hey dude, great video. your stuff is way less flashy than other physical media youtubers but qualitatively the discussion is so much better. appreciate your stuff!
I'm getting my first criterion thanks to you James. Been watching all the Criterion closet videos and have been getting analysis paralysis. Going with double indemnity , thelma and louise, and seven samurai but also getting videodrome!
I’ve been looking for stuff for Christmas since my mom has asked me to make my list and with there 50% off I’ve been debating what I’ve wanted and this video has helped a lot thank you.
My favorite Criterion release ever (originally available only in a 12-inch LaserDisc box set) is their version of my favorite Orson Welles movie (yes, even more than "Citizen Kane" or "Lady From Shanghai" or "Chimes at Midnight" or "Macbeth" or "Touch of Evil" or "The Trial" or "Mr. Arkadin" or "F For Fake"...): "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), the famously studio-truncated masterpiece that is the most beautiful "memory movie" ever made. (I think it was Welles himself who said that memory is mankind's greatest blessing... and greatest curse. This movie is about that.) We will never be able to see Welles' finished version (legend has it the footage is either at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean or possibly entombed under a park on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood), but Criterion pieced together previously unseen production stills, on-set audio, and Welles' screenplay to reconstruct the best version we'll ever have of one of cinema's greatest masterworks. And both the Blu-ray and the DVD versions are still available. P.S. I'm much more of a Buster Keaton fan (a poet and revolutionary and my all-time favorite filmmaker -- and one of the greatest artists in film history, though he probably thought he was just making innovative slapstick comedies) than a Chaplin one -- but "Modern Times" is my favorite Chaplin. You have three of my All-Time-Favorite films on your list here: "Do The Right Thing," "Double Indemnity" and "8 1/2." Criterion also offers versions of Spike Lee's "Malcolm X," Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot" and "Ace In the Hole" (but no "Sunset Blvd."?!?) and Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (included in that Fellini set you mention). I've long wanted to see Sembene's "Mandabi" and I didn't know it was on Criterion. Thanks for the reminder!
Excellent selections James. I've seen majority but own just two...8 1/2 and Double Indemnity (Universal release), both favs.. My top 10............ The Great Beauty......maybe my all time favorite Criterion. Until the End of the World.....Wim Wenders' road trip masterpiece. IL Sorpasso.....Dino Risi's Italian road trip gem, right up there with Until End of World/Thelma and Louise. Tampopo.....Japanese comedy with real soul and heart. The Piano.....period film with gorgeous Australian cinematography, Sam Neil, Holly Hunter, directed by Jane Campion. Revanche.... unexpected discovery, wow, excellent German crime drama, brilliant ending twist. Local Hero....Burt Lancaster, not much screen time but steals it. Beautiful gem of a story, scenic Scottish locale, Stranger than Paradise...Jim Jarmusch, deadpan humor at its finest, Jim Jarmusch, nuff said. I Knew Her Well....great Italian 60's with comedy, drama, tragedy, lush black and white cinematography. The Double Life of Veronique....imo the best film by director Krzysztof Kieślowski of Three Colors fame. La Piscine....oh man, beautiful bodies, French Riviera, 60's crime drama. I can easily add another 10:)
Yes, there is a 4K edition for Do The Right Thing which many will consider. Would be wise to compare the features on the 4K edition and how that compares to the Criterion blu-ray.
I would recommend "Marketa Lazarova". It's truly a hidden gem. It reminded me a lot of Game of Thrones. But I think it represents the best of Criterion -- giving attention to titles that aren't at all mainstream.
Good balance of overall classic to foriegn to modern cinema. I have some of them. My sale pickup so far is Double Idemenity, The Underground Railroad, The Others and Funny Girl
I have a long Criterion want list. I’ll mention a few - The Cremator, Andrei Rublev, Written in the Wind and Being There. Stellar recommendations I must say.
Glad you enjoyed the recommendations, Vin! Excellent titles in your want list. Hope you enjoy those when you have a chance to add to your collection. Being There was on my shelf for a good while before I finally watched it and I really enjoyed that one.
