The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

I hope my brain doesn't burst after the Pistol Opera/Princess Raccoon double feature.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I am happy to say that (on my TV anyway) the new Criterion BD of Richard III looks absolutely incredible. There is a brief introduction at the start of the disc describing the restoration. (4K scan and color correction performed by The Film Foundation) It will be interesting to read the review as I would bet the video is highly regarded.

Only had time to view the first half hour, but plan to go back a view the film from start to finish this evening.

For anybody who's on the fence about buying this title, TCM will be showing it tomorrow as part of their Olivier star of the month salute. Personally, it's my favorite of his films and one I'll be picking up.

[brandon_260]

How risky of a blind buy is In The Realm of Senses if I enjoyed Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence? It's the only other Oshima I've seen to compare.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Quick question, do you guys peel off the blue sticker from the wrapper and stick it on the criterion case itself?

While I don't do this personally, I know a few people who do. so yes, apparently you can.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

How risky of a blind buy is In The Realm of Senses if I enjoyed Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence? It's the only other Oshima I've seen to compare.

Very type of movies even if made by the same director. I would not suggest a blind buy for In The Realm Of The Senses but that just me

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I am happy to say that (on my TV anyway) the new Criterion BD of Richard III looks absolutely incredible. There is a brief introduction at the start of the disc describing the restoration. (4K scan and color correction performed by The Film Foundation) It will be interesting to read the review as I would bet the video is highly regarded.

Only had time to view the first half hour, but plan to go back a view the film from start to finish this evening.

Very cool, I'm gonna watch my BLU after I get off this treadmill and get a shower and eat dinner. Since Criterion started BLU I wanted to see this in HD and with a Film Foundation restoration that promises to be icing on the cake.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Very type of movies even if made by the same director. I would not suggest a blind buy for In The Realm Of The Senses but that just me

Agreed, I wouldn't recommend Senses as a blind buy.

[myka22]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFontane

Does anyone know if "Throne of Blood" will be released on blu-ray anytime soon?

No plans that I know of, but as a major Kurosawa film its safe to say it will happen at some point.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by metaridley

That's my favorite of his. I was incredibly moved. Lucky bastard. I wish I had a region free player.

You shouldn't need a region free player. The Blu i ordered is Region A.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

You shouldn't need a region free player. The Blu i ordered is Region A.

Oh, I found it. Cool!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Caché is my favorite Haneke film by far as well. Funny Games, Time of the Wolf, and The White Ribbon are all fascinating, but they do not reverberate quite as much with me. (I never got around to seeing the others, but I would like to see The Piano Teacher and Amour someday.)

Amour surpasses Caché imo. And I think the latter is excellent.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Amour surpasses Caché imo. And I think the latter is excellent.

Yet again, I must disagree, Hidden gracefully surpasses Amour

I still have little love for Funny Games, though. Is the remake any better? (I know it was done shot for shot).

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Oh, I found it. Cool!

Deepdiscount.com stocks it regularly it seems, that where mine is coming from.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

My dad died quite suddenly on Sunday morning was a bit of a shock. He was talking to me and then I just turn around to get something and first thing I know he is on the ground Doctor confirm to us his heart just stop, firemen and paramedics where at the house quickly but he never came back.

You guys seen the other thread on question about Criterion?

I am sorry for your loss, and am sending my thoughts and prayers from afar.
Another friend of mine lost his father today as well.

I have been reading and contributing to the other Criterion thread over the past day or so. All that I can really say is that this website rocks when it comes to information, connections with liked-minded individuals, and just pure entertainment value.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

That is very true. I discover new things as I grow older in some of my favorites, I don't view them the same as when I was 20. Experience really does change you and how you view certain things

Fellini's 8 1/2 really knocked me on my tail for some reason when I revisited it recently via the Blu-ray. I am quite a bit older now than I was when I first saw it, and a few key moments in the film really seem to hit home to a greater degree these days.

Most of the better Criterion offerings, in fact, have a lot to say about the general nature of humanity, with our triumphs and frailties. Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru is another such film.

Kurosawa's One Wonderful Sunday knocked me on my tail the first time that I saw it. The movie is wise enough to know that the two characters cannot solve all of their problems inside the parameters of the story, but it does grant them solace in an afternoon together. My brother is a huge fan of the musician, Jimmy Buffett, and obsessive collects Buffett's music, reads Buffett's books, and sees his yearly tours. I do not quite share the fascination, but there is one Buffett song, "Happily Ever After (Now And Then)", that I think about when I watch the Kurosawa film. Nobody ever lives happily ever after, but we can live happily ever after now and then.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Riskiest Blind Buys

In the Realm of the Senses (great movie though)
Salo
Fear and Loathing
Last Temptation of Christ (love it)
Tiny Furniture
Fat Girl
Shallow Grave (if you're a quality person)
Moment of truth (if you're an animal person)

I'm surprised you didn't mention Antichrist or Hunger, both disturbing.

[BohemianGraham]

My heart goes out to you P@t. I haven't lost any close relatives yet, but my favourite uncle currently has alzheimer's, and sometimes he can't even remember where he is.

To get back to the subject of unsafe blind buys:
Hausu (love, love, LOVE the film, but seriously, I wouldn't recommend blind buying it)
BBS box set (was on the fence about this, but seeing as most people only buy it for 2-3 films out of the set, it can be a potential risk, I had no issues essentially blind buying it, as 3/7 films are top notch (although the best film was one that I've seen many, many, many times), 3/4 remaining films are pretty good, while only one film in the set is horrible)
The Tin Drum (I just couldn't get into it personally, glad I watched it, but even gladder I didn;t buy it)
Week End (I did blind buy it, but I can't say it's one of my favourite Godard films)
Lola Montes (also a blind buy for me, based of Peter Ustinov being in it, it's a fantastic film, but it's a film where you have to be in a certain mood to watch it)
Black Moon (so glad I watched it before I bought it, as it's another one I dropped from my wishlist)
Tiny Furniture
3 women
antichrist
insignificance
salo
solaris

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I'm surprised you didn't mention Antichrist or Hunger, both disturbing.

AntiChrist for sure. I actually think Hunger is a pretty safe blind buy.

[Abdrewes]

Bohemian Graham, you're making me sad. Solaris, 3 Women and Lola Montes are among my favorite Criterion releases.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

CC had Cage as Stanley Goodspeed.

yes, you are right. I forgot about The Rock. "Welcome to the Rock!" An oldie (from a Criterion standpoint) but a goodie. I've still got my DVD copy, a nice collector's item of sorts.