The Criterion Collection

[oildude]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Those Eclipse sets are very good and sometimes so overlook by most. The quality is wonderful and you can have some amazing movies in some of those sets that will probably not be in Blu-ray for a long while.

I think some of the best films Criterion has released are in the Eclipse sets. Many of these are better than some of the mainline films that got better treatment, whether on blu-ray or DVD.

In fact, after finally diving into the Eclipse series once I realized how foolish it was to keep putting them off hoping for blu-ray releases, they have become my go-to choice lately for watching a Criterion. I still have not tackled the stack of blu-rays I bought during the last B&N sale and the December releases (although I plan to see the Suzukis this weekend).

[oildude]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I hear you. I picked up 20 Eclipse sets during the last sale after getting over my Blu-ray-elitism, but I seriously regret not grabbing The Human Condition and Berlin Alexanderplatz

I picked up 13 Eclipse sets during the last sale. I kept tellng myself they may not be this low in price again anytime soon, so might as well grab all the ones I want. Screening them first on hulu plus did not eliminate any for me, it just added them to my wish list. I did leave a few sets behind.....I had to draw a line somewhere.

[Yami]

I've never owned any Criterion DVDs due to being in the UK and only getting interested in film over a year ago. I've decided to just be patient and get the Blus when they come out.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by Jr7936

i decided to bite on the 27.29 used copy fulfilled by amazon of Fanny and Alexander in acceptable condition , with a bend or a crease on the case. I figure that is the cheapest i could find it other then the barnes and noble sale since i am not a member of B&N. Hopefully it comes in good condition

For only $5.20 you could have bought a brand new copy from Amazon. It dropped to $32.49 5 days ago.

[Jr7936]

For only $5.20 you could have bought a brand new copy from Amazon. It dropped to $32.49 5 days ago.

I know but I am the type of person who will buy a used copy even if it saves a dollar, and i get the free 2 day shipping , cause 5 dollars is 5 dollars is how I look at it and I want to get it to for the cheapest possible

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Originally Posted by trafic

That's funny...I just watched the Criterion version last night full of skepticism, but once I finished it and perused all the special features, I kinda appreciated the movie more (it is flawed) and all the hard work that went into making it.

ROBOCOP HAS NO FLAWS.
Robocop is among the 30 perfect films, all of these films are without flaw.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

It might be something to consider that The Thin Red Line is possibly the best looking release in the history of home video

Ben-Hur Is In That Mix. Simply Stunning, Ten Commandments Too.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

Has anyone ever sold a Criterion movie and later regretted it? I've done this several times. I'll watch a film and think it's all right, but there will be something about it that will make me think about picking it up again later. I did this with Days of Heaven and I'm thinking about picking up Kuroneko again.

As I haven't really been collection Criterion films very long, I have not yet sold any of them. I have, however, sold a lot of DVDs (over the years) and then regretted it later.

When I started buying BDs, I told myself that I would never sell any BD I bought...for any reason. So far, I have stuck to it!

Regarding Robocop: I like that film. It is one that I enjoyed when I was young, and still enjoy it as an adult. I do have to admit that it hasn't really had what I would consider an "amazing" transfer for any home video release, including the Criterion DVD.

Originally Posted by Fanboyz

ROBOCOP HAS NO FLAWS.
Robocop is among the 30 perfect films, all of these films are without flaw.

This statement intrigues me. Is this a list that you have created, or did you find it somewhere? Not trying to be a jerk, I am genuinely curious.

Either way, I would be interested in reading it.

[oildude]

Last night I finished watching the Oshima's Outlaw Sixties Eclipse set. Pleasures of the Flesh and Japanese Summer: Double Suicide are probably my favorites if I had to choose. Each film in the set is unique, not just in plot, but also in overall look and "feel", despite re-using some of the same actors (who are invariably great in each role they play). I kind of think of this like it is a Japanese BBS set, all directed by Oshima.

