The Criterion Collection

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Judex

On the Film Noir front. Criterion really need to get their hands on Nightmare Alley.

on or another Hong Kong Triad Movie would be nice as well
wouldnt The Triad with Gong Li be something?

and maybe another Korean Classic

[dtyner92]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Oh yeah, there are a ton of them...

The Night of the Hunter
Ace in the Hole
Kiss Me Deadly
The Killing
Ministry of Fear
The Third Man (It's best to find a Criterion copy, but the StudioCanal disc is not half bad either.)
Riot in Cell Block 11
Pale Flower

The Killers (DVD only)
Pickup on South Street (DVD only)
Brute Force (DVD only)
Night and the City (DVD only)
Thieves Highway (DVD only)
The Naked City (DVD only)
Bob Le Flambeur (DVD only)
Elevator to the Gallows (DVD only)
Drunken Angel (DVD only)
Stray Dog (DVD only)

Wow, I've seen about half of these. So this helps narrow it down, on what to keep an eye out for. Thanks OWL! Pickup on South Street is long overdue for an upgrade. Probably my favorite Samuel Fuller film.

Originally Posted by Judex

On the Film Noir front. Criterion really need to get their hands on Nightmare Alley.

I have this movie in my que but haven't gotten around to watching it yet. Going to watch He Walked by Night, this weekend. Not sure if anyone has seen this one? It's one of those noir films that doesn't get brought up too often.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Oh yeah, there are a ton of them...

The Night of the Hunter
Ace in the Hole
Kiss Me Deadly
The Killing
Ministry of Fear
The Third Man (It's best to find a Criterion copy, but the StudioCanal disc is not half bad either.)
Riot in Cell Block 11
Pale Flower

The Killers (DVD only)
Pickup on South Street (DVD only)
Brute Force (DVD only)
Night and the City (DVD only)
Thieves Highway (DVD only)
The Naked City (DVD only)
Bob Le Flambeur (DVD only)
Elevator to the Gallows (DVD only)
Drunken Angel (DVD only)
Stray Dog (DVD only)

I picked up a few of these based on your recommendation and all aregreat. The Great Owl knows his noir! And thanks for the noir link you gave me a while back!

[Mansinthe]

with all the Noir Talk here, has someone seen this movie und would recommend it?

Gilda (1946) with rita hayworth and glenn ford

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gilda-Blu-ray/91882/

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

For those of you who are wondering how the new Godzilla film stacks up to the 1954 original version, here is my review that I posted in the dedicated movie thread.

[Show spoiler]

I was obsessed with Godzilla during my childhood. I loved those late-1970s Hanna-Barbera Godzilla cartoons that aired on Saturday mornings, I owned a huge Mattel Godzilla action figure, and I watched the old movies every time I stumbled across one on TBS Superstation or on one of the cable channels. I eventually outgrew this obsession, but I still think that Godzilla is pretty awesome, and I still get a head rush out of watching this creature destroy cities. Several years ago, I attended a theatrical screening of the original black-and-white subtitled 1954 Japanese version of Godzilla, and was impressed at how this initial story was so much more mature and darker than any of the subsequent movies. When I heard that the new 2014 reboot was an attempt to recapture the intensity of that original masterpiece, I eagerly put the release date on my calendar and made a trip to Midtown Art Cinema yesterday evening. The bad news is that this new movie does not hold a candle to that original 1954 film. The good news is that it is easily the best Godzilla movie that has been released since that first film, and that it sets the bar high for the rest of the big summer movies this year.

The most notable success of this new film is that it wonderfully conveys the size and immensity of Godzilla and the other giant creatures by showing them from a human perspective with the camera eye looking up from ground level. Director Gareth Edwards employs some filmmaking choices that may frustrate viewers accustomed to epic rampages of earlier Godzilla films that were shown from a distant vantage point, because he mostly depicts the monsters with fleeting glimpses, in the same way that we might witness the monsters in real life if we were on the ground beneath them and trying to escape from the destruction. Imagine, for instance, how a game of football on your front lawn might appear from the perspective of ants and insects that are looking up from between the blades of grass and scrambling to avoid being crushed from above by the massive humans who are constantly running around and tackling one another. The daunting aspect of this updated Godzilla is not that these huge monsters are purposely trying to destroy us, but rather that they simply do not realize that we are there beneath their feet while they are walking through our cities and focusing on killing each other. More than anything, this movie is a reminder that we humans are tiny and insignificant in the grand scheme of nature, and that we might just be temporary guests here while larger things are happening beyond our limited scope. Godzilla will make you feel small.

The cast consists of several talented actors, namely Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn, and Sally Hawkins. None of these actors will win any awards for their roles in this movie, though, and their impact is limited by a script of predictable clichés and contrivances. I probably speak for most when I say that I was rolling my eyes at the fact that the soldier played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson just happens to be located right in the middle of every big monster attack. I believe, however, that people in a Godzilla film deserve admiration and credit simply for acting out their roles with straight faces, and I am impressed that all of the actors treat the subject matter seriously without resorting to campiness. This movie thankfully omits any forced attempts at lame humor, and all of the actors here are playing it straight.

