The Criterion Collection

[kndy]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

You are the antithesis of the fan boy, not sure what is worse, constantly proclaiming what a horrible director/"A-Hole" Spielburg is or blindly loving everything he creates. Actually they are equally annoying.....

Hmm... intriguing (reading some of the back posts on this). But I'll take a Spielberg film over a Soderbergh film anytime.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

You are the antithesis of the fan boy, not sure what is worse, constantly proclaiming what a horrible director/"A-Hole" Spielburg is or blindly loving everything he creates. Actually they are equally annoying.....

Yeap! Called it. 2 days later.

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yeap! Called it. 2 days later.

Quality retort, 2 days later make my statement any less true? And if it suits you I was out of the country, had a horrific car accident, got my wisdom teeth pulled, was at the TIFF......

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Quality retort, 2 days later make my statement any less true? And if it suits you I was out of the country, had a horrific car accident, got my wisdom teeth pulled, was at the TIFF......

Why did you bring that up? To make me a bad guy for bashing Spielberg 2 days ago, then you commented about me now, which in turn makes me out like a pr*** because you had a car accident that no one knew about? Really dude? Sorry about your accident (I have been in one myself). Therefore, I'm sorry you had to get on here after and bash me for bashing a rich director that neither of us have relations to. It's like that dude a couple years ago on youtube crying "Leave Britney Alone!". Do you think Spielberg gives 2 s**** about what I or you have to say about him? He is at home counting stacks of money.

After saying that, really, sorry to hear about your accident. Hope outside of your teeth, everything is fine. Car wrecks are scary.

[J.Cornelius]

I was being factious bro sorry you misconstrued my post sometimes attempts at humor go by the way side but I do appreciate your concern for your fellow man's well being.

You have strong opinions and voice them regularly but if you voice such opinions criticism is bound to come your way, "bashing" is such an elementary term, if my comment offended you well sir my sincerest apologies.

[kndy]

I would like to know if anyone thinks Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass should receive Criterion love?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

I was being factious bro sorry you misconstrued my post sometimes attempts at humor go by the way side but I do appreciate your concern for your fellow man's well being.

You have strong opinions and voice them regularly but if you voice such opinions criticism is bound to come your way, "bashing" is such an elementary term, if my comment offended you well sir my sincerest apologies.

It's cool with me. I just didn't want to be known as a pr*ck or anything to posters. My opinions is only on films. I don't want to make enemies, so I apologize for my actions too.

And again, hope everybody is okay. I didn't have a seat belt on when mine happened (a few years ago), and I ended up on the driver's side window (car flipped). It happened in slow motion to where I saw what was happening. I didn't have any bad injuries (I believe just bruised ribs).

So everything is cool. Just like you said I have strong opinions on subjects, so when the juices flow, it can lead to this crap.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by g.schweet

I don't see why it has taken this long to see an Audrey movie on Blu, and i'll bet it'll still be a long time before we see another. Good thing I have HD broadcasts of My Fair Lady, How to Steal a Million, and The Children's Hour saved on my DVR to hold me over 'til then.

And I can back PP, the Charade blu looks lovely.

I'm glad you mentioned Children's Hour which I think is quite excellent. Many seem to pass over Wyler's gem.

Due to its subject matter it probably won't see a BR any time soon (if ever) so it could be had. . .


BTW- It'd be nice if Melville got some CC blu-ray love. I don't think SC owns all his films. Anyone hear anything?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

I would like to know if anyone thinks Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass should receive Criterion love?

I have never seen his films (Yes, not even Caligula or Salon Kitty), but funny that I ran across his name a few days ago on the internet. I would love to see him in the collection (maybe an Eclipse of "Erotic Films of Tinto Brass"). Actually, more Italian filmmakers in general.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I have never seen his films (Yes, not even Caligula or Salon Kitty), but funny that I ran across his name a few days ago on the internet. I would love to see him in the collection (maybe an Eclipse of "Erotic Films of Tinto Brass"). Actually, more Italian filmmakers in general.

His work does not fall exclusively under erotica. For example, Deadly Sweet, with Jean-Louis Trintignant, is closer to European noir:

http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Sweet-C.../dp/B001Q8FSIE

Speaking of Mr. Trintignant, this is a great film to have (with Romy):
http://www.amazon.com/Combat-dans-li...4789368&sr=1-1

Pro-B

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by SoundofSilence01

Does anyone know if there are replacement plastic cases available to order for Breathless like all the past digipack/carboard cases?

