The Criterion Collection

[Rizor]

I think the Three Colors Trilogy was really my introduction to foreign film. I borrowed them from my local library on VHS. I actually watched "Red" first and loved it. I still think it's the best of the three films, but "Blue" and "White" are excellent too. My appreciation of all three deepened on subsequent viewings as well.

"Blue" is probably the artsiest of the trilogy largely due to the way it's shot and its focus on music and imagery rather than dialogue or plot.

"White" is a comedy and rather different from the other two films. I think Miramax tried to sell the films as though they were 3 sexy, alluring movies about independent women or something. But this one focuses on a Polish guy whose wife leaves him with nothing and his plan to essentially get revenge and reclaim her love. It's fairly light and breezy but also gets dark. Ultimately, it's surprisingly affecting.

"Red" is my favorite. It's another intimate character piece about friendship, but this one mixes in a touch of metaphysics to create a very satisfying movie and summation of the trilogy. It feels like the spiritual sister of Kieslowski's "The Double Life of Veronique" but perhaps more upbeat and satisfying.

Personally, I would hold off on watching the extras until I've seen all 3 films.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Eh, I've been cutting back.

Re: Richard III. One of my fellow countrymen helped identify him via DNA.

Been cutting back as well but I don have days where I just can't stop posting

I saw that in the news about Richard III, very wild stuff that they could find out it was really him

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by rkish

My wife is Chinese, so I was able to break out Yi Yi in the past and her parents were able to watch it without subs...pretty cool.

You are lucky it's only that, mine is a "mover" I have to place her on the sofa using cables to make sure she is not off somewhere else doing something else Only time I you know she won't move it's when we are watching some anime

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by rkish

Really fell for her in "In The Mood For Love"...those tight dresses certainly didn't hurt.

She does look very beautiful in that movie, very classy

[Snicket]

So what are people expecting from the 15th?

I think Lord of the Flies is a given at this point, and why not throw in Y Tu Mama Tambien, although something tells me this is more of a summer release. I'm still holding out hope for La Dolce Vita however, no matter how slim the chances are...

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Frankly, noir doesn't get better than this:

Ah, memories of my childhood.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Snicket

So what are people expecting from the 15th?

Andrei Rublev
Hiroshima, Mon Amour
A Bright Summer Day
Tokyo Story
Stalker

[Show spoiler]

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Snicket

So what are people expecting from the 15th?

I think Lord of the Flies is a given at this point, and why not throw in Y Tu Mama Tambien, although something tells me this is more of a summer release. I'm still holding out hope for La Dolce Vita however, no matter how slim the chances are...

Crash
Eraserhead
Passion Of Joan Of Arc
Thief
Y Tu Mama Tambien

I'm still waiting for my David Lynch Set, Vanilla Sky, and Waitress

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

So what are people expecting from the 15th?

An announcement from Criterion

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

An announcement from Criterion

Oh you...

[Monty70]

Just noticed that the back of the keep case artwork for The Ballad of Narayama states that this release used a 2K master from the 2011 restoration. Criterion's website has this release sourced from a 4K digital master.

I wonder which one it is?

http://www.criterionforum.org/dvd_pa...hp?dvd_id=1113

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Oh you...

I just give up on making predictions, I think the good people at Criterion just read my posts and then change their release schedule just to laugh at me

[Yami]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Just noticed that the back of the keep case artwork for The Ballad of Narayama states that this release used a 2K master from the 2011 restoration. Criterion's website has this release sourced from a 4K digital master.

I wonder which one it is?

http://www.criterionforum.org/dvd_pa...hp?dvd_id=1113

Scanned in 4K, restored in 2K I'm guessing.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Just noticed that the back of the keep case artwork for The Ballad of Narayama states that this release used a 2K master from the 2011 restoration. Criterion's website has this release sourced from a 4K digital master.

I wonder which one it is?

http://www.criterionforum.org/dvd_pa...hp?dvd_id=1113

Clean-up in 2k, scan in 4k?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

Wife and I watched Three Colors: Blue last night and while it was good it didn't really wow us like it was hyped up on this forum. I read some background behind the movie and how different things in the movie represented a liberty or other aspects the director was trying to get across. This kinda helped but maybe I'm just not into the artsy type films. I'm going to watch White and Red and maybe it will click more.

Kieslowski is one of my favorite filmmakers, but Blue is my least favorite of the series. It doesn't help that the disc is mis-framed, so all the compositions look off. The other two are better, with Red being the highlight.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Crash
Eraserhead
Passion Of Joan Of Arc
Thief
Y Tu Mama Tambien

I'm still waiting for my David Lynch Set, Vanilla Sky, and Waitress

Will be interesting to see if Criterion releases this soon, using the MOC restoration, or waits to use Gaumont's new restoration that's happing this year.

Gaumont is also restoring Fanny & Alexander... not sure how it could look better than Criterion's current disc, but we'll see, I guess.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Just noticed that the back of the keep case artwork for The Ballad of Narayama states that this release used a 2K master from the 2011 restoration. Criterion's website has this release sourced from a 4K digital master.

I wonder which one it is?

http://www.criterionforum.org/dvd_pa...hp?dvd_id=1113

If that's the case, then maybe that's why it's priced lower than most CCs?

EDIT: Are the only releases via hints that we haven't gotten thus far "Grey Gardens", "Wild Strawberries", and "Y Tu Mama Tambien"? (Besides the 2013 drawings)

[Judex]

Originally Posted by iScottie

If that's the case, then maybe that's why it's priced lower than most CCs?

Nope, it's because it's pretty much a "barebones" release.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by retablo

Gaumont is also restoring Fanny & Alexander... not sure how it could look better than Criterion's current disc, but we'll see, I guess.

I just bought the Criterion Fanny and Alexander yesterday. 40% off at Barnes & Noble. Hopefully, it'll be the best-looking version. If it's not, though, I'll stick with it just the same. The Criterion package is quite nice across the board.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

Hey there. As a HUGE champion of the Tree Colors Trilogy though not a massive fan of all things art house, here are some things to consider:

- Each of the three films were filmed by different cinemataugraphers and Krystoph gave each one a lot of artistic leeway in the filming (ultimately he has the final say and has been quoted as saying the editing process is one of his favorite when it comes to filming). I can ensure you that Blue is the most "artsy" of the three films, with White as the most "quirky" and Red as the most straightforward (just my opinion).

- While the film is fresh in your mind, now is a perfect time to dive into the supplements. I found the special features on the set made me appreciate each film much more, especially Blue. If you are strapped on time, I would recommend the "Cinema less on with KK", "Video Essay" and "Reflections on Blue documentary".

I was in your shoes once but while Blue can be difficult for some, it is also a quintessential example of a film that can stick with you and one that you learn and appreciate more of upon additional viewings.

Enjoy!

I watched Blue for the first time last week. Loved it!!! I went through the supplements also. If I wasn't so far behind in watching other movies I bought, I'd watch it again. But I'm anxious to keep going with White, then Red, so that's the plan ... for now anyway. (Plans do have a way of unexpectedly changing).