The Criterion Collection

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Coen

Thanks to all who helped me. I think my next Criterion order will be:
Revanche
Vivre Sa Vie
Harold and Maude
Wild Strawberries

[jw007]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Over the past couple of years, my opinions on film have significantly changed. Things I used to like in high school and my early days in college are no longer as exciting or rewarding for me.

I will admit that the collector in me is getting the best of me when it comes to Criterion, but it's time to cut that cord and start separating myself from things I have no interest in ever revisiting again.

It's better, in my opinion, to have a smaller and more concise collection of films that I like compared to films I dislike.

Originally Posted by iScottie

I don't think I was specific enough.

Up until about...3 years ago...I found myself watching generic rom-coms, action blockbusters, and what not...until I watched Mulholland Drive.

Since watching Mulholland Drive, my interests have all together changed. When I purged all of my SteelBooks and most of my DigiBooks at the start of last year, I replaced several of the films in their standard cases. Take a film like Blood Diamond. I used to love it when I was in high school, but upon rewatching it, I found nothing rewarding about the watch.

On the subject of Criterions, I'm planning on getting rid of the ones I dislike...not because my interests have changed...In fact, The Criterion Collection has helped open me up to a new world of film and has helped establish my new perspective on film that I've been developing over the past several years. I've been holding on to a lot of Criterions from the start that I have never had any interest in. Of course it's a stupid reason to hold on to films you don't like or to buy films that don't interest you, but that's neither here or there.

Hell, I've even been holding on to Criterion DVDs that I've already upgraded to Blu-ray (whether it be by Criterion or another studio).

iScottie:

You took the words right out of my mouth. I am feeling the same way about certain Blu-ray films I bought, especially the Tarantino films. I used to love his movies and now I don't even care about watching them anymore as I've grown older (all my Tarantino blu-rays are still sealed in plastic collecting dust - even Pulp Fiction, which was at one time my favorite film ever). Today, I am gravitating towards older/classical films (pre-1960s) that I normally wouldn't have known growing up. I am challenging myself with obscure cinema as well (recently a good example was Bela Tarr's The Turin Horse). Who knows how my tastes will change even more in 5-10 years from now as I approach middle age. But I do know that my tastes in films have changed and are continuing to change. Where I end up is anyone's guess.

I also see a film such as Blood Diamond today as something I'd be less interested in revisiting again. It's totally a Hollywood film right down to the actors and production. Of course some Hollywood films I'm attracted to but recently I watched The Indiana Jones films, and I almost fell asleep watching The Temple of Doom before I nearly wanted to roll over and die during that ridiculous roller coaster theme park mining car scene towards the end. I thought I had just experienced total "cinematic junk food". It was neither entertaining or interesting. It reminded me of my pre-pubescent years of enjoying thrilling adventure films which I now find absolutely nothing challenging or intriguing about. I almost wished I hadn't bought the Indiana Jones blu-ray set despite its high re-play value (well, not sure how much the re-play value is now though for me). Sure, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a classic film, and so is The Last Crusade, but I still cannot see myself watching these films too often from here on out.

So I have this first world societal "shame" I experience these days from buying popular/classic films that I remember growing up but now find totally uninspiring.

As for duplicate Criterions (blu-ray and dvd), I've only started to try and sell off my DVD duplicates ever since I bought the blu-ray upgrade. For some time I didn't want to touch those, but now any of these are fair game. But these are only the duplicates. I definitely seek to sell off any duplicate Criterion DVDs ASAP at this point. That's a good and sure way of "trimming the fat" off of my film library.

[jw007]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I went to B&N today and purchased The Red Shoes! It was already 30% off and I had a 20% coupon from this weekend, so with the added 10% discount, it came out to $20.xx plus tax. Not a bad deal for an off-sale Criterion!

This was a blind-buy by the way, but after all the raving from people and reviews, I decided this was worth owning. Going to watch it now.

[jcez28]

Originally Posted by jayj15

Do you pre-order every Criterion? Stop doing that. Not everything in the Criterion Collection is worth owning. I never blind buy, at almost 40 bucks a pop for a Criterion I have to know if I like it. There's TCM and other means to check preview these films before you buy.

dood where have you been? You pay full retail price? Stop doing that. I love blind buying with CC reminds me what it felt like before the internet was born

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by jw007

iScottie:

You took the words right out of my mouth. I am feeling the same way about certain Blu-ray films I bought, especially the Tarantino films. I used to love his movies and now I don't even care about watching them anymore as I've grown older (all my Tarantino blu-rays are still sealed in plastic collecting dust - even Pulp Fiction, which was at one time my favorite film ever). Today, I am gravitating towards older/classical films (pre-1960s) that I normally wouldn't have known growing up. I am challenging myself with obscure cinema as well (recently a good example was Bela Tarr's The Turin Horse). Who knows how my tastes will change even more in 5-10 years from now as I approach middle age. But I do know that my tastes in films have changed and are continuing to change. Where I end up is anyone's guess.

