The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

^
Can't Believe I forgot Au Hasard.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by javi92

It's close for me between Red and La double vie de Véronique. Splitting hairs here though.

You haven't seen Dekalog have you?

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

^
Can't Believe I forgot Au Hasard.

It's an exceptionally great movie, don't get me wrong. However, why would anyone want to subject themselves to that depressing thing again?

[theater dreamer]

I can't believe I forgot Jeanne Dielman. I've been openly campaigning/pining for its upgrade on blu-ray, and here I omitted it.

Just goes to show that there are a lot of great films in the collection in dire need of an upgrade to blu-ray. I didn't even include La Strada, Ingmar's film trilogy, Floating Weeds. So many deserving films.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

^
Can't Believe I forgot Au Hasard.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's try a hypothetical Criterion exercise!

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

House of Games
Stray Dog
Notorious or Rebecca (yeah, I know, I complain when people ask for stuff that's already gotten decent releases...sue me. Plus the MGMs might be OOP, no?)
Elevator to the Gallows
The Element of Crime (wasn't really sure what to make of this, would love to revisit it)
Bob le flambeur
Drunken Angel
The Complete Mr. Arkadin
The Fugitive Kind
Pandora's Box

[nitin]

Le Samourai
Spirit of The Beehive
Winter Light
This Sporting Life
Samurai Rebellion
Red Beard
The Bad Sleep Well
The Cranes are Flying
Elevator to the Gallows
Complete Mr Arkadin

That was very tough but these would be my essential 10 upgrades.

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's try a hypothetical Criterion exercise!

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

I Vitelloni
Viridiana
Written on the Wind
Ingmar Bergman trilogy
La Strada
Rossellini's War trilogy

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

^
Can't Believe I forgot Au Hasard.

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I can't believe I forgot Jeanne Dielman.

I can't believe that I forgot Le Samouraï.

On the other hand, I'm not sure what I would drop out of my list to make room for it, although I have to admit that in the cases of a couple of my choices (Gate of Flesh and Magnificent Obsession) I was basing the choice more on how beautiful the color cinematography was than the movie itself.

[theater dreamer]

But cinematography is, in my humble opinion, a worthy reason for selection, jayembee. Sometimes we love everything about a film. Yet other times, only certain elements really resonate with us. Who's to say what is right or wrong, or what merits an upgrade to high definition? Look at a movie like D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation, for example. Most anybody you talk to today will admit that the film offers forth some of the worst examples of racial stereotyping ever put to celluloid. But the film is still shown, and openly discussed in film classes a century later because it is, technically, a brilliant film. It changed how movies were made. It is still a big part of film history, and, even with it's inherent flaws, worthy of the blu-ray upgrade it received.

That's the great thing about film as an art form. Ten people can watch the same film, and have ten unique responses. One movie watcher might be absolutely swept away by a film's undeniable on screen chemistry, like that which existed between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep, or, between Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue in The Saint. Another might come away duly impressed with the film's screenplay. Maybe they're a writer, themselves, and the dialogue, or the overall narrative grabs them. Yet another viewer might be absolutely blown away by the cinematography. There are films where I fell in love with the director and cinematographer's brush strokes before I ever truly appreciated the more nuanced aspects of the film. Yet another viewer might be floored by the performance of the lead actor, or take note of one of the supporting actresses in the film. All ten viewers might want to own the film, and they would all have different reasons for doing so.

I think this topic is fascinating. We all have different backgrounds, but share a common love in great film. My hope is that these lists compel some of our members to write to Criterion, and ask that more of their back catalog receive upgrades. I know that the process is expensive, but some of these films have a high definition print all ready to go. If I remember correctly, the aforementioned Jeanne Dielman is one. Criterion still has the rights to the film. It may never sell as many copies as Dr. Strangelove, or, apparently, The Asphalt Jungle. But Chantal Akerman's masterpiece is worthy of an upgrade for those who were moved by not only that film, but her body of work. I have no problem purchasing films that have already been released as a means of supporting Criterion. When The Graduate came out, I snagged it up. I'll buy The Manchurian Candidate, Boyhood, and Dr. Strangelove, also. If The Grand Budapest Hotel gets a Criterion release, I'll be all over it. I do this because I know the releases will all be high quality, and contain the kinds of extras film nerds like me love. But, I also do it in hopes that my support allows them to continue releasing films that might not be financial windfalls for the company, yet deserve the kind of attention Criterion gives because of their artistic merit. I don't know if The Passion of Joan of Arc would be a big seller for Criterion as a blu-ray. I already own the spectacular Eureka import. But, I would gladly plop down the money to get the Criterion, too, if they should go forward with the upgrade.

