The Criterion Collection

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by Surge92

I just finished watching Come and See. What a film. Visually stunning and anchored by a powerhouse, unforgettable performance by young (at the time) Aleksei Kravchenko, who conveys more visceral shock and horror through his facial expressions than spoken lines ever could, the film depicts his metaphorical descent into hell, courtesy of the brutal Nazi occupation of Belarus. At times, it felt like I was watching a '70s Herzog film, very atmospheric, yet also poetic in its use of close-ups and nature shots, even though a lot of what we see on the screen is gruesome. The film's music can also be described as ominous and haunting (the strings that play over the main menu actually reminded me of Riz Ortolani's work on Cannibal Holocaust). The same goes for the creative use of sound, like the droning buzzing of flies to announce death. Criterion has done an excellent job with the transfer, which is very organic and filmic-looking (some occasional subtle edge enhancement on wide shots was the only flaw I noticed). Overall, this is a highly recommended release. Now, if someone would only release Klimov's Agony on blu-ray.

I noticed it last month and it looked especially interesting but I think it would require an emotional investment that I don't have, especially these days. I've really been getting into the less provocative stories like Ozu and Hitchcock that I have enjoyed so much lately. Heck, I may even throw in a Ghibli film at this point, but definitely not Grave of the Fireflies or that will drain me just as much.

[cbb223]

After getting the Godzilla set (which I'm trilled to have), Police Story 1&2, and the Bruce Lee set, I've gone back in today for Dr Strangelove and Barry Lyndon. I need to hide my wallet somewhere before I start looking at more titles.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by Bn43

I watched Late Spring after An Autumn Afternoon. Was really impressed by the latter, but found the former too similar to love. If An Autumn Afternoon was a 5/5 in my first viewing, Late Spring was a 4. Honestly, I think AAA is LS made better.

Glad you loved AAA! It's perhaps my favorite Ozu film and I have fond memories of watching it with my parents and enjoying ever scene from start to finish. My father especially had a good laugh every once in a while when a drunk professor (He is a retired political science professor) starts acting up. It is a film that gave them memories of a time in Japan that they never personally experienced much (Film came out '62, my parents left Japan a year or two before).

With good humor and a humanistic range of emotions, AAA perfectly depicted Japanese 60s culture with it's cute minimalistic colors bouncing off the screen and superb acting by the entire cast.

10/10 I would consider this as one of THE BEST farewells from a director.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

Haven't seen An Autumn Afternoon yet. I will be buying the Criterion which is already a 4K scan and has bonuses that I can actually read Ozu's last film

Definitely should! It's not that jam-packed as a Blu-ray edition sadly (I rented a DVD copy once and it looked fine. I would actually prefer the cool color over the warmer 4K restoration. But, I think I can stay with the 4K restoration that Criterion offers)

But, I think this film is a MUST-SEE for any Japanese film fans. It has great acting, beautiful visuals, and gives you a pretty interesting perspective on 60s Japan that my parents (Who lived in Japan until a year or two after the movie came out in '62) have fond memories of the quickly changing culture. I haven't bought it yet but I might consider buying it soon, as it's my FAVORITE Ozu film and my THIRD favorite Japanese film (Behind Stray Dog, and Branded to Kill. Tokyo Drifter was a close third on my list!)

10/10 As I stated earlier, THE BEST farewell film that I think a director could ever give!

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Definitely should! It's not that jam-packed as a Blu-ray edition sadly (I rented a DVD copy once and it looked fine. I would actually prefer the cool color over the warmer 4K restoration. But, I think I can stay with the 4K restoration that Criterion offers)

But, I think this film is a MUST-SEE for any Japanese film fans. It has great acting, beautiful visuals, and gives you a pretty interesting perspective on 60s Japan that my parents (Who lived in Japan until a year or two after the movie came out in '62) have fond memories of the quickly changing culture. I haven't bought it yet but I might consider buying it soon, as it's my FAVORITE Ozu film and my THIRD favorite Japanese film (Behind Stray Dog, and Branded to Kill. Tokyo Drifter was a close third on my list!)

10/10 As I stated earlier, THE BEST farewell film that I think a director could ever give!

