The Criterion Collection

[Trekkie313]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Recent movies like Pina, Certified Copy, Le Havre or White Material?? Yup, those are exactly the most accessible films to show a mainstream audience.

[Show spoiler] ... sorry, I'm going with Abdrewes on that.

Talking about Brazil, Charade, Dazed & Confused, The Blob and The Great Dictator. Films lots of people have heard about, but likely haven't seen. Stuff like On The Waterfront and 12 Angry Men have been played for years on cable channels like TCM. I say newcomers to Criterion wouldn't jump at those two and similar films immediately.

[RandomThought31]

Originally Posted by octagon

You would be very hard-pressed to find a Criterion title more accessible than 12 Angry Men. And while I can think of other titles that are as accessible I can't think of too many that are both this accessible and this good.

It's a very straight-forward drama with clear conflicts and easily recognizable character types. It's a fantastic film.

I agree. I didn't see it on blu-ray nor do I own it yet, but it is a terrific piece of art and I will definitely buy it as soon as I can find it. The only criterion movie that I particularly want AND can get my hands on is Godzilla. And even then I still have to drive almost 50 miles away to get it from Fry's Electronics.

Perhaps if they had 12 Angry men and Being John Malkovich in stock as well, I would be more inclined to go pick it up. I also want to get the seventh seal but I don't think they even have the blu-ray of it listed on their site. and the DVD is out of stock.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by The_Big_Viking

Just a question off the top of my head for anyone who cares. What is your top three most wanted movies for Criterion to bring to Blu-ray? Please explain your choices.

My top 3: 1. Diner (1982)
2. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
3. The Usual Suspects (1995)

I would love to see Diner get a Criterion release with a good transfer, and some good extras to go with it. I also would love to see a release of RD with much better audio, and for a release of Usual Suspect to actually have some extras to watch. I know none of these are likely.......but I can always dream

I would love all kinds of films on Criterion blu but I would pick older Criterions from the laserdisc days like..
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. Carrie
3. Spartacus
Just a wish list of titles that once were touched with the CC greatness.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

Talking about Brazil, Charade, Dazed & Confused, The Blob and The Great Dictator. Films lots of people have heard about, but likely haven't seen. Stuff like On The Waterfront and 12 Angry Men have been played for years on cable channels like TCM. I say newcomers to Criterion wouldn't jump at those two and similar films immediately.

I completely agree with CHARADE as both mainstream and easily accessible to modern audiences, but with none of your other examples. BRAZIL is far from mainstream and easily confuses and/or annoys average moviegoers of today (just as it did when it first came out). DAZED AND CONFUSED is aimed directly at a certain demographic but will likely turn off older viewers and is still too much of a period film now to resonate with many younger viewers. THE BLOB is a fun genre picture that genre fans should love but others may find a campy trifle. THE GREAT DICTATOR is a genuine classic, but full appreciation requires a sense of historical perspective today's average moviegoers rarely have, and its final speech quickly becomes too heavy-handedly preachy for many viewers (of course some of those problems are also inherent in ON THE WATERFRONT).

Even 12 ANGRY MEN gets a bit overly obvious in its social commentary, but remains relevant and the brilliant performances and directing make it work, despite being almost entirely reliant on its dialogue. The film becomes all the more powerful if you first watch the original live TV version (included as a bonus on Criterion's release). The teleplay is very powerful stuff as it is, yet the film adaptation takes it to another level.

Another Criterion classic that I'd say is reasonably mainstream and accessible to all audiences would be NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (which becomes even more amazing when you watch the two hours of outtakes).

[tenia]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Criterion Blu-ray of On the Waterfront.

I watched the 1.67:1 version on Disc One before checking out some of the supplements. I would like to watch the film in the other two aspect ratios before chiming in with an actual user review for this site, but, for now...

I give this one an A+ across the board.

I admit that I didn't like especially the "famous" scenes between Brando and Saint. I've heard a lot about it, and didn't find them so awesome. But I've been extremely impressed by Lee J Cobb and Karl Malden
As a whole, I would rate the movie 9-9.5 out of 10, but the priest scene, after the Kugan "accident", that's a 11 out of 10.

