The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

A few words about this excellent set...



Ingrid Bergman made an unconventional and brave choice to work on these low-key films in Italy under Roberto Rossellini's direction during the early 1950s, and her earnest commitment to improve her acting skills through practical workmanship is conveyed to the viewer during every scene. The experience of watching this Criterion Blu-ray set of 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman is rewarding on its own terms, as the viewer is taken on a cinematic field trip through the post-World War II Italian neorealism of Stromboli, through the early Cold War era undercurrents of Europe '51, and, finally, to the atmospheric grace of Journey to Italy, but the films take on a new richness when viewed with an understanding of the internal and external real-life challenges that Bergman and Rossellini faced during this time period.

All three of these films depict married couples who struggle with the emotional intricacies of their relationships while confronting larger-scale cultural differences with the societies around them, and the myriad of ways that these fictional stories mirror the events in the lives of Bergman and Rossellini adds a heartfelt resonance to the final result. I have always been content to enjoy movies in their own right while dismissing the tabloid culture that swarms behind the scenes, but my awareness of the surrounding personal details of Bergman and Rossellini by way of the generously informative supplements in this box set enhanced my enjoyment of the films themselves, where these two accomplished artists started from scratch and constructed something wonderful, brick by brick. Those expecting the grand espionage of Bergman films like Casablanca and Notorious might be taken off guard by the intimate subtleties of Stromboli, Europe '51, and Journey to Italy, but these movies are fun viewings of a different sort, and the actress's screen presence is no less radiant in the rough-around-the-edges independent aesthetic of these stories.

I immersed myself in these movies by watching both the English and Italian versions of Stromboli and Europe '51, and then enjoying the commentary track of the amazing Journey to Italy after the main feature. Stromboli and Europe '51 both display source material limitations in terms of picture quality, but the high definition transfers are quite impressive under the circumstances. The Blu-ray medium is kinder to the well-preserved Journey to Italy, and the video presentation earns high marks by bringing out the best in this story where the resigned ennui of Ingrid Bergman's and George Sanders's married couple contrasts with the picturesque wonders of the Italian countryside film locations, surely providing cues that director Michelangelo Antonioni would follow for his own film, L'Avventura, several years later.

My favorite supplement on the bonus disc is a thorough documentary of Ingrid Bergman's career which is narrated by her daughters. (Although I have seen Isabelle Rossellini in several films over the years, I somehow never realized until now that she was Bergman and Rossellini's daughter.) A short movie filmed by Rossellini and Bergman, The Chicken, is not the greatest film in the world, but it is a rather amusing feature that adds some welcome levity.

[Gusto-Guus]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

Cool, thanks.. Love the profile pic btw

Thanks, buddy.

Anyway, went to pick up The Game and my BN didn't have it in stock

I couldn't just leave empty-handed, these sales are like crack cocaine. I just gotta have it. So it was between Gomorrah or Ivan's Childhood. Picked up Ivan's Childhood sense I've heard nothing but great reviews about it, although, Gomorrah looks very interesting. May just rent it.

Also, noticed a few of these films are free to watch. Saw Black Moon last night on Youtube. Wouldn't buy it because of the outrageous structure so I'm guessing for these freebies, you're essentially paying for the PQ/AQ and extras. Well worth it for 20$ but not any higher. At least, not for me.

[smoss469]

Anyone know if IFC has ever licensed their stuff out to other companies? Saw Exam last night and absolutely loved it. I think it's a perfect example of character development; almost like 12 Angry Men for the 21st Century. Almost 0 action to speak of and entirely dialog driven but it was still very engrossing and entertaining.

If you've never seen it, I really recommend checking it out! (I think I snagged my copy from a GoHastings.com used sale for about $3. Sadly, it's DVD only unless you've got a Region free Blu-Ray player.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It's possible, but I like how the movie offers no explanation.

I personally feel that some people read wayyyy to much into Pulp Fiction. Then again, I hated it in 1994 and still think it's the most overrated movie possibly ever… despite it's place in film history at being the first indie to cross $100 mil. I think most of the stuff people "find" in the film wasn't intentional at all, just like The Shining.

[jw007]

Oh man, I can't wait for tomorrow's shopping spree at B&N.

I'm wondering, has anyone here had any luck using a 20% coupon plus a $5 off $50 or more on the John Cassavetes 5 films box set?

Does anyone think it would work with that combination or maybe the CSRs at B&N won't allow the use of more than one coupon on a single item?

The way I see it:

$124.99 = MSRP
$62.49 = 50% OFF
$50.00 = 20% COUPON
$45.00 = $5 OFF $50 COUPON
$40.50 = 10% MEMBER DISCOUNT

I don't think it would work since the price is already below $50 when you try the $5 off $50 coupon. But wouldn't it be awesome getting this box set for around $40 + tax?

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Anyone know if IFC has ever licensed their stuff out to other companies?

As a matter of fact, they do.

