The Criterion Collection

[RojD]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

...
I've only seen it once, admittedly, but it didn't knock me sideways. It's certainly worth seeing but if you can catch it in a decent print without buying the Criterion then go for it. I've ordered the BD myself so I'll be giving it another watch to see if I appreciate it any more with the benefit of age.

I like Rules of the Game a lot. I think it's just a good personality match. It doesn't focus on a main hero and heroine but on a group of people (dunno for sure but would guess this approach was influential on Altman and PT Anderson). And it gives real depth to a big range of characters, too, rather than just to a couple of main ones. And it really gets what happened to the European class system after the second world war as well as any movie I know. Technically, I like the deep focus because I like a screen packed with information, and I love the way the camera sometimes frames the subject or focuses on an object to make a comment on what you're hearing or watching.

Anyway, that's all how the movie meshes with my taste preference. Here's hopin you enjoy your blu revu.

[melo4mvp]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I just found them, but it does not state whether they are Scanavo or not. 'Official' could mean almost anything on ebay...I guess you need to ask him before a purchase.....

Just got an email from them. They are Scanavo cases. Pretty good deal if your looking to buy some replacement cases in bulk.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

To me 5* PQ reviews should be reserved for reference discs only, although to my knowledge there aren't particularly many Criterion discs that received 5* PQ anyway. Perhaps a few of the transfers should have been in the 3* range that received 4*? I certainly don't think too many Criterion discs would need to use the whole scale, and go down to 1* or 2*. Not based on what I've seen anyway...Criterion seems to pull out a decent 3* or 4* even when working with the most challenging materials (again, just based on what I've seen on blu-ray so far).

As to the rating of the films themselves. I'm sure I would also disagree with a few of them receiving 4*+ ratings, however in general most every title Criterion puts out is also rated high on places like RottenTomatoes and IMDB. So really they are pretty much in line with the "concensus" in rating these as great films. Individuals are always free to disagree with the consensus opinion, I've hated many "critically adored" films. But professional reviewers rarely will, at least not in something they are publishing. Something about maintaining credibility or some such nonsense...

We need Armond White to review Criterion releases obviously, he has not problem criticising fantastic films.

Pro-B does a lot of hard work reviewing these titles, I don't always agree with his opinion, but I respect him for putting the time and the effort into doing so. I just don't buy the Criterions I don't like, even if they are ranked 5/5 as far as the film goes. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, for example, is a "rotten" title on Rotten Tomatoes (something like a 35% rating), yet it's ranked quite highly in this collection. I love the film, and pre-ordered it actually. I don't pay attention to professional critics or the Oscars that often, as half the time, what they deem excellent isn't. This past year I went through and watched every single Best Picture Winner, and found that there were a lot of other films that should have won, and many weren't even nominated. Everyone loves Forrest Gump, I absolutely loathe that film. It's all subjective.

I think PQ is rather subjective as well, to be honest. Not everyone has the same calibration on their TV/BD player, nor does everyone have the same vision. Someone may have a properly calibrated TV, but wears bifocals probably won't see the same thing as someone who's TV is set on the default settings, and has 20/20 vision. Some films are more obviously of a poor PQ, but the Criterions are not. I remember a lot of people freaking out about the 3.5/5 High and Low received, yet most people thought it deserved higher when watching it on their own TVs. Then there are others that claim Paths of Glory and Kagemusha have horrible transfers, when they've received high marks. Quibbling over PQ is silly. I've had people tell me that The Leopard is one of the worst releases Criterion has done, yet it has a 5/5 overall.

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Just saw Paths of Glory. What an amazing film and the pq was phenomenal. Im definatley picking up The Killing now before the sale ends. This is now my favorite Criterion (that I have seen). So far all the Criterions I've seen have been outstanding (Paths of Glory, Repulsion, Vivre Sa Vie, Pierrot Le Fou, Breathless). Still got a couple more I haven't seen plus I'm going to BN tomorrow to pick some more up. I'm like obsessed with Criterions now. I don't even wanna watch anything that's not Criterion anymore!

So many people disagree about the Paths of Glory PQ, as a couple people feel Criterion could have done A LOT better. I agree with you however, that it's an excellent transfer for what they had to work with. It's far superior to the MGM DVD I replaced it with.

Glad to see you've changed your mind about Criterions, and have become a Criterion Nerd too.

