The Criterion Collection

[llj]

Originally Posted by Fabs

YiYi is a masterpiece. One of the purest films about life anywhere. Beautiful camerawork as well. It's hard to find a film that uses a city as well as YiYi does.

I love YiYi. But I still find the kid's monologue at the end to be overly articulate and slightly pompous coming from a kid who up to that point spoke more with glances and body language.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by llj

I love YiYi. But I still find the kid's monologue at the end to be overly articulate and slightly pompous coming from a kid who up to that point spoke more with glances and body language.

I'm not sure I understand this. Are you saying that if someone doesn't speak often, when they *do* speak it has to be inarticulate?

[Ray Jackson]

I had to take my car into the shop today because there's something wrong with the engine.

Couldn't come at a worse possible time.

I'll be lucky if I can afford to get Kwaidan and Mulholland Drive.

...it makes me sick.

[bwdowiak]

I saw several Criterion titles recently. I don’t have time to articulate too much on any of these, so here are some brief reviews:

The Big City – each new Satyajit Ray film I see propels him towards the top of my ‘favorite directors’ list. I saw parallels w/ The Best Years of Our Lives in how Arati (the main character) has to adjust to working life and a reality that has changed around her. If anyone is looking for an extremely accessible entry point to Ray’s film, this one would be it. a GREAT film!

Two Days, One Night – very thought provoking and thematically rich. It plays out in somewhat of a mundane fashion, so I can’t imagine anyone wanting to own it for repeat viewings, nor can I recommend it as a blind buy. It is a good film, however, and worth seeing at least once.

Le Doulos – Jean-Pierre Melville does not disappoint! I’ve now seen every film that seems to be on the general radar from him excluding Bob Le Flambeur. This one ranks in the top half for me. Somewhat of a difficult plot to follow, but paying close attention is rather rewarding as Melville and his screen writer seem to cross all their T’s and dot their I’s.

My Beautiful Laundrette – I think that my relationship w/ this film is going to differ than most. I am interested to learn more about the socio-political climate of England during the early 80’s as that is the era from where much of my favorite music comes from. I LOVE watching great actors do their thing. ..and as I’ve mentioned before, my wife is Indian (yes, I know the people portrayed are Pakistani (although I learned from the supplements that they are all Indian actors.) so based on that last reason, I have a particular interest in their story.

Add to all of that the fact that the acting is great, the writing is very good, and so is the cinematography. Nevertheless, the best I can say is that this is a ‘good’ film. It doesn’t quite seem to equal the sum of its parts. Worth a look, although my gut says that many won’t think much of it.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Two Days, One Night – very thought provoking and thematically rich. It plays out in somewhat of a mundane fashion, so I can’t imagine anyone wanting to own it for repeat viewings, nor can I recommend it as a blind buy. It is a good film, however, and worth seeing at least once.

Maybe I liked more than you, but I don't see any reason why I wouldn't want to see it again, it plays like all other Dardenne films I have seen, maybe this is a bit repetitive, but I find it varies enough each time because of the state of the main character, it is a bit difficult to watch at times, but I find it very moving and worthwhile at the end.

Have you seen the previous Dardenne films already in the collection?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Maybe I liked more than you, but I don't see any reason why I wouldn't want to see it again, it plays like all other Dardenne films I have seen, maybe this is a bit repetitive, but I find it varies enough each time because of the state of the main character, it is a bit difficult to watch at times, but I find it very moving and worthwhile at the end.

Have you seen the previous Dardenne films already in the collection?

I saw Kid With a Bike and The Son (although I can’t remember a thing about it the latter.) The style definitely felt consistent. Don’t get the wrong idea - I think the film has a TON to say and that’s what I liked about it. But,

[Show spoiler]you literally see her explain the same scenario and ask the same favor of each of her co-workers throughout the run time of the film

. I think their filmmaking style is fine, but juxtaposed w/ that repetitiveness, I just didn’t think it was an exciting film.

Thinking about it, I could theoretically see myself watching it again. There’s no way I could tell anyone to buy it though.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I saw Kid With a Bike and The Son (although I can’t remember a thing about it the latter.) The style definitely felt consistent. Don’t get the wrong idea - I think the film has a TON to say and that’s what I liked about it. But,

[Show spoiler]you literally see her explain the same scenario and ask the same favor of each of her co-workers throughout the run time of the film

. I think their filmmaking style is fine, but juxtaposed w/ that repetitiveness, I just didn’t think it was an exciting film.

