The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

So I'm not sure why anyone's surprised. I've repeatedly advocated for a more competent reviewer to handle the Criterion titles. Hell, let The Great Owl do the reviews!

I enjoy writing User Reviews for fun, but my comments are generally centered on movie content and I'm not qualified to review the technical aspects of Blu-ray audio/video specifics. (Maybe one day when I expand to a better home theater setup, but not now) For now, it's a fun way to spread the word and to practice writing skills for occasional running magazine articles and local music/movie reviews that I sometimes put together for friends.

I lurked this site for a short while before diving in, and I've always appreciated Pro-B's sincere reviews of these Criterion titles. Even when he does not seem to hold a film in the highest regard, he makes a great case for why it belongs in the Collection.

[ravenus]

^Well, a fair number of people blind-buy based on the label (I know there are people that buy EVERY Criterion release simply on the name factor) or if a reviewer with whom one's taste matches suggests that something is highly recommended. I personally do give a lot of importance to a film review by Svet. So no, people don't look at reviews solely for opinions about the technical specs. What is important here is that Pro-B's review does point out what he perceives as the strengths and weakness of the film, and in the end he only suggests that you rent the film first to see if it appeals to you. It's not like he said it's an avoidable stinker, for people to get all riled up about.

If its of any help, Svet had a similarly mediocre impression about Army of Darkness, a film with an immense fan base that would probably start up chainsaws against any criticism of their favorite

Edit: Durn, by the item I make a post here, so many people have chimed in, the person I'm responding to is way up the thread chain.

[Edward J Grug III]

The issue, though, isn't if he liked or didn't like the film, it's that the reason he suggested other might like it is, essentially, ignorance.

He might not have meant it to come off like that, but it does.

I believe that there will be two types of reactions to Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha. On one hand, it will likely appeal to viewers who are unfamiliar with the different films that have inspired it and can easily relate to many of the challenges and situations its main protagonist faces. These viewers will discover something new and fresh. On the other hand, there will be a lot of viewers that will remain indifferent to the main protagonist's immaturity and the sweetness that is attached to it. Amongst these viewers some will also conclude that a lot of what Frances Ha tries to accomplish has already been done a lot better. Naturally, I think that it would be best if you find a way to RENT IT first.

I have not seen the film, I am not defending it, and I couldn't care less what he thinks of the actual film - I read and enjoy Pro-B's reviews, even if we don't agree on the film at hand, but I do think these folks have a point, and that it does come off as condescending.

[jw007]

Film critics have every right to be as condescending as ever about a particular film and even about the readers who read their reviews. Critics aren't usually the friendliest people in the world either (I'm a critic myself but I think I'm friendly). Like all human beings, critics are also human and sometimes if we feel like being condescending, then so it shall be. With that said, I mainly read these reviews only for the PQ/AQ ratings because sometimes that determines whether or not I'll purchase a certain film on the blu-ray format. If I love the film enough, and there isn't a blu-ray available, then I'll just buy the DVD. The reviewers on this site are only valuable to me for their insight on the picture and audio quality (and possibly the opinion on the supplements) and that is really it. Blu-ray.com is my go-to website for technical reviews and Rottentomatoes.com is my go-to website for critical reviews.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jw007

Film critics have every right to be as condescending as ever about a particular film and even about the readers who read their reviews.

Of course they do. It's a lot like how the readers of their reviews have every right to comment on it.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Today was a rainy Sunday all day, so I made lemonade out of lemons.

City Lights
The Seven Year Itch
The Apartment

I posted my five-star review of City Lights here earlier, and I'm glad to read that others have been enjoying it today.

I might have to make some adjustments to my all-time top 25 to make room for Billy Wilder's The Apartment, though. Wow. Just wow.

Today was tornadoes and power outages all day, so I didn't get to watch any of the BD's I was planning to.

That said, I still have a house, so I count myself lucky.

And on a lighter note, I have to remind myself to buy The Apartment...I've been meaning to pick it up ever since it came out.

[LegacyCosts]

Frances Ha is amazing and will sell whether or not this review is mediocre.

[rock, stone]

I believe there are two kinds of reactions to these reviews. Those who only read the fairly consistent A/V reviews, and those who are unfamiliar with better reviews and can relate to the challenges of filling a minimum word count.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

I believe there are two kinds of reactions to these reviews. Those who only read the fairly consistent A/V reviews, and those who are unfamiliar with better reviews and can relate to the challenges of filling a minimum word count.

This world divides into people who think there are two kinds of folk, and those who don't.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

This world divides into people who think there are two kinds of folk, and those who don't.

I disagree. If you read the second half of my earlier sentence you would understand that.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

Frances Ha is amazing and will sell whether or not this review is mediocre.

True, I think this film will just gain appreciation over time.

