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Man I spent waaay too much on the BN sale. But after seeing Ran on On Demand a few years ago I want all things Japanese cinema. I am a fan of anything with an oriental atmosphere though (yes I know that is a huge range of things). I'd jump on The Last Emperor if the DVD didn't somehow have a 5 extra minutes of movie the blu ray doesn't. I don't care if it is scenic shots, I don't understand why the Blu-Ray wouldn't always be the definitive up to this point. Also, I wish they would convert more DVD's to Blu-ray. There are already a handful that I looked at (Ice Storm, The Human Condition, etc). Finally, I heard the Howards End BR transfer is a hunk of poo poo. But the reviews I looked at were from 2010 at the latest. Any idea if they reprinted any or anything like that?
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Nov 19, 2012 09:46
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It is but between then and my recent spending spree I had seen enough to realize this and like what I was seeing elsewhere.
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Nov 24, 2012 09:03
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I wanted Heaven's Gate to be great. It was made before I was born and I was completely unaware of the film, the horrible press, or the closure of a film studio. Also, the press was for the highly condensed version. This one is over 3 hours and I felt was worth a shot. The cinematography, scale, attention to detail, choreography, etc were great. As far as I could tell, almost every technical aspect of the movie was as good as could be. I am far from an expert but even I couldn't have missed it. To describe how it was shot, I would say if Michael Cimino wasn't a director he would have been a fighter pilot. I just imagine it was insane working on this movie. I can't imagine how many takes it would take to get some of these scenes down perfect. As for entertainment? It couldn't hold my attention. No matter how hard I tried. I will give it another shot but drat. A lot of my favorite movies often surpass the 2 1/2-3 hour mark but this wasn't happening. I heard the director originally had trouble getting the film down to 5 hours to screen it to the studio. It starts off so brilliantly then loses steam long before what I assume is the climax. From a blu-ray standpoint, it was a good transfer. There is a bit of grain in some scenes, especially with a lot of darkness. You have to take this in perspective. I am sure there are exceptions but older films will never look as crisp as newer films shot digitally or where the actual film is still in pristine condition. With older films I usually marvel at how much better it looks now then it did then, or on vhs/dvd/tv. I didn't have any point of reference for this. Sound was perfect but the noise of what was happening often caused problems with understanding what was said. It could be my set up but I never had this happen before. I expect it may have been intentional for some scenes. I didn't see an option for subtitles either. Rent, don't buy. Edit: I haven't seen too many criterion films. This was the first one where I was overwhelmingly bored. I would assume they chose this film for the technical prowess, causing a studio to close, but not for being an entertaining film. Are there other CC movies that are just boring? (Subjective I know) Favorabilis Solitud fucked around with this message at 17:30 on Nov 26, 2012 |
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Nov 26, 2012 17:20
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Sporadic posted:
What the gently caress was that? I had to look it up to realize it wasn't a slap stick porn. On top of not knowing what is going on, I like the part where steam randomly shoots out. Since the movie is apparently nothing like the trailer, I can never see the movie.
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Nov 26, 2012 23:47
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I have seen The Thin Red Line and The New World. I was bored with each of these the first time I saw them but the 2nd viewings were good and the third time I saw The New World it was great. Maybe there is just no way to like a Malick film the first time through. It is crazy that there was a 20 year gap between any kind of work on films. 1978 Days of Heaven (will watch now) to 1998's The Thin Red Line.
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Nov 27, 2012 05:08
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I wish they'd be faster with re-releasing prior DVD releases. I know they have to secure the rights again for Blu-Ray and all that but I don't think it should take as long.
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Dec 18, 2012 02:23
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There are around 600 films on DVD and 200 on blu ray. Assuming they have the rights to a film, I don't see why you would spread out the re-releases to such an extent that it is very possible a new medium will exist. If they quit releasing NEW criterions and just focused on getting their DVDs remastered for Blu-ray at the standard 5 a month, it would take almost 7 years. It's not the end of the world, I am just a snob now that I have the gear to fully enjoy blu-ray. If I knew one I wanted wasn't around the corner, I'd get the dvd.