I also see a film such as Blood Diamond today as something I'd be less interested in revisiting again. It's totally a Hollywood film right down to the actors and production. Of course some Hollywood films I'm attracted to but recently I watched The Indiana Jones films, and I almost fell asleep watching The Temple of Doom before I nearly wanted to roll over and die during that ridiculous roller coaster theme park mining car scene towards the end. I thought I had just experienced total "cinematic junk food". It was neither entertaining or interesting. It reminded me of my pre-pubescent years of enjoying thrilling adventure films which I now find absolutely nothing challenging or intriguing about. I almost wished I hadn't bought the Indiana Jones blu-ray set despite its high re-play value (well, not sure how much the re-play value is now though for me). Sure, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a classic film, and so is The Last Crusade, but I still cannot see myself watching these films too often from here on out.

So I have this first world societal "shame" I experience these days from buying popular/classic films that I remember growing up but now find totally uninspiring.

As for duplicate Criterions (blu-ray and dvd), I've only started to try and sell off my DVD duplicates ever since I bought the blu-ray upgrade. For some time I didn't want to touch those, but now any of these are fair game. But these are only the duplicates. I definitely seek to sell off any duplicate Criterion DVDs ASAP at this point. That's a good and sure way of "trimming the fat" off of my film library.

Yeah, I'm noticing that as well with me.

I think I'm just at a more mature age where I want to get something more out of films than just a simple story or nonsensical fun (not that there's anything entirely wrong with that, as I definitely have my favorites for days where I'm looking for that type of film).

[jw007]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yeah, I'm noticing that as well with me.

I think I'm just at a more mature age where I want to get something more out of films than just a simple story or nonsensical fun (not that there's anything entirely wrong with that, as I definitely have my favorites for days where I'm looking for that type of film).

Right on, brother. Our tastes are just more refined now. Every now and then though can be a time for a mindless Hollywood action film, its just the question of whether or not these mindless Hollywood action films should be in our film libraries.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by jw007

Right on, brother. Our tastes are just more refined now. Every now and then though can be a time for a mindless Hollywood action film, its just the question of whether or not these mindless Hollywood action films should be in our film libraries.

True that. I still enjoy turning my brain off...I just don't necessarily feel the need to add them to my collection.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I imagine this is of interest to people here, and it includes a few Criterion films.

50 Greatest Matte Paintings

Six Peter Ellenshaw Disneys (and Mary Poppins at #49??) and NO Black Hole?

(That shot of the lit spaceship and the Hole gets more mention in Ellenshaw retrospectives than Mary Poppins' London ever did.)

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by jw007

Hey people...what movie are you planning on watching tonight?

Me, I might watch another Jarmusch film.

I will be starting the 2nd Zatoichi blu. I had to update the firmware on my Panasonic DMP-BD65 halfway thru watching the first disc. Has anyone else had a problem with The Tale of Zatoichi Continues around the 35:25 mark? Before the firmware update, my blu-ray player would skip about 30 seconds of the film. After the update, there is only a slight pause at that point in the film. I guess if I bought the newest player out there there wouldn't even be a slight pause at that point?

I'm really enjoying watching the Zatoichi films on blu. I had only watched the first nine on youtube before buying the CC set. Of course there is a huge difference in picture quality. I feel like I am watching the films for the first time. I am definitely seeing things I didn't see before with the blu viewings.

[The Stick]

Originally Posted by jayj15

There's TCM and other means to check preview these films before you buy.

Come to think of it...most of the Criterions I own I first saw on TCM and loved it enough to want to own a copy.

I recorded Hamlet (the 1948 Olivier version) a few weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. I really liked the setting and the atmosphere created in this version which fits the story quite well. I was tempted to purchase the DVD even though I hardly buy them anymore.

I was surprised that a 1080p HD version was available for download on iTunes and at a few dollars less than the DVD I went ahead and purchased it. The picture quality was not as pristine as I would like it (probably not the best print available) but it was much sharper than the one I recorded off TCM and that was what mattered to me the most viewing it on a 47" widescreen.

It got me to purchase too the 1996 Branagh's Hamlet which is the complete Shakespeare play (as opposed to Olivier's shorter version of it)...but I must say I was completely lost by the 2nd act because even though I had the subtitles ON...I was having difficulty understanding the Bard's words. I know Olivier's version was criticized for cutting scenes or changing some of the words - but at least I could understand and follow the play with not too much difficulty.

I have no shame in saying it prompted me to buy a printed copy of the play (complete with side-by-side plain english translation) and well, it made me appreciate the play even more as I re-watched the films again.

