The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Alright, so with my viewing of The Innocents just now, I can safely say that this may be the most unsettling movie I have ever seen. Massive kudos to Jack Clayton for not adding in any corny special effects to "heighten" the mood of the film.

[Show spoiler]That entire scene with Deborah Kerr as she is exploring the house near the end of the film is absolutely crazy.

Watch the extras - some good stuff in there!

[dwk]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

When and why did 3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg go out of print? Could a Blu Ray release be on the horizon? Seems unlikely since the films aren't in the best shape.

tenia is correct. Someone at the Criterion forum emailed Criterion and got the following response:

The title itself will not remain out-of-print, but we are working on a new packaging configuration; I'm not yet sure where we're going to land!

Getting back to Blu-rays, Criterion wanted to release 3 SILENT CLASSICS on Blu, but their first deal with Paramount didn't include Blu-ray rights for any of those first 14 films. (the deal was signed before Blu won the format war and Criterion started releasing Blu-rays.) They convinced Paramount to let them release DAYS OF HEAVEN on Blu and eventually, it seems, amended their deal for the first 14 as they have released Blu-rays of IF, ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS, ACE IN THE HOLE and THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD and 7 additional Paramount titles that were not part of the first deal.

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think they were planning on discontinuing the 3 SILENT CLASSICS DVD set and releasing a Blu-ray/DVD dual-format set (like they did with ACE IN THE HOLE), but they abandoned the dual-format strategy and are now/or were trying to decide how to proceed.

[Jakamarak]

Originally Posted by dwk

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think they were planning on discontinuing the 3 SILENT CLASSICS DVD set and releasing a Blu-ray/DVD dual-format set (like they did with ACE IN THE HOLE), but they abandoned the dual-format strategy and are now/or were trying to decide how to proceed.

But what's confusing about this is the message from the Criterion website:

"Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this product for sale on Criterion.com. Please note that it is not out of print and is available at other retailers, like Amazon.com."

Chasing Amy has the same message. But there are plenty of copies of that available at very good prices at Amazon and elsewhere.

Amazon only has a handful of copies of the Von Sternberg set available -- all through Marketplace sellers at jacked up rates. It seems odd to direct people to Amazon for used copies and back stock. If that's what they're doing, couldn't they do that for virtually every OOP title?

What might create a legal situation in which Criterion is "not able" to sell the product through their own website, but others -- at least, technically -- can? This must be different than just going "out of print" or they would just say that. Obviously, this isn't just a stock issue or they would say "backordered".

It's possible they are renegotiating to get this on Blu, but that really doesn't explain that message.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Paramount owns the North American rights; Miramax owns the rights in the rest of the world. If Paramount was willing to license it to Criterion, there's no reason why Criterion couldn't release it if they wanted to. There is precedent in Criterion releasing other Paramount-owned films: Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Nashville, and Rosemary's Baby, to name three.

Ok, thanks for the info!

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by dwk

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think they were planning on discontinuing the 3 SILENT CLASSICS DVD set and releasing a Blu-ray/DVD dual-format set (like they did with ACE IN THE HOLE), but they abandoned the dual-format strategy and are now/or were trying to decide how to proceed.

This seems entirely reasonable. I wonder if I should sell my DVD set now? It seems that worst case scenario I would just be able to re-buy the DVD set when it's re-released. Best case: Blu Ray!

[Tardis20]

Shouldn't there be a Criterion flash sale before the end of the month??

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It helps to think of Melville's Le Samouraï and Le Cercle Rouge as being aesthetically similar to The Big Sleep.

The narratives are presented in big broad brush strokes that miss over the little details, but the little details are not quite as important, because these movies are all about atmosphere and coolness.

yeah, I see what you mean. I haven't seen The Big Sleep yet, but from what I understand, it is very difficult to follow the plot. as I mentioned, I had seen LCR before and didn't quite realize until this viewing how similar it is to Le Samourai.

neither are my fav JP Melville films, but fun nonetheless.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Tardis20

Shouldn't there be a Criterion flash sale before the end of the month??

Possibly.

It also might be next month (last year they had one in October).

[bwdowiak]

50 minutes into L'Avventura and it looks like I will have a change of heart on this one... a appears to be in this film's future

very happy w/ the DVD copy I bought off eBay a few weeks ago. (Like New - $7.99 !!) I have a feeling that the blu-ray will have a 4 1/2 or 5 star PQ score as this already looked pretty darn good 10 years ago.

I have a question about something early in the film, but I will wait until I've seen the entire film to ask. good stuff though... speaking of film aesthetics (as I was a moment ago w/ Owl,) this one has a nice mysterious one that is established by the sound of the waves and the wind.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

50 minutes into L'Avventura and it looks like I will have a change of heart on this one... a appears to be in this film's future

very happy w/ the DVD copy I bought off eBay a few weeks ago. (Like New - $7.99 !!) I have a feeling that the blu-ray will have a 4 1/2 or 5 star PQ score as this already looked pretty darn good 10 years ago.