The title character is not seen in full for most of the film, and Gareth Edwards takes cues from Steven Spielberg’s Jaws by keeping us in suspense and not putting his cards on the table too soon with regard to showcasing the special effects. When Godzilla finally appears in all of his immense glory, however, the visuals are worth the wait. The massive physical presence of this creature is the one thing that the movie really gets right, and these scenes alone are good enough for me to give this movie a solid four-star review. This updated Godzilla is a triumph of digital effects and sound, pure and simple. When Godzilla roars, the sound explodes out of the speakers and almost seems to shake the theater. This movie may take its time acquainting us with the creatures, but the final payoff is spectacular. When Godzilla unleashes a fierce beatdown on two other monsters in the middle of San Francisco and uses his atomic breath, it is impossible to watch without cheering.

Highly recommended!

Great review Owl! I grew up watching to cartoons and Toho movies on satruday afternoons and mornings as well. I won't spoil anything either, but I agreee with so much of your review. I may head over the to movie review thread and comment over there. But right on!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Out of the Past is wonderful! Glad to hear you liked it!

Maybe with the new Kino Classics line, we'll finally see a Blu-ray release of some sorts, even though I doubt they have the rights to it.

They don't. So far, the Kino Classics line is doing United Artists titles they've licensed from MGM. Out of the Past is a Warner-owned title, and no doubt Kino has the same Warner Don't License problem as Criterion.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

with all the Noir Talk here, has someone seen this movie und would recommend it?

Gilda (1946) with rita hayworth and glenn ford

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gilda-Blu-ray/91882/

Nice noir. Awesome stage performance by Hayworth!

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

with all the Noir Talk here, has someone seen this movie und would recommend it?

Gilda (1946) with rita hayworth and glenn ford

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gilda-Blu-ray/91882/

It's the basis for her famous quoute, "They go to bed with Gilda, they wake up with me." It's a classic fim.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I enjoyed Y Tu Mamá También a lot when I rented it several years ago, but it does not have a lot of multiple viewing potential for me.

I have a sort-of funny story related to the movie, though. Shortly after I saw it, one of my co-workers was asking me to recommend a movie for her and her husband to watch over the weekend. I recommended Y Tu Mamá También. The following week, the co-worker was upset at me for recommending a "porn movie" for her and her husband, and she went on a tirade to other co-workers about how the movie was so filthy.

This was a valuable life lesson for me. If a co-worker spends all day at her desk listening to Phil Collins songs on adult contemporary radio, raves about how Home Improvement is her all-time favorite show, and has the wall poster of the kitten hanging from the tree branch with the caption, "Hang in there!", then she might not be entirely receptive to my movie recommendations.

Not always the case. I love Phil Collins, Home Improvement and goofy expression signs and I also enjoy independent film.

Special cases exist.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

with all the Noir Talk here, has someone seen this movie und would recommend it?

Gilda (1946) with rita hayworth and glenn ford

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gilda-Blu-ray/91882/

I had a DVD of Gilda, and this region free Italian Blu-ray is currently on its way to me in the mail. I enthusiastically recommend the movie. It's my favorite Rita Hayworth movie, although I love The Lady from Shanghai almost as much, and it's one of the most sensual movies ever made.

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

Not always the case. I love Phil Collins, Home Improvement and goofy expression signs and I also enjoy independent film.

Special cases exist.

I actually like Phil Collins music circa 1970s/1980s, so my post was mostly tongue-in-cheek.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I had a DVD of Gilda, and this region free Italian Blu-ray is currently on its way to me in the mail. I enthusiastically recommend the movie. It's my favorite Rita Hayworth movie, although I love The Lady from Shanghai almost as much, and it's one of the most sensual movies ever made.

thanks . maybe i will order gilda and lady from shanghai from italy as well the italian release is cheaper than the german release.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I recommended Y Tu Mamá También. The following week, the co-worker was upset at me for recommending a "porn movie" for her and her husband, and she went on a tirade to other co-workers about how the movie was so filthy.

I think most kinda sorta cineaste-types have similar stories. I thought I knew this guy pretty well and lent him a couple of my faves, Breaker Morant and The Wicker Man (since we basically agreed on things religion-wise). He returned them without comment, so I asked what he thought of them and he basically told me he and his wife thought I must be a real weirdo for liking Wicker Man, which took me aback, so I asked him about Breaker and he said they couldn't understand the accents (not exactly Ken Loach). Don't know which reply made me more exasperated.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

I think most kinda sorta cineaste-types have similar stories. I thought I knew this guy pretty well and lent him a couple of my faves, Breaker Morant and The Wicker Man (since we basically agreed on things religion-wise). He returned them without comment, so I asked what he thought of them and he basically told me he and his wife thought I must be a real weirdo for liking Wicker Man, which took me aback, so I asked him about Breaker and he said they couldn't understand the accents (not exactly Ken Loach). Don't know which reply made me more exasperated.

