The Criterion Collection

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

True. But either way, the past or future, it wasn't set in the 1970's on Earth, so we still have a problem with that.

But, is true or not true whether we know how these people in a distant galaxy far, far away dressed themselves or the hairstyles of their time? We don't know, do we? All we know is what we are presented in a certain context.

So, if we throw all of our expectations of the future and science fiction, and what it is supposed to be or not be, out the window then we are left with an alternate universe with people in a distant galaxy that we know nothing about other than what we are told and presented. In the case of "Star Wars," then, we must assume that people in this distant galaxy far, far away just happen to have the same hairstyles and somewhat similar clothing attire that we, Earthlings, had in the 1970's. Am I wrong?

On a Criterion-related note, I was able to catch-up on some great titles this weekend... The Friends of Eddie Coyle, White Dog, and Wise Blood... also, The Hit earlier in the week. All great films to seek out.

CC

[Beta Man]

I just got off the phone with an Ewok from Endor...... he said their hair styles are terribly dated now....

[kndy]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

I think I may finally be finished with the B&N sale. Spent two days trying to decide on a second blu to go with A Christmas Tale and finally ended up ordering Battle of Algiers on DVD.

Greetings Old Geezer, if you are getting "Battle of Algiers", also pickup Pontecorvo's other film "Kapo" which is $9 ($8.99 if you are using the AAA or other 10% off third party B&N sites). It's one of the five films that Criterion did not release on their main line or Eclipse but only on their Essential Arthouse.

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

The blu's I currently am on the fence about are;

Howards End
Monsoon Wedding
Lola Montes
Secret of the Grain.

"Howards End" is not my type of film that I want to rewatch, so it's low on my priority unless I ever see it very cheap, then I'll pick it up. The same with "Monsoon Wedding". "Lola Montes", as much as I enjoy Ophüls films, I've watched this film before and I've mentioned on here that I felt that the actress selected was not the right person for the role (I believe Ebert mentioned the same thing in his review). So, also low priority. Personally, if you want to add an Ophuls film to your collection...go for "The Earrings Madame De" (which I wish gets the Blu-ray treatment).

"Secret of the Grain" on the other hand is a very good film and I highly recommend the Blu-ray release.

[SpiderBaby]

All I know is if these people had f'n Death Stars, swords made of laser, etc and yet Darth Vader looked like something that came from Disco Wars, then I have no hope for our future (their past).

Plus CC, you are right, until you get to the prequels. So you're telling me the timeline before Luke, they were more futuristic then you get to Luke & friends and they are shot out of 77' America?

[Beta Man]

I can't look at it any longer...... I am ordering that "house" t-shirt from the criterion store....... I've wanted it for far too long now....

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I already have it. I'd never pass up a Murnau film on BluRay. Great film, but not near as good as Sunrise. MoC is fastly becoming one of my favorite Bluray makers 2nd only to Criterion.

I've been on the fence on this one as well.

Finally got around to watching Seventh Seal , Kagemusha & Repulsion. All great films although Seventh Seal is the best of the 3 IMO.

I'm curious how Black Narcissus will look for me. I should get it today. Both it and Red shoes are some of the best looking technicolor movies ever made. Another title you should keep a eye out for is Kino's Pandora and the flying dutchman. Its also from cinematographer Jack Cardiff.

I have Black Narcissus and I've really enjoyed watching it...I was on the fence about The Red Shoes, but I rewatched it when I could really see it and not doze off, etc. It's a much better film than I first thought and I'll be picking up a copy from B & N later today.

I was lucky, as B & N stock of both Powell and Pressburger titles have been going out of stock.

I want to stream Secret of the Grain tonight and decide if I want to add that at some point as well.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

All I know is if these people had f'n Death Stars, swords made of laser, etc and yet Darth Vader looked like something that came from Disco Wars, then I have no hope for our future (their past).

Plus CC, you are right, until you get to the prequels. So you're telling me the timeline before Luke, they were more futuristic then you get to Luke & friends and they are shot out of 77' America?

What exactly is "futuristic looking" anyway? Remember Back to the Future 2? They had flying cars, hoverboards and clothes that adjusted to a person's body. Well we're 5 years from 2015 (the date from the movie) and we are still driving around in the same cars we did 30+ years ago, kids are still riding skateboards and I still have to buy clothes that fit me.

I'm glad Star Wars stuck to the look of the period it was shot instead of trying to make ridiculous guesses as to what people would look like in the future.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

All I know is if these people had f'n Death Stars, swords made of laser, etc and yet Darth Vader looked like something that came from Disco Wars, then I have no hope for our future (their past).

Plus CC, you are right, until you get to the prequels. So you're telling me the timeline before Luke, they were more futuristic then you get to Luke & friends and they are shot out of 77' America?