The most complex and memorable film in the set by far, in my opinion, is Sing a Song of Sex. At its core, Sing a Song of Sex chronicles the actions of four disillusioned and frequently callous Japanese young men who seem unaffected by and disinterested in the social activism swirling around them. Parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny in the antics of the four students, making it both the most humorous and the most darkly serious film in the Eclipse set. It has multiple layers and subtexts involving, among other things, getting laid, forced sex fantasies, the poor treatment of Koreans in Japanese society, the clash of traditions vs 1960s modernism in post-war Japan, and even the deeper social and political meanings in bawdy pub songs sung by working class Japanese (hence, the title of the film). Ironically, the bawdy nature of these songs is what attracts the young men, and singing them seems to be their only connection to the social activism surrounding them.

Elements of the movie reminded me a lot of Pierrot le Feu, but I liked it better than the Godard film, which had too many random bits thrown into it for my taste. Sing a Song of Sex is a magnificent film, but one that ultimately left me a bit confused by the ending.

BIG SPOILER so don't click if you haven't seen it yet.

[Show spoiler]The final fifteen minutes of the film left me baffled. What exactly happened at the end...or is it intentionally ambiguous and that is all there is? Was Student 469 actually strangled by the main male character? Not sure why if that is the case - unless it is to prevent her from acting out the rape fantasy to its conclusion to save her from the shame felt by the Korean girl, and in a strange leap of logic also "saving" her in a way he did not save his teacher.

Anyone with a theory is welcome to PM me. I think it would be too hard to discuss it here without spoiler tags or unintentionally ruining it for someone who has not seen it yet.

This is a great Eclipse set. I am developing a large amount of respect for Oshima as I discover more of his films.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Robocop

Never sell any of the Criterion Blus cause esp if they go out of print you will regret it. (Same for most DVDs)

I sold my Spinal Tap & Robocop DVDs because they were going for over $100. I can live with the current blus for that price, lol. Not sure if I'll be keeping my Notorious, Spellbound and Rebecca.

[Hawkguy]

oildude, I am JUST starting the Oshima set myself. Tonight I watched the first film, Pleasures of the Flesh, and really enjoyed it. Was great to come here right after and see you've posted about the very same set. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of them...... and I may have to discuss that ending with you after I watch Sing a Song of Sex.

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

As I haven't really been collection Criterion films very long, I have not yet sold any of them. I have, however, sold a lot of DVDs (over the years) and then regretted it later.

When I started buying BDs, I told myself that I would never sell any BD I bought...for any reason. So far, I have stuck to it!

Regarding Robocop: I like that film. It is one that I enjoyed when I was young, and still enjoy it as an adult. I do have to admit that it hasn't really had what I would consider an "amazing" transfer for any home video release, including the Criterion DVD.



This statement intrigues me. Is this a list that you have created, or did you find it somewhere? Not trying to be a jerk, I am genuinely curious.

Either way, I would be interested in reading it.

I have no "favorite film" per say, but I have discovered films that have no flaws. Meaning everything works, everything pays off and is correct emotionally and conceptually.
It's my List of Forty-Four Flawless Feature Films in no particular order:


1: Taxi Driver
2: To Kill a Mockingbird
3: Star Wars (Version not relevant)
4: Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back (Version not relevant)
5: Star Wars- Return of the Jedi (Version not relevant)
6: Apocalypse Now (Version not Relevant)
7: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
8: The Big Lebowski
9: Goldfinger
10: E.T. (1982 version only)
11: The Spy who Loved Me
12: Superman- The Movie (Version not relevant)
13: Blade Runner (1992 or 2007 versions only)
14: Evil Dead 2
15: Batman '1989
16: Nosferatu- A Symphony of Terror
17: Robocop (Version not relevant)
18: Night of the Living Dead
19: Aguirre- The Wrath of God
20: Terminator 2 (Theatrical and Special Edition Version)
21: Dawn of the Dead (theatrical version only)
22: Hard Boiled
23: Maniac (Theatrical version only)
24: Flash Gordon '1980
25: Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
26: Showgirls
27: Back to the Future
28: Pulp Fiction
29: The Toxic Avenger (Director's Cut)
30: Raiders of the Lost Arc
31: Rambo II
32: Annie Hall
33: Austin Powers (American Theatrical Cut only)
34: Dr. Strangelove
35: Star Trek II- The Wrath of Khan (Version not relevant)
36: Psycho
37: Aliens (Special Edition)
38: Darkman
39: From Dusk till Dawn
40: Mallrats (Theatrical Cut)
41: City Lights
42: Conan The Barbarian (Version not relevant)
43: Natural Born Killers (Director's Cut)
44: The Matrix