I just finished watching Frances Ha just now (lets see, at 5:12 AM?!) and seeing it a 2nd time really makes me realize just how brilliant this movie is. It's not as pretentious as some people think it is. Sure, it has a bit of French New Wave influences in there but its also a 21st century modern twist on a big theme pervading in people in certain big cities today: loneliness. NYC looks splendid in this movie too, but what I found interesting was in the Greta Gerwig character, where the actress was very inspired by the David Thewlis character in Naked, and she wanted to make her character so loose and unfocused and just without any sort of destination in mind. Gerwig revealed this in the supplements which I also watched and finished just a few minutes ago (oh yes, fresh off the presses in my mind), and I thought that was pretty cool.

Just a fantastic film.

[billyearle]

I didn't find Dr. Svet's Francis Ha review condescending, but then maybe I'm a snob myself. I just think he's being "objective" and honest about possible differing reactions. I think it's good to be frank about these things without insulting people too much. I really appreciate the way reviewers here often qualify a review with what kind of audience might respond to a film. I foolishly missed out on a lot of favorite films on the big screen thanks to Siskel & Ebert (thankfully Blade Runner got 2 re-releases, hey I should've known better, but money was scarce so I couldn't gamble on too many films they panned Ms. 45 was one of a gajillion cult classics that got "dog of the week").
Unfortunately I was trying to use his review to save me 25 bucks but now you guys make me really wanna see this movie. I was also hoping he would give a list of the films that Ha seemed to borrow from so I could better determine if I'm one of the folks who'd likely like this picture or not. Oh, and I don't hold his (mentioned above) somewhat negative review of Army of Darkness against him too much. It's a favorite of mine, but the first time I saw it I felt pretty much like he did....I just thought he should be a lot smarter than me and like it right off the bat (can't add winky faces to edited posts).
P.S. Jw007, what movie's your avatar from?

[Scottie]

Adding to the Frances Ha debate, I have seen many French New Wave films and have loved almost every one of them. With that being said, I absolutely adored Frances Ha.

I personally think that the film is better appreciated with an understanding of the films of the past, not the opposite. However, it stands on its own fairly well.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Frances Ha Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

I guess I don't fall into either camp (there are more than two potential reactions to this film).

I think being familiar with the films that inspired Frances Ha can only make the film more enjoyable. Gerwig said she had friends read the screenplay and they came away from it being depressed. The thing that's impressive is how the screenplay translates to the screen. It's exuberant, feels retro but fresh at the same time and there's just something incredible and romantic about NYC in black-and-white. Oh and Gerwig is delightful.

[SammyJankis]

Gotta agree with Pro-B on Frances Ha.

I watched the "three reasons" video Criterion put up and was reminded why I really can't stand the film.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by sammyjankis

gotta agree with pro-b on frances ha.

I watched the "three reasons" video criterion put up and was reminded why i really can't stand the film.

+1

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I guess I don't fall into either camp (there are more than two potential reactions to this film).

I think being familiar with the films that inspired Frances Ha can only make the film more enjoyable.

I'm not very familiar with French New Wave at all - but I didn't think it was that enjoyable as a standalone film. I thought it was just OK - not terrible, but nothing to write home about either. Frances I found irritating, and the film just a litle too self-consciously quirky? (not sure quirky is the right word). And the ending I thought

[Show spoiler] a little rushed, and wrapped up too neatly and conveniently

. So I guess I fall into line with Dr. Svet, 2/5 from me. Maybe if I was more familiar with French New Wave, I might have enjoyed it more, don't know.

[joie]

If nothing else, everyone should be able to agree that Frances Ha wasn't a waste of film.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by Icemouth

called it, B&N went and randomly cancelled 6 items in two different orders after two weeks for no reason, even though every single one still says ships within 24 hours on the page

can't wait to see them **** me out of the Zatoichi one

lets hope that wont happen. i ordered the zatoichi set yesterday @ B&N and cancelt my amazon preorder for 156$

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

This can only be the case if you only quote half of that sentence, as you do. The rest is..."and can easily relate to many of the challenges and situations its main protagonist faces." The former goes with the latter.

I think that at this point it is pretty clear that the film isn't universally liked, and most of the issues some people have described can be traced back to similar reasons.

Have a wonderful week

Pro-B

Go Pro-B!! You are one of only two critics on this site whose opinion I respect! (The other being Kenneth Brown.)

Any review that riles up some of the Criterion fanbase and doesn't shower every film from the Collection with hugs and rainbows has got to be a worthwhile one! Keep whining, guys! I love to read it!

Originally Posted by toddly6666

I think the majority of New Wave films are garbage and are classified as so to hide the filmmaker's inability to tell a story or have decent dialogue.

YEAH!!!!