The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by octagon

Seriously? You don't see how an OOP announcement can move a title from 'eh, I dunno, we'll see' to 'ruh roh, I guess I'd better get it now if I'm ever going to'?

I see how it can. I guess I'm just disappointed OOP status is what it takes for the films to get noticed. People beat their breasts and scream to heavens for Le Samourai but overlook a Melville gem in Leon Morin.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Black Orpheus? That's another great one, if it is indeed what you were reminded of. It was one that I watched without having much interest in it, and ended up being pleasantly surprised by it. I had to buy it once I watched it.

I learned of Black Orpheus through a Carly Simon interview (whose music I love). She explained how the entire film moved to a constant conga-like beat to it ... from the opening shot to the very end ... like it was alive. (I'm sure those aren't her exact words, but it went something like that). I bought the film on DVD (before I owned a bluray player) because of her enthusiasm. I didn't know anything about the Criterion label at the time ... only that they were the company whose name was on the DVD that I bought. I'm not sure if Black Orpheus or Robinson Crusoe On Mars was my very first Criterion film purchase (on DVD), but it was one of those two. FWIW, I have since upgraded both to bluray.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I see how it can. I guess I'm just disappointed OOP status is what it takes for the films to get noticed. People beat their breasts and scream to heavens for Le Samourai but overlook a Melville gem in Leon Morin.

Speaking on behalf of obtuse philistines everywhere...didn't overlook, just exercising judicious patience and savoring the likelihood of a future acquisition...

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Page14

I learned of Black Orpheus through a Carly Simon interview (whose music I love). She explained how the entire film moved to a constant conga-like beat to it ... from the opening shot to the very end ... like it was alive. (I'm sure those aren't her exact words, but it went something like that). I bought the film on DVD (before I owned a bluray player) because of her enthusiasm. I didn't know anything about the Criterion label at the time ... only that they were the company whose name was on the DVD that I bought. I'm not sure if Black Orpheus or Robinson Crusoe On Mars was my very first Criterion film purchase (on DVD), but it was one of those two. FWIW, I have since upgraded both to bluray.

Black Orpheus is such a beautiful film. The colors, the scenery, the two stars, wow! Love it and recommend it highly.

[lim.davidd]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Black Orpheus is such a beautiful film. The colors, the scenery, the two stars, wow! Love it and recommend it highly.

because of your comments here and the review that the film and the bluray is very highly recommended, I will buy the same

[lim.davidd]

Originally Posted by Page14

I learned of Black Orpheus through a Carly Simon interview (whose music I love). She explained how the entire film moved to a constant conga-like beat to it ... from the opening shot to the very end ... like it was alive. (I'm sure those aren't her exact words, but it went something like that). I bought the film on DVD (before I owned a bluray player) because of her enthusiasm. I didn't know anything about the Criterion label at the time ... only that they were the company whose name was on the DVD that I bought. I'm not sure if Black Orpheus or Robinson Crusoe On Mars was my very first Criterion film purchase (on DVD), but it was one of those two. FWIW, I have since upgraded both to bluray.

I am hoping that the bluray copy of Black Orpheus that I bypassed last month is still in the possession of my friend and still available. It's hard to get a Criterion copy of this film here in our country, the Philippines.

[lim.davidd]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Black Orpheus? That's another great one, if it is indeed what you were reminded of. It was one that I watched without having much interest in it, and ended up being pleasantly surprised by it. I had to buy it once I watched it.

I need to get this Black Orpheus, specially since I don't have any Brazilian films in my collection and based on the reviews, it's over the roof!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Oh, me! I don't love the film and I agree it's one of the weaker ones, but a new release would be excellent. I do like it more than Identification of a Woman.

Now that's just crazy talk! Maybe I just think so because I saw Identification on BluRay, whereas I first saw Zabriskie Point on my 15" laptop screen. Some of those shots (especially those in the desert) beg to be seen in the best quality imaginable.

[Arlington]

Hey everybody...I'd appreciate some help/advice from Criterion experts. I just spent some $$$ for a used copy of The Third Man Blu-ray on ebay, and it arrived today. There are some red flags with the packaging, and if anyone has a copy and can chime in, I'd appreciate it. My first concern was that there was no booklet, and the item was described as "Absolutely MINT Condition! Only reason it is LIKE NEW is that this disc is not shrink wrapped."

And quite frankly, the sleeve looks like it was copied. First, there is NO ART on the inner sleeve--is there supposed to be? It's just white inside, and all of the Criterion blus I have have art on the inner sleeve. EDIT: Another thread on here says that "The inner lining is plain black except for a tiny version of the front cover photo, about the size of a silver dollar, directly under the hub, which can barely be seen because of the hub." (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...119683&page=16) If anyone can confirm that, it would be great (and post a pic if able). I e-mailed Criterion to see if they ever produced any sleeves for the disc that were plain white in the inside.


