The Criterion Collection

[Martin_31]

Watched today Paris, Texas; it took me a couple of days because of Thanksgiving.I loved the cinematography, the setting and landscape, the pervasive use of an establishing shot. However, the film made me feel cold towards Travis, not that he is an unlikeable character but because he is aloof. The same with Jane, I didn't feel like there was any emotion in/for her. Definitely need another re-watch.

[Al_The_Strange]

So I've hemmed and hawed over the Ingmar Bergman set for the past few months. I ultimately caved this month with the B&N sale--for the price I just couldn't say no to a package as big and gorgeous as this with that many movies.

And it just arrived today! Woohoo!







Here it is, side-by-side with the other really big Blu-Ray box set I have. Two great collections from two great labels, together at last.



I've seen about 5 of the Bergman movies so far (Seventh Seal, Virgin Spring, Persona, The Magician, Wild Strawberries--all must-haves as it is). Looking forward to checking out some more.

[CRM 114]

Hello everyone. I've never seen Tree of Life and am wondering which version you recommend for a first time viewing.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by CRM 114

Hello everyone. I've never seen Tree of Life and am wondering which version you recommend for a first time viewing.

Theatrical. I haven't managed to see the extended cut yet, but the theatrical is terrific in its own right then you can come back later (as I plan on doing) and watching the new spin Malick put on it.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by CRM 114

Hello everyone. I've never seen Tree of Life and am wondering which version you recommend for a first time viewing.

My vote goes to the theatrical cut. Without knowing your tolerance for Malick films, it's the safer starting point thanks to its shorter runtime.

Fortunately, pacing, style, storytelling is consistently the same in both cuts, the extended just has more. The added scenes are seamless and nice, but it didn't strike me as necessary and for this movie I'd advocate a "less is more" approach that the theatrical cut offers.

If you like what you see in the theatrical, then I'd follow up with the extended on the second viewing to see what's new.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

So I've hemmed and hawed over the Ingmar Bergman set for the past few months. I ultimately caved this month with the B&N sale--for the price I just couldn't say no to a package as big and gorgeous as this with that many movies.

And it just arrived today! Woohoo!

[Show spoiler]







Here it is, side-by-side with the other really big Blu-Ray box set I have. Two great collections from two great labels, together at last.

I've seen about 5 of the Bergman movies so far (Seventh Seal, Virgin Spring, Persona, The Magician, Wild Strawberries--all must-haves as it is). Looking forward to checking out some more.

Talk about polar opposites!

[rollinwith26s]

I finally watched my copy of Bicycle Thieves today. Much like Umberto D. it slowly builds to one hell of a climax.

I have a question about the Blu-ray itself. At 46 mins into the film, when Bruno and his father are talking to the old man on the bridge, the film slightly skips/glitches ahead a few frames, very similar to what often happens with streaming. I am wondering if anyone else has noticed this? Is it due to the fact a few frames were damaged and were thus omitted from the restoration? Or is my disc screwy?

Thanks.

[zack14]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I've seen about 5 of the Bergman movies so far (Seventh Seal, Virgin Spring, Persona, The Magician, Wild Strawberries--all must-haves as it is). Looking forward to checking out some more.

Which is your favorite so far?

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by rollinwith26s

I finally watched my copy of Bicycle Thieves today. Much like Umberto D. it slowly builds to one hell of a climax.

I have a question about the Blu-ray itself. At 46 mins into the film, when Bruno and his father are talking to the old man on the bridge, the film slightly skips/glitches ahead a few frames, very similar to what often happens with streaming. I am wondering if anyone else has noticed this? Is it due to the fact a few frames were damaged and were thus omitted from the restoration? Or is my disc screwy?

Thanks.

I don't remember that jump specifically but I do know the dialogue gets out of sync on my copy around that point.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by zack14

Which is your favorite so far?

The Virgin Spring. I watched that one for the first time just earlier in the year and was immediately smitten by its sharp cinematography and style. It's a simple story--I have seen my fair share of rape/revenge movies now, but I appreciate TVS the most because it never really struck me as exploitative or trashy. Pacing is decent, I found the performances and writing compelling, and the movie overall hit home some themes and imagery that struck a chord with me personally.

