The Criterion Collection

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Senso is an opera without music ChadFL. Frankly, it would place very high among my own hypothetical list of best new spines for the year, although the top spot would still be a coin toss between Night of the Hunter and the Complete Jean Vigo. Both were brilliant choices by Criterion, and treated magnificently.

Worst would be House. Although sporadically entertaining as a whacked-out 'video happening', it was just so smuggly undisciplined I still don't think it deserves a place in this collection. Perhaps as a cottage label oddity for the bored, curious or over-medicated, but enshrined as a Criterion-calibre contribution to world cinema? Uhm...no way. Of course, not that Something Wild or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button were any better choices, but still...

I agree with you on Senso, although The Leopard was better, but I disagree with you on Hausu. For its time, the special effects were pretty innovative and top notch, and it was a major hit in Japan, just not among critics. Also, you have to remember that the pre-teen daughter of the director wrote a large chunk of the script, and this was the director's first full length film, after primarily working in experimental film, commercials, and television.

Of course, it's all personal opinion. I personally didn't think Equinox belonged in the collection, as it didn't appeal to me, and I couldn't see why it would be in the collection after watching it because it was a slighlty dull b-movie that became somewhat interesting near the end. Once I read up on it, I can see why Criterion chose it, because it was the first film Dennis Murren ever did special effects on. Murren's won several Oscars and worked on both Star Wars and Jurrasic Park.

Criterion adds a lot of films like Hausu and Equinox to their collections, because they are cult films, and they may not get a release elsewhere. Also, a lot of these films were the starting points for many famous directors, actors, screenwriters, and other productions people. Murder a la Mod isn't a stellar film, but Criterion gave it to us as a bonus on Blow Out se we could see how far De Palma's come since he shot that film. Even though I may not enjoy some of the films in the collection, they do have their reasons for them to be there.

[ikms]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Yes, the art is so beautiful. I really enjoyed the supplement in the Three films by Hiroshi Teshigahara set, Hokusai (1953).

Interesting that it gets play outside of Japan. I just finished a historical museum installation in Japan with "36 views" of a different Mt. Fuji. Even calling it 36-kei very few Japanese are aware of the significance. I was inspired by Red Fuji which my parents had a print of in their bedroom (spoils from WW2). To bring it back to this thread, I used the proceeds to 'participate' in the recent B&N sale.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Nice defense of Hausu. I'm not a big fan of it as I find it a bit tedious, but I have sat through it twice and I think you hit the nail on the head.

I enjoy it, but you do have to be in the right mood to watch it. I"ve watched it about 3 times since August. It's great fun, but it's not one of my top Criterions. There's a lot of stuff in the collection I don't think belongs in there, but Criterion has their reasons. I just won't buy the ones I dislike.

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

That would be a suitable title to choose.

I would question though.... whether the disappointment with the technical error outweighs everything else????

Do you watch films to be entertained, educated, appreciation purposes, escapism, etc..... or do you watch them for analytical purposes, counting the number of specks you can find in the Joan of Arc print?

We shouldn't settle for mediocrity, so I don't want to suggest that....... but there is a difference in finding an error (like the Back To The Future audio issue) and saying "Oh, yeah, I noticed that! I thought it was fairly obvious/barely noticeable/whatever" and those who say "This is a travesty! This is unwatchable/Boycott!"

Had I not been on Prednisone at the time I did all of "Carlos" I never would have noticed that the last third was missing it's left surround track. I don't imagine any reviewer would ever know. Still would be nice if Criterion responded to my e-mails.

[GxyExpress999]

Originally Posted by Adrock

Just a note for everyone. This may have already been mentioned, so I apologize if it has been.

I spoke with Jon at Criterion, and the replacement discs for The Three Colors Trilogy, 'White' should be available in December. Feel free to contact Criterion to get on the list, and when they are available, they will contact you directly and advise on how to complete the exchange with them directly.

Jon's email address is : mulvaney@criterion.com

I sent an email on Wednesday night and already received a response from Jon this morning that the replacement discs would be available in mid-December.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

but I disagree with you on Hausu. For its time, the special effects were pretty innovative and top notch, and it was a major hit in Japan, just not among critics. Also, you have to remember that the pre-teen daughter of the director wrote a large chunk of the script, and this was the director's first full length film, after primarily working in experimental film, commercials, and television.

Say "Japanese TV commercials", and everyone immediately pictures the same mildly Asia-bashing pop-culture Simpsons jokes. ("Happy exciting!--Can you dare do any less?")
To some degree, it's true. The Japanese love their TV ads to go over the top.

Hausu, simply put, is a horror movie directed by a Japanese TV-commercial director (and at the time, one of the best). Why is that such a complicated concept for most US audiences to understand when trying to describe the movie?
You'd think that alone would sum the visual and storytelling style up perfectly in one sentence.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Criterion adds a lot of films like Hausu and Equinox to their collections, because they are cult films, and they may not get a release elsewhere. Also, a lot of these films were the starting points for many famous directors, actors, screenwriters, and other productions people. Murder a la Mod isn't a stellar film, but Criterion gave it to us as a bonus on Blow Out se we could see how far De Palma's come since he shot that film. Even though I may not enjoy some of the films in the collection, they do have their reasons for them to be there.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, Emotion was the gem of the Hausu release for me as I really didn't care for Hausu. I would of rather seen a release of Obayashi's experimental shorts from the 60's in one set. I would like to bring you towards Ubu.com/film again if anyone is interested in watching the other ones.

[Cocophone]

Originally Posted by Sukuri

So much Life During Wartime hate =(

Best was tricky, there are a lot of really really good choices, but I went with Kes. I think it's the one I've re-watched the most.

