The Criterion Collection

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I recommend the latter. That's not a dig on the film by any means, I just don't recommend a blind buy.

I recommend the opposite. It has moments that are tough, but no tougher than Bambi. It really affected me as a child in the late 70s because it was so stark and in contrast with the Disney stuff I was used to, but because of that it's lived with me ever since, and that kind of power doesn't come along in cinema every day. I can't see anyone NOT liking Watership Down. It's simply one of the most brilliant and touching animated films ever, along with The Iron Giant.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just watched the 3 minute trailer and I have to admit, it nauseated me. Sure, I can handle dark, ominous animated films (that are really not for children), but somehow this film doesn't resonate with me. The story is really brilliant though as its about humanity encroaching on the natural world and the clash between good vs. evil amongst other things, but its true, I have to really want this film in order to own it, and its probably smarter if I rent/borrow it first from the library.

Its hard to recommend a blind buy without fully knowing your taste, and even then there is the possibility of it simply not working for you, i do blind buys sometimes of directors i really like, but i wouldn't rely on another person opinion unless he knows me very well, just remember that for every film there will always be someone that loves it, hate it or are indifferent, it ends up being a matter of probability (not in the strictest sense, i just mean there are too many factors involved), with odds slightly in favor of what the majority thought.

I also really liked Watership Down, but i am not sure i really want to buy it, it also depends on how you decide to purchase films, i know some people just buys whatever they enjoyed, and some people are more restrictive on just purchasing their absolute favorites.

Since this is accessible via Hulu i recommend you see it first.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

I know the Eclipse sets are DVD only but do they ever put out a title separately on bluray. Im really interested in the early Fassbinder set but I hate to buy DVDs. Its just a mental thing with me lol I know crazy crazy! Basically I would be more than happy to wait if theres a chance of a Beware of A Holy ***** or Love Is Colder Than Death bluray.

It's possibly but unlikely. They have discussed possibly releasing select single titles from Eclipse sets on blu, but I don't believe it's ever happened yet.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I'm lucky because it's much cheaper to go region free here in Australia (from what I've read) than it is in the us. I have a less-than-$90 blu ray player that plays all regions. Super happy with it.

It looks like I'll end up having to pay around $140 for a decent one, but it will be worth it to get more Fritz Lang and Marcel Carne in my library. MoC and StudioCanal both have quite a bit that I would like to own.

Originally Posted by oildude

The Music Room was my first Ray film. It is a magnificent movie, and a happy example of my initially negative preconceptions being knocked to the ground once I watched it. Knowing nothing about it, I first did a youtube search and what I found turned me off. There were three clips, all focused on the three performances that take place in the music room during the course of the film. I thought the singing on display in two of these performances was really awful. No way I was going to watch this, I thought.

[Show spoiler]But there was enough praise for the film in this thread three years ago that I decided to take a chance and blind bought it at a B&N sale. It is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Criterion Collection. Not only is the restoration a marvel to behold, the story is compelling and the acting superb. It is a tale of willful self-destruction and woe; about how a vain, proud Bengali zamindar (a land holding aristocrat) remains oblivious while his land - the source of his wealth - falls into decay from neglect. His income is shrinking and yet he "fiddles while Rome burns", spending as he pleases to keep up appearances. He maintains his haughty airs, especially toward an upstart commoner, a successful business man who has recently moved in next door. In the zamindar's world view, breeding and noble blood triumphs above all. The business man is not shy about using his new riches to celebrate in a princely style. The difference between them is that the commoner is more judicious about his wealth. He is a bit of an uncouth slob, but he is shrewd and works extremely hard. The reward is that the business man's wealth is growing and his world looks to the future, while the aristocrat's world is a relic of the past that is no longer sustainable.

There are many memorable scenes in this film. One of the most poignant makes the viewer realize that the uncultured and illiterate peasants and town dwellers do not value the new self-made status of the business man, who is closer to them in social origin, as much as they value the old traditions of homage to the princes. Ray's sure direction gives the audience a strong sense that this, too, must pass away for India to fulfill her destiny.

The black and white PQ is luminous, possibly one of the most astonishing restorations I have ever seen. The film score is outstanding. There are passages where the music adds a real emotional element to the visuals on the screen. As for the live performances held in the music room itself during the course of the film (the three scenes I saw in those gnarly looking youtube clips), my opinion is decidedly less generous. My views haven't changed toward the first two performances in the music room. The singing is still pretty dreadful to my ears, especially the second performer, the old man with the enormous beard, who at one point sounds like a cat being strangled. However, I find the third performance, that of the energetic kathar dancer, to be mesmerizing. Her dance alone is worth the price of admission.

It is a testament to the power and brilliance of this film that I can overlook a relatively small film element that I greatly dislike, to write glowing praises about what Ray created. The Music Room is a wonderful cinematic gift to the world.

"...a wonderful cinematic gift to the world"? This line sold me on it. I had the clerk put it on hold, and I'll be picking it up Wednesday.

I had to see what you meant about the singing though, so I looked up the clips. It is pretty horrendous, but like you, I don't think those relatively short scenes are going to detract from my viewing experience much. Hell, I've made it through 'Ballad of Narayama' several times and thoroughly enjoy that film, despite the terrible singing during every scene transition ☺

[malakaheso]

Satyricon looks amazing. I finally got around to watching my copy last week. It completely blows away any previous dvd edition. They weren't great anyway so that isn't really a fair comparison, but it's an essential purchase for any Fellini fan.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Satyricon looks amazing. I finally got around to watching my copy last week. It completely blows away any previous dvd edition. They weren't great anyway so that isn't really a fair comparison, but it's an essential purchase for any Fellini fan.

