The Criterion Collection

[A Prosthetic Prophet]

"I've looked through CC for more movies as strange and wonderful as Naked Lunch, but only found Scanners. So, can anyone point out a couple you think I'd like? CC has a really good product, and I wouldn't mind having a few more"

In addition to Criterion's releases of Cronenberg's Naked Lunch, and Scanners, they also put out Cronenberg's Videodrome (and it's more of a mind melting head f*#k that both those films combined).

[olivianewtonyawn]

Originally Posted by A Prosthetic Prophet

"I've looked through CC for more movies as strange and wonderful as Naked Lunch, but only found Scanners. So, can anyone point out a couple you think I'd like? CC has a really good product, and I wouldn't mind having a few more"

In addition to Criterion's releases of Cronenberg's Naked Lunch, and Scanners, they also put out Cronenberg's Videodrome (and it's more of a mind melting head f*#k that both those films combined).

Definitely check out Videodrome, and also, I think you would be into Brazil, Time Bandits, Eraserhead, and Repo Man.

[moviebuffed]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Slow weekday… Here’s something that would be fun to answer. Fill in the blanks:

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is ………. and I’ve watched it approximately ….. times.

I’m definitely curious to see everyone’s responses.

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is City Lights and I've watched it approximately 6 times.

[*DrStrangelove*]

My most watched Criterion is probably The Darjeeling Limited. Why is it considered Wes Andersons worst film? It's my favorite of his.

[moviebuffed]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

My most watched Criterion is probably The Darjeeling Limited. Why is it considered Wes Andersons worst film? It's my favorite of his.

Great choice!! It's my second favorite Anderson film right behind Fantastic Mr. Fox.

[cash_black]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

My most watched Criterion is probably The Darjeeling Limited. Why is it considered Wes Andersons worst film? It's my favorite of his.

I had no idea it was considered his worst? It is my 2nd fave from him behind Bottlerocket

[Josh B]

In addition to Criterion's releases of Cronenberg's Naked Lunch, and Scanners, they also put out Cronenberg's Videodrome (and it's more of a mind melting head f*#k that both those films combined).

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

Definitely check out Videodrome, and also, I think you would be into Brazil, Time Bandits, Eraserhead, and Repo Man.

I forgot about Videodrome, that is a good one. Didn't like Eraserhead, and haven't seen Repo Man or Brazil, but read good things about both. Thanks guys.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Josh B

I watched Naked Lunch at least 4 times, last year. I bring that, Altered States and Revolver over to my parents when they go out of town and ask me to dog sit, if there aren't any new releases.

re: I've looked through CC for more movies as strange and wonderful as Naked Lunch, but only found Scanners. So, can anyone point out a couple you think I'd like? CC has a really good product, and I wouldn't mind having a few more.

House (Hausu) Nothing quite like it. Delightfully bizarre.

[Josh B]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

House (Hausu) Nothing quite like it. Delightfully bizarre.

Oh yeah, I had that one. Needs more boobs, God I hope they were old enough at the time for me to say that.

[jw007]

My favorite Criterion is probably Naked. So much amazing dialogue in there.

[jw007]

I watched The Rules of the Game for the very first time last night! Wow! Now I realize why people have said this is one of cinema's greatest films. The film INFURIATED me at times. I couldn't believe the audacity in some of these characters. Wow. This is what a great film can do...really stir up some emotions. I can now cross that film off the list of classics I had yet to see. (Now I need to tackle the 4 hours of supplements on the Criterion disc - might take multiple nights).

[jw007]

I just saw Interstellar for the 2nd time in 2 1/2 months tonight at the local theater. Can't believe this was still playing in theaters. Goes to show just how much of a modern classic this film will become. I wrote a review tonight after seeing it a second time since I couldn't understand a lot from the first viewing. I've wrapped it in spoilers for those who are concerned.

[Show spoiler]Seeing "Interstellar" for the second time tonight, I couldn't help but notice that a lot of my questions were finally answered in an illuminating fashion. It's a big, bold, ambitious sci fi film and probably will become a modern classic soon enough. There's science, spirituality, existentialism, history, all wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic theme that combines 2001: A Space Odyssey, Contact, Metropolis, Star Wars and even Star Trek. Sure, there's a lot of theory involved in the science used in Interstellar, from quantum mechanics to astrobiology, and I'm sure scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson approves of this film, but the resounding effect I had from seeing this film again was realizing that the script was so brilliantly written that there was a reason why I was so confused the first time I saw this picture. Of course, this film didn't get a single nomination for best screenplay of the year for any award, but that doesn't matter. I admired the effort for technical authenticity that the Nolan bros. achieved with this film and the whole idea of the combination of gravity, love and time being the panacea that solves the dilemma for the human race is astounding. That the human survival instinct to exist, to go beyond the boundaries of our planet in light of destruction, to build new worlds in other star systems and to transcend our primitive human systems can somehow be all achievable is a great inspiration to me...... After the movie ended and Marc, John, Jake and myself were all sitting in the empty theater watching the credits, the projectionist appeared in the window behind us and we instinctively waved at him. Then something happened that I never before encountered. He opened the casement window and asked us permission if he could turn on the house lights. Then we all started raving about how this was our second time watching the film, to which he said it was his 5th time and how every subsequent viewing reinforced his love for Interstellar. Here we are having a conversation with the projectionist (aka: the Wizard of (Movie) Oz) from the window up above. Incredible.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by jw007