Originally Posted by jayembee

I can't believe that I forgot Le Samouraï.

On the other hand, I'm not sure what I would drop out of my list to make room for it, although I have to admit that in the cases of a couple of my choices (Gate of Flesh and Magnificent Obsession) I was basing the choice more on how beautiful the color cinematography was than the movie itself.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's try a hypothetical Criterion exercise!

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

Part II: Describe what this exercise is really about with a movie title.

Sophie's Choice.

[castor]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I've taken notice that any number of titles are often cited as personal favorites for Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and Charlie Chaplin. For Kubrick, I wouldn't think it odd (and I have seen) favorite lists citing probably 9 different top films.

the "where to start w/ Chaplin?" or "what's Chaplin's best?" also gets a half dozen or so different answers.

Godard, also.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

You haven't seen Dekalog have you?

I know this isn't addressed to me, but I also selected Red as the best, and I have seen all his films (counting each Dekalog episode, but not his older TV works).

I can only count each Dekalog episode as a standalone film, so Red is still my favorite, Dekalog 1, 6 and Camera Buff are close though.

[pedromvu]

Thanks for bringing the theme about everyone upgrade wishlist, for some reason I had forgotten to add several to my wish list on the Criterion site.

So sad that I have at least 20 titles there which could take years to be released, and I am pretty sure I am still missing some, and then there are tons of dvd only titles I have yet to see .

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's try a hypothetical Criterion exercise!

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

Fun topic, but not one I can really participate in as I can only come up with one for my list based on my current collection, which would be Missing, and one OOP, which would be The Phantom of Liberty.

Easier for me to list some of the Region B titles I've imported in the absence of a Criterion upgrade. Amongst others:

Billy Liar
Tales of Hoffmann
Hobson's Choice
The Fallen Idol
The Long Good Friday

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I know this isn't addressed to me, but I also selected Red as the best, and I have seen all his films (counting each Dekalog episode, but not his older TV works).

I can only count each Dekalog episode as a standalone film, so Red is still my favorite, Dekalog 1, 6 and Camera Buff are close though.

Interesting way to break it up!

I would say my ranking of KK is:

Dekalog (as a whole)
Three Colors: Red / The Double Life of Véronique (it's pretty neck and neck)
Three Colors: Blue
Three Colors: White
Blind Chance

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's try a hypothetical Criterion exercise!

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

Heaven Can Wait
The Lady Eve
Mr. Arkadin
My Man Godfrey
Night on Earth
Schizopolis
Secret Honor La Strada
The Smiling Lieutenant (or just that whole "Lubitsch musicals" box, if we're listing by "release")
Trouble in Paradise
Tunes of Glory

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Interesting way to break it up!

I would say my ranking of KK is:

Dekalog (as a whole)
Three Colors: Red / The Double Life of Véronique (it's pretty neck and neck)
Three Colors: Blue
Three Colors: White
Blind Chance

That's pretty similar to my feelings. White might even be below Blind Chance if I wasn't so smitten with Julie Delpy.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Interesting way to break it up!

I would say my ranking of KK is:

Dekalog (as a whole)
Three Colors: Red / The Double Life of Véronique (it's pretty neck and neck)
Three Colors: Blue
Three Colors: White
Blind Chance

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

That's pretty similar to my feelings. White might even be below Blind Chance if I wasn't so smitten with Julie Delpy.

That's pretty much the way I see it, too. Although I'd definitely place Véronique ahead of Red.

[MifuneFan]

Just a heads-up that most regular priced Criterion titles are around $20 today only at Target after their 20% off discount. This works on pre-orders too.

[belcherman]

Nobody else has mentioned this one, but I'd love to see an upgrade of David Lean's Summertime.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Let's say Criterion announces that moving forward they will focus on releasing only new releases/acquisitions rather than upgrading more of their previous dvd releases (not a huge stretch considering their recent upgrade output). However, before they do they are going to upgrade 10 more of their in print dvd releases to bluray, and they want everyone to send their 10 votes in for which releases they'd want upgraded.

Which 10 would you choose?

That's relatively hard to go down to only 10, though by taking out the OOP titles and the ones available elsewhere on good BDs, I didn't end up higher than 20. But once filtered down again, I'd request :

A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman
4 by Agnès Varda
I Vitelloni
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
Walker
Le deuxième souffle
Twenty-Four Eyes
The Hit
Andrei Rublev
The Scarlet Empress