The Criterion Collection

[nitin]

When I last saw the Von Sternberg/Dietrich films via DVD, Blonde Venus was my least preferred by far. That was 10+ years ago and I cannot really recall any particular reasons except that I thought it was a kitschy melodrama.

Well it is definitely that, but what I clearly missed on that viewing, and which was very front and centre to me on this viewing was how that kitschy melodrama had nevertheless been melded with a very touching emotional core and the tenderly portrayed mother-son relationship.

Von Sternberg’s genius visual stylisation is once again on full display, the lighting, sets and blocking is phenomenal not just in the set piece type scenes but in every single scene in the film.

And Dietrich is almost in every scene of the movie and absolutely commands every inch of the screen when she is on it. This is also probably her objectively best performance from her Hollywood phase with Von Sternberg. The role as written doesn’t necessarily give her that much to play with, apart from certain archetypes throughout the movie’s episodic structure like domesticated housewife, cabaret singer and doting single mother. But, crucially, she manages to make them all feel part of the same whole person.

Criterion’s blu which is from a 4k master and it is absolutely fabulous and close to the best looking transfer of a 30s film on blu.

[FragnitoM]

I remember Wenders had been quoted as saying all of his films would be on Criterion eventually... I cant imagine Criterion releasing some of his most recent films, but does anyone know what else probably will?

[145gtw]

Originally Posted by FragnitoM

I remember Wenders had been quoted as saying all of his films would be on Criterion eventually... I cant imagine Criterion releasing some of his most recent films, but does anyone know what else probably will?

I would think that Lisbon Story, The State of Things, Lightning Over Water and Tokyo-Ga all get treatments of some sort eventually.

Maybe included in a larger set or something. There’s certainly enough material for one.

*Just realized that the Ozu documentary is already included on Criterion’s release of Late Spring. Can’t say for certain if the Ray documentary is featured anywhere though.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by RojD

The opening of Tree of Life was my Rosetta Stone for Malick, and I have felt since then that Malick's work is showing the Way of Nature, the Way of Grace, and their dynamic. A Hidden Life leans on the Way of Grace, and those long shots and cuts to details like the reflection of water or mist blowing over grass communicate Grace visually in a way that exposition couldn't. I'm in awe at the way Malik expresses his theology using film instead of books. And it's so clear.

I still need to rewatch Malik's Pre-Tree of Life work to see if it's also working out the Grace/Nature interaction. Based on the comparisons of his earlier and later work I read, I suspect they are. Can't wait to revisit.

I've lived approximately a half-century and have never really spent any time studying or learning about theology. I mean, sure we would touch on various subject across different classes in philosophy, and the like. But it really wasn't the primary focus there. Or rarely, at least. So when I began to truly dig in where Malick was concerned -- and the recentness of that sort of surprises me, to be honest -- I had a very large job when it came to understanding and learning on that particular road.

I think that I've probably had more to learn, study, come to grips with when watching and studying Terrence Malick's films than I have in any other endeavor in my life. And I haven't really come that close to scratching the surface.

I can't wait to see A Hidden Life. From what I've read and seen, I think it's going to be very provocative intellectually. And it looks beyond beautiful simply as cinema-as-visual-art.

[DukeTogo84]

Really hoping we get a new release of Ran from Criterion in 2020.

[nitin]

Claude Chabrol’s debut film Le Beau Serge is a fascinating character study focused on a young man who returns to his hometown village from Paris for a short stay and his childhood friend Serge who has turned into a self destructive alcoholic.

Taking cues from Rossellini’s cinema from the same decade, Chabrol shoots on rural location, uses a mix of professional and non-professional actors, makes great use of his location setting to visualise the psyche of his characters, and stages a Catholicism influenced ending that ends on a hopeful but ambiguous note.

The characterisations, including the various supporting characters in the village, are all infused with a connective history such that the way everyone talks and behaves seems to be informed by everything that have seen, done or heard before.

Criterion’s blu is a from 2k restoration and looks largely excellent (although the blacks look a little boosted).

[DaBargainHunta]

On my wishlist for years and about to expire from The Criterion Channel, I finally watched Robinson Crusoe on Mars last night.

The premise: A man and his pet monkey get stranded on Mars. (Adam West is also in it, but *ahem* don't see it for him!)

The trailer mentions the movie being "science-fact" - and there is something to that. It feels like watching a detailed step-by-step account of what would happen if someone really was stuck on Mars - based on the knowledge that existed back in 1964. The sets, effects, and "science" obviously don't hold up, but that doesn't matter. The movie itself absolutely still holds up, and that's what's important.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: It's long, slow, and strange, but I was never bored.

