The Criterion Collection

[eightslicesofpie]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Looks like Soft Dkin is the first to go. Is it that good?

Looks like Don't Look Now is gone too

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Some knowledge of Italy’s political climate at the time will enhance one’s viewing experience - either that or having some willingness to read up a bit. I have never been too politically savvy myself, but have learned a bit when the material presented has interested me (e.g., the many films about the German occupation of France.) As for this film, it probably deserves another look from me, just for the sake of understanding. But it just didn’t feel particularly important or interesting enough, even, to inspire me to put in the effort.

Don't let me dissuade you, though.. just one opinion. Oh, the blu-ray transfer is jaw on the floor stunning. So, it does have that going for it.

I read/watched all the supplemental material on Criterion's website for Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and nothing deterred me from wanting to check it out. There have been several titles in the past for which I've done that sort of "investigating" and ended up deciding not to give them a try after all, which I guess means I really should go with this movie and hope for the best.

I've watched the 3 Reasons and original trailer videos for Fellini Satyricon but it seems intriguingly batshit insane. The only Fellini film I've ever seen is Amarcord, which I did not like. Is Satyricon worth a blind buy or is it strictly "rent this first"?

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by eightslicesofpie

Looks like Don't Look Now is gone too

That was one I was gonna get, but was late to the party. Oh well, I got these for now:

Safe
Waterhip Down
Fellini Sartyricon
Orpheus

Plenty for me for now.

[bladelia]

Time Bandits is now OOS

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I read/watched all the supplemental material on Criterion's website for Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and nothing deterred me from wanting to check it out. There have been several titles in the past for which I've done that sort of "investigating" and ended up deciding not to give them a try after all, which I guess means I really should go with this movie and hope for the best.

I've watched the 3 Reasons and original trailer videos for Fellini Satyricon but it seems intriguingly batshit insane. The only Fellini film I've ever seen is Amarcord, which I did not like. Is Satyricon worth a blind buy or is it strictly "rent this first"?

in that case, read Ebert's review, too. I don't remember a lot about IoaCAS, but I remember feeling that I was somewhat on the same page with him. he gave it 3 stars.

report back after you see it. I'd be interested to know how you felt about it.

re: Fellini - I can be of no help there as I've only seen La Dolce Vita and that was ages ago.

[ShellOilJunior]

Amarcord, La dolce vita and even 8 1/2 are not good starting points for Fellini. You need to be eased into his style and pacing.

Any of the following are better entry points:

La Strada
Nights of Cabiria
I Vitelloni

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

in that case, read Ebert's review, too. I don't remember a lot about IoaCAS, but I remember feeling that I was somewhat on the same page with him. he gave it 3 stars.

report back after you see it. I'd be interested to know how you felt about it.

re: Fellini - I can be of no help there as I've only seen La Dolce Vita and that was ages ago.

The only negative part of Ebert's review was the last paragraph:

[Show spoiler]

Petri's left-wing, politics have led to the film's major weakness -- its one-to-one equation of police authority and fascism. The inspector has a passionate speech, for example in which he totally identifies liberalism with sexual deviation; this is too simpleminded and obvious to work, and we're irritated with Petri for not being more original. But setting such things aside, and seeing "Investigation" simply as a study of personality, we very quickly find ourselves involved.

I'm not 100% sure what he's saying here but on a personal level, I hate authority and my views on law enforcement are very simple: "**** the po-lice." I also have a feeling that this film's portrayal of police authority and fascism will still be relevant today, at least in the USA, where I live.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

I read/watched all the supplemental material on Criterion's website for Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and nothing deterred me from wanting to check it out. There have been several titles in the past for which I've done that sort of "investigating" and ended up deciding not to give them a try after all, which I guess means I really should go with this movie and hope for the best.

I've watched the 3 Reasons and original trailer videos for Fellini Satyricon but it seems intriguingly batshit insane. The only Fellini film I've ever seen is Amarcord, which I did not like. Is Satyricon worth a blind buy or is it strictly "rent this first"?

Satyricon is definitely not a safe blind buy by any means.

I like to consider myself a Fellini fan, having enjoyed most of his films, but that film really turned me off. I'm not entirely sure whether it was due to the Greek mythology (which I'm typically fascinated with) or the insanity surrounding it all.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Amarcord, La dolce vita and even 8 1/2 are not good starting points for Fellini. You need to be eased into his style and pacing.

