The Criterion Collection

[Cremildo]

Does anyone know if there is an existing HD master of Masahiro Shinoda's Double Suicide? I'm very interested in the movie, which is available only on an old DVD. Not sure if it's worth waiting for an eventual Blu-ray upgrade that might take several years or never materialize at all.

(I could ask the same about Rossellini's The Flowers of St. Francis)

[ticktock60]

Originally Posted by castor

I advise you to get the Qatsi trilogy. Naqoyqatsi isn't very good, but Koyaanisqatsi is one of my top all-time favorites, and it has great replay value. I think I have seen it at least 50 times. I didn't think Powaqqatsi was all that great the first time I saw it, but after a few more viewings it grew on me and now I think it's fairly close to being as watchable as Koyaanisqatsi.

I’ll speak up for Naqoyqatsi. Reggio uses the same technique to examine the digital landscapes we have created for ourselves. Instead of concentrating on the image itself, he’s asking us to pay attention to how that image is giving, and the visual manifestations that process takes.

Yes, he does throw ones and zeros at the screen a lot, but I think this film deserves more than the shrug it typically gets.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

White Dog DVD from Criterion
When watching on my OPPO 103, menus appear in 4:3, then when pressing play or selecting a new supplement, it quickly stretches to full fill the 16:9 screen. Is that an error or issue? The movie plays fine, I can’t verify that any other DVD does this, but those I tried did not. It’s not a big deal but it just seems odd.
Quickly tested some Simpsons, futurama, transformers s1disc1, and disaster artist dvd, none of them do this.

I started to watch Clean, Shaven the other day, did the same thing. No doubt it's intentional. I recall it from other dvds also, though I couldn't imagine remembering which ones at this point.

[koberulz]

I still don't understand the appeal of the Qaatsi trilogy. I watched a few minutes of Koyanisqaatsi on YouTube, got bored of it and gave up.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I still don't understand the appeal of the Qaatsi trilogy. I watched a few minutes of Koyanisqaatsi on YouTube, got bored of it and gave up.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by ticktock60

I’ll speak up for Naqoyqatsi. Reggio uses the same technique to examine the digital landscapes we have created for ourselves. Instead of concentrating on the image itself, he’s asking us to pay attention to how that image is giving, and the visual manifestations that process takes.

Yes, he does throw ones and zeros at the screen a lot, but I think this film deserves more than the shrug it typically gets.

Have you seen Visitors? I think its his latest film and its mind blowing, the images are stunning and its very well presented. Would be awesome in the Collection! But the existing US bluray is very high quality!

[CQD84]

I had a friend pick up A Matter of Life and Death for me yesterday. When I got home, I discovered that the disc was loose inside of the unopened case. As I checked the disc, it had a giant mark. I called the nearest B&N (a half hour away) and it's now sold out.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by CQD84

I had a friend pick up A Matter of Life and Death for me yesterday. When I got home, I discovered that the disc was loose inside of the unopened case. As I checked the disc, it had a giant mark. I called the nearest B&N (a half hour away) and it's now sold out.

Since you already opened it, some marks rub off pretty easily. Though I usually first try removing stuff like that by using a piece of scotch tape. Most of the time that's all that's needed. (Scratches on the other hand...)

[sasdragon]

I went a bit overboard... I found myself with some unexpected cash and I've always wanted to bulk up on some Criterion blind Buys, most of these I hadn't seen before. My July sale haul is...

[Show spoiler]

[Arawn]

[Show spoiler]

[Kyle15]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I still don't understand the appeal of the Qaatsi trilogy. I watched a few minutes of Koyanisqaatsi on YouTube, got bored of it and gave up.

It's the same reason why ppl get bored with anything. It's just not for them.

[JoeBuck]

Well! I think I did pretty good with this sale.
Still tempted to get Medium Cool and Dragon Inn though.

[Show spoiler]20180730_164334.jpg

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

That and The Pianist. I'm still miffed that the latter hasn't come out in the States. It's every bit as good as Spielberg's Schindler's List.

Been on my top 20 list of most-wanted DVD up-grades for ages. The scene where Adrien Brody encounters the German officer in the ruins is something special.

[Jexes23]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I still don't understand the appeal of the Qaatsi trilogy. I watched a few minutes of Koyanisqaatsi on YouTube, got bored of it and gave up.

I just saved the YouTube link for when I'm having trouble sleeping.

[dressedtokill]

So I plan on buying the Dietrich set but the digipack packaging has me a bit worried. I've had mixed experiences with them, how fragile are these? Will the discs come out, how secured are they? Should I expect a lot of scratching or marks?