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

On my wishlist for years and about to expire from The Criterion Channel, I finally watched Robinson Crusoe on Mars last night.

The premise: A man and his pet monkey get stranded on Mars. (Adam West is also in it, but *ahem* don't see it for him!)

The trailer mentions the movie being "science-fact" - and there is something to that. It feels like watching a detailed step-by-step account of what would happen if someone really was stuck on Mars - based on the knowledge that existed back in 1964. The sets, effects, and "science" obviously don't hold up, but that doesn't matter. The movie itself absolutely still holds up, and that's what's important.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: It's long, slow, and strange, but I was never bored.

I should rewatch my BD of this as the first viewing I stopped because I hated it. Even though I wasn't trying to take it seriously I just had a hard time getting into the mood of it and take it for what it is. maybe next time I will actually enjoy it.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

I should rewatch my BD of this as the first viewing I stopped because I hated it. Even though I wasn't trying to take it seriously I just had a hard time getting into the mood of it and take it for what it is. maybe next time I will actually enjoy it.

That could be the issue - I have a feeling it was meant to be taken (mostly) seriously at the time, but the set, effects, and "science" are obviously dated by today's standards. For me, the story and situation eventually sucked me in enough that I was able to overlook the other aspects that didn't age well - kind of like watching a good play, where everything is artificial but it still works because of the acting and writing.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

The premise: A man and his pet monkey get stranded on Mars.

"The Woolly Monkey as Mona" (as the credits read).

[ilenewoodsfan99]

I saw The Story of Temple Drake today. If you are a fan of Pre-Code movies, this is a must see. It looks and was excellent.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by ilenewoodsfan99

I saw The Story of Temple Drake today. If you are a fan of Pre-Code movies, this is a must see. It looks and was excellent.

Yeah, I can't believe it's taken me this long since getting it to watch it. But tomorrow at some point, for sure. I'm really looking forward to it.

My life's just been a bit ... weird, lately.

[jw007]

Anyone here a fan of Pedro Almodóvar?

I just saw Pain and Glory in the movie theater. It was a solid film, and I wonder if this was based on the director's life as it "seemed" autobiographical. I thought the production design and set decorating were amazing (the colors stood out the most).

Almodóvar is one director that I haven't been able to really get into. I admire his body of work, but I feel that his films are an acquired taste.

I could totally see this film coming to the Criterion Collection.

For those that have seen his films, please list your top 3 favorite films of his!

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by jw007

Anyone here a fan of Pedro Almodóvar?

I just saw Pain and Glory in the movie theater. It was a solid film, and I wonder if this was based on the director's life as it "seemed" autobiographical. I thought the production design and set decorating were amazing (the colors stood out the most).

Almodóvar is one director that I haven't been able to really get into. I admire his body of work, but I feel that his films are an acquired taste.

I could totally see this film coming to the Criterion Collection.

For those that have seen his films, please list your top 3 favorite films of his!

The only one I've seen is Bad Education. I posted my thoughts on it in this thread a few months ago. Here they are again...

I watched Bad Education on The Criterion Channel. (Note: It has since expired from the service.)

Man, what a WILD RIDE!

The Criterion Channel's description of the film conveniently leaves out all of its gay, transgender, and cross-dressing themes.

Originally Posted by The Criterion Channel

In Pedro Almodóvar’s BAD EDUCATION, two boys, Ignacio and Enrique, discover love, cinema, and fear in a Franco-era religious school in the early 1960s. In 1980 Madrid, young director Enrique Goded (Fele Martínez) is looking for a story for his fourth film when he has a visitor: an attractive young man (Gael García Bernal) who says he is his old school friend, Ignacio. Ignacio has brought a short story he has written, which piques Enrique’s interest when he realizes that the story was inspired by their childhood. Enrique’s film, and the events that transpire during its shooting, tell a story within a story whose real and imagined characters try to make sense of themselves, their world, and their past.

I guess they assume everyone is homophobic?

I bring this up because it took me by surprise - not a bad way, of course - but I wasn't expecting it because Criterion didn't include it in its description.

In any case, I was hooked from the very beginning. It is beautifully shot and the opening scene immediately grabs your attention, as an aspiring actor (played by Gael García Bernal) comes into a studio and introduces himself as the old school friend of a film director (Fele Martínez). From there, the director reads the script and we get flashbacks upon flashbacks of earlier times. To say more than that would be to spoil the movie...

