The Criterion Collection

[theater dreamer]

Yup, looks like it just went up.

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Any pre-order page yet?

[theater dreamer]

Oh, Jesus, if they've all been restored, my poor pocket book.

I think Persona looks pretty damned good. But would I jump all over a new restoration that further improves on the PQ? Oh hell, yes. Not a lot of directors I'd double dip on. Ingmar Bergman is one of those select few.

Originally Posted by thinredline

A, thanks! Hadn't seen that!
So, all those films are newly restored?
Or maybe just a few?

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Yup, looks like it just went up.

Thanks, I just noticed it too. That was quick already placed my pre-order.

[theater dreamer]

Ok, a question for our regulars here who have taught, or attended film school. Or, those of you who are just knowledgeable about film history. I'm looking to create a list of books that I should read. Not only about the history of film, but the technical aspects of moviemaking. These can deal with specific individual directors or actors (ie the wonderful Hitchcock/Truffaut, which I have read), periods or genres (ie "Pre Code", or "film-noir"), or bodies (ie the whole studio system, or individual studios like MGM, or Warner Bros). I want to learn as much as I can about the principals involved, and the techniques involved in making a movie.

As I've said before, my desire is to eventually write about the art form, both from a historical perspective, and a critical one where newly released films are involved. As I continue rehabilitating my back, hoping to get back to work sometime this next year, I have a plethora of free time, and I want to use it wisely. I'm building the film library, but in order to have the encyclopedic knowledge I need, I need to do more than watch movies.

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, a question for our regulars here who have taught, or attended film school. Or, those of you who are just knowledgeable about film history. I'm looking to create a list of books that I should read. Not only about the history of film, but the technical aspects of moviemaking. These can deal with specific individual directors or actors (ie the wonderful Hitchcock/Truffaut, which I have read), periods or genres (ie "Pre Code", or "film-noir"), or bodies (ie the whole studio system, or individual studios like MGM, or Warner Bros). I want to learn as much as I can about the principals involved, and the techniques involved in making a movie.

As I've said before, my desire is to eventually write about the art form, both from a historical perspective, and a critical one where newly released films are involved. As I continue rehabilitating my back, hoping to get back to work sometime this next year, I have a plethora of free time, and I want to use it wisely. I'm building the film library, but in order to have the encyclopedic knowledge I need, I need to do more than watch movies.

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

I recently read Thomas Schatz's The Genius of the System and loved it. It's a (limited) history of the studio system, focusing in deep detail on the rise and fall of three of the major studios (Warner Bros., Universal, and MGM), plus Selznick Intl. Pictures. It's a bit of a lambast against the dominance of auteur theory, arguing that the major Producers of the studio system were as significant to the development of film as the Capital D Directors that people write about more often. As such, it sometimes gets a little in the weeds about budget and schedules and the like, but it's surprisingly swift reading despite that. And it's definitely lighter on the gossipy aspect that some film history books succumb to. Highly recommended.

Currently I'm reading Molly Haskell's From Reverence to Rape, about the reception of female characters and actresses from the 20s through the 70s, mostly focusing, again, on the studio system. It's a little more theoretical/critical than historical, but it's an engaging and well-written book, with some interesting ideas (if some are slightly dated, though in many ways interesting for that reason, and Haskell's fantastic introductions to the reissues address that).

And there are a passel of anthologies I've been picking through that include some ur-texts of criticism, like The Film Noir Reader (by Alain Silver and James Ursini, one or the other of whom it seems did half the commentaries on noir films) and American Movie Critics: From the Silents Until Now, an anthology with many of the "Major Pieces of Film Criticism" that are commonly referenced (e.g. Manny Farber's White Elephant Art vs. Termite Art or Pauline Kael's Bonnie & Clyde review).

I'd also love more suggestions for Studio-focused history books and books about more technical aspects that don't get too technical for someone with no background in it.

