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Site got updated but to a promotion for the Kiyoshi Kurosawa films streaming on the Channel. DELAY!

On a regular old Thursday the 15th.

Just spent some days in Paris, I couldn’t not pay a visit to one of my favourite artists.
I was happy to see other people left something here, it warmed my heart.

A portrait of a lady on fire is near perfect. Every decision, every line, down to everything was well done in my eyes.

I loved the choice of nearly no music through out the film till that Bon fire sequence and it was glorious. I was MOVED by that. Something so simple yet so powerful. Also the music at the end was so climatic and eye tearing.

I loved the tension and build up with their attraction towards one another. The costume design was great, the acting was spot on.

I love everything about this film. I think about it very often ever since I watched it a few years ago. It's truly one of a kind.

My favourite sequence of the film is definitely the bonfire with the music and the very ending with the camera slowing closing into one of the characters.

GQ on why The Devils is more relevant than in 1971.

Na Hong-jin is truly a great director. The Wailing is definitely one of the top 3-5 films in folk horror, and when it comes to Asian cinema, he reached the absolute peak of the genre with it. Maybe that's why my expectations for him were so high. I still have high hopes for his future work, but I'd be lying if I said Hope didn't catch me off guard a bit. It really turned out to be just an average to above-average sci-fi flick. The horror elements are pretty weak. What surprised me the most was how cheap the CGI looked, especially the creature CGI. Hwang Jung-min delivers a phenomenal performance, and Jung Ho-yeon is truly captivating with her acting, her character, and her beauty, but that's about it... The cinematography also felt a bit weak. As I said, it's not a bad movie on its own, I'm just judging it in comparison to the director's masterpiece, The Wailing. I really hope we get to see another folk horror film from him in the next 3-5 years because he excels at it. Just wanted to share my thoughts. I'm curious about what you all think of Na Hong-jin and his decision to make Hope—which we could call a sci-fi horror—after The Wailing. Do you think we'll see another true horror movie from him anytime soon? What do you say?

I know Silence of the Lambs is getting another release soon but the cover was pretty sweet. Do ya’ll still keep some of your early Criterion releases?

I was looking at a photograph of a random snowbound suburb today and thought of how ominous the setting could be. It reminded of a movie I may or may not have watched that ended on a more somber and introspective note. The characters involved went their separate ways and had to live with their thoughts without some dramatic send-off.

The movie I'm thinking of specifically featured that lonely suburban atomosphere, as if a character moved to another part of the country to spend the rest of their lives in solitude, or in hiding à la Breaking Bad. I don't know if I made it up but I'm looking for movies with an ending like that.

The Irishman is a pretty good example, as well Country For Old Men, Y Tu Mama Tambien... I appreciate other recommendations.

Got this a few years ago for 3:16 day. It’s a personal favorite of mine.

Been waiting for a while to make an order to Europe and with upcoming sale I would love to finally get a haul. I was wondering if anyone tried previously to get a freight forwarder service for delivery? I know it’s not cheap but there is not many choices if you want criterion collection over here. However, even if I’m ready to pay the shipping and customs it’s difficult to know dimensions and weight of the package that would arrive to the warehouse. Did anyone try previously placing a similar order and maybe could share experience?

It's Season 7, episode 4 of TCM & Criterion's The Plot Thickens, hosted by Ben Mankiewicz, and with this whole season being about Kubrick, we've made it to Spartacus now, his second film with Kirk Douglas. We learn about Kubrick and Kirk's very difficult relationship while still admiring each other's talent, and the hectic making of Spartacus. Very fascinating stuff. Kubrick taking the directorial duties after Anthony Mann was fired (and not having full creative control this time), we end up learning how the different contributions of Kirk, Kubrick and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo all gave this classic epic (one of Golden Age Hollywood's finest, imo) its most memorable moments, and how Kirk helped Trumbo during the blacklist. And all this while Kubrick was trying to get the making of his next film, Lolita, set up.

We also hear Christiane Kubrick explain Stanley's fear of flying and more of his personal/family life as well. He was also a great poker player in addition to chess, and even played with director Martin Ritt (as a huge Hud fan, that was a nice bit of info). Overall, another great episode, worth hearing.

