The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by smoss469

We got it too, but it wasn't even remotely close to the prediction. They called for 5-7", we got maybe 1" over the course of 5 hours or so. It's interesting though to see the movie full of so many popular actors of today getting their start in 1 movie (or at least having major roles early in their careers in an adult style movie).

yeah, no kidding... we only got like 2 inches on monday night...and then rain all day on tuesday...meanwhile today its frigid out there...you folks to the south got a lot of rain...we were literally on the rain/snow line though.... as for that movie, the ice storm, i liked sigourney weaver's acting...ironically, i've been spending 2 weeks watching the alien anthology box set (over 60 hours of extras) and i'm starting to get tired of looking at sigourney weaver's face. ha ha.

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I really didn't get my first CC title until, probably 3 months ago?

I'm up to about 30 individual titles and 3 sets (2 Eclipse, and the Samurai Trilogy).

B&N sales, CC Flash Sales, Amazon Lightning Deals and other things have really been great over the last few months. Hopefully I'll score another 5-6 over the Christmas holiday and get any missing titles that I'm drooling over after the new year.

Wow! That's a nice collection building up rather quickly. I just ordered my first three CC films! Went with Hunger, Frances Ha, and Fish Tank. I plan on going to B&N on Friday to pick up Seven Samurai.

Originally Posted by anthonyg

John Cassavetes Five Films box set is by far my favorite release of all time and the only media I feel I couldn't live without, I've gifted the DVD set so many times and this Christmas I've already bought three blu-ray sets for gifts and a few copies of Faces/A Woman Under the Influence/Killing of a Chinese Bookie on DVD for people who don't have blu-ray players.

I will definitely have to look into that set then!

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

I'll probably dive in once more for the sale, even though my first order hasn't come through (and being in Aus, unlikely to before the sale ends). I've never seen a Satayjit Ray film before, what's the best of the 3 blus that would be the best blind-buy to start? I'm thinking The Music Room, but Charulata and Big City look good...

THE BIG CITY is probably the best deal and may be best to start with, as it also includes the full-length (but shorter) feature THE COWARD, both of which are set in relatively modern times and deal with middle-class people. Then I'd go with CHARULATA, which is beautifully shot and powerfully acted, set in a 19th century aristocratic home. Those two give a good introduction to Indian culture if you're not already familiar with it. THE MUSIC ROOM is also quite powerful but requires a bit more knowledge of the culture and era (and music), and in some ways is an Indian variation on Visconti's THE LEOPARD, as noted in the Blu-ray.com review, but without the epic scale.

It would be great if the Apu trilogy ever gets to Blu-ray.

[billyearle]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

So off for the next few days, which means catch up on many of my recent Criterion purchases. Started the morning out with Salo, probably not the best one to start with. I made it about an hour through the movie before I stopped. Didn't hate it, I understand what the director is going for, but just not in the mood to watch it, so going to try it again later.

But can anyone else tell me their thoughts on Salo?? I've seen some of the opinions in previous monts, just wondering if anyone who hated it on first watch, gave it another chance and changed thier mind?

When I read your starting off the morning with Salo, I was like "Man, this guy is way more bad-ass than me!" And your avatar looks a little bad-ass. But maybe your experience was a little like mine.
I went to see Salo with my gilrfriend over 20 years ago. I could handle some pretty intense films, but Salo was adverised as if it were "the most controversial" erotic film, with a picture of a naked couple embracing, so we went in thinking we were gonna get all juiced up for some serious humping later.(man, why didn't I marry her?) Of course, this movie was quite a jolt, and something of a boner-killer. I thought it was a good movie artistically. It pushed limits and had some stylish moments that appealed to me. I was glad to have seen it, but wish the advertizing were more accurate about the tone of the movie. It was a very depressing film, and not the kind of thing I would want to watch very often. I bought the Criterion blu-ray about 6 months ago for fear of it going OOP, but not sure when I'll be up to a 2nd viewing. I think it's a great film, but these kind of captive situation films are really difficult for me to watch, I think they remind me of my marriage.

