The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by octagon

That depends a lot on how one defines classic. Is Blow Out a classic? Is Thief? What about The Blob?

A lot of good films have been released over the past ten years. Are there a lot of Citizen Kanes or The Godfathers in there? I dunno.

But I'll bet one could find a pretty healthy number of Rear Windows and maybe even an Eyes Wide Shut or three.

..and I'd add that EWS is exactly the type of film that time will reward and already has begun to reward.

Originally Posted by octagon

Just off the top of my head...

Cache/Hidden
Melancholia
both Dragon Tattoos
Zodiac
The Secret in Their Eyes
The Lives of Others
No Country for Old Men
Revanche
Carlos
...are all on par with Rear Window.

the only film I haven't seen out of these is Melancholia and I love the highlighted ones... but if you think any of these films is on par w/ Rear Window, all I can respectfully say is that you're out of your mind.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I agree with Scott, but would add Blue is the Warmest Color to the three films he mentions. I think recent film history is pretty thin on “enduring classics.” I think, however, that time rewards certain films in ways that we are not clairvoyant enough to understand right now. It might be the half dozen that adamhopelies or it could be different films. I’m hopeful for that Godard movie, but time has not rewarded his last 40 years of work, so I’m skeptical.

Also, when new films (or even new music) is prefaced with “this film conjures up feelings of x classic film” or “these guys are great – they sound like the Rolling Stones”… that usually means that we are not talking about enduring works of art.

Nice post. I always find it interesting to read mediocre or scathing reviews of films when they came out that are now considered some of the greatest films of all-time. I think that makes it very difficult to predict what will be an enduring classic. I certainly have a list of those I can think of that I absolutely think will be ensuring classics from the past 15 years, like The Tree of Life, The Werckmeister Harmonies, The Lives of Others, etc.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by TheHighRoller

I mean, was his dialogue dubbed by an Italian and English speaking actor, or is it actually Delon speaking in Italian and English?

Bump for an answer?

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by octagon

Just off the top of my head...

Cache/Hidden
Melancholia
both Dragon Tattoos
Zodiac
The Secret in Their Eyes
The Lives of Others
No Country for Old Men
Revanche
Carlos
...are all on par with Rear Window.

I think comparing films in terms of quality from different eras is impossible. Rear Window is a very important film in terms of influence and is an indisputable classic. The others haven't been around long enough to determine lasting influence. That being said, I personally find The Lives of Others, Revanche, Carlos, and the first Girl With The Dragon Tattoo to be far superior to Rear Window as a film, but not in influence.

The others on the list I'm indifferent about and don't think will have any lasting importance, except maybe Cache (although I didn't like it).

[JJJ225]

I think The Social Network and Grand Budapest Hotel will both one day be regarded as classics, just two random ones off the top of my head.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I look forward to any film dealing with space exploration. Growing up, I loved the stuff from the '50s that were often set in the distant future of the 1970's that showed routine travel to the planets and, of course, the consequences, good and bad, of visiting them. Finding Zsa Zsa Gabor on Venus; not so bad. Finding Ray "Crash" Corrigan (aka "It") on Mars; very bad, especially when he decides to hitchhike back to Earth. All that stuff was silly but fun but occasionally there were some deeper films like Destination Moon, Forbidden Planet, Day the Earth Stood Still, etc.-usually big budget films.
Nowadays, the big budget Sci-Fi films seem more routine and it's often the little films that impress me. Something like Europa Report or Moon.

Moon was a pretty good film and still one of the better and more philosophical low budget sci fi films in recent memory as it goes into

[Show spoiler]human cloning

. That film and Sunshine by Danny Boyle are still probably my favorite "recent" sci fi films (of the last 15 years). I did watch Europa Report last year on DVD and was somehow disappointed with it, because it used that gimmick of "camera footage" to tell the story. I thought it was too "gimmicky" and technical in a silly way for me to really find something deep there. It's true that the smaller budget sci fi films are thicker on substance than style at times because the big films end up sacrificing the script for dazzling special effects.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

For me, the trailers for Prometheus were better than the actual film. I know they had changes in the writing department and such. For me that was the issue, there was very stupid choices made by the characters, the film editing for me was pretty poor and it just lacked the suspense an mystery the trailer had. I get this was for scifi than horror, but it did have the horror elements and I wish he kept it similar to Alien, Alien had such so much mystery and unknown to it. I wanted that in Prometheus - I wanted to leave asking more questions and trying to solve the puzzle. Its got some really great acting in it and the special effects are incredible. But for me the writing and editing ruined it for me. The score was used too much at times and used at times it didn't need it.

He got it so right with Alien, and I really trust him with Prometheus, and he convinced me to see in 3D which did not work for me (not like Gravity).

I love Gravity, especially 3D version at cinema. The visuals are stunning and I loved the performances throughout, I have always struggled to like Sandra Bullock, but she convinced we she could act in this (ignoring few other roles) but mostly she does stuff I can't stand. Clooney was also pretty good, but not the best, I preferred him in Solaris lol.

