The Criterion Collection

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Page14

I watched Wings Of Desire for the first time about a week ago. I watched it again today, but this time while listening to the audio-commentary. Then I tried to watch all of the other special features, but it got to the point where I was becoming very overwhelmed by so much information that I couldn't absorb any more and started falling asleep in my chair. I still have an hours worth of special features to go through, which will have to wait for another day. That's my problem with watching films on bluray (or DVD) ... it becomes very time consuming for me because I can only take in so much at a time. Just finding a large enough chunk of (uninterrupted) time to devote to movie watching is often a rare thing.

But anyway, back to the movie. Interesting to say the least. Beautiful to look at and hear. I'm sure I will be visiting it again, although when exactly, who knows. I really enjoyed listening to the audio-commentary too ... love hearing how/why a movie I like is made.

Spoilers for those who have seen the movie or the special features:

[Show spoiler]It's likely that I'll think of Peter Falk the next time I buy a hat.

I think I'm glad that the "almost homage to the Three Stooges" never made it to the final film ... although I was under the impression that it was never intended to be in the movie anyway.

Yeah, as much as I love special features — the more the merrier, in my book — they really can take a long time to watch. But it generally worth it. Due to my schedule and how little time I tend to have in life, it's rare that I finish a full feature in one sitting. It usually requires at least two sittings, plus more for special features. But one can really learn a lot from high quality special features, even simple commentaries.

[Show spoiler]I find it sadly ironic that shortly after I finished watching my copy of the film for the first time, Peter Falk passed away. His performance in Wings of Desire—in my opinion one of the best films in the entire Criterion Criterion—is one of the first I'll always remember when I think of him. It is easily one of the memorable I've seen from his career.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Metropolitan Blu-ray REVIEW

Thanks for the review (as always), Svet.

I'd already blind-bought this during the big B&N sale and I look forward to seeing it. Actually, I plan to follow it with Howards End, another examination of class and the wealthy.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by CB0967

I'm sorry if this question has already been addressed, but I haven't been following this thread.

Does anyone have a complete list of Criterion Collection films that take place in the U.S. or star U.S. actors?

Any help is appreciated

I don't know of such a list, but maybe the complete listing of films at Criterion's website is a good place to start narrowing down the titles. It would be a long list, though.

[arcadeforest]

Originally Posted by octagon

It flies, doesn't it? Back when I still had NF streaming I watched the first part just to see if I wanted to buy it or not and had to watch the whole thing.

No doubt, sometimes with long films I find myself looking at the clock - not this one. While its only been 22-23 years since the cold war ended it feels like it was much longer. This film brought back a few memories of events even though I was a kid in the 70's and a teenager in the 80's. The soundtrack on the other hand brought back quite a few memories as well. Loved that style of music.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I don't know of such a list, but maybe the complete listing of films at Criterion's website is a good place to start narrowing down the titles. It would be a long list, though.

By clicking on 'features' on the side there, you can also choose 'English-language films' if that further helps.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Thanks for the review (as always), Svet.

I'd already blind-bought this during the big B&N sale and I look forward to seeing it. Actually, I plan to follow it with Howards End, another examination of class and the wealthy.

You are very welcome

I really liked this film. It is very well done/improvised. Not as well polished as Barcelona and The Last Days of Disco, which is something that definitely works to its advantage.

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I blind bought this along with The Last Days of Disco and liked it better than I thought I would. I know this will sound silly, but I mainly bought it since I know some of the characters make cameos in Whit's other films.

Pro-B

[Scottie]

Thanks guys

[ShellOilJunior]

THE RED SHOES

I've seen this 4-5 times on Criterion blu-ray and twice during the restoration tour. I cannot recommend this film any more. It's an absolute masterwork. It's brimming with passion from its creators and characters in the film.

The scene that always makes me smile

[Show spoiler] is in rehearsal when Vicky is dancing and Craster is trying to get the music just right. Vicky complains that the music is too fast and Craster remarks that he isn't playing for the circus.

