The Criterion Collection

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by Forget it kid

Just for the sake of disscussion what would be everyones dream criterion release i know that it would never happen but mine would be star wars huge box set wth all cuts of every film and all the special features it would be epic

The Elephant Man.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by RojD

But Lola Montes is a hard go for me. In fact, it might be my least-favorite Criterion. I found myself checking the player to see how much time was left in it, and the only other film I can remember doing that in was whatever Twilight movie had that godawful wedding in it. What am I missing in Lola? Is there something meta- that I didn't pick up on?

Not sure if it's something you're missing. It's really just a melodrama.
I've watched it a couple of times and quite liked it.
If you're after a meta angle, I think the supplements or the booklet talk about Martine Carol's career and broad parallels to the character of Lola Montès.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RojD

Going through the Lean set myself now. Got a chuckle out of the the opening of In Which We Serve. Credits are all about Coward: staring Noel Coward, written by Noel Coward, art director for Noel Coward, Noel Coward’s music performed by…, and finally directed by Noel Coward @ first billing over David Lean. Then the film goes on to a long, beautiful, Eisenstein-ish montage that makes dialog and acting unnecessary. I can imagine editor Lean snickering in the cutting room.

But Lola Montes is a hard go for me. In fact, it might be my least-favorite Criterion. I found myself checking the player to see how much time was left in it, and the only other film I can remember doing that in was whatever Twilight movie had that godawful wedding in it. What am I missing in Lola? Is there something meta- that I didn't pick up on?

Sorry RojD, I guess I just love spectacular melodramas from a bygone era. Max Ophuls, William Wyler, Douglas Sirk all come to mind. You're either entranced by the sets, costumes, fluid camera work or your not. Lola Montes is as much a drunken spectacle as Heaven's Gate and such pictures manage to exit me on a pure formal level. Am I going to say Martine Carol was perfectly suited for the role, no, but she didn't slow down this immaculate spectacle.

I hope you give Letter from an Unknown Woman or Eartings of Madame D. a chance. Theyre just as bloody excessive, yes, but they have sturdier narratives.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Yeah I like Snow's Wavelength. I wouldn't expect a release of that though.

I really want to rewatch Wavelength in high def, so it's a bummer every 15th when no Mike Snow is announced

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

Just watched Gate of Hell for the first time and have to say I was blown away. Sometimes simplicity is the best way to do things. Most directors of today should start thinking about that. The final 15 minutes was almost unbearably suspenseful. Wish Criterion would have given it some extras but the film alone was worth the cost. Will be revisiting this often.

So happy to hear this. Some comments/reviews have been lukewarm on Gate of Hell and since I'll be blind-buying it I'm glad to hear some enthusiasm
I'm actually planning on getting the Masters of Cinema edition...

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Sorry RojD, I guess I just love spectacular melodramas from a bygone era. Max Ophuls, William Wyler, Douglas Sirk all come to mind. You're either entranced by the sets, costumes, fluid camera work or your not.

Would you put Colonel Blimp in that category?

That was my initial impression from the fifteen or so opening minutes I caught on TCM but I've seen others say that's misleading and it turns into much more of a straight drama.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Forget it kid

Just for the sake of disscussion what would be everyones dream criterion release i know that it would never happen but mine would be star wars huge box set wth all cuts of every film and all the special features it would be epic

Atom Egoyan's Exotica and The Adjuster.
Olivier Assayas' Irma Vep.
Emir Kusturica's Underground.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Forget it kid

Just for the sake of disscussion what would be everyones dream criterion release

A Matter of Life and Death

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Forget it kid

Just for the sake of disscussion what would be everyones dream criterion release i know that it would never happen but mine would be star wars huge box set wth all cuts of every film and all the special features it would be epic

Yes, I will pimp this film until it's in the collection (or out on Blu).

Just for continuity sakes I would also like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, and The Grand Budapest Hotel in someday. Also To The Wonder and The New World while we're fantasizing.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by octagon

That would be a good one. That Caligari news item today really has me drooling too.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=10871

I saw it in a high school film study class and would absolutely love to own a restored edition.

Yes! Best news of the day!
I've been waiting for some announcements on some of the high-profile silent German films.
I also eagerly awaiting news of Nosferatu...

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Sorry RojD, I guess I just love spectacular melodramas from a bygone era. Max Ophuls, William Wyler, Douglas Sirk all come to mind. You're either entranced by the sets, costumes, fluid camera work or your not. Lola Montes is as much a drunken spectacle as Heaven's Gate and such pictures manage to exit me on a pure formal level. Am I going to say Martine Carol was perfectly suited for the role, no, but she didn't slow down this immaculate spectacle.

I hope you give Letter from an Unknown Woman or Eartings of Madame D. a chance. Theyre just as bloody excessive, yes, but they have sturdier narratives.

I watched Letter from an Unknown Woman for the first time recently and loved it. Gorgeous film. Joan Fontaine is a knock out.
The Olive blu-ray is bare-bones, but worth it if you can find it cheap.

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching my Blu-ray of Thunderball, since I'm going through the Bond films in order.

I looked up the filmography of Thunderball Bond girl Claudine Auger in the interests of historical cinema research, and just found out that she is the lead actress in the Pierre Etaix film, Yoyo, which is set for Criterion release in the Etaix box set.

Now, I'm intrigued.

Any recommendations for the Etaix films?

[ZooTv]

Came across a copy of Last Year at Marienbad in-store at B&N and bought it just in case my copy from Amazon does not ship.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I looked up the filmography of Thunderball Bond girl Claudine Auger in the interests of historical cinema research

"Historical cinema research" Thats what they all say...

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by octagon

That would be a good one. That Caligari news item today really has me drooling too.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=10871

I saw it in a high school film study class and would absolutely love to own a restored edition.

, This is the best news of the week. Now we need a criterion or kino release.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is my favorite silent film.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by KRW1

I was going to say Satantango or Werckmeister Harmonies but, failing those, just the original Star Wars. No sequels, no alternative versions, just the original film, as originally shown in 1977, warts and all. Original soundtrack, dodgy effects and mistakes. Lots of outtakes. Also, the holiday Xmas special if they're feeling generous.

From all the recommendation I read this one and Dekalog are the best, in my opinion.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

, This is the best news of the week. Now we need a criterion or kino release.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is my favorite silent film.

Awesome news! I love The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as well, and would love an improved transfer over the old Kino DVD.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

Mine would be Nosferatu.

I'll see your Nosferatu and raise it.

A Criterion double set of the 1922 Nosferatu and Herzog's 1979 remake of Nosferatu.

The 1922 version of Nosferatu is still my favorite vampire film of all time.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

"Historical cinema research" Thats what they all say...

I'm always happy to learn more about great films.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

, This is the best news of the week. Now we need a criterion or kino release.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is my favorite silent film.

On the topic of Caligari, everyone should watch this clip from Portlandia:

[Show spoiler]

portlandia-caligari.mov - YouTube