The Criterion Collection

[bluhorizons]

Now that Night of the Living Dead is being released next month, the only film I'm still waiting on from my "must-have" wish list for Blu or UHD is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Not only do I think it's a great film, but it would look stunning on Blu.

I believe it already received a HD restoration, but was only released on DVD at the time. I'm desperate for this film to get an HD upgrade.

I also hope it would be released in as beautiful of a package as the DVD was, or else I'll simply put the Blu disc in the old DVD package/case.

Of course there are still a lot of titles I'd love to see released, but once this comes out I'll have my old wish-list completed and can start a new one!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Banned User

All of these posts for best Japanese films in the collection a page back and not one mention of a Mizoguchi film. Shameful.

I got Floating Weeds and Onibaba from the library yesterday. Never seen either.

Not Mizoguchi, of course, but Japanese.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Banned User

All of these posts for best Japanese films in the collection a page back and not one mention of a Mizoguchi film. Shameful.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I got Floating Weeds and Onibaba from the library yesterday. Never seen either.

Not Mizoguchi, of course, but Japanese.

I'm horrified to admit that I've never seen any of Mizoguchi's films.

At least I fixed my Ozu black hole problem with Late Spring, Late Autumn, and Tokyo Story over the past couple of years.

I'm working n it.

[qw0aszx]

Originally Posted by Banned User

All of these posts for best Japanese films in the collection a page back and not one mention of a Mizoguchi film. Shameful.

Ugetsu is one of the best 2017 releases from Criterion!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by bradnoyes

Just watched House last night and I absolutely loved it. I realize there aren't going to be many other films quite like it, but any recommendations of other Criterion movies that are somewhere in the ballpark?

While it's far less flashy stylistically, Black Moon has a similarly surreal, 'what the hell am I watching' quality to it.

Mystery Train has an off-beat 'style over narrative' quality that really isn't anything at all like House but still kind of feels a little the same. Maybe. Or maybe not. But maybe.

Branded to Kill/Tokyo Story might be the closest though. They're not quite as batshit crazy narratively speaking but they're definitely not slaves to narrative either and they both gleefully wallow in a flashy, over-the-top visual style.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by bluhorizons

Now that Night of the Living Dead is being released next month, the only film I'm still waiting on from my "must-have" wish list for Blu or UHD is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Not only do I think it's a great film, but it would look stunning on Blu.

I believe it already received a HD restoration, but was only released on DVD at the time. I'm desperate for this film to get an HD upgrade.

I also hope it would be released in as beautiful of a package as the DVD was, or else I'll simply put the Blu disc in the old DVD package/case.

Of course there are still a lot of titles I'd love to see released, but once this comes out I'll have my old wish-list completed and can start a new one!

I don't remember where I read it, but a while back Schrader said in an interview or appearance that they were planning on upgrading Mishima, but were waiting for the existing copies to sell out, or something like that.

[repulsed]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I got Floating Weeds and Onibaba from the library yesterday. Never seen either.

Not Mizoguchi, of course, but Japanese.

Just saw Onibaba a couple days ago for the first time. I'm getting Netflix discs again so figured I'd at least see it. It could still be awhile till it's upgraded.

and Anyone who hasn't needs to get on that Sansho the Bailiff.

[repulsed]

Originally Posted by bluhorizons

Now that Night of the Living Dead is being released next month, the only film I'm still waiting on from my "must-have" wish list for Blu or UHD is Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Not only do I think it's a great film, but it would look stunning on Blu.

I believe it already received a HD restoration, but was only released on DVD at the time. I'm desperate for this film to get an HD upgrade.

I also hope it would be released in as beautiful of a package as the DVD was, or else I'll simply put the Blu disc in the old DVD package/case.

Of course there are still a lot of titles I'd love to see released, but once this comes out I'll have my old wish-list completed and can start a new one!

I'm so close to just picking up the DVD. Would love an upgrade!

[Scottie]

These latest conversations have convinced me to rewatch a bulk of Criterion's catalog.

A few years ago I made it my mission to watch every Criterion Blu-ray release via the Blu-ray disc or a VOD rental. However, I feel as if watching as many of these films as I could actually had a negative effect on me. I don't think I was able to enjoy, process, or reflect on them like I would have liked.

I broke this habit sometime last summer, when I had too many things going on and no desire to watch films I frankly had no desire to see.

[RavenCodex]

Just went through Criterion's catalog last night and made a wishlist of things I'd like to eventually buy/watch. Ended up with probably around 36ish total.
Thinking of taking a chance and doing blind buys on The Lure, Personal Shopper, Clouds of Sils Maria, Tiny Furniture, and Blue is the Warmest Color... maybe Sid & Nancy also (but probably next time tbh.) The last two I'm 100% certain about though.

Was wondering what y'all thought of my selection or could possibly recommend something potentially "better" suited?

