The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Official poster released by Janus Films:

Trailer
https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=11542

[Show spoiler]

Pro-B

Everything about this poster is awesome. I should order one.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by saprano

Interesting-

http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/50-ye...ellinis-8.html

I loved that. Thanks!

I'm still of the opinion that R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" video stems from the Wim Wenders movie, Wings of Desire, but I could be wrong.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I have been thinking that Criterion will be announcing another surprise horror release for the upcoming October announcements. Last year, Rosemary's Baby was the big surprise.

Here is a list of potential candidates:

Nosferatu (Lang or Herzog or both)
Don't Look Now (Roeg)
Vampyr upgrade (Dreyer)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Wiene)
Freaks (Browning)
Eraserhead (Lynch)
Hour of the Wolf (Bergman)
Eyes Without a Face upgrade(Franju)
The Tenant (Polanski)
Posession (Zulawski)
I Walked with a Zombie (Tourneur)
Night of the Demon (Tourneur)
The Thing from Another World (Hawks/Nyby)

Thoughts?

Nice list...I 'll take a stab and say:

David Cronnenberg boxed set
Vampyr...upgrade
The Devil and Daniel Webster...upgrade
Picnic at Hanging Rock
The Tenant

[nagysaudio]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I have been thinking that Criterion will be announcing another surprise horror release for the upcoming October announcements. Last year, Rosemary's Baby was the big surprise.

Here is a list of potential candidates:

Nosferatu (Lang or Herzog or both)
Don't Look Now (Roeg)
Vampyr upgrade (Dreyer)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Wiene)
Freaks (Browning)
Eraserhead (Lynch)
Hour of the Wolf (Bergman)
Eyes Without a Face upgrade(Franju)
The Tenant (Polanski)
Posession (Zulawski)
I Walked with a Zombie (Tourneur)
Night of the Demon (Tourneur)
The Thing from Another World (Hawks/Nyby)

Thoughts?

No. I'm pretty certain it will be Scanners and The Brood.

[The Great Owl]

Non-Criterion-related, but it darn well ought to be Criterion-related...

I've been lying low this week with a few things occupying my time. The most fortunate distraction arises from two visits to Plaza Theatre, the oldest movie theatre here in Atlanta. During the month of July, Plaza Theatre is showing all 23 James Bond movies in order. I do not have the finances, time, or motivation to drive into the city 23 nights in a row, but I did make a priority of attending the screenings of Dr. No (my favorite Bond movie and one of my all-time top five movies in general) and From Russia with Love.

Nothing that I post can really do justice to the awesomeness of this experience. The films were digital Lowry Restoration showings, instead of actual film presentations, but this did not detract from my enjoyment in the least, because the restorations are quite wonderful. Where the fun really kicked in was with seeing these Technicolor movies on a big screen with crowd reactions, and, most of all, experiencing the music scores of these films via Plaza Theatre's brand new sound system. Wow.

Another item on my cinematic bucket list, seeing a Sean Connery James Bond movie on the big screen, can now be marked off.

I would have attended Goldfinger last night, but I wanted to go to sleep early, since I ran Peachtree Road Race for the ninth time this morning. In retrospect, I should have gone to see Goldfinger after all, because my current heel injury slowed my race, and I would have had the same end result. Fortunately, I'm pretty sure that Goldfinger will be playing as one of the encore matinees later on in the month.

I'll probably only hit one or two more of these showings. I'd like to see my favorite Roger Moore Bond film, For Your Eyes Only, on the big screen. I've got a prior commitment that will keep me away from On Her Majesty's Secret Service, unfortunately.

I doubt that a James Bond film will see the light of day on Criterion, but I'd love to see them make it happen someday. Dr. No and From Russia with Love would be great choices, because they're a bit rougher around the edges than the others.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by oildude

The best part of Repo Man for me was the soundtrack. All those fantastic punk bands, especially The Plugz. More than anything, the soundtrack makes it rewatchable. The Plugz vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Humberto "Tito" Larriva, went on to form one of my favorite bands, Tito and Tarantula. T&T are long overdue for a new album.

In between The Plugz and T&T, Tito formed The Cruzados, a short lived but thoroughly excellent group that has several memorable songs, including the haunting "Flor de Mal" which I have heard in several films.

The music for me is the glue of the film that makes it work.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

What's your opinion on Red Desert?