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Dec 20, 2012 00:13
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Cemetry Gator posted:I watched Tokyo Drifter for the first time last night, and oh my God, it was loving awesome. The use of color, the action, the whole execution. So I'm wondering, where should I go to next? What other films would you recommend that are in that vein. Tokyo Drifter is very unique but Branded to Kill and Pale Flower would be worth a watch.
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Jan 18, 2013 04:54
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I wonder how long they were working on this set. I doubt Criterion would release anything that didn't get their best restoration efforts.
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Aug 26, 2013 13:39
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Just for clarification, since 25 movies are being released in the Blind Swordsman set, these are receiving or already have received the full extent of the criterion treatment? IE: Best quality sound/picture, cleaned up, etc etc? It doesn't matter, I will get it anyways but I am just floored about the whole idea of 25 at once.
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Oct 24, 2013 04:16
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Zatoichi set will arrive today. Expect a review in 4 months.
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Nov 26, 2013 12:25
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Mercaptopropyl posted:Thanks, really appreciate your entire post. It sounds like something I'd enjoy but never want a box set of. You are missing out. Japanese cinema is very impressive and unique in many regards. Watch Tokyo Drifter, Branded to Kill, or High Low. I think these are fun examples of what it can be.
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Nov 28, 2013 07:01
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Big Mean Jerk posted:Is Shoah worth getting? With the sale and that coupon, it would only be $37 after tax. I've been interested in it for a while, but I rarely see anyone talk about it. Shoah is one of the most depressing things I have ever watched. If you can get it cheap, get it. Its basically a bunch of interviews with holocaust survivors, concentration camp guards, and people connected to the situation. Its very long..huge. You will feel guilty but from either being too down or bored from experiencing so much of it you will probably have to leave it alone for awhile and finish it later. Edit:I didn't care much for House either. I am really open to the whole "So bad it's good" type mindset. I haven't given up on it yet, only watched it once. I like the whole idea that it was specifically intended to combat American blockbusters like Jaws. Well that was the studio's aim. I have no loving clue what the director was trying to do. Favorabilis Solitud fucked around with this message at 15:26 on Nov 28, 2013 |
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Nov 28, 2013 15:22
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I have seen the first 8 Zatoichi films. Some are better than others but they are all good. Keep your eyes open, every one so far has at least one incredible shot or beautiful scene (often more). The movies draw me in emotionally! I feel really bad when Zatoichi gets hosed with...people often treat him like poo poo or stab him in the back. I also found myself feeling happy, excited, angry, etc. I was expecting...well pulp movies. Something for my senses, action scene here, intense dialogue there...but it was much more. I expected the quality to reflect the speed and number that they cranked them out at but each one is at least enjoyable and some are impressive. In 1964 they cranked out 4 of these. So any way you look at it I just don't see how that wouldn't hamper the quality BUT I am done with 3 out of 4 of the ones from 1964 and I honestly feel that each movie was treated with the utmost care. I think this is because of the rotating cast of directors mainly. However, I am excited as after 1964 there are 2 years where they released 3 films but most years just 2. The series definitely has a formula but it is a case of "don't fix it if it's not broken...BUT lets see where we can take it". The first one is revered but I enjoyed some of the others better. They try to expand what a Zatoichi film is while following the formula, usually with interesting results. The saving grace is that, unlike other franchises with serial sequels, this one doesn't perpetually try to get bigger and bigger. The series tries to one up itself by exploring new ideas. The best way to describe this is that the situations he finds himself in are characters in themselves. So each movie makes an effort (moreso as the series progresses) to put Zatoichi in different situations. The movie follows those involved in the situation and Zatoichi is this force that gets introduced into the equation and usually causes the situations to boil over one way or the other. Just him showing up starts a series of reactions, one way or the other that change the situation. If you enjoy Samurai movies, the full price is worth it and you won't regret it. If you are open to samurai movies but need some other elements in there. You will like it and won't regret if you found a deal. If you just don't now, I think Hulu has them. The packaging is Criterion so its top of the line. Picture is beautiful, sound is as good as can be (mono), and this is with them cramming 3 movies onto each Blu Ray disc. It also comes with the DVDs. Favorabilis Solitud fucked around with this message at 05:06 on Dec 9, 2013 |
