The Criterion Collection

[mrjohnnyb]

One of my favorite Criterion Collection documentaries is actually included as an extra. Le Sang des betes directed by Georges Franju in 1949 can be found in the supplements of Eyes Without a Face. It may only be twenty minutes in length, but it is a visually visceral experience and one not to be missed.

[mja345]

"Tokyo Olympiad" is also amazing. I have a buddy who has the DVD and I borrowed it and watched it. Unfortunately, it went out of print in about 2007 and I never picked it up. I was in college for most of when it was in print and didn't have a lot of disposable income, so I was picking up Criterions pretty sporadically. Wish I owned it. If Criterion could get their hands on it again and release it on BD, that would be great.

[belcherman]

I'm not a big documentary watcher. It's not that I don't enjoy them when I watch them, it just that they're not the first thing I choose when it comes to watching movies. Having said that, I'll add my vote for Salesman. It had me engrossed in its "story", and in its "characters," as much as any narrative film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

One of my favorite Criterion Collection documentaries is actually included as an extra. Le Sang des betes directed by Georges Franju in 1949 can be found in the supplements of Eyes Without a Face. It may only be twenty minutes in length, but it is a visually visceral experience and one not to be missed.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The other day I saw Frank Capra's It Happened One Night. Earlier I had seen an unauthorized 90's era Bollywood ripoff of this film called Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin (literally, The Heart Doesn't Agree) In the story, spoilt heiress (Claudette Colbert) that wants to marry some flash-in-the-pan suitor runs off from home (in this case, dives off a yacht) and encounters a fast-talking worldly-wise journalist (Clark Gable) willing to help her in return for the exclusive scoop, only on the way they develop feelings for each other. A small modicum of misunderstanding is followed by a happy ending. Pretty good film on its own, and it's regarded as a pioneer of the rom-com genre. The film was shot on a tight schedule and budget, mostly on outdoor locations and a few simple sets. But there is a snappy chemistry between the leads and visual artistry on hand here, mainly in the night-time sequences with wonderful shadowy ambience, or the scene where Gable carries Colbert across the river, the ripples reflecting shimmery sunlight. And while the film offers glimpses of working class America during the Depression Era, unlike some of Capra's other films, it doesn't stop to give on-the-nose speeches about selflessness and universal fraternity.

Criterion's blu-ray (coming off a digital restoration done in India at Prasad Studios, Chennai) gives an expectedly good presentation of the film (although multiple film sources of different quality seem to have been used). Extras are significant, including a critical discussion of the film, a feature-length docu called Frank Capra's American Dream, an hour long edit of the tribute paid to Capra when he was given the Lifetime Achievement award by the American Film Institute etc.

Got this a few months. I'll leave aside all the technical parts of the presentation since I'm not well versed in that. Though the extras that were on the disc were very good. I liked the Capra documentary, the interview with Capra Jr, and Capra's first film "Fultah Fisher's Boarding House" was very good for a short silent feature.

[ProjectB]

Hopefully Criterion will do a new edition of "The Last Emperor" with a new transfer for both the extended and theatrical "directors cut" versions.

[812crew]

For docs, I would definitely recommend:

Gates of Heaven / Vernon Florida - Definitely one of my favorite Criterion releases of all time. Really fascinating movies, and great extras. If you like Errol Morris, this is essential.

Shoah - Another essential Criterion release in my opinion. Difficult subject matter, sure, but the movie is fascinating and the extras really help enlighten why it's such an important movie, for more than just its subject matter.

Close-up - Definitely not considered a documentary by many, but I would argue that it could be (and probably should be) classified as such. If people like Errol Morris can use re-creations to enhance testimony, then it asks the question: can a movie completely dramatize past events with the original participants to get to "the truth".

[jw007]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Koyaanisqatsi is the best documentary released by Criterion IMO.