Don't confuse the paper style cases of BREATHLESS, THE LEOPARD etc with the early open top/bottom style paper cases.

The only reason Criterion offered replacements for those early cases were mainly because they felt they hadn't nailed the style they wanted for their releases. Now with the plastic style case, and the way they have been able to release good sets for By Brakhage, The Leopard, and Breathless, they know those cases can be well constructed unlike their early cases that were just not up to the standard they were wanting for their Blu-Rays. Now the Criterion Blu-Ray releases in general mirror the DVD counterparts.

Criterion has ALWAYS released on DVD the same style cases depending on the title. Those early cases were not very collector worthy, open top and bottom would get beat and become worn easily and were not very sturdy.

The Blu-Ray cases for releases like THE LEOPARD and BREATHLESS are basically a more downsized version of the DVD version. Just smaller in height and are very nicely made.

Yeah some of them may be a bit taller than the standard Criterion style Blu case but I have many Criterion DVDs and I love most of the paper style cases for releases like THE FURIES, VIDEODROME, VAMPYRE just as much as the plastic style cases.

I am very curious to see how their Blu-Ray case for VIDEODROME will look for the release. The DVD version was really cool and actually very clever. I can't wait to buy the blu version.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by j.cornelius

you are the antithesis of the fan boy, not sure what is worse, constantly proclaiming what a horrible director/"a-hole" spielburg is or blindly loving everything he creates. Actually they are equally annoying.....

Yeah CG! What the hell is your problem boy!!!

Oh...sorry...I see that the two of you kissed and made up.

I'm glad we're all buddies again!

[BluLobsta]

ohayoo gozaimasu!

Excellent analysis

Originally Posted by kndy

For any Kurosawa fan, just the opportunity to watch his earlier work is an amazing treat. And even though his debut film “Sanshiro Sugata” was unfortunately cut by the censors during wartime (as it was deemed as British/American in sensibility), the film still manages to be entertaining and enjoyable in its own right.

The film would spotlight on the unruly Sanshiro Sugata played by Susumu Fujita and Fujita does a tremendous job of playing a man that is conflicted in his emotions of wanting to fight but also knowing his responsibility to obey his elders. The expressions on his face, may it be during a match against a Jujitsu student to his battle with Hansuke Murai speaks volumes. This is a man who loves to fight but at the same time, he values life but ends up in predicaments where he must fight a battle to the death.

In today’s modern world, we have seen plenty of Asian cinema that showcase various martial art styles colliding. Especially in Hong Kong and Chinese films but it is really a treat to see the battle between Judo vs. Jujitsu coming into play throughout the film and to see how the tournaments are executed.

Kurosawa’s vision in conjunction with Akira Mimura’s cinematography work in tandem and both are able to create a sense of intrigue and suspense but also managing to capture beauty. May it be the lotus blooming in the water or the storm clouds rolling in and seeing Sanshiro battle his rival Gennosuke Higaki (played by Ryunosuke Tsukigata) is well-done. It is quite interesting as everyone in the film are in Japanese traditional clothing while the opponent and Sugata’s rival Higaki is dressed in Western/English style of clothing.

Yes, I especially enjoyed the rice field battle at the end, cinematography was incredible

Originally Posted by kndy

In many ways, this is a story of an underdog with a good heart. If trained well, Sanshiro Sugata can accomplish big things but because of his brash personality (albeit having a big heart), realistically Sanshiro Sugata is like a child who had no direction growing up and thus, his special relation to his teacher Yano who has shown him guidance.

Yup, I think everyone has a moment in their life when they are up to their neck in water hanging onto that stump

Originally Posted by kndy

I hope that one of these days, especially within my lifetime, as many silent film footage is being discovered, Kurosawa’s “Sanshiro Sugata” and its missing 17-minutes of film will somehow be found. Those 17 minutes almost similar to “Metropolis” in which missing footage has to be told by intertitles but you feel those cut scenes could have added more depth towards the film.

Absolutely

Originally Posted by kndy

“The Most Beautiful” is a film, that many people who are familiar with Kurosawa’s work, would be intrigued because of how different it is from his latest work but also to see how Kurosawa created his film during World War II. His role as a filmmaker and how he would contribute to inspiring Japanese during the war.

