Archived Criterion Streaming Discussion

[Gary Gnu]

THE WALL is definitely bombastic, but it comes off as quite subtle when compared to how Ken Russell filmed TOMMY! As an examination of a man's struggle with his misanthropy, it works well especially given there is little dialogue. Despite its reputation as being overblown, the original album was a fairly risky and emotionally devastating departure from what was considered "progressive rock" at the time; it's closer to Lennon's PLASTIC ONO BAND album than to anything Genesis or Yes were coming up with (although Pink Floyd had avoided most of the prog-rock cliches with their previous albums as well). The film follows suit and I like how it taps into the then-current National Front issues which help ground the film in reality. I saw a preview of the film in Detroit before it opened in '82 and a sizable portion of the audience were cheering on the racial violence depicted in it! This just reinforced the idea that Roger Waters really was at odds with some of his audience and made the album (and film) all the sadder.

I agree. The Wall is an extremely powerful and significant musical and cinematic work. I do like Tommy, as well; but The Wall's subtlety is what really makes it, not only a great film; but one of the best and uniquely loyal translations of an existing work ever.

[jsteffe]

Isn't Foreign Correspondent a Warner title, or did they lose the rights?

If I understand correctly, Foreign Correspondent is one of the Walter Wanger/UA titles that Julian Schlossberg acquired for his company Castle Hill Productions. Stagecoach is another Wanger title owned by Castle Hill but distributed for a while by Warner. The Cassavetes films released by Criterion are also Castle Hill properties.

[knives]

As much as I love The Wall (top ten for me) there's no reason for Criterion to release it. The present DVD is stacked and I believe they are working on a blu. I'd much rather they work on, say, the unreleased films of Kihachiro Kawamoto instead. Also are we considering Parker to be anything other than the name on the box when it comes to The Wall now? I thought everyone just considered it to be Waters and Scarfe's movie.

Really? I don't own the DVD, but for some reason I was under the impression that it was barebones. Was it reissued? I also thought Waters and Scarfe had little involvement in the movie, and when they saw the end product; they liked it. I consider Alan Parker to be a notable director. He's got some worthwhile movies under his belt.

There's a few deleted scenes, a commentary featuring Scarfe and Waters (who oversaw the transfer), and a few other things I don't remember. It's one of the most heavily packed DVDs this side of Criterion. There's no way for them to improve on the content.

[Doctor Sunshine]

another Wanger title owned by Castle Hill but distributed for a while by Warner.

Same deal for The Long Voyage Home and History Is Made at Night. And Breaker Morant was Fox Lorber but is a Castle Hill property as well.

[Gary Gnu]

There's a few deleted scenes, a commentary featuring Scarge and Waters (who oversaw the transfer), and a few other things I don't remember. It's one of the most heavily packed DVDs this side of Criterion. There's no way for them to improve on the content.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Why's it the edited version of Godzilla? I'm surprised that Criterion didn't go for the real deal.

[knives]

They might not have the rights to the real deal. Also remember how long it took them to put up the teevee version of F&A versus the short version.

[Gary Gnu]

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure if it was deliberate or not. I'm guessing they're still after the rights to the uncut one, then. Maybe they're just giving a tease on Hulu.

[matrixschmatrix]

Aside from an upgrade to blu, I wonder what Criterion could add to the Classic Media release? It's got both versions, both with commentary, and some decent mini documentary things- and it's going for $6.49 shipped on Amazon right now. Or you can get like half a dozen equally stacked sequels with it (one with a David Kalat commentary!) all for $19.99.

I think it's possible to beat that- God knows, there's a wealth of material about Godzilla out there- but it would take something pretty goddamn impressive.

[Gary Gnu]

Yeah. Hopefully they're not intimidated by the competition and end up taking The Makioka Sisters approach. I'd prefer impressive supplements over a lower price.

[jwd5275]

Aside from an upgrade to blu, I wonder what Criterion could add to the Classic Media release? It's got both versions, both with commentary, and some decent mini documentary things- and it's going for $6.49 shipped on Amazon right now.

Likely the very reason they never have released it, despite apparently having the rights...

[jwd5275]

Up now:
Goke, the Bodysnatcher from Hell
Yotsuya Kaiden

[zeroism]

Up now:
Goke, the Bodysnatcher from Hell
Yotsuya Kaiden

It might be worth noting that the Yotsuya Kaidan up now is the 1949 Keisuke Kinoshita adaptation. The 1959 Nobuo Nakagawa version is also a Janus title; and I've been under the impression that Criterion also own the rights to the 1966 Shiro Toyoda film (titled Illusion of Blood overseas). It's listed on DVD Aficionado as a Criterion title, at least.

[jwd5275]

They just uploaded:
I Married a Witch - Clair
Room at the Top - Clayton
The original japanese Gojira

I expect more later tonight...

[matrixschmatrix]

Wow, I had no idea they had the rights to Room at the Top, that's exciting

[Gary Gnu]

They just uploaded:
I Married a Witch - Clair
Room at the Top - Clayton
The original japanese Gojira

I expect more later tonight...

I said I'd cool it down, but right now I'm watching Gojira and am happy as all get out. jwd, you've just made my night.

[domino harvey]

If you really wanted to make your night, you'd watch I Married a Witch

[Gary Gnu]

If you really wanted to make your night, you'd watch I Married a Witch

Aside from the ones they may update later on, I hope to get through today's titles by the morning. With a recommendation like this, I'm sure I Married A Witch will further brighten my night.

[knives]

You have to see it for backward propaganda action! Seriously though it's easily his best English language film.

[Gary Gnu]

You have to see it for backward propaganda action! Seriously though it's easily his best English language film.

Sounds intriguing. I'd better get to it!

[matrixschmatrix]

How quickly have new things been added to the Hulu page? It seems like there's been three or four new things every week- it doesn't seem hopeful for everything getting on disc if they're outpacing their disc releases by that much.

[bringmesomechemicals]

Wife [Naruse, Mikio 1953]
Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan [Nakagawa, Nobuo 1959]
Princess Wang Kwei-fei [Mizoguchi, Kenji 1955]
Princess from the Moon [Ichikawa, Kon 1987]

just uploaded

I have to admit, I'm finding this glut of films a little overwhelming. In other words, keep 'em coming!

[mckeldinb]

My lower grade Samsung BD player *finally* made Hulu plus available via Samsung Apps. I re-registered immediately -- I tried it out many months ago, but without big-screen access the service was not particularly useful (I hate watching movies on my laptop). I'm almost afraid... the wealth of available Criterion titles is overwhelming. Must hold off on PHANTOM CARRIAGE as I'm so looking forward to the Blu. The quality seems much more reliable than Netflix. $7.99 seems like quite a bargain as these things go... all that Criterion (and unlimited FAMILY GUY too )

[Anthony]

How Does Hulu Plus look on your HDTV? I tried Netflix and was very unhappy the picture quality. Does Hulu+ look better? I like you, I hate sitting in front of my computer and watching a movie.

[knives]

I've found my experience with Hulu to look better than my short one with Netflix. It's still far from perfect, but is good enough.

[mckeldinb]

With my limited experimentation with Hulu+, I'd say the PQ on my HDTV is vastly superior than it is with Netflix. Still not as solid as Blu-Ray (or perhaps even a well mastered DVD), but so far Hulu seems like it will be a very nice supplement to my disc collection (*definitely* not a replacement however). I have noticed that some of the Hulu Criterions play as HD and some as SD -- I assume this is based on what Criterion makes available, but since I use a wireless connection (not ideal, I know) it's possible that a momentary drop in signal strength could cause a movie to load in SD.