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I can't stand criterion collection enthusiast. They think they know everything It's like they think they're better than you cause they've watch obscure indie films. Not saying anyone in this forum is like that as I stay away from the criterion thread but I got into it with a Barnes and Noble employee one time. I was so close to laying him out! But then I calmed down and was content in knowing that he was just a nerd.

I'm teasing you, if you don't understand that. I am seriously glad that you are now into all the great, and not so great, films that Criterion works hard to put out on BD.

[moumou1210]

It's quite sad that Criterion has decided to opt for Region A-locked releases. Otherwise I probably would have bought the majority of the movies.[IMG][/IMG]

[toddly6666]

Sweet Smell of Success was just okay, but The Night of The Hunter is one of the best films i've ever seen - thanks for that recommendation!

[retablo]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

To me 5* PQ reviews should be reserved for reference discs only, although to my knowledge there aren't particularly many Criterion discs that received 5* PQ anyway. Perhaps a few of the transfers should have been in the 3* range that received 4*? I certainly don't think too many Criterion discs would need to use the whole scale, and go down to 1* or 2*. Not based on what I've seen anyway...Criterion seems to pull out a decent 3* or 4* even when working with the most challenging materials (again, just based on what I've seen on blu-ray so far).p

Reviews are based on how well the image on the disc represents the original negative. If it is a faithful transfer true to the intentions of the filmmaker, then it should be a 5. Remember, you aren't comparing transfers of different films to each other... that's impossible and not relevant. Taxi Driver is a 5 star transfer, but the film still looks grainy, and in parts downright ugly.. but it's supposed to. As such, the rating should reflect that.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

So many people disagree about the Paths of Glory PQ, as a couple people feel Criterion could have done A LOT better. I agree with you however, that it's an excellent transfer for what they had to work with. It's far superior to the MGM DVD I replaced it with.

I don't think it needs any qualifiers - it's an excellent transfer period.

Titles like M or Stagecoach definitely show their age. I don't think that's the case at all here.

[Hawkguy]

I watched "Cul-De-Sac" just now. Anyone here really like it? I was disappointed by it. From the start, I was very interested. I knew it was a character-driven film more than anything....but, the more I watched, the less I cared about the characters. After the first 50 or so minutes, there wasn't much that kept me interested....(which surprised me, because I absolutely love "Repulsion" and would regard it as one of the greatest psychological horror films ever...)

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

We need Armond White to review Criterion releases obviously, he has not problem criticising fantastic films.

Pro-B does a lot of hard work reviewing these titles, I don't always agree with his opinion, but I respect him for putting the time and the effort into doing so. I just don't buy the Criterions I don't like, even if they are ranked 5/5 as far as the film goes. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, for example, is a "rotten" title on Rotten Tomatoes (something like a 35% rating), yet it's ranked quite highly in this collection. I love the film, and pre-ordered it actually. I don't pay attention to professional critics or the Oscars that often, as half the time, what they deem excellent isn't. This past year I went through and watched every single Best Picture Winner, and found that there were a lot of other films that should have won, and many weren't even nominated. Everyone loves Forrest Gump, I absolutely loathe that film. It's all subjective.

I think PQ is rather subjective as well, to be honest. Not everyone has the same calibration on their TV/BD player, nor does everyone have the same vision. Someone may have a properly calibrated TV, but wears bifocals probably won't see the same thing as someone who's TV is set on the default settings, and has 20/20 vision. Some films are more obviously of a poor PQ, but the Criterions are not. I remember a lot of people freaking out about the 3.5/5 High and Low received, yet most people thought it deserved higher when watching it on their own TVs. Then there are others that claim Paths of Glory and Kagemusha have horrible transfers, when they've received high marks. Quibbling over PQ is silly. I've had people tell me that The Leopard is one of the worst releases Criterion has done, yet it has a 5/5 overall.



So many people disagree about the Paths of Glory PQ, as a couple people feel Criterion could have done A LOT better. I agree with you however, that it's an excellent transfer for what they had to work with. It's far superior to the MGM DVD I replaced it with.

Glad to see you've changed your mind about Criterions, and have become a Criterion Nerd too.



I'm teasing you, if you don't understand that. I am seriously glad that you are now into all the great, and not so great, films that Criterion works hard to put out on BD.