But it’s important to note that Kurosawa was a man who believed in nonconformity and “The Most Beautiful” is a film that he did not embrace. In fact, according to the insert, he chastised himself for “doing very little to resist the nation’s descent into militarism”. But yet the film was the most dearest to him because the lead actress Yoko Yaguchi would become his wife.

I didn't know this

Originally Posted by kndy

I’ve had a chance to see look on various forums on a non-Japanese perspective and view towards this film and some who arrive at conclusions dialectically to those who use the film to polemicize the Japanese military and its treatment towards other countries.

For me, “The Most Beautiful” is a film that represents an era and a country who wanted to boost morale for the many women who had to work at the factory. In America, we had “Rosie the Riveter” and I’m sure other countries who took part in a World War, had their own set ways of boosting morale in their country.

But I suppose if one watched this film, its all subjective to the viewer of how all the women come to support their president and to be astonished by her dedication to her country and those fighting the war. And in the final scene, Kurosawa manages to include a contradictory scene involving the main protagonist which in my opinion is a wonderful scene because it shows that no matter how strong she may be and dedicated to her country, she’s also human.

“The Most Beautiful” will probably not be a film that many people will feel is Kurosawa’s best film but for those who want to to step aside from his more well-known films and want to see a much earlier film by Kurosawa during World War II, then definitely gives this film a try.

I enjoyed how he created a film that is like a semi-documentary (it helps that he shot the film in a factory and the women had to partake in the work of the factory in order to make the film more realistic) but also trying to incorporate enough story and scenes to keep the film fun and entertaining. It’s not as deep as his later films nor does it have a lot of layers of complexity. It’s pretty much a straightforward film.

And again, there is no doubt that “The Most Beautiful” is a propaganda wartime film for Imperial Japan and whether or not it did help boost productivity and morale for female factory workers, who knows… but Kurosawa was able to capture that sense of unity and the love for the country and the men who are fighting for that country. He may not have wanted to make this kind of film (originally, he was supposed to direct an action film about Zero fighter planes) but he manages to include a coming-of-age story that helps to define several characters primarily the main protagonist and if anything, he managed to meet the woman he would eventually marry. So, I can see how this film is most dearest to him.

Absolutely, much like making films, viewing films is a matter of perspective and without an open mind you might as well stare at a photograph...

I'm just starting to read Master of Cinema and Something Like an Autobiography (when I find time ) so my references are limited at best.

Watashi wa Kurosawa Akira ga totemo suki desu. Arigatoo!

[ChadFL]

This may be a stupid question but is Breathless Blu-Ray supposed to be 1 or 2 disc? I got mine in the mail today and it's one disc. I was thinking it was 2 disc since it's digipack and Amazon says it's 2 disc.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

His work does not fall exclusively under erotica. For example, Deadly Sweet, with Jean-Louis Trintignant, is closer to European noir:

http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Sweet-C.../dp/B001Q8FSIE

Speaking of Mr. Trintignant, this is a great film to have (with Romy):
http://www.amazon.com/Combat-dans-li...4789368&sr=1-1

Pro-B

Thanks but look at the covers on Amazon for The Voyeur, Frivolous Lola and Cheeky! Add that with Caligula and Salon Kitty. He does alot of erotic films. Prob not all though.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

Yeah CG! What the hell is your problem boy!!!

Oh...sorry...I see that the two of you kissed and made up.

I'm glad we're all buddies again!

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

This may be a stupid question but is Breathless Blu-Ray supposed to be 1 or 2 disc? I got mine in the mail today and it's one disc. I was thinking it was 2 disc since it's digipack and Amazon says it's 2 disc.

Look on Criterion's site instead of Amazon. It's one disc.

CC

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Why did you bring that up? To make me a bad guy for bashing Spielberg 2 days ago, then you commented about me now, which in turn makes me out like a pr*** because you had a car accident that no one knew about? Really dude? Sorry about your accident (I have been in one myself).

For the record I was in a serious car accident several years ago and I also hate most of Spielberg's recent films. It was only after the accident that I discovered classic films and Criterion Collection. Could car accidents lead to better taste in films? Hmmm...

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Look on Criterion's site instead of Amazon. It's one disc.

CC

Thanks. At first glance I thought Criterion's website also stated 2 disc. But turns out I was looking at the DVD version.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

For the record I was in a serious car accident several years ago and I also hate most of Spielberg's recent films. It was only after the accident that I discovered classic films and Criterion Collection. Could car accidents lead to better taste in films? Hmmm...

That wasn't when I changed views on Spielberg. But hey, it could of been.