[theater dreamer]

Criterion releasing this on February 13th

Programming note for those of you who, like me, have never seen Night of the Living Dead (1968). Turner Classic Movies will be airing the film on December 30th at 2:15 am ET. Channel 256 on DirecTV.

If you're not a night owl like I am, set your DVRs to record.


TCM celebrates the Master of Suspense


Also, TCM is doing a Hitchcock Marathon on Christmas Day starting at 8 pm ET.

Films showing, in order: Rear Window, North by Northwest, Dial M For Murder, The Birds, Vertigo, Shadow of a Doubt, Strangers on a Train, The Trouble With Harry, Topaz, Marnie, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Also, TCM is doing a Hitchcock Marathon on Christmas Day starting at 8 pm ET.

Films showing, in order: Rear Window, North by Northwest, Dial M For Murder, The Birds, Vertigo, Shadow of a Doubt, Strangers on a Train, The Trouble With Harry, Topaz, Marnie, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.

I have many of those Hitchcock films on Blu and plan on grabbing up Shadow of a Doubt and Strangers on a Train over the holidays. The two I really want to see and have recorded are Marnie and Topaz. Yeah, I know not Hitchcock's best but I haven't seen them yet and want to know before I pull the plug on buying them down the road.

[theater dreamer]

The following Criterion blu-ray releases are appearing on TCM (note all times ET):

Cat People (1948) December 27, 5:45 PM blu-ray.com review
Mildred Pierce (1945) December 29, 5:00 PM blu-ray.com review
Jules and Jim (1962) December 29, 7:00 PM blu-ray.com review
Night of the Living Dead (1968) December 30, 2:15 AM
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) December 30, 7:00 PM blu-ray.com review
His Girl Friday (1940) January 1, 1:45 PM blu-ray.com review
Charade (1963) January 1, 7:00 PM blu-ray.com review
Godzilla (1954) January 3, 9:45 AM blu-ray.com review

[octagon]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

I haven't read a lot of books about film (I buy a lot, I just never get around to reading them) but one of my favorites is Sidney Lumet's Making Movies.

He basically takes you step-by-step through the entire film making process. It's very interesting and informative and the anecdotes aren't the usual self-aggrandizing name-dropping. They all serve some purpose beyond 'hey, look who I worked with' and some of them give cool windows into those individuals.

[theater dreamer]

By my count, I have twenty-six of his films on blu-ray. I'm recording Marnie, Topaz and The Man Who Knew Too Much, none of which I have seen, or own. I know that HD Net usually has a Hitchcock marathon in the spring, so I'll keep my eyes peeled to see if they show his films again. I saw Torn Curtain the last time they did, and actually liked it a lot more than the critical scores I've seen. Perhaps not Paul Newman's greatest performance, but I thought the film was a fairly strong spy-thriller.

I also need The Paradine Case, Torn Curtain, Frenzy and Topaz to complete his domestic releases. I think a few others are available via import. I know Sabotage is. I'll have to check on the others.

His late-period films are not as strong, obviously, but any Hitchcock is worth seeing, and owning. Even with these "lesser films" within his oeuvre (and I hesitate to label any Hitchcock film as "lesser") there's always something worthwhile to see. I just wish Universal would re-release some of them with proper scans. Frenzy and Family Plot, especially, are supposed to be pretty terrible. The completionist in me wants to own them, but I keep hoping that they'll do right by Hitch.

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

I have many of those Hitchcock films on Blu and plan on grabbing up Shadow of a Doubt and Strangers on a Train over the holidays. The two I really want to see and have recorded are Marnie and Topaz. Yeah, I know not Hitchcock's best but I haven't seen them yet and want to know before I pull the plug on buying them down the road.

[theater dreamer]

Great post, senseabove! /tip of the cap. I'll definitely check these titles out.

