The Criterion Collection

[hustlermane]

Glad to hear all this love for Wise Blood, a film I've never seen. But I absolutely love the novel, one of only two written by Flannery O'Connor - one of my favourite authors, but one generally more known for short stories (the collection A Good Man Is Hard To Find is incredible, and I recommend to anyone who enjoyed Wise Blood the film). It's on Hulu so I'll check it out when I can!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've recently gotten into Ingmar Bergman and am considering including Autumn Sonata in another B&N order. Aside from the fact that it's supposed to be a good film, the main draw is the making of documentary which is 207 minutes long. My question is, is the documentary actually great? Long doesn't always equal great, in fact sometimes it can make things worse.

I don't think the features included with a film should deter you from picking it up or not, especially a great one like Autumn Sonata at that.

I only watch the extra films / short films included with releases, and I still think that films released by Criterion are worth it.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

I wonder if there is anybody here who has bought/collected every DVD/BD/LD that Criterion has ever released...

Have every Criterion release on either DVD or blu ray since they began to release DVDs in 1998(?). This has become a routine in my life.

[oliver_67]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

Tatsuya Nakadai in The Human Condition.

1. Falconetti. This is it.
2. Masina. Night of Cabiria and La Strada
3. Watson. Breaking the waves (best performance since de Niro in Raging bull and Lange in Frances)
4. Brando. On the waterfront
5. Bergman. Autumn sonata (probably greatest performance by a Hollywood legend from the golden era) and Notorious (stunningly beautiful and sensuous)

[Horhay]

I am debating whether to buy a barebones Blue is the Warmest Color or just wait for the re-release. Thoughts?

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by Horhay

I am debating whether to buy a barebones Blue is the Warmest Color or just wait for the re-release. Thoughts?

The movie is superb but I'm waiting for the special re-release since I'm sure it'll have extensive bonus material. I think there's a good chance it'll be released in November but we'll have to wait until August 15 to see.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by oliver_67

Have every Criterion release on either DVD or blu ray since they began to release DVDs in 1998(?). This has become a routine in my life.

Hats off to you. Out of curiosity and just plain nosiness, what % would you say you have not yet watched? I have a decent collection (nowhere near yours) and I sometimes wonder when I'll ever have the time. LOL

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Horhay

I am debating whether to buy a barebones Blue is the Warmest Color or just wait for the re-release. Thoughts?

I think that movie is a prime candidate for a case where the "director's cut" ends up way too long and actually detracts from the movie. It's a pretty masterful movie (apart from the sex scenes which I still find way too cleaned up and softcore porny for the tone of the other 95% of the movie), but it's definitely verging on too long already and I wouldn't be surprised if the addition of another 40 minutes tips it over into boring territory. I don't regret buying the short one, especially considering how cheap it is. If it turns out the long version is way better AND the extra features are really interesting I'll buy it again, but I sorta doubt that's going to happen.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Longtime fan of Wise Blood. It never stops, just keep going, even when you think it's gone too far. That Huston made both this and The Maltese Falcon is nothing short of mind-blowing, his eclecticism knowing no bounds.

This film created an unsettling and uncanny feeling in me as I kept watching this and seeing our main character spiral out of control. I just was blown away by how intense this story was. The audacity and insensitivity of this character is so unrealistic however... I mean, he seemed to be so charismatic and yet so repulsive at the same time. Young men and women loved him and he did not return that love and instead was repugnant. I haven't had such a feeling from something so unlikeable as Hazel Motes.

Originally Posted by Coen

Oh man, I loved The Apostle. I remember just randomly picking it out one night in Blockbuster around 10 years ago. Just a terrific film. I also recommend Elmer Gantry and A Face In The Crowd to those who haven't seen them yet. I had not heard of Wise Blood, but will definitely seek it out now.

The Apostle is such a great independent film written and directed by Robert Duvall. It's his magnum opus and still one of the most powerful characters ever seen in cinema. This film needs to be discussed much more and truly would be an awesome addition to Criterion. It has a Sling Blade feel to it in some ways too.

Originally Posted by hoytereden

[/SPOILER]

Another variation would be The World's Greatest Sinner. Character actor Timothy Carey's homemade film about a frustrated salesman starting his own religion. It's a truly bizarre with a mix of rock and roll, politics, and religion. Frank Zappa did the soundtrack.

Thanks for the tip. Will check this one out!