One I've liked the least: White material.

I've been thinking about buy White Material. I've liked the clips on youtube and its usually on sale online at walmart.

What did you not like about it?

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by dumb_dutchman

Gummo & Julian Donkey Boy would be interesting, but aren't they New Line? Does New Line license their products out?

By the way, Werner Herzog's (who I love) performance in Julian Donkey Boy was the second worst performance by a director in a film. De Sica in Blood for Dracula was probably the worst, excluding Tarantino in anything of course.

I sure hope Criterion will release "Gummo", "Julien Donkey-Boy" or some Werner Herzog movies!

And I love Herzog in JD-B - hilarious!!!

[Sukuri]

Originally Posted by Cocophone

I've been thinking about buy White Material. I've liked the clips on youtube and its usually on sale online at walmart.

What did you not like about it?

I think I might have been confused through-out the entire film. I didn't feel there was any tension, I couldn't get into the characters situation. It was a really stagnant film for me.

[dumb_dutchman]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

I sure hope Criterion will release "Gummo", "Julien Donkey-Boy" or some Werner Herzog movies!

And I love Herzog in JD-B - hilarious!!!

The Herzog-Anchor Bay stuff appeared fairly early in the life of DVD. The first I picked up was "Even Dwarves..." back in '99, which is one of my favorites (see avatar). But, of course, these are all MIA on Blu. There isn't even a European release as of yet. Just his later docs in a set (and I don't recogize that one with Nicolas Cage).

Criterion (or someone) should put out Kinski's "Jesus Christ Savior". It is a fascinating look inside his warped mind. The crowd is just cranking him like a jack-in-the-box, until he inevitably explodes...over and over again. Criterion could release it under the more appropriate name "Kinski Goes Ape-Shit".

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Aguirre, The Wrath of God needs to be Criterion'd.
* never saw all of Kinski's Jesus Show, I'd love to though.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by dumb_dutchman

The Herzog-Anchor Bay stuff appeared fairly early in the life of DVD. The first I picked up was "Even Dwarves..." back in '99, which is one of my favorites (see avatar). But, of course, these are all MIA on Blu. There isn't even a European release as of yet. Just his later docs in a set (and I don't recogize that one with Nicolas Cage).

Criterion (or someone) should put out Kinski's "Jesus Christ Savior". It is a fascinating look inside his warped mind. The crowd is just cranking him like a jack-in-the-box, until he inevitably explodes...over and over again. Criterion could release it under the more appropriate name "Kinski Goes Ape-Shit".

Criterion should put out "Paganini" on Blu!

And I'm well aware that no Herzog films (except his newest ones) are available on Blu anywhere in the world!!! (except "Nosferatu" in France but without German or English audio...).

[Hawkguy]

Today I went to a Best Buy I'd never gone to before, and to my surprise (as some others on here have mentioned) they had a wide selection of Criterions. Not just the usual BB titles like 'Dazed and Confused'...they had titles like 'Pale Flower', 'Diabolique'...and a lot more. They were all priced at $29.99 though, which isn't that great.

[Tom Hiddleston]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Today I went to a Best Buy I'd never gone to before, and to my surprise (as some others on here have mentioned) they had a wide selection of Criterions. Not just the usual BB titles like 'Dazed and Confused'...they had titles like 'Pale Flower', 'Diabolique'...and a lot more. They were all priced at $29.99 though, which isn't that great.

The prices are good during the B&N sale when they PM B&N's price, and if you have a Reward Zone certificate. I bought The Thin Red Line for about $10.53 with a $10 reward zone certificate.

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

Criterion should put out "Paganini" on Blu!

And I'm well aware that no Herzog films (except his newest ones) are available on Blu anywhere in the world!!! (except "Nosferatu" in France but without German or English audio...).

Just saw "Paganini".http://www.amazon.com/Kinski-Paganini/dp/B005GP7E8A/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1322272112&sr=1-1 I got the R1 DVD of both versions. Criterion probably wouldn't want it as the Director's Cut is from inferior (video) elements. Neither version of film is really a movie actually. It's just footage of Sex, eating, also some screaming, and finally death by TB.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

I sure hope Criterion will release "Gummo", "Julien Donkey-Boy" or some Werner Herzog movies!

And I love Herzog in JD-B - hilarious!!!

+1

I would especially love to see Criterion release Gummo. I have only watched that film once, when it had just began to broadcast on cable...so it has been quite a while for me.

I was actually surprised that Gummo didn't get more recognition. Kids was immensely popular right around that same time, I had expected some of that excitement to spill over into Gummo.

BTW: My local Wal-Mart had the Criterion BD of Curious Case of Ben Button (no slip included) for $5.00 as part of their black Friday sale today.

I almost picked up a couple of them, just to give away and perhaps introduce some friends to the "collection"

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

BTW: My local Wal-Mart had the Criterion BD of Curious Case of Ben Button (no slip included) for $5.00 as part of their black Friday sale today.

I've noticed that stores never have the slip for it..my B&N didn't have the slip either. Are they no longer selling it with slip? I eventually want it...but not 'slip-less'...

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I've noticed that stores never have the slip for it..my B&N didn't have the slip either. Are they no longer selling it with slip? I eventually want it...but not 'slip-less'...

Yeah, it seems as if the slip is never included with it these days.

It's too bad really. In my opinion the slip was a nice touch that made the release a little "nicer".

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

Yeah, it seems as if the slip is never included with it these days.

It's too bad really. In my opinion the slip was a nice touch that made the release a little "nicer".

Is there any truth to that rumor that it was released in one of their clear cases as well? Getting the slip-less one just feels like it won't fit in with the rest of the collection.