As they argue the camera cuts to Lermontov with a big grin on his face. Great scene.

[Scottie]

I think I'm going to be going through the Criterion shop this week and seeing what ones they have, then compiling a list and hoping for a Barnes & Noble sale

I own Armageddon, Chasing Amy, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The Rock, and The Royal Tenebaums in the DVD Criterion Collection.

Off the top of my head, I would like 12 Angry Men, The 39 Steps, Anatomy Of A Murder, Being John Malkovich, Bottle Rocket, Che, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The Darjeeling Limited, Days Of Heaven, Eating Raoul, The Game, The Killing, The Last Temptations Of Christ, Rosemary's Baby, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Rushmore in Blu-Ray Criterion Collection.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by CB0967

I think I'm going to be going through the Criterion shop this week and seeing what ones they have, then compiling a list and hoping for a Barnes & Noble sale

I own Armageddon, Chasing Amy, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The Rock, and The Royal Tenebaums in the DVD Criterion Collection.

Off the top of my head, I would like 12 Angry Men, The 39 Steps, Anatomy Of A Murder, Being John Malkovich, Bottle Rocket, Che, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The Darjeeling Limited, Days Of Heaven, Eating Raoul, The Game, The Killing, The Last Temptations Of Christ, Rosemary's Baby, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Rushmore in Blu-Ray Criterion Collection.

You just missed the BN sale. Next one is suppose to be in November.

[octagon]

Has Criterion ever released anything more or less alongside BFI?

All this talk of a November box set has me thinking about the BFI Cassavettes releases but more often than not UK releases seem to be the kiss of death rather than a reason for optimism.

[georgec]

Random thought - it seems like Criterion still has the rights to all of Carl Th. Dreyer's films. I'm salivating at the thought of a blu-ray box with those five movies:

The Passion of Joan of Arc
Vampyr
Gertrud
Ordet
Day of Wrath

ohhhhhhhh

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by octagon

Has Criterion ever released anything more or less alongside BFI?

All this talk of a November box set has me thinking about the BFI Cassavettes releases but more often than not UK releases seem to be the kiss of death rather than a reason for optimism.

BFI has released these titles which are also Criterions:

Playtime
Late Spring
The Leopard
Salo
Red Desert


And they've already release Trilogy of Life, which many believe Criterion to be releasing next month. So it's not a total kiss of death.

[BluPops]

I bought Harakiri on faith (don't like the term "blind buy") during the Barnes and Noble sale. Great film! I guess I expected a more typical action film, and was very pleasantly surprised. If you like Kurosawa, then rent, stream, borrow or buy this film!

Pops

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

THE RED SHOES

I cannot recommend this film any more.

If you love it so much, why can't you recommend it?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

If you love it so much, why can't you recommend it?

Because I've recommended it so much and every so often I read about people being on the fence about purchasing it. It should be in everyone's collection - regardless of how popular it is and all that jazz.

[Halation]

Originally Posted by georgec

Random thought - it seems like Criterion still has the rights to all of Carl Th. Dreyer's films. I'm salivating at the thought of a blu-ray box with those five movies:

The Passion of Joan of Arc
Vampyr
Gertrud
Ordet
Day of Wrath

ohhhhhhhh

Yeah, I would kill a stranger for this.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Because I've recommended it so much and every so often I read about people being on the fence about purchasing it. It should be in everyone's collection - regardless of how popular it is and all that jazz.

Ah, I was thinking you meant to say that you cannot recommend it enough. But, I do agree with you. It is a great movie and I don't know why anyone would really be on the fence about it. Great performances all around. It's not like it's a Godard or something where you aren't sure whether you're going to love it or hate it.

[Shout92]

Every Criterion Closet video makes me jealous beyond belief...

Brothers Quay - DVD Picks - YouTube

[CriterionCollector]

I know, I also got The Earrings of Madame de... and lucky to be able to get Mon Oncle.

I really wanted to get Trafic, but that was already OOP, and I didn't find M. Hulot's Holiday. Oh well, I still loved Mon Oncle.