The Criterion Collection

[JulesAndJim]

Originally Posted by willtopower

I just watched the Last Year at Marienbad blu courtesy of Netflix disc rental and damn I'm so sad this is OOP. This movie is excellent and I could easily see myself rewatching this semi-regularly.
What a hypnotic film. It's a labyrinth of words, imagery, senses, everything! The manipulation the film imposes on the viewer (me) is really unnerving. I can't think of another film (I've seen) that so skillfully plays with my perception. The film almost felt like a cinematic visualisation of MC Escher's Relativity.

It looks like the UK release is still pretty good and it's region A & B? I think I need to get this asap. Any opinions on this alternative?
And any recommendations for films that might have the same effect are also welcome!

I have the UK release and it is excellent. I never saw the Criterion transfer as it was already out of print when I first heard about this one. The critical consensus seems to be that the Criterion is better, but the UK release is still great. It is listed for both Region A and B. However, there is a new transfer based on a 4K scan that is coming in September so you may want to wait for that.

As far as films with a similar effect, I would recommend Heroic Purgatory, which has a great blu-ray transfer as part of Arrow's "Kiju Yoshida: Love and Anarchism" box set. It is region free.

[willtopower]

Originally Posted by JulesAndJim

I have the UK release and it is excellent. I never saw the Criterion transfer as it was already out of print when I first heard about this one. The critical consensus seems to be that the Criterion is better, but the UK release is still great. It is listed for both Region A and B. However, there is a new transfer based on a 4K scan that is coming in September so you may want to wait for that.

As far as films with a similar effect, I would recommend Heroic Purgatory, which has a great blu-ray transfer as part of Arrow's "Kiju Yoshida: Love and Anarchism" box set. It is region free.

Great! I actually have the Yoshida boxset too. Waiting about a week for my free time since those films are a bit longer.

Thanks for the info!

[Kristian Idol]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

What's with Criterion shrink wrapping their latest releases? ... Shrink wrapping wrinkles the clear plastic that protects the artwork ... I've been getting all my Criterions through Amazon.

I got Election via Deep Discount and it was shrunk and had waves. (Or, as a b-r.com member so vividly called them, "veins". )

Exchanging would be a hassle (it's too late now anyway) so I figure I'll just add a replacement case next Twilight Time or Casetopia order.

But, yeah, I was surprised; Criterion is upscale and should always have cigarette wrap and be perfect.

[jdw89]

Can someone list the currently available Hitchcock Criterion films available? I'm going to get them in the next sale in July.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by jdw89

Can someone list the currently available Hitchcock Criterion films available? I'm going to get them in the next sale in July.

https://www.criterion.com/shop/brows...tchcock-alfred

[jw007]

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss. I would recommend Three Colors: Blue.

[anthonyls]

45 Years

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by jdw89

Can someone list the currently available Hitchcock Criterion films available? I'm going to get them in the next sale in July.

Available on Blu-ray:

The Lodger
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)
The 39 Steps
The Lady Vanishes
Rebecca
Foreign Correspondent

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

I’m hesitant to recommend a film, because it’s hard to say if viewing it will make you feel better or worse, but Cries and Whispers is a powerful film about love and loss and how different characters deal with that last good-bye.

My condolences on your loss and I hope that you can find something to help you process what you’re going through.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

As belch said, Cries and Whispers is about this very concern, though it is relentless with its exploration. To put it in context: I lost my grandparents almost a year ago and I'll be seeing this film in theaters this Wednesday and I'm still slightly hesitant.

Not a Criterion, but Koreeda's Maborosi, which is releasing this coming week, is about the articulation of a woman's grief in the face of uncertainty. It's more reassuring by the final frame than the Bergman, if you ask me.

I'm sorry for your loss. Art can help in the best of ways.

[outapckt]

Ikiru is more about dealing with one’s own mortality but I think it might be helpful

[CinemaBlu]

If I was coping with a death, I wouldn’t watch Cries and Whispers. That film is really cynical and would just make me more depressed. Ikiru is inspirational but depressing as well. One film I’d recommend is The Last Temptation of Christ. By the end of that film you have a renewed appreciation of life and get a sense that life is an accomplishment and death is a triumphant transcendence. Another good film is All That Jazz, where the protagonist experiences death as a huge celebration of his life.

[Gacivory]

After my dad died one of the first movies I watched was Fanny and Alexander, and I really loved it, and felt a connection!

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

I still have a sealed copy of this. Have toyed with the idea of selling it, but I don't know...I liked it too, at least a lot more than I did Hiroshima Mon Amour.

Last Year at Marianbad is the most overrated film in the collection. I would just sell it if you didn’t like it that much.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my mother last December and it’s still a challenge every day.

One of my favorite film series in the Criterion Collection is The Apu Trilogy. I felt if was a amazing exploration of the lead characters life from childhood to adulthood. I would recommend it.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

My Life as a Dog is about a young boy and how he copes with losing a parent. It's sad but has a good bit of humor in it and I really enjoy how resilient the boy is in dealing with what life throws at him.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

Are there any films in the Criterion Collection anyone can recommend to me after experiencing a death of a loved one? My dad died a couple of weeks ago from cancer and I'm looking for a Criterion film that explores characters coping with death. If its non-Criterion, list one too if possible? Thanks.

Sorry about your loss, JW. I hope these provide some catharsis:

Father/son:

Magnolia
Frequency
Broken Lance
If you haven't seen it, I'd give Elizabethtown a shot too. I know it's not great but it would be on my list of cinematic comfort food in such an occasion.

Loss in general:

Three Colors Blue
Summer Hours
The Big Chill
The Sweet Hereafter
In the Bedroom
The Fountain
Moonlight Mile
Ordinary People

I hear The Broken Circle Breakdown is great, but I've never seen it.

Some great TV that springs to Mind

The Leftovers (the third season in particular is masterful)
Six Feet Under

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The Leftovers (the third season in particular is masterful)

second*

[WrathOfHan]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

second*

*All of them (well maybe not those first two episodes of S1)