The Criterion Collection

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by tfunk

Of all the Criterion Blurays, which would you say have the best commentaries on them? I'm interested in listening to some, and I have no idea where to start.

I've listned to a select few on both DVD and blu, here's the one that I enjoyed the most.

Gimme Shelter (Blu)
Life Of Brian (DVD)
Time Bandits (DVD)
Walkabout (Blu)
Carnival Of Souls (DVD)
Two-Lane Blacktop (DVD)
Straw Dogs (DVD)


there most likely is more but my memory is hazy...

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

My CARDBOARD BBS set came PERFECT in the mail. Love the cardboard releases. This set looks awesome.

CG...are the digipacks packed the same tight way, as they did with the von Sternberg silents? If so...very cool. I got that shipped to the B & N store and sans a minor crease on top of box, it was in very good shape. I think thick cardboard and tight packing helps to make the box sturdier and less likely to get dinged.

[hedliniv]

All of the Kurosawa commentaries have been amazing!! Seven Samurai / Yojimbo / Sanjuro / Kagemusha... I can't wait for more!!!

Originally Posted by tfunk

Of all the Criterion Blurays, which would you say have the best commentaries on them? I'm interested in listening to some, and I have no idea where to start.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by hedliniv

All of the Kurosawa commentaries have been amazing!! Seven Samurai / Yojimbo / Sanjuro / Kagemusha... I can't wait for more!!!

I found the Michael Jeck one one Seven Samurai VERY boring, turned it off after a few minutes... The man has NO sense of humor in his commentary, he is way to serious, sounds like a college professor

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Joan of Arc is in the works, Tokyo Story is close according to the Criterion Cast, and Le Samouraï...who knows, but it's a Melville film (like the upcoming Army of Shadows).

Probably nothing to this bit of speculation, but I would love to see Joan of Arc and Samouraï on BD sooner rather than later, and an Ozu Blu would also be a great excuse for me to finally start exploring his work.

Tokyo Story is a very good place to start. I think it's his best film and Ozu was heavily influenced by Leo McCarey's "Make Way For Tomorrow".

I would also love to see Tokyo Story make it to blu very soon.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I'm not a hater of cardboard so I don't care if there is a dent. The plastic cases is what sucks. I was just posting what I did because of all the people that "went to many B&N stores to find the perfect case!" I just order online and whatever comes, comes.

You all are just mad I got HEAD today and everyone else didn't.

Got no problem with cardboard...just do it the right way.

I've got to believe that thicker gauged cardboard wouldn't cost them that much. The cardboard "boxes" the Steamboat Bill and Sherlock Jr. came in were thicker cardboard and both came in mint condition. The BD case was just tight enough to support the cardboard.

So if CC will just follow the above scenario, sets would come in decent condition and satisfy the cardboard crowd.

[Boob-Ray]

Originally Posted by keldons

Would Modern Times be worth a blind buy for someone with a very cursory knowledge of silent film? I've seen extremely early silents and Brakhage films, which (as far as I know) have no real resemblance to Modern Times.

Asking here because this thread also led me to blind buy Paths of Glory, which I bought today and loved.

Modern Times is an easy recommendation. I feel it's a perfectly conceived, constructed and executed picture. I've blind-bought all of the dozen Criterions I own (except Crumb) and for me Modern Times and Stagecoach were easily the crown jewels in my haul. And that includes some impressive movies (Seven Samurai, Seventh Seal, Paths of Glory, Sanjuro, Yojimbo...) all good, but challenging to varying degrees.

Both Stagecoach and Modern Times are perfect movies -- perfectly paced, easy to get into -- with tons of depth and fun to watch. Both accessible and brilliant. I've only watched Modern Times once but I didn't want to leave the couch while it was on -- and can't wait to watch it again! I've been into silents lately and this one's different -- on a totally different level, granted it was done in '36, long after silent shops had closed down. And to that end it felt like the coda to a triumphant era. Very powerful.

I love films of this vintage and frankly wish Criterion would focus more on the 20s/30s...since it seemed the groundbreaking to pioneering-genius ratio was at its highest. But I digress.

If you have any, any interest in Chaplin or older films/classic Hollywood...I couldn't recommend Modern Times enough. As others have said...it's not a typical silent. And the musical score is breathtaking. Halfway through, it hit me. I can honestly say I've never heard anything more perfect -- and it goes on through the entire picture since there's little dialog, being a silent. It is incredible. Question for silent film fans -- are there any other films where the film score is this good?