Gravity wasn't there for depth and mystery though, its a survival story and how we face challenges an duh our selves each day. It could have had more depth I agree and stuff, but I think it is nice having a simple film every once in a while.

But also I think Gravity was made more for the technical efforts and side of things, almost a demo to show what the director and his crew are capable of. The camera work was stunning, from Lubezski of course! :P

Sorry I ramble and don't explain myself well!



I think Moon is an incredible film, I love it! I was a bit let down by Europa Report, but it was still really well made!

Yes... Prometheus just explained a bit too much and I hate when there are explanatory titles at the beginning and end of the film. It sucks out the mystery in a film. It's better not to understand or know what the hell is going on than needing to fully understand everything after one viewing (like most mainstream films end up doing today). I suppose I don't like Gravity as much now after watching Alfonso Cuaron's greedy Criterion ransacking of the closet in that recent video that came out this year. True, I should never judge the man for his art, but I need to like the artist personally for me to like his work I feel. Ha ha.

I was just reading though about Interstellar and how Nolan wanted to build real spaceship sets without green screens so the actors felt it was more real, like Kubrick did with 2001. So those are real stars pierced with lights on the background and not CGI'ed, like they did in the old days (a show like Star Trek TNG comes to mind as the "stars" outside the windows on the ship are really lights and not digital). So I am looking forward to seeing this film a lot now.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by octagon

Just off the top of my head...

Cache/Hidden
Melancholia
both Dragon Tattoos
Zodiac
The Secret in Their Eyes
The Lives of Others
No Country for Old Men
Revanche
Carlos
...are all on par with Rear Window.

The secret in their eyes is a amazing movie! What an ending. Highly recommended!

JW your right Sunshine is underrated Sci-fi film

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Moon was a pretty good film and still one of the better and more philosophical low budget sci fi films in recent memory as it goes into

[Show spoiler]human cloning

. That film and Sunshine by Danny Boyle are still probably my favorite "recent" sci fi films (of the last 15 years). I did watch Europa Report last year on DVD and was somehow disappointed with it, because it used that gimmick of "camera footage" to tell the story. I thought it was too "gimmicky" and technical in a silly way for me to really find something deep there. It's true that the smaller budget sci fi films are thicker on substance than style at times because the big films end up sacrificing the script for dazzling special effects.



Yes... Prometheus just explained a bit too much and I hate when there are explanatory titles at the beginning and end of the film. It sucks out the mystery in a film. It's better not to understand or know what the hell is going on than needing to fully understand everything after one viewing (like most mainstream films end up doing today). I suppose I don't like Gravity as much now after watching Alfonso Cuaron's greedy Criterion ransacking of the closet in that recent video that came out this year. True, I should never judge the man for his art, but I need to like the artist personally for me to like his work I feel. Ha ha.

I was just reading though about Interstellar and how Nolan wanted to build real spaceship sets without green screens so the actors felt it was more real, like Kubrick did with 2001. So those are real stars pierced with lights on the background and not CGI'ed, like they did in the old days (a show like Star Trek TNG comes to mind as the "stars" outside the windows on the ship are really lights and not digital). So I am looking forward to seeing this film a lot now.

I do appreciate how Nolan avoids CGI if it can be done practical - CGI ages film so quick, where as practicle is real and stays real, I can't wait to see it tbh

And regarding Alfonso Cuaron video, you are just jealous :P! lol, isn't the policy take what you can carry anyway lol?

EDIT: just watched the video - he has a bag! lmao!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by octagon

Just off the top of my head...

Cache/Hidden
Melancholia
both Dragon Tattoos
Zodiac
The Secret in Their Eyes
The Lives of Others
No Country for Old Men
Revanche
Carlos
...are all on par with Rear Window.

I agree with half of these films being as good as Rear Window, although I never found it really that great, unlike Vertigo (true masterpiece). Rear Window is a fun film, but I revisit Upstream Color, Tree of Life or Amores Perros much more (I find these recent films more interesting)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

A little while back someone was asking about Criterion titles that take place over the course of a specific date. I’ve got one: Cleo From 5 to 7 takes place between 5 and 7 (everyone knows that much, I’m sure ) on June 21st. One of the characters acknowledges that it is the longest day of the year. June 21st, the first day of summer is that day.

Any fans of this film? I’m hopeful for a 2015 blu-ray release.

It is one of my favorite films of the French New Wave, so yes, I am a big fan of the film.

I have not seen the other films in the Varda set, but I hope it is eventually upgraded.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I agree with half of these films being as good as Rear Window, although I never found it really that great, unlike Vertigo (true masterpiece). Rear Window is a fun film, but I revisit Upstream Color, Tree of Life or Amores Perros much more (I find these recent films more interesting)

UPSTREAM COLOR <333 YES YES YES, incredible film! I also love Primer - wish these were included collection haha XD Primer and Upstream Color are perfect!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I do appreciate how Nolan avoids CGI if it can be done practical - CGI ages film so quick, where as practicle is real and stays real, I can't wait to see it tbh

And regarding Alfonso Cuaron video, you are just jealous :P! lol, isn't the policy take what you can carry anyway lol?

