Anyone here into Criterion releases?

[Marquis De Sade]

And if so, what're some of your favorites?

I used to hate, hate older movies because of the crap they used to show where I'm originally from. I was only exposed to some of the masterworks once I moved to the US. The first Kurosawa movie I saw was Rashomon. Thought it was brilliant. Then I went on a mad collecting frenzy.

Here are some of my favs in no particular order:

Yojimbo/Sanjuro
Hidden Fortress
The Bad Sleep Well
Vengeance is Mine
Sword of Doom
Ran
Throne of Blood
Seven Samurai
Bergman Trilogy (The Silence, Winter Light, Through a Glass Darkly)
Hara Kiri
Man Bits Dog
81/2
Seventh Seal
Virgin Spring
Videodrome (still one of the best box presentations ever)

 

[Tantrum]

I have quite a few Criterion releases myself.

 

[kered]

I also like the Criterion Collections. What got me started was of course Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Funny how it was not until recently that people figured out Kurosawa's films were adapted almost scene for scene, word for word, into Westerns and called the great new inovation in movies.

Seven Samurai was stolen to make The Magnificent Seven
YoJimbo was made into A Fistful of Dollars, scene for scene and word for word.
The Hidden Fortress' total concept became the original Star Wars movie.

In my opinion Kurosawa was about the best in film making and even sixty years later budding film makers are still "borrowing" his genius.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

I also like the Criterion Collections. What got me started was of course Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Funny how it was not until recently that people figured out Kurosawa's films were adapted almost scene for scene, word for word, into Westerns and called the great new inovation in movies.

Seven Samurai was stolen to make The Magnificent Seven
YoJimbo was mase into A Fistful of Dollars
The Hidden Fortress' total concept became the original Star Wars movie.

In my opinion Kurosawa was about the best in film making and even sixty years later budding film makers are still "borrowing" his genius.

Yup. Totally agree. They're remaking the actual Seven Samurai, not just the concept. I'm really not looking forward to it. But, then again, whatever. We'll still have the original with Mufune and the rest of his crew. Criterion's recent re-release of Seven Samurai btw is awesome.

I just watched The Hidden Fortress for the first time the other day and was utterly enthralled by it. The Bad Sleep Well is also one of my favs. Every shot says something and tells a story the way a silent film does.

I'm feeling extremely lucky because here in LA the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences are doing a month-long tribute to Kurosawa, which means I'll get to see Seven Samurai, Kagemusha and Ran up on the big screen for $5!!

Tantrum, any recommendations?

 

[kered]

Then as a film student I don't have to tell you to pay special attention to every scene and his genious for exposition, and not a second wasted in telling a great story.....so I won't.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

The only one I can recall seeing (but enjoying immensely) is Time Bandits. Something of a bizarre movie, with Monty Python veterans and Sean Connery plus dwarves and a young boy with God and the devil to round it out. But, it was a good romp (and had quite the odd cover).

 

[Dave2112]

Kurosawa is one of the true geniuses of film as an art form. Of course, as a SW fan, Hidden Fortress ranks among my favorite films. Seven Samuari is another fave, and far superior to the reworking...The Magnificent Seven.

And what can you say about Videodrome? That film is a mind-fuck of epic proportions. Of my Top Ten films of all time, that's got to be on the list, at least if I did a Top Ten of Movies That Make Your Brain Melt.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Then as a film student I don't have to tell you to pay special attention to every scene and his genious for exposition, and not a second wasted in telling a great story.....so I won't.

LOL.

The only one I can recall seeing (but enjoying immensely) is Time Bandits. Something of a bizarre movie, with Monty Python veterans and Sean Connery plus dwarves and a young boy with God and the devil to round it out. But, it was a good romp (and had quite the odd cover).

*adds it to his Netflix queue*

Kurosawa is one of the true geniuses of film as an art form. Of course, as a SW fan, Hidden Fortress ranks among my favorite films. Seven Samuari is another fave, and far superior to the reworking...The Magnificent Seven.

And what can you say about Videodrome? That film is a mind-fuck of epic proportions. Of my Top Ten films of all time, that's got to be on the list, at least if I did a Top Ten of Movies That Make Your Brain Melt.

I thought it was funny though how on the special features on The Hidden Fortress, George goes on record to say that very little inspired Star Wars. Just the viewpoint from the two smaller characters. The other stuff was all just cowinkydink.

Videodrome...ah videodrome. God that movie's a trip.

Has anyone seen a Criterion release called Hara Kiri? That movie is right up there with some of Kurosawa's. One of the finest, most epic and beautifully shot movies I've ever seen.

 

[Strider]

Some of my fav. Criterion editions that haven't been mentioned yet:

The Battle of Algiers
Brazil
Dead Ringers
Harlan County, USA
Haxan

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Some of my fav. Criterion editions that haven't been mentioned yet:

The Battle of Algiers
Brazil
Dead Ringers
Harlan County, USA
Haxan

OMG I totally forgot Brazil!!

