i found the dark knight dvd to be really underwhelming. i wanted a documentary on the genesis of the character of the joker through the ages, much in the same way that the documentary on batman on the batman begins disc was. the insight into the use of imax cameras was genuinely interesting tho, i especially like the revelation that one of only nine of the cameras that exist in the world was destroyed during the making of the film!
the disc i would like to add is breathless. the criterion package really is outstanding, especially compared to what we had before.
I thoroughly enjoy my copy of Breathless. The booklet is ENORMOUS, and filled with great excerpts.
I am constantly looking for the great DVD I must own. Currently I’m anxious to get a hold of the new TOUCH OF EVIL set that has 3 versions of the film on it. I also need to pick up the Criterion releases of BOTTLE ROCKET and CHUNGKING EXPRESS. And I need to get the new release of COOL HAND LUKE because the last version didn’t have crap for special features…so I waited for the new version.
Speaking of waiting…I am still holding off on buying KILL BILL and GRINDHOUSE until they release a definitive release. I know in Asia there’s a 6 disc set for Grindhouse that has both films in extended and theatrical versions, plus all the fake trailers.
Kill Bill on the other hand has been teased at me before with being released as one film. Everyone knows that those bare bones discs are not all Tarantino is going to release, but it’s been 5 years already. Last I heard their making an anime segment that has some extra backstory, but you never know what to believe on the internet sometimes.
How about the Blu-Ray for How the west was won. A marvel of widescreen beauty. Your eyes wil be mesmerized by the high definition and the ultra bright color’s.
“I know in Asia there’s a 6 disc set for Grindhouse that has both films in extended and theatrical versions, plus all the fake trailers.”
How on earth does that fit 6 discs? that’s like 30 hours of programming.
That was only some of the features. I’m sure it also has behind the scenes features, commentaries…you know, the works.
How can they release that stuff everywhere but the states? Now how does that make fucking sense to them?
Yes, Brian Oestreich! Yes! I, too, have been waiting for Kill Bill and Grindhouse to come out for forever, and I also need to pick up copy’s of Touch of Evil, Bottle Rocket, and Chungking Express, as well as Gimme Shelter, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, and, if Criterion EVER puts out a copy of Godard’s Weekend, I’ll have to pick it up.
Oh, and, yes, The Dark Knight is a must own, although I am a little disappointed about the lack of any commentary, or something like that. So far as I know, Nolan has only done one commentary, and that was on the Memento special Edition. He should do more. Oh well…at least we get the great segments from Gotham Tonight!
Savvy
I suggested Weekend to them six or so years ago via their email link for suggesting titles, and, strangely enough, they still haven’t gotten around to it.
As far as awesomeness of a DVD goes, I’d say the Lord of the Rings special editions pretty much take the cake. They practically filmed the entire production process for those things.
Chungking Express will soon be mine on Blu-Ray, but I won’t be content until I have The Man Who Fell to Earth as well. However, my wish is that someone will put out Hal Hartley’s “Trust” on Region 1 soon. I’ve pleaded Criterion, but no word yet.
I am very much looking forward to getting Europa.
Having just rented The Dark Knight blu-ray, I 100% agree with Adam.
Why a 2-disc release of the second highest grossing film in America would lack ANY extras on the development and execution of two of it’s main characters (The Joker, Two-Face) is beyond me. Those are the only extras I wanted, and instead I get basically an hour about how they blew cars up.
I know Ledger is dead, and they want to be sensitive about what material they put out with him in it, but at least show concept art leading up to the final design. And the special effects on Two-Face demand an in-depth study.
As for what I’m looking forward to, I know the amount of Criterion material on this site has been an issue… but The Exterminating Angel has been on my “must-have” list for years, and now they’re giving it to me in in a couple months.
the new touch of evil is a really nice set, orson welles’ notes for the studio come in a little envelope with the dvds, which is a cool little extra.
im surprised no one has mentioned the blade runner 5 disc briefcase yet. as much as i dislike the film i cant deny that its one of the finest box sets ever produced.
in terms of kill bill i picked up the japanese box sets of each volume, spending the best part of £200 importing them as they were released! theres hardly any extras on those versions, but theyre lovely boxsets and look amazing on my shelves.
