Hidden Fortress in particular is in need of an upgrade - it's one of the few early Criterions not to have received one.

ha, that was pretty funny. I was happy that he was most enthusiastic about the Days of Heaven blu-ray!

Yeah Hidden Fortress for sure. And also Criterion needs to release Madadayo individually. That's the only one from the AK 100 box set that hasn't been given a separate release.

And if I had to pick two: Ikiru and The Bad Sleep Well.

If only they could have kept RAN. Fucking Studio Canal.

RAN is very much overrated.

Ran was one of the first DVDs I ever bought (the terrible Fox Lorber one). And I think I never watched it. I thought about getting the Criterion when it was available but balked at the cost, so I recently got the cheap Studio Canal BD. Glad to have it but don't know when I'll watch it.

I liked the movie in theaters but obviously haven't seen it in a while.

Tell me about it! It's only worlds better than 98% of everything else, not 99%.

It's probably Kurosawa's weakest film.

I disagree with that assessment, but even if I didn't... as I say, better than 98% of everything else.

But when one considers the large number of really crappy films, that is not saying much.

no way is Ran Kurosawa's weakest.

As for wants, I'd say Rashomon first, Red Beard second then Stray Dog.

But hey, since he is my second favorite director, I'll take anything released.

I wish there was more information on how Criterion chooses which titles to upgrade and when. Their decisions on which to upgrade does not seem to be financially motivated as the Wes Anderson titles would be out by now.

I'm really hoping for an announcement for In the Mood for Love, the Robert Bresson titles and the remaining Michelangelo Antonioni and Godard in the catalog.

Only 2 of his films in the CC is on BD. The other 4 aren't. I'd love to see Life Aquatic on BD...that's my fav WA flick. I kind of doubt Fantastic Mr. Fox will get in CC....though if it did...I'd be open to it.

amazon just dropped a bunch of criterion blu's down to $17.50-$18.99...

That's awesome. Can't afford them right now unfortunately.

so...depending on what you get...it can be as equal as B&N..if you use one coupon as your supposed to.

that American Lost and Found set...what's the cheapest it's been? it's at $52.99 on amazon.

Well, scratch that. There are exactly 2 of the sale titles that I don't have: White Material & The Leopard.

i think around $65

Care to expand? I think you're nuts.

One of which is Blow Out, just released today.

I'd say that Kagemusha was his worst, but I haven't seen all of his early films.

what? Man...that's harsh. Personally...I find it extremely well executed...but something is off...that being the main actor, Nakadai. His character, to me, demands more....eccentric or erratic emotion or reaction. Katsu I believe would have played it better....just cuz...he had more of that I guess. It's not a bad film at all. To me though...something feels a bit weakened w/ Nakadai that Katsu would have brought.

DVD Beaver on Smiles

I don't care for Kurosawa's later films. I think his last great film was Red Beard and then everything after was only okay at best. I don't know why it doesn't work for me as a film. I've watched RAN twice and it just lacks the emotional power of his other films -- it comes off almost like a parody of his older samurai flicks.

Ha, did you even read my post? or the part you highlighted?