The Criterion Collection

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

kndy,

Since we don't have a Kino thread (atleast I don't know if we have one), I was going to ask you if you have watched your D. W. Griffith's Mastrworks box sets and if they are worth it. I am seriously thinking about buying them on deepdiscount since they are now only $50 and $45. I know who Griffith is and seen some of his films (also Godard was influenced by him), just wanted to know your thoughts (I am actually looking more at the 1st set for now due to the "Biograph Shorts" which I have never seen and very much curious about). Thanks.

Then again, I might just skip the boxsets and just get:

Griffith's Biograph Shorts dvd
Avant Garde (1920s & 30s)
It

That should hold me over until mid-April when the best Criterion release of the year comes out (Vivre sa vie).

Yes, both Griffith Masterworks are essential to any cinema fans collections!!!! The first one is a must buy but the second one, you may want to check Amazon because me and a few others got it two weeks ago for $29.99 (new via third party).

Avant Garde #1 is definitely worth it (I ordered the second and third one from the sale but always read from people that the first is the best) and "It"...is simply worth owning for a silent film with Clara Bow!

"Vivre sa vie" and "Red Desert" are the main ones I'm waiting for. A lot of good films coming out from Criterion though!

Originally Posted by stobbart

Tried watching El Norte tonight. Got about 40 min into and just could not stand it anymore. This is the first Criterion that I have just turned off, there was just something about it.

Wondering what other Criterion titles people just could not make it through.

Really??? It's a very good film and btw...those tribe scenes and all that angst...that was real life hostility. That tribe were very near wanting to kill the filmmaker and actors for treading in their area.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Tried watching El Norte tonight. Got about 40 min into and just could not stand it anymore. This is the first Criterion that I have just turned off, there was just something about it.

Wondering what other Criterion titles people just could not make it through.

I thought Kicking & Screaming was a little slow and boring, but I did finish it.

[jacobsever]

Given Criterion isn't shy about music films (Gimme Shelter, Monterey Pop, Beastie Boys Anthology, etc), do you guys for see ANY possibility in A Hard Day's Night/Help ever getting a Criterion treatment?

And/or MoC/BFI/StudioCanal?

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Given Criterion isn't shy about music films (Gimme Shelter, Monterey Pop, Beastie Boys Anthology, etc), do you guys for see ANY possibility in A Hard Day's Night/Help ever getting a Criterion treatment?

And/or MoC/BFI/StudioCanal?

I'd actually be more interested in seeing a Criterion of 'Let it Be', since the two you mentioned are bound to be released sooner or later.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

"Vivre sa vie" and "Red Desert" are the main ones I'm waiting for. A lot of good films coming out from Criterion though!

Thanks again, and yes, Red Desert is one of 3 I am waiting for (Vivre sa vie, Red Desert, and the Oshima Eclipse.) All 3 of these with Dillinger is Dead and Bigger than Life, has made this one of my fav years for C and it's not even half way over.

[angrywolf]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Wondering what other Criterion titles people just could not make it through.

I started watching "The Tales of Hoffmann" and had to stop it half way through the movie. It's beautifully filmed, but it's just not engaging to me at all. Hopefully tonight I'll finish watching it. I loved "The Red Shoes", but not this movie. Thankfully I only rented it from Netflix and did not buy it.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Tried watching El Norte tonight. Got about 40 min into and just could not stand it anymore. This is the first Criterion that I have just turned off, there was just something about it.

Wondering what other Criterion titles people just could not make it through.

I couldn't make it more than 30 minutes into Alphaville. Doing that took turning it off and on again 3 times.

And I could only get 10 minutes into Blood Wedding before being so bored that literally zoned out (but stayed awake) for 5-6 minutes before I realized I was completely ignoring what I was watching.

Otherwise, I've muscled through them all that I've tried, even those I was underwhelmed by.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by angrywolf

I started watching "The Tales of Hoffmann" and had to stop it half way through the movie. It's beautifully filmed, but it's just not engaging to me at all. Hopefully tonight I'll finish watching it. I loved "The Red Shoes", but not this movie. Thankfully I only rented it from Netflix and did not buy it.