Where to start. It's a film that has affected me so deeply, I cannot really give a fair reccomendation for the film. But I will give it a little shot:

What Antonioni is able to convey with images alone is worthy of all the praise humanly imaginable. Few films fully utilize the power images alone have to move us, to make us think. Through contrast and color, it explores our relationship with industry and the wheels of commerce. All the power plants and environs Vitti's character ventures through are corroding yet wondrous, imbuing the film with a very peculiar tension between ugliness and beauty.

Note: if you are a first time viewer, you may be put off by its near plotlessness, but I feel that since the film is about disprientation, ennui and confusion, that makes sense. A fine example of form bonding with function.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Where to start. It's a film that has affected me so deeply, I cannot really give a fair reccomendation for the film. But I will give it a little shot:

What Antonioni is able to convey with images alone is worthy of all the praise humanly imaginable. Few films fully utilize the power images alone have to move us, to make us think. Through contrast and color, it explores our relationship with industry and the wheels of commerce. All the power plants and environs Vitti's character ventures through are corroding yet wondrous, imbuing the film with a very peculiar tension between ugliness and beauty.

Note: if you are a first time viewer, you may be put off by its near plotlessness, but I feel that since the film is about disprientation, ennui and confusion, that makes sense. A fine example of form bonding with function.

Red Desert did not quite break the ice during my first viewing, but it rules all upon each subsequent viewing. The use of colors in this film is nothing short of astounding.

I found that the commentary track is quite informative, when it comes to grasping some of the film's intents. Not essential, but certainly enjoyable.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Red Desert did not quite break the ice during my first viewing, but it rules all upon each subsequent viewing. The use of colors in this film is nothing short of astounding.

I found that the commentary track is quite informative, when it comes to grasping some of the film's intents. Not essential, but certainly enjoyable.

Even tough Red Desert is one of my favorite films, I still have not listened to the commentary. Somehow the idea doesn't bode well with me.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Where to start. It's a film that has affected me so deeply, I cannot really give a fair reccomendation for the film. But I will give it a little shot:

What Antonioni is able to convey with images alone is worthy of all the praise humanly imaginable. Few films fully utilize the power images alone have to move us, to make us think. Through contrast and color, it explores our relationship with industry and the wheels of commerce. All the power plants and environs Vitti's character ventures through are corroding yet wondrous, imbuing the film with a very peculiar tension between ugliness and beauty.

Note: if you are a first time viewer, you may be put off by its near plotlessness, but I feel that since the film is about disprientation, ennui and confusion, that makes sense. A fine example of form bonding with function.

I was wondering because I just finished it last night and wasn't sure what to think. Many of the images were wonderful, but other than that, I found it hard to relate to Monica Vitti's character or much of anything else in the film. Luckily, I always give a film of this stature two viewings before making a final decision, so I'll eventually revisit it and see how my opinion has changed. This was the first Antonioni film I've ever seen btw.

[Rich Pure Doom]

I wanted to also get a discussion going on Tenebre as I made it an Italian auteur double feature yesterday. Quite frankly, Tenebre deserves a much higher stature in the pantheon of art film. The final ten minutes of the film are about as good as anything you'll see and repeat viewings only enhance the film's beauty and expert direction. Suspiria always steals the spotlight from Dario's other films worthy of serious discussion such as Inferno, Tenebre, Opera, and The Stendhal Syndrome. If you haven't seen Tenebre, please, seek it out right away.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I was wondering because I just finished it last night and wasn't sure what to think. Many of the images were wonderful, but other than that, I found it hard to relate to Monica Vitti's character or much of anything else in the film. Luckily, I always give a film of this stature two viewings before making a final decision, so I'll eventually revisit it and see how my opinion has changed. This was the first Antonioni film I've ever seen btw.

Yeah, before I saw Red Desert, I had seen a couple Antonioni films, so I knew what to expect. You really do have to meet Antonioni half way. Very loose narrative was his modus operandi. I think the easiest if his early sixties films to enjoy must be La Notte. It is drenched in sex appeal to a greater degree than Red Desert for example.

Part of it however, is about how you see the world. Being a lefty sort with environmental concern (save for my massive BluRay collection), I felt this film was tailor made for me.

Side Note: if you're a Yardbirds fan, check out Blow Up
If you're a fan of Pink Floyd, check out Zabriskie Point.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yeah, before I saw Red Desert, I had seen a couple Antonioni films, so I knew what to expect. You really do have to meet Antonioni half way. Very loose narrative was his modus operandi. I think the easiest if his early sixties films to enjoy must be La Notte. It is drenched in sex appeal to a greater degree than Red Desert for example.

Part of it however, is about how you see the world. Being a lefty sort with environmental concern (save for my massive BluRay collection), I felt this film was tailor made for me.

