The Criterion Collection

[Ray Jackson]

What's the general consensus here on La Notte?

I bought it today, but starting to have second thoughts about keeping it.

Some people seem to think it's a masterpiece...others seem to think it's slow and boring...not much to the story.

How does it compare to L'Avventura and L'Ecclise?

....better or worse?

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

What's the general consensus here on La Notte?

I bought it today, but starting to have second thoughts about keeping it.

Some people seem to think it's a masterpiece...others seem to think it's slow and boring...not much to the story.

How does it compare to L'Avventura and L'Ecclise?

....better or worse?

It's safe to say that if you liked those two you will like La Notte. Think about this also: it is possible for films to be slow and boring, AND be masterpieces.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

It's safe to say that if you liked those two you will like La Notte. Think about this also: it is possible for films to be slow and boring, AND be masterpieces.

Agreed.

But it's also possible for a film to be slow and boring and just flat out suck.

...slow, boring, black and white and European doesn't automatically equal a masterpiece.

I liked L'Avventura, haven't seen L'Eclisse.

If you could only afford to buy L'Eclisse or La Notte, which one would you buy?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

If you could only afford to buy L'Eclisse or La Notte, which one would you buy?

I prefer L'Eclisse, but only by a slim margin. I think that La Notte is a criminally underrated movie, and it makes fascinating use of architecture and setting. La Notte is the better-looking of the two Blu-ray transfers, but both films look amazing in the format.

I saw L'Avventura several times on DVD, and am looking forward to watching the new Blu-ray in a day or two.

[WonderWeasel]

I'm going to have to buy another one tomorrow:

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I'm going to have to buy another one tomorrow:

You should! You can never have enough Sansho The Baliffs.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Agreed.

But it's also possible for a film to be slow and boring and just flat out suck.

...slow, boring, black and white and European doesn't automatically equal a masterpiece.

I liked L'Avventura, haven't seen L'Eclisse.

If you could only afford to buy L'Eclisse or La Notte, which one would you buy?

I prefer La Notte by a large margin.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

You should! You can never have enough Sansho The Baliffs.

Lol especially at that price!

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I prefer La Notte by a large margin.

Any particular reason why?

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Has anyone here seen The Magician by Bergman?

I bought it today at Barnes and Noble because they were all out of 8 1/2, but I'm not sure if I really want to keep it or not.

How does it compare to The Seventh Seal, Persona, Wild Strawberries in terms of acting/writing/story?

...is it one of Bergman's better films, or somewhere in the middle?

The Magician is actually one of my favorite Bergman films. There are dark moments and funny moments, and I think the cinematography is really quite good. And there's a sequence right before the ending that is super, in my opinion. I definitely recommend it!

[Namuhana]

And, in other news, my copy of The Darjeeling Limited arrived today (with the sticker), so I'm one happy person! Now I only need Bottle Rocket and The Life Aquatic to finish my Wes Anderson collection.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Has anyone here seen The Magician by Bergman?

I bought it today at Barnes and Noble because they were all out of 8 1/2, but I'm not sure if I really want to keep it or not.

How does it compare to The Seventh Seal, Persona, Wild Strawberries in terms of acting/writing/story?

...is it one of Bergman's better films, or somewhere in the middle?

It's not as heavy as the movies you've listed--or as avant garde (Wild Strawberries excluded). That said, it's definitely one of my favorite Bergmans. To give you an idea of my taste I would say my favorite Bergman films are Hour of the Wolf and Fanny and Alexander.

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

What's the general consensus here on La Notte?

I bought it today, but starting to have second thoughts about keeping it.

Some people seem to think it's a masterpiece...others seem to think it's slow and boring...not much to the story.

How does it compare to L'Avventura and L'Ecclise?

....better or worse?

All three of these films are very similar in quality. And, their ranking against each other changes based on how I feel on any given day.

[nondiatonic]

Also, I had planned not to get anything during the sale. I made a Christmas wishlist and gave it to my loved ones for them to pick up during the sale. That was it. I would be strong and wait to see what I received.

And, then I blind bought Love Streams using the 30% off coupon today. $13.5 after tax. No regrets.

[fahrenheit290]

I noticed Criterion's box packaging has changed. I was checking out titles in the store today and saw the current Battle of Algiers is a lot shinier than the cardboard box I have. Seems like it's easier to slide the BD book and discs out too. They haven't changed the contents have they? I did see that parts of certain scenes on my blu-ray were quite dark and not pristine (like Seventh Seal is or A Night to Remember)...even with the conversion and restoring. That must be the print they used right...not a BD problem. Anyone know for sure who has Battle of Algiers? Thanks

[jw007]

Regarding Bergman's The Magician, I bought this last year and only watched it once. I can't see myself re-visiting this often so I would not recommend a blind-buy unless you really are a fan of Ingmar Bergman's movies.

[jw007]

I just watched a 1992 film by Paul Schrader called Light Sleeper starring Willem Dafoe. Man, I'm not sure what to make of this forgotten film. It's not bad! But not sure if its good either.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by jw007

I just watched a 1992 film by Paul Schrader called Light Sleeper starring Willem Dafoe. Man, I'm not sure what to make of this forgotten film. It's not bad! But not sure if its good either.

I've seen several of the films he's written, but I don't think any that he's directed. How does he stack up against some of the people he's written for, like Weir or Scorsese? Obviously not on the same level of either of them, but I'm curious if he emulates their style.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've seen several of the films he's written, but I don't think any that he's directed. How does he stack up against some of the people he's written for, like Weir or Scorsese? Obviously not on the same level of either of them, but I'm curious if he emulates their style.

Schrader's style can't be said to be imitative of Scorsese or Weir. I say this having seen Cat People and Dominion (the Exorcist prequel).

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I've seen several of the films he's written, but I don't think any that he's directed. How does he stack up against some of the people he's written for, like Weir or Scorsese? Obviously not on the same level of either of them, but I'm curious if he emulates their style.

His style is his own. More than any of the filmmakers he's worked with I'd say he emulates Bresson more, who is perhaps his greatest influence.

I really like his directorial work. Thematically Light Sleeper, American Gigolo and Taxi Driver form a loose trilogy, similar to how Antonioni's Alienation Trilogy works.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by iScottie

If you are interested in seeing obscure films from around the world, then go for it. I thought some one them were rather interesting, but nothing I would revisit. Are there any other box sets you are contemplating?

They aren't that obscure are they? The Housemaid is one of the all time classics of Korean cinema, and Touki Bouki made the critics list for Sight and Sound in 2012.

Although if all you want is The Housemaid, hurry up and order this. You even get a commentary by Park Chan-wook.