The Criterion Collection

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

I wonder what does he mean by "...it won't simply be a Blu-Ray release".

I believe he was referring to image quality wise;implying it would rather be a stunning/extraordinary looking release,but a ordinary one...

Let's just hope we won't be waiting too long for it,and that's on Criterion schedule for 2013.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I'm glad you enjoyed it. This film is one of my favorites that I've seen in the Criterion Collection. I myself am thinking of buying the Oshima's Outlaw Sixties Eclipse set. Mr. Lawrence is very unusual, not just in acting but also in terms of story and style. How did you like the Ryuichi Sakamoto's musical score?

Ugh, that score was incredible! I actually have it on my laptop now



The last release I need now to complete my Criterion Oshima collection is In the Realm of the Senses, but I hear a lot of mixed things about this one. What are everyone's thoughts on this one?

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Seeing the excitement generated around the release date of Lawrence of Arabia, I am wondering which are the thoughts on the David Lean Directs Noel Coward boxset. Does anybody mind sharing ? Also, who else is extremely excited with the release of Lawrence of Arabia? I definitely am .

So far I've watched all the films and special features except for Brief Encounter.

The set really starts off with a bang with In Which We Serve. Right out of the gate its obvious David Lean has complete control in the editing room and on the set. Eisensteins' influence is easily seen here with the quick cuts and lengthy montages using the set, stock footage and footage shot on real ships all perfectly matched. The narration at the beginning states this film is about a ship and within a few minutes we see the ship built then sunk. The rest of the film is show in flashback sequences and delve into each of the soldiers lives and shows what they are fighting for. Unlike a lot of the propaganda films at the time it still holds up nicely. It is mostly drama with a little action mostly shown in montage.

This Happy Breed follows a family through 2 decades. From the end of WW1 to the beginning of WW2. None of the war is shown or really spoke about in the movie though Lean shows just enough to give you historical context. The family moves in to a house at the beginning of the film and leaves at the end. Being a play the majority of the film happens in this house. This is another drama with some humor thrown in. It really kept my attention and so far I think I've enjoyed this film the most. Celia Johnson really shines here. What a great actress.

Blithe Spirit has some really great witty dialog and some pretty funny moments. Being a comedy though I really expected a lot more humor. Maybe it was my expectations and a second viewing will do the trick. Still its a good movie and Margaret Rutherford really steals the show with her eccentric Madame Arcati character. Its worth a viewing just for her. Many consider this the best film in the set next to Brief Encounter. I had a issue or two with some of the characters reactions to things that happen in the story, but I can't go into detail without spoiling the film.

I think you will find most people would disagree with my take on Blithe Spirit so take my impressions with a grain of salt.

Hope that helps. Personally I think the set is great and look forward to revisiting some of these movies. The book with the set mentions these films and others of Leans' have been restored with money from the Lean foundation so one can hope Criterion will be releasing Great Expectations and Oliver Twist in the near future.

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just finished Tokyo Drifter and I really liked it. The pq was outstanding as well. The colors looked great and man does it have style! I actually liked it more than Branded to Kill. I would say its my second favorite Suzuki (Youth of the Beast #1). Suzuki has made me love Yakuza films. His films are just so crazy and out there.

Maybe I need to revisit it. With Branded to Kill I liked it well enough on my first viewing, but on the second viewing it really shot up to one of my favorite movies. Hence the avatar change. However I liked it better then Tokyo Drifter when I first watched them both. I'm thinking that tune had something to do with it. Instead of humming it in my head it started to irritate me I think.

[moody41]

Looks like we won't be seen anymore Tati movies on Criterion for the forseeable future. And expect Playtime to go OP as well.

Studio Canal now own all worldwide rights to Tati's movies

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056538

[BohemianGraham]

Fellow Canadians! October preorders up cheap right now! Get them while they are hot! I just got Forgiveness of Blood, In the Mood for Love, and Rosemary's Baby for 28.49 each.

Hurry P@t! In the Mood for Love won't start cheap long!