[sawdustandtinsel]

RIP Nicolas Roeg, 90, great run and a great talent. Walkabout has become an all-timer for me and Don't Look Now lurks right behind it.

[Gusto-Guus]

Originally Posted by rollinwith26s

I finally watched my copy of Bicycle Thieves today. Much like Umberto D. it slowly builds to one hell of a climax.

I have a question about the Blu-ray itself. At 46 mins into the film, when Bruno and his father are talking to the old man on the bridge, the film slightly skips/glitches ahead a few frames, very similar to what often happens with streaming. I am wondering if anyone else has noticed this? Is it due to the fact a few frames were damaged and were thus omitted from the restoration? Or is my disc screwy?

Thanks.

I think it is because Bicycle Thieves isn't the only movie in the collection that has that happen to it. I've noticed it in a few of the older Japanese filmes, too.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

RIP Nicolas Roeg, 90, great run and a great talent. Walkabout has become an all-timer for me and Don't Look Now lurks right behind it.

My favorite is The Man Who Fell to Earth. So beautiful and so sad.

[SammyJankis]

Don't Look Now is one of the few experiences where I didn't want to be around anyone after the film ended. It's almost too successful at portraying grief as not just a concept but a mood that permeates every surface and person you see. It's one of those all-time favorites that I can't watch as often as I'd like.

And the editing is second to none.

RIP Nicolas Roeg

[The Great Owl]

I'm saddened to hear about Nicolas Roeg. Many of his movies are highlights of my film collection.

I posted Don't Look Now as my Facebook movie of the week cover photo just now.

[demonknight]

Insignificance is probably my favorite of his works. I actually have Bad Timing on hold at my library right now, so I might double that and Performance this week.

[rollinwith26s]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

I think it is because Bicycle Thieves isn't the only movie in the collection that has that happen to it. I've noticed it in a few of the older Japanese filmes, too.

I have a few of the older Japanese titles but I've never seen any of them do this.

Another comment mentioned the dialogue being out of sync on the Bicycle Thieves. Now that I've had that brought to my attention I look back and think: "Gee, there were a few parts where it seemed like dialogue didn't quite line up with actors' lip movements." However, I swear that's a thing in a lot of old movies.

Did Criterion ever do a replacement disc?

[tatterdemalion]

Originally Posted by rollinwith26s

I have a few of the older Japanese titles but I've never seen any of them do this.

Another comment mentioned the dialogue being out of sync on the Bicycle Thieves. Now that I've had that brought to my attention I look back and think: "Gee, there were a few parts where it seemed like dialogue didn't quite line up with actors' lip movements." However, I swear that's a thing in a lot of old movies.

Did Criterion ever do a replacement disc?

Almost all Italian films up until the 80's had their sound post-synchronized. It was a standard studio practice in Italy. One of the only examples I know of sound being recorded on the set of an Italian film pre-80s is in Sergio Leone's Duck, You Sucker! And it was only for Rod Steiger. There may be other examples but there wouldn't be a whole lot.

[rollinwith26s]

Originally Posted by tatterdemalion

Almost all Italian films up until the 80's had their sound post-synchronized. It was a standard studio practice in Italy. One of the only examples I know of sound being recorded on the set of an Italian film pre-80s is in Sergio Leone's Duck, You Sucker! And it was only for Rod Steiger. There may be other examples but there wouldn't be a whole lot.

Good to know.

[jw007]

My out of print Criterion blu-ray of The Man Who Fell to Earth is not just one of my favorites in the collection, but also one of my favorite top 100 movies as well. Though I never was a massive fan of Nicolas Roeg's editing choices, his films were bold, brave, and indulgent. RIP Nicolas Roeg.

On another note, I bought The Tree of Life today on Criterion! I discovered that one of my 3 local Barnes & Nobles removed their media section last month and put all the videos/cds and vinyl in the corner of the store. I found a lot of movies out of order and it hasn't been organized or taken care of from what I see. What a sad and sorry state physical media has become in retail outlets. Anyway, it was going to be 1 of 3 purchases but I discovered my B&N membership expired last week which made me quite frustrated since I hardly used it. I didn't want to buy a new membership for $25 so instead of buying Dead Man, The Virgin Suicides, and The Tree of Life, I just bought the latter.