[pro-bassoonist]

Nashville Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I saw Jules and Jim yesterday. While I will say that the film met with my approval, it is probably my least favorite of the recent Criterion films I’ve seen. Speaking generally about it… I thought that before seeing it that Jules was a girl. WRONG. And the idea I had in my head about what the film would be like was also wrong - that is because I was not aware that it was based on a novel. And, of course, that means voiceover narration. So much information is given by the narrator that it is difficult to keep up. All of that can be dealt with, however, with the rewind button on the remote control so that wasn’t my biggest grievance with the film. Cohesively adapting a novel that encapsulates several decades into a 1 hour and 45 minute film is/was quite an achievement. However,

[Show spoiler] I felt no sympathy for the Jeanne Moreau character, Catherine, and could only minimally relate to the plight of dear Jules and the doomed Jim. Catherine was shameless and selfish. I can use those adjectives to modify a 5 letter word that starts with ‘B’, but I’ll be nice here on blu-ray.com. The men were fine, but really the story could have been called 'Catherine' as she and her neuroses are the center of these two mens’ universe .

It being so very literal, I could perhaps make more sense of it and appreciate it more upon subsequent viewings. It isn’t likely, however, with so many great films to see, that I will get around to it soon.

I just plain disliked the film from the get-go and turned it off after about 15 minutes. Just couldn't get into it.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by billyearle

When I read your starting off the morning with Salo, I was like "Man, this guy is way more bad-ass than me!" And your avatar looks a little bad-ass. But maybe your experience was a little like mine.
I went to see Salo with my gilrfriend over 20 years ago. I could handle some pretty intense films, but Salo was adverised as if it were "the most controversial" erotic film, with a picture of a naked couple embracing, so we went in thinking we were gonna get all juiced up for some serious humping later.(man, why didn't I marry her?) Of course, this movie was quite a jolt, and something of a boner-killer. I thought it was a good movie artistically. It pushed limits and had some stylish moments that appealed to me. I was glad to have seen it, but wish the advertizing were more accurate about the tone of the movie. It was a very depressing film, and not the kind of thing I would want to watch very often. I bought the Criterion blu-ray about 6 months ago for fear of it going OOP, but not sure when I'll be up to a 2nd viewing. I think it's a great film, but these kind of captive situation films are really difficult for me to watch, I think they remind me of my marriage.

Man, I can't imagine that kind of promotional campaign for the film, but I guess how else would you sell it to get people in? It's not like you could sell a movie by saying "come see a movie of rape, sodomy, sadism and murder." And yeah, going to see it based on it being erotic is just a misnomer.

I do hope to sit down and finish the film, and the features, and finally get the whole feel of the movie. Maybe if I can, I can be a little more badass. But yeah, wasn't badass enough to watch the whole thing first thing in the morning with my coffee.

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by K1NG J0RDAN

Okay, I'm wanting to take advantage of the B&N sale this weekend before it ends. I do not own any Criterion films yet and have no idea where to start. I love all sorts of genres so I'm open to anything.

What can you all recommend for starting off my Criterion collection?

I have listed my top 10 titles, in no particular order, below. Some have been recommended to you already, so I'm just giving them a second vote.

1. 3 Colors Trilogy
2. The Red Shoes
3. The Wages of Fear
4. To Be or Not To Be
5. Seven Samurai
6. Night of the Hunter
7. Sweet Smell of Success
8. The Complete Jean Vigo
9. Godzilla
10. Blow Out

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[lordmorpheus72]

Just a quick Happy Thanksgiving to all of those who celebrate!! Don't eat too much turkey, but if you do, have all you Criterions lined up for easy access!

[joie]

Wired has "Look at These Amazing Old Pics of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade."

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by joie

Wired has "Look at These Amazing Old Pics of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade."

That's friggin awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!

