The Criterion Collection

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Have you created a Criterion account since they changed over their website after the 40% off sale? I know I had to create a new account, and I haven't had any problems logging-in.

CC

nope, that was the last time I ordered. thanks CC!

[Seretur]

They've had some glitches with customer accounts with their site, as I'm sure they'll explain when they reply to you.

I'll stick with Amazon simply because I'm not able to watch their online cinematheque from where I live... but I did preorder Ran today.

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by repete66211

"Criterion selects their movies based on achievements, or artistic qualities..."

I agree for the most part. The bulk of Criterion's collection is made up of some really great classic movies--foreign, art house and even mainstream. That said, there are some real head-scratchers in there, Slacker and Dazed and Confused for example.

http://www.criterion.com/films/821

[doctorsteve]

Bass Masters my Arse... Nobody beats this guy...

http://www.criterion.com/films/580

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by doctorsteve

Bass Masters my Arse... Nobody beats this guy...

http://www.criterion.com/films/580

Is that Lurch from the Addam's Family?

Saw The Third Man and The Man Who Fell to Earth this weekend. I had never seen either before and was surprised to find that the latter shows a scene from the former in it. Both transfers are excellent.

The Third Man is a true classic film, one of the best I've ever seen.

The Man Who Fell to Earth is a very artsy sci-fi film. It' wasn't what I was expecting, but I found it to be fascinating and David Bowie was surprisingly captivating in the titular role.

[pdw1968]

I'd love these Criterion titles on Blu:

Written on the Wind
Magnificent Obsession
Days of Heaven

[Dubstar]

I'd love to own, 'Tunes of Glory', but the current DVD has a very serious image flaw, that I'm not sure Criterion can correct.

- The River
- Playtime (sourced from a 65mm print)

[doctorsteve]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Is that Lurch from the Addam's Family?

No, he's a musician and I figure he must know people or is related to people that know people. Dennis Hopper knew him when he was a kid.

[reginaroadie]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

The Third Man is a true classic film, one of the best I've ever seen.

So glad to hear that. I discovered THE THIRD MAN in the film program at the U of R, and it was one of the few films that really stuck with me. I am so proud to have that film on Blu-Ray. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but I immediately put on the ferris wheel scene and the final chase through the sewers. That is just pure cinema right there.

Like I said before, I'm considering getting THE 400 BLOWS and WAGES OF FEAR on Blu. The rest are either rentals or not interested.

For my wish list, though, here are the following Criterions I have that I'd love to see on Blu.

BRAZIL
DAYS OF HEAVEN
CHASING AMY
FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS
LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS

The others I have (BICYCLE THIEVES, F FOR FAKE, NIGHT ON EARTH and STRANGER THAN PARADISE) I'm fine with just the regular DVD's of. Jarmusch is a great filmmaker, but his films don't really scream out for the Blu-Ray transfer like Malick or Gilliam or Scorsese or Anderson.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I'd love to own, 'Tunes of Glory', but the current DVD has a very serious image flaw, that I'm not sure Criterion can correct.

- The River
- Playtime (sourced from a 65mm print)

Playtime would be a great choice for Blu Ray. I don't think there has ever been a film like it.

[zedd_117]

Did you know Kevin Smith is currently negotiating to get Chasing Amy out on Blu from criterion. I think for the films 10th or 15th anniversary (can't remember the release date right now?)
That would be sweet! one of the most underappreciated Kevin Smith movies.

[fronn]

Originally Posted by repete66211

"Criterion selects their movies based on achievements, or artistic qualities..."

I agree for the most part. The bulk of Criterion's collection is made up of some really great classic movies--foreign, art house and even mainstream. That said, there are some real head-scratchers in there, Slacker and Dazed and Confused for example. But I know they can't all be perfect according to my subjective criteria. After all, what allows for the crappy Slacker also allows for Bottle Rocket, a personal favorite of mine.

There's much bigger head scratchers than Slacker (a personal favorite of mine, actually! - oddly I consider Bottle Rocket one of the head scratchers ). There's some just plain mediocre movies in the Criterion Collection, at least from my perspective... the vast majority of the collection is excellent, but sometimes Criterion takes what they can get (obviously things like Armageddon were more an opportunity to get some business and not necessarily to keep with their roots - I can't fault them for that really).

A lot of the movies in the Eclipse series' are generally pretty 'meh' (that's why they are so cheap and come in multi-movie collections, I'd imagine).

[AdulteratedJedi]

Would Love to double-dip some criterion, especially The Last Emperor.-- however they released it as Region A *tut*. I was kind of hoping that criterion would go region free on Blu.

An excuse to buy a multi-region player??

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by AdulteratedJedi

Would Love to double-dip some criterion, especially The Last Emperor.-- however they released it as Region A *tut*. I was kind of hoping that criterion would go region free on Blu.

An excuse to buy a multi-region player??

I watched Half of The Last Emperor last night....... Can't wait to watch the other half..... it's a good transfer..... some people were complaining about the aspect ratio etc.... but had it not been pointed out, I probably wouldn't have noticed......



Better get that multi-region player soon

[Pinto]

Just watched The Third Man - fantastic transfer of a fantastic movie. Can't beat that zither soundtrack music either .

[ccfixx]

Just wanted to point out the comment about some future Criterion blu-ray packaging - 'cause I know some people are concerned about the current cardboard cases - that was commented on by Jon Mulvaney over at CriterionForum.org.

It's basically saying that Criterion has been working on a clear custom blu-ray plastic case that they will use on some future Criterion blu-ray releases later in the year instead of the current cardboard packaging.

CC

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Playtime would be a great choice for Blu Ray. I don't think there has ever been a film like it.

I just watched Playtime on DVD. It looked fantastic. Not that it couldn't be improved...

[Beta Man]

Great news for many I'm sure........ but I don't really care about the "physical" package.... it's what's inside that counts!

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Just wanted to point out the comment about some future Criterion blu-ray packaging that was commented on by Jon Mulvaney over at CriterionForum.org.

It's basically saying that Criterion has been working on a clear custom blu-ray plastic case that they will use on some future Criterion blu-ray releases later in the year.

CC

I don't mind the blue plastic at all. I can understand why they do it--to make it easy to distinguish between a Blu-ray and DVD. So although there could be more pleasing cases, I can understand why they're blue.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I don't mind the blue plastic at all. I can understand why they do it--to make it easy to distinguish between a Blu-ray and DVD. So although there could be more pleasing cases, I can understand why they're blue.

Have you seen the Criterion blus? They're all cardboard cases.... that's what he's referring to..... I only have four of the 6, with 2 pre-orders on the way..... The first page shows a picture of Bottle-Rocket.... you can see the packaging .....

Again, I personally don't mind.... but many people want the better cases (but criterion often includes booklets etc... so they need to design something to hold the extras that come with the discs )