American Movie Critics: From the Silents Until Now immediately grabs my fancy. I think a working knowledge of both the styles and opinions of those that blazed this path before me is absolutely integral. I've only read a handful of reviews from the likes of André Bazin, Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris, and I absolutely need to correct that oversight. I'll be very careful to formulate my own critical opinions of any film I watch, but I heartily believe that considering the opinions of other well-respected critics and historians is requisite. It will also help me to develop my own writing style. I have so much to learn, yet I have an almost unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Originally Posted by senseabove

I recently read Thomas Schatz's The Genius of the System and loved it. It's a (limited) history of the studio system, focusing in deep detail on the rise and fall of three of the major studios (Warner Bros., Universal, and MGM), plus Selznick Intl. Pictures. It's a bit of a lambast against the dominance of auteur theory, arguing that the major Producers of the studio system were as significant to the development of film as the Capital D Directors that people write about more often. As such, it sometimes gets a little in the weeds about budget and schedules and the like, but it's surprisingly swift reading despite that. And it's definitely lighter on the gossipy aspect that some film history books succumb to. Highly recommended.

Currently I'm reading Molly Haskell's From Reverence to Rape, about the reception of female characters and actresses from the 20s through the 70s, mostly focusing, again, on the studio system. It's a little more theoretical/critical than historical, but it's an engaging and well-written book, with some interesting ideas (if some are slightly dated, though in many ways interesting for that reason, and Haskell's fantastic introductions to the reissues address that).

And there are a passel of anthologies I've been picking through that include some ur-texts of criticism, like The Film Noir Reader (by Alain Silver and James Ursini, one or the other of whom it seems did half the commentaries on noir films) and American Movie Critics: From the Silents Until Now, an anthology with many of the "Major Pieces of Film Criticism" that are commonly referenced (e.g. Manny Farber's White Elephant Art vs. Termite Art or Pauline Kael's Bonnie & Clyde review).

I'd also love more suggestions for Studio-focused history books and books about more technical aspects that don't get too technical for someone with no background in it.

[Tae]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, a question for our regulars here who have taught, or attended film school. Or, those of you who are just knowledgeable about film history. I'm looking to create a list of books that I should read. Not only about the history of film, but the technical aspects of moviemaking. These can deal with specific individual directors or actors (ie the wonderful Hitchcock/Truffaut, which I have read), periods or genres (ie "Pre Code", or "film-noir"), or bodies (ie the whole studio system, or individual studios like MGM, or Warner Bros). I want to learn as much as I can about the principals involved, and the techniques involved in making a movie.

As I've said before, my desire is to eventually write about the art form, both from a historical perspective, and a critical one where newly released films are involved. As I continue rehabilitating my back, hoping to get back to work sometime this next year, I have a plethora of free time, and I want to use it wisely. I'm building the film library, but in order to have the encyclopedic knowledge I need, I need to do more than watch movies.

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

Since you mentioned Pre-Code, I just wanted to throw out a recommendation for Mark Vieira's Sin in Soft Focus. I'm very interested in Pre-Code Hollywood and sampled several books on the subject earlier this year, and this is definitely the one I found most informative and engaging. There isn't a lot of technical/filmmaking information here, but it's essentially a complete history of Pre-Code Hollywood and the rise of the Production Code, covering hundreds of films across all of the major studios. It also contains hundreds of film stills, on-set photos and other rare images from the period--it's a coffee table sized book so they really are a sight to behold! I borrowed it from the library but I hope to acquire a copy of my own at some point, it really is a gorgeous book Since you have TCM, it makes a great companion to their programming, as many of the more rare and obscure films discussed in the book do appear occasionally on the channel.

I also want to wish you luck in your film criticism pursuits. This is a field that interests me greatly as well, and I'm basically in the same boat, as I've seen many films but have not yet delved very deep into the reading side of film appreciation. I'll definitely have to look into some of the other books that have been recommended to you

[theater dreamer]

Thank you, Octagon. I will add Making Movies to my list.

I'll just keep reminding myself this is how François Truffaut did it. From memory after watching HBO's doc Hitchcock/Truffaut, he watched like three films every day, and read a book a week in preparing to write for Cahiers du cinéma. Good God.