OK, now that I've pumped it up too much

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by Boob-Ray

Modern Times is an easy recommendation. I feel it's a perfectly conceived, constructed and executed picture. I've blind-bought all of the dozen Criterions I own (except Crumb) and for me Modern Times and Stagecoach were easily the crown jewels in my haul. And that includes some impressive movies (Seven Samurai, Seventh Seal, Paths of Glory, Sanjuro, Yojimbo...) all good, but challenging to varying degrees.

Both Stagecoach and Modern Times are perfect movies -- perfectly paced, easy to get into -- with tons of depth and fun to watch. Both accessible and brilliant. I've only watched Modern Times once but I didn't want to leave the couch while it was on -- and can't wait to watch it again! I've been into silents lately and this one's different -- on a totally different level, granted it was done in '36, long after silent shops had closed down. And to that end it felt like the coda to a triumphant era. Very powerful.

I love films of this vintage and frankly wish Criterion would focus more on the 20s/30s...since it seemed the groundbreaking to pioneering-genius ratio was at its highest. But I digress.

If you have any, any interest in Chaplin or older films/classic Hollywood...I couldn't recommend Modern Times enough. As others have said...it's not a typical silent. And the musical score is breathtaking. Halfway through, it hit me. I can honestly say I've never heard anything more perfect -- and it goes on through the entire picture since there's little dialog, being a silent. It is incredible. Question for silent film fans -- are there any other films where the film score is this good?

OK, now that I've pumped it up too much

+1.
I have nt yet watched it but I can already tell that it will become the crown jewel of my collection as well.

[lDlisturb3d]

Summer Hours (L'Heure D'ete) (Criterion)

Director: Olivier Assayas
Writer: Olivier Assayas
Mains: Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling and Jérémie Renier

"The Critically Acclaimed Best Foreign Film of 09"

Plot: 3 siblings must agree and what to do with their mother's estate and valuable belongings that she left behind after her death. Challenged with many decisions these siblings will find a way to make it work even though they face the cold emotional feeling of their recently passed mother.

My Take: Summer Hours is warm and beautiful shot film. Some of the shots of their Summer home is worth the view alone. It was surprisingly overwhelming seeing this film for what its worth. There are many questions i still have about the overall meaning of the film. Especially the end, i kinda felt like her granddaughter was kinda walking in the same footsteps as her grandmother? Besides that i will never forget a couple scenes that grabbed my full attention and also made my eyes water. This film is very warm and slow paced but rewarding. The acting and direction are all good to go so you feel where they are coming from for the most part.

Conclusion: A treat indeed but i don't know how often i will watch this movie. My mom passed recently so it really hurts to see this film. Its so emotional at times and you really feel the authenticity from the actor/actresses. The music is very delightful and as i mentioned some to the beautiful scenes are unforgettable. While this film didnt take a huge toll on me i will still give it another shot to understand some of the meaning. Overall its a nice well made warm flick that will really bring your eyes to the beauty of art. The fact that its critically acclaimed over Slumdog Millionaire?? I cant agree, Slumdog had a very interesting story and this movie was just a little piece of art. Not to take anything away from it but i think Slumdog won fair and square.

Recommended

4/5

[Crimson King]

Wish Monte Hellman's "Two-Lane Blacktop" would get the CC blu-ray treatment! Their 2-DVD boxed set from 2007 is a top-notch release w/ includes two booklets!, but I would still love a blu as well. Heck make a "blu-fer" w/ Hellman's "Cockfighter"!

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

CG...are the digipacks packed the same tight way, as they did with the von Sternberg silents? If so...very cool. I got that shipped to the B & N store and sans a minor crease on top of box, it was in very good shape. I think thick cardboard and tight packing helps to make the box sturdier and less likely to get dinged.

Yes, like a tiny von Sternberg set, but much wider (think of the set but blu size and 6 films + a booklet wide. Both sets of mine came by mail both times and in great condition. The only cardboard releases that I have trouble with is the Eclipse covers (more like slipcovers.). But no big deal with those, because if it came down to it, the cover sleeves are really nothing. Heck the upcoming Basil Dearden Eclipse has some of the best cover art upcoming, so I am thinking about removing that cover sleeve anyways.

Will start on the BBS set tonight. Night of the Hunter shows that it will be here today, and I e-mailed B&N last night about Sherlock Jr, so I am getting a move on things.

[hedliniv]

I can understand your perception however you actually learn from that commentary! Customs, traditions and historical perspective...it added so much insight to the movie for an outsider to the Japanese culture...

