The Criterion Collection

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by professorwho

Funny, as about 1/2 the film was shot 720p digital and 1/2 35mm, so a 4K release would have to be partially upscaled.

720p is being generous.

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Please, just....no. I saw five minutes of this. That was enough to last me a lifetime.

[Show spoiler]

What a story Dreamer.

[gbm82]

Just watched Diabolique, another great thriller from Clouzot. Having seen a handful of his films and a good chunk of Hitchcock's more esteemed films, I enjoy Clouzot's films more.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

Thanks for releasing Harold Lloyd’s The Kid Brother, hopefully we can also get Girl Shy, Why Worry, Dr. Jack, and Hot Water, plus Grandma’s Boy, and For Heaven’s Sake

Good luck with that!

Weren't they meant to be releasing a boxset at one point? Of both the talkies and the silents? Or was it just his talkies?

Either way, we have had 4 Lloyd releases in 6 years. They clearly aren't in any rush to release them.

[dwk]

Just the talkies.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Speaking of region-free players, despite having hacked my PS3 to do it a year ago I spotted and grabbed one of those "region free" Panasonic players at a thrift store yesterday for $14. It's the DMP-BD30. I don't even have to do any button combos or anything with it; disc gets rejected and won't play. I hit top-menu and it immediately boots to the menu. Every disc out of my small region B collection has played. It's pretty excellent!

For those of you looking for a cheap solution these can be had for $30 and under on eBay. Very worth it. I'm keeping mine as back-up.

I wish id seen this before I ordered a more expensive region free player . I did however order this exact same Panasonic from eBay after reading your post to have as a second player so thanks for posting this .

[Drake2222]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Good luck with that!

Weren't they meant to be releasing a boxset at one point? Of both the talkies and the silents? Or was it just his talkies?

Either way, we have had 4 Lloyd releases in 6 years. They clearly aren't in any rush to release them.

I wouldn’t think there would be as much interest in the talkies as they weren’t as good as his silent films. Movie Crazy was enjoyable enough though could use some additional incidental music

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by gbm82

Just watched Diabolique, another great thriller from Clouzot. Having seen a handful of his films and a good chunk of Hitchcock's more esteemed films, I enjoy Clouzot's films more.

The "don't reveal the twist" thing at the start of the film ruined it for me. Knowing there was one allowed me to pick it pretty easily.

[theater dreamer]

The master at work.

I'm beginning a David Lean run today (sandwiched into my 1939 study), watching the two adaptations he did of classic Dickens novels, Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948).

When great Hollywood director-actor pairings are listed, I find it puzzling that Lean and Sir Alec Guinness are not oft mentioned. You hear John Ford and John Wayne a lot, as well as Hitchcock and Grant, Kurosawa and Mifune, Capra and Stewart, among others, but considering the six films Guinness did with Lean, the aforementioned Dickens adaptations, then Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago and A Passage to India, he belongs in that conversation. Now that I have the Criterion box set of films he directed based on writings of Noel Coward, I can really get to work.

François Truffaut is famous for watching three films a day, and reading three books a week in preparation for his time as a writer/critic/historian with Cahiers du cinéma. I don't think I can keep up that breakneck pace, especially not knowing how I'll feel from one day to the next, but I'm looking to do two movies a day, and a book a week. After I finish Pauline Kael's I Lost it at the Movies, I've got Sidney Lumet's Making Movies ready to go on the Kindle.

I find myself just vibrating with excitement to tear into Lean's earlier work. I've such profound respect for the man's talents. In a very strange way, hurting my back has ended up enriching my life. I've been afforded the opportunity to expose myself to so much incredible film work.

[tama]

Not sure if this has been discussed but couldn't find anything on it here. Universal has two new James Stewart westerns out making the rounds on new 4K DCP's. Destry Rides Again and Winchester'73. At this point I kinda doubt Universal would put these titles out themselves so here's hoping they have been or potentially could be licensed out to an Indie and Criterion would be my bet.

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by tama

Not sure if this has been discussed but couldn't find anything on it here. Universal has two new James Stewart westerns out making the rounds on new 4K DCP's. Destry Rides Again and Winchester'73. At this point I kinda doubt Universal would put these titles out themselves so here's hoping they have been or potentially could be licensed out to an Indie and Criterion would be my bet.

I would snatch those up in a heartbeat.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by koberulz

The "don't reveal the twist" thing at the start of the film ruined it for me. Knowing there was one allowed me to pick it pretty easily.