I have Haxon. Haven't watched it yet though.

 

[KrazieDog]

I love my copy of Chasing Amy. I love Criterion's work, I just wish they'd branch out to newer stuff also. While I think they have some of the classics covered, much of them mentioned above, there are also classics in the last 30 years also. So if they could do more newer stuff to go with the old stuff, I'd be happier. As for the extras and stuff they did up, kudos to them.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

I love my copy of Chasing Amy. I love Criterion's work, I just wish they'd branch out to newer stuff also. While I think they have some of the classics covered, much of them mentioned above, there are also classics in the last 30 years also. So if they could do more newer stuff to go with the old stuff, I'd be happier. As for the extras and stuff they did up, kudos to them.

Haha...no seriously. They do have some good recent ones. In the Mood for Love is one of the most beautiful looking films. Ever.

 

[KrazieDog]

Haha...no seriously. They do have some good recent ones. In the Mood for Love is one of the most beautiful looking films. Ever.

You joke, but I have the Armageddon CC and I love all the shit they packed into the bonus disks. I thought it was a great transfer and I wish they had more new movies loaded like that one.

 

[Dr. Vollin]

I'm a fan of Criterion's releases, though my collection isn't that big:

Carnival of Souls
Equinox
Eyes Without A Face
Kwaidan
The Lady Eve
The Lady Vanishes
Pandora's Box
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Robinson Crusoe on Mars
Seven Samurai
Sisters

 

[Marquis De Sade]

You joke, but I have the Armageddon CC and I love all the shit they packed into the bonus disks. I thought it was a great transfer and I wish they had more new movies loaded like that one.

Yeah. I own it. After reading the booklet, they do have a point as to why it's a Criterion film.

As for why they don't do that many recent releases, from what I know about the company, it's mainly because they have to really fight for the rights to release what they've already released under their label. It isn't easy. They're known for top notch quality transfers, extras, etc. and studios aren't willing to have Criterion out-do them - especially when it comes to something new and in this market. The studio's 2-disc release of Robocop for example is way better than Criterion's. Plus, they only have the rights for a period of time which is why certain titles go out of print and become valuable.

Dr. Vollin - I have a few of those but haven't seen them all yet. Eyes Without a Face is so messed up! Carnival of Souls is awesome. I enjoyed Kwaidan but the pace almost killed me. Without running into my living room and checking the box I'm not sure but I think the director of Kwaidan is the same director as Hara Kiri which is an amazing movie. 🙂

 

[ParanoidChant]

So I hadn't realized that the showing of the 400 Blows I caught at my old art school was probably thanks to Criterion. I liked Ran and Brazil so I figure I might as well check out some of their other releases as well - we're fortunate enough to have at least one indie video rental place here that's got some of their titles.

I'm intrigued by the I Am Curious movies. Have you guys seen them? Are they worth looking into?

 

[Marquis De Sade]

So I hadn't realized that the showing of the 400 Blows I caught at my old art school was probably thanks to Criterion. I liked Ran and Brazil so I figure I might as well check out some of their other releases as well - we're fortunate enough to have at least one indie video rental place here that's got some of their titles.

I'm intrigued by the I Am Curious movies. Have you guys seen them? Are they worth looking into?

Does Netflix not deliver to Nebraska?

Never heard of the I Am Curious movies.

 

[ParanoidChant]

Does Netflix not deliver to Nebraska?

Never heard of the I Am Curious movies.

Nah, I just like having a movie geek clerk I can bounce suggestions off of.

But you guys will do.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Nah, I just like having a movie geek clerk I can bounce suggestions off of.

But you guys will do.

LOL. They're movie geeks on Netflix!

 

[Amnesiac]

I'm a HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE movie buff and I love me my Criterion Collection collection. I have about 50 titles, and I constantly dig the new re-releases with digital remastering technology as opposed to the laserdisc transfers. Anybody remember the old version of Seven Samurai? Looked like the film was run through a confetti pile before it was thrown in the projector.

I'm hearing a lot of Brazil, Videodrome, and Kurosawa titles (and there;s more to come!) although I haven;t seen them all yet. The new Salo release is also one (and the transfer is FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCKKKKKING GORGEOUS!), and the We Anderson catalogue will soon be there as well (Bottle Rocket comes out in November, completing the set). Metropolitan is out, but the rest of Whit Stilman's films need to go up too.

But nobody here mentioned the John Cassavetes collection (Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Opening Night...but sadly no Husbands), or The Last Temptation of Christ (Scorsese's best film if you ask me), or Bunuel and Godard's collection (although Alphaville left me wanting).

Told ya...FILM GEEK!