Only Criterion releases I've seen thus far are The Breakfast Club, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Really love the feel of the last two especially and, while not Criterion (yet), I Heart Huckabees is another I've always loved.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by RavenCodex

Just went through Criterion's catalog last night and made a wishlist of things I'd like to eventually buy/watch. Ended up with probably around 36ish total.
Thinking of taking a chance and doing blind buys on The Lure, Personal Shopper, Clouds of Sils Maria, Tiny Furniture, and Blue is the Warmest Color... maybe Sid & Nancy also (but probably next time tbh.) The last two I'm 100% certain about though.

Was wondering what y'all thought of my selection or could possibly recommend something potentially "better" suited?

Only Criterion releases I've seen thus far are The Breakfast Club, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Really love the feel of the last two especially and, while not Criterion (yet), I Heart Huckabees is another I've always loved.

The Lure - a bizarre, yet enthralling Polish vampire mermaid musical.

Personal Shopper - one of the year's best.

Clouds of Sils Maria - very good. Assayas is 2/2 with Stewart.

Tiny Furniture - you'd be better off lighting a $20 bill on fire.

Blue Is the Warmest Color - outstanding LGBTQ coming-of-age film

Sid & Nancy - interesting biopic but I don't see the fascination with Sid Vicious. The Sex Pistols are a great band, but Vicious was a terrible musician.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Banned User

All of these posts for best Japanese films in the collection a page back and not one mention of a Mizoguchi film. Shameful.

Of the two Mizoguchi films I've seen, I loved The Life of Oharu and Ugetsu. Ugetsu was one of the best Japanese films I've watched.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I got Floating Weeds and Onibaba from the library yesterday. Never seen either.

Not Mizoguchi, of course, but Japanese.

Really wish Criterion would get Onibaba out on Blu. While it is very much the sister film of Kuroneko ,with many similarities and themes, IMO it is the better film by a good mile. One of my favorite annual Halloween treats.

I have troubles putting Mizoguchi films in any order as I find them all so good. The nature of his economic & fluid shots and a reluctance to do typical hollywood techniques like reaction shots , cross cutting and closeups puts him in a class all his own. His notorious attention to period detail I think underpins his movies with a air of authenticity few period films could ever hope to achieve.

All of these are great films worth owning.
Ugetsu
Sansho The Baliff
Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
Life of Oharu

I'd really be happy if Criterion could get Osaka Elegy out on Blu

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by RavenCodex

Just went through Criterion's catalog last night and made a wishlist of things I'd like to eventually buy/watch. Ended up with probably around 36ish total.
Thinking of taking a chance and doing blind buys on The Lure, Personal Shopper, Clouds of Sils Maria, Tiny Furniture, and Blue is the Warmest Color... maybe Sid & Nancy also (but probably next time tbh.) The last two I'm 100% certain about though.

Was wondering what y'all thought of my selection or could possibly recommend something potentially "better" suited?

Only Criterion releases I've seen thus far are The Breakfast Club, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Really love the feel of the last two especially and, while not Criterion (yet), I Heart Huckabees is another I've always loved.

Avoid Tiny Furniture. Seriously.

You're welcome.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by Banned User

All of these posts for best Japanese films in the collection a page back and not one mention of a Mizoguchi film. Shameful.

I agree with your sentiment completely. A sharp drop in price, on Amazon, for BFI's release of The Mizoguchi Collection was one of the reasons I went region-free. I have been quite impressed with every film of his that I have seen (6.)

From what I have read, I am longing for his film Street of Shame to be released on blu-ray.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by bradnoyes

Just watched House last night and I absolutely loved it. I realize there aren't going to be many other films quite like it, but any recommendations of other Criterion movies that are somewhere in the ballpark?

Offhand:
Eraserhead
Multiple Maniacs
Repo Man

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Lure - a bizarre, yet enthralling Polish vampire mermaid musical.

Personal Shopper - one of the year's best.

Clouds of Sils Maria - very good. Assayas is 2/2 with Stewart.

Tiny Furniture - you'd be better off lighting a $20 bill on fire.

Blue Is the Warmest Color - outstanding LGBTQ coming-of-age film

Sid & Nancy - interesting biopic but I don't see the fascination with Sid Vicious. The Sex Pistols are a great band, but Vicious was a terrible musician.

Are you sure you wrote this because I’m pretty sure this sounds exactly like what is in my head concerning these films.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

Are you sure you wrote this because I’m pretty sure this sounds exactly like what is in my head concerning these films.

[RavenCodex]

Wow, so much hate for Tiny Furniture and that was the one I was looking forward most initially.
What made it that bad?

Looks like I'll go with my alt choice The Fisher King instead though.
Seemed like an easy, safe bet.
Thanks for the warning everyone, appreciate it.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by RavenCodex

Wow, so much hate for Tiny Furniture and that was the one I was looking forward most initially.
What made it that bad?

Looks like I'll go with my alt choice The Fisher King instead though.
Seemed like an easy, safe bet.
Thanks for the warning everyone, appreciate it.

The problem with Tiny Furniture is that it is written, directed, and starring one of the most disgusting people out there. Honestly, watch anything else. Anything. Some say that Armageddon being in the criterion collection is their lowest point. It’s not. Tiny Furniture is.