The Criterion Collection

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Well, not all movies are about good or likable people, and that isn't a requisite to make a good movie.

Well stated!

Some of the people I've spoken with online seemed under the impression that all movies were meant to be entertaining, or uplifting. While there are certainly some extraordinary films with narratives and performances that lend themselves to this effect, it would be a great mistake to think that movies exist only for the popcorn crowd. In fact, I've found some of the greatest films are quite dark, and don't have a single character that you really like. But isn't that an accurate reflection of humanity as a whole? There are a lot of people in this world that I would never invite over for dinner.

Film need not be uplifting. Sometimes the medium is at its most powerful when it the subject matter is repulsive. Many of the greatest films have downright evil people at their core. Look at The Night of the Hunter, which I watched for the first time two weeks ago. Robert Mitchum is simply brilliant as Preacher Harry Powell. While we develop empathy for some of the ancillary characters in the film (the kids, somewhat), the majority are pretty much unlikable. Shelly Winter's Willa Harper is somewhat of a pushover, blind to the treatment of her children by the Preacher until it is too late. Other town folk are simply blinded by Powell's "Christian charms". And, at the center of the film is Mitchum's Powell, who is one of the most despicable characters in any film you will ever see. He has not a single redeeming trait. In a brilliant Hans Christian Anderson-type dark fairy tale, Powell is seemingly everywhere. He is evil incarnate. If there were even a slight crack in his insidious veneer, his character would become less believable, and riveting. Yet the film works because he is relentless.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Dammit bro...don't do this to me!

I picked up Ikiru and Ace in The Hole today.

I got a copy of Ali: Fear Eats the Soul coming into the store any day now and I may have to rob a bank to cover that one.

My bank account is on life support.

...don't do this to me.

I don't want to put any pressure on you and try to get you to purchase Apu. It's not that big of a deal.
All I will say is that your entire Criterion collection and even your existence for that matter is worthless without owning Apu.

[theater dreamer]

Well, damn, they're out of the Three Colors trilogy. Sigh. Looks like I'm going with the 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini. Not a bad thing, mind you, as I absolutely love Ingrid Bergman.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Well I just got back from a second trip to Barnes and Noble today and successfully used another BF coupon.

I actually put on a different shirt, a different jacket and a baseball cap just in case it was the same cashier...which it was.

I felt like a bank robber returning to the scene of the crime to make a little cash deposit, wondering if anyone would recognize me.

...it was pretty badass.

I feel 'dirty' just using legit coupons... Maybe it's my trial membership that I have absolutely no intentions of keeping.

[Al_The_Strange]

Just got back from a trip, and had the first part of my B&N order waiting at home.

Just watched Safe. It was a blind-buy - probably not wise, as it did turn out to be a rather slow, cold, detached film (and I never was a fan of Julianne Moore ). Nothing much to the plot, but it was the themes and ideas I was attracted to (the idea that modern living and industrialization could be poisonous), and the film portrayed them pretty well. And Moore's performance turned out to be great. I'll likely keep the film and revisit it later when I'm in the right mood. For now, I'd grade it a 3.5/5 ("pretty good").

Also watched the short film on it, The Suicide. Pretty interesting, but also very random.

Got loads of other Criterion lined up that I need to watch - from previous sales, I got Dressed To Kill (2nd pressing, woohoo!), Rififi, Night and the City, Gate of Hell, and Fellini Satyricon. Next biggest thing I'll watch will probably be Ikiru though, which is also a blind-buy (heck, all of these are), but I'll have to see if my enthusiasm for Star Wars wins out andcauses me to put my Criterion marathon on hold...

Still waiting for the third movie from the sale to come in - Wild Strawberries. Saw it before, but had mixed feelings. Wanted it in my collection anyway, because it is a good-looking film.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Well, damn, they're out of the Three Colors trilogy. Sigh. Looks like I'm going with the 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini. Not a bad thing, mind you, as I absolutely love Ingrid Bergman.

I had to take my copy of Three Colors Trilogy back and they were out of it as well, and the website is out of it too, so I had to get a gift card refund instead. I was bummed that they couldn't even order me a replacement, but I decided to get the Pierre Etaix set with the gift card. There was quite a line behind me, so I didn't take enough time to really look at it good and get something different, but the plastic was all torn off of it. I should have taken more time, otherwise I would have ended up with the exact same alternative as you as I also was going to get the 3 Films by Roberto Rosssellini set at some point anyways.