Felt the exact same way with The Tales of Hoffman, but I managed to make it through it. And I also loved The Red Shoes.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Given Criterion isn't shy about music films (Gimme Shelter, Monterey Pop, Beastie Boys Anthology, etc), do you guys for see ANY possibility in A Hard Day's Night/Help ever getting a Criterion treatment?

And/or MoC/BFI/StudioCanal?

I just don't see The Beatles licensing again once their contract for A Hard Day's Night through Miramax expires. They've pretty much been their own distributor of late.

[ShellOilJunior]

I'm interested in hearing reactions to Last Year at Marienbad---- a film which demands its viewers buy into its riddle and watch with an open, active mind.

It's also oft-putting for those not expecting such a film. Personally, I think it's the best blu-ray Criterion has issued and one of the top 10 films ever made. When it hit the art house circuit in 2008 I saw it on consecutive nights--- it's hypnotic.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by angrywolf

I started watching "The Tales of Hoffmann" and had to stop it half way through the movie. It's beautifully filmed, but it's just not engaging to me at all. Hopefully tonight I'll finish watching it. I loved "The Red Shoes", but not this movie. Thankfully I only rented it from Netflix and did not buy it.

Actually started to get into the last part of it, but yeah not one of their greatest titles. (Edit: Don't agree with your other dislikes.)

[br0k3nglass]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm interested in hearing reactions to Last Year at Marienbad---- a film which demands its viewers buy into its riddle and watch with an open, active mind.

It's also oft-putting for those not expecting such a film. Personally, I think it's the best blu-ray Criterion has issued and one of the top 10 films ever made. When it hit the art house circuit in 2008 I saw it on consecutive nights--- it's hypnotic.

I had no idea what to expect going into Marienbad, but was immediately entranced by it. About half-way through I gave up all efforts to figure out the plot and just experienced it. Great film.

[Ceaucescu]

Hausu looks like so much fun! Guess I'll hold off on the MoC DVD if the rumours of an blu-ray release in October seams to stick. Would love that.

Very excited about the upcomming, confirmed, releases also. Especially for the Brakhage set (proppers for including both vol.!), Red Desert and Close-up.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Ceaucescu

Hausu looks like so much fun! Guess I'll hold off on the MoC DVD if the rumours of an blu-ray release in October seams to stick. Would love that.

Very excited about the upcoming, confirmed, releases also. Especially for the Brakhage set (proppers for including both vol.!), Red Desert and Close-up.

Yep, Hausu in October is just my guess. Criterion is a cerebral company so releasing it in time for Halloween makes sense.

Plus, we know they've been working on it and have had a t-shirt available for a while.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by br0k3nglass

I had no idea what to expect going into Marienbad, but was immediately entranced by it. About half-way through I gave up all efforts to figure out the plot and just experienced it. Great film.

If you haven't seen Resnais' other masterwork-- Hiroshima Mon Amour, then do so--- one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen.

Would love to have it on Blu-ray!

[Ceaucescu]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Yep, Hausu in October is just my guess.
Plus, we know they've been working on it and have had a t-shirt available for a while.

Oh, right. Posters also, if I remeber correctly. I try to keep these things out of my mind, no matter how cool they indeed are, as Criterion doesn't ship merch. outside of the country ().

But cool, thanks for the info. I'll hold off, then.

[Zen_Amako]

Although I wasn't watching the Criterion release, I didn't make it through Red Desert. It kept putting me to sleep. I did really enjoy L'Eclisse, though.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by captveg

I just don't see The Beatles licensing again once their contract for A Hard Day's Night through Miramax expires. They've pretty much been their own distributor of late.

What do you think chances are for Catch Us If You Can, the Dave Clark 5 film?
I love the DC5 just as much as the Beatles!

[SpiderBaby]

music-wise, I would LOVEEEEEEEEE to see the Ziggy Stardust film on Criterion.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm interested in hearing reactions to Last Year at Marienbad---- a film which demands its viewers buy into its riddle and watch with an open, active mind.

It's also oft-putting for those not expecting such a film. Personally, I think it's the best blu-ray Criterion has issued and one of the top 10 films ever made. When it hit the art house circuit in 2008 I saw it on consecutive nights--- it's hypnotic.

Sometimes, a visually stunning film can be hypnotic despite a sparse narrative, and Last Year at Marienbad did work for me because of that. For some reason The Tales of Hoffman did not.