The Criterion Collection

[vader4]

I'm turning in my Netflix tomorrow and plan on renting a Criterion but I can't decide which. I'm trying to decide between House, Orpheus, The Seventh Seal, or Belle de Jour. I realize these are very different movies but if someone has a certain affinity for one, your opinion would be appreciated...

[Wildcat47]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

Anyone know what the story is with the Late Ozu Eclipse set? I ordered it in November, and since then it keeps being delayed by a week or so, only to be delayed again, and again, and....

I doubt it's going out of print but what's the alternative? There's been overwhelming interest in that set recently?

I'm in with ya. Ordered mine during November sale, still backordered. Been wondering if its ever going to ship or just be canceled.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by EricJ

I'd throw Tim Burton and the Coens in with reasons why I'm not impressed with Tarantino--In that all three are directors who'd rather fanboy-gush to you about the movies they have seen, rather than direct their own with any of their own particular cohesion, and the movies they think they're "cool" for having seen, well...who hasn't? (I'd throw Joe Dante in there too, but I'm being charitable.)
Tarantino wants to interrupt the WWII adventure of "Inglorious Basterds" to put a funny 70's-blaxploitation graphic up, and play the Giorgio Moroder theme from Cat People--Yeah, I saw 'em too, Q, will you just freakin' get back to the story? The Coens want to nudge us that they're such "flim buffs" as to have seen True Grit and Preston Sturges comedies, and you haven't--Wow, imagine that, they watch Turner Classic Movies, too!

Quentin's actually good in film docs, when he can fanboy-gush about pop film history on his own time. Otherwise, he's like the taxi driver who's more excited about talking to you about his one private hobby than on keepng his mind on the road, and keeps narrowly missing crashes.

Agree about Tarantino. I find a lot of people make me feel bad about having a neutral reaction to his films, and they're usually like "OMGWTFBBQ is wrong with you!? Tarantion's teh greatest! Your taste in films suck, because you don't think Tarantino's so awesome!" Lather, rince, and repeat the comments for the Coen Bros., David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, Wes Anderson, and Christopher Nolan.

A lot of people have levied the same critique against Scorcese for Hugo that you've levied against the Coens.

Burton's a bit of a different kettle of fish, he just seems to make almost the same movie over and over again. I used to enjoy his films quite a bit, but he's had more misses than hits in the past few years. But then, I enjoyed Alice for some mind-numbing entertainment, and disliked Sweeney Todd.

I guess I'm assbackwards, because I tend to like films by directors that a lot of people hate, or even what many people consider to be an artist's worst album. Case in point: I love the crap out of Trans by Neil Young, and everyone seems to hate that album.

Originally Posted by RojD

I've been down on Tarantino for a long time, and after I watched the Suzuki films and the Nikkatsu Noir set, he sank further. Aside from being able to absorb a lot of hyper-stylized, Asian B-movie devices into a reasonably coherent story, Tarantino doesn't do much. Like you said, if it's gonna be about splash, I like my Suzuki at the source, where the story flat-out doesn't matter and the whole idea is to film a line of fire and smoke heading across the landscape (Take Aim at the Police Van). As a contrast, I think of Kurosawa, who absorbs film devices from Western cinema and then makes Throne of Blood, Ikiru or Ran, films full of significance.

I like the Coen Brothers, though; for me, their films deal with real questions. Although they're about as un-Southern as they could be, I think their best films look like cinematic Southern Gothic, like movies made by Carson McCullers or Eudora Welty. Blood Simple, Fargo, No Country....they're all about evil, about how everyday people can't understand it. Even that awful Serious Man would fit into that category.

I see a lot more going on in Coen Bros films than in Tarantino's

My beef with the Coens is that they have made crap films (remake of The Ladykillers anyone?), but everyone thinks they can do no wrong. I'm in the minority, but I actually liked the original True Grit more than the remake, but that's apparently a crime against humanity. I think both films have their flaws, and the perfect version would be a hybrid of the two. I guess the only "modern" director that I truly like is Terry Gilliam, as all of my other favourite directors (as in I really dig 85% or higher of their work, and don't just to respond to it indifferently, or mild enjoyment) are more from "classic" Hollywood.

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Newsflash. That vote was fixed. None of those other titles have been so much as hinted in the years since, yet we are supposed to believe Criterion was ready to whip any one of them together based on a random internet vote.

But I really like Howard's End! It's probably my favourite Merchant-Ivory, and I've watched almost all of their films, including their British/Indian pseudo-Bollywood films from the 1960s, which Wes Anderson stole a few songs from for The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack.


