The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I have an Excel spreadsheet so I know - to the penny, how much I've spent. I've got average cost per title, totals, monthly expenditures, formulas that indicate red font when I've spent more than I'd like, green for when it is in range.

I'm an accountant, so I had fun creating it and continue to have fun maintaining it. I've managed to scour out tons of great deals, so I'm content w/ what I've spent on my 97 blu-ray titles.

Thats a pretty good idea tbh - I need to note it down per purchase, I spend WAY to much. Im so bad, I will pick a Criterion over food lol >.<!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I actually only mined the last three years of best of lists for my tips, if we include the back end of the last decade that opens the field really nicely. There Will Be Blood is the one film which I'm really confident will be held up in the same way as 2001, Citizen Kane etc by future generations.

I see maybe 300 new releases every year, and have done since I turned professional with writing and started attending festivals on a full time basis in 2010. While classic cinema is my true love I do feel that there is a lot of great contemporary cinema out there too, with the biggest problem being that a lot of it isn't seen nearly widely enough.

TWBB has got better each time I've seen it and I'm not sure I expected that to happen. It really is, IMO, a great film and could potentially be revered for many years to come.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Thats a pretty good idea tbh - I need to note it down per purchase, I spend WAY to much. Im so bad, I will pick a Criterion over food lol >.<!

the red font doesn't help me decide against buying something, so in that regard it doesn't work at all... but it is fun and it is interesting to reflect on how much I actually spent.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

the red font doesn't help me decide against buying something, so in that regard it doesn't work at all... but it is fun and it is interesting to reflect on how much I actually spent.

Haha :P We need a Criterion support group lol I would make so much money back if I sod my DVD that I have upgrade, but I cant part with them D: lol

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Haha :P We need a Criterion support group lol I would make so much money back if I sod my DVD that I have upgrade, but I cant part with them D: lol

ebayUK, my friend. its really easy, actually.

look at those DVDs this way... not only do they serve no purpose for you now, years from now when your passion simmers a bit (trust me - it will happen.. don't cling to things for sentimental value,) you'll be glad that you capitalized while there was still a reasonable market for these things.

sell them off and get yourself some fish and chips or whatever you guys like there in the UK (just teasing)

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

ebayUK, my friend. its really easy, actually.

look at those DVDs this way... not only do they serve no purpose for you now, years from now when your passion simmers a bit (trust me - it will happen.. don't cling to things for sentimental value,) you'll be glad that you capitalized while there was still a reasonable market for these things.

sell them off and get yourself some fish and chips or whatever you guys like there in the UK (just teasing)

I'd probs put toward blurays XD got a few I desperately need! Im just wondering if its best to sell each or sell as a job lot :/ DVD won't get more than £10-12 depending on quality, that doesn't include cost for delivery and eBay fee's.

Hmm... I have wanted to sell my Last Year... films got 4 I can sell lol

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

That moment you are getting to know someone and they say their fave film is The Fault In Their Stars... :'(

Just saw this…
More life advice. Hope you don’t mind.

I dated a girl who loved the Beatles, wrote poetry, and insisted that I see Walkabout (somehow never got around to it, but that is neither here nor there.) nice relationship for 4 + years. As it turned out, I ended up marrying a girl who couldn’t name one Beatle and probably thought that the French New Wave was a hairdo.

I haven’t seen the movie you mentioned, but I plan to. Shailene Woodley is pretty cool. It could be a lot worse.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Just saw this…
More life advice. Hope you don’t mind.

I dated a girl who loved the Beatles, wrote poetry, and insisted that I see Walkabout (somehow never got around to it, but that is neither here nor there.) nice relationship for 4 + years. As it turned out, I ended up marrying a girl who couldn’t name one Beatle and probably thought that the French New Wave was a hairdo.

I haven’t seen the movie you mentioned, but I plan to. Shailene Woodley is pretty cool. It could be a lot worse.

I..... cant name The Beatles :3 lol

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I'd probs put toward blurays XD got a few I desperately need! Im just wondering if its best to sell each or sell as a job lot :/ DVD won't get more than £10-12 depending on quality, that doesn't include cost for delivery and eBay fee's.
lol

it depends... if you decide to get into it, I'd be glad to give you some tips. PM me in that case. I see people making a lot of mistakes on eBay - like don't end your auction at 3AM.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Just saw this…
More life advice. Hope you don’t mind.

I dated a girl who loved the Beatles, wrote poetry, and insisted that I see Walkabout (somehow never got around to it, but that is neither here nor there.) nice relationship for 4 + years. As it turned out, I ended up marrying a girl who couldn’t name one Beatle and probably thought that the French New Wave was a hairdo.

I haven’t seen the movie you mentioned, but I plan to. Shailene Woodley is pretty cool. It could be a lot worse.

I know. ..and that's ok. that's my point, no? that's why you're loved here!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I know. ..and that's ok. that's my point, no? that's why you're loved here!

Yay I'm loved, unless you are talking to yourself? lol

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Nobody has mentioned Under the Skin when discussing contemporary science fiction films, so I'll throw it out there. I think that it's a magnificent film.

Nothing about the trailers or the reviews for Christopher Nolan's Interstellar quickens my pulse, sadly. I was underwhelmed by Inception when I saw it years ago, and the same red flags are up there for this new film.

I think Under the Skin is terrific! Definitely in the top 3 of this year for me (going by local release dates). Pretty divisive film though, judging by the comments on Facebook and other places.

[Helikaon]

I sell my DVDs for 2-3 euro a piece, which is nothing really. My Criterions go for about 10 euros. We don't really use eBay here, but we have something similar, though not with auctions.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

I sell my DVDs for 2-3 euro a piece, which is nothing really. My Criterions go for about 10 euros. We don't really use eBay here, but we have something similar, though not with auctions.