Plus, the front is very dark, and when I look at pictures of the cover online, I see more brick detail--they go out further, whereas this one has far darker edges.

And the text overall isn't solid and smooth; it looks light all around, ESPECIALLY in the two paragraphs on the right side of the back: the "Under exclusive license..." paragraph and the "The Criterion Collection is dedicated..." graph. I am attaching pics, although I'm not sure how detailed they will look here...any feedback is appreciated. (As for the disc, I haven't explored it yet, but I was very wary based on the sleeve).

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I liked your High and Low review. I did not read the other two because I have not seen the movies.

I highly recommend Ikiru. It is equivalent to a Kenji Mizoguchi film. Another great non samurai Kurosawa film is Dersu Uzala , fantastic film and it is underrated in my opinion (no one really talks about). Maybe it is overshadowed by Ran and Kagemusha.

I was really surprised with how much I loved High and Low. Being that I wasn't huge on Rashomon, Kagemusha or Ran, I'm not in love with all things Kurosawa (though I do own them and will never get rid of them because, well, I just can't) I went in with medium expectations and was giddy. In fact, I ordered the blu ray online after about 20 minutes into the film

I've heard much about Uzala, I think I need to watch it but his later stuff I think I find a little too... Depressing, maybe?

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

My first inclination is to say get them all.
Sorry to hear that the Yojimbo/Sanjuro set has high tax, because that would be my best recommendation.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with most of those (although please be aware that the two Seijun Suzuki films are not for all tastes).
My best recommendation is to look at trailers and "3 reasons" clips at Criterion.com to see what takes your fancy.

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I would highly recommend Yojimbo and Sanjuro box set, if you want more Kurosawa. Yojimbo is a must have samurai film, watch a trailer on youtube, I revisit it more than Seven Samurai. The Samurai Trilogy by Inagaki is priceless, it is based on the life of Musashi Miyamoto, to many the greatest samurai that ever lived.

I personally like all of the samurai films of Mizoguchi. I hope criterion will release Ugetsu on blu ray soon. There is very little action in his films, but the moral question explored in his movies are what makes his movies timeless.

My goodness you HAVE TO GET Yojimbo/Sanjuro. They are the most amazing films. Mifune's best, and I'd have to say some of the most enjoyable films in cinematic history.

My Kurosawa must have list looks like this, and yes I know it consists pretty much of his major stuff but still.

Yojimbo
Seven Samurai
Hidden Fortress
High and Low
Ikiru
Sanjuro
Red Beard
Rashomon
Stray Dog
Ran
Throne of Blood
Kagemusha

I think I'm not a fan of Shakespeare, either, nor his adaptations. I understand and can appreciate that they are good.... I just don't like them all that much. But I love Kurosawa to the extent that I may just buy Throne if it releases on Blu, even though I didn't care for it... and Kagemusha... well, yeah.


On a separate note, I've finally finished my Criterion sale films. All were blind buys but Paths of Glory, which I look forward to watching with the commentary. If I am right in my thinking, it's one of the few Kubrick films that comes with a commentary, The Killing was one I didn't buy because it was lacking that feature.

Night of the Hunter - What an AMAZING movie. Seriously amazing. And the fact that the Love/Hate scene was copied for Do The Right Thing, a movie I watched LITERALLY 2 days prior to seeing Night of the Hunter for the first time, and a movie I hadn't seen in easily 12+ years was incredible. The movie was so scary and terrifying, and somewhat silly, but just amazing. I urge anyone who hasn't seen it to give it a try. Probably my most favorite blind buy in recent memory.

Amarcord... Maybe I just don't get Felini? I like Foreign cinema, and I like crazy stuff (12 monkeys anyone?) but I just felt like a lot of this was lost on me. There were some interesting things about it, but I didn't find there were any characters that had compelling characteristics and most were just jerks. SO MUCH yelling, too. Ugh. I will watch it again with the commentary to try and better understand things, and that may change my mindset. I hope it does, otherwise I may have to find a new home for it

Rules of the Game - I wasn't HUGE on La Grande Illusion, it just didn't seem terribly compelling to me but I did enjoy it, it was great cinema and I plan on giving it at least another few watches over the next while. Rules was something very different, and as I knew very little about it, I went in completely blind. Strangely, it has sat with me more than I expected and I look forward to going back with the commentary to better understand what his purpose was. Here, though I didn't really like any of the characters, I still felt there was something compelling that I can't put my finger on. Poor "Shoe Maker". And looking at the guys, man I wouldn't give to have lived as a mediocre looking guy in that world, did male 5s/6s really get ladies like that? Although Christine was really REALLY overrated in my opinion

Paths of Glory - Kubrick, 'nuff said.