Excellent picks! A Bug’s Life is also basically Seven Samurai…the children’s version. Ha. A lot of people talk about City Lights but I always preferred Modern Times as well. Masterpiece. There’s a few I need to see still. Perhaps on my next B&N trip.
Great list! Love that you included a number of atypical picks. I really need to see a Ousmane Sembène movie but I might start with Black Girl. Not sure yet. Oh and I'm huge on the Worst Person in the World, cool to hear that you are too.
Wow James, that is an impressive showing of modern and classic films. I definitely lean on the classic films. For the November sale, I'm awaiting the arrival from Amazon, Scarface (1932) and Double Indemnity (1944) on blu ray, bringing my Criterion count to 38. Only three of those are in color. Chaplin, can't go wrong there. I own City Lights and The Circus. Next July 50% off sale, i wanna pick up Winchester 73 (will be Stewart's 5th film in Criterion) and Paper Moon blu rays. Notorious, i have the older blu ray before Criterion.
Criterion's edition of Do the Right Thing is one of the best looking transfers I've ever seen. And I'm just talking Blu-ray, I haven't seen it in 4K yet!
All the Chaplin titles are excellent Criterion editions from the picture quality to the supplements, Stephen. The Harold Lloyd ones are great too. Enjoy!
@ GO DAWGS! Did you study film there? Or unrelated. I have a Film Studies degree and a Digital Media degree from UGA, I was also in the Lamar Dodd School of Art
I really need to see Love and Basketball. I've seen it recommended so many times but haven't seen it yet. I'm not picking anything up from the sale this month. I've been picking up Eureka and 88 Films kung fu movie releases and that has taken up my blu ray budget. Do you have any Eureka releases? I think they're my favorite boutique label now.
Interesting, I don't remember Costco ever selling any Criterion titles. I do miss the other physical media they used to sell and hope they start again some day.
Vastly prefer La Dolce Vita over 8 1/2. I don’t know why people in the community keep pushing that one over his true magnum opus. For world cinema I’d always recommend Pather Panchali in the Apu trilogy. Amazing film.
I told myself I wouldn’t get the 4k of Seven Samurai then I saw it at B&N and couldn’t help it. Fifth time I’ve bought it, VHS, Criterion’s fisrt horrible DVD which was worse than the VHS, then the remastered DVD, then the blu, now the 4K….Criterion got off to a bad start, their first release was that terrible DVD.
I have a serious question, my very italian uncle always says do the right thing is racist, I have seen it but i don't understand what he's talking about. Do u have any insight?
Do the Right Thing isn’t a racist film; it’s a powerful exploration of racism, systemic inequality, and community tensions. Spike Lee uses layered characters and complex situations to confront uncomfortable truths about prejudice and societal divisions. The film doesn’t offer easy answers but instead aims to spark reflection and conversation, which is why it remains so relevant today. Rather than labeling it, it’s more meaningful to consider what it reveals about society and how we respond to its messages.
@20thand21stMovies thank u very much 4 ur response, I think I'll ask him 2 watch it with me so we can talk about it. Again thank u 4 ur time . I really do appreciate it.
I don't think Do The Right Thing is racist, but it is preachy. Spike Lee is a great director, but in my opinion his biggest weakness is not letting his themes be revealed through the storytelling in a subtle provocative way. He just comes right out and loudly says it to the audience. I prefer it when filmmakers let their art speak for itself as opposed to just loudly shout their message from the top of a mountain. However, I prefer a director who's too preachy with his themes like Spike Lee or Michael Moore than a director like Tarantino whose movies don't even have a theme. Anyway, that's my biggest criticism of Do the Right Thing.
@@hillbillyconfidential The petite bourgeois Italian pizzeria owner winds up being the most sympathetic character by the end of the movie. Anyone who walked out of that movie thinking it was racist against white people is dumber than a bag of rocks.