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Dec 9, 2013 04:58
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Chiming in to say that I have now watched 12 of the Zatoichi movies. In order. I have been expecting some sort of decline but there isn't! In Zatoichi and the Chess Expert, Zatoichi was using his senses to earn money betting on dice. I was like "Aha! They are totally recycling this!" Zatoichi winning at will in dice is nothing new but then a bit more in the story and bam. He loses, doing the trick I felt was heavily recycled. (Sorry not a huge spoiler). This wasn't a huge deal but any recycling that I saw was just to set up later parts in the film. I feel the same still holds true from my previous post in that: These aren't going to be big budgeted and/or epic Kurosawa movies, their quality has not declined (subjective), and if anything, they start spreading out the releases so I assume certain aspects of quality will increase. One thing that has improved though is Shintaro Katsu's acting or at maybe it is just showcased more. He was great before but it is being refined and more nuanced. The good news is, is it is still the same character, watching later ones won't cancel out the earlier ones, but if anything I notice the smaller things about him more. There is a scene where he loses something and is searching around desperately. His attuned senses were helpless and he became a helpless blind man and you could see the agony for a second. My mind cried out "Noooooooo!" Impressive. The series has got a lot of pub recently but I had no idea of it until Criterion announced the release. It is a shame because these are gems.
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Dec 18, 2013 00:54
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Has anyone sent in for the blu-ray extended version of The Last Emperor? I e-mailed them recently asking if they still did that and I haven't heard back.
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May 28, 2014 16:33
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Finally finished the whole Zatoichi boxed set. Great series. There are some peaks and valleys but overall good. Nothing ground breaking but always enjoyable. Like I said before, each film will have a few moments or shots where you are like "whoa!". I think it waned a little towards the end. Partly because the formula was completely spent by then and any change or alteration felt shoe-horned in. The series is basically a "who's who" of great Japanese actors and each one gets spotted in at least one of the films. The packaging is great. The essays are "meh". The gold extras are on the last disc. One involves a documentary where they follow Katsu around and you can see him get really tanked and make an rear end of himself for like 10 minutes.
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Jun 2, 2014 22:54
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robix smash posted:Anyone hear any word yet about when the BN sale might be starting? Oh god, time to start saving.
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Jun 7, 2014 02:28
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That would be sweet. Here is one you might not be familiar with that is cheap on Amazon. Daimajin It comes with 3 movies. The first two are great...3rd one not so much. It basically combines Kaiju with feudal Japan. I doubt Criterion would go to far into the Kaiju genre though. The original Godzilla was a few milestones and a strong message about the atomic bomb. Edit: Its stands up to the test of time better because of when it takes place. So no random dance club scenes with surf rock and horrible dancing. Favorabilis Solitud fucked around with this message at 16:54 on Jun 8, 2014 |
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Jun 8, 2014 16:46
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Will Criterion release Moonrise Kingdom or the Grand Budapest? I imagine so but was curious. Is there any reason to hold out for them? Keeping staring at those two in my amazon cart.
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May 22, 2015 05:24
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MacheteZombie posted:I have this set, and highly recommend it to any fan of the genre/film-series. Seconding this. Overall a great collection. There is a movie or two towards the end that are iffy, however there are a lot more great movies and times when I was really impressed. There is a formula and they do not stray from it. It is best to approach it as a series with 90 minute stand alone episodes. Spread them out.
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Aug 30, 2015 21:51
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