Stagecoach - John Wayne in his first MAJOR role, John Ford in his element. Perfect, wonderful and awesome. If only all Westerns were this good NOW, 74 years later. So compelling, and it was a super awesome treat to see the actor who plays Buck happened to be one of my FAVORITE characters from Robin Hood (the cartoon, which happens to star the brilliant Ustinov!)

Cronos - This wasn't from the sale, but I got it for cheap and wow, what a surprise. The tour of Del Toro's Bleak House and his Geometria short were worth the price even if the movie sucked, which it didn't. It was really great, simple and Ron Perlman contemplating a nose job was AMAZING.

That's all I got for now God I love Criterion. For All Mankind, The Bicycle Thief or The Bad Sleep Well tonight...?

After I finish rewatching Game of Thrones - Season 2 with my wife, we're on Episode 8, listening to the commentary (the BEST way to watch this stuff again )

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

I didn't care for Pale Flower. The Japanese new wave sort of grates on my nerves. It was exceptionally made, though, with great camerawork and cinematography.

That's mostly why I love it so much.

[A Sith Lord?]

Price for Last Emperor has dropped to $23.99 now, what exactly are some of the problems people have had with this blu ray set?

It'd be a blind buy for me.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I don't have a favourite, but you've reminded me that we should be recommending some of the Eclipse sets, such as Nikkatsu Noir and the Koreyoshi Kurahara box-set.

Thank you for the response. I will definitely check out these box sets.

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Not directed to me, but thought you might be interested, if no one has posted it previously. My thoughts go immediately to this:

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...993/story.html

Came across it quite unexpectedly while walking in downtown Vancouver. The story appeared in the papers that night.

Awesome article. I have only seen Safety Last on TMC, it became instantly my favorite silent comedy (I have seen almost all of Keaton's and Chaplin's). Grandmas Boy, the title itself sounds very interesting. I really hope Safety Last will sell well, so we can see more Lloyd out on blu ray by criterion.

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Speaking on behalf of obtuse philistines everywhere...didn't overlook, just exercising judicious patience and savoring the likelihood of a future acquisition...

The best post of the month so far. Very eloquent.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

Spidey...what do you think of the booklet with the Criterion version? I've noticed that MoC likes to use original release posters and the booklet with the MoC version of Gate of Hell is no exception.

It's a fold out booklet with just an essay, the entire release has no photos from the film at all. Now why would you do that for a film that is literally more colorful than the cartoon stuff all over the artwork? Oh well, great film and it's all that matters.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Because of your recommendation, Gate of Hell, along with Wild Strawberries, Ivan's Childhood, and potentially Oz the Great and Powerful (yes, I know, the odd one out), will be the titles me mam's going to pick up at B&N in June when she and da go on vacation.

Hope ya like it.

[BLOFELD]

on the waterfront is probably my favorite criterion to date. i love how you toy with 3 or 4 aspect ratios. how convenient!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

I've heard much about Uzala, I think I need to watch it but his later stuff I think I find a little too... Depressing, maybe?

My goodness you HAVE TO GET Yojimbo/Sanjuro. They are the most amazing films. Mifune's best, and I'd have to say some of the most enjoyable films in cinematic history.

[Show spoiler]
Night of the Hunter - What an AMAZING movie. Seriously amazing. And the fact that the Love/Hate scene was copied for Do The Right Thing, a movie I watched LITERALLY 2 days prior to seeing Night of the Hunter for the first time, and a movie I hadn't seen in easily 12+ years was incredible. The movie was so scary and terrifying, and somewhat silly, but just amazing. I urge anyone who hasn't seen it to give it a try. Probably my most favorite blind buy in recent memory.

Amarcord... Maybe I just don't get Felini? I like Foreign cinema, and I like crazy stuff (12 monkeys anyone?) but I just felt like a lot of this was lost on me. There were some interesting things about it, but I didn't find there were any characters that had compelling characteristics and most were just jerks. SO MUCH yelling, too. Ugh. I will watch it again with the commentary to try and better understand things, and that may change my mindset. I hope it does, otherwise I may have to find a new home for it

Rules of the Game - I wasn't HUGE on La Grande Illusion, it just didn't seem terribly compelling to me but I did enjoy it, it was great cinema and I plan on giving it at least another few watches over the next while. Rules was something very different, and as I knew very little about it, I went in completely blind. Strangely, it has sat with me more than I expected and I look forward to going back with the commentary to better understand what his purpose was. Here, though I didn't really like any of the characters, I still felt there was something compelling that I can't put my finger on. Poor "Shoe Maker". And looking at the guys, man I wouldn't give to have lived as a mediocre looking guy in that world, did male 5s/6s really get ladies like that? Although Christine was really REALLY overrated in my opinion

Paths of Glory - Kubrick, 'nuff said.