Side Note: if you're a Yardbirds fan, check out Blow Up
If you're a fan of Pink Floyd, check out Zabriskie Point.

I have some environmental concern, but I'm certainly no leftist (libertarian). As far as music, I lean towards Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson before Floyd. Also, seeing some of your film taste here, I would strongly advise you to check out Tenebre as quickly as possible, either through streaming or other means. None of the Blurays available are very good but I'm sure you'll love that one.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I have some environmental concern, but I'm certainly no leftist (libertarian). As far as music, I lean towards Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson before Floyd. Also, seeing some of your film taste here, I would strongly advise you to check out Tenebre as quickly as possible, either through streaming or other means. None of the Blurays available are very good but I'm sure you'll love that one.

Yeah, I just meant that I think about general environmental decay and our place in the cosmos obsessively, always have. So that is why both it and the films of Terrence Malick, Blade Runner, Solaris, etc are all personal favorites. I can't deny that I have my own set of biases and preferences.

Will definitely check it out! Thanks for reminding me of it

[Sherlock_Jr]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I have been thinking that Criterion will be announcing another surprise horror release for the upcoming October announcements. Last year, Rosemary's Baby was the big surprise.

Here is a list of potential candidates:

Nosferatu (Lang or Herzog or both)
Don't Look Now (Roeg)
Vampyr upgrade (Dreyer)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Wiene)
Freaks (Browning)
Eraserhead (Lynch)
Hour of the Wolf (Bergman)
Eyes Without a Face upgrade(Franju)
The Tenant (Polanski)
Posession (Zulawski)
I Walked with a Zombie (Tourneur)
Night of the Demon (Tourneur)
The Thing from Another World (Hawks/Nyby)

Thoughts?

Possession is already coming from Mondo Vision.
I Walked With a Zombie and Freaks are WB.
KINO owns a few others.

Eraserhead, The Tenant, and Don't Look Now are the only likely candidates, but Eraserhead has already been clued in. And Scanners/The Brood as well.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yeah, before I saw Red Desert, I had seen a couple Antonioni films, so I knew what to expect. You really do have to meet Antonioni half way. Very loose narrative was his modus operandi. I think the easiest if his early sixties films to enjoy must be La Notte. It is drenched in sex appeal to a greater degree than Red Desert for example.

Part of it however, is about how you see the world. Being a lefty sort with environmental concern (save for my massive BluRay collection), I felt this film was tailor made for me.

Side Note: if you're a Yardbirds fan, check out Blow Up
If you're a fan of Pink Floyd, check out Zabriskie Point.

Abdrewes: what did you think of The Passenger? That is probably the first Antonioni film I ever watched. I wonder if this will ever be released on Criterion?

I own Red Desert but have only watched it once with much frustration. The experience prevented me from purchasing Identification of a Woman. Do you like the latter film too?

[SammyJankis]

I've heard nothing but bad things about Zabriskie Point, save for the ending. I'm curious to check it out.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

Abdrewes: what did you think of The Passenger? That is probably the first Antonioni film I ever watched. I wonder if this will ever be released on Criterion?

I own Red Desert but have only watched it once with much frustration. The experience prevented me from purchasing Identification of a Woman. Do you like the latter film too?

I've only seen The Passenger once, but it is a really fine film...and that closing long take INCREBIBLE.

I like Identificstion a hell of alot more than other people, but I think you may want to rent it first. However, the soundtrack features a couple new wave songs (OMD). So you may like it just for that.

Full thoughts later. Watching Tora, Tora, Tora for the first time hope it's not as dreadful as Ebert made it out to be.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Sherlock_Jr

Possession is already coming from Mondo Vision.
I Walked With a Zombie and Freaks are WB.
KINO owns a few others.

Eraserhead, The Tenant, and Don't Look Now are the only likely candidates, but Eraserhead has already been clued in. And Scanners/The Brood as well.

There has been a lot of speculation that Freaks is the precode WB film that Criterion will be releasing.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've only seen The Passenger once, but it is a really fine film...and that closing long take INCREBIBLE.

I like Identificstion a hell of alot more than other people, but I think you may want to rent it first. However, the soundtrack features a couple new wave songs (OMD). So you may like it just for that.

Full thoughts later. Watching Tora, Tora, Tora for the first time hope it's not as dreadful as Ebert made it out to be.

Tora Tora Tora is historically accurate but not for those seeking pure entertainment value. The story could've been spiced up a bit. I still enjoy it for what it is.