My all time favorite title is probably a tie between The Third Man and Kind Hearts & Coronets.

There's so many that rule, but my personal collection is huge, includes the following:

Walkabout
The Silence of the Lambs (out of print)
Dead Ringers (out of print)
RoboCop (out of print)
Armageddon (don't ask me why, just...don't.)
Charade
Monty Python's the Life of Brian
Rushmore
The Last Temptation of Christ
Chasing Amy
Do the Right Thing
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas (fuuuuuuuuuucking awesome!)
Seven Samurai
The Seventh Seal
M
Andrei Rublev
Yojimbo
Sanjuro
L'aaventura
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Spartacus
The Rock
Spellbound
Notorious
Rashomon
Wild Strawberries
8 1/2 (of course)
Solaris
Man Bites Dog
Band of Outsiders
I Am Curious Yellow & I Am Curious Blue
Videodrome
The John Cassavetes collection
By Brakhage: An Anthology
Schizopolis
Naked Lunch
The Rules of the Game
Slacker
The Third Man
The Battle of Algiers (great great GREAT fuckin movie!)
Short Cuts
The Sword of Doom
masculin femenin
Harlan County U.S.A.
Dazed and Confused
Bicycle Thieves
Ace in the Hole
House of Games
Stranger Than Paradise
Salo
Breathless
Days of Heaven
Playtime

Phew! So as you can tell...I'm a big fan of Criterion.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Anybody remember the old version of Seven Samurai? Looked like the film was run through a confetti pile before it was thrown in the projector.

Haven't seen the old print. I saw the first Criterion version of the movie that belonged to a friend of mine and then went and got their newest fancy pants box thing that has an even newer print. That's still sitting on my shelf unsealed. I'll get to watch an even newer transfer (so they say) on the big screen later this month which I'm super excited about!!

Videodrome rocks. It's also one of the best presentations as far as packaging goes for any Criterion film.

The new Salo release is also one (and the transfer is FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCKKKKKING GORGEOUS!)

Yes but...the movie itself. Uh...

But nobody here mentioned the John Cassavetes collection

I don't think I've seen any. I've got mostly Asian directors and some French like the Jean-Pierre Melville boxset. Wait...one French. The others are Italian.

I watched Le Samurai because of the title and description and everyone saying it was sOooOooO amazing but I tried slitting my wrists with the box it came in while watching it but it didn't work.

Oh. And Bergman. Can't, can't, can't forget Bergman. Through a Glass Darkly put me mentally out of commission for a few days after watching it. I've never seen a movie where every single line has such deep meaning in it. It was like fucking Shakespeare.

My all time favorite title is probably a tie between The Third Man and Kind Hearts & Coronets.

I'll have to watch those then. They're going Blu-Ray now with Chung King Express and...and...damn I don't remember the others. Oh, The Last Emperor is being rereleased on Blu-Ray as well. Can't be arsed though, just got myself the 5 disc something boxset on regular DVD so whatev.

Walkabout - Haven't seen it.

The Silence of the Lambs - Seen it. Don't have the Criterion.

Dead Ringers - Have it. Haven't seen it.

RoboCop - Have it. Haven't seen it. Studio's 2 disc is WAY better.

Armageddon[/I] (don't ask me why, just...don't.) - Yeah. I have this too. Whatever, it's outta print so it's worth a teeny tiny bit more.

Charade - Haven't seen it.

Monty Python's the Life of Brian - Have it. Haven't seen it.

Rushmore - Have it. Haven't seen it.

The Last Temptation of Christ - Don't have it.

Chasing Amy - Don't like Kevin Smith. 🙂

Do the Right Thing - Have it. Haven't seen it.

The Royal Tenenbaums - Have it. I don't get why it's funny though. I've been told to give it another chance.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Thought this was funny in that wonderful very subtle way.

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas[/I] (fuuuuuuuuuucking awesome!) - Yes. I have this twice. Gave one away as a present to someone in another country who'd never seen a Criterion release before and she actually tucked it under her pillow once. 😀


Seven Samurai -

The Seventh Seal -

M - Have it. Haven't seen it.

Andrei Rublev - Have it. Haven't seen it.

Yojimbo -
Sanjuro - Do you have the two seperate editions of the boxset?

L'aaventura - The what now?

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - 😕

Spartacus - Saw it. Don't have it.

The Rock - This is on so much I feel I don't need the Criterion.

Spellbound - ?

Notorious - ?

Rashomon -

Wild Strawberries - I have this and gave it away. I know it's a Bergman but I didn't like it one bit. Reminded me of Kuroawa's Ikiru, which I don't like either. I don't like and can't watch any movie where the theme is someone looking back on their life and regretting so much. It depresses me.

8 1/2[/I] (of course) - Duh.

Solaris - Don't have it. Haven't seen it.

Man Bites Dog - HILARIOUS!!!!!!!