The thing is knowing that twist doesn't ruin the film at all. Diabolique is one I watch over and over just for the atmosphere and some amazing scenes. Same thing with Pyscho another film i can watch a hundred times and it's always great even though I know the twists.

Even without prior knowledge the twist is easy to guess by viewers of today. After years of similar twist endings in countless movies we're kind of jaded. It was much less expected back in 1955.

[theater dreamer]

Barrymores and Harlow and Beery, oh my!

Before I get back to my movies, let me endorse Criterion adding the fantastic Dinner at Eight to its esteemed collection. After the success of Grand Hotel in 1933, MGM went back to the "star studded ensemble cast" well again for George Cukor's dark comedy (and when I say dark, hoo boy, I mean dark). The film hosts an impressive group of stars, including John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Marie Dressler, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Billie Burke and Jean Hersholt.

This is most definitely a pre-code film. Beery's treatment of Harlow would shock even today, as he manhandled her and threatened her with violence at nearly every turn. There's plenty of scheming, collusion, blackmailing, infidelity, drinking and Jean Harlow's derriere to fit within the construct of pre-Hays Code enforcement films. The dark parts are very dark (John Barrymore, often cited as perhaps the greatest dramatic actor of the 20th Century, is especially effective; he inspired Sir Alec Guinness, Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud to take up acting), but the scenes where plans for Millicent Jordan's (Billie Burke) dinner party start to fall apart are absolutely hilarious.

George Cukor was one of the top directors at MGM, and adding another of his films to the Criterion Collection would be a coup.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by tama

Not sure if this has been discussed but couldn't find anything on it here. Universal has two new James Stewart westerns out making the rounds on new 4K DCP's. Destry Rides Again and Winchester'73. At this point I kinda doubt Universal would put these titles out themselves so here's hoping they have been or potentially could be licensed out to an Indie and Criterion would be my bet.

Yes it has. Kino said they couldn't get them as they had already been picked up by another label.

So, Criterion or otherwise, a boutique is putting both out. I'd be surprised if it wasn't Criterion.

[GeoffOliver]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Barrymores and Harlow and Beery, oh my!

Before I get back to my movies, let me endorse Criterion adding the fantastic Dinner at Eight to its esteemed collection. After the success of Grand Hotel in 1933, MGM went back to the "star studded ensemble cast" well again for George Cukor's dark comedy (and when I say dark, hoo boy, I mean dark). The film hosts an impressive group of stars, including John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Marie Dressler, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Billie Burke and Jean Hersholt.

This is most definitely a pre-code film. Beery's treatment of Harlow would shock even today, as he manhandled her and threatened her with violence at nearly every turn. There's plenty of scheming, collusion, blackmailing, infidelity, drinking and Jean Harlow's derriere to fit within the construct of pre-Hays Code enforcement films. The dark parts are very dark (John Barrymore, often cited as perhaps the greatest dramatic actor of the 20th Century, is especially effective; he inspired Sir Alec Guinness, Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud to take up acting), but the scenes where plans for Millicent Jordan's (Billie Burke) dinner party start to fall apart are absolutely hilarious.

George Cukor was one of the top directors at MGM, and adding another of his films to the Criterion Collection would be a coup.

I haven't seen the movie in years (since I was younger and couldn't really understand what was going on), but I definitely want to watch it again. I think it's pretty similar to Clue with Tim Curry, minus the murders of course.

Since WAC reissued it on DVD, I would think a Blu-ray release would more likely come from them.

[theater dreamer]

Whilst taking a quick break to fill my drink and empty the bladder, perusing the Criterion site, I am pleased to see the Great Expectations DVD is on back order. Clearly, demand is still there for Lean’s Dickens works. I’m absolutely loving Oliver Twist-Guinness is the perfect Fagin, and Lean and cinematographer Guy Green have done a marvelous job of capturing early Nineteenth Century London. The atmosphere, with its endless staircases, shadows, and foggy skyline, almost has a noir feel to it.

I feel confident that this will end up being one upgrade I desperately want, and seeing that Great Expectations was ranked as one of the five greatest British films by BFI, I’d have to believe that these two are on Criterion’s radar for high def releases. The restored print TCM is showing looks beautiful, and it is in high def. Fingers crossed.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

I haven't seen the movie in years (since I was younger and couldn't really understand what was going on), but I definitely want to watch it again. I think it's pretty similar to Clue with Tim Curry, minus the murders of course.

