The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by White Dang

If you didn't like Breathless, then you probably won't like Peirot. I'd say check out Vivre Sa Vie to round out your scope of Godard and go from there.

There are a lot of interesting existential/philosophical messages in Godard's works. I didn't like him at first but his films have a way of growing on you if you really invest the effort.

Nicely said. For me Godards films (I've only seen his early landmarks) grow on me just after initial viewing. 2 or 3 things I know about her wasn't exactly an enjoyable film when I saw it first, and now I truly believe it's a great film!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by zeroman987

While I am pretty neutral to the movie, I have definitely watched it several times. The first time I watched it I found it very jarring and slow moving. The second time I watched it, I felt like it moved much faster and the plot seemed much deeper. Either way, I have never found it boring and the plot is not at all similar to the plot in Breathless.

However, it really doesn't *feel* like a "Godard" film. It is definitely shot "straight" and is the most accessible Godard from a technical standpoint.

I only saw this movie once, 9 years ago. My vague memory is that the main character works in film, meets Fritz Lang (the only memorable part, besides Bardot's backside), and then Bardot goes with the main character to a long boring retreat, where one scene they spoke for 20 min without the camera moving at all.

Sorry, this is breathless without the jump cuts, which are Jean Pierre Melville idea. He told Godard to jump to good parts on Breathless. In conclusion, Contempt could have been better edited.

[ccfixx]

For those that like things a bit early, I just received my copies of The War Room and Letter Never Sent today from DVD Planet... shipped from California and already in my hands in Rhode Island. The prices on DVD Planet have been cheaper than Amazon lately, as well.

[fitprod]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

For those that like things a bit early, I just received my copies of The War Room and Letter Never Sent today from DVD Planet... shipped from California and already in my hands in Rhode Island. The prices on DVD Planet have been cheaper than Amazon lately, as well.

Ah, the West Coast wing of DeepDiscount... Without the slow delivery.

fitprod

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

For those that like things a bit early, I just received my copies of The War Room and Letter Never Sent today from DVD Planet... shipped from California and already in my hands in Rhode Island. The prices on DVD Planet have been cheaper than Amazon lately, as well.

Thanks for the tip. I canceled my pre orders for Letter Never Sent and A Night to Remember at Amazon and placed them at DVDPlanet.

It always bothered me that Amazon doesn't ship until the street date, or after. (unless you want to pay to be a Amazon Prime member) Hopefully the BD's arrive in good shape.

[zeroman987]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I only saw this movie once, 9 years ago. My vague memory is that the main character works in film, meets Fritz Lang (the only memorable part, besides Bardot's backside), and then Bardot goes with the main character to a long boring retreat, where one scene they spoke for 20 min without the camera moving at all.

Sorry, this is breathless without the jump cuts, which are Jean Pierre Melville idea. He told Godard to jump to good parts on Breathless. In conclusion, Contempt could have been better edited.

What?

Why can't you just say it didn't interest you instead of making silly comparisons. I can understand someone not liking the film, no film is enjoyable to everyone. But reducing it to "Breathless without jump cuts" is just ignorant. It also reveals that you don't remember a thing about the film. You should stick to talking about things you know something about.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by zeroman987

What?

Why can't you just say it didn't interest you instead of making silly comparisons. I can understand someone not liking the film, no film is enjoyable to everyone. But reducing it to "Breathless without jump cuts" is just ignorant. It also reveals that you don't remember a thing about the film. You should stick to talking about things you know something about.

Insults are not my cup of tea. So far, you have not given your interpretation of the film or why you disagree with my opinion.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Thanks for the tip. I canceled my pre orders for Letter Never Sent and A Night to Remember at Amazon and placed them at DVDPlanet.

It always bothered me that Amazon doesn't ship until the street date, or after. (unless you want to pay to be a Amazon Prime member) Hopefully the BD's arrive in good shape.

Both movies were shipped together in a white bubble envelope without any damage. So, consider me lucky after that much handling by the US Postal Service.

[*DrStrangelove*]

I just watched World on a Wire. The pq was good, not great. I'm just glad I now own this great film. One of my biggest pet peeves with older films is when there's like a hair or something on the lens. I noticed the first part of the film had a a lot of those. When they appear I just can't help but just stare at them and feel like its taking me away from the film. It might just be me, but it bugs me. Still love the film thou. Anyone else feel that way?

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Both movies were shipped together in a white bubble envelope without any damage. So, consider me lucky after that much handling by the US Postal Service.

