The Criterion Collection

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by GenPion

On the subject of Criterion films, I didn't like Rififi very much. I know it is considered one of the first major caper film ever made. I guess it has clearly shown it's influence on many different films. However, I just did not enjoy it. I disliked the characters and the slow pacing didn't do the film any favors. I also found it felt incredibly dated (instead of it feeling timeless). I guess I'm not a fan.

Wow, pretty rare to see someone not enjoy Rififi. Seems like one of the more universally praised Criterion titles.

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by dwk

That was how the master they got from Gaumont was. No one knows why Criterion went ahead and used it as they reject masters from licensers all the time (it is a reason they haven't Blu-ray'd Le samourai.)

I hadn't heard that about Le samourai. Any more info on this and whether they still plan on releasing in the future? I've heard that the French blu release is good but of course no English subs.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by GenPion

On the subject of Criterion films, I didn't like Rififi very much. I know it is considered one of the first major caper film ever made. I guess it has clearly shown it's influence on many different films. However, I just did not enjoy it. I disliked the characters and the slow pacing didn't do the film any favors. I also found it felt incredibly dated (instead of it feeling timeless). I guess I'm not a fan.

To each their own. I have yet to see a heist film contain a better heist than the one in Rififi.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Finished Spy Who Came in from the Cold, what a great film. Love Cold War thrillers and wish I had seen this earlier. So much to say, but will have to save it for later. But never-the-less, a great movie and so much fun to watch.

Watched it for the first time on TCM the other night. How Burton never won an Oscar either for this or Virginia Woolf is unfathomable.* I lost my way a little towards the end but a rewatch should fix that.


*likewise overlooking Peter O'Toole 8 times!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

Recieved my flash sale order but I was disappointed to see that Blow Out had a cracked corner and missing the booklet. Has this happened to anyone? The chipped piece from the case wasn't inside the case which leads me to believe that it happened before it was shrink-wrapped.


Is there a phone number I can contact or is it better just to email?

I just emailed them when my copy of Seconds arrived with a cracked case. They sent out a replacement case. Quick and painless.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by GenPion

At the least, I think this would be a good solution to release the new remaster. Of course, I expected Criterion to do the same for The Leopard at some point and that still hasn't happened. Not that the original release was badly received but the newer remaster is clearly superior. So maybe they could do something similar there too and re-release it as a dual format edition with the new master.

I doubt if they will revisit The Leopard.

Originally Posted by natureboy

I hadn't heard that about Le samourai. Any more info on this and whether they still plan on releasing in the future? I've heard that the French blu release is good but of course no English subs.

I should've said rumored reason behind the Le samourai delay, as I've not seen Criterion comment on the delay. Since all their other Melville Blu-rays are OOP, I imagine that they still plan on releasing this on Blu

[pro-bassoonist]

Hello guys

I wanted to leave a small note about a terrific Italian documentary from Cinecitta Luce: La Guerra dei Vulcani a.k.a. The War of the Volcanoes. If you are interested in Roberto Rossellini's work/legacy/life, you should definitely take a look at it.

The Italian DVD release is English-friendly.

AMAZON LINK
http://www.amazon.it/Guerra-Dei-Vulc...ra+del+vulcani

La guerra dei vulcani di Francesco Patierno - YouTube

Have a great weekend everyone

Pro-B

[jayj15]

Originally Posted by GenPion

On the subject of Criterion films, I didn't like Rififi very much. I know it is considered one of the first major caper film ever made. I guess it has clearly shown it's influence on many different films. However, I just did not enjoy it. I disliked the characters and the slow pacing didn't do the film any favors. I also found it felt incredibly dated (instead of it feeling timeless). I guess I'm not a fan.

I thought it was great! The ending is one of the best that I've seen. And "Rififi" has absolutely has shown it's influence on other films. Melville's "Le Cercle Rouge" and does anyone not think that Michael Mann wasn't influenced by using the 7 minute "dialogue free" heist sequence in "Thief"?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by natureboy

I hadn't heard that about Le samourai. Any more info on this and whether they still plan on releasing in the future? I've heard that the French blu release is good but of course no English subs.