Since WAC reissued it on DVD, I would think a Blu-ray release would more likely come from them.

I’d be fine with Warner Bros releasing it under their Archive line.

If you recall, the actual dinner party is never seen in Cukor’s film. The movie ends with Dressler and Harlow walking in together. Harlow comments about the book she’s reading, and the belief that all professions will be ultimately be replaced by machines. I won’t ruin the line for anybody that hasn’t seen it, but it’s spot on, given Harlow’s jaw dropping dress.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Whilst taking a quick break to fill my drink and empty the bladder, perusing the Criterion site, I am pleased to see the Great Expectations DVD is on back order. Clearly, demand is still there for Lean’s Dickens works. I’m absolutely loving Oliver Twist-Guinness is the perfect Fagin, and Lean and cinematographer Guy Green have done a marvelous job of capturing early Nineteenth Century London. The atmosphere, with its endless staircases, shadows, and foggy skyline, almost has a noir feel to it.

I feel confident that this will end up being one upgrade I desperately want, and seeing that Great Expectations was ranked as one of the five greatest British films by BFI, I’d have to believe that these two are on Criterion’s radar for high def releases. The restored print TCM is showing looks beautiful, and it is in high def. Fingers crossed.

Both are tremendous adaptations and films. Great Expectations is firmly in my Top 20 of all time, and was actually my first Criterion purchase.

While they fully deserve Criterion upgrades, don't hold off picking up the ITV BD release of Great Expectations (region free), or the Filmedia BD of Oliver Twist (locked, but you just bought a region-free player ). Both are very strong presentations - especially the former.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Both are tremendous adaptations and films. Great Expectations is firmly in my Top 20 of all time, and was actually my first Criterion purchase.

While they fully deserve Criterion upgrades, don't hold off picking up the ITV BD release of Great Expectations (region free), or the Filmedia BD of Oliver Twist (locked, but you just bought a region-free player ). Both are very strong presentations - especially the former.

I’m going to get myself into trouble with the region free player, aren’t I? I haven’t bought it yet-I’ll be buying it in a few weeks. I have about 20 films imported, ready to go, in addition to the imports I’ve already watched on my laptop. But, it will be a momentous occasion for me, popping that first region B blu in!

As much as I’m liking Oliver Twist, I’m really looking forward to seeing Great Expectations after dinner. Somehow, Lean is going to top this?

I’m in a feeding frenzy right now, Reddington. Between these movies, documentaries and essays, and film related books, my mind is soaking it all up as fast as I can contemplate what to delve into next. And with all the 2018 Best Picture nominees set to start dropping in price soon, the money and certificates I’ve earmarked to buy them will only give me that much more to see. Before I know it, the next Barnes & Noble sale will be here, too.

I may never sleep again.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by tama

Not sure if this has been discussed but couldn't find anything on it here. Universal has two new James Stewart westerns out making the rounds on new 4K DCP's. Destry Rides Again and Winchester'73. At this point I kinda doubt Universal would put these titles out themselves so here's hoping they have been or potentially could be licensed out to an Indie and Criterion would be my bet.

Kino said they didn't have them and its been rumored that Criterion has Winchester 73. I would guess them or another indie(Arrow?) could have Destry Rides Again. It was said that Arrow in the Arrow UK has The Far Country so I wonder if they would have Destry if Criterion doesn't?

[Drake2222]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer;

Before I get back to my movies, let me endorse Criterion adding the fantastic [I

Dinner at Eight[/I] to its esteemed collection. After the success of Grand Hotel in 1933, MGM went back to the "star studded ensemble cast" well again for George Cukor's dark comedy (and when I say dark, hoo boy, I mean dark). The film hosts an impressive group of stars, including John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Marie Dressler, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Billie Burke and Jean Hersholt.

This is most definitely a pre-code film. Beery's treatment of Harlow would shock even today, as he manhandled her and threatened her with violence at nearly every turn.

I’d love to see Treasure Island with Beery released on blu. While Robert Newton may be the more ‘classic’ pirate, the Beery version is probably the best of the Treasure Island films and it’s great. Beery has some wicked lines in the film. One of my favorites was Beery to the boy “Yes, The Captain has a lot of brains. I’m sure the boys would love to crack open his skull and see what’s in there”

Loosely paraphrased