Stagecoach - John Wayne in his first MAJOR role, John Ford in his element. Perfect, wonderful and awesome. If only all Westerns were this good NOW, 74 years later. So compelling, and it was a super awesome treat to see the actor who plays Buck happened to be one of my FAVORITE characters from Robin Hood (the cartoon, which happens to star the brilliant Ustinov!)

Cronos - This wasn't from the sale, but I got it for cheap and wow, what a surprise. The tour of Del Toro's Bleak House and his Geometria short were worth the price even if the movie sucked, which it didn't. It was really great, simple and Ron Perlman contemplating a nose job was AMAZING.

That's all I got for now God I love Criterion. For All Mankind, Bicycle Thieves or The Bad Sleep Well tonight...?

After I finish rewatching Game of Thrones - Season 2 with my wife, we're on Episode 8, listening to the commentary (the BEST way to watch this stuff again )

I am glad someone else agreed that Yojimbo is one of his best films. It is his most western, and in my opinion, the most entertaining.

I really enjoyed Fellini's Amarcord, it is at times bit fanciful. I would say it is not as great as 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita and La Strada. I would like to see a blu ray release by criterion of one of Fellini's movies with Giulietta Masina (Federico's Wife).

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am glad someone else agreed that Yojimbo is one of his best films. It is his most western, and in my opinion, the most entertaining.

I really enjoyed Fellini's Amarcord, it is at times bit fanciful. I would say it is not as great as 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita and La Strada. I would like to see a blu ray release by criterion of one of Fellini's movies with Giulietta Masina (Federico's Wife).

La Strada would probably get the nod but I'd like to see Juliet of the Spirits. I can just imagine those wild images in HD.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Now that's just crazy talk! Maybe I just think so because I saw Identification on BluRay, whereas I first saw Zabriskie Point on my 15" laptop screen. Some of those shots (especially those in the desert) beg to be seen in the best quality imaginable.

I'm just glad Identification wasn't my first one....otherwise I might not have given the others a shot. I don't dislike it but I don't find it anywhere near as essential.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm trying to wrap my head around some people finally realizing films like Last Year at Marienbad and Leon Morin are worthy of purchases just because they're Out of Print.

It's more like they've been on my wish list for a long time, but so have a lot of other Criterion releases, and I can't afford to buy ALL of them at any given time, so I have to prioritize. But when titles that I want go OOP, then I have to re-prioritize and say, "Well, no more stalling on this one...it's now or never."

Originally Posted by Arlington

Hey everybody...I'd appreciate some help/advice from Criterion experts. I just spent some $$$ for a used copy of The Third Man Blu-ray on ebay, and it arrived today. There are some red flags with the packaging, and if anyone has a copy and can chime in, I'd appreciate it. My first concern was that there was no booklet, and the item was described as "Absolutely MINT Condition! Only reason it is LIKE NEW is that this disc is not shrink wrapped."

And quite frankly, the sleeve looks like it was copied. First, there is NO ART on the inner sleeve--is there supposed to be? It's just white inside, and all of the Criterion blus I have have art on the inner sleeve. EDIT: Another thread on here says that "The inner lining is plain black except for a tiny version of the front cover photo, about the size of a silver dollar, directly under the hub, which can barely be seen because of the hub." (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...119683&page=16) If anyone can confirm that, it would be great (and post a pic if able). I e-mailed Criterion to see if they ever produced any sleeves for the disc that were plain white in the inside.


Plus, the front is very dark, and when I look at pictures of the cover online, I see more brick detail--they go out further, whereas this one has far darker edges.

And the text overall isn't solid and smooth; it looks light all around, ESPECIALLY in the two paragraphs on the right side of the back: the "Under exclusive license..." paragraph and the "The Criterion Collection is dedicated..." graph.

Sounds like someone printed a custom cover for it and sold it as the real deal. The disc is most likely the genuine article, but yeah, it looks like they ripped you off with regard to the description. There should definitely be a booklet, and the inner sleeve should not be black, not white.

Myself, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, except that I knew what I was buying. I got a disc-only copy because it was cheaper than buying one that came with the original packaging. I printed out the cover myself so that it looks at home on my Criterion shelf. I don't mind, personally, but then, I wasn't lied to either. If I were you, I'd contact the seller.