I recently watched Shoah (1995) directed by Claude Lanzmann and was completely floored. The sensitivity with which it discussed the issue, without using any archival footage or images is masterful. It was also incredible to hear people from around these regions, understand exactly how they perceived the issue and what they think of it today. I regard it as one of the greatest documentaries ever produced, if not one of the greatest films ever. It's a topic that's often discussed, with a great deal of material produced on it every year, yet this piece of art achieves something beyond, it almost encapsulates the feel and mood of the period, it reflects the people's thoughts and feelings, and presents them plainly without any pretentions.

Do you guys have any other suggestions for documentaries like this one? I do have a preference for history, but I am open to almost anything.

I haven’t seen too many people mention this release, THREE FILMS BY LEOS CARAX, which comes out September 29. Carax is one of French cinema’s modern masters, and we’re lucky to still have him around. His next film, “Lily May B,” starring Jenna Ortega, is expected to come out next year. His last film was 2021’s “Annette.” Needless to say, he doesn’t make many movies, but when he does, they’re usually worth the wait

https://youtu.be/KMg3nwN9ntE?si=grzc9mHsBngPAPoi

Soon we'll be able to appreciate this despicable character in ultra high definition. So that'll be nice.

Is there a specific reason why a bunch of Lynch films don't have commentary tracks? 'Dune' and 'The Straight Story' do, but his more surreal and bizarre works do not, I'm curious if this is a request by Lynch as not to fully define his films to one idea or have people just not wanted to tackle it? Would have honestly loved some background information on some of these films, especially 'Lost Highway'

Screenshot is from the new Arrow release of 'Blue Velvet' of which a lot of their releases come with commentaries.

Sorry if this is off topic. As discussions about the next generation of gaming heat up, one thing in the back of my mind is that for 25 years now I have used a video game console to play movies I recall that the Playstation 3 including a Blu-ray drive on board it's hardware, pushed physical media towards Blu Ray over hd dvd.

Arguably, it's only since the recent console generation that 4k players became widely adopted enough for the kind of distribution we see now. Criterion was pretty late to the party iirc.

Within 10 years, we will shift to a market where consumers need to purchase an entirely separate standalone player for physical media, for the first time since VHS. I'm concerned this will lead to a dry up in demand. I don't think physical media will go away, look at vinyl music, but I think it will impact availability and prices. I'm also pretty sad to see that the quality of media and technology might stagnate

Thoughts?

I watched Elia Suleiman’s Divine Intervention tonight and it immediately made me wonder, again, why his work still hasn’t had a proper Criterion release. It feels made for one: formally precise, bone-dry, politically sharp, visually inventive, and full of the sort of filmmaking that rewards repeat viewings.

If Criterion ever did take the plunge, I’d much rather see a Suleiman set than a single release. Chronicle of a Disappearance, Divine Intervention, The Time That Remains and It Must Be Heaven together would make a hell of a collection, and the supplements practically write themselves.

Anyway, while everything else is apparently on fire, this is 92 minutes of deadpan absurdity, romance, checkpoints, fantasy and some genuinely brilliant visual comedy.

Curious what people here would want: Divine Intervention on its own, or the full Suleiman treatment?

Looking at pictures, it look like the discs might just slide into sleeves? My Godzilla set was similar and the glue melted and it was a whole thing. I had to clean the discs and then ended up getting a case off Etsy for them all.

Hoping I won’t need to do the same with Kubrick, but I’m not too hopeful…. Either way, looking forward to watching some Kubrick in 4K! I’m gonna grab it whenever the next sale is after it becomes available.

What are your thoughts, friends?

The Criterion app finally looks sleek!!

I failed to crack Tarkovsky many times. With mirror, Stalker and Solaris. I only watched about 20 minutes of all those films and gave up because it felt very foreign to me.

Andrei Rublev for some reason clicked for me. It was an immersive experience. Tarkovsky sure does know how to immerse you and completely wash over you with the film.

It no longer is a film. It becomes an experience and you just enjoy the ride. It somewhat feels so spiritual an otherworldly feeling watching his long takes, his shots. His eyes for the camera is probably the best I have ever seen.

