The Criterion Collection

August titles announced:

www.criterion.com/library/expanded_view?f=1&s=release_date

Since the bi-annual Barnes and Noble sale starts tomorrow I thought I would list my top 10 Criterion films and because Neverending has only watched 3 Criterion films it would be a good place for NE to start.

10. Night of the Hunter




Veteran actor Charles Laughton's directorial debut starring Robert Mitchum was a poorly received horror/thriller when it was first released.  Laughton never directed another film due to it's failure however years later is seen as a classic.

9. Ace in the Hole 




8. The Devil's Backbone




One of Guillermo del Toro's earlier releases is a fine horror film that holds up 20 years later.

7. Stagecoach




The movie that put John Wayne on the path to being arguably the biggest movie star of all time is also one of John Ford's most well known.  The story of a stagecoach with an array of characters culminates with a classic cowboys and Indians chase that would be impressive for a film made today.

6. Sansho the Bailiff




5. Paris, Texas




4. Harakiri



3. The Red Shoes



This film by the 'Two Archers' Powell and Pressburger could be summarized as the Black Swan of the 1940s. It tells the story of passions and obsessions against the backdrop of a European ballet production is beautiful watch thanks to the great acting, choreography and set design.

2. City Lights




If you were to ask 5 people what their favorite Chaplin film is you might get 5 different answers, all of which would be very suitable choices.  City Lights is currently my favorite Chaplin film that has an official Criterion release and is as funny and touching as it was 80 years ago.

1. Ran 




My personal favorite of Kurosawa's titanic film canon, it was filmed when the director was in his mid-70s.  The book '1001 Films You Must See Before You Die' stated that of all the movies in the book, Ran is among the top 5.  I couldn't agree more, it's easily one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Thanks!

And I estimated 3, give or take. I may or may not have employed some Neverending hyperbole.

Ah ok, I thought Neverending was at a solid count of 3.  I'm used to that hyperbole from Neverending, not from you so cut it out!

It's day one of the Barnes and Noble sale and I've already raked in a pretty damn good haul.  Picked up:

Sullivan's Travels
Fellini Satyricon
My Dinner With Andre
Breathless
Don't Look Now
Hoop Dreams
Cries and Whispers
The Thin Blue Line

Nice picks, my friend lost my Criterion copy of "Hoop Dreams" a year ago and I need to replace it. 

I went on a Terrence Malick binge and snagged blu-rays of:
Badlands
The Thin Red Line
Days of Heaven

And also snagged The Tree of Life on blu-ray too.  This is an awesome deal, I got all of those for under $70. 

Yeah there's a Costco somewhat near me, it's in south San Francisco so I don't go there too often. I got a Criterion of "Hoop Dreams" at the Amoeba on Haight Street for like $10, I couldn't believe it. One of the best blind buys I've ever made. I honestly had no idea they sold Criterions, I'll have to check that out.

Yeah my buddy has the Red Line Criterion blu-ray and just the box alone is beautiful, I'm excited to watch it in blu-ray. Probably haven't seen it in 10 years, and I'll probably enjoy it a lot more now that I'm older.

I think "Brazil" has a pretty slick box set too, I might have to grab that one next.

"Mulholland Drive" on Blu-Ray? Hell, yes!

Nah, they're just gonna move onto "Wild at Heart" next.

Not I.

Just picked up The Innocents. Considering how I have no job I think 4 films is an adequate amount for this sale. Time to start working on the list for November.