I don't feel like making another trip up to the store tomorrow, so I may order it off of the website. Do they ship box sets like that one in a regular box, or do they still send them in that crappy style of packaging they use for regular Criterions?

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I don't want to put any pressure on you and try to get you to purchase Apu. It's not that big of a deal.
All I will say is that your entire Criterion collection and even your existence for that matter is worthless without owning Apu.

I'm Virgil and I'm guiding you through the gates of Hell!

We are now in the Ninth Circle, the Circle of Traitors.

Traitors to country!

Traitors to fellow man!

...traitors to GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I'm sure this has been brought up before, so my apologies if I'm opening up a can of worms (I sincerely hope not).

Do you guys consider Benjamin Button a "real" Criterion release?

+ It has the Criterion label/branding.
+ It's directed by David Fincher, who is a Criterion darling.
- It wasn't released at the usual premium Criterion pricetag (in fact, it's $4 at Walmart right now)
- It comes in a regular Blu case, not the heavier and higher quality clear case Criterion usually uses.

I picked up the movie tonight. Blind buy.

It's got a spine number, so it's a "real" Criterion release, as far as I'm concerned.

[YouGotMeFeelingBlu]

Trying to decide between Kurosawa's Kagemusha and Sanjuro as my next purchase. I've heard good things about both. Suggestions?

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Well stated!

Some of the people I've spoken with online seemed under the impression that all movies were meant to be entertaining, or uplifting. While there are certainly some extraordinary films with narratives and performances that lend themselves to this effect, it would be a great mistake to think that movies exist only for the popcorn crowd. In fact, I've found some of the greatest films are quite dark, and don't have a single character that you really like. But isn't that an accurate reflection of humanity as a whole? There are a lot of people in this world that I would never invite over for dinner.

Film need not be uplifting. Sometimes the medium is at its most powerful when it the subject matter is repulsive. Many of the greatest films have downright evil people at their core. Look at The Night of the Hunter, which I watched for the first time two weeks ago. Robert Mitchum is simply brilliant as Preacher Harry Powell. While we develop empathy for some of the ancillary characters in the film (the kids, somewhat), the majority are pretty much unlikable. Shelly Winter's Willa Harper is somewhat of a pushover, blind to the treatment of her children by the Preacher until it is too late. Other town folk are simply blinded by Powell's "Christian charms". And, at the center of the film is Mitchum's Powell, who is one of the most despicable characters in any film you will ever see. He has not a single redeeming trait. In a brilliant Hans Christian Anderson-type dark fairy tale, Powell is seemingly everywhere. He is evil incarnate. If there were even a slight crack in his insidious veneer, his character would become less believable, and riveting. Yet the film works because he is relentless.

Agreed, I didn't find I needed to do much justification but still glad you took the time.

For me The Night of the Hunter example might be too black and white (good vs evil) to make a point of this.

I find movies having a central character that is not entirely good are refreshing, since it is not very often we get to explore those kind of characters fully, often times they are just the villain and they get to expose their ideas in a contrived way just before their final scene.

A few examples in the collection: M, Peeping Tom, Naked, Fish Tank, Monsieur Verdoux, Badlands, Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, Night and the City.

Some of them even can make you sympathize with those characters which give us a glimpse on the minds of why some people behave like that in real life.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by YouGotMeFeelingBlu

Trying to decide between Kurosawa's Kagemusha and Sanjuro as my next purchase. I've heard good things about both. Suggestions?

Kagemusha. I think it's s great film, although I probably rank it a bit higher than most Kurosawa fans. I'm also a big fan of Kurosawa's paintings, and Kagemusha has a great special feature about the artwork Kurosawa made for the film.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I don't expect to be knocked on my back with my legs up in the air with every film I buy.

I do enjoy hearing what ordinary film geeks have to say before I make a blind buy.

It may influence my decision...it may not.

That's just my process.

...as little sense as it might make to normal functioning adults.

Some of my favorite films have been blind buys, and some of those blind buys were because of suggestions from people on this thread (Richard III comes to mind).

