A few of my favorite non-box set Criterion DVDs.
The Criterion Collection is a DVD company that puts out classic and contemporary films from all over the world. They give the films an awesome HD transfer and jam pack the package with extras (such as documentaries, commentaries, interviews, etc.) and booklets with essays by film scholars or the filmmakers themselves. On the down side, a one disc DVD usually goes for about 40 bucks a piece. In my book, they're expensive but worth it.
Every month, Criterion comes out with about 4 to 5 new films that are put on DVD and I'm going to share a few upcoming releases that I think are interesting.
Blast of Silence - This movie is apparently one of Martin Scorsese's favorite New York City movies (according to Time Out Magazine) which just came out 3 days ago. I have it preordered with 2 other DVDs so it did not arrive yet and I can't say how great of a film it is but it seems very interesting. Synopsis from the Criterion Collection:
"Swift, brutal, and black-hearted, Allen Baron's New York City noir Blast of Silence is a sensational surprise. This low-budget, carefully crafted portrait of a hit man on assignment in Manhattan during Christmastime follows its stripped-down narrative with mechanical precision, yet also with an eye and ear for the oddball idiosyncrasies of urban living and the imposing beauty of the city. At once visually ragged and artfully composed, and featuring rough, poetic narration performed by Lionel Stander, Blast of Silence is a stylish triumph."
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters - Directed by the screenwriter of Taxi Driver, Paul Schrader, this film is about the Japanese author and playwright, Yukio Mishima, and his social and internal struggles throughout his life. I was supposed to buy this DVD (put out by a different DVD company) a while ago but amazon.com never shipped it. Luckily too, because now there's a Criterion release in June. I'm very excited to see it. Also Patriotism, or Yukoku, (the only film Yukio Mishima ever directed) will also be released in the same month so make sure you check that out as well.
Trafic - If you have taken Producing the Film class with Sarah Schenck, you may know that she cited Jacques Tati as one of her favorite directors. He's a comedy director and acts in most (if not all) of his films, most notably for his role as Monseiur Hulot. He's done movies such as Mon Oncle, Mr. Hulot's Holiday, and Playtime, and now his movie Trafic will be on DVD from Criterion. I've never seen any of his movies but if you are interested, be sure to check it out. I know I will. (Will be released in July)
High and Low - I absolutely LOVE Kurosawa. He is my idol and god, so when I saw the news that Criterion is going to re-release this movie, it's safe to say that I was more than excited. High and Low is a great film about a rich man (Kingo Gondo played by the great Toshiro Mifune) who's child gets kidnapped. The kidnapper holds the child hostage and asks for ransom which leads to a thrilling police drama. Based on the novel King's Ransom, Kurosawa creates an exciting detective film while also making a statement about Japan's social problems. (July)
Vampyr - This film is directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, the man who did The Passion of Joan of Arc. If you have seen that film, it's reason enough to try and get your hands on this one. Joan of Arc was a masterful piece of cinema that blows you away with so much emotion and expression that you will be amazed... and it's all silent. Criterion also released a box set of 3 of his works but I couldn't get my hands on it because it's so expensive. I'm definitely going to pre-order Vampyr though. (July)
ALSO DON'T FORGET THAT MICHEL GONDRY WILL COME TO NYC ON MAY 9TH. RESERVE TICKETS ASAP!! More information can be found here.
No comments:
Post a Comment