I'm waiting for the Masters Of Cinema disc, as I always do when both companies release the same title, but I'm enthused to hear that you enjoyed the film so much. I have seen the film, but not for a good 15 years. I think it might have even been my introduction to Fellini.

[ravenus]

I saw Robert Montgomery's Ride The Pink Horse (not on the CC release, but a rather poor copy on a local DVD label) and I have to say it's an interesting film in the noir genre. It doesn't get as intense as say, Touch of Evil or The Big Heat, and its portrayal of the Mexican natives as almost uniformly simple goldenhearts seems to me one-dimensional, but works well on its modest terms with a nicely paced script, good dialog and some solid performances. Russell Metty's cinematography has some nice shadowy moments, although it's not particularly ambitious in terms of framing or movement. If you like the idea of a snappy noir, you could definitely draw some enjoyment from this one.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by obscurelabel

WW, I saw Tideland in a theater when it was first released. The reviews that I read were so virulent that I felt as if I had to see what the fuss was about. I wish that I had liked it better -- Gilliam is always interesting at the very least, even if his movies work better as ideas than actual finished products. But, I felt the movie was perhaps being odd just for the sake of being odd. The best thing in the movie was Jeff Bridges's character and

[Show spoiler]he dies off early on, but even so he's still present for much of the rest of the movie

The characters introduced later on in the movie felt forced to me, and 10 year old Jodelle Ferland wasn't enough of an actress (at least in this role) to be able to carry the movie as the main character.

I would say, see this only if you are a die-hard Gilliam fan, or a lover of the unusual for unusual's sake.

Thanks for the info. So far, I've found every one of Gilliam's films to be an acquired taste for me, with the exception of 'Time Bandits' and his directorial work with Monty Python, so I always expect a bit of a challenge getting into his films. The good thing is his odd cinematography generally holds me over until I can figure out what the hell it is that I'm watching LOL.

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Do you buy movies because you think they might entertain you or because they're supposedly "important"? Do you enjoy older, 2D animation, particularly not with the Disney polish? Do you want to see a bunch of bad shit happen to cartoon rabbits?

I have not seen the movie. I'd say, judge whether or not you think this is a film that will be compatible with your interests and tastes in cinema.

Watership Down gave me nightmares as a kid. I'd like to revisit it now.

[The Great Owl]

If Martin Rosen's Watership Down freaked you people out, then y'all will really love his 1982 film, The Plague Dogs.

Quotes from The Plague Dogs were sampled by the band, Skinny Puppy, for their 1988 song, "Testure", which is a protest song against the use of live animals in laboratory experiments.

[Show spoiler]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHZ3RY8WSFo

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

If Martin Rosen's Watership Down freaked you people out, then y'all will really love his 1982 film, The Plague Dogs.

Quotes from The Plague Dogs were sampled by the band, Skinny Puppy, for their 1988 song, "Testure", which is a protest song against the use of live animals in laboratory experiments.

[Show spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHZ3RY8WSFo

I love that song.

[HothEnergies]

Since it seems to be a foregone conclusion that the flash sale is today, I've decided on:

Eraserhead
Safe
Don't Look Now
Tess
M
400 Blows
Medium Cool

[eightslicesofpie]

Originally Posted by HothEnergies

Since it seems to be a foregone conclusion that the flash sale is today, I've decided on:

Eraserhead
Safe
Don't Look Now
Tess
M
400 Blows
Medium Cool

Dammit, somehow I forgot about Eraserhead and Don't Look Now so now I have to rethink the titles I'm gonna get haha

[Fadeaway189]

If the sale is today what time is it usually announced?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Fadeaway189

If the sale is today what time is it usually announced?

For the sake of this thread I hope ASAP lol.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Fadeaway189

If the sale is today what time is it usually announced?

It's usually started/announced at Noon, and on one occasion it was 2pm est.

[Fadeaway189]

I am new to the sale so sorry for all the questions. Just wondering how long the sale does last after it starts?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Why did you think Investigation was "just okay"? I am looking for re-playability in my Blus, which Purple Noon definitely has.

Some knowledge of Italy’s political climate at the time will enhance one’s viewing experience - either that or having some willingness to read up a bit. I have never been too politically savvy myself, but have learned a bit when the material presented has interested me (e.g., the many films about the German occupation of France.) As for this film, it probably deserves another look from me, just for the sake of understanding. But it just didn’t feel particularly important or interesting enough, even, to inspire me to put in the effort.

Don't let me dissuade you, though.. just one opinion. Oh, the blu-ray transfer is jaw on the floor stunning. So, it does have that going for it.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Fadeaway189

I am new to the sale so sorry for all the questions. Just wondering how long the sale does last after it starts?

no need to apologize, my friend....

it will last 24 hours (or it has lasted 24 in the past, I should probably say)

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I'm waiting for the Masters Of Cinema disc, as I always do when both companies release the same title, but I'm enthused to hear that you enjoyed the film so much. I have seen the film, but not for a good 15 years. I think it might have even been my introduction to Fellini.

Criterion's disc looks stunning and is absolutely stacked with extras. I hadn't seen it in years either but watched it this weekend and was transfixed. In my opinion one of Fellini's major works. How he managed to get it made is anyones guess