Yea when I posted that I was actually upset cause of some BN employees remarks when I asked him why Criterions were so expensive. I never had anything against the actual films as I had not really seen any of them. Only one I had seen before my purchases was The Killing and the more popular ones (Dazed&Confused, Fear&Loathing, Wes Anderson films). I was just so pissed off at his remarks that I decided to stay away from the collection. I'm glad I decided to try it out thou cause now I'm hooked. It's funny though, I have now become everything I hate . Nah Criterion enthusiast aren't that bad.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I watched "Cul-De-Sac" just now. Anyone here really like it? I was disappointed by it. From the start, I was very interested. I knew it was a character-driven film more than anything....but, the more I watched, the less I cared about the characters. After the first 50 or so minutes, there wasn't much that kept me interested....(which surprised me, because I absolutely love "Repulsion" and would regard it as one of the greatest psychological horror films ever...)

I've only watched it once so far and while I didn't exactly love it I did like it quite a bit and I expect it to grow on me. Which is exactly what happened with Repulsion. And Chinatown, now that I think about it.

The Tenant might be the only Polanski film that really grabbed me from the first viewing.

[oildude]

OK, rkish. I caved. I am going to B&N today to add the Shimzu Eclipse set to my collection. I figure this is about as cheap as I will ever be able to get it, and I am definitely enjoying my baby steps into Japanese cinema through these Eclipse sets. I think discovering classic and new Japanese cinema through the Criterion Collection has been the highlight of my viewing since I began paying attention to the collection several years ago. Thanks to you and drbikeshorts for offering recommendations.

I still want the Late Ozu set, but will wait to see these on BFI blu-rays. I will also wait on the Teshigahara set to see if the films make it to blu, since they are in the mainline. Although with the disappointingly slow pace of Criterion's catalog upgrades, my willingness to wait could change. I am excited for December and the Suzuki relases.

That leaves the First Films of Akira Kurosawa Eclipse set as the only Japanese-based set I am not considering. I watched parts of these on hulu plus and, while I think they are watchable, and likely enjoyable, I just don't see myself re-watching these enough to warrant a purchase. I am open to reasons why my view of this set may be too narrow, since I am basing it off of samplings from each film; that isn't always a good gauge.

I just wish Criterion would start showing the same love for Australian New Wave (and Soviet/Russian movies) as they do for Japanese and French films.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've only watched it once so far and while I didn't exactly love it I did like it quite a bit and I expect it to grow on me. Which is exactly what happened with Repulsion. And Chinatown, now that I think about it.

The Tenant might be the only Polanski film that really grabbed me from the first viewing.

I haven't seen The Tenant, but so far out of most of these major films of his, Repulsion is the only one I've liked. I've wanted to see Knife in the Water for some time, but now that I look it up, it sounds a lot like Cul-De-Sac, and if it is, I may not enjoy that much either.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by oildude

OK, rkish. I caved. I am going to B&N today to add the Shimzu Eclipse set to my collection. I figure this is about as cheap as I will ever be able to get it, and I am definitely enjoying my baby steps into Japanese cinema through these Eclipse sets. I think discovering classic and new Japanese cinema through the Criterion Collection has been the highlight of my viewing since I began paying attention to the collection several years ago. Thanks to you and drbikeshorts for offering recommendations.

I still want the Late Ozu set, but will wait to see these on BFI blu-rays. I will also wait on the Teshigahara set to see if they make it to blu, since they are in the mainline. Although with the disappointingly slow pace of Criterion's catalog upgrades, my willingness to wait could change. I am excited for December and the Suzuki relases.

That leaves the First Films of Akira Kurosawa Eclipse set as the only Japanese-based set I am not considering. I watched parts of these on hulu plus and, while I think they are watchable, and likely enjoyable, I just don't see myself re-watching these enough to warrant a purchase. I am open to reasons why my view of this set may be too narrow, since I am basing it off of samplings from each film; that isn't always a good gauge.

I just wish Criterion would start showing the same love for Australian New Wave (and Soviet/Russian movies) as they do for Japanese and French films.

My Pleasure Dude!

I'm still waiting for my Shimizu set to arrive at one of my two local B & N stores. I was nervous that if it comes after the sale, they won't give me the 50% off...but they not only guaranteed that they would only charge me the 50% discount, they will honor any coup that is currently active to use as well. That was unexpected and greatly appreciated.

