The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do it!

I take it you liked the films ?

[The Great Owl]

I think that The Blob is a perfect choice for someone's first Criterion, and I'm pleased to see a lot of people jumping on that movie during this sale.

The Blob has more universal appeal with the masses than most other Criterions, and people who are new to The Criterion Collection will be impressed by the wealth of extra features on the Blu-ray, and by the overall presentation of the film.

[joie]

My copy of "Billy Liar" arrived from the mother country, today. I've seen the Criterion DVD and it looked like it'd make a good Blu-ray. Also got "The Ladykillers," which I hope is 1.66:1. "12 Angry Men" and "Ugetsu" are coming next.

I did get three Criterions during the 40% off sale: "Beauty and the Beast," "Badlands" and "Band Apart," which looks like bad B&W (soft, low contrast) in the screenshots, so it may be disappointing. For two of those, I was able to use a 20% off coupon, so they were less than they would be during a 50% off sale ($17-something).

"Beauty and the Beast," like "Orpheus," is worth seeing. It (B & B) has an optional score (opera) by Philip Glass, so you can hear the actors singing their lines. Very amusing.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by joie

"Band Apart," which looks like bad B&W (soft, low contrast) in the screenshots

I thought that the video presentation of Band of Outsiders was quite lovely. The on-the-fly cinéma vérité look of the movie comes across quite well, and a natural film look is preserved.

This is a great Blu-ray. I always feel cooler than I really am when I revisit this movie.

[UNCMT9]

Thinking about blind buying the heck out of Marketa Lazarova. Never preordered a Criterion, but I'm thinking about it. May hold off until a B&N sale though.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by UNCMT9

Thinking about blind buying the heck out of Marketa Lazarova. Never preordered a Criterion, but I'm thinking about it. May hold off until a B&N sale though.

I'm going to wait until July...

[Jett Rink]

I am totally hooked on Criterion now. I am going to go crazy during the July sale.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by UNCMT9

Thinking about blind buying the heck out of Marketa Lazarova. Never preordered a Criterion, but I'm thinking about it. May hold off until a B&N sale though.

The opening clip of that movie that Criterion posted last week just looks downright amazing.

I'm going to wait, but I really like what I see.

[Arkadin]

I have the Czech bd. absolutely amazing film.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I thought that the video presentation of Band of Outsiders was quite lovely. The on-the-fly cinéma vérité look of the movie comes across quite well, and a natural film look is preserved.

This is a great Blu-ray. I always feel cooler than I really am when I revisit this movie.

This is the only title I bought during this sale.

#effortlesslycool

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I thought that the video presentation of Band of Outsiders was quite lovely. The on-the-fly cinéma vérité look of the movie comes across quite well, and a natural film look is preserved.

This is a great Blu-ray. I always feel cooler than I really am when I revisit this movie.

I'm not sure if Band if Ousiders qualifies as Cinema Verite...Godard's films are all about playing with the manufactured image in a Brechtian way, thus completely at odds with what cinema verite represents: naturalism, truth.

At the moment, the film that best defines the movement (for me) is Frederick Wiseman's High School. Now that's fly-on-the-wall!

[UNCMT9]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

I have the Czech bd. absolutely amazing film.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The opening clip of that movie that Criterion posted last week just looks downright amazing.

I'm going to wait, but I really like what I see.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm going to wait until July...

It would be smart on my end to wait and save a few bucks. The opening sequence was beautiful on youtube. Has this ever been released on video format in the US?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm not sure if Band if Ousiders qualifies as Cinema Verite...Godard's films are all about playing with the manufactured image in a Brechtian way, thus completely at odds with what cinema verite represents: naturalism, truth.

At the moment, the film that best defines the movement (for me) is Frederick Wiseman's High School. Now that's fly-on-the-wall!

Maybe not by strict definition, but the beginning of Band of Outsiders has a style akin to on-the-fly documentary film shooting. Not on the same level as something like Medium Cool or the later Godard films, but there's a definite documentary feel when Franz and Arthur are driving down Paris streets and checking out Odile on her bicycle. The film becomes significantly more meticulous later on, but the opening is quite captivating in its fast-paced improvised approach.

[ForEver Blu]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

*sigh*

That's one I'm hoping for on blu as well.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

This is the only title I bought during this sale.

#effortlesslycool

Outstanding! Looking forward to a review.

[Edward J Grug III]

The 15th falls on a Saturday this month - Does that mean we'll have to wait till the Monday for this wave of Criterion announcements?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Maybe not by strict definition, but the beginning of Band of Outsiders has a style akin to on-the-fly documentary film shooting. Not on the same level as something like Medium Cool or the later Godard films, but there's a definite documentary feel when Franz and Arthur are driving down Paris streets and checking out Odile on her bicycle. The film becomes significantly more meticulous later on, but the opening is quite captivating in its fast-paced improvised approach.

It's been a while since I've seen the film, so I'll be on the lookout when I revisit it in a couple weeks ... The supposedly more naturalistic scenes must not have made much of an impression.

Owl, Are you considering the two Olive Godard releases?

[Jett Rink]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Standard pattern of BN sales so far -- late May 40%, most of June B2G1, July the Criterion 50% -- usually starts around the second Tuesday in the month though it wouldn't surprise me to see it start as early as the 2nd.

I know B&N prices are high, so does their 50% off sale bring the Criterion blu-ray's down to $19.99? I have never been to one of their sales, that I why I am asking.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Owl, Are you considering the two Olive Godard releases?

Maybe in the distant future, but not right now. The later Godard films are seated toward the back of the priority bus with respect to my planned purchases. The descriptions of those two releases just do not quicken my pulse that much.

There are a handful of other Olive Films Blu-ray releases that I'm more interested in grabbing first. The Enforcer is one such film that comes to mind.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Maybe in the distant future, but not right now. The later Godard films are seated toward the back of the priority bus with respect to my planned purchases. The descriptions of those two releases just do not quicken my pulse that much.

There are a handful of other Olive Films Blu-ray releases that I'm more interested in grabbing first. The Enforcer is one such film that comes to mind.

Olive does have a good number of quality releases: Bound, Letter from an Unknown Woman, Johnny Guitar, The Quiet Man, Force of Evil, Body & Soul...