Criterion Collection Favorites

I've only recently begun to watch films in the Criterion Collection series. Most of the titles are obscure to me but what I've had the chance to view has been top notch. They certainly have reissued some of the great foreign flicks.

What's your favorite Criterion DVDs? What do you recommend?

 

It's totally a matter of preference...

I own and love...

Brazil Box Set
Spartacus-2 DVD's
RoboCop....un-rated!...OOP
Silence Of The Lambs...OOP
The Bank Dick
Do The Right Thing-2 DVD's
Armageddon-2 DVD's
The Rock-2 DVD's
The Killer...OOP
Carnival Of Souls-2 DVD's..just perfect!
Monterey Box-Essential!!!
Straw Dogs-2 DVD's...going OOP Soon

What I remember at the moment!

 

Brazil

 

Brazil
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

 

This Is Spinal Tap OOP DVD with the running commentary from Guest, McKean, and Shearer as themselves, not in character. It is said this commentary track will never be available again.

 

Damn it! Missed that one on DVD. Have it on Laserdisc though. Need to make a transfer to DVD.

 

There are a lot of great ones, Kev.

Some of my favorites:

Charade (great commentary track)
The Killers (great 2 DVD set)
The Lady Eve
Man Bites Dog
My Man Godrfey
The Most Dangerous Game (fantastic commentary)
Trouble In Paradise (great movie, great commentary)
Rashomon (terrific featurette with Kurasowa's cinematographer)
Red Shoes (great film, great commentary)
Straw Dogs
Brazil (wish it were anamorphic though)
Traffic
Rififi
Big Deal On Madonna Street
The Hitchcock and Bergman films
Knife In The Water
Tokyo Story

This is in no order, I could easily name off a lot more. I left off the OOP discs because you might have a hard time finding them.

I just got through watching Schizopolis and though it was VERY weird, I enjoyed it much more than I expected.

 

Has anyone seen The Seventh Samurai? I thought about renting it this afternoon...but I find it difficult sometimes to get through lengthy movies when you must read the english subtitles.

 

I own nearly all of the Kurasawa Criterions and I love them. SS is one of the best, I feel. When I was writing up my list I thought about that subtitle thing, because a lot of people aren't that crazy about reading subtitles.

I had a heck of a time getting some relatives to watch Shaolin Soccer (not a Criterion )because it's subtitled, but because of the visuals, they were willing to tolerate it in the end.

 

This movie will be anything but difficult to watch it's heavy on action and the dialog is actually minimal considering the length of the movie. If you enjoy action movies you will be stunned by the way Kurosawa moves the camera in this movie. Take in to consideration the date the movie came out and then watch it and see if you can see how many modern directors are influenced or clearly rip off his style and moves. Obviously it was the inspiration for the Magnificent Seven and Mufuni has the charisma of any of those actors from that movie. It's a great movie and a really good transfer consideration what Criterion had to work with for a print.

 

For a music DVD, I was very impressed with Criterion's treatment of the Beastie Boys video anthology, especially with all the camera angles and loads of remix tracks!

 

Fear and loathing is a great disc, so is Traffic, and the out of print, unrated, Robocop. The Chasing Amy disc is good as well, but it's nearly identical to the laserdisc.

I've been meaning to get a hold of the Criterion version of Spinal Tap. I end up watching that movie at least once a week! I'd love to hear the "bands" commentary out of character.

 

The Third Man (one of the all time greats)
Notorious
Spellbound
Wages of Fear (most nerve racking film ever)
Cocteau Box Set (only way to get these films)
Beauty and the Beast (lastest re-master is stunning)
Brazil box
Walkabout
Naked Lunch (just released)
The 39 Steps

 

All Hitchcock movies. (especially ones with Ingrid Bergman) . Buy a box you will never regret it
The Cranes are Flying. An excellent russian classic.
Fear and Loathing in Las-Vegas. Johnny Depp at his best.
The Rock. Very good sound effects and documentories.

As to "Man Bites Dog". It is filmed like a true documentory and extremely brutal. I would not recommend it as an introduction to the criterion collection.

 

One of my favorites is Picnic at Hanging Rock. It's an Australian Movie from the 70's directed by Peter Weir who did The Truman Show.

Aaron

 

Two words: GIMME SHELTER. The 60's decaying on camera.

 

I've become quite enamoured of Powell/Pressburger films as a result of Criterion's work. As much as I love watching "Seven Samurai" or "The Rock", I'd have to put "I Know Where I'm Going", "Colonel Blimp", and "Peeping Tom" at the top of my faves list. The Archers style draws me in every time.

John K.

 

I wish more Criterions were available for rent by me. I usually enjoy the films but they're mostly titles I don't feel the need to own. For example, I loved A Taste of Cherry but can't justify purchasing it. The only Criterions my Blockbuster carries are the mainstream titles. Netflix is no longer an option because I can't stand being accused of stealing discs from them.

I love the Criterion Silence of the Lambs. The difference between the video on the Criterion DVD and the MGM DVD is huge and I prefer the Criterion disc. Plus the extras are outstanding.

 

Aside from all the others already listed. I really enjoy Bergman's Seventh Seal.

 

Brazil set
Time Bandits
Monty Python's Life of Brian

I own these, but would love to find a place that has more for rent.

 

I'm still working on getting "The Devil And Daniel Webster" 2 DVD set. A great movie
Definetly catch that one if you can

 

Mona Lisa and Withnail & I are two of my favorites.

 

I've never heard of Netflix accusing anyone of anything.
I started to collect Criterion DVDs but after a bit realised that though watching all of them was fascinating and enjoyable, I wouldn't be watching most of them more than once. I sold most (though kept quite a few) and am renting the rest through Netflix. I just put the entire collection on the queue (besides the ones I do or already know I want to own).

wvk3, I just watched Mona Lisa the other night. Great flick! I will buy it eventually. That and The Long Good Friday are Bob Hoskins at his best.

Notorious may be my favorite- Hitchcock, Grant and Bergman (with whom I am hopelessly in love). And the transfer and video is gorgeous.

Brazil gets a nod as having the most stuff in it out of all the discs I own.

 

Yeah, I keep wishing Criterion would put out some nice editions of other Neil Jordan pictures, particularly The Crying Game, The Miracle and The Company of Wolves.