There are more that I like to add, but they have little things that prevent them from being perfect. Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a good example as neither version represents a truly finished film.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Definitely. I'm mostly looking at mainline sets like von Sternberg, Teshigahara, Rohmer, etc., but there are still a handful of Eclipse sets I'd like to pick up: Early Bergman, Makavejev, Nikkatsu Noir, Leningrad Cowboys and the new Gorin set.

I bought the Von Sternberg when it first came out...I would make that your next purchase. I'm trying to hold off on the any Bergman, as I really think they will eventually release most or all of his films at some point in the future. I can't wait for the Gorin set.

The Nikkatsu Noir was one of my goals, this past sale...a nice set.

[trafic]

Originally Posted by Fanboyz

ROBOCOP HAS NO FLAWS.
Robocop is among the 30 perfect films, all of these films are without flaw.

Well, in my opinion, it's a flawed film (for example some of the characters' development were rather weak.) It's certainly not a stellar one, but as I mentioned I respect the work done in creating it. I think most films have their own flaws, minor or whatnot; a perfect film is a rare bird. In the end the difference in people's opinion of what works or not is unavoidable and certainly fascinating.

P.S. I also think Taxi Driver is a perfect film

[Narcissus]

Great Day Today

[TylerDurden]

I'm in the process of selling off my DVD collection. All this talk about the Robocop CC reminded me that I own a copy. Should I sell it or hang on to it? Not sure what the value of it would be.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

I'm in the process of selling off my DVD collection. All this talk about the Robocop CC reminded me that I own a copy. Should I sell it or hang on to it? Not sure what the value of it would be.

Depends on what you'd be hanging on to it for - A better price when some Criterion nerd is willing to pay even more?
I have the MGM 20th Anniversary tin edition, whose transfer is IMO only a little below the Criterion in terms of contrast and sharpness (possibly because of overzealous clean-up, colors are a little brighter on the MGM), but it looks good enough to me for the price, and more extras to boot.

[dag]

All this discussion around the Eclipse sets. I have seen Pleasures of the Flesh and definitely intend to watch the remaining movies in Eclipse 21. This evening I finished watching the Nikkatsu Noir set (Eclipse 17). Immensely entertaining! Special mention to Cruel Gun Story (quite the body count in that one) and A Colt Is My Passport. All five movies are only about 90 minutes in length, have very good PQ, and portray a fascinating slice of underbelly Japan. Recommended!

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by trafic

Well, in my opinion, it's a flawed film (for example some of the characters' development were rather weak.)

Did someone diss Robocop for...character development? Verhoeven's approach to character development at least in his Hollywood films has been to have entertainingly overblown archetypes. This is like dissing The Seventh Seal for not having enough cool action.

[Mr. Movie Fan]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Did someone diss Robocop for...character development? Verhoeven's approach to character development at least in his Hollywood films has been to have entertainingly overblown archetypes. This is like dissing The Seventh Seal for not having enough cool action.

Robocop is essentially an adaptation of a non-existent comic book hero.
Peter David did an essay on Robocop and Darkman describing how their structuring is identical to Marvel age superhero pieces. He decided that Darkman was more perfect because Robocop doesn't end with the protagonist doing a heroic monologue.