There are a few more sets that I will ponder for the future. I've already seen all of the films in the Mizoguchi Eclipse set and will likely add that at next years sale. The First Films of Kurosawa will also come at some future time...but the post war films are my favorites and I'm thrilled with that set.

[Icemouth]

Originally Posted by retablo

Reviews are based on how well the image on the disc represents the original negative. If it is a faithful transfer true to the intentions of the filmmaker, then it should be a 5. Remember, you aren't comparing transfers of different films to each other... that's impossible and not relevant. Taxi Driver is a 5 star transfer, but the film still looks grainy, and in parts downright ugly.. but it's supposed to. As such, the rating should reflect that.

This. It would be pretty silly to compare an 80 year old silent movie to something like Transformers and rank PQ based off of each other, if that were the case pretty much nothing older than maybe 5 years would be more than a 2.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Mystery Train!? I really liked that cover.

Admittedly, that one was borderline for me Monty70, which I almost replaced with the 'Clockwork Little Tramp' cover for Modern Times.

In the end, I've never seen Jarmusch's Mystery Train, and so far, that busy, cheap playbill cover has actually put me off opening and watching it. Maybe when I finally get around to seeing the film, it will repudiate that impression, but off-putting design seems like a fundamental flaw for any kind of promo art. Heck, even the garish, 'circus madhouse' cover for House succeeded in enticing me in...

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by RojD

I like Rules of the Game a lot. I think it's just a good personality match. It doesn't focus on a main hero and heroine but on a group of people (dunno for sure but would guess this approach was influential on Altman and PT Anderson). And it gives real depth to a big range of characters, too, rather than just to a couple of main ones. And it really gets what happened to the European class system after the second world war as well as any movie I know. Technically, I like the deep focus because I like a screen packed with information, and I love the way the camera sometimes frames the subject or focuses on an object to make a comment on what you're hearing or watching.

Anyway, that's all how the movie meshes with my taste preference. Here's hopin you enjoy your blu revu.

Sure. No doubt it's a good movie, brilliantly handled, and I did enjoy it. I just don't know if I'd recommend a Blind Buy (though it's certainly a "Must See" for anyone with an interest in Film History). The vagaries of the Post-War European Class System is a slightly more specific focus than the themes dealt with in,say, CITIZEN KANE - another contender for the Best Film Crown - which has a more universal theme.

But it's all subjective; and tastes change with time. What struck me as a masterpiece twenty years ago is no longerso impressive, and vice versa.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've only watched it once so far and while I didn't exactly love it I did like it quite a bit and I expect it to grow on me. Which is exactly what happened with Repulsion. And Chinatown, now that I think about it.

The Tenant might be the only Polanski film that really grabbed me from the first viewing.

Not Rosemary's Baby? Although Repulsion is my favorite Polanski, he made the first 30 minutes boring on purpose, so the shock of the first scare would be psychologically greater. Rosemary's is his best overall film, to me, anyway, and the very definition of a slow burn.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by thelittleprince

Wow! Now that you mention it, the Blue cover really stands out for me. That was the oddest scene in the movie yet lingered in my mind. Whoever from Criterion decided to choose that shot for the Blu cover is brilliant!

Unfortunately, if I'd had the benefit of seeing the inner covers of the Three Colors trilogy, I probably would have dropped this title from my list of also rans for Worst. But the box cover for the entire set looks like a rejected frame from Douglas Trumbull's slit-scan tests for 2001.

[octagon]

Rosemary's Baby is my favorite Polanski film and one of my favorites overall.

And yeah, it did grab me right away but it was in a drive-in when I was like seven so I don't really count that particular first impression.

It definitely made one though. Being a kid I didn't really understand or retain that much of it but I distinctly remember being thoroughly fascinated by it to the point where I nagged my grandfather for the paperback in a thrift store when I was ten or so.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by fdm

Can't recall which I voted for best cover, probably Sweet Smell Of Success, but the two worst covers were Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor, so I picked one of those.

Yeah I dislike both of those covers as well and picked Shock Corridor as the worst. Those covers actually held me off from blind-buys of the films during the July B&N sale (though I had many other titles higher on the list). Now they've kinda fallen by the wayside as other releases have garnered purchase.

My vote for best went to The Rules of the Game. It's eye-catching, different (hand-drawn), and represents the film in its own zany way.