[Ctzalman]

Originally Posted by GentleGiant

I just plain disliked the film from the get-go and turned it off after about 15 minutes. Just couldn't get into it.

wha..?!? wow, try to give it another shot. the early sequences are quite fast paced, but the film does settle into a more traditional narrative once all of the characters are established. there is a reason why jules and jim is often cited as one the best films of all time: because it is!

i guess its more difficult for modern viewers the appreciate some of the filmmaking techniques employed by truffaut, because they have become assimilated into our film language. i think this same phenomena occurs when people see another new wave classic, namely breathless: "yea, it was cool, but i just don't understand the hype."

beyond technique, i always thought that the story was great as well. two bohemian friends, more interested in art and personal expression than industry and wages, fall for and share the same girl. this sounds like something straight out of the summer of love. truffaut not only anticipated this burgeoning sentiment, but also chose a story set in the pre-WW1 era (such a lifestyle was relatively unheard of in those times). sure, catherine was a *****, but all of the characters' refusal to adhere to social norms and their intellectual and emotional honesty towards one another was revelatory to me.

i could go on and on about the merits of this film (i think it is the pinnacle of the new wave, much better than anything godard ever touched [yes, i said it!]), but, alas, i have to get some shit done around the house. family is coming into town for thanksgiving.

one last aside: i watched frances ha for the first time last night, and i found certain sequences to be highly evocative of truffaut's work. some of the musical pieces seemed straight out of his work (and watching the credits, one of the pieces was from 400 blows!), and the 'frances living with two rich hipsters' scenes were highly reminiscent of jules and jim. i thought it was a pretty good film, it was just too bad that frances was not the most likable character. at least we see her mature into a decent human being by the end...

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ctzalman

wha..?!? wow, try to give it another shot. the early sequences are quite fast paced, but the film does settle into a more traditional narrative once all of the characters are established. there is a reason why jules and jim is often cited as one the best films of all time: because it is!

i guess its more difficult for modern viewers the appreciate some of the filmmaking techniques employed by truffaut, because they have become assimilated into our film language. i think this same phenomena occurs when people see another new wave classic, namely breathless: "yea, it was cool, but i just don't understand the hype."

beyond technique, i always thought that the story was great as well. two bohemian friends, more interested in art and personal expression than industry and wages, fall for and share the same girl. this sounds like something straight out of the summer of love. truffaut not only anticipated this burgeoning sentiment, but also chose a story set in the pre-WW1 era (such a lifestyle was relatively unheard of in those times). sure, catherine was a *****, but all of the characters' refusal to adhere to social norms and their intellectual and emotional honesty towards one another was revelatory to me.

i could go on and on about the merits of this film (i think it is the pinnacle of the new wave, much better than anything godard ever touched [yes, i said it!]), but, alas, i have to get some shit done around the house. family is coming into town for thanksgiving.

one last aside: i watched frances ha for the first time last night, and i found certain sequences to be highly evocative of truffaut's work. some of the musical pieces seemed straight out of his work (and watching the credits, one of the pieces was from 400 blows!), and the 'frances living with two rich hipsters' scenes were highly reminiscent of jules and jim. i thought it was a pretty good film, it was just too bad that frances was not the most likable character. at least we see her mature into a decent human being by the end...

I think this can be said of any film that has had major influence on modern movies. I can appreciate what Truffaut did with Jules and Jim - mainly the fact that he economically tells a story based on a novel that spans several decades. The production feels, for lack of a better adjective, raw - which is great. I'm still expanding my knowledge base on the French New Wave, but from what I have come to understand, these filmmakers, much like their characters, often flew by the seat of their pants and made the most of what they could with limited budgets.

For whatever it's worth, this film has stayed with me for a few days. I, myself, will be interested to see how I feel about it when the Blu-ray is released and everyone is chiming in with their opinions on it. Sometimes a bit of time is required for proper perspective.

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

I have listed my top 10 titles, in no particular order, below. Some have been recommended to you already, so I'm just giving them a second vote.