Excellent endorsement! Oh yes, it is definitely going in my Ozu collection

[NeoNical]

Finally got the Bruce Lee boxset from Amazon (Same price as B&N now.) Luckily, it only took 3-4 days for it to come which is probably the fastest delivery I had during the entire pandemic and I'm happy!

Since Bruce Lee has been my only childhood hero, I can't wait to revisit his films again after years!

[biglou114]

Originally Posted by Scholer

That’s like calling Sweet Smell of Success an americanised remake of Night and the City.

Or The Force Awakens as a remake of the original Star Wars

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by NeoNical

Definitely should! It's not that jam-packed as a Blu-ray edition sadly (I rented a DVD copy once and it looked fine. I would actually prefer the cool color over the warmer 4K restoration. But, I think I can stay with the 4K restoration that Criterion offers)

But, I think this film is a MUST-SEE for any Japanese film fans. It has great acting, beautiful visuals, and gives you a pretty interesting perspective on 60s Japan that my parents (Who lived in Japan until a year or two after the movie came out in '62) have fond memories of the quickly changing culture. I haven't bought it yet but I might consider buying it soon, as it's my FAVORITE Ozu film and my THIRD favorite Japanese film (Behind Stray Dog, and Branded to Kill. Tokyo Drifter was a close third on my list!)

10/10 As I stated earlier, THE BEST farewell film that I think a director could ever give!

The use of color is pretty incredible. It's a whole different level of skill. One that requires some knowledge and understanding of the visual arts, not just film, which is unfortunately quite rare among contemporary film makers.

It is definitely one of the great final films of cinema, right up there with Gertrud, The Turin Horse etc.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

You'll find many, if not most of Ozu's films have strong overlaps in themes, and just the look, and feel of them. Some are outright remakes of previous ones, and others are sort of re-worked versions of the core story. I have a hard time recollecting which film is which from the Late Ozu Eclipse set, as they all tend to blend together in my head. I think as such, there should probably be some space between the viewing of his films.

Yes, but that is the pleasure of watching his films, and ultimately why he was a master. He was able to develop his craft slowly over time, which is basically impossible to do nowadays in the medium.

Not suggesting you were making a statement either way, but variety is overrated. Most masters of any medium were traditionally not diverse. They went narrow and deep. The obsession with 'diversity', especially as being the hallmark of greatness, is actually quite a recent thing, and it's largely driven by a preference for novelty.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Not suggesting you were making a statement either way, but variety is overrated. Most masters of any medium were traditionally not diverse. They went narrow and deep. The obsession with 'diversity', especially as being the hallmark of greatness, is actually quite a recent thing, and it's largely driven by a preference for novelty.

Some of cinema's most well known masters have been sufficiently diverse, even if they had "favorite genres" - Satyajit Ray, Kurosawa, Sidney Lumet, Kubrick...so I do not agree with the quest for diversity being a recent thing, more like each artist having their own outlook which influences their work, whether it is traversing wide swathes or making deep furrows.

[ravenus]

The other night I re-watched Volver (Return), that gorgeous Pedro Almodvar film centered around a bunch of warm-hearted, ferocious women who aren't above committing / abetting murders or even coming back from the 'dead' when it comes to protecting their loved ones. This is one movie where 2 hours go by like zip!

Sony's blu-ray was good for its time, but its age is really showing in the video. Glover Crisp's team need to do a fresh scan & restoration, and then hand it over to Criterion (or Arrow) to do a bang-up new release.

Edit: The UK DVD release from Fox has a bunch of different extras including a 40min roundtable discussion between cast and crew and what seem to be more substantial BTS featurettes. Hope someone can club them all into one release.

[malakaheso]

Has anyone picked up Husbands yet?

[SeanJoyce]

No discussion of "superbly-acted dramas" should exclude Tunes of Glory. Upgraded my DVD after reading all the hubbub about the Blu-ray, and I'm so glad I did...though largely studio-shot and interior-bound, this is such a gorgeous film, what with the predominately castle setting and roaring fireplaces.

There was a lot of chatter about Guinness and Mills, both of whom were considered stunt-casting in their respective roles, switching it up in a stage production. It's to acting fans' everywhere lament that never happened, because that would have been really something to see.

