The Criterion Collection

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Thanks to your post I had flashbacks to when Orson Welles used to do Paul Masson wine commercials.

If you haven't seen it yet, google "Orson Welles Paul Masson drunk outtakes." It's kind of funny/sad. The man made a lot of sacrifices for his art.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I've never seen any of the films, but the descriptions seem intriguing to say the least.

have you ever seen any Tati at all? I'd say he is an extremely acquired taste. it is apparent that there is a fan base, but I'd be willing to bet that the number of detractors is nearly as large as the number of people who don't like Wes Anderson.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Herry Dunston

And now I feel horrible for being utterly lulled with the doc. I know every film speaks to some people, though; Shoah left an articulate impression on you the same way Secret Sunshine did for me.

I wouldn't feel horrible....in fact, not even bad. I totally agree that different films speak to different people. My own embarrassed-I-really-don't-like-it: Lola Montes. Everyone seems to love this film, including my favorite contemporary director PT Anderson, but I feel like I've watched paint dry with more sincerity than that film portrays the title character. Ugh.

We're totally on the same page with Secret Sunshine, btw, so there's clearly some overlap in taste.

[Herry Dunston]

Overlap, but never completely in sync. But that's what makes humanity full of unique beings (much as I relent in saying that).

On a different subject, how many deformed babies must I sacrifice so Criterion can finally license Lynch's Eraserhead? It's a good thing Breaking the Waves will keep me company for a while.

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by Herry Dunston

Overlap, but never completely in sync. But that's what makes humanity full of unique beings (much as I relent in saying that).

On a different subject, how many deformed babies must I sacrifice so Criterion can finally license Lynch's Eraserhead? It's a good thing Breaking the Waves will keep me company for a while.

Well it was part of 2013's New Year drawing and is on their Hulu channel so it's not completely far-fetched.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

have you ever seen any Tati at all? I'd say he is an extremely acquired taste. it is apparent that there is a fan base, but I'd be willing to bet that the number of detractors is nearly as large as the number of people who don't like Wes Anderson.

I've watch M.Hulot's Holiday, the occasionaly half laugh but overall extremely poor. As for Playtime, one of only 2 films in the past 4 years that I did not finish, I found it to be nothing but utter stupidity.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

This may seem OT but this is related to spine #167. I picked this up the other day at the post office. I don't know if I can bring myself to use them!

[Show spoiler]

Thanks for the heads up. ... I'll be using one of them today.

[rock, stone]

I think part of this recent Tati contempt (dismissal?) is rooted in the fact it is comedy and it is easy to overlook his strengths as a filmmaker.

But then I like Tati, even though he doesn't make me laugh super hard. But then Chaplin doesn't make me laugh super hard either.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I've watch M.Hulot's Holiday, the occasionaly half laugh but overall extremely poor. As for Playtime, one of only 2 films in the past 4 years that I did not finish, I found it to be nothing but utter stupidity.

I've never been a fan of films based on bumbling, slapstick humor. I like slapstick, I even like The 3 Stooges, but not for a whole film. This goes for the Pink Panther movies after the first one, all of Mr. Bean, and others of that ilk. I admit though, that others might feel differently. Comedy is probably the most subjective genre.

[blujazz]

I watched Playtime three times and only finished once. I think Playtime is more interesting as an example of a filmmaker going for broke (literally) rather than a piece of solid entertainment. Or perhaps an example of our evolving taste in comedy.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The Hulot set would be great.

Well, we know it's coming. It's just a matter of when. That it would come out around the time of the UK edition seems reasonable.

And judging by the contents of the British set (and the already released French edition), it's actually a Tati set rather than an Hulot set. Jour de fete and Parade are not Hulot films.

Also, any of these upgrades:

The River
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Stray Dog
Hiroshima mon amour/Night and Fog
La Strada
Night on Earth
Onibaba
The Sword of Doom
The Virgin Spring
The Spirit of the Beehive

The River is one of my top two choices for Criterion upgrade (the other being Kwaidan).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

have you ever seen any Tati at all? I'd say he is an extremely acquired taste.

An acquired taste, perhaps, but extreme?

it is apparent that there is a fan base, but I'd be willing to bet that the number of detractors is nearly as large as the number of people who don't like Wes Anderson.

Yeah, but the difference is that the Tati detractors would be wrong.

[alien2010]

Will Criterion be announcing their July releases today, tomorrow or sometime this week?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I've never been a fan of films based on bumbling, slapstick humor. I like slapstick, I even like The 3 Stooges, but not for a whole film. This goes for the Pink Panther movies after the first one, all of Mr. Bean, and others of that ilk. I admit though, that others might feel differently. Comedy is probably the most subjective genre.

But the second one (A Shot in the Dark) is actually the funniest.

But, yes, I agree that nothing is more subjective than a sense of humor. I remember a time when my nephews thought the Stooges were "stupid", but cackled themselves into a coma watching WWF bouts.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Will Criterion be announcing their July releases today, tomorrow or sometime this week?

It's usually the 15th, as long as the 15th doesn't fall on the weekend. So tomorrow is most likely.

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by jayembee

It's usually the 15th, as long as the 15th doesn't fall on the weekend. So tomorrow is most likely.

Thanks for the info.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jayembee

An acquired taste, perhaps, but extreme?



Yeah, but the difference is that the Tati detractors would be wrong.

well, for my experience, I'd feel safer advising anyone here to take a chance on just about any other film or filmmaker even if I, myself, didn't like said film. that's because, yes, as others have suggested, comedy is the most subjective genre and also because, IMO (and admittedly I've only seen Mr. Hulot's Holiday,) I don't think that he was doing anything that hadn't already been done way better in a bygone era.

he must do something or bring something to the table that resonates with people. I mean, he is considered legendary, yes? whatever that is.. ??? I haven't a clue.

[Polaroid]

Yeah its definitely tomorrow - confirmed on their Facebook - I miss having announcement on time haha, last couple have been late ^^

[GenPion]

Hopefully they announce a few amazing upgrades.

Now... when is Moonrise Kingdom joining the collection? (I'm sure others have started asking this one.)

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RojD

Shoah puts the 'i' in "immersive," and after I finished it in three sittings, I couldn't think of a thing I'd have wanted cut. It's definitely slow at points, and it's sometimes repetitive, but that's always purposeful in this film. The sheer scale of the horror Lanzmann depicts here--and the persistence of an antisemitism that could even resurrect it--is bone chilling, and every minute of every take seems necessary in retrospect. I liked Schindler's List until I saw this film; now I seriously question the wisdom of that project.

Shoah is long. It's depressing. It's actually horrifying. And it's a brilliant documentary. I usually pay a lot of attention to the formal elements of a film, but I found myself so involved in this film that I just forgot that aspect at times. I know I was incredibly relieved for the breathing space that some of the long takes and repetition gave me.

It's a lot of time to invest in a film that's not exactly uplifting, but it's time very well-spent.

Thanks for the post.... I purchased this box set during last summer's 50% off sale and I still have yet to open it up. I hope to spend a week with this box set and experience it to the fullest. It's just such a difficulty getting in the right mood for this. Although at the moment I feel lousy with a cold and have no appetite, so maybe I'm in the right mood to watch it this week. I may start watching tonight with part 1.