Originally Posted by octagon

I haven't read a lot of books about film (I buy a lot, I just never get around to reading them) but one of my favorites is Sidney Lumet's Making Movies.

He basically takes you step-by-step through the entire film making process. It's very interesting and informative and the anecdotes aren't the usual self-aggrandizing name-dropping. They all serve some purpose beyond 'hey, look who I worked with' and some of them give cool windows into those individuals.

[theater dreamer]

Tae, if you've yet to discover it, I've been spending a lot of time on pre-code.com, and highly recommend checking it out. I've found it an invaluable resource. The site is addictive, and there's some real tongue-in-cheek humor that my semi-warped sense of humor appreciates.

I've been utilizing their recommended viewing list, and going through TCM's upcoming schedule with a fine-toothed comb looking for airings. I've found Jean Harlow's Red-Headed Woman (1932), and Norma Shearer's The Divorcee (1930) both coming up, on January 5th and February 21st, respectively. My DVR is going to be bursting at the seams soon.

I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to start buying films on DVD again. While new blu-ray releases of the classics do come to fruition, so many of the movies I want to watch just aren't coming down the pipe fast enough. The "Forbidden Hollywood" collection seems right up my alley.

I will check out Sin in Soft Focus. I'm sure that would be on Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation.

And thank you for the well-wishes. I'm sure you can empathize-the sheer scale of what I'm trying to accomplish is daunting, to put it mildly. There are so many films, and so much has been written about these great works. I'm just going to keep chugging away, try to find my own niche, and if I can turn some people on to the movies I've come to love in the process, all the better!

Here's hoping Criterion will release some more films from the era. I'm just dying to get Hell's Angels on blu-ray.

Originally Posted by Tae

Since you mentioned Pre-Code, I just wanted to throw out a recommendation for Mark Vieira's Sin in Soft Focus. I'm very interested in Pre-Code Hollywood and sampled several books on the subject earlier this year, and this is definitely the one I found most informative and engaging. There isn't a lot of technical/filmmaking information here, but it's essentially a complete history of Pre-Code Hollywood and the rise of the Production Code, covering hundreds of films across all of the major studios. It also contains hundreds of film stills, on-set photos and other rare images from the period--it's a coffee table sized book so they really are a sight to behold! I borrowed it from the library but I hope to acquire a copy of my own at some point, it really is a gorgeous book Since you have TCM, it makes a great companion to their programming, as many of the more rare and obscure films discussed in the book do appear occasionally on the channel.

I also want to wish you luck in your film criticism pursuits. This is a field that interests me greatly as well, and I'm basically in the same boat, as I've seen many films but have not yet delved very deep into the reading side of film appreciation. I'll definitely have to look into some of the other books that have been recommended to you

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by Tae

Since you mentioned Pre-Code, I just wanted to throw out a recommendation for Mark Vieira's Sin in Soft Focus. I'm very interested in Pre-Code Hollywood and sampled several books on the subject earlier this year, and this is definitely the one I found most informative and engaging. There isn't a lot of technical/filmmaking information here, but it's essentially a complete history of Pre-Code Hollywood and the rise of the Production Code, covering hundreds of films across all of the major studios. It also contains hundreds of film stills, on-set photos and other rare images from the period--it's a coffee table sized book so they really are a sight to behold! I borrowed it from the library but I hope to acquire a copy of my own at some point, it really is a gorgeous book Since you have TCM, it makes a great companion to their programming, as many of the more rare and obscure films discussed in the book do appear occasionally on the channel.

I also want to wish you luck in your film criticism pursuits. This is a field that interests me greatly as well, and I'm basically in the same boat, as I've seen many films but have not yet delved very deep into the reading side of film appreciation. I'll definitely have to look into some of the other books that have been recommended to you

This sounds great! Thanks for mentioning it.