EDIT: just watched the video - he has a bag! lmao!

Well, I just didn't like Cuaron totally ignored the camera and us, the audience. He was so busy looking for Criterions to take he didn't even stop once to talk a little bit which was ignorant of him. Only at the end he said thanks and that was it, but it wasn't enough. Maybe he was just so distracted by the Criterion closet so I'll dismiss his selfish and greedy antics. It just seems like artists translate into their art, as Gravity is a BIG film and seems like Cuaron is BIG at doing things too, like bringing a big bag to pile his Criterions into. Har har.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I am not sure about Solaris, but I know that 2001: A Space Odyssey had very mixed reactions upon its opening.

As I have already pointed out, my approach to Interstellar is very premature. I will not have anything definitive to say about the film until after I see it this weekend. That being said, I still hold to my opinion that the trailer depicts it as a visual spectacle more than anything else. I certainly hope that it does exceed all of my expectations and blows my mind away in terms of its depiction of space in light of all of the new information that has continued to surface over the years.

There are a lot of 'classic' films that are not much more than 'visual spectacle'. Some of them are also very highly decorated.

In this modern world we live in there have been too very distinctive trends. The first is to question the quality of all contemporary films and in many cases not even give them the opportunity to mature and become successful. Or 'classics'.

The second is to view a very large number of old -- and especially black-and-white -- films and in many, many cases label them 'classics' when they really are not. I would agree that 'classic' is a very flexible term, but the point is that there are many, many good contemporary films that have the potential to be 'classics'.

Not all old films are great, and not all contemporary films are of questionable quality.

Pro-B

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Well, I just didn't like Cuaron totally ignored the camera and us, the audience. He was so busy looking for Criterions to take he didn't even stop once to talk a little bit which was ignorant of him. Only at the end he said thanks and that was it, but it wasn't enough. Maybe he was just so distracted by the Criterion closet so I'll dismiss his selfish and greedy antics. It just seems like artists translate into their art, as Gravity is a BIG film and seems like Cuaron is BIG at doing things too, like bringing a big bag to pile his Criterions into. Har har.

Well I have just watched and agree with you, he did come across as a bit rude and greedy. Would have been nice if he showed us what he took and made a few comments :P

But probably is a bit over whelming being there, imagine a a heroine addict in a room full of heroin! lol

[jw007]

I watched My Darling Clementine last night and I loved this film. Honestly, its totally an anti-western which is even better, and so far its my favorite of John Ford's films and far more enjoyable than Stagecoach. I thought Victor Mature was just awesome playing Doc Holliday and of course Henry Fonda was amazing at playing Wyatt Earp. I liked how the actors were at times even unpredictable as usually you can sense what they might say next but this film seemed more real. Also the cinematography was insanely great and there were some amazing shots of Monument Valley and the set of Tombstone.

I'm going to watch all of the supplements tonight and post some more thoughts tomorrow about this film.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Well I have just watched and agree with you, he did come across as a bit rude and greedy. Would have been nice if he showed us what he took and made a few comments :P

But probably is a bit over whelming being there, imagine a a heroine addict in a room full of heroin! lol

True, at the very least it shows that Mr. Cuaron is passionate about cinema! And very interested in adding new films to his own extensive (I'm guessing) Criterion Collection!

Now the really cool thing would be for these filmmakers and directors to invite people from Criterion to come to their homes and show their actual collections. I remember seeing on the supplements of The Devil's Backbone, Guillermo del Toro showing his movie collection (and other things in his house) and that was pretty damn awesome.

[Helikaon]

You can only call a film an "enduring classic" if it has, in fact, endured. Everything else is just speculation. Who knows which films will still be watched in 20-30 years.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

True, at the very least it shows that Mr. Cuaron is passionate about cinema! And very interested in adding new films to his own extensive (I'm guessing) Criterion Collection!

Now the really cool thing would be for these filmmakers and directors to invite people from Criterion to come to their homes and show their actual collections. I remember seeing on the supplements of The Devil's Backbone, Guillermo del Toro showing his movie collection (and other things in his house) and that was pretty damn awesome.

That would be so cool! and omg I never knew about that supplement! gonna watch later

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

That would be so cool! and omg I never knew about that supplement! gonna watch later

It's actually on the Cronos release. The supplement is called "Welcome to the Bleak House," and it is a brief tour of the home he uses to house all of his stuff.

There is an excerpt on YouTube:

Guillermo del Toro - Welcome to Bleak House - YouTube

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

It's actually on the Cronos release. The supplement is called "Welcome to the Bleak House," and it is a brief tour of the home he uses to house all of his stuff.

Ahhh no wonder i missed it, I wasn't over the moon with that film, its worth having and did have some cool moments but it wasn't his best film and no where near level as TDB. Will check it out thanks