I have one question though: Is the aspect ratio screwed up on the Criterion Channel version? I know the film has two different ARs, but the flashbacks on Criterion Channel have bars on all four sides, which doesn't seem right to me. Thankfully, the movie was riveting enough that I was able to overlook this possible technical snafu.

I was surprised to find out that Bad Education received the dreaded NC-17 rating. After watching it, I have no idea why. It's a PG-13 to me at most. Maybe I don't shock easily?
__

BTW, the Pedro Almodovar Iconic Collection is currently $19.99 on iTunes for five movies, which seems like a good deal to me. They're all MA, so they'll port to other services, but it's a bundle that ends in .99 so you won't get 4K anywhere else (I don't think they're 4K on iTunes yet though, so that might be a moot point). I should probably grab them while the price is still good.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I have one question though: Is the aspect ratio screwed up on the Criterion Channel version? I know the film has two different ARs, but the flashbacks on Criterion Channel have bars on all four sides, which doesn't seem right to me. Thankfully, the movie was riveting enough that I was able to overlook this possible technical snafu.

You answered your own question. The film is framed for 2,.5, then some scenes are 1.85 within that 2.35 frame, so yes, there will be bars on all 4 sides.

[ilenewoodsfan99]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yeah, I can't believe it's taken me this long since getting it to watch it. But tomorrow at some point, for sure. I'm really looking forward to it.

My life's just been a bit ... weird, lately.

I got it for Christmas. I didn't have a chance for the past few days to see it because I was so busy between then and now.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by jw007

Anyone here a fan of Pedro Almodóvar?

[Show spoiler]I just saw Pain and Glory in the movie theater. It was a solid film, and I wonder if this was based on the director's life as it "seemed" autobiographical. I thought the production design and set decorating were amazing (the colors stood out the most).

Almodóvar is one director that I haven't been able to really get into. I admire his body of work, but I feel that his films are an acquired taste.

I could totally see this film coming to the Criterion Collection.

For those that have seen his films, please list your top 3 favorite films of his!

Yes, I'm a fan of his work and I very much want to see Pain and Glory. From what I've read about it yes, many people much more familiar with him believe that it's very autobiographical. It definitely looks good to me, and it's tough for me to say no to anything with Banderas and Cruz.

As to my Top 3, keep in mind that I've seen only probably somewhere less than half of his films. I mean, the guy's directed like 20 films at least, and there are only so many hours in the day.

But keeping that in mind, here are the 3 I would probably choose (not really in any order, though):

-- Volver

-- Julieta

-- All About My Mother

All three are just excellent, as far as I'm concerned. And although I enjoyed Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, it's one that, even for Almodóvar, might be a bit near the edge as far as weirdness to suggest to someone else. But like I said, I enjoyed it.

Pedro is such an interesting, uncompromising filmmaker, I think. And a beautiful visual filmmaker too. He's always challenging. Anyway, I always enjoy his work. But those three are my favorites.

Originally Posted by ilenewoodsfan99

I got it for Christmas. I didn't have a chance for the past few days to see it because I was so busy between then and now.

Makes sense. A lot of people are obviously busy this time of year. I've been "busy" in a way, just a different way. Should have things handled today or tomorrow, finally though.

[Gerby]

Originally Posted by jw007

Anyone here a fan of Pedro Almodóvar?

I just saw Pain and Glory in the movie theater. It was a solid film, and I wonder if this was based on the director's life as it "seemed" autobiographical. I thought the production design and set decorating were amazing (the colors stood out the most).

Almodóvar is one director that I haven't been able to really get into. I admire his body of work, but I feel that his films are an acquired taste.

I could totally see this film coming to the Criterion Collection.

For those that have seen his films, please list your top 3 favorite films of his!

I've seen all of Almodovar's films.
My top 3 are:
Live Flesh
Talk To Her
The Skin I Live In

I can't say there are any that i didn't enjoy, even I'm So Exited! which is probably considered his worst.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by jw007

Anyone here a fan of Pedro Almodóvar?

I just saw Pain and Glory in the movie theater. It was a solid film, and I wonder if this was based on the director's life as it "seemed" autobiographical. I thought the production design and set decorating were amazing (the colors stood out the most).

Almodóvar is one director that I haven't been able to really get into. I admire his body of work, but I feel that his films are an acquired taste.

I could totally see this film coming to the Criterion Collection.

For those that have seen his films, please list your top 3 favorite films of his!

All About My Mother (masterpiece)
Talk to Her (almost masterpiece)
The Skin I Live In (very different to the two above)

[Bronson13]

Has it been rumored that Lolita is coming to Criterion or is it just speculation among the community?