I can say I can recommend Olivier's Hamlet to any Shakespeare neophyte...but Branagh's version requires a bit more homework to completely enjoy IMO.
I'm glad to own both versions. I've also seen the 1990 Mel Gibson/Franco Zeffirelli version but that was too long ago and barely remember it. I would re-watch that one too but it's not on blu-ray yet.

I hope with Olivier's version being available on HD means that a Criterion upgrade is forthcoming...I pray.

Now...on to Richard III

[minister_x]

Originally Posted by The Stick

I hope with Olivier's version being available on HD means that a Criterion upgrade is forthcoming...I pray.

I wouldn't be surprised - Hamlet and Henry V didn't have an iTunes HD option up until a month or two ago! But then again no release (yet) of a blu of Eraserhead...

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by The Stick

I recorded Hamlet (the 1948 Olivier version) a few weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. I really liked the setting and the atmosphere created in this version which fits the story quite well. I was tempted to purchase the DVD even though I hardly buy them anymore.

It got me to purchase too the 1996 Branagh's Hamlet which is the complete Shakespeare play (as opposed to Olivier's shorter version of it)...but I must say I was completely lost by the 2nd act because even though I had the subtitles ON...I was having difficulty understanding the Bard's words. I know Olivier's version was criticized for cutting scenes or changing some of the words - but at least I could understand and follow the play with not too much difficulty.

If you're not region-locked there's a UK blu-ray from ITV that may interest you (DVDBeaver thinks it's a substantial improvement over the Criterion DVD):


With respect to COMPLETE editions of Shakespeare's plays, I once came across an interesting article which suggests that Shakespeare wrote a lot of additional / alternative dialog which would serve to be used as variations during repeat performances of the plays, and assuming that the plot events in itself are present, he did not intend that EVERY line of dialog would be used in a single performance, and that the so-called complete editions are actually compilations of several such variations of the plays. No idea as to the veracity of this claim

[The Stick]

Originally Posted by ravenus

If you're not region-locked there's a UK blu-ray from ITV that may interest you (DVDBeaver thinks it's a substantial improvement over the Criterion DVD):

I'm not as technical-minded as a lot of folks here...so I'm not sure if I'm region locked or not ...but with a blu-ray of Hamlet being available in the UK gives me hope that one too will soon be available in the US. Thanks for the info on Shakespeare...Hamlet has got me on a sort of Bard kick...much more than I ever did while I was in school

[jw007]

I just finished watching The Red Shoes for the first time ever on my new pristine Criterion blu-ray disc. Holy moly, what a phenomenal experience! I am now looking forward to watching more Powell/Pressburger in the near future (The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp will be the next one). The Red Shoes is a landmark movie I think... there's so much to be said about this one, from the amazing cinematography to the dance performances to the character drama to the originality of the script, its just 5 stars across the board. Thank goodness for people like Martin Scorcese who was one of the restoration consultants for this film. Amazing.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jayj15

Do you pre-order every Criterion? Stop doing that. Not everything in the Criterion Collection is worth owning. I never blind buy, at almost 40 bucks a pop for a Criterion I have to know if I like it. There's TCM and other means to check preview these films before you buy.

About half the movies I watch these days are the indirect result of blind-buying a crapload of Criterion laserdiscs back in the day. By doing that, I was exposed to a lot of great films and filmmakers that I would've never known about otherwise.

[The Stick]

Originally Posted by jw007

...I am now looking forward to watching more Powell/Pressburger in the near future

The Red Shoes and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp are both wonderful films...but of the 3 Criterion Powell/Pressburger blu-rays available, my absolute favorite would be Black Narcissus.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by The Stick

The Red Shoes and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp are both wonderful films...but of the 3 Criterion Powell/Pressburger blu-rays available, my absolute favorite would be Black Narcissus.

Can't go wrong with any of them. Let's have more Archers in the next announcement please Criterion!

[mrjohnnyb]

Unlike a few posters here who were mildly upset at the coming-in-June announcement, I am very excited to see that Criterion is upgrading more of the films that they currently license in DVD format.

I look forward to the upgrades of:

Bicycle Thieves
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Andrei Rublev
L' Avventura
Ordet
Au Hasard Balthazar
Ugetsu Monogatari
La strada
Pickpocket
Gertrud
Viridiana
and
Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

...and the list goes on!

[ShellOilJunior]

Criterion is long over-due for some more Fellini on Blu-ray.

So far we only have 8 1/2 and Amarcord. The latter being released way back on February 8, 2011!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Criterion is long over-due for some more Fellini on Blu-ray.

So far we only have 8 1/2 and Amarcord. The latter being released way back on February 8, 2011!

I wish Criterion still had the rights to Nights of Cabiria. Phenomenal film.

I still have Juliet of the Spirits on my DVR. I may watch that sometime soon.