The Criterion Collection

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

If anyone hasn't mentioned it, Thief and Mad, Mad World are pretty dang cheap on Amazon pre-order ATM (24.99 and 29.99 respectively)

Are they good movies for those prices?

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

If anyone hasn't mentioned it, Thief and Mad, Mad World are pretty dang cheap on Amazon pre-order ATM (24.99 and 29.99 respectively)

I noticed Thief, but had forgotten that IAMMMW was a $50 title. Not amazing prices, but not too much more than normal. I went ahead and pre-ordered. If a better deal or a B&N sale happens that will make them cheaper, then I'll cancel, but it will be great to get them at release. Two movies I really like. Thanks.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Having just watched this for the first time this evening, I completely disagree - the ending was brilliant, as Le Carre's usually are. (His novels and film adaptations therein all follow the brilliant format that each scene is more exciting than the last one, starting with dull everday matters and leading to absolutely spectacular finales)

To me, it's a perfect ending:

[Show spoiler]Stuck in the middle of the two, manipulative and deceitful sides, Leamas realizes that he does not want to be a part of either - and dies for it. The lesson being that both sides in the conflict are equally wrong, both seeking to dismantle the other and avoiding having to answer to God or Marx regardless of how they act officially.

It's not the most positive message in the world but in my opinion it's one I've never seen in a Spy film and one I was really surprised by.

Looking back now, I agree with you. I think its a perfect ending indeed. It took me a few hours to let this film sink in I guess.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm glad that you enjoyed this!

I am a big fan of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, although it is the polar opposite of the James Bond movies that I have always loved so much. This film adaptation follows the John Le Carre novel amazingly well, and effectively captures the bleakness of dedicating one's life to being a mere instrument of policy.

If you get a chance, check out the Blu-ray, because the picture quality improvement over the already-awesome Criterion DVD is unbelievable.

If you like Claire Bloom, then I highly recommend the Robert Wise film, The Haunting.

I definitely intend to add this one to my list of future Criterion blu-ray films to buy. I nearly bought this during the sale too. I might just go for this during the 40% sale coming up (from what I heard).

[momaw]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I got lucky and got it, but was sitting here waiting for it to refresh. Before it even refreshed fully it was like 17% claimed. And the gone in under 2 minutes... nuts.

That was a great film. Congrats on nabbing it at a good price.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Just finished watching Nashville.

Initially, I was confused about what the rave was about it, but as the film progressed, especially the last hour and change or so, I was totally blown away.

Excellent, excellent film. Loved the ending song so much!

PQ is nothing short of fantastic. Do not hesitate to buy it!

Thanks for the heads-up.

[pro-bassoonist]

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray REVIEW

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

[Show spoiler]Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray REVIEW

Man, It must have taken like forever to review this boxset... You're awesome!

[Edward J Grug III]

Oh wow! Half of my B&N order showed up already - I was pretty sure I wouldn't get them till early next year, based on previous orders!

Post War Kurosawa, To Be or Not to Be and Autumn Sonata arrived.

Just waiting on I Married a Witch and Zatoichi.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

Man, It must have taken like forever to review this boxset...

It was quite the ride It took me 3 weeks as I could not completely stop the rest of the reviews that had to be done for the other labels. So, one film per day, plus some extra viewing on the weekends.

The films look great. You will enjoy it (the box set)

Pro-B

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

It was quite the ride It took me 3 weeks as I could not completely stop the rest of the reviews that had to be done for the other labels. So, one film per day, plus some extra viewing on the weekends.

The films look great. You will enjoy it (the box set)

Pro-B

I'm sure all of them must be great, I definitely need to add more Asian cinema to my collection...

God i think i'm in love with Japanese cinema/the other day i got Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara.. from which i've so far watched The Woman in the Dunes - and i thought it was brilliant.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

I'm sure all of them must be great, I definitely need to add more Asian cinema to my collection...