Mhm yeah I wont bother selling my normal DVD's as its pointless plus I don't have most on bluray. Luckily Criterions hold their value if kept in good condition and depending on the circumstances lol

[kuro_sawa]

Am I the only one who thinks Interstellar looks like complete horseshit? I mean, I am going to see it like everyone else to form a real opinion on it but it looks awful. The review on this site makes me question even wasting the money to see it in the theater.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Great films, but none of them hold a candle to Rear Window.

That sounds all well and good but what does it really mean?

Let's assume Rear Window is a flawless masterpiece. I'm not sure that's really true but let's say it is.

Is there really some vast, unbreachable gulf between really, really good films and great films and between great films and flawless masterpieces?

In a Lonely Place is a really, really good film. The Maltese Falcon is a flawless masterpiece. Does that mean In a Lonely Place doesn't hold a candle to The Maltese Falcon?

I don't think it does.

While In a Lonely Place might not come together in quite the way that The Maltese Falcon does I think it's fair to say the two films are much more alike than different and the differences between them are fairly subtle and putting In a Lonely Place in the same ballpark doesn't take anything away from The Maltese Falcon.

[The Great Owl]

After seeing Rear Window on a big theater screen two weeks ago, I would say that, yes, it is a masterpiece.

There are so many little visual subtleties in Rear Window that become apparent when seeing it in such a setting.

The characters in the movie also show the best use of body language that I've seen in cinema. I love the discussion in the commentary about how Grace Kelly's movements are similar to those of a cat, because she simply enters a room and makes herself at home whether she is welcome there or not.

The Maltese Falcon and In a Lonely Place are both masterpieces, I would say, but for different reasons. In a Lonely Place is, perhaps, the darkest of the classic-era film noirs, although Criss Cross comes pretty close.


My apologies, by the way, if my participation in this thread (and this forum, for that matter) has slipped lately. I started a new job on Monday and I have been learning the ropes. It's actually a lateral transfer to a new office with my same employer, but my duties will be considerably different than what I've been doing for the past 15 years at my old office. Anyway, I figured that it might be a good idea if I actually focus on work instead of posting extensively about movies. That has always seemed like an advisable thing to do for a new job, I guess. It's probably not necessary to apologize, though, because my lack of participation might be a good thing in the eyes of some folks, but I'll still do so.

I did watch the first hour of Eraserhead last night, at least, and I'm about to wrap that movie up.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

After seeing Rear Window on a big theater screen two weeks ago, I would say that, yes, it is a masterpiece.

There are so many little visual subtleties in Rear Window that become apparent when seeing it in such a setting.

The characters in the movie also show the best use of body language that I've seen in cinema. I love the discussion in the commentary about how Grace Kelly's movements are similar to those of a cat, because she simply enters a room and makes herself at home whether she is welcome there or not.

The Maltese Falcon and In a Lonely Place are both masterpieces, I would say, but for different reasons. In a Lonely Place is, perhaps, the darkest of the classic-era film noirs, although Criss Cross comes pretty close.


My apologies, by the way, if my participation in this thread (and this forum, for that matter) has slipped lately. I started a new job on Monday and I have been learning the ropes. It's actually a lateral transfer to a new office with my same employer, but my duties will be considerably different than what I've been doing for the past 15 years at my old office. Anyway, I figured that it might be a good idea if I actually focus on work instead of posting extensively about movies. That has always seemed like an advisable thing to do for a new job, I guess. It's probably not necessary to apologize, though, because my lack of participation might be a good thing in the eyes of some folks, but I'll still do so.

I did watch the first hour of Eraserhead last night, at least, and I'm about to wrap that movie up.

Congrats and good luck at the new job!

[ShellOilJunior]

On the topic of classics:

I've seen Million Dollar Baby about 10 times (The only films I've seen more are Annie Hall and Casablanca). I watch it 1-2 times a year. I think it's an incredible piece of cinema. Like most people in this thread I've seen many classics - for me Million Dollar Baby is among the best films I've ever seen.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

ok, Pro-B.. don't leave us hanging. how about a short list of a few that you think could eventually be considered "classics." Adam put a few films on my radar. what have you loved from the past 5 to 7 years?

Hey bwdowiak

You mean contemporary films, correct? I could create a short list this weekend, but I can't think of a single reason why the likes of Russian Ark, Irreversible, and even The Tree of Life shouldn't eventually be considered 'classics'. These are all wonderfully well made films that have inspired people to discuss them and admire at least some of their unique qualities.

And I don't think that one has to like a film to admire it -- at least not in the conventional sense of the word. I can't say that I like Irreversible, but this is a very well made film. The same can be said about Criterion's upcoming The Night Porter.

And let's not forget that some of cinema's greatest masterpieces were not exactly greeted with enthusiasm when they premiered. Since there has been a lot of talk about Antonioni's work lately, take a look at the history of his Trilogy of Alienation. These films were not universally liked.

And how about the opinions that came out of Cahiers du cinema? Some of the critics turned fillmmakers (the nouevelle vague crew) outright rejected the generation before them. And yet today many of the films Clouzot and Clair directed are viewed as certified 'classics' of French cinema (and they most certainly are).

In America, Orson Welles -- and his work of course -- is another great example. It wasn't until his Honorary Oscar that some people really started paying attention to his work. Hollywood wasn't exactly kind to him which is why he left -- he did not get the respect he deserved while he was alive and his films most definitely were not greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm. Now the majority of them are 'classics'.



Pro-B

Edit: I wasn't reading the posts in the proper order. Do you mean films only from the last year or so?