Well, I'm not referring to the prequels at all. Obviously, when three prequel films are shot 22 years after an original trilogy there is gonna be some differences to pick over (i.e. the glossed-over look of the late '90s/2000 prequels versus the softer film stock look of the late '70s/80's originals, the hairstyles, clothing, etc.). I'm sure that George Lucas has answered this question many times before, as well, among all the interview footage out there.

Again, though, what you said could be true... all we know is what we're presented in the films. There have been many civilizations, I'm sure, that were once mighty and powerful with a glossed-over appearance that, over time, started to crumble with whole appearances changing.

In "Star Wars: A New Hope," the film doesn't even begin until 19 or so years after Darth Vader becomes who he is and begins work on the Death Star. So, for all that we are presented, a whole mess of Darkside crap could've happened that made everyone's lifestyle change back (or, move forward). For us, it would be considered a regression but for them it could've been an appropriate progression.

I'm just saying we don't know, that's all. Although, I'm sure there's some Star Wars fanatic out there that would set us all straight on the matter in a heartbeat.

CC

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I can't look at it any longer...... I am ordering that "house" t-shirt from the criterion store....... I've wanted it for far too long now....

You should. I wore mine on Saturday, and I usually receive compliments or questions about it.

CC

[Codyblaze]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yeah, I believe we already went through that, you know, all the posts you skipped over to tell me.

I can't keep up, you all are too fast for me. I thought I was on the last page and there were 3 more....

[Codyblaze]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

On a Criterion-related note, I was able to catch-up on some great titles this weekend... The Friends of Eddie Coyle, White Dog, and Wise Blood... also, The Hit earlier in the week. All great films to seek out.

CC

I caught up with White Dog this weekend as well, and I've gotta say it left me a little underwhelmed. I was expecting quite a bit from Samuel Fuller and Curtis Hanson, maybe just a case of too high of expectations.

Also caught Mystery Train (excellent, as always) and finally got out to see Inception. I'll need see it again since I fell asleep! Not sure whether it was me or the film, but I only caught about 30 minutes before falling asleep. My wife liked it, says it's just me

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Codyblaze

I caught up with White Dog this weekend as well, and I've gotta say it left me a little underwhelmed. I was expecting quite a bit from Samuel Fuller and Curtis Hanson, maybe just a case of too high of expectations.

I agree that I found "White Dog" to be the weaker of the films that I watched this weekend. It took me about 30 minutes to get past the early '80's vibe and get into the film, but then I enjoyed it a fair amount.

CC

[Codyblaze]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I agree that I found "White Dog" to be the weaker of the films that I watched this weekend. It took me about 30 minutes to get past the early '80's vibe and get into the film, but then I enjoyed it a fair amount.

CC

What did you think of "Wise Blood"? I almost gave that one a blind buy, went with "A Woman Is A Woman" instead since going OOP. I think the soundtrack contains the Kurt Stevens song of the same title, I've been wanting to get my hands on that as well.

[P@t_Mtl]

Already got the notice from Amazon.uk, Sunrise as been shipped, they are so quick at times

I wne and got it because everyone is saying it's region free, I hope it truly is or I will be

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I agree that I found "White Dog" to be the weaker of the films that I watched this weekend. It took me about 30 minutes to get past the early '80's vibe and get into the film, but then I enjoyed it a fair amount.

CC

I Love WHITE DOG!

[Show spoiler]But please if you are gonna give someone some chocolates for watching your dog don't buy them a Whitman's Sampler trash like that ends up thrown against a fence.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Already got the notice from Amazon.uk, Sunrise as been shipped, they are so quick at times

I wne and got it because everyone is saying it's region free, I hope it truly is or I will be

I own SUNRISE also, and don't worry it is region free.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Codyblaze

What did you think of "Wise Blood"? I almost gave that one a blind buy, went with "A Woman Is A Woman" instead since going OOP. I think the soundtrack contains the Kurt Stevens song of the same title, I've been wanting to get my hands on that as well.

I thought "Wise Blood" was good in a very interesting sort of way. Brad Dourif's character is off-the-wall religiously tainted, and I can't help but love any character that wants to start a new religion and call it the "Church Without Christ." It's a bit hokey with humorous undertones. I couldn't help but laugh... it was right up my alley, though. Every actor gives a good performance, though.

CC

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Already got the notice from Amazon.uk, Sunrise as been shipped, they are so quick at times

I wne and got it because everyone is saying it's region free, I hope it truly is or I will be

All you have to do is check pro-b's reviews of the import titles, ya know, to find out the region coding. It's as simple as that, and there's no worrying involved.

CC

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Codyblaze

I can't keep up, you all are too fast for me. I thought I was on the last page and there were 3 more....

it's cool.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

All you have to do is check pro-b's reviews of the import titles, ya know, to find out the region coding. It's as simple as that, and there's no worrying involved.

CC

Oh I always check the reviews to be sure but I got burn on two release that are mark as region free and they are not It never happen before and happen twice in a row for two Blu-rays, so I am more nervous now