an hour. The other bailed after an hour. The next morning, I told the second one, "You missed it, right after you left, something actually happened!"

[VONi]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, I think I am officially done with the Criterion sale after two more buys today.

Here's my haul:

Great haul! I just watched Summer With Monika once again during last week, and my god it's such a perfect summer film. Gutted that Autumn Sonata was OOS during the BNSPARKLER, but I might still get it.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by moviecriticsonline

What evidence do you have that it won't ship out? This is for the Duel-Disc release, it's not discontinued. The single disc edition is the one that's OOP.

According to the BB site, it's backordered 4-7 weeks. That probably means they won't be getting any.