I also don't expect to be blown away by every film I blind buy that was recommended to me, but the people in this thread have steered me in the right direction more often than not. I think that is because there are commonalities in our tastes. I don't think we'd all be such dedicated Criterion fans if there weren't. In short, I totally agree with you, Ray, and have a very similar blind buying process

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

yes, that's right. I've followed this thread for a little over 2 years now and a few posters (posters who I have great respect for, btw) have never said bad words about any film. their mothers taught them, I'm sure, that "if they don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it all." so when soliciting for opinions, expect the nay-sayers to keep quiet... most times.

me, on the other hand? I'm not that nice. I've never seen Ace in the Hole, though, so I cannot comment.

I'm not that nice, either. I took some heat for my comments on Breathless several months back

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I'm thinking of getting Limelight, although the other 2 Chaplin 'talkies' seem to be more highly regarded. I LOVE sentimentality when it is done right and doesn't quite cross the line over into mush (Ikiru is a great example) with that said, should I get Limelight or The Great Dictator?

if I enjoy the Chaplin I bought, I'll probably end up with all of them soon enough, but if I get one more, what do you think?

Those are probably my two favorite Chaplin films (though Modern Times might sneak in, depending on my mood). Limelight feels much more reflective and dramatic, almost like a swan song for Chaplin, despite not being his final film. There are sentimental moments in The Great Dictator as well, but on the whole, the film has a much lighter feel to it. It does to me, anyway. If you're looking for more humor, I'd go with Dictator.

[Namuhana]

I ended up getting Odd Man Out and Don't Look Now, each for $13.44 using two 30% off coupons. I feel a little bad as my managers told me specifically "only one coupon per person," but I honestly think I'll be able to get over that bad feeling. I bought Odd Man Out before my shift started and then purchased Don't Look Now during my break a few hours later and with a different cashier. I guess I lucked out.

I also ended up being able to reserve some of the hardcover signed copies of Outlander, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and After Alice once the store closed tonight; I was a bit worried that these would be gone and that I wouldn't have the chance to reserve copies of them (as employees couldn't do that for some reason during store hours today, but I can tomorrow; it really makes no sense, but whatever). So I'll be able to get all of those this next week once my employee discount bumps up from 30% off to 40% off.

[WonderWeasel]

Hey Namuhana are you guys doing a 40% off sale after the Criterion sale again this year?

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

Hey Namuhana are you guys doing a 40% off sale after the Criterion sale again this year?

My store doesn't have a media department, so we don't normally get that info, but I'm pretty sure that there should be that sale in December. I'm not exactly sure if it'll be right after the Criterion sale ends on this upcoming Monday or if it'll be later. I think we should be having that sale, though.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

My store doesn't have a media department, so we don't normally get that info, but I'm pretty sure that there should be that sale in December. I'm not exactly sure if it'll be right after the Criterion sale ends on this upcoming Monday or if it'll be later. I think we should be having that sale, though.

Cool, thanks for the info!

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I'm sure this has been brought up before, so my apologies if I'm opening up a can of worms (I sincerely hope not).

Do you guys consider Benjamin Button a "real" Criterion release?

+ It has the Criterion label/branding.
+ It's directed by David Fincher, who is a Criterion darling.
- It wasn't released at the usual premium Criterion pricetag (in fact, it's $4 at Walmart right now)
- It comes in a regular Blu case, not the heavier and higher quality clear case Criterion usually uses.

I picked up the movie tonight. Blind buy.

Does it really matter?

Criterion had nothing to do with the disc other than releasing it. So label it whatever you want, I guess.

[buffetfroid]

For anyone region free and tired of waiting for Criterion to upgrade, Arrow has (maybe had) a Black Friday sale with bundles including a Dassin with Naked City, Rififi, Brute Force and Thieves Highway for 25 pounds.

[bwdowiak]

B&N online has copies of Ikiru in stock again if anybody else got shunned earlier in the day. Try again now.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by YouGotMeFeelingBlu

Trying to decide between Kurosawa's Kagemusha and Sanjuro as my next purchase. I've heard good things about both. Suggestions?

While I haven't seen either yet, if you decide on Sanjuro, you should look into getting the two movie set that comes with Yojimbo (and Sanjuro is it's sequel).