I tend to think of La Dolce Vita is his most accessible film. I know people who generally dislike Fellini, but have a hard time not enjoying La Dolce Vita. Furthermore, I think anyone who can watch 8 1/2 and appreciate it will enjoy most of Fellini's catalogue.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Satyricon is definitely not a safe blind buy by any means.

I like to consider myself a Fellini fan, having enjoyed most of his films, but that film really turned me off. I'm not entirely sure whether it was due to the Greek mythology (which I'm typically fascinated with) or the insanity surrounding it all.

If you are typically fascinated with Greek mythology, why would that aspect of the film turn you off? Did you not like its depiction?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

If you are typically fascinated with Greek mythology, why would that aspect of the film turn you off? Did you not like its depiction?

I think a lot of it had to do with its depiction. It also doesn't help that the entire film reminded me of Pasolini's Trilogy of Life, which I disliked (as I do all of Pasolini's works).

[Pistol44]

First time I've done this sale...finally pulled the trigger and went with

Being John Malkovich
Dazed and Confused
The Game

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think a lot of it had to do with its depiction. It also doesn't help that the entire film reminded me of Pasolini's Trilogy of Life, which I disliked (as I do all of Pasolini's works).

What about Pasolini's Trilogy of Life didn't you like? I have not seen any of his films. Italian cinema is something of a blind spot for me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

What about Pasolini's Trilogy of Life didn't you like? I have not seen any of his films. Italian cinema is something of a blind spot for me.

I have never been a fan of his style nor his vision. All of the films that I've seen (aside from Accattone) feel overly sexualized to the point that the meaning he is intending to convey is lost.

That's just my opinion, though, as I know there are many here who do admire him.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

The only negative part of Ebert's review was the last paragraph:



I'm not 100% sure what he's saying here but on a personal level, I hate authority and my views on law enforcement are very simple: "**** the po-lice." I also have a feeling that this film's portrayal of police authority and fascism will still be relevant today, at least in the USA, where I live.

sounds like you know what you're getting into then. having done the research, it sounds like you will enjoy it.

if you do, then see Bertolucci's The Conformist which is a man amongst boys in its genre.

[ccg1978]

Welp, guess I'll avoid this thread for a while so I don't have to see all the "I got" posts

[tallrichard]

Damn, it finally happened!

Got:
All That Jazz
The Night Porter
Rififi

Still have a ways to go to get my gift card....

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Infernal King

Purple Noon is one of my favorites in the Collection and I'm getting somewhat similar vibes from Investigation. Anyone care to confirm/deny?

Aside from the subject matter there aren't really a lot of similarities between the two.

Purple Noon plays (and looks) like a top-tier Hitchcock.

To me, Investigation played like a middle-tier Columbo episode. And that's not a slam, exactly, I love Columbo and Investigation obviously has more to it than that but that was kind of my gut level reaction to it.

Purple Noon is fun and stylish and takes the subject matter seriously but with a slightly whimsical edge (which is perfect for an adaptation of a Ripley story). Investigation is a little more dour and drab. I'm not sorry I bought it and I'll undoubtedly give it another look at some point but I'm in no real rush either.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

Investigation is a little more dour and drab. I'm not sorry I bought it and I'll undoubtedly give it another look at some point but I'm in no real rush either.

I'm right there with you.

When the movie began, I found myself increasingly fascinated with the direction that it was heading in. Can a person with some authority commit heinous, unthinkable acts and not raise any eyebrows? It was a question that lingered for me throughout its duration as it felt like an examination of a sociopath in a lot of ways. By the end of the film, though, I too found it to be both dour and drab.

[Roninblues]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

I already order some blu-ray's, but I've been really interested in buying some Eclipse sets especially the Fassbinder, Shepitko, and Bernard. I'm just worried that Criterion will upgrade these DVD's into Blu-Ray. Does any recommend buying some of the Eclipse series or no?

They are a great value for some that will most likely never see a Blu-ray.

[atlantajoseph]

Satyricon and Rififi Blus for me, along with a five-pack of replacement BD cases (one of mine is broken) which put me just over the threshold for free shipping. Yay.