The Chicago International Film Festival starts tonight. As part of the festival, there’s a physical media swap in New City AMC this weekend. Anyone planning on going? I think I’m going to bring some Criterions to potentially swap. There’s a limit of 10 discs we can bring.

Last night I saw Plata Quemada, a very stylish and steamy Argentine/Spanish crime story set in 1965 in Argentine. The story follows two criminals who later on become lovers and their complicated relationship. In some ways it reminded me of Bound, and if I’d be completely honest I loved it way more than Bound since I find the story more interesting, the third act was just fantastic and the main couple have insane chemistry like it’s in their eyes, the way they touch or look at each other, also not that it matters but it’s very hot gonna put it out there in case it would encourage more people to watch it🤭

This is a true hidden gem that seems to remain forgotten for 26 years now. I believe the main reason is the lack of availability, it is only available on DVD and has never been released on Blu-ray and you can hardly find it on any streaming services. It should have been a cult movie yet hardly anyone has seen this original heist movie which is also based on a true story. I love how the characters in this film are not defined by their sexuality, they have their own purposes and ambitions and are such multilayered and compelling characters that has made watching this film more enjoyable.

Anyways I wish Criterion would show some love to this film and give it a second chance judging by the positive reviews on Letterbox I can see if a beloved boutique label such as Criterion would put it there fans would genuinely appreciate, this is the kind of lost treasure that needs to find more viewers and a new home, though to be honest at this point if any boutique label would pick this I would be so glad since I’m afraid it would remain forgotten, it’s already been 26 years. Anyways I just wonder if you’ve seen it or already heard of it? What are your thoughts? Love to hear them, thank you💕

Tomorrow is my birthday and I’m looking at what released within the week of my birthday and the two best options appear to be Rushmore and Happiness.

Are either one of these good to watch on a birthday?

Given the recent Wes Anderson and Kubrick sets that dropped, who would you like to see get a set in the Collection someday?

Personally, I’d love Villeneuve to get his own set someday, particularly his earlier work since there are not many if any 4K transfers of? Movies such as Incendies for instance. I could see Arrival in particular, even with its recent 4K update, being really cool because the thematic messaging of the movie with regards to linguistics and human connection and it would be interesting to see what sort of deeper dive Special Features the Collection could come up with.

Another director that comes to mind, particularly with his early stuff pre LOTR, would be Peter Jackson. I’d be a happy man with a Heavenly Creatures 4K transfer!

What do you think?

Any director you are hankering for a set in the Collection?

For example, the main character's cousin is his aunt's sister-in-law, which makes no sense. There's also so many lines that seem like meaningless one-off non sequiturs.

rather than allowing the audience to comfortably consume eroticized violence from a distance, re-wind turns the lens back on the spectator.

hisayasu satō deliberately shoots analog video footage off CRT monitors and viewfinders, disrupting the illusion of reality.

it forces us to acknowledge that we are watching a constructed product designed to satisfy a taboo craving. and as a result, we are consciously implicated in the cycle of voyeurism and decay.

I’ve seen them all except for Miller’s Crossing, Beyond the Valley, and Scarface

My birthday was last Wednesday and I decided To buy some criterion that i found on discount. So I want to share them with you :)

1. I think I’ll watch Wild Strawberries first because is one of my favorite movies.
   
2. The Dekalog series, I truly love the work of Kieslowski
   
3. The only blind buy is the boxset of John Cassavetes because I only have seen A Woman Under The Influence and Love Streams so all of the movies are going to be new to me even though I known them
   
4. I would love to own The Funeral by Jūzō Itami or Shoah

I’ve had my eye the Koker Trilogy since we started the war in Iran and I read a little piece about it.
I’ve talked to several people that have told me that Secret Agent is fantastic, and honestly I don’t have many contemporary films in my Criterion lineup.
And I know it isn’t a Criterion selection, but I’ve heard this version of TTSS is the “real deal” version; it will have to hurdle a pretty high bar as I really enjoyed the Oldman/Alfredson version.
Honestly the coolest part is that I haven’t seen any of these and the missus just listened to me rant about things I wanted to watch over the last couple of months. She’s a real sweet pea.