The Criterion Collection

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I believe the reviewer mistakenly put Personal Shopper’s score at 3 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5. Should really go back and switch that.

Seems about right from the written review.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Seems about right from the written review.

I meant that the movie is a 5 out of 5 movie. Not a 3 out of 5 as the review states.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Lean is one of my absolute favourite directors. I like all of his works, but highlights include Hobson's Choice (no Criterion upgrade, but the Studio Canal region B BD is a must-buy)

Just wanted to second all of this - especially regarding Hobson's Choice. I recently listed it among my top 50 favorite films and am embarrassed to say that I'm still holding out for a Criterion upgrade. Really is time to go region-free!

[dancerslegs]

Originally Posted by Reddington

I heartily recommend Great Expectations, and the region-free ITV BD is actually quite good (I rate it higher than Beaver, who is neutral on it). Definitely worthwhile importing from Amazon UK. Not only is it a fantastic film in its own right, but arguably the greatest Dickens adaptation, and one of the greatest literary adaptations in all of cinema.

His adaptation of Oliver Twist is even better.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I meant that the movie is a 5 out of 5 movie. Not a 3 out of 5 as the review states.

Yeah, I got that, but Svet, like a number of people, clearly thought differently.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

Just wanted to second all of this - especially regarding Hobson's Choice. I recently listed it among my top 50 favorite films and am embarrassed to say that I'm still holding out for a Criterion upgrade. Really is time to go region-free!

I do think mid-period Lean is a pretty good reason to go region-free, but now that I am thinking about it, it's weird that Criterion hasn't done more Lean on Blu. "Great Expectations", "Oliver Twist", "Hobson's Choice", and "Summertime" are all on Blu overseas.

[bwdowiak]

I'm hesitant to say as much because she might be more divisive than Greta Gerwig, but I kind of like Kristen Stewart, although I'm not sure why as I haven't seen her in a whole lot. I haven't seen PS, so this isn't a counter point to what Pro-B is describing, but that detachment is kind of..... I don't know... sexy?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

I believe the reviewer mistakenly put Personal Shopper’s score at 3 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5. Should really go back and switch that.

Oh c'mon, with a 3 out of 5, it's in great company

[P-Rock]

Should be 2 out of 5 really.

[Trace17]

I'm honestly more surprised that 2 extras and a trailer gets a 3/5. A movie's quality can be subjective, sure, but the supplements on this release seem dire at best.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

Just wanted to second all of this - especially regarding Hobson's Choice. I recently listed it among my top 50 favorite films and am embarrassed to say that I'm still holding out for a Criterion upgrade. Really is time to go region-free!

I went region-free about 18 months ago, and since then have picked up close to 100 titles. Mostly stuff unavailable in the US, but also a few releases with stronger Region B transfers.

My decision to go region-free was actually motivated in part by the ability to pick up great releases of Criterion titles that had not been upgraded: The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, Tales of Hoffman, Fallen Idol, Billy Liar, and of course Hobson's Choice.

It has never worried me that these and other films may eventually get good Region A releases.

Go for it!

Originally Posted by dancerslegs

His adaptation of Oliver Twist is even better.

A very fine film and adaptation, but for me not ultimately as satisfying.

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I do think mid-period Lean is a pretty good reason to go region-free, but now that I am thinking about it, it's weird that Criterion hasn't done more Lean on Blu. "Great Expectations", "Oliver Twist", "Hobson's Choice", and "Summertime" are all on Blu overseas.

I guess its the whole rights issue thing, which comes up in so many studio/distributor threads here and about which I know very little (quite a few members seem very "up" on who owns the rights to what, and why certain films can't be released).

I have all of the four you mention, although I only just got the French release of Oliver Twist and have yet to watch it.

The Japanese issue of Summertime is great; a definite upgrade that accentuates the beautiful location work.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I'm hesitant to say as much because she might be more divisive than Greta Gerwig, but I kind of like Kristen Stewart, although I'm not sure why as I haven't seen her in a whole lot. I haven't seen PS, so this isn't a counter point to what Pro-B is describing, but that detachment is kind of..... I don't know... sexy?

She's excellent in Clouds of Sils Maria and Certain Women.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

She's excellent in Clouds of Sils Maria and Certain Women.

I think Clouds is on Netflix. Can anyone confirm that? I'm frequently looking for newer films to watch w/ my wife, so I'll bump this to the top of the queue if it's there.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by Trace17

I'm honestly more surprised that 2 extras and a trailer gets a 3/5. A movie's quality can be subjective, sure, but the supplements on this release seem dire at best.

I've not watched them yet, but I wouldn't assume they're worthless based solely on their amount or running time. When done well, nothing beats an exhaustive feature, but lately I find them to be hugely self-indulgent and mostly worthless.

I'll take a compressed but comprehensive 10-20 minute interview with a director or short but insightful visual essay over a patchy director or cast commentary any day, and think Criterion (especially so, given how many movies they release) and a few other boutique labels, notably Arrow, do a good job producing short but worthwhile supplements.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

She's excellent in Clouds of Sils Maria and Certain Women.

Really great. There was a terrific cover story--Nick Davis' "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Casual Complexity and Low-Key Intensity of Kristen Stewart"--in the July/August 2016 issue of Film Comment that focused on her recent work and argued that she's one of her generation's most compelling performers. Well worth a read, especially if you're into the Assayas films.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I think Clouds is on Netflix. Can anyone confirm that? I'm frequently looking for newer films to watch w/ my wife, so I'll bump this to the top of the queue if it's there.

Yes, Clouds of Sils Maria is available to steam on Netflix.

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

Really great. There was a terrific cover story--Nick Davis' "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Casual Complexity and Low-Key Intensity of Kristen Stewart"--in the July/August 2016 issue of Film Comment that focused on her recent work and argued that she's one of her generation's most compelling performers. Well worth a read, especially if you're into the Assayas films.

Thanks for mentioning that. I'll have to check it out. I thought she was fine in Certain Women, though by far the least-compelling actress of the four lead roles, and was baffled by folks saying she was their favorite performance, while I would (and did, happily) watch Michelle Williams hang wallpaper (and, being a gay man, I say that solely because I think she's one of the best actresses working today).

I've got a free night tonight, so maybe I'll give Clouds a shot on Netflix, since I've never managed to see any Assayas and I have the chance to see Irma Vep and Clean coming up.

[The Sovereign]

Does anyone have any constructive criticism/warning regarding The Lure? I’m very likely going to blind buy it during the B&N sale next month. I’ve watched the trailer and read a number of good reviews & comments – nothing that’s scared me away yet. I guess I’m just feeling overly cautious due to the musical element. That rarely works for me, but I am a fan of Rocky Horror, All That Jazz and a few others. Still, I think the production and overall uniqueness the film appears to have may be enough to carry me past any potential rough spots.

[AaronJ]

I thought Personal Shopper was excellent. It had a lot of atmosphere, and I thought Stewart, as opposed to the review on this site, was terrific in her unique way. She didn't look bored to me at all.

This reminds me that I need to pick this up during the B&N sale.

And I yes, I think Kristen is a very underrated actress. OTOH, she has a sort of demeanor on screen, at least in the few films I have seen her in, that I can see would be less than appealing to large audiences. I definitely want to check out that Film Comment article.

[WrathOfHan]

I think Personal Shopper is good but very uneven. It tries to tackle many different tones, but I feel it needed to stick with one.

[Scottie]

100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912–2012 - YouTube