But at least we got this film, which should be considered no less than a landmark British masterpiece. Philosophical, heart-wrenching and soul-baring, this is as good as cinema gets, and Criterion's Blu-ray, which restores it from original elements and eliminates a distracting final reel stripe, is ex-quis-ite.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by biglou114

Or The Force Awakens as a remake of the original Star Wars

Ozu was indeed inspired by Make Way for Tomorrow, which is documented, but by no means is Tokyo Story is a remake of Make Way for Tomorrow, just as Sweet Smell of Success is no remake of Night and the City. Just having the same basic premise doesn’t make one film a remake over another, in which case probably almost every great film would end up being seen as some kind of remake if you dig enough.

Force Awakens, while not a strict remake, was a cash-grabbing retread of the original film, so I don’t know how that figures into your Tokyo Story is a remake of Make Way for Tomorrow rationale.

[Bronson13]

Has there ever been a rumor about Borat coming to Criterion? Or am I going crazy?

[borntorun_intheusa]

I forget who it was on this forum who was saying that if they got one person to buy a copy of Kiss Me Deadly then they will have succeeded. Well to whoever it was, I bought a copy not knowing a single thing about it so, congrats, haha.

One thing I have started doing for all sales, Criterion or not is to always buy one title that I do not know anything about. A movie I wouldn't normally buy but the cover looks interesting or its got an interesting title. I find it fun to explore a film that I know nothing about and would never have bought otherwise. Yesterday in my pile of movies, I (not joking) closed my eyes and grabbed a Blu Ray off the shelf. I ended up grabbing The Kid Brother from 1927 starring Harold Lloyd. I've only seen one other Harold Lloyd film, The Freshman which surprisingly was really funny so I'm actually happy with my random pick here.

If any of you during this sale or another company sale feel bold, give it a try! Cover look cool? Title sound cool? Cool cast? Take a chance!

[biglou114]

Originally Posted by Scholer

Ozu was indeed inspired by Make Way for Tomorrow, which is documented, but by no means is Tokyo Story is a remake of Make Way for Tomorrow, just as Sweet Smell of Success is no a remake of Night and the City. Just having the same basic premise doesn’t make one film a remake over another, in which case probably almost every great film would end up being seen as some kind of remake if you dig enough.

Force Awakens, while not a strict remake, was a cash-grabbing retread of the original film, so I don’t know how that figures into your Tokyo Story is a remake of Make Way for Tomorrow rationale.

I think we have different opinions of remakes. I don’t think calling a remake is inherently a bad thing.

[acroyear2]

Taste of Cherry is released this week and I'm thinking of a blind buy. I've never seen an Abbas Kiarostami film before. Would this be a good place to start for his filmography?

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by biglou114

I think we have different opinions of remakes. I don’t think calling a remake is inherently a bad thing.

Well sure, The Wizard of Oz is a remake and it's also one of my all time favourite films. Doesn't change the fact that Tokyo Story isn't remake, least of all a remake of Make Way for Tomorrow which apart from basic premise has nothing in common with Tokyo Story, and is made with a totally different sensibility. Ozu remaking a Leo McCarey film sounds as strange and ludicrous to me as Bresson remaking a Preston Sturges film or Nolan remaking a Woody Allen drama.

[Scholer]

Originally Posted by acroyear2

Taste of Cherry is released this week and I'm thinking of a blind buy. I've never seen an Abbas Kiarostami film before. Would this be a good place to start for his filmography?

Yes. Not his most signature film though, but his edgiest and darkest work by far (and not just because of the subject matter).

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Some of cinema's most well known masters have been sufficiently diverse, even if they had "favorite genres" - Satyajit Ray, Kurosawa, Sidney Lumet, Kubrick...so I do not agree with the quest for diversity being a recent thing, more like each artist having their own outlook which influences their work, whether it is traversing wide swathes or making deep furrows.

Indeed, it certainly isn't anything recent. Fritz Lang is the first name that comes to mind. In my opinion, he is easily one of the most diverse filmmakers of all time. Metropolis, M, Dr Mabuse, The Indian Epics, Die Niebelungen, The Big Heat, Western Union etc...His range was incredible.