The Criterion Collection

[NolanvsNathan]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

My opinions have been scattered in the thread for the past few pages. So here's an overview:

Insiang (Philippines): A slow-burning revenge thriller set in the slums. Very grungy-looking, few sporadic bursts of thrills, but it is well-filmed and acted and I might grow to love it in time.

Mysterious Object at Noon (Thailand): Long, random experimental film in which different people relay stories to the camera as they go about their daily lives. Kind of a fictional documentary sort of thing. Was not a fan.

Revenge (Kazakhstan): An exquisite (albeit slow-burning) film about a child raised to avenge his father's death. Stretches across several chapters that seems to cross a few different eras. It's kinda like Kwaidan in terms of pacing and narrative style. Looks great. This is classified as "Kazakh New Wave" or something.

Limite (Brazil): Highly-celebrated silent film about three people lost as sea--the film flashes back to show their pasts. Nice photography, but once again, a bit of a slow-burner.

Law of the Border (Turkey): A man fights against smugglers to sneak sheep across the border to save his son. Pretty brisk, well-made, and thrilling film.

Taipei Story (Taiwan): Slow-burning drama about a couple that grows further and further apart. Solid photography and performances.

Are they good? In general, I can't fault any of these films, they are all interesting, well-made, and they bring something unique to the table. Most of them are slowly paced and will require attention, but if you're a Yang fan and frequent the Criterion Collection a lot, it might just be perfect for you. My personal preferences are for Insiang, Revenge, and Law of the Border. The only one I outright disliked was Mysterious Object at Noon, but even then it might just be a case of me not "getting it."

Is it worth the money? I paid around $64 for it new, without really knowing what I'd get (dangerous, I know, but it's an adventure!). Probably should have waited for a B&N sale, but I was eager to supplement my Vol. 1 set. Give it a month, it could be as low as $50 or $40 during the next B&N sale, in which case I'd say it's a solid deal.

It is a Blu-Ray/DVD combo set (9 discs in total). Few of the movies will look rough around the edges, but they are all pretty sharp. Insiang, Revenge, MOAN, and Taipei Story boast the best-looking pictures and are nice to watch. Limite has severe print damage at times, and LOTB has a lot of scratches and debris. Sound quality is fine across the board, didn't notice anything that made me wince. Few extras for select movies. It all comes in a cardboard box (not particularly thick), with three digipak-style cases housing three discs each. And there's a nice huge booklet in the box.

This is perfect, thanks a bunch! Insiang sounds intriguing, and Revenge and Law of the Border sound right up my alley. I think I'll bite at the boxset come the B&N sale.

[Lordy]

Any word on the dates of the B&N 50% off Criterion sale next month?

Getting itchy!!

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Lordy

Any word on the dates of the B&N 50% off Criterion sale next month?

Getting itchy!!

Starts July 11th.

[jshaide]

So should I chance it and sell off NOTORIOUS and SPELLBOUND now?

[joy-division]

Added Crumb, Seventh Seal, M & Bottle Rocket to the collection

So excited about Seal, especiall at the price

[javy]

Originally Posted by jshaide

So should I chance it and sell off NOTORIOUS and SPELLBOUND now?

Yes. I'll give you $25 for both right now.

[javy]

Originally Posted by joy-division

Added Crumb, Seventh Seal, M & Bottle Rocket to the collection

So excited about Seal, especiall at the price

The Seventh Seal, perfect.

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by jshaide

So should I chance it and sell off NOTORIOUS and SPELLBOUND now?

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Spellbound - Live 1981 - YouTube

[Show spoiler]

Duran Duran: Notorious (TOTP) - YouTube

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by javy

The Seventh Seal, perfect.

It's not a sealed copy though

[javy]

Originally Posted by joy-division

It's not a sealed copy though

Shoot, that's alright. Doesn't change the fact that the movie inside is a absolute f**kin' masterpiece.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by joy-division

[Show spoiler]Siouxsie and the Banshees - Spellbound - Live 1981 - YouTube

[Show spoiler] Duran Duran: Notorious (TOTP) - YouTube

Oh, Siouxsie Sioux -- now you're talking my language, my man!

Where I went to HS, it was extremely preppy (Grosse Pointe in the 80s). But there was also another element that followed gothic rock and the like. Then, finally, there was crossover (no, really). Man, I remember Siouxsie was HUGE when I was in HS.

Great music.

[javy]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Oh, Siouxsie Sioux -- now you're talking my language, my man!

Where I went to HS, it was extremely preppy (Grosse Pointe in the 80s). But there was also another element that followed gothic rock and the like. Then, finally, there was crossover (no, really). Man, I remember Siouxsie was HUGE when I was in HS.

Great music.

Grosse Pointe? That's were that dude who was a hitman went to school.

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by javy

Shoot, that's alright. Doesn't change the fact that the movie inside is a absolute f**kin' masterpiece.

None of them are sealed, but I don't have a problem with that. Apart from Crumb, according to the description they are all new & unplayed

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Oh, Siouxsie Sioux -- now you're talking my language, my man!

Where I went to HS, it was extremely preppy (Grosse Pointe in the 80s). But there was also another element that followed gothic rock and the like. Then, finally, there was crossover (no, really). Man, I remember Siouxsie was HUGE when I was in HS.

Great music.

She can't stand being called a goth or associated with them...

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by javy

Grosse Pointe? That's were that dude who was a hitman went to school.

True. And those girls who committed "virgin suicides."

Originally Posted by joy-division

She can't stand being called a goth or associated with them...

Yes. But Gothic Rock existed before anything that we would call "goth."

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yes. But Gothic Rock existed before anything that we would call "goth."

I call them by another name(s)

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by joy-division

I call them by another name(s)

Heh. OK, would "alternative rock" be OK?

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Heh. OK, would "alternative rock" be OK?

Nothing wrong wrong with the term gothic rock. Just the 21st century goths. Although I would say Siouxsie is more punk/post punk.

The funny thing is that the most watched video on my channel is one of Siouxsie from a two part BBC programme called "Queens of British Pop" which profiled women across the decades who had an impact on POPular music. From Dusty Springfield to Adele. Pop music is aterm that has been used since the invention of R'nR to cover anything that is current. It is not limited to the crappy music made today

But no matter how many times I explain this in the comment people still post "she's not pop, she's punk!" to the point where I have put a disclaimer in the description & that any furter comments regarding the the title will be removed immediately

Queens of British Pop: Siouxsie Sioux - YouTube

[BluRayBuddy98]

Originally Posted by joy-division

Added Crumb, Seventh Seal, M & Bottle Rocket to the collection

So excited about Seal, especiall at the price

Was there a sale or something somewhere?

[joy-division]

Originally Posted by BluRayBuddy98

Was there a sale or something somewhere?

Ebay seller in the Uk selling R1

http://www.ebay.com/sch/waynsaund-bn...1&_ipg=&_from=