God i think i'm in love with Japanese cinema/the other day i got Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara.. from which i've so far watched The Woman in the Dunes - and i thought it was brilliant.

It's a great set. Woman in the Dunes is absolutely hypnotic. The sand itself seems to be alive.

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

[Show spoiler]It's a great set. Woman in the Dunes is absolutely hypnotic. The sand itself seems to be alive.

Agreed, there's something unique about old Japanese films, the intensity and rawness of characters is remarkable.

Tokyo Story is another one i really really like, you could actually feel their emotions.. I've watched it twice now and the second time I asked my dad to watch it with me... he said the movie reminded him of Make Way for Tomorrow (I believe TS was inspired by this film) - luckily Criterion has the rights to it, hopefully someday they'll release a remastered Blu-ray.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

God i think i'm in love with Japanese cinema/the other day i got Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara.. from which i've so far watched The Woman in the Dunes - and i thought it was brilliant.

The Face of Another is also a great movie in that set, liked it a lot more than the Kobo Abe novel. The first film Pitfall is okey-dokey, worth watching once, but somewhat meandering and convoluted IMO. Also of great interest is Teshigahara's documentary on the architect Gaudi, which is found on the supplements disc.

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The Face of Another is also a great movie in that set, liked it a lot more than the Kobo Abe novel.

[Show spoiler]The first film Pitfall is okey-dokey, worth watching once, but somewhat meandering and convoluted IMO. Also of great interest is Teshigahara's documentary on the architect Gaudi, which is found on the supplements disc.

Yes, I'll probably be watching this & Eyes without a Face over the freakin' weekend. These two movies make for a great double pack set.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by momaw

That was a great film. Congrats on nabbing it at a good price.

Thanks, pretty excited to watch it when it arrives.

[mrjohnnyb]

In non-Criterion price updates, Milos Forman's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is currently on sale at Walmart and in two different blu-ray formats (the digipack edition for $8.96 and the collector's edition for $16.96.) Here is the link:

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?povid=P1171-C1110.2784+1137.2772-L0&search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&F ind=Find&_ta=1&search_query=one%20flew%20over%20th e%20cuckoos%20nest%20blu%20ray&_tt=One%20Flew%20ov er%20the%20Cuckoo's%20Nest

[ShellOilJunior]

2013 was a "light" year for me. By my count I purchased 18 CC blu-rays.

[JHas]

I bought this book on Tarkovsky's Stalker, http://www.amazon.com/Zona-Book-Abou...ona+geoff+dyer

Haven't started it yet, has anyone read this? Is it good? I am working through Sculptin in Time right now...

[xare]

Originally Posted by JHas

I bought this book on Tarkovsky's Stalker, http://www.amazon.com/Zona-Book-Abou...ona+geoff+dyer

Haven't started it yet, has anyone read this? Is it good? I am working through Sculptin in Time right now...

Return it if you can. I read it when it was first published. Total letdown for me - it's basically a blow by blow account of the movie itself without any personal experience from Dyer. It's my favorite film, and the book was meant to convey the experience of the film to readers to encourage them to watch Stalker. I think it backfired. If I read this book, I wouldn't watch the movie. I wish Dyer hadn't made this a book length synopsis, since I was expecting to see some sort of critical review or even a reaction from him regarding the movie. Highly disappointing for me. And there was even a book event for it in London! And it was reviewed in LRB!! *sigh*

[JHas]

Originally Posted by xare

Return it if you can. I read it when it was first published. Total letdown for me - it's basically a blow by blow account of the movie itself without any personal experience from Dyer. It's my favorite film, and the book was meant to convey the experience of the film to readers to encourage them to watch Stalker. I think it backfired. If I read this book, I wouldn't watch the movie. I wish Dyer hadn't made this a book length synopsis, since I was expecting to see some sort of critical review or even a reaction from him regarding the movie. Highly disappointing for me. And there was even a book event for it in London! And it was reviewed in LRB!! *sigh*

Shoot, that's too bad! I think I will keep it anyway and give it a whirl.