The Criterion Collection

[demonknight]

Make it so.

[The Great Owl]

I took a trip into midtown Atlanta earlier this evening to see Blue Ruin. This one earns a solid four stars, and it's a fierce revenge thriller in every sense.

The Red River packaging photos were a great thing to see when I arrived home.

The Criterion DVD of Vampyr also included a book.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jayembee

That depends on how you want to look at it. It's (at least as far as I know) the first Blu-ray (in North America, anyway) to have the novel packaged with it. There are certainly some Criterion packages that had hefty-enough booklets that they qualify as books (Seven Samurai and The Battle of Algiers come to mind). It's unfortunate that Criterion didn't include Walter Tevis's novel of The Man Who Fell to Earth with the Blu-ray -- it was in the earlier DVD release.

There are also Collector's Editions of some titles that actually include large format hardcover books. Some of the ones I have are The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Anyway, the closest thing I know of in terms of included fiction was a Target Exclusive edition of Jack Reacher that included a paperback of a Reacher novella.

Another Western, Anthony Mann's The Furies, has the novel with it. That would be a nice upgrade and a nice set. Barbara Stanwyck is impressive here, and the film has intense psychology that isn't even the focus of the movie. Talk about a raging Electra complex. The mirrors and attention to detail remind me of Sirk, too. I'd welcome it to blu, tho Criterion probably wouldn't do two Westerns with books so close together. And I'd still take Red River over The Furies.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by L'armée des ombres

How does this compare to the french version? (or did you not own that?)

Hi. I assume you are interested in the preferred by director Hawks shorter cut. As it is the case with Criterion's presentation, the Wild Side presentation is a reconstruction, using inserts, for example, from the same composite print from Cinematheque francaise. However, as I mentioned in our review, there is additional work done on the Criterion release -- both on the longer cut, which is also available through Eureka in the UK, and on the shorter director's cut, which is available through Wild Side in France.

On the other hand, as I mentioned in our review, the same image fluctuations exist, but there is additional digital work done by Criterion. I no longer have the French release, but I have the Eureka release, and though it only has the longer cut it is easy to see that the Criterion presentation of the longer cut is better balanced. I also commented on the encoding in the review. The shorter cut looks very similar, though there are different inherited source limitations there. I have quoted Criterion's description of the entire reconstruction process in the review now so that you can get an even clearer picture of what was done and why.

Finally, there is additional work done on the audio for the two versions (which is something our final score also reflects).

All in all, I can only repeat what I wrote in the review, which is that I believe that Criterion's upcoming Blu-ray release of Red River will likely remain the film's definitive home video release.

I hope this helps

Pro-B

[Scottie]

I just finished Insignificance. Outstanding film!

It was very smart of Terry Johnson, the writer, to keep his characters unnamed. As much as I hate individuals being thrown into categories, I think it worked out perfectly for this film - it makes them much more human and it creates a better film-audience relationship.

The film, in my opinion, deals with celebrities and other powerful figures who struggle to be as human and as normal to the world as possible. In a way, they want to be insignificant, even though their past actions have yielded them fame. The use of flashbacks further helps to establish that these people are very similar to us - they each have a history.

It's honestly one of the only films I've seen in quite some time to keep my interest from the moment it began until the moment it ended.

Highly recommended!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jayembee

It's unfortunate that Criterion didn't include Walter Tevis's novel of The Man Who Fell to Earth with the Blu-ray -- it was in the earlier DVD release.

I had recently sold my out of print DVD version of The Man Who Fell to Earth (because I had bought the Blu-ray version), and felt bad that the book went with it as well. However, I went on Amazon and found the exact same Criterion version of the book for sale for $5 or 6 and I bought it. It arrived in pretty much new condition, so now I have the book back to go along with the Blu-ray!

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Make it so.

I'd buy it.

[jw007]

Hey, its my 1,500th post (Power member now), and to celebrate, I'm wondering why there aren't any Abel Ferrara movies in the Criterion Collection? Surely, he's a talented enough director to be included... I love that he used Harvey Keitel (one of my favorite actors) in many of his movies. Last night I watched Dangerous Game (with Madonna) for the very first time. What a challenging film! Still not sure what to make of that.

[malakaheso]

Lions Gate won't give up his two most popular films, but i guess there is no reason why they can't release The Addiction or The Funeral.

I would love Criterion to release films by Angelopoulos, Sokurov and Tarr.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Our review will be up soon.

Pro-B

*sniff*

Plastic Criterion cases. I miss those.

Seriously, though, thanks for the pics and the reviews.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by RandyK

If Criterion upgrades Vampyr, hopefully they include the book that included the script and Carmilla like they did on the DVD.

Since I already have the Criterion DVD set, I'm hoping Eureka announces an upgrade so I have an excuse to get their release for the Guillermo Del Toro commentary.

[mrjohnnyb]

For those of you who missed out on Twilight Time's The Big Heat blu-ray disc, Resen's region-free Blu-ray disc, available via Amazon-Spain, is currently selling for 6.95 euros. With shipping charges added, the grand total for a US purchase is $21.66, a real bargain.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Just ordered Godzilla. I'd love to find the man who fell to Earth but even the bluray is OOP.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by jw007

Hey, its my 1,500th post (Power member now), and to celebrate, I'm wondering why there aren't any Abel Ferrara movies in the Criterion Collection? Surely, he's a talented enough director to be included... I love that he used Harvey Keitel (one of my favorite actors) in many of his movies. Last night I watched Dangerous Game (with Madonna) for the very first time. What a challenging film! Still not sure what to make of that.

Dangerous Game read about on wiki. Sounds good! I'll look into it JW
King of NY and his Bad Lieutenant are fun. I've been wanting to buy that new blu ray of Ms.45 that just came out I guess that's as close to criterion most likely but looks like a good edition!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by JeffTheMovieGuy

Just ordered Godzilla. I'd love to find the man who fell to Earth but even the bluray is OOP.

Its on Amazon and Ebay - just a tad pricey, I got my copy (BRAND NEW) for £117 of Amazon as seller was doing a sale (finished now).

Not a fan of the style pack it comes in (slides from top or bottom) as its falls out lol but can't find any replacement cases/artwork for it and Criterion have sold out of it, going to try scan artwork and get printed though :/

[amoergosum]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

[Show spoiler]

Our review will be up soon.

Pro-B

Thanks a lot for the pictures. I'm really looking forward to that review!

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

[Show spoiler]Red River Blu-ray



Hello Snicket,

I received the final version today. Below are some photos I've taken for you (and the community). (More photos in the review).

It is a rather large box set because the novel is included with the Blu-ray.

Have a wonderful weekend Snicket, and everyone else







Pro-B

Thanks as always Pro-B.

That thing is pretty massive.

[Abdrewes]

My copies of the great beauty and persona just came in. Ugh. I'm gonna need to buy bigger shelves.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

My copies of the great beauty and persona just came in. Ugh. I'm gonna need to buy bigger shelves.

Two of the best releases from Criterion of all time. Enjoy!

(The Great Beauty is my favorite film of 2013)

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

The Criterion bug bit I think I'll be purchasing criterion everytime I get extra money.

Next in the tubes after Godzilla, Amarcord