[jaredc]

Island of Lost Souls was a blind buy and I'm about to watch it!

[jacobb1313]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Most of them have been true and so I hope this one is right. This is Kiarostami's greatest achievement and so Criterion should step up and do it in the best possible way .

Also, just watched Ensayo de un Crimen again tonight and I can't help but reaffirm my love from everything Bunuel . One of my favorite film from his and I recommend it to anyone who has not seen it. You can easily see how this is a very different Bunuel than the one most people is used to see in the French period. Same themes explored in a very different way. Every Bunuel "trademark" is present: Desire, lustfulness, religious allegories, satire of the "upper' class and many more. I also noticed this is one of the few Mexican Bunuel films Criterion should be getting. Most of the rights of his films are owned by Televisa, a company that is everything except rational (Hate them very much). Ensayo de un Crimen isn't owned by them so I have high hopes Criterion will look at it someday and decide it is time. Criterion, make it happen .

Totally agree - I've always hoped against hope that Criterion would at the very least release an Eclipse of highlights of Bunuel's Mexican period - Wuthering Heights, El (That Strange Passion), Susana, Great Madcap, and so forth. They're all aching for rediscovery.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just finished Tokyo Drifter and I really liked it. The pq was outstanding as well. The colors looked great and man does it have style! I actually liked it more than Branded to Kill. I would say its my second favorite Suzuki (Youth of the Beast #1). Suzuki has made me love Yakuza films. His films are just so crazy and out there.

I feel the same way about Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter versus his Branded to Kill. I enjoyed both very much, but I felt Tokyo Drifter was the stronger and more memorable film.

In any case, just last weekend I bought the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse Series DVD box set, which features Take Aim at the Police Van, another film by Seijun Suzuki. I haven't begun to watch the set yet, but it's definitely a logical next step to discovering more things yakuza or Japanese noir.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Most of them have been true and so I hope this one is right. This is Kiarostami's greatest achievement and so Criterion should step up and do it in the best possible way .

Also, just watched Ensayo de un Crimen again tonight and I can't help but reaffirm my love from everything Bunuel . One of my favorite film from his and I recommend it to anyone who has not seen it. You can easily see how this is a very different Bunuel than the one most people is used to see in the French period. Same themes explored in a very different way. Every Bunuel "trademark" is present: Desire, lustfulness, religious allegories, satire of the "upper' class and many more. I also noticed this is one of the few Mexican Bunuel films Criterion should be getting. Most of the rights of his films are owned by Televisa, a company that is everything except rational (Hate them very much). Ensayo de un Crimen isn't owned by them so I have high hopes Criterion will look at it someday and decide it is time. Criterion, make it happen .

Luis Bunuel is a filmmaker whose work I'd really like to thoroughly discover for myself in a retrospective—even if it's just arranging a bunch of his films together in my Netflix queue. I absolutely adore The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and have Criterion's old DVD of it. I'm considering buying the recently released Studio Canal blu-ray. Without researching, I don't know if there's a blu-ray box set of his films somewhere in English-Friendly-Land.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I feel the same way about Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter versus his Branded to Kill. I enjoyed both very much, but I felt Tokyo Drifter was the stronger and more memorable film.

In any case, just last weekend I bought the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse Series DVD box set, which features Take Aim at the Police Van, another film by Seijun Suzuki. I haven't begun to watch the set yet, but it's definitely a logical next step to discovering more things yakuza or Japanese noir.

Thirded on Tokyo Drifter, although I technically might have firsted it many months ago when I first watched it. I've always preferred it to Branded to Kill. Both are most excellent, but Tokyo Drifter seems tighter and better defined, and the soundtrack is awesome.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by jaredc

Island of Lost Souls was a blind buy and I'm about to watch it!

It's pretty hard not to enjoy this film. A truly fantastic one.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Shout92

So I got my copy of Blow Out and noticed the back cover was bent in a bit, pushing up the circle where the disc is held. Didn't have that much of a problem though cause I'm not that OCD about stuff like that. Put the disc in and didn't think anything of it until I played the Nancy Allen interview, which paused and then skipped around so much it was unwatchable.