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

So I plan on buying the Dietrich set but the digipack packaging has me a bit worried. I've had mixed experiences with them, how fragile are these? Will the discs come out, how secured are they? Should I expect a lot of scratching or marks?

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Dietr...8/#Screenshots

[hagios]

Will B&N restock 12 Angry Men (1957) on this particular sale, as I'm waiting to place my 3rd order based on this title ... or will I have to wait for the November sale?

Thanks in advance!


B&N Criterion 50% Off Sale: June 29 - August 6, 2018

2nd order!

[Show spoiler]

1st order!!

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by hagios

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by Mike0284

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Dietr...8/#Screenshots

I've already seen these, thanks though. I'm just afraid these might end up breaking on the way here. That's basically why I wanted to know how it's been so far with those that have it.

[BluRayBuddy98]

Finally watched Some Like It Hot on FilmStruck and all I can say is...

When is criterion going to announce its release??

[MeMynonsense]

Originally Posted by ravenus

From the director of the political thriller Z

[Show spoiler](which was also adapted by Indian director Dibakar Banerjee in 2012 as the very watchable Shanghai), The Confession is another film which looks at corruption endemic to power. It is based on the book written by Czech communist politician Arthur London. Played by French star Yves Montand, the film looks at how London, appointed as a deputy minister of foreign affairs just 2 years prior, is suddenly brought in for questioning about his past dealings and accused of being a traitor to the ideals of the ruling communist party. The interrogation, dealt with in great detail, is really more a process of extended torture. Made to keep walking inside his cell, barely allowed to sleep or eat, an increasingly disoriented London is alternately yelled at or coaxed by his tormentors to confess to deliberate treason against the state. Initially London denies the charges vehemently, confident that his basic innocence and his political connections will soon lead to his release. But they are relentless, breaking down his emotional defences, chopping up his testimony to individual sentences and then rearranging them to suit their purposes. London and several of his colleagues are put up for what is called a "show trial", one where the guilt of the accused has already been decided and the court proceedings are merely to make a strong example of them. As part of the notorious Stalinist purges, of the 14 people accused at the trial, 11 were executed and 3 including London sentenced for life. He was released 2 years after Stalin's demise.

Inherent to the nature of the film, there is a lot of repetition: we see day after day London undergoes repeated cycles of torture. He is held for months without official charges under emergency law where his persecutors have extraordinary powers. When London's wife protests about her husband's abduction in the ministry, their house is seized and she has to take employment in a factory. By the time they have compelled him to sign on practically fabricated confession he has been reduced to a pale thin shadow of his former self (Montand lost 23 pounds over the course of shooting). Then in the period towards the trial they reverse the process, feeding and medically administering to him ("preparing the goose" London remarks), even using a lamp to give him an artificial tan, masking his continuous isolation. The film is powered by Montand's performance, but it's a performance wholly in service to the strong statement the director wants to make.

Gavras sometimes uses a non-linear style going back and forth in London's life. It is suggested that some of the trials he presided over may have obtained confessions of guilt using the same methods he is now subject to. Regardless of ideology, the people in power are invariably corrupt and hostile paranoia increases the more one climbs the ladder of political rule.

Criterion's blu-ray gives an excellent presentation of the film, with a filmic look. There is some bias towards blue-green tint, which is also seen in other Gallic productions of the period, most notably Army of Shadows by Jean-Pierre Melville. The mono audio is clear, and the film is mostly dialog-based so easily handled. I saw a couple of the shorter extras (Montand interview, critic's video essay) but am yet to sample the more comprehensive featurettes including Chris Marker's on-set behind-the-scenes (he was stills photographer on this movie). I may report back once I have watched those.

Apart from his heavy-hitters, Gavras made a bunch of intriguing thrillers that don’t get much attention on these forums.

His debut feature The Sleeping Car Murder is a wonderful train themed whodunit mystery complete with stylistic film noir flourishes that revolves around a slew of giallo-esque killings. Featuring Simone Signoret, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Michel Piccoli and Yves Montand as the investigating detective. It’s also the only Gavras venture where the poor Montand is not at the receiving end of a political assassination, kidnapping or torture.

Special Section again has Gavras dealing with political intrigue as it uncovers the various judicial atrocities committed under the Vichy regime.

One of his better recent efforts is The Ax - an absurdist black-comedy that takes a satirical look at modern downsizing and almost works like a corporate retelling of Kind Hearts and Coronets.