I wouldn't even compare this film to a documentary. It's also beyond an art film...its in a category all its own. Unique beyond words.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Kino has the rights, and released it already a couple of years ago:

Could be The Party. Looks like Criterion has the rights to it also.

Alpha.jpg

https://watch.filmstruck.com/#!/detail/1300007038

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I know it doesn't have it's own release, but Tokyo-ga is my favorite doc in the collection.

I love Tokyo-Ga. A wonderful exploration of a wonderful filmmaker.

[SkyAntoine]

No, doc love for Harlan County, USA? Terrific snapshot of Appalachia.

My top 5:
1. Harlan County, USA
2. Hoop Dreams
3. Vernon, Florida
4. Dont Look Back
5. Louie Bluie

I am yet to see Shoah and I fully expect this to top the list when I finally get in the right frame of mind to watch it.

[amputd]

This is a little out of left field, but does anyone think Fritz Lang's Indian Epic has even a tiny chance of a Criterion Release?

[Nuck Horris]

FYI, if you need the Hanzo the Razor box set you can grab a copy at Second Spin for 60.99 and use the new $15 off $50 coupon:

http://www.secondspin.com/s/product/...s#.WO6vy6K1uM8

I already have it otherwise it'd be mine.

[easydreamer]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

Could be The Party. Looks like Criterion has the rights to it also.

Attachment 166843

https://watch.filmstruck.com/#!/detail/1300007038

Yeah, I was quite surprised to find the Criterion logo on The Party the other day I was browsing at FilmStruck. Still, there is no Criterion logo before the feature starts, though. Hope they indeed have the rights now!

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok guys, give me your top five Criterion documentaries. These can be your favorites, or the ones you think represent the best, and most compelling. Let me know what the list represents. You can also do one for each option.

I'm looking to start buying some more documentaries. They are grossly underrepresented in my collection, and I want to branch out.

The ones I've seen thus far:

Hoop Dreams
A Brief History of Time
The Thin Blue Line

The Hawking doc is in my collection, and the other two will be soon. I like Errol Morris' style a lot.

Which are must haves? I'll be adding the Ingrid Bergman doc soon, as I love me some Ingrid Bergman.

The Times of Harvey Milk is both fantastic and influential. I feel like it is a title that doesn't get discussed enough.

[Scottie]

Just a few more days until announcements. Any predictions?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just a few more days until announcements. Any predictions?

Meantime
Stalker
The Breaking Point
Sixteen Candles
The Lure
Le Samourai

I'm going to get at least 2 right this time, I can feel it!

[Scottie]

I haven't been watching as many movies as I typically watch lately.

In a way I'm glad I've taken a break and have decided to split up my time amongst other things as I've noticed that I have a much fresher perspective for evaluating film when I do decide to throw one on.

Unfortunately my backlog for both new and old movies continues to grow and I've yet to catch up with the following films released or announced for release by Criterion on Blu-ray (for some reason I pride myself in having seen every film released on Blu-ray by Criterion thus far).

01. Buena Vista Social Club
02. César
03. Chimes at Midnight
04. Dreams
05. Fanny
06. Good Morning
07. Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words
08. Insiang
09. Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
10. Law of the Border
11. Limite
12. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog
13. Marius
14. Mysterious Object at Noon
15. One-Eyed Jacks
16. Othello
17. Revenge
18. Roma
19. Something Wild
20. Taipei Story
21. Tampopo
22. They Live by Night
23. A Touch of Zen
24. The Tree of Wooden Clogs
25. Woman of the Year

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just a few more days until announcements. Any predictions?

Le Samourai
John Wick
Rocco and His Brothers
16 Candles
Pandora's Box
Red Beard
Chasing Amy

[theater dreamer]

As somebody hoping more films already in the Collection get upgrades...ie Hamlet, The Lady Eve, Andrei Rublev, Le Samourai, etc...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSPNQ82Sq4E

"Prediction? Pain."

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just a few more days until announcements. Any predictions?