I'm surprised to read about that sort of reaction to The Wicker Man, because I always assumed that it was a universally-loved classic. This reminds me that I still need to look for the Blu-ray at some point, because I loved watching the movie several years ago.


I watched Porky's last night, since I'm going through all three films in the Guys Being Guys: Party 3-Pack set (Bachelor Party, Revenge of the Nerds, Porky's) right now. This has quite an intricate and labyrinthian plot. If anyone sees this film and has any questions, feel free to PM me so that we can share theories about what happened. If you've seen Last Year at Marienbad, then you're probably ready for this one, though.

[Polaroid]

Back from Odeon (... I know...), Godzilla was ok, had some great parts to it, but also had its down sides.

The Audience were terrible.... how long does it take to open crisp packet!? and why go cinema for dates and talk throughout film... do they not realises others have paid to see the film!? my god....

They even laughed at a closes up of a Chameleon walking...??? DO they not get it or something? Baffles me, then again they were laughing their heads off at 'a million ways to die ...' trailer, in particular a scene where a man can't shoot a bottle even up close... HAR HAR HAR. Oh yeah don't forget the scene where the couple passionately kiss and the kids all start laughing and giggling..... my god.

Really does make me appreciate Criterion releasing awesome versions of films so I can watch at home in peace! haha

But yeah - I think I prefer the original haha, but loved how the 2014 version really show soft Godzilla's power and strength.

Definitely beats the other American version lol

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm surprised to read about that sort of reaction to The Wicker Man, because I always assumed that it was a universally-loved classic. This reminds me that I still need to look for the Blu-ray at some point, because I loved watching the movie several years ago.

Never had anyone tell me they didn't love the wicker man, it's just too good.

[Scottie]

August 2014 titles are now available for pre-order.

Love Streams
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Y Tu Mamá También
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

All That Jazz
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Vengeance Is Mine
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

Never had anyone tell me they didn't love the wicker man, it's just too good.

I love the original but the remake.... wow...

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm sorry, but that's probably one of my favorite artworks in forever.

Also, Y Tu Mamá También is probably my favorite coming-of-age movie and road movie out there. It's such a great story of friendship, living life, and growing older.

Care to explain why it is your ravorite artwork in forever?

Originally Posted by JJJ225

I mean, really?

Yeah, really, I think the artwork is important to a release, same as the other features that sets apart Criterion.

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

She's just waiting till the next time it gets released on blu ray with 'better' art.

When you don't like the covers on your movies, it ruins your movie watching experience, right?

Keep your sarcastic nonsense to yourself please

Originally Posted by jw007

All I can say is, never judge a book by its cover (same goes for blu-rays!)

I have seen this film and love it so no judging here

Originally Posted by jw007

Hard not to judge something, its true. Best thing to do though is always give something a chance and keep an open mind. And also rent/try before you buy!

See above

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Wow that artwork for Y Tu Mama Tambien really sucks, I will still buy it but hopefully they change it, it just seems like such a mediocre job at an artistic and technical level, it says it is made by "Nessim Higson" anybody know if he has done any other artwork for CC?

It does suck. 2 cut-off characters too up close, blurred images, the road obscured by sun reflection. It is a sad attempt to be trendy that has sank to the bottom of that sea!

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Come on, with Criterion your not just getting a film with special features, you are also getting special artwork, the entire package.

Some people collect criterions for the film, some for the artworks, some for both - don't need to judge.

Artwork is a huge part of Criterion, seeing as they get some great artists and designers involved to create the best package - and its is disappointing when the artwork is the best it can be.

I will still buy but be a tad disappointed cause I love pulling my Criterions off the shelf and admiring the beautiful packaging and artwork - and then delving into the film.

Also designers put so much hard work into these new designs, they need the praise and recognition.

I know its wrong, but I have bought A LOT of Criterions because of their beautiful artwork - not knowing anything about the film, (but then loving the film and wondering why I have not seen sooner!).

You would think, judging by some whines, that I was the first person ever to be disappointed with a long awaited release to be spilt by shit artwork

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

You would think, judging by some whines, that I was the first person ever to be disappointed with a long awaited release to be spilt by shit artwork

Loudly denouncing heretics is a time-honored method of proclaiming one's faith.

The funny part is, I very strongly suspect that just about every single person who has mocked the idea of being nudged away from a purchase by supposedly trivial things like cover art or packaging or slipcovers or steelbooks or booklets or the like have themselves been nudged toward a purchase by one or more of those very things.

Silly humans...

[octagon]

Originally Posted by dtyner92

Any other noir-film recommendations you can give out, that are in the CC?

I notice you already own The Killing. If you haven't already checked out Killer's Kiss you should give it a spin. It's rough (and the poorly synched ADRed dialogue can be maddening at times) but in addition to the whole 'hints of things to come' thing it stands on its own surprisingly well.