Malden conveys so much powerful force, something deep and impressive, which deserves a lot of respect and regard. The scene itself is very impressive, especially touching a priest, which is quite a respectful figure, and seeing him degraded physically, verbally and psychologically is quite strong. But Malden totally nails the scene, and I strongly believe it is the best scene of the movie, far ahead of the famous Contender scene.

Originally Posted by MasturB

Probably not the best way to compare transfers, but watching the movie then watching the movie trailer and seeing how much of a difference in sound and picture quality there is... it's just wow.

Sometimes, it's nice to see the way walked.

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

Is 12 Angry Men a must own? Thinking about picking it up tomorrow.

It is. It's well acted, wonderfully crafted and very effective in the editing.

[BruceWayneMartin]

The three that I wish came to Criterion:

1. Taxi Driver
2. Double Indemnity
3. Some Like It Hot

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

The three that I wish came to Criterion:

1. Taxi Driver
2. Double Indemnity
3. Some Like It Hot

I honestly can't argue with Sony's release of Taxi Driver, aside from the lack of original mono track. That's about the only real area where there's room for improvement. Sony even gave us the Criterion LD commentary! And for $12.99 on Day One!

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by BruceWayneMartin

The three that I wish came to Criterion:

1. Taxi Driver
2. Double Indemnity
3. Some Like It Hot

probably will happen since MoC in the UK put this out in 2012 and its a great transfer and they seem to follow each other often

[octagon]

I thought Double Indemnity had a decent shot at getting into the collection too but it looks like Universal will be doing the domestic release after all.

Touch of Evil is on their plate too.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=216252

http://entertainment.time.com/2013/0...ichael-daruty/

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by octagon

I thought Double Indemnity had a decent shot at getting into the collection too but it looks like Universal will be doing the domestic release after all.

Touch of Evil is on their plate too.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=216252

http://entertainment.time.com/2013/0...ichael-daruty/

Both of those absolutely are worthy of inclusion, but I'm pretty happy with my MOC releases, so I hope they don't end up in the collection because if they do, I'll be rebuying them.

[Oscar Rothman]

Predictions for Friday's announcements? Here are my: Devil's Backbone, Lord of the Flies, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, La Notte.

[Spire]

Would definitely be happy for Life Aquatic. As lots of others would :P

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Oscar Rothman

Predictions for Friday's announcements? Here are my: Devil's Backbone, Lord of the Flies, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, La Notte.

Oh man, I've been so busy this month that I hadn't realized it was already time for another announcement. Excellent!

[redrunner97]

I don't follow their announcements, but I know it was hinted that they has "Scanners".

Has Criterion actually made the announcement yet? And what about "The Brood"?

[The Great Owl]

Just reserved a copy of The Blob at Barnes & Noble down the street, so that I can pick it up during lunch break. The movie is listed at $29.01 on the website, so it seems it will be a lower-than-normal Criterion price in store as well.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Spire

Would definitely be happy for Life Aquatic. As lots of others would :P

If it happens, so bet it. But please, for Christ, let this not happen.

By the way, I've been wanting to see Glengarry Glen Ross again, I need the blu ray in my hands now!

[BohemianGraham]

The Blob has shipped! Yay! Steve McQueen is the second oldest teenager after Roddy McDowell. He was 28 during The Blob while McDowell was 38 for Lord Love a Duck, which Aldo had Ruth Gordon in it. Think criterion would be doing overkill on Ruth Gordon if they added Lord Love a Duck?

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Just reserved a copy of The Blob at Barnes & Noble down the street, so that I can pick it up during lunch break. The movie is listed at $29.01 on the website, so it seems it will be a lower-than-normal Criterion price in store as well.

That's a good price. I'm gonna pick this up.

[The Great Owl]

Some things absolutely demand to be viewed in high definition.



I just received the text from Barnes & Noble notifying me of the reserved copy of The Blob, and that the price in-store is $35.99. With my member discount, this will be a few bucks less. Higher than the online price, but without shipping costs. I'm good to go.

[Fellini912]

After spending some time in Christine blu ray thread, I want to say how grateful I am about the honesty and care criterion has given to their customers and fan base. I feel like they honestly care about these movies and getting them out to the public.

Any company could have scam this small niche of film viewers with extreme limited editions that sell out in hours.

At the end of the day, one can easily notice a company that cares about their customers.

I hope everyone has a nice day.