2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
08-22-11, 02:39 PM
#76
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
When I looked up "themes" in the link provided, I went to the "Yakuza" section and was surprised that some of the Yakuza films in my collection that came from Home Vision are not listed there, e.g. the five-film "Yakuza Papers" series. Yet PALE FLOWER, also from Home Vision, is there. And in the "Samurai" theme section, none of my Home Vision Zatoichi films are listed.
Why the discrepancy? Are "Yakuza Papers" and the Zatoicihi series out of print already?
Why the discrepancy? Are "Yakuza Papers" and the Zatoicihi series out of print already?
08-22-11, 02:49 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Yeah, it's a little confusing but when Home Vision distributed Criterion, they also distributed their own HV-branded titles that sort of had the same feel, like Zatoichi. So I'm sure those wouldn't count under the rules.
08-22-11, 03:52 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I know that I sort of mentioned this in the longer post (that will become post #1), but there are so many cool things to read about and view on Criterion's website. They recently (starting in May) started a series called "One Scene" and they just released one today on The Cranes are Flying.
For those that haven't seen The Cranes are Flying, I highly recommend it. Powerful, superb acting, and, in my opinion, a great companion piece to Ballad of a Soldier.
For those that haven't seen The Cranes are Flying, I highly recommend it. Powerful, superb acting, and, in my opinion, a great companion piece to Ballad of a Soldier.
08-22-11, 03:55 PM
#79
Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
So Home Vision releases aren't automatically eligible? How can I tell which ones are and which aren't?
08-22-11, 04:01 PM
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08-22-11, 04:10 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Also, I saw a comment somewhere on this page about how no one finished the checklist last year. I only missed one item: Watch an Eclipse title. There were none at my local library and I could find none to stream from Netflix. I should have requested a DVD but I wasn't really sure how into the challenge I was even going to get so I didn't put a lot of thought into organizing my approach to it.
One more little thought that crossed my mind. When Disney released The Rock and Armageddon on Blu-ray, they included the Criterion extras. So if you have either of those titles in your library, even though they're not formally presented to you as Criterion titles, you've got the Criterion content. I'm not sure if there are any other such releases.
08-22-11, 04:32 PM
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08-22-11, 04:38 PM
#83
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Actually, my laptop only has an HDMI output. Connecting is only a problem for me because we've got it set up so that all the wires are actually run in the wall; they go in at the bottom, behind the TV stand and come out behind the TV, which is mounted on the wall. It's just a pain in the ass to connect anything to it now that it's in place.
08-22-11, 05:25 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Thanks. The Zatoichis are there, but no Yakuza papers and nothing else by Kinji Fukasaku.
08-22-11, 06:24 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Nice. Thanks.
Also, I saw a comment somewhere on this page about how no one finished the checklist last year. I only missed one item: Watch an Eclipse title. There were none at my local library and I could find none to stream from Netflix. I should have requested a DVD but I wasn't really sure how into the challenge I was even going to get so I didn't put a lot of thought into organizing my approach to it.
No problem. I know that Hulu had only the Zatoichis before Criterion became Hulu+ exclusive, but I've never seen any of the films.
08-22-11, 06:47 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
What I read on a different thread about the Wii was that the current system doesn't support it but if some sort of Wii HD comes out, then it might happen.
There's always the option of Roku, which supports Hulu. It's less than $100 and you can stream movies from places like archive.org for free
There's always the option of Roku, which supports Hulu. It's less than $100 and you can stream movies from places like archive.org for free
08-22-11, 07:10 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
List Thread is up Criterion Challenge List Thread
08-22-11, 08:23 PM
#88
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
List Thread is up Criterion Challenge List Thread
Oh! Can we change the end time to dawn on October 1st? I think that was assumed and even discussed the past two years, but never fixed in the "rules".
Last edited by Trevor; 08-22-11 at 10:43 PM. Reason: clarification
08-22-11, 10:11 PM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
When I looked up "themes" in the link provided, I went to the "Yakuza" section and was surprised that some of the Yakuza films in my collection that came from Home Vision are not listed there, e.g. the five-film "Yakuza Papers" series. Yet PALE FLOWER, also from Home Vision, is there. And in the "Samurai" theme section, none of my Home Vision Zatoichi films are listed.
Why the discrepancy? Are "Yakuza Papers" and the Zatoicihi series out of print already?
Why the discrepancy? Are "Yakuza Papers" and the Zatoicihi series out of print already?
The others have never had such a release.
08-23-11, 12:54 AM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
MinLShaw...can you change it on Post #1 of the Discussion Thread. Also, I forgot to change the number of directors to say 10 on that first post (it currently says "11"...because my directors always go to 11).
08-23-11, 05:18 AM
#91
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
What I read on a different thread about the Wii was that the current system doesn't support it but if some sort of Wii HD comes out, then it might happen.
There's always the option of Roku, which supports Hulu. It's less than $100 and you can stream movies from places like archive.org for free
There's always the option of Roku, which supports Hulu. It's less than $100 and you can stream movies from places like archive.org for free
List Thread is up Criterion Challenge List Thread
Done and done!
08-23-11, 07:55 AM
#92
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Formatted my list thread post and added a few links for my own personal use, but you're all welcome to make use of them.
Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
08-23-11, 08:02 AM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Oh! I remembered what I suggested last year as a supplement that I totally forgot about until just now: listening to the soundtrack album of a movie. They're not included with the movies, but I thought there might be some appeal to exploring that part of the films for those who appreciate such things. Nothing that should be formally added to the checklist, of course, but I thought it might be fun for some participants to add to their challenge experience. The nice thing is, you can listen to the soundtracks while driving to work or class, or wherever, so it's potentially an avenue for maximizing your ability to participate when you're unable to watch content.
Specifically, I was prompted to think about this after exploring the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou supplements. There are several clips of Seu Jorge's music performances, and I got to thinking I'd like to get the soundtrack album because the music really was an important element of the film.
Specifically, I was prompted to think about this after exploring the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou supplements. There are several clips of Seu Jorge's music performances, and I got to thinking I'd like to get the soundtrack album because the music really was an important element of the film.
08-23-11, 09:39 AM
#94
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I completely understand about not wanting to drop $100. I was toying with the idea of getting a Logitech Revue when it dropped to $100. The only thing I could see myself using it for, that I can't do with anything else, is being able to stream the Amazon Prime instant videos. Their selection sucks, to be honest, so I went against it.
Then someone posted in the horror challenge that The Monster Channel does a stream and according to the site, it works with Google TV. On the other hand, everything else they said that works and doesn't work has been wrong. Worst case is they're consistent with wrong info, so I can just return it locally.
08-23-11, 09:56 AM
#95
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I completely understand about not wanting to drop $100. I was toying with the idea of getting a Logitech Revue when it dropped to $100. The only thing I could see myself using it for, that I can't do with anything else, is being able to stream the Amazon Prime instant videos. Their selection sucks, to be honest, so I went against it.
08-23-11, 04:31 PM
#96
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I spruced up the checklist with more links and slight clarifications. Mainly for my OCD, but if anyone wants to borrow it or you want to officify it CardiffGiant, feel free. Some of MinLShaw's links stolen. I'm sure we can tweak it some more, or at least I will. 
Spoiler:
08-24-11, 12:09 AM
#97
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
For those that haven't seen The Cranes are Flying, I highly recommend it. Powerful, superb acting, and, in my opinion, a great companion piece to Ballad of a Soldier.
08-24-11, 12:40 AM
#98
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Also, I saw a comment somewhere on this page about how no one finished the checklist last year. I only missed one item: Watch an Eclipse title. There were none at my local library and I could find none to stream from Netflix. I should have requested a DVD but I wasn't really sure how into the challenge I was even going to get so I didn't put a lot of thought into organizing my approach to it.
Unfortunately, I suspect that many libraries aren't as interested in Eclipse releases as in main line Criterion releases because the films are not as well known.
08-24-11, 01:32 AM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
Formatted my list thread post and added a few links for my own personal use, but you're all welcome to make use of them.
Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
Criterion.com
Twitter - @Criterion
Flickchart - The Best Criterion Collection Films
Flickchart: The Blog - Criterion Commentaries
ICheckMovies.com - The Criterion Collection
Oh! I remembered what I suggested last year as a supplement that I totally forgot about until just now: listening to the soundtrack album of a movie. They're not included with the movies, but I thought there might be some appeal to exploring that part of the films for those who appreciate such things. Nothing that should be formally added to the checklist, of course, but I thought it might be fun for some participants to add to their challenge experience. The nice thing is, you can listen to the soundtracks while driving to work or class, or wherever, so it's potentially an avenue for maximizing your ability to participate when you're unable to watch content.
Specifically, I was prompted to think about this after exploring the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou supplements. There are several clips of Seu Jorge's music performances, and I got to thinking I'd like to get the soundtrack album because the music really was an important element of the film.
Specifically, I was prompted to think about this after exploring the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou supplements. There are several clips of Seu Jorge's music performances, and I got to thinking I'd like to get the soundtrack album because the music really was an important element of the film.
I also like the inclusion of MinLShaw's links.
08-24-11, 01:46 AM
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Re: 2011 The Criterion Collection - Challenge #3 Discussion Thread
I've been keeping an eye on TCM, AMC, etc. and it looks like TCM is rolling with the Criterion releases. On August 24th (today), they are having Sweet Smell of Success, Brute Force, The Killers, and The Leopard (it's Burt Lancaster day). That's four Criterion releases in less than 24 hours. I know it isn't September, but it could be a good time to get the DVRs loaded with content.
Closely Watched Trains is another great one. I'm glad you mentioned it. I'm disappointed that the extras are so sparse on each of those three discs.
To those looking for good, relatively short films within the collection, all of the films are 95 minutes or less and really pack an emotional wallop.
I focused on Criterion's World War II films during last year's challenge because I hadn't got to them during the Historical Challenge. The Cranes Are Flying and Closely Watched Trains were the highlights of the challenge for me. Each dealt with serious issues concerning the war (though Closely Watched Trains approached it through comedy) in an unexpected way. I couldn't agree more about of Ballad of a Soldier as a companion for The Cranes Are Flying. It's the sort of movie that you would expect from the Soviet Union about World War II, but its message is still powerful.
To those looking for good, relatively short films within the collection, all of the films are 95 minutes or less and really pack an emotional wallop.