1. 3 Colors Trilogy
2. The Red Shoes
3. The Wages of Fear
4. To Be or Not To Be
5. Seven Samurai
6. Night of the Hunter
7. Sweet Smell of Success
8. The Complete Jean Vigo
9. Godzilla
10. Blow Out

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I shall grab a few of these tomorrow at B&N! Thank you for the list.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[BiffPleasureParadise]

Originally Posted by K1NG J0RDAN

I shall grab a few of these tomorrow at B&N! Thank you for the list.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Most of the best Criterions have been mentioned, but I'm shocked that Brazil hasn't been. Brazil is easily one of the top dogs of Criterion editions with it's amazing collection of supplements. Plus it's a great movie too!

[Hintermann]

Has anyone got and seen Criterion's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold? I saw the film a very long time ago at the cinema and did not think much of it, but I was only 13 then and not able to appreciate the various nuances. On reflection, I seem to recall that it has a lot of Toland style deep-focus frames of the bleak East Berlin cityscape.

How does it measure-up today? Is the BD worth buying?

[StonesEGF]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

Has anyone got and seen Criterion's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold? I saw the film a very long time ago at the cinema and did not think much of it, but I was only 13 then and not able to appreciate the various nuances. On reflection, I seem to recall that it has a lot of Toland style deep-focus frames of the bleak East Berlin cityscape.

How does it measure-up today? Is the BD worth buying?

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a great movie. The black & white cinematography is wonderful and lends a really great noir feel to the pretty grim story. The Criterion package is really nice too, especially the extended interview with John le Carre.

I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up as a (semi) blind-buy.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by Ctzalman

wha..?!? wow, try to give it another shot. the early sequences are quite fast paced, but the film does settle into a more traditional narrative once all of the characters are established. there is a reason why jules and jim is often cited as one the best films of all time: because it is!

i guess its more difficult for modern viewers the appreciate some of the filmmaking techniques employed by truffaut, because they have become assimilated into our film language. i think this same phenomena occurs when people see another new wave classic, namely breathless: "yea, it was cool, but i just don't understand the hype."

beyond technique, i always thought that the story was great as well. two bohemian friends, more interested in art and personal expression than industry and wages, fall for and share the same girl. this sounds like something straight out of the summer of love. truffaut not only anticipated this burgeoning sentiment, but also chose a story set in the pre-WW1 era (such a lifestyle was relatively unheard of in those times). sure, catherine was a *****, but all of the characters' refusal to adhere to social norms and their intellectual and emotional honesty towards one another was revelatory to me.

i could go on and on about the merits of this film (i think it is the pinnacle of the new wave, much better than anything godard ever touched [yes, i said it!]), but, alas, i have to get some shit done around the house. family is coming into town for thanksgiving.

one last aside: i watched frances ha for the first time last night, and i found certain sequences to be highly evocative of truffaut's work. some of the musical pieces seemed straight out of his work (and watching the credits, one of the pieces was from 400 blows!), and the 'frances living with two rich hipsters' scenes were highly reminiscent of jules and jim. i thought it was a pretty good film, it was just too bad that frances was not the most likable character. at least we see her mature into a decent human being by the end...

I'm sure I'll get around to rewatching it one of these days. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood when I first tried to watch it. I remember being annoyed to no end by that weird fast pacing, the characters - well, pretty much by everything about this film. I know I probably should have been more patient.

[Namuhana]

I just started watching Jules and Jim (for the first time), and I have to say that I rather enjoy it. I really wasn't wowed by my first Truffaut film that I saw (The 400 Blows; yes, I know, that's kind of sacrilege around here), but I'm really enjoying Jules and Jim. I find it kinda breathtaking and refreshing. I'll probably finish watching the film after dinner tonight.

[shortmartin]

I've also got to throw Carlos out there as one of the best Criterions. It's my favorite of their more recently made films, and it is one of the best action movies I've ever seen.

Happy Turkey Day.