Band of Outsiders - This is on my Netflix.

I Am Curious Yellow & I Am Curious Blue - 😕

Videodrome - Oh yeah.

The John Cassavetes collection - I'll check these out. I know someone who has it I think.

By Brakhage: An Anthology - 😕

Schizopolis - Hmmm...

Naked Lunch - It's coming on Netflix.

The Rules of the Game - Netflix.

Slacker - Meh.

The Third Man - Netflix.

The Battle of Algiers (great great GREAT fuckin movie!) - Saw it. Loved it. Don't think I need to own it though. Not sure if I could watch it again. Not for a long time at least.

Short Cuts - Been thinking about this one for a while but I saw two of the director's other movies and again, wanted to kill myself.

The Sword of Doom - This I have. I haven't seen it though. I've read about it and it just seems so awesome I have to wait for something special to happen before I watch it. I call it my birthday cake movie. Like, a birthday cake that looks so damn awesome you almost don't wanna cut into it. That's how I feel about this movie.

masculin femenin - Masculin. 😀

Harlan County U.S.A. - 😕

Dazed and Confused - Haven't seen it. Yeah I know. I'm the only one who hasn't.

Bicycle Thieves - Have it. Haven't seen it.

Ace in the Hole - Have it. Haven't seen it.

House of Games - 😕

Stranger Than Paradise - Netflix.

Salo -

Breathless - Why does that sound so familiar?

Days of Heaven - Netflix.

Playtime - 😕

Dude, you're missing The Hidden Fortress, Virgin Spring, La Commare Secca and if anyone here is a fan of Kurosawa, check out The Assassination Of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I've never seen a movie that reminded me so much of Kurosawa's work - starring Brad Pitt!! It's a beautiful film. Not AT ALL what I was expecting.

 

[Dr. Vollin]

Dr. Vollin - I have a few of those but haven't seen them all yet. Eyes Without a Face is so messed up! Carnival of Souls is awesome. I enjoyed Kwaidan but the pace almost killed me. Without running into my living room and checking the box I'm not sure but I think the director of Kwaidan is the same director as Hara Kiri which is an amazing movie. 🙂

I haven't seen Hara Kiri (there's another one for my wish list), but yeah, it is the same director.

And if you haven't seen Life of Brian, I highly recommend it. I'm curious to know how Criterion's relase is; I bought the studio's 2-disc edition myself.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

I haven't seen Hara Kiri (there's another one for my wish list), but yeah, it is the same director.

And if you haven't seen Life of Brian, I highly recommend it. I'm curious to know how Criterion's relase is; I bought the studio's 2-disc edition myself.

I think you'll like Hara-Kiri. I'll check out Criterion's Life of Brian. 🙂

 

[Amnesiac]

Dude, you're missing The Hidden Fortress,

I did. I checked again, and I have it, I forgot to list it. I didn't like it as much as so many people do.

You like Bergman, which indicates quality taste, but you seem to be ignorant (that's right IGNORAAAAAAAAAANT!) of Luis Bunuel, Antonioni, and David Mamet! And I dunno HOW someone with your apparent education cannot find The Royal Tenenbaums funny! That was fucking hilarious!

Yes I have the separate editions of Yojimbo and Sanjuro; most of my editions were bought before HD technology so re-upgrading them is costly (it was worth it for The Third Man).

And Kind Hearts & Coronets is the greatest British comedy ever made (yes, even more than Holy Grail, but completely different kind of humor)

And I haven't seen the Carl Theodore Dreyer set yet, but that should get added on general principle.

Naked Lunch is THE SHIZZNEY and if you didn;t like Le Samourai, go ahead and watch Jarmusch's Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai...it's better.

And if you haven't seen Life of Brian, I highly recommend it. I'm curious to know how Criterion's relase is; I bought the studio's 2-disc edition myself.
Vollin

It's a bit disappointing because the Criterion edition's been out of print for a while so it never enjoyed the remastering like the studio release has. I have it because it's Criterion!

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Antonioni - L'Avventura is on my Netflix. After enduring La Samurai I'll never get a Criterion again without watching it first because to me it might suck. 🙂

Oh. And Salo.

David Mamet...House of Games is also on my queue. I'm not a fan of his method of acting however. He's written books which, parts I agree with completely and other parts I'm like WTF?! And after watching Red Belt I wanted my life back.

And I dunno HOW someone with your apparent education cannot find The Royal Tenenbaums funny! That was fucking hilarious!

Meh. I'd have to watch it again. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for it at the time. I'm not a huge fan of comedies anyway.

Yes I have the separate editions of Yojimbo and Sanjuro; most of my editions were bought before HD technology so re-upgrading them is costly (it was worth it for The Third Man).

Forty bucks on Amazon. Well worth the extras. How much have you spent on your collection so far?