[pro-bassoonist]

City Lights Blu-ray REVIEW



NEWS PACKAGING





Tokyo Story Blu-ray REVIEW







Pro-B

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

City Lights Blu-ray REVIEW



NEWS PACKAGING





Pro-B

Love the case! Thanks for the pic.

[rcislb23fan]

Can someone tell me there thoughts on Shoah. I was debating getting it yesterday but left without it because even with the sale it's still $50 for one movie and I thought maybe I should just get a few other movies or just a different box set with a few movies. Thoughts on Shoah please!!!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Love the case! Thanks for the pic.

Hate the artwork on City Lights.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by rcislb23fan

Can someone tell me there thoughts on Shoah. I was debating getting it yesterday but left without it because even with the sale it's still $50 for one movie and I thought maybe I should just get a few other movies or just a different box set with a few movies. Thoughts on Shoah please!!!

It's on YouTube. Give it a test drive.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by jw007

Oh man, I can't wait for tomorrow's shopping spree at B&N.

I'm wondering, has anyone here had any luck using a 20% coupon plus a $5 off $50 or more on the John Cassavetes 5 films box set?

Does anyone think it would work with that combination or maybe the CSRs at B&N won't allow the use of more than one coupon on a single item?

The way I see it:

$124.99 = MSRP
$62.49 = 50% OFF
$50.00 = 20% COUPON
$45.00 = $5 OFF $50 COUPON
$40.50 = 10% MEMBER DISCOUNT

I don't think it would work since the price is already below $50 when you try the $5 off $50 coupon. But wouldn't it be awesome getting this box set for around $40 + tax?

I had success with the coupon buying the Rossellini/Bergman set. $99 msrp for around $38

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CHEЯNOБLY!

I had success with the coupon buying the Rossellini/Bergman set. $99 msrp for around $38

true, but that is $99 msrp, not $124.99 msrp...big difference in price... i'm sure the 20% coupon will work and it sure beats the $8/40 coupon since 20% will get me $12 off, not $8. A much better deal all around!

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by jw007

true, but that is $99 msrp, not $124.99 msrp...big difference in price... i'm sure the 20% coupon will work and it sure beats the $8/40 coupon since 20% will get me $12 off, not $8. A much better deal all around!

I used it in store. I asked if I could use the coupon w/ any of the 50% CC titles...she said yes. She had problems getting it to work at first, but the manager happened to walk by and he manually entered the coupon. He was cool as all hell and was even letting me know what CC titles they were getting next week. Should have no problems.

[SammyJankis]

If Criterion releases it (which I'm assuming they will), I imagine Blue is the Warmest Color will be the most explicit film in their catalog.

Granted, I haven't seen In the Realm of the Senses..

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Hate the artwork on City Lights.

Well I mean the fact that it's not a horrible (IMO, calm down guys) Digibook/Digipack style case.

[stevenelliott]

Just worked for me here in Texas... $41.31 with tax!

Originally Posted by jw007

Oh man, I can't wait for tomorrow's shopping spree at B&N.

I'm wondering, has anyone here had any luck using a 20% coupon plus a $5 off $50 or more on the John Cassavetes 5 films box set?

Does anyone think it would work with that combination or maybe the CSRs at B&N won't allow the use of more than one coupon on a single item?

The way I see it:

$124.99 = MSRP
$62.49 = 50% OFF
$50.00 = 20% COUPON
$45.00 = $5 OFF $50 COUPON
$40.50 = 10% MEMBER DISCOUNT

I don't think it would work since the price is already below $50 when you try the $5 off $50 coupon. But wouldn't it be awesome getting this box set for around $40 + tax?

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Well I mean the fact that it's not a horrible (IMO, calm down guys) Digibook/Digipack style case.

Speaking of which, I was so amped to see that Tokyo Story was a Digibook/Digipack on the previous page. I love 'em...granted they do get damaged easily, but then again I have been having bad luck with CC's amaray style cases.

City Lights' design is ugly looking.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Well I mean the fact that it's not a horrible (IMO, calm down guys) Digibook/Digipack style case.

No, I know you were talking about case but that's pretty awful art IMO (I should know; I'm an awful artist)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I'm wrestling with a decision: To go ahead and get the DVDs of the three Mark Hellinger produced films in the Collection- The Naked City, Brute Force, and The Killers, or wait for upgrades that may or maybe won't ever happen. I haven't bought any DVDs since Le doulos and Mafioso went OOP and I seem to have formed some sort of mental block about buying DVDs. What to do? What to do???

Go for the DVDs. It'll increase the chances that they get upgraded. It's called taking one for the team.

But seriously. The Killers set is definitely worth getting: two feature versions, plus an Andrei Tarkovsky short version -- what more can anyone ask?

And Brute Force is a terrific film as well.

The only one of the three I was underwhelmed by is The Naked City. I watched it on Netflix a few months ago, for the first time in decades, and was surprised that I wasn't all that happy with it. Mostly, I had problems with the second-person narration, which felt really clunky.