The thing is, the movie played through entirely well, as did the DePalma and Brown interviews, and the trailer (the only other features I checked out). This is the first time this has happened to me on any blu-ray ever.

So I'm wondering, even though its been opened and watched, what are the chance of B&N (either in store or online) taking it back and swapping me for another copy? And if I return it in store and there's no media department, can I have a replacement copy sent to that store?

I'd appreciate any feedback as soon as possible.

Assuming it's within the timeframe for returns and you have your receipt, the only acceptable solution would be for B&N to exchange the defective product with another copy, even if the original was already opened, especially considering that the issue involves playback, which would not be detectable without opening the package.

Make sure the replacement copy's case and all its contents are in pristine physical condition.

I imagine you would be able to have a copy of the blu-ray sent to any store, whether it has a media department or not, but call B&N first.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by Banned User

So far I've watched all the films and special features except for Brief Encounter.

The set really starts off with a bang with In Which We Serve. Right out of the gate its obvious David Lean has complete control in the editing room and on the set. Eisensteins' influence is easily seen here with the quick cuts and lengthy montages using the set, stock footage and footage shot on real ships all perfectly matched. The narration at the beginning states this film is about a ship and within a few minutes we see the ship built then sunk. The rest of the film is show in flashback sequences and delve into each of the soldiers lives and shows what they are fighting for. Unlike a lot of the propaganda films at the time it still holds up nicely. It is mostly drama with a little action mostly shown in montage.

This Happy Breed follows a family through 2 decades. From the end of WW1 to the beginning of WW2. None of the war is shown or really spoke about in the movie though Lean shows just enough to give you historical context. The family moves in to a house at the beginning of the film and leaves at the end. Being a play the majority of the film happens in this house. This is another drama with some humor thrown in. It really kept my attention and so far I think I've enjoyed this film the most. Celia Johnson really shines here. What a great actress.

Blithe Spirit has some really great witty dialog and some pretty funny moments. Being a comedy though I really expected a lot more humor. Maybe it was my expectations and a second viewing will do the trick. Still its a good movie and Margaret Rutherford really steals the show with her eccentric Madame Arcati character. Its worth a viewing just for her. Many consider this the best film in the set next to Brief Encounter. I had a issue or two with some of the characters reactions to things that happen in the story, but I can't go into detail without spoiling the film.

I think you will find most people would disagree with my take on Blithe Spirit so take my impressions with a grain of salt.

Hope that helps. Personally I think the set is great and look forward to revisiting some of these movies. The book with the set mentions these films and others of Leans' have been restored with money from the Lean foundation so one can hope Criterion will be releasing Great Expectations and Oliver Twist in the near future.

Maybe I need to revisit it. With Branded to Kill I liked it well enough on my first viewing, but on the second viewing it really shot up to one of my favorite movies. Hence the avatar change. However I liked it better then Tokyo Drifter when I first watched them both. I'm thinking that tune had something to do with it. Instead of humming it in my head it started to irritate me I think.

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts . I am really tempted of getting this set eventually. Sounds like it is a wonderful release and I just noticed these are, in fact, Lean's first films.

Originally Posted by moody41

Looks like we won't be seen anymore Tati movies on Criterion for the forseeable future. And expect Playtime to go OP as well.

Studio Canal now own all worldwide rights to Tati's movies

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056538

Well, I can only say I am really happy of having picked Playtime last summer. A real shame this is happening as I wished we would eventually get upgrades for Mr. Hulot's Holiday and Mon Oncle. Does anyone recommend picking up Trafic? It still isn't THAT expensive and so I might be on time of getting a copy.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by jacobb1313

Totally agree - I've always hoped against hope that Criterion would at the very least release an Eclipse of highlights of Bunuel's Mexican period - Wuthering Heights, El (That Strange Passion), Susana, Great Madcap, and so forth. They're all aching for rediscovery.