Other than the aforementioned Breathless criterion, I have gotten a HUGE amount of pleasure from criterion’s Carl Theodor Dreyer releases, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Vampyr, and the box set (Day of Wrath, Ordet, and Gertrud (as well as the documentary My Metier)). These films are all amazing and the restorations are priceless. The extras are also far out, including documentaries as well as interviews with the casts and cinematographers.
I also truly enjoy my copies of the deluxe Lord of the Rings trilogy box sets, Vera Chytilova’s Daisies and Fruit of Paradise (put out by Facets), Kino video’s release of Lang’s Metropolis, Performance, the Twin Peaks series, Week-end (New Yorker Video), as well as pretty much all of my Criterion releases (Elevator to the Gallows, Les Enfants Terribles, Pierrot Le Fou, Hiroshima Mon Amour, The 400 Blows being some of my top favorites at the moment).
INLAND EMPIRE is Lynch’s most “extras packed” DVD, plus it necessitates multiple viewing, so I’d say it’s essential. The Pennebaker “Dont Look Box” box set reissue is essential for any Bob Dylan fan. And I agree that the LOTR extended release box sets are about as comprehensive as DVDs get.
Pepe Le Moko is a killer film…. to see how Von Sterberg influenced the French, who in turn influenced Film Noir. No Pepe, no Rick in Casablanca?
I own the Japanese Grindhouse 6 DVD set & the Japanese Kill Bill Sets (with Kill Bill Bearbricks!)—they are readily available online, all you need is a region-free DVD player. If you’re a big fan it is completely worth purchasing for all of the bonus materials—although I would wager that there will be a North American release, probably Blu Ray, & then I’ll just have to purchase everything again.
Breathless
As the back of the Criterion box says, “There was before Breathless, and there was after Breathless.” And the extras are worth it.
Also: I agree with Roger re: Inland Empire. The extras are also just really amusing/great- David Lynch makes quinoa!
Breathless, no doubt is one of my fav. criterions. now i own the vhs, the non criterion dvd (has a good commentary by david sterrit), the criterion laserdisc, and finally, the epitome of the bunch…. well worth the wait.
i like Inland Empire more and more with each viewing. it is a difficult maze that keeps on giving. you can enjoy it over and over to try to unlock something new each time. it is a two disk set and is pretty cheap ($16.95usd or something).
the legacy editions of the universal monster classics are must haves – packed to the gills with commentary, all the subsequent sequels and then some.
I think you should have one disney classic in your pile of movies.
And The Dark Knight, because, it’s badass. I have no real reason except that. :D
To all the Dark Knighters in the house,
My guess is that within a year, there will be another version for you to buy. Warner Bros. tends to do this with new formats (remember the horrible single-disc editions that came out 1998 style, including the aforementioned “Cool Hand Luke”). They’re already re-releasing the film in theaters in January.
Hang in there.
Bazil(3Disc), Platoon(2Disc), Devils Rejects(2Disc), Canibal Holocaust(2Disc), Dawn of the Dead(4Disc), Fear and Loathing(2Disc), Zombie(1Disc) Thats my selection for best DVD sets. Really I enjoy anything put out by Criterion and Blue Underground just for the shere quality of the films.
I agree with all of you on the Criterion Breathless. It’s great.
Can anyone tell me how good the Criterion Seven Samurai is? I’m thinking about buying it.
Antonioni’s L’eclisse and Truffaut’s Jules and Jim; both are really great Criterion DVDs.
Hou’s City of Sadness and another Rivette film, La Belle Noiseuse probably.
Last Life in the Universe — I really enjoyed the commentary by Christopher Doyle.
I think the Criterion Seven Samurai is a clear choice for “essential DVD.” If one is looking for a pillar of world cinema in a top-quality presentation, the three-disc set sets the benchmark. Massively influential film, full slate of special features covering it from every angle, insightful commentaries… that’s how it’s done!
All of the Wes Anderson films released by Criterion are amazing as well.
The Rohmer boxset, too.
L.A.™
I would like to start with thd dark knight, simply on the extras that it brings. To see how this film was made will be actually something revolutionary for the fact that Nolan decided to use IMAX camera’s. The whole process is both new and unique, so to see them create such an entertaining and amazing film. Its both exciting and exhilarating to see the future of film technology. Although it will increase the budget’s of film’s ten fold.