I have the French Pathe Blu-ray release of Le Samourai, since it is an all-time favorite movie of mine. The transfer for this French Blu-ray is underwhelming, to say the least. I wrote a long User Review with my observations, but my 1.5-star video quality rating sums up my thoughts about the transfer. Those of you who own larger televisions than I do will probably be quite appalled at this presentation, and I recommend sticking with the Criterion DVD for now.

I am glad that I bought this French Blu-ray to satisfy my curiosity, but it is merely a placeholder until a better transfer arrives.

[Judex]

On a sad Criterion related note. RIP Alain Resnais

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by Judex

On a sad Criterion related note. RIP Alain Resnais

Tragic news One of the few remaining icons of the 60s European art house period which was perhaps the high water mark in the history of filmmaking. The influence of Hiroshima, mon Amour and Last Year at Marienbad cannot be overstated. And in the last decade he was still making great films.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Just finished Jules and Jim, I really enjoyed it. What struck me most was the friendship... it really struck home with me. The best man at my wedding is one of those people I would do anything for, and vice versa. Not sure if we would share as much as they did, but I understand the love for a friend.

I really did enjoy the film. And the quality was amazing! I was blown away by how good the film looked. It was a real pleasure to watch, and I see myself watching it again and again. For my first Truffaut film, I'm very pleased.

That's the key thing in the film that I think some here maybe were missing or overlooked: the relationship between Jules and Jim is the paramount one in the film, even if Catherine is the orbital catalyst for the narrative. This is one of the best films about friendship that I've ever seen, particularly male friendship, and I see that and memory as the major themes of the film (notice the use of freeze frames). What strikes me the most when watching Jules et Jim is not only its style, which is as radical as Truffaut got in this regard, but the maturity with which at age 29 Truffaut coaxed the material.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Judex

On a sad Criterion related note. RIP Alain Resnais

RIP

Godard and Truffaut may have made more great films, but neither made a film as great as Last Year at Marienbad or Hiroshima Mon Amour.

[zoodermin]

I just saw Blue is the Warmest Color on Netflix. What a ride! A sensual and painful journey with amazing performances and captivating images. Definitely buying the upcoming Criterion Special Edition!

On another note, RIP Alan Resnais

[SammyJankis]

I haven't seen much of his work. I've only seen The Last Year at Marienbad and Hiroshima, Mon Amour. I like the former a great deal and the latter is one of my favorite films ever. His composition was nothing short of extraordinary.

RIP

EDIT: Forgot he directed Night and Fog. Second to Shoah as the definitive film regarding the holocaust.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I'm wanting to add High and Low to my library. Obviously the criterion blu-ray is the best option but it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade from the way Pro-B reviewed the picture quality and how the screenshot comparisons look on dvdbeaver. Granted I never really take their screenshots 100% seriously but it's usually a fairly accurate indication of what you're in for.

[Mansinthe]

the bluray is defintly worth a bluray upgrade (at least on big screens )


would like to get some of these awesome looking technicolor movies... (red shoes , leopard , black narcissus etc)

are the criterion releases the best way to get these or are the UK releases good choice as well?

the leopard has a italian release with eng subs as well, is this one from a newer restoration as the criterion release uses?

[Dr. Feelgood]

RIP Alain Resnais!

[demonknight]

What about Rumble Fish? Would that fit in with the line? I think it might.
Need more Nic Cage in the collection. I hope that edition of Leaving Las Vegas is coming next year as promised.

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

the bluray is defintly worth a bluray upgrade (at least on big screens )


would like to get some of these awesome looking technicolor movies... (red shoes , leopard , black narcissus etc)

are the criterion releases the best way to get these or are the UK releases good choice as well?

the leopard has a italian release with eng subs as well, is this one from a newer restoration as the criterion release uses?

I don't know about the UK releases but I own the Criterion editions of The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus and they look magnificent! I'll also recommend The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, it's another technicolor feast!