Nah you gotta challenge those people who are picky to not go earlier than a particular year or don't do silent or b&w. The Criterion Collection should open you up to the new and unexpected. Those people don't know how much they're missing. The pros outweigh the cons. I can understand being picky about the bigger things in life but these are mere movies for crying out loud. Take a chance.
Ha ha. I hear you. Everyone has different tastes and interests so if someone is open to exploring outside of that and expanding horizons, that’s a good thing 😀.
Talking about foreign films! Have you ever seen CINEMA PARADISO???????? This is the film that got me interested in foreign films!!!!! Won the OSCAR in 1990 for best foreign film that year!!!!!!!!
Great list, I love most of these films. I made my own list of Criterion recs and we only overlapped on The Seven Samurai. I love Notorious and I'm a sucker for Cary Grant in general! Waiting for Notorious on 4K, I still have the DVD I bought 20 years ago! ruclips.net/video/PFlRmXZOhwY/видео.html
Hard disagree on Thelma and Louise. It's a beautifully shot film with great leading performances, but I feel it kind of squanders it's potential within the first 20 minutes. They should have spent more time establishing the relationship between the two main characters before letting it go off the rails. Something Wild is a movie that I feel does a much better job of pulling off this sort of tonal shift, and that's largely because the antagonist isn't introduced until almost a full hour into the film. Ridley Scott in general is a director who I think has a great visual sense, but a horrible storyteller. His movies often have an interesting subject matter but he always approaches them from the least interesting angle imaginable. This worked for Alien because that was essentially just Jaws in space, but just about everything since Blade Runner has been wildly uneven.
You make some excellent points, James. The film could have benefited from a little more establishment of their relationship in the beginning. Thanks for sharing!
I've got a question about Ousmane Sembène, I've just made the unfortunate discovery that he's a communist, are his films commie propaganda? I'm willing to overlook his inherent evilness for being a pinko so long as his films don't push the commie narrative.
Agree with most of these but THE MARTIAN??? I've always found it to be a pretty forgettable 5/10 sci-fi movie. Thelma & Louise is one of the best films of the '90s. I would go: 1. Alien 2. Blade Runner 3. Kingdom of Heaven (director's cut) 4. Gladiator 5. Thelma and Louise
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hey dude, great video. your stuff is way less flashy than other physical media youtubers but qualitatively the discussion is so much better. appreciate your stuff!
Glad you enjoyed the video, grasshopper, and thank you for your kind words!
I'm getting my first criterion thanks to you James. Been watching all the Criterion closet videos and have been getting analysis paralysis. Going with double indemnity , thelma and louise, and seven samurai but also getting videodrome!
JC, those are excellent titles to start your Criterion Collection with for sure!! Enjoy. Great time to get into the collection.
thanks for sharing bro will check some of these out
You are very welcome!
I’ve been looking for stuff for Christmas since my mom has asked me to make my list and with there 50% off I’ve been debating what I’ve wanted and this video has helped a lot thank you.
Awesome. Happy to help! Enjoy the Christmas 🎄 and Holiday Season!
Paper Moon is a new release and it was one of my favourites for quite some time!!
I’m looking forward to picking Paper Moon up in a few days!
My favorite Criterion release ever (originally available only in a 12-inch LaserDisc box set) is their version of my favorite Orson Welles movie (yes, even more than "Citizen Kane" or "Lady From Shanghai" or "Chimes at Midnight" or "Macbeth" or "Touch of Evil" or "The Trial" or "Mr. Arkadin" or "F For Fake"...): "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), the famously studio-truncated masterpiece that is the most beautiful "memory movie" ever made. (I think it was Welles himself who said that memory is mankind's greatest blessing... and greatest curse. This movie is about that.) We will never be able to see Welles' finished version (legend has it the footage is either at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean or possibly entombed under a park on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood), but Criterion pieced together previously unseen production stills, on-set audio, and Welles' screenplay to reconstruct the best version we'll ever have of one of cinema's greatest masterworks. And both the Blu-ray and the DVD versions are still available.