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Great post. Although I think we could talk about some things in this film and make them clearer such as the racism in it. Wise Blood is one of those that has endless depth while at the same time being a film I could live in and watch over and over, just enjoying the world it creates. I disagree with Brad Dourif about the film and what he says on the DVDs extras. I think it is significant and the film is a much heavier affair than meets the eye. The only gripe I have with it is that the director John Huston didn't have a view either way on its religious message while shooting. It is, however, more than up to the viewer and I love the film for being a fun, funny experience while at the same time carrying considerable weight on your mind. In one of the darkest scenes, I can't help but think of the influence on the Radiohead music video 'Karma Police'. Amazing film, 10/10 from me.

That's the thing! John Huston was a staunch atheist and this is a movie directed by an atheist about hardcore christians (or perhaps atheist-christians such as Hazel Motes himself who denounces Jesus altogether... as in the Church of Truth without Christ). It's so bizarre!!! It's almost about an anti-christ figure in some ways. Yet, this "anti-christ" main character succumbs to his own truth and cannot accept reality. There were times that this movie made me grimace though... there were some scenes that were just plainly unrealistic and totally impossible. There were too many loose ends and plot holes too and lack of character development, and I sure as hell still don't understand the whole point about the shrunken human mummy or gorilla man either. Was this story trying to introduce the ape-man evolutionary thing into a story about false prophets and Christians? There must have been some subtext in there regarding that.

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Glad to hear all this love for Wise Blood, a film I've never seen. But I absolutely love the novel, one of only two written by Flannery O'Connor - one of my favourite authors, but one generally more known for short stories (the collection A Good Man Is Hard To Find is incredible, and I recommend to anyone who enjoyed Wise Blood the film). It's on Hulu so I'll check it out when I can!

Oh, do watch this film if you've read the novel (which i haven't done yet).

[monorail91]

Originally Posted by Horhay

I am debating whether to buy a barebones Blue is the Warmest Color or just wait for the re-release. Thoughts?

If it were the standard price of a Criterion Blu-ray ($25+) I'd say nah, but you can usually find it between $15-20. For a three hour movie I find it very easy to watch, I've already seen twice since buying it in February.

[WalterNeff]

Does anyone have an opinion on Thief? I know it's one of the more popular criterions, but I haven't heard it get much praise(or hate) in this thread.

[monorail91]

Just watched Throne of Blood for the first time (quite enjoyed it) and pre-ordered every October release from Amazon -- let's see if my bank account allows this wishful thinking when those weeks roll around!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by WalterNeff

Does anyone have an opinion on Thief? I know it's one of the more popular criterions, but I haven't heard it get much praise(or hate) in this thread.

It's my favorite Michael Mann film not named Collateral.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by WalterNeff

Does anyone have an opinion on Thief? I know it's one of the more popular criterions, but I haven't heard it get much praise(or hate) in this thread.

It's early 80s James Caan. Cool, tough, calculating, street wise, philosophical, and ready to burn down the world when things go wrong. Throw in the Tangerine Dream soundtrack, the incredible visual ballet that Mann creates with images, and you get one safe-crackin' good heist film.

[WalterNeff]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It's my favorite Michael Mann film not named Collateral.

I'd say thats a pretty big compliment considering how much I love Collateral.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by WalterNeff

Does anyone have an opinion on Thief? I know it's one of the more popular criterions, but I haven't heard it get much praise(or hate) in this thread.

There was lots of buzz when the movie was announced and when it was released and people were watching it. Mostly positive.

I watched it for the first time last night, actually. Really enjoyed it, especially the second half of the film.

[blufellas]

Today I received Scanners, can't wait to see it this weekend, it will be the first time since the late 80's.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by WalterNeff

I'd say thats a pretty big compliment considering how much I love Collateral.

It's a really cool flick and the new 4K restoration is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by WalterNeff

Does anyone have an opinion on Thief? I know it's one of the more popular criterions, but I haven't heard it get much praise(or hate) in this thread.

It's in my opinion an amazing debut film in general with a resounding score from Tangerine Dream, making it a highlight for me. As far as heist films go, its up there with another recent Criterion blu-ray release called Rififi.

[Horhay]

Thanks for the responses on Blue is the Warmest Color. I think I will go and pick it up since I still have a 15% off coupon and see if I like it enough to double dip when the re-release is out.

I watched The Great Beauty tonight and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt a few scenes were out of place, but the movie and its themes are superb. This turned out to be a great blind buy .