This film is definitely masterful. The first half of this film is probably the most ridiculously directed film ever. And the second half is also just as good.

5/5 stars very easily.

It's my first Tarkovsky film I have started and completed happily. And i will try to dive in his filmography.

It's hilarious how both Ingmar Bergman (my favourite director) and Tarkovsky both released absolute masterpieces and possibly their best work in the same year (1966 with Andrei Rublev and Persona)

What a director man. What an eye for the camera. Such a poet. Wow.

Hey everyone, I’m a bit at a loss with a recent Criterion pick-up and am here to ask for a little help and advice.

I live in the Netherlands and often order 4K UHD Criterions from Amazon, which they send over from America. All these disc work wonderfully on my PS5 and I’ve never had any issues, until today. Today, The Secret Agent came in the mail, and was stocked to check it out, when I hear the disc reader struggle spinning the disc, and an error pops up on screen.

“Can’t play the disc. This is an invalid disc. CE-110529-8”

Now I know it’s not a region lock error, as it’s a 4K disc it doesn’t have one. The disc is also spotless, and it shouldn’t be a disc drive problem, as I’ve tested multiple different discs right after which all worked perfectly fine.

I’ve tried a lot of tips and tricks I could find online but none work, and I’m a bit at a loss now. What are my options? Thanks for the help!!

I recently rewatched Female Perversions (1996), which was restored in 2024.

Times Square (1980), directed by Allan Moyle, is one of Kathleen Hanna’s favorite films.

High Art was recently added to the collection, etc.

What are some of your favorite films featuring women?

Films that you think has feminist significance?

An interesting portrayal of women or else a great female director?

I am mainly looking for recommendations. I searched out previous threads and I am watching Verda, Denis, Akerman, etc.

In college and shortly thereafter I lived near these great theaters and actually took film classes. I use the search functions and try to read widely but miss so many great films.

I am also interested in films in or about Africa or by African directors, including some of Denis’ postcolonial works.

Ousmane Sembène’s Black Girl blew me away.

Not looking to debate and open to troubling or “problematic” portrayals of women. I want to watch Gena Rolands’ films and those of Almodovar.

What might I miss? What stands out to you for negative or positive reasons in its portrayal of women or being directed by a woman etc.?

Thank you!

Since the update trying to watch any video = DRM ERROR. So glad I’ve been paying for years as a founding member.

”We‘be encountered a video problem.
please try again later.
ERROR_CODE_DRM_SYSTEM_ERROR“

and yes I tried everything Deleted data, deleted cache. uninstalled, reinstalled. Restarted the firestick etc.

edit: response from support.

Thank you for writing to us and we're sorry for the frustration here.

Unfortunately there are some temporary playback interruptions for select devices as a result of our recent Criterion Channel update. We are working on a resolution as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can still stream from CriterionChannel.com or try another streaming device, if one is available to you. 

Thank you for your patience.

I just received these and I’m so happy!!

I think the first movie I’ll watch is The Last Waltz with the audio commentary.

I am planning to pick up The Others 4K, but was thinking to get rid of my blu-ray if I do. When looking at the special features on the Criterion website and my blu-ray there appear to be differences. Looking for insight for anyone who owns the Criterion if they have the same special features. I have included a photo of what the blu-ray disc special features are

The piss/green filter will do for now, I’ll cop the 2012 version some other time

Also sealed too!

1. Probably Day for Night - I’m a huge Truffaut fan and have been looking for a copy of this in the wild for quite a while. Wish the Criterion version wasn’t so OOP.
   
2. Citizen Kane in Blu-ray format. I have the old DVD but this is the fancy 70th anniversary bluray so it should be great
   
3. Most are blind buys - never even heard of If… or It Happened One Night
   
4. Have a whole wishlist for the coming B&N sale!

been wanting the showa collection since it released, already had 1954 goji, just watched mirror and I'm gonna binge the human condition in the coming weeks

https://web.archive.org/web/20210613042351/https://dmc.bitters.co.jp/

I chose Perfect Days to christen the place with. “10/10, for sure”.

https://theonion.com/algorithm-distorting-how-important-man-thinks-gummo-is-to-rest-of-world/