I hope they give mainline treatment to the more prominent Mexican films like Ensayo de un Crimen, Los Olvidados, Subida al Cielo, Nazarin (Fun fact: This is one of Tarkovsky's favorite films ), among others. I personally own almost every film he made in his life so the Eclipse route isn't all that attractive to me . They should do it eventually so a new audience can discover his brilliance, though.

Originally Posted by BluPix

Luis Bunuel is a filmmaker whose work I'd really like to thoroughly discover for myself in a retrospective—even if it's just arranging a bunch of his films together in my Netflix queue. I absolutely adore The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and have Criterion's old DVD of it. I'm considering buying the recently released Studio Canal blu-ray. Without researching, I don't know if there's a blu-ray box set of his films somewhere in English-Friendly-Land.

You should definitely watch some of his Mexican films. I think there are just a couple of his films available in BD and most of them are from his French period. I can understand why some of these films are hard to get as the company holding the rights is a monopolical careless mess. There are some of his Mexican films available for picking, though. I mention this because some of there are in the Collection (El Angel Exterminador, Simon del Desierto, Viridiana) and Ensayo de un Crimen is in the same condition. Criterion should pick this up as my current DVD isn't all that good .

[exolstice]

Originally Posted by greekak229

It's pretty hard not to enjoy this film. A truly fantastic one.

Yeah. I was pretty impressed out how well it holds up, especially in terms of effects and tone.

I was going to blind buy a bunch of art house foreign films, but I decided to go for re-watchability with this sale (although still all blind buys except for BJM):

http://www.criterion.com/films/28055...john-malkovich
http://www.criterion.com/films/28353-certified-copy
http://www.criterion.com/films/575-diabolique
http://www.criterion.com/films/216-la-haine
http://www.criterion.com/films/333-rushmore
http://www.criterion.com/films/27981-shallow-grave
http://www.criterion.com/films/577-tokyo-drifter

[Mac Norton]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Thirded on Tokyo Drifter, although I technically might have firsted it many months ago when I first watched it. I've always preferred it to Branded to Kill. Both are most excellent, but Tokyo Drifter seems tighter and better defined, and the soundtrack is awesome.

As a huge fan of both, I can say without a doubt Tokyo Drifter is the better of the two films. The Blu-ray upgrade is nothing short of spectacular. Easily one of the best they have done. And the soundtrack is killer. I have on a number of occasions refereed to myself as "The Drifter" and whistled the theme song. As for Branded, I call my one friend the "#3" in everything. And ask him if he liked boiled rice...he never gets the joke.

For the other member looking for suggestions, BluPix , I can also recommend Pale Flower, which is great Japanese noir. I also recommend this book:

The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films

And a second book, which is a true story of an American getting into the Japanese underground:

Tokyo Vice

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts . I am really tempted of getting this set eventually. Sounds like it is a wonderful release and I just noticed these are, in fact, Lean's first films.

You should pick it up. I'm surprised there has been so little talk about this boxset. One of the best releases of the year. You really can tell David Lean hit the ground running on his first movie as director. Top rate production.

I guess I'm in the minority placing Branded to Kill over Tokyo Drifter.

[jaredc]

Originally Posted by greekak229

It's pretty hard not to enjoy this film. A truly fantastic one.

Glad I bought it. Excellent old school sci-fi/horror.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Hurry P@t! In the Mood for Love won't start cheap long!

Thanks for the warning, pre-order as been place

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Luis Bunuel is a filmmaker whose work I'd really like to thoroughly discover for myself in a retrospective—even if it's just arranging a bunch of his films together in my Netflix queue. I absolutely adore The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and have Criterion's old DVD of it. I'm considering buying the recently released Studio Canal blu-ray. Without researching, I don't know if there's a blu-ray box set of his films somewhere in English-Friendly-Land.

I only started to discover Bunuel in recent months. In April and May TFO as a series of his movies showing, mostly from his Mexican and French period. Really enjoyed them, very interesting director.