I watched The Rules of the Game for the very first time last night! Wow! Now I realize why people have said this is one of cinema's greatest films. The film INFURIATED me at times. I couldn't believe the audacity in some of these characters. Wow. This is what a great film can do...really stir up some emotions. I can now cross that film off the list of classics I had yet to see. (Now I need to tackle the 4 hours of supplements on the Criterion disc - might take multiple nights).

Renoir's introduction to the film, which is on the disc, is one of my favourite extras in the whole collection. I've taught classes on the film in the past, and it's quite difficult to explain to a young audience quite why it was so controversial at the time of release, and his intro does a good job of getting across how ludicrous the whole thing was.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Renoir's introduction to the film, which is on the disc, is one of my favourite extras in the whole collection. I've taught classes on the film in the past, and it's quite difficult to explain to a young audience quite why it was so controversial at the time of release, and his intro does a good job of getting across how ludicrous the whole thing was.

I rarely watch introductions before watching a film for the first time because they frequently have spoilers I'd have rather not seen prior to my first viewing. I've never seen Rules of The Game before, would you recommend actually watching this prior to an initial viewing?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I rarely watch introductions before watching a film for the first time because they frequently have spoilers I'd have rather not seen prior to my first viewing. I've never seen Rules of The Game before, would you recommend actually watching this prior to an initial viewing?

I would (and possibly did, I cant recall whether I actually watched it or not)watch something like that only after seeing the film simply because I wouldn't want somebody else's thoughts on the film - no matter how insightful or brilliant - ratting around in my head while I was trying to watch the film. And having the film to reference often makes clicking with the introduction a lot easier too.

And speaking of extras - and Id better talk fast, the ambien seems pretty perky this morning - I just finished F for Fake and the Tom Snyder/Orson Welles interview might have just passed the discussion of Duke Ellington's score on the Anatomy of a Murder disc as my favorite supplement.

Snyder sucks up a little but not too much and he badgers and bullies but again, not too much. It's an interesting dynamic and Welles says some really interesting things about interesting things.

The 45 minutes felt like fifteen.

It's well worth a look.

[Page14]

I watched Solaris for the first time a few days ago, and am currently working my way through the supplements. The film really threw me for a loop. I watched it a second time yesterday with the audio commentary turned on. IMO, the commentary is on the dry side, but it helped me understand parts of the film (and story) that I doubt I would have ever picked up on my own. I have a feeling this is a film that I may never totally understand as well as I'd like to, no matter how many times I watch it ... but a film that I might get more out of each time I see it.

[mbarto]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Fill in the blanks:

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is ………. and I’ve watched it approximately ….. times.

Although some of my lesser favorites I saw more times, in different formats, ....

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is Rosemary's Baby and I’ve watched it approximately 4 times.

[Scottie]

My favorite two Criterions are, without a doubt, In the Mood for Love and Y Tu Mamá También.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Slow weekday… Here’s something that would be fun to answer. Fill in the blanks:

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is ………. and I’ve watched it approximately ….. times.

I’m definitely curious to see everyone’s responses.

I feel like I'm forever working through my Criterion collection just so I can say I've seen them all at least *1* time, let alone multiple viewings. Haha. But of the Criterions I have, A Hard Day's Night wins the honors for most total viewings (if I can include theater viewings, on television, VHS, DVD and now on Criterion bluray). It's my feel-good movie.

EDIT: That doesn't necessarily mean that A Hard Day's Night is my absolute favorite Criterion though. That's yet to be determined.

[StonesEGF]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Slow weekday… Here’s something that would be fun to answer. Fill in the blanks:

My absolute favorite Criterion blu-ray is ………. and I’ve watched it approximately ….. times.

I’m definitely curious to see everyone’s responses.

Hmmm... If I could only keep one Criterion Blu-ray, it would be Le Cercle Rouge. I've watched the Blu-ray 3 times or so and, prior to that, the dvd about 5 times.