P.S. I'm much more of a Buster Keaton fan (a poet and revolutionary and my all-time favorite filmmaker -- and one of the greatest artists in film history, though he probably thought he was just making innovative slapstick comedies) than a Chaplin one -- but "Modern Times" is my favorite Chaplin. You have three of my All-Time-Favorite films on your list here: "Do The Right Thing," "Double Indemnity" and "8 1/2." Criterion also offers versions of Spike Lee's "Malcolm X," Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot" and "Ace In the Hole" (but no "Sunset Blvd."?!?) and Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (included in that Fellini set you mention). I've long wanted to see Sembene's "Mandabi" and I didn't know it was on Criterion. Thanks for the reminder!
Great picks James. I have many of these. Just upgraded my Seven Samurai. Excellent supplements. You have very eclectic taste in film.
Do the Right Thing was my first Criterion DVD purchase.
Nice. Excellent film by Spike Lee. I waited for the blu-ray on Criterion. Very nice digipack edition.
I think love and basketball is gonna be my next pick up, haven't seen it in so long. My first criterion was Cure, now i can't stop buying them lol
Excellent selections James. I've seen majority but own just two...8 1/2 and Double Indemnity (Universal release), both favs.. My top 10............
The Great Beauty......maybe my all time favorite Criterion.
Until the End of the World.....Wim Wenders' road trip masterpiece.
IL Sorpasso.....Dino Risi's Italian road trip gem, right up there with Until End of World/Thelma and Louise.
Tampopo.....Japanese comedy with real soul and heart.
The Piano.....period film with gorgeous Australian cinematography, Sam Neil, Holly Hunter, directed by Jane Campion.
Revanche.... unexpected discovery, wow, excellent German crime drama, brilliant ending twist.
Local Hero....Burt Lancaster, not much screen time but steals it. Beautiful gem of a story, scenic Scottish locale,
Stranger than Paradise...Jim Jarmusch, deadpan humor at its finest, Jim Jarmusch, nuff said.
I Knew Her Well....great Italian 60's with comedy, drama, tragedy, lush black and white cinematography.
The Double Life of Veronique....imo the best film by director Krzysztof Kieślowski of Three Colors fame.
La Piscine....oh man, beautiful bodies, French Riviera, 60's crime drama.
I can easily add another 10:)
Hello, James! There's a fantastic 4k edition of "Do the right thing"!
Yes, there is a 4K edition for Do The Right Thing which many will consider. Would be wise to compare the features on the 4K edition and how that compares to the Criterion blu-ray.
I would recommend "Marketa Lazarova". It's truly a hidden gem. It reminded me a lot of Game of Thrones. But I think it represents the best of Criterion -- giving attention to titles that aren't at all mainstream.
That reminds me I need to watch my copy of Marketa Lazarova. Thanks for the recommendation!
Good balance of overall classic to foriegn to modern cinema. I have some of them. My sale pickup so far is Double Idemenity, The Underground Railroad, The Others and Funny Girl
Glad you liked the picks, Gerald, and hope you enjoy those sale pickups! Happy Thanksgiving 🍽 !
I have a long Criterion want list. I’ll mention a few - The Cremator, Andrei Rublev, Written in the Wind and Being There. Stellar recommendations I must say.
Glad you enjoyed the recommendations, Vin! Excellent titles in your want list. Hope you enjoy those when you have a chance to add to your collection. Being There was on my shelf for a good while before I finally watched it and I really enjoyed that one.
Nice Picks! Just picked up Blow Out and cant wait to dive into it!
Glad you liked the picks! I hope you enjoy Blow Out. Would love to hear what you think of it when you have a chance to check it out.
Excellent picks! A Bug’s Life is also basically Seven Samurai…the children’s version. Ha.
A lot of people talk about City Lights but I always preferred Modern Times as well. Masterpiece.
There’s a few I need to see still. Perhaps on my next B&N trip.
Great list! Love that you included a number of atypical picks. I really need to see a Ousmane Sembène movie but I might start with Black Girl. Not sure yet. Oh and I'm huge on the Worst Person in the World, cool to hear that you are too.