Thinking about it, I could theoretically see myself watching it again. There’s no way I could tell anyone to buy it though.

I couldn't get past the premise, which to me was a ridiculous way to bring up its discussion points, but even beyond that I found it a complete bore. A film I was actually glad was over when it ended!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I couldn't get past the premise, which to me was a ridiculous way to bring up its discussion points, but even beyond that I found it a complete bore. A film I was actually glad was over when it ended!

I know what you mean. The premise is contrived in that I just don’t think things would unfold in such a fashion. It reminded me a bit of Koreeda’s Like Father Like Son… I actually found that premise to be more unrealistic though. I plan to watch that one again and just attempt to look past it because it is a warm and fuzzy film otherwise.

[Gusto-Guus]

What are people's opinion on the Cassavetes movies? Both set and Love Streams.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

What are people's opinion on the Cassavetes movies? Both set and Love Streams.

Absolutely essential

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

What are people's opinion on the Cassavetes movies? Both set and Love Streams.

I know some people really enjoy Cassavetes' films. I've only seen A Woman Under the Influence and it did absolutely nothing for me.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

What are people's opinion on the Cassavetes movies? Both set and Love Streams.

They're different.

Be prepared for slow-moving stories that are pretty thin on plot.

But the acting and style of shooting are both remarkable.

I think of Cassavetes as the American equivalent of Godard.

...American New Wave if you will.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I had to take my car into the shop today because there's something wrong with the engine.

Couldn't come at a worse possible time.

I'll be lucky if I can afford to get Kwaidan and Mulholland Drive.

...it makes me sick.

You can always fix your car...these sales only come twice a year. Priorities, man.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

What are people's opinion on the Cassavetes movies? Both set and Love Streams.

It was one of my favorites discoveries, went in knowing nothing and ended up with Cassavetes being one of my favorite directors.

I think the set is essential, but Love Streams depends on what you like in his filmography, I think it is a good film, but will need to rewatch it to make sure how I feel about it.

[Martin_31]

I bought something that I can't wait to share on the forum. It is beautiful! But it will have to wait a month. I spent my Criterion money for the B&N Sale to buy it. Well worth it.

[wondervamp]

Any Criterion titles that are rumored to be going OOP? I heard that the BBS box set may be going out? Any others that are priority? I just started building my collection and got about 10 or 11 on last sale.

[wondervamp]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

I bought something that I can't wait to share on the forum. It is beautiful! But it will have to wait a month. I spent my Criterion money for the B&N Sale to buy it. Well worth it.

What is it, what is it!!??

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

You can always fix your car...these sales only come twice a year. Priorities, man.

I guess I can always take the bus to work.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Nice relaxing weekend to take in several flicks. Watched The Double Life of Veronique, Magician (Coen films documentary on Orson Welles), Night and the City, I Saw the Devil, Alambrista, Hidden Fortress, Gold Rush and The Gift. Whew.
I'll get up some thoughts on the Criterions tomorrow. I needed this weekend.

Some thoughts on a few of the Criterions...

The Double Life of Veronique - I watched this after seeing Blind Chance a few nights earlier. Enjoyed it, but was a little let down perhaps by seeing it on so many top 10 lists. I actually liked Blind Chance by quite a bit more.

Night and the City - Fantastic noir with a really enjoyable cast. For some reason it kept reminding me of Breaking Bad. Just when you think things can't get any worse...

Alambrista - Watched this to catch up on a Criterion Shortcut podcast episode. I did not expect this to be the glamorous side of illegals, but the film did a good job of showing the subject matter in a more realistic way than most of us usually consider. Solid, but nothing earth shattering.

Hidden Fortress - I needed a Star Wars fix and decided to watch this for the first time. Enjoyed this as an influential film and several great moments. Near the middle of the pack on my Kurosawa list.

Gold Rush - I watched the 1942 version and I think it took away quite a bit from the beauty of silent film. I'm going to go back and watch the 1925 version in a few nights. Great, but lower on my Chaplin list. I seem to prefer his latter films.

[Martin_31]

Originally Posted by wondervamp

What is it, what is it!!??

Something awesome!