From Criterion's Twitter last night:
Criterion Collection
@Criterion Criterion Collection
In the last minute, we've gotten requests for Bergman's PERSONA, Żuławski's POSSESSION and... GOOD BURGER.
11 hours ago via HootSuite

Good Burger, seriously? I am astounded. Persona would be great though, my friend would be super happy about that as it's his favourite Bergman, and he wants more Bergman on Blu.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

So would you guys buy the regular edition of Traffic or get the CC? BB has it for 4.99 with DVD trade-in.

Two words: Flipper disc.

Universal's release of Traffic is the only flipper in my BD movie collection, and I'm dying to get rid of the damn thing. The supplements alone would be worth the upgrade for me, but my loathing for flipper discs makes it even more of a priority upgrade.

I know that Universal re-issued Traffic last year, and I don't know if the newer release is still a flipper or not.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Agree about Tarantino. I find a lot of people make me feel bad about having a neutral reaction to his films, and they're usually like "OMGWTFBBQ is wrong with you!? Tarantion's teh greatest! Your taste in films suck, because you don't think Tarantino's so awesome!" Lather, rince, and repeat the comments for the Coen Bros., David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, Wes Anderson, and Christopher Nolan.

A lot of people have levied the same critique against Scorcese for Hugo that you've levied against the Coens.

Burton's a bit of a different kettle of fish, he just seems to make almost the same movie over and over again. I used to enjoy his films quite a bit, but he's had more misses than hits in the past few years. But then, I enjoyed Alice for some mind-numbing entertainment, and disliked Sweeney Todd.

I guess I'm assbackwards, because I tend to like films by directors that a lot of people hate, or even what many people consider to be an artist's worst album. Case in point: I love the crap out of Trans by Neil Young, and everyone seems to hate that album.



My beef with the Coens is that they have made crap films (remake of The Ladykillers anyone?), but everyone thinks they can do no wrong. I'm in the minority, but I actually liked the original True Grit more than the remake, but that's apparently a crime against humanity. I think both films have their flaws, and the perfect version would be a hybrid of the two. I guess the only "modern" director that I truly like is Terry Gilliam, as all of my other favourite directors (as in I really dig 85% or higher of their work, and don't just to respond to it indifferently, or mild enjoyment) are more from "classic" Hollywood.

I think I have to call shenanigans on the idea that people are freaking out at you because you aren't a super fan of your listed directors. I do so because I see many, many. many, many more posts from people decrying these directors than people defending them. Right now in the Chinatown thread people are ranting about Black Swan and everything it did to them personally, with an occasional "Black Swan was good" as rebuttal.

I love the Coens

[Show spoiler](with Intolerable Cruelty being awful and Ladykillers not very good)

but I don't care that you don't. Your opinion (or anyone else's) doesn't effect how freaking great Millers Crossing is or isn't.

On the plus side, you must have really lurved Tideland.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

I think I have to call shenanigans on the idea that people are freaking out at you because you aren't a super fan of your listed directors. I do so because I see many, many. many, many more posts from people decrying these directors than people defending them. Right now in the Chinatown thread people are ranting about Black Swan and everything it did to them personally, with an occasional "Black Swan was good" as rebuttal.

I love the Coens

[Show spoiler](with Intolerable Cruelty being awful and Ladykillers not very good)

but I don't care that you don't. Your opinion (or anyone else's) doesn't effect how freaking great Millers Crossing is or isn't.

On the plus side, you must have really lurved Tideland.

The hell? Jesus Christ, take some Midol, you're totally overracting here. I'm not even talking about this forum when I say that. There is a life outside of bluray.com, and I discuss films with friends and/or co-workers too. No where did I bash the Coens, except for The Ladykillers, which is a PoS compared to the original. I liked the newer version of True Grit, but I prefer the original. I also enjoyed Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and Raising Arizona. Obviously you do care, if you're responding with the shenanigans post, you're essentially saying "I don't care that you don't like this, this is still totally awesome, and you're just wrong, but I'll word it this way to make it seem like I don't think you're a total idiot for not agreeing with me."

BTW, I didn't care for Tideland. I said 90% or more of what a director has done, not 100%. Billy Wilder has a higher ranking than Gilliam IMHO. About 70% of the Coens' filmsentertain me. I'm sorry if that upsets you so much, because contrary to what you claim, it clearly does.

[The Dark Uniter]

Personally, I find Tarantino's films to be a lot more entertaining than the Coen Brothers or the others mentioned, then again, majority of my collection are not really A-class titles. Rewatchability is a key factor whenever I buy films.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

The hell? Jesus Christ, take some Midol, you're totally overracting here. I'm not even talking about this forum when I say that. There is a life outside of bluray.com, and I discuss films with friends and/or co-workers too. No where did I bash the Coens, except for The Ladykillers, which is a PoS compared to the original. I liked the newer version of True Grit, but I prefer the original. I also enjoyed Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and Raising Arizona. Obviously you do care, if you're responding with the shenanigans post, you're essentially saying "I don't care that you don't like this, this is still totally awesome, and you're just wrong, but I'll word it this way to make it seem like I don't think you're a total idiot for not agreeing with me."