A theater near me did a Warner Bros. retrospective over the summer, starting with The Jazz Singer and going through Bonnie & Clyde, and a lot of it was pre-Code. That was the first time I'd seen any, and I'm absolutely fascinated by them. I find myself wishing there were as rabid a fanbase for pre-Codes as there are for 80s slashers and horror—imagine what we'd have on blu!

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Here's hoping Criterion will release some more films from the era. I'm just dying to get Hell's Angels on blu-ray.

Hell's Angels is an awesome film. I broke down and bought it on DVD earlier this year. Its right after Wings and 1930's The Dawn Patrol. Also its Harlow's only scenes in color.

[plateoshrimp]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Hell's Angels is an awesome film. I broke down and bought it on DVD earlier this year. Its right after Wings and 1930's The Dawn Patrol. Also its Harlow's only scenes in color.

Hell's Angels is awesome indeed. It would be great if Criterion gave it a good blu-ray release. I could use a lot of Jean Harlow on blu-ray, too. I didn't realize that her only color scenes were in Hell's Angels. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, a question for our regulars here who have taught, or attended film school. Or, those of you who are just knowledgeable about film history. I'm looking to create a list of books that I should read. Not only about the history of film, but the technical aspects of moviemaking. These can deal with specific individual directors or actors (ie the wonderful Hitchcock/Truffaut, which I have read), periods or genres (ie "Pre Code", or "film-noir"), or bodies (ie the whole studio system, or individual studios like MGM, or Warner Bros). I want to learn as much as I can about the principals involved, and the techniques involved in making a movie.

As I've said before, my desire is to eventually write about the art form, both from a historical perspective, and a critical one where newly released films are involved. As I continue rehabilitating my back, hoping to get back to work sometime this next year, I have a plethora of free time, and I want to use it wisely. I'm building the film library, but in order to have the encyclopedic knowledge I need, I need to do more than watch movies.

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

I highly recommend the David Bordwell/Kristin Thompson film studies books. I never went to film school but they were a godsend when I was immersed in thinking about film construction. I'm sure many others will chime in approving of them too as they are quite popular texts.

As far as film history I suppose others know best. My shelf is a bit more smutty than most (a Joe Eszterhaus penned book is the first thing I see when I glance at it hah).

Re: Pre-code, The You Must Remember This podcast is as juicy as it gets and it has my vote for the best film related podcast out there.

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Ok, a question for our regulars here who have taught, or attended film school. Or, those of you who are just knowledgeable about film history. I'm looking to create a list of books that I should read. Not only about the history of film, but the technical aspects of moviemaking. These can deal with specific individual directors or actors (ie the wonderful Hitchcock/Truffaut, which I have read), periods or genres (ie "Pre Code", or "film-noir"), or bodies (ie the whole studio system, or individual studios like MGM, or Warner Bros). I want to learn as much as I can about the principals involved, and the techniques involved in making a movie.

As I've said before, my desire is to eventually write about the art form, both from a historical perspective, and a critical one where newly released films are involved. As I continue rehabilitating my back, hoping to get back to work sometime this next year, I have a plethora of free time, and I want to use it wisely. I'm building the film library, but in order to have the encyclopedic knowledge I need, I need to do more than watch movies.

So, if any of you guys can suggest some books, I'm ready to soak it all up. Thank you!

Briefly attended Film School, here are some of the books that stuck with me:

The Filmmaker's Eye by Gustavo Mercado, Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven Katz, Making Movies by Sidney Lumet, From Reverence to Rape by Molly Haskell, A Cinema of Loneliness by Robert Kolker, Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman, The American Cinema by Andrew Sarris, How to Read a Film by James Monaco, Film as Art by Rudolf Arnheim, Film Art by David Bordwell, Hollywood's America by Steven Mintz and Randy Roberts, Hope for Film by Ted Hope

[theater dreamer]

Abdrewes and Sawdustandtinsel, thank you both very much. I have some real digging to do this weekend before our Christmas festivities kick off.

This is exactly what I was hoping for.