The Criterion Collection

[TXTyler]

Is anyone else surprised that we have no new info on a Fellini set? I’m thinking at this point they’re going to miss releasing this on the 100th anniversary of his birth. I know this is the least of the world’s problems in the moment, but it sure would be nice to see a complete Fellini set. Although something tells me, due to rights issues, this set won’t be as “complete” as the Bergman set.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by TXTyler

Is anyone else surprised that we have no new info on a Fellini set? I’m thinking at this point they’re going to miss releasing this on the 100th anniversary of his birth. I know this is the least of the world’s problems in the moment, but it sure would be nice to see a complete Fellini set. Although something tells me, due to rights issues, this set won’t be as “complete” as the Bergman set.

No idea how comprehensive a box-set might be, but I think the assumption is that it will appear at some point in 2020 - being the 100th anniversary year of his birth. So there's still plenty of time.

[Reddington]

Beaver review of the upcoming re-issue of Army of Shadows. Looks to be a new transfer that is marginally different to the 2011 release.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film9/blu-r...ws_blu-ray.htm

[bsend]

Hoping they announce a box set in the next month or two.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Will they get "The Hole" a.k.a. Netflix's "The Platform"?

IKR to soon...but those Netflix movies anyone know how long they're contracted for business?

[Reddington]

Svet has posted his review of The Great Escape:

[nitin]

Mizoguchi is one of the great directors who I have struggled to get on board with a little bit. I quite like Sansho the Bailiff but two attempts at Ugetsu have not quite endeared me to it even though I can admire it technically.

Last night I decided to skip some of the more famous earlier ones and watched his final film, the powerful Street of Shame.

Set in 1950s Japan just before the passing of the Anti Prostitution Bill, this is a film of quiet, unassuming power that builds gradually. I was a bit nonplussed during the first 15-20 minutes thinking here is another film Mizoguchi that just doesn’t seem to be working for me but the longer it went on, the more it drew me into the plights of its main female characters.

The thing that struck me most was how certain scenes, which would be played as big or important character moments in a lot of movies and call attention to themselves, are played out almost nonchalantly, including the sharply rendered and perfect final scene which caps off the film’s themes and message in an understated but heart wrenching manner.

I saw it off Eureka’s OOP blu which is from a fairly old HD master with a fair bit of noise and not a great amount of definition over and above an upscaled DVD in medium to long shots. Hopefully Criterion upgrade this film to blu from their Eclipse set and use the 2018 4k restoration.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Svet has posted his review of The Great Escape:

From the file marked "No Shit Sherlock"...

German war camps were nothing like the place you would see in The Great Escape, and to assume that soldiers and civilians that were unlucky to end up there could behave like the many stars that made the film is beyond naive.

[Cremildo]

And to think I used to believe people were too harsh on him sometimes...

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

From the file marked "No Shit Sherlock"...

German war camps were nothing like the place you would see in The Great Escape, and to assume that soldiers and civilians that were unlucky to end up there could behave like the many stars that made the film is beyond naive.

I actually think this is important to note. Amazingly, there are people who don't understand the evil perpetrated by the Nazi's. Heck, there are people who deny the holocaust ever occurred.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I actually think this is important to note. Amazingly, there are people who don't understand the evil perpetrated by the Nazi's. Heck, there are people who deny the holocaust ever occurred.

Those people aren't going to be enlightened by an obvious comment in a movie review. In fact, most of those people will never be enlightened.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

Those people aren't going to be enlightened by an obvious comment in a movie review. In fact, most of those people will never be enlightened.

I can't argue with that.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I actually think this is important to note. Amazingly, there are people who don't understand the evil perpetrated by the Nazi's. Heck, there are people who deny the holocaust ever occurred.

Don't insult our intelligence. And don't enable those who would insult our intelligence either.

This film is a "boys own" World War II adventure movie, it's not meant to be a gripping drama about the holocaust.

Incidentally, Donald Pleasence was an RAF pilot and a POW at Stalag Luft I (TGE takes place in Stalag Luft III) so I'm hazarding a guess that he would know better than anyone how someone in that situation would behave.

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Don't insult our intelligence. And don't enable those who would insult our intelligence either.

This film is a "boys own" World War II adventure movie, it's not meant to be a gripping drama about the holocaust.

Incidentally, Donald Pleasence was an RAF pilot and a POW at Stalag Luft I (TGE takes place in Stalag Luft III) so I'm hazarding a guess that he would know better than anyone how someone in that situation would behave.

Not to mention, as I stated in the Great Escape thread, one of the documentaries on the original disc states that they actually made the camp more primitive for the film since the "real" officers camp had tennis courts and a swimming pool!

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by nitin

Mizoguchi is one of the great directors who I have struggled to get on board with a little bit. I quite like Sansho the Bailiff but two attempts at Ugetsu have not quite endeared me to it even though I can admire it technically.

Last night I decided to skip some of the more famous earlier ones and watched his final film, the powerful Street of Shame.

Set in 1950s Japan just before the passing of the Anti Prostitution Bill, this is a film of quiet, unassuming power that builds gradually. I was a bit nonplussed during the first 15-20 minutes thinking here is another film Mizoguchi that just doesn’t seem to be working for me but the longer it went on, the more it drew me into the plights of its main female characters.

The thing that struck me most was how certain scenes, which would be played as big or important character moments in a lot of movies and call attention to themselves, are played out almost nonchalantly, including the sharply rendered and perfect final scene which caps off the film’s themes and message in an understated but heart wrenching manner.

I saw it off Eureka’s OOP blu which is from a fairly old HD master with a fair bit of noise and not a great amount of definition over and above an upscaled DVD in medium to long shots. Hopefully Criterion upgrade this film to blu from their Eclipse set and use the 2018 4k restoration.

I'll buy it if it gets a Blu. I only can get my hands on the Eclipse DVD set. Which I've had for years now.

It's his finale, he died maybe 6 months after finishing it. Wow. Ironic how Mizoguchi and Kubrick ended their film making careers dealing with relationships of the family and extreme intimate situations.

Mizoguchi did so much in his career. He is extremely underrated for our times. Street of Shame is a slow burn to melancholy finish. Perfect. Just the way I wanted it. His style to a t. A great use of multiple characters and plot-lines running concurrently with a real world politically charged atmosphere for 50's Japan.

[meckel]

If you haven’t seen the separate thread, Amazon is matching Target’s B2G1 free promotion. Unlike Target, Amazon as several Criterion’s as part of the sale including newer releases.

I got, Leave her to Heaven, Showboat and Cranes are Flying. All for $18.66 each

[bonehica]

Just received another $10 gift certificate. This time for being a charter member of The Criterion Channel on their 1 year anniversary. Keep 'em coming Criterion!

[bradnoyes]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Just received another $10 gift certificate. This time for being a charter member of The Criterion Channel on their 1 year anniversary. Keep 'em coming Criterion!

Same here! Put it towards pre-orders for The Great Escape and Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Just received another $10 gift certificate. This time for being a charter member of The Criterion Channel on their 1 year anniversary. Keep 'em coming Criterion!

Same here.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Just received another $10 gift certificate. This time for being a charter member of The Criterion Channel on their 1 year anniversary. Keep 'em coming Criterion!

I just got one, too.