BTW, I didn't care for Tideland. I said 90% or more of what a director has done, not 100%. Billy Wilder has a higher ranking than Gilliam IMHO. About 70% of the Coens' filmsentertain me. I'm sorry if that upsets you so much, because contrary to what you claim, it clearly does.

Wow.

So, see, I have to say that is an over reaction. I even added a smiley for crying out loud. My post was written as relaxed as possible. I think the fact that you took it way over the top makes it likely you are reading anger where there is none.

No one is mad at you.

As for the bolded statement above, I would say that I'm really saying, "Go ahead and not like things. It really doesn't matter. I (and most everyone else) will gone on liking and disliking completely removed from your opinion. It doesn't mean we can't be fast friends."

[rkish]

Originally Posted by vader4

I'm turning in my Netflix tomorrow and plan on renting a Criterion but I can't decide which. I'm trying to decide between House, Orpheus, The Seventh Seal, or Belle de Jour. I realize these are very different movies but if someone has a certain affinity for one, your opinion would be appreciated...

The Seventh Seal is a pretty good introduction to Bergman...if you're anything like me, you might find yourself watching it a second and third time.

I finally cracked open my copy of Orpheus last Sunday night and fell asleep after about 1/2 hour...like our friend BohemianGraham...NOT THE FAULT OF THE FILM...late night viewings of subtitled films can put me right out. I'm typically better on Saturday mornings. I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast so much and Orpheus got a sterling review. I will likely start it from the beginning this Saturday morning.

A tough call...but I'd go with the Bergman...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Wow.

So, see, I have to say that is an over reaction. I even added a smiley for crying out loud. My post was written as relaxed as possible. I think the fact that you took it way over the top makes it likely you are reading anger where there is none.

No one is mad at you.

As for the bolded statement above, I would say that I'm really saying, "Go ahead and not like things. It really doesn't matter. I (and most everyone else) will gone on liking and disliking completely removed from your opinion. It doesn't mean we can't be fast friends."

Sorry, but the way you wrote it is much like how people on places like Fark, Regretsy, and even others on BD.com tend to write snarky put-downs. I in turn read it as snark, because when one writes "you must have really lurved Tideland ," it looks totally snarky, and a bit condescending. This forum tends to have a lot of posters who go to extremes when defending directors or an action (look at the Anderson and/or coupon use debates on here) so it's often hard to tell who is being an ass, and who is just making an off-hand comment. I've had people follow me around this message board attacking everything I said, and me as a person, so I'm sorry if I tend to read more negative tones in the comments.

There's also not that many posts on Black Swan in the Chinatown thread, unless the mods have done some trimming.

For the record, Billy Wilder is better than Terry Gilliam, Quentin Tarantino, and The Coen Brothers put together.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by oildude

I am keeping my fingers crossed (yet again) for my two most wanted upgrades: Le Samourai and The Cranes are Flying. With the March announcement of Letter Never Sent, maybe we will finally get Kalatozov's The Cranes are Flying upgraded to blu-ray soon.

My wish list is long, but I would be ecstatic to also get upgrades this year of Ballad of a Soldier, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and The Naked Prey. Oh, and also The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and Andrei Rublev, and Bicycle Thieves, and some Ozu, and more Oshima, and more Bergman, and......

For 2012, it seems sach month around this time is a lot like Christmas. I keep hoping every present under the Criterion tree contains one of my wished-for toys, but instead I unwrap a couple of toys and several packages of socks. I just need to keep reminding myself that socks are good for me and I should learn to appreciate them more

Total agreement on the Ozu...not one title out on BD and he has quite a presence on CC DVD. BFI is blowing them away with Ozu blu releases. The only thing I can think of is, that there was some sort of gentlemen's agreement between BFI and CC about holding off on releasing any Ozu blus, until BFI gets most/all of them released...which is "supposed" to happen by the end of 2012. Criterion did the transfers for all of the BFI Ozus so far...

[rkish]

Originally Posted by joe dalek

...the great irony being that that is what essentially happens to Orpheus in the film. Did you dream of Juliette Greco at least?

I wish!!!

[JHas]

Originally Posted by rkish

I finally cracked open my copy of Orpheus last Sunday night and fell asleep after about 1/2 hour...like our friend BohemianGraham...NOT THE FAULT OF THE FILM...late night viewings of subtitled films can put me right out. I'm typically better on Saturday mornings. I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast so much and Orpheus got a sterling review. I will likely start it from the beginning this Saturday morning.

Funny, that pretty much sums up my experience. Enjoyed the hell out of Beauty and the Beast, put on Orpheus at about 10 pm, was out cold 20 minutes later.