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I found the Michael Jeck one one Seven Samurai VERY boring, turned it off after a few minutes... The man has NO sense of humor in his commentary, he is way to serious, sounds like a college professor

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I watched Modern Times for the first time today...... I'll tell you this much.... I've seen a lot of Silents that I loved, and a lot I didn't..... I get caught up in them, and the fact that films are/aren't in Color/English/Sound/By Wes Anderson gets lost in the "entertainment"

Either way.... Modern Times really wasn't a "Silent" film in the truest sense.... The audio track was surprisingly good too, but I digress..... The story holds up very well too, but I don't want to give away too much.

Like I said, I've seen a lot of Silent films, but this was actually only the second Chaplin film I've seen (I may have seen a short or two along the way). I don't think many people would really dislike this one..... There is a 'tragic' element, and it's also hysterical at times.

Highly recommended by me.

Absolutely...glad you enjoyed it Beta!

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by reallyagi

Slipcover! Nice

I'm glad they once again used the Betamax tape cover for the plastic case inside. It's been a while since I watched the DVD, and I'm wondering how much of an improvement the Blu-ray would be.

[ChadFL]

The Von Sternberg box set is currently for sale at $36.99 at Amazon as part of a lightning deal. That's about $3 cheaper than B&N plus free shiping and no taxes for most.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yes, like a tiny von Sternberg set, but much wider (think of the set but blu size and 6 films + a booklet wide. Both sets of mine came by mail both times and in great condition. The only cardboard releases that I have trouble with is the Eclipse covers (more like slipcovers.). But no big deal with those, because if it came down to it, the cover sleeves are really nothing. Heck the upcoming Basil Dearden Eclipse has some of the best cover art upcoming, so I am thinking about removing that cover sleeve anyways.

Will start on the BBS set tonight. Night of the Hunter shows that it will be here today, and I e-mailed B&N last night about Sherlock Jr, so I am getting a move on things.

Cool!

I watched Shelock Jr. this monring...my first time seeing it. REALLY good job by Kino...I may not forgive them for the little mix up with the region coding on Metropolis, but they continue to deliver very satisfying releases, most specifically the Keatons, and this one is no exception.

I think that stunt-wise and gag-wise, this is the best of the (3) Kino Keaton releases so far. I watched the supplemental material as well. Another fine job, just wish they were a bit longer.

Will watch Three Ages later today.

ENJOY it when you get it!

[stobbart]

Are there any discount codes still going on over at Criterion's website?

[kndy]

Originally Posted by rkish

Cool!

I watched Shelock Jr. this monring...my first time seeing it. REALLY good job by Kino...I may not forgive them for the little mix up with the region coding on Metropolis, but they continue to deliver very satisfying releases, most specifically the Keatons, and this one is no exception.

I think that stunt-wise and gag-wise, this is the best of the (3) Kino Keaton releases so far. I watched the supplemental material as well. Another fine job, just wish they were a bit longer.

Will watch Three Ages later today.

ENJOY it when you get it!

David Pearson and Patricia Tobias did a magnificent job on that 20-minute documentary and they also dropped a bombshell for fans in regards to Fatty Arbuckle and Keaton's involvement in the film.

I know this should be in the Kino forum but have to share the good news from David (in response I made about the Arbuckle mention):

And there will be even more revelations on this issue in the long awaited release of Kevin Brownlow's book on Buster. Originally written in conjunction with A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW back in 1987, Mr. Brownlow updated the book last year for release at Pordenone (published in Italian), and hopefully the book will see daylight in English in 2011.

And to make this somewhat tie into a Criterion discussion...both Brownlow and Godard were honored a few weeks ago for the 2010 Governor Awards.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

And there will be even more revelations on this issue in the long awaited release of Kevin Brownlow's book on Buster. Originally written in conjunction with A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW back in 1987, Mr. Brownlow updated the book last year for release at Pordenone (published in Italian), and hopefully the book will see daylight in English in 2011.

Awesome. Can't wait. thanks for the info.

[SpiderBaby]

Well I see what you guys finally mean about the Night of the Hunter box. Very loose. Does have a big fold at the top, but I don't care. The artwork is grand, and the film is a fav of mine, so glad I have the BD. And I'm pro-digipak, so I can't complain and let you plastic humpers win (I guess they did this one in cheap cardboard because they did the dvd in a plastic case, so they didn't buy a stock of thicker cardboard. No clue.). BBS set starting tonight.