I have a question about something early in the film, but I will wait until I've seen the entire film to ask. good stuff though... speaking of film aesthetics (as I was a moment ago w/ Owl,) this one has a nice mysterious one that is established by the sound of the waves and the wind.

I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favorite films by Antonioni (on par with L'Eclisse for me). The week that it comes out, I think I am going to do a marathon of all of his films in The Criterion Collection.

Furthermore, I will be doing a double feature of The Great Beauty (the best film of 2013) and La Dolce Vita upon the latter's release.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favorite films by Antonioni (on par with L'Eclisse for me). The week that it comes out, I think I am going to do a marathon of all of his films in The Criterion Collection.

Furthermore, I will be doing a double feature of The Great Beauty (the best film of 2013) and La Dolce Vita upon the latter's release.

Fellini's Roma would be another good pairing with The Great Beauty but I only see a Region B release for it.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Fellini's Roma would be another good pairing with The Great Beauty but I only see a Region B release for it.

I recorded the TCM broadcasting of it a few weeks ago.

Speaking of Fellini, I need to rewatch 8 1/2 for a third time. It is honestly the only film that I have seen where I cannot digest it and make sense out of it. Hopefully the third time is the charm.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I recorded the TCM broadcasting of it a few weeks ago.

That's where I saw it. As I was watching it, I thought this would be a good pairing with Amarcord and/or The Great Beauty.

Speaking of Fellini, I need to rewatch 8 1/2 for a third time. It is honestly the only film that I have seen where I cannot digest it and make sense out of it. Hopefully the third time is the charm.

Sometimes, I find I concentrate too hard trying to make sense of or understand a puzzling film. So, I try the other extreme and just "stop thinking."

[dwk]

Originally Posted by Jakamarak

But what's confusing about this is the message from the Criterion website:

"Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this product for sale on Criterion.com. Please note that it is not out of print and is available at other retailers, like Amazon.com."

Chasing Amy has the same message. But there are plenty of copies of that available at very good prices at Amazon and elsewhere.

Amazon only has a handful of copies of the Von Sternberg set available -- all through Marketplace sellers at jacked up rates. It seems odd to direct people to Amazon for used copies and back stock. If that's what they're doing, couldn't they do that for virtually every OOP title?

What might create a legal situation in which Criterion is "not able" to sell the product through their own website, but others -- at least, technically -- can? This must be different than just going "out of print" or they would just say that. Obviously, this isn't just a stock issue or they would say "backordered".

It's possible they are renegotiating to get this on Blu, but that really doesn't explain that message.

CHASING AMY DVD was manufactured and distributed by Buena Vista (when Disney owned Miramax) and is now being manufactured and distributed by Lionsgate,which is why it is available, but Criterion can't sell it from their website. 3 SILENT CLASSICS is a different case all together. When they decide how they are going to package it, Criterion will resume selling it from their site.

Originally Posted by JJJ225

This seems entirely reasonable. I wonder if I should sell my DVD set now? It seems that worst case scenario I would just be able to re-buy the DVD set when it's re-released. Best case: Blu Ray!

There is a good chance the future DVD re-release will be in a 3-disc plastic case and have a slimmed down booklet.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Speaking of Fellini, I need to rewatch 8 1/2 for a third time. It is honestly the only film that I have seen where I cannot digest it and make sense out of it. Hopefully the third time is the charm.

Try "Nine" first. Imitations usually help explain the original.

(See, he's, like, imagining things...)

[ShellOilJunior]

I just finished James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia and enjoyed it. Is DePalma's film worth a viewing? I've heard very bad things about it...

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I just finished James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia and enjoyed it. Is DePalma's film worth a viewing? I've heard very bad things about it...

I saw many many years ago before I was fascinated by film - need to rematch but I remember being disappointed, I do need to rematch though - the story fascinates me!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I saw many many years ago before I was fascinated by film - need to rematch but I remember being disappointed, I do need to rematch though - the story fascinates me!

Ellroy did approve of DePalma's film. However, Josh Harnett as ex-pugilist turned hardened cop does not sound believable to me.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I just finished James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia and enjoyed it. Is DePalma's film worth a viewing? I've heard very bad things about it...

I really, really didn't like it and to be honest, can't remember much about it beyond 'is that the one with Aaron Eckhart or the one with the guy from The Piano'.

That said, of course you should watch it. I hated it and I'm going to give it another look at some point. I mean, I'm not in any rush and I'm not going to go out of my way but if I can give The Godfather Part III, the first two Star Wars prequels and The Ninth Gate multiple chances I can certainly give DePalma a little slack too

[Polaroid]

Ugh why does my laptop make re watch become rematch haha XD

How is the original BD? never seen :O