[JHas]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Even though I love Fassbinder's Despair, being the first Fassbinder wouldn't be recommended. Hopefully you stick with him and come back to Despair down the road.

Yeah, I read up that that film is probably not the best to start on, but I wanted to watch one on BLU since I find it harder and harder to tolerate the lower res of DVDs these days. What do you recommend for starters from him?

[rkish]

Originally Posted by JHas

Funny, that pretty much sums up my experience. Enjoyed the hell out of Beauty and the Beast, put on Orpheus at about 10 pm, was out cold 20 minutes later.

I think between the subs and the slow/easy pace of the film...it just lulls ya to sleep. Maybe that's not such a bad thing...

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Sorry, but the way you wrote it is much like how people on places like Fark, Regretsy, and even others on BD.com tend to write snarky put-downs. I in turn read it as snark, because when one writes "you must have really lurved Tideland ," it looks totally snarky, and a bit condescending. This forum tends to have a lot of posters who go to extremes when defending directors or an action (look at the Anderson and/or coupon use debates on here) so it's often hard to tell who is being an ass, and who is just making an off-hand comment. I've had people follow me around this message board attacking everything I said, and me as a person, so I'm sorry if I tend to read more negative tones in the comments.

There's also not that many posts on Black Swan in the Chinatown thread, unless the mods have done some trimming.

For the record, Billy Wilder is better than Terry Gilliam, Quentin Tarantino, and The Coen Brothers put together.

I only mentioned Tideland because you were bigging up Gilliam and saying how you liked the stuff that no one else liked. Which pretty much screams Tideland. It, at best, is hard to watch.

Trying to watch subtitles late at night is the bane of my existence.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

I only mentioned Tideland because you were bigging up Gilliam and saying how you liked the stuff that no one else liked. Which pretty much screams Tideland. It, at best, is hard to watch.

Trying to watch subtitles late at night is the bane of my existence.

That wasn't the main part of my post, and isn't always the case, as there is still a lot of stuff I dislike that everyone else likes. That was in reference to people who dislike Alice in Wonderland by Burton, while I enjoyed it. Some people probably think my tastes are horrid because of that. Another example would be the fact that I enjoyed Brothers Grimm, and although I enjoy Gilliam, I'm apparently not a true fan because I actually enjoy that garbage, and if I were a true fan, Tideland would be my favourite.

I just mentioned that I prefer Gilliam to the Coens, Tarantino, Fincher, Aronofsky, Nolan, and Burton as an offhanded remark.

Subs anytime I'm tired is bad. Solaris put me to sleep mid afternoon, but then, not all of that was from being tired, some of it might have been because the film was a bit too slow for my liking.

[Banned User]

The tendency in this forum to bash more mainstream popular directors while touting more 'obscure' directors is nothing new. Personally I enjoy the Coen's movies. God knows there are a ton of worse directors out there. For the most part 90% of American made films are flashy popcorn affairs. Wholly hollowed out experiences with no thinking required, encouraged or possibly even allowed. In this ocean of mediocre its nice to have a few decent directors that try to be different. Many of whom build their films upon the masters before them. This is nothing new. Directors have been copying, stealing and paying homage to great movies since the birth of cinema. I'd argue the Coen's have very much a mastery of suspense as Hitchcock did and their films are well crafted and IMO very enjoyable. While not a huge fan of Tarantino I appreciate his ability to resurrect unused actors careers and revive dead genre's. Also his films have a freshness to them when compared to most of his contemporaries. Gilliam is less mainstream and IMO a utter genius. He reminds me in the sense of Orson Welles in the fact he neither gets the backing or the control to explore his artistic vision like he should. (Although recently: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmb...y-family-pasta)

I have a more negative opinion of Burton. To me he is a one trick pony artistically. I agree with a earlier statement that he basically makes the same movie over and over. I have a lot of respect for Fincher's work even though IMO his films tend to have the same dark feel. Although I generally tend to like that darkness and atmospheric feel in movies. There really is no doubting his capability at directing major films. If anything he is one of the best directors of title sequences. Although I'd love to see him branch out.

I'm not even going to mention my thoughts of Nolan and Anderson. Two of the biggest pinata's, or punching bags, in this criterion forum. the only difference being some want to punch them and others bring a baseball bat.

I guess everyone has their tastes and there are no wrong answers. Overall I tend to always find something I like in a movie even when its contrasted with a lot of bad. Except in a few cases. For instance that travesty that was the Coen's Ladykiller remake. Possibly the worst movie I have every seen.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I guess everyone has their tastes and there are no wrong answers. Overall I tend to always find something I like in a movie even when its contrasted with a lot of bad.

That how it should be

[ShellOilJunior]

I just received a $10 gift code from Criterion.com via email for the WHITE replacement program so I can assume they received my disc and shipped the new one.

Has anyone received their replacement disc yet?