Wow James, that is an impressive showing of modern and classic films. I definitely lean on the classic films. For the November sale, I'm awaiting the arrival from Amazon, Scarface (1932) and Double Indemnity (1944) on blu ray, bringing my Criterion count to 38. Only three of those are in color. Chaplin, can't go wrong there. I own City Lights and The Circus. Next July 50% off sale, i wanna pick up Winchester 73 (will be Stewart's 5th film in Criterion) and Paper Moon blu rays. Notorious, i have the older blu ray before Criterion.
Hello, Travis. I am looking forward to checking out Paper Moon and Winchester 73 as well. Glad you liked my selection of modern and classic films!
This list is 🔥. We gotta find a way to squeeze in Raging Bull though 🥊
Glad you liked the list, Joe, and, yes, Raging Bull would be an excellent inclusion on a Top 10 list!
Criterion's edition of Do the Right Thing is one of the best looking transfers I've ever seen. And I'm just talking Blu-ray, I haven't seen it in 4K yet!
Mario, yes, Criterion’s Do The Right Thing blu-ray looks good. I too have not seen the 4K yet.
Great list James. I have most of these. I have to buy Love & Basketball, Mandabi, and Notorious.
I need all the Charlie Chaplin films,I’ve got them on my list. I just bought safety last with Harold Lloyd. Speedy is another one of his films I want.
All the Chaplin titles are excellent Criterion editions from the picture quality to the supplements, Stephen. The Harold Lloyd ones are great too. Enjoy!
I'm about to start my criterion collection so getting this video recommended to me was seamless timing✌
Awesome. Glad to hear it and hope the recommendations help!
@@20thand21stMovies funnily enough, half of those films are on my watchlist😁
Also: I just noticed your hat - are you a Dawgs fan?!?!?!?! I'm a UGA alum and big Dawgs fan!!
Yessir, fellow UGA Grad and Dawgs fan. Go Dawgs!
@ GO DAWGS! Did you study film there? Or unrelated. I have a Film Studies degree and a Digital Media degree from UGA, I was also in the Lamar Dodd School of Art
Nice selection.
Thank you!
I gotta get their Blu-ray of the Irishman. I keep forgetting to grab it 😞
The Irishman is a nice edition and I hope you enjoy it when you have a chance to pick it up, Nick!
I really need to see Love and Basketball. I've seen it recommended so many times but haven't seen it yet.
I'm not picking anything up from the sale this month. I've been picking up Eureka and 88 Films kung fu movie releases and that has taken up my blu ray budget. Do you have any Eureka releases? I think they're my favorite boutique label now.
I finally watched it a few months ago (on a plane). It’s really good. I bet if you buy it without seeing it first you won’t be disappointed.
I have Double Indemnity, that movie is more hard boiled than an egg
I’m looking for Sweet Smell of Success.
Dylan, I hope you are able to get a copy of Sweet Smell of Success because that is a great one!
@ I tried to order at Barnes n Noble that could the DVD but not the Blu Ray so not yet at least
Interesting, I don't remember Costco ever selling any Criterion titles. I do miss the other physical media they used to sell and hope they start again some day.
Vastly prefer La Dolce Vita over 8 1/2. I don’t know why people in the community keep pushing that one over his true magnum opus.
For world cinema I’d always recommend Pather Panchali in the Apu trilogy. Amazing film.
La Dolce Vita is excellent as well, Jordan. Good pick!
I told myself I wouldn’t get the 4k of Seven Samurai then I saw it at B&N and couldn’t help it. Fifth time I’ve bought it, VHS, Criterion’s fisrt horrible DVD which was worse than the VHS, then the remastered DVD, then the blu, now the 4K….Criterion got off to a bad start, their first release was that terrible DVD.
Well, it’s an amazing film so if you’re going to buy multiple formats that is one of the few to do it for 😀.
I have a serious question, my very italian uncle always says do the right thing is racist, I have seen it but i don't understand what he's talking about. Do u have any insight?