I just got my first two orders from DVD Planet. One case was gouged to the point the paper was broken, but not the plastic, and another case was literally shattered all along the top where the BD case logo goes, raining broken blue plastic inside the package.

Luck of the draw.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just watched World on a Wire. The pq was good, not great. I'm just glad I now own this great film. One of my biggest pet peeves with older films is when there's like a hair or something on the lens. I noticed the first part of the film had a a lot of those. When they appear I just can't help but just stare at them and feel like its taking me away from the film. It might just be me, but it bugs me. Still love the film thou. Anyone else feel that way?

"Checking the gate."

[nametag]

Just got some nice service from Criterion - emailed asking if they could send me a Man Who Fell To Earth replacement case to the UK even though they don't do international shipping and they did. Pretty happy considering the Third Man one sold out and MWFTE probably will at some point too...

[billzfan]

Just got Last Temptation for $20 shipped! Can't wait till it shows up.

[*DrStrangelove*]

I opened up my copy of The Last Temptation of Christ and the "booklet' is just a fold out. Not a big deal, just wonder why Criterion skimped out on the booklet for this title.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I opened up my copy of The Last Temptation of Christ and the "booklet' is just a fold out. Not a big deal, just wonder why Criterion skimped out on the booklet for this title.

It's a blu-ray upgrade from an older DVD release (April 25, 2000) and the booklets weren't as substantial back then as they usually are now.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I opened up my copy of The Last Temptation of Christ and the "booklet' is just a fold out. Not a big deal, just wonder why Criterion skimped out on the booklet for this title.

It's the same with Tiny Furniture (yes, I bought Tiny Furniture)

[zeroman987]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Insults are not my cup of tea. So far, you have not given your interpretation of the film or why you disagree with my opinion.

I don't consider "ignorant" an insult, especially when you admitted that you were ignorant on this film. You said that you haven't seen the movie in many years and you only saw it once. The only memory you have of it is "vague". What other word can I use to describe your level of knowledge of the film? How is it an insult to state a fact?

Like I said, I couldn't care less whether you like the film or not. However, you have not given an interpretation at all. You just made a statement about a movie you saw many years ago and don't really remember very well. Maybe you saw the Italian release which was different, shorter and had a different soundtrack.

That has to be the explanation because I can't fathom how anyone who has seen both films could ever reduce Contempt to Breathless without jump cuts. It doesn't even make sense considering how different the two films are. It is like saying that Metropolis is just a silent version of M because they are close temporally and directed by the same person even though the plot, themes and method of filming are totally different.

For example, a major theme in Contempt is the propriety of "selling out". This does not appear in Breathless. Another example is the fact that Contempt features the disintegration of a marriage. Breathless does not. Finally, Contempt attempts a structure similar to the Red Shoes. There is a fictional work in Contempt (the Odyssey) which shares an event/theme with the film (the hero's wife in both works allegedly detests him because he refuses to challenge her suitor(s)). Once again, this is not attempted in Breathless. In addition, Contempt is an adaptation of a book, while Breathless is not.

However, the biggest difference between the films is the fact that Contempt was a commercial endeavor produced by Carlo Ponti and Joseph Levine while Breathless was an experimental film produced by someone who wasn't Carlo Ponti or Joseph Levine.

Contempt might not be the greatest film and it might not be Godard's best film. However, to reduce it to "Breathless without jump cuts" is not at all accurate and not at all indicative of the content or feel of the film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just watched World on a Wire. The pq was good, not great. I'm just glad I now own this great film. One of my biggest pet peeves with older films is when there's like a hair or something on the lens. I noticed the first part of the film had a a lot of those. When they appear I just can't help but just stare at them and feel like its taking me away from the film. It might just be me, but it bugs me. Still love the film thou. Anyone else feel that way?

I love seeing them from time to time it reminds me I'm seeing something shot on film, not something digitally altered to hell. Enjoy the small blemishes because the future is digital.

[Querelle]

So much more to Godard than stuff like Breathless.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I just watched World on a Wire. The pq was good, not great. I'm just glad I now own this great film. One of my biggest pet peeves with older films is when there's like a hair or something on the lens. I noticed the first part of the film had a a lot of those. When they appear I just can't help but just stare at them and feel like its taking me away from the film. It might just be me, but it bugs me. Still love the film thou. Anyone else feel that way?

There's definitely a few hairs on that source material, but I'm just glad to own a very good copy of the film.
I watched it over two nights and really loved it.
Have you ever seen so many zooms? Fantastic.
Emphatic camera moves have all but disappeared. If anyone dares to zoom or push in dramatically, it seems to be a source of humour. It's a shame.