Do the Right Thing isn’t a racist film; it’s a powerful exploration of racism, systemic inequality, and community tensions. Spike Lee uses layered characters and complex situations to confront uncomfortable truths about prejudice and societal divisions. The film doesn’t offer easy answers but instead aims to spark reflection and conversation, which is why it remains so relevant today. Rather than labeling it, it’s more meaningful to consider what it reveals about society and how we respond to its messages.
@20thand21stMovies thank u very much 4 ur response, I think I'll ask him 2 watch it with me so we can talk about it. Again thank u 4 ur time . I really do appreciate it.
I don't think Do The Right Thing is racist, but it is preachy. Spike Lee is a great director, but in my opinion his biggest weakness is not letting his themes be revealed through the storytelling in a subtle provocative way. He just comes right out and loudly says it to the audience. I prefer it when filmmakers let their art speak for itself as opposed to just loudly shout their message from the top of a mountain. However, I prefer a director who's too preachy with his themes like Spike Lee or Michael Moore than a director like Tarantino whose movies don't even have a theme. Anyway, that's my biggest criticism of Do the Right Thing.
@dankairgadam8841 There are a lot of things you could say about Tarantino but all of his movies have very clear and specific themes.
@@hillbillyconfidential The petite bourgeois Italian pizzeria owner winds up being the most sympathetic character by the end of the movie. Anyone who walked out of that movie thinking it was racist against white people is dumber than a bag of rocks.
Nah you gotta challenge those people who are picky to not go earlier than a particular year or don't do silent or b&w. The Criterion Collection should open you up to the new and unexpected. Those people don't know how much they're missing. The pros outweigh the cons. I can understand being picky about the bigger things in life but these are mere movies for crying out loud. Take a chance.
Ha ha. I hear you. Everyone has different tastes and interests so if someone is open to exploring outside of that and expanding horizons, that’s a good thing 😀.
Talking about foreign films! Have you ever seen CINEMA PARADISO???????? This is the film that got me interested in foreign films!!!!! Won the OSCAR in 1990 for best foreign film that year!!!!!!!!
I have not yet seen Cinema Paradiso but have heard good things about it. I’ll need to check it out 😀.
I actually think Malcolm X is better than Do The Right Thing
Great list, I love most of these films. I made my own list of Criterion recs and we only overlapped on The Seven Samurai. I love Notorious and I'm a sucker for Cary Grant in general! Waiting for Notorious on 4K, I still have the DVD I bought 20 years ago! ruclips.net/video/PFlRmXZOhwY/видео.html
Hard disagree on Thelma and Louise. It's a beautifully shot film with great leading performances, but I feel it kind of squanders it's potential within the first 20 minutes. They should have spent more time establishing the relationship between the two main characters before letting it go off the rails. Something Wild is a movie that I feel does a much better job of pulling off this sort of tonal shift, and that's largely because the antagonist isn't introduced until almost a full hour into the film.
Ridley Scott in general is a director who I think has a great visual sense, but a horrible storyteller. His movies often have an interesting subject matter but he always approaches them from the least interesting angle imaginable. This worked for Alien because that was essentially just Jaws in space, but just about everything since Blade Runner has been wildly uneven.
You make some excellent points, James. The film could have benefited from a little more establishment of their relationship in the beginning. Thanks for sharing!
I've got a question about Ousmane Sembène, I've just made the unfortunate discovery that he's a communist, are his films commie propaganda? I'm willing to overlook his inherent evilness for being a pinko so long as his films don't push the commie narrative.
Thelma and Louise is a great release but for me it’s 5th at best for Ridley Scott. Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator and The Martian all clear
Ridley Scott has made some great ones for sure. A ranking of his films would definitely spark an entertaining debate!
Agree with most of these but THE MARTIAN??? I've always found it to be a pretty forgettable 5/10 sci-fi movie. Thelma & Louise is one of the best films of the '90s. I would go:
1. Alien
2. Blade Runner
3. Kingdom of Heaven (director's cut)
4. Gladiator
5. Thelma and Louise