The Criterion Collection

[Ctzalman]

^ i'd urge anyone interested in the man and his work to check out cassavetes on cassavetes, edited by none other than ray carney. its a wonderful book.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ctzalman

^ i'd urge anyone interested in the man and his work to check out cassavetes on cassavetes, edited by none other than ray carney. its a wonderful book.

my first thought was...

none other than Ray Carney?! oh, man I'm on it!

my second inclination was to google him so as to not sound ignorant. this is part of what it says on wikipedia:

"Carney is highly critical of Hollywood filmmaking, and the way it is approached from an academic standpoint. He is well-known for the stridency with which he attacks directors such as Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, the Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles and Quentin Tarantino, whom he describes as tricksters, using empty style and pseudo-intellectualism to score points with an "in" crowd. Carney often refers to Spielberg's output after Schindler's List as Steven "Please take me seriously" Spielberg movies. Carney is as critical of the academic establishment that gives plaudits to these directors as he is of the filmmakers themselves.

In his 1989 Alaska Quarterly Review essay on Woody Allen, "Modernism for the Millions,"[4][5] Carney notes that Allen uses humour in his films to defuse situations that he, the filmmaker, is uncomfortable with, such as drug use and depression. At the same time, Allen wants to get credit for bringing up these issues, as that is what serious artists do.

Carney argues that symbolism is a "high school" understanding of art, and that this kind of "decoder ring" approach is in place because it is easier to grasp and makes those that teach feel more important and esoteric. "

Keep it. I'd rather stay ignorant. This guy sounds like a schmuck.

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

my first thought was...

none other than Ray Carney?! oh, man I'm on it!

my second inclination was to google him so as to not sound ignorant. this is part of what it says on wikipedia:

"Carney is highly critical of Hollywood filmmaking, and the way it is approached from an academic standpoint. He is well-known for the stridency with which he attacks directors such as Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, the Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles and Quentin Tarantino, whom he describes as tricksters, using empty style and pseudo-intellectualism to score points with an "in" crowd. Carney often refers to Spielberg's output after Schindler's List as Steven "Please take me seriously" Spielberg movies. Carney is as critical of the academic establishment that gives plaudits to these directors as he is of the filmmakers themselves.

In his 1989 Alaska Quarterly Review essay on Woody Allen, "Modernism for the Millions,"[4][5] Carney notes that Allen uses humour in his films to defuse situations that he, the filmmaker, is uncomfortable with, such as drug use and depression. At the same time, Allen wants to get credit for bringing up these issues, as that is what serious artists do.

Carney argues that symbolism is a "high school" understanding of art, and that this kind of "decoder ring" approach is in place because it is easier to grasp and makes those that teach feel more important and esoteric. "

Keep it. I'd rather stay ignorant. This guy sounds like a schmuck.

What if it was written by none other than Art Carney?

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

thanks, natureboy.. pleasure is mine.

there are a few $49.95 titles that come out to less than 50% off and a few box sets, too, so be sure to check it out, people.

Yes, excellent point. Lots of Criterion DVDs come out to 50% or less as well.

And the pre-order of Hidden Fortress ends up being $21.24 (47% off). This title wasn't available in the Criterion flash sale so this might be the cheapest it's been so far.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by natureboy

What if it was written by none other than Art Carney?

I like you, natureboy.

if it was written by Art Carney, then I'd be interested..... maybe.

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I like you, natureboy.

Thanks, I like me too.

[Clare2904]

I can't find how to embed a Vimeo video link

This may be a little old, July 2013, but it is a very insightful video of Peter Becker & Jonathan Turrel giving a conference in Bologna. Lots of clips etc.

vimeo.com/69581129

[jw007]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I see where you are coming from concerning wanting to know more about Cassavettes himself. So, i think in this case the points I made in contrast to your original post do not apply.

Personally, I would still be nervous to watch the documentary for fear of having any spoilers/interpretations presented (even if the chance is slight since this documentary appears to focus on Cassavetes, himself). In fact, I own Cassavetes: Five Films on DVD and have yet to watch A Constant Forge, because I haven't seen all five films (and I will probably watch any other films of his I have yet to see before I start it).

I attribute this choice to the fact that I also do not want my view of a film influenced by my opinion of the director's personal life (and, please, don't read this as though I'm accusing you of possessing this detestable character trait). Now, I believe I have no deficiency separating the man from the art, but I still can't shake the apprehension if I have not first thoroughly examined his art myself.

I think we can chalk our slight differences in opinion to my apparent OCD.

Yes, for those who don't wish for outside opinions or criticism, there is always a risk in watching a documentary or memoir on a certain artist, since most likely there will be his work (or films) shown or at least mentioned in the documentary. I admit, it was hard for me to watch this super long documentary because at times I didn't want to know about his other films, having not yet seen them yet. But when I get into a box set, I really get into a box set. Maybe Criterion meant for the viewer to see A Constant Forge on the Shadows Blu-ray disc, otherwise why would they have included this documentary on the first film in the box set as opposed to the last film? I estimate it will take me 10-12 days to get through this entire Cassavetes box set as one night I will watch the film and then the next night the supplements (for that film) and then I will go on to the next film and then its supplements the following night and so forth. I'm a completist I guess (and you can attribute this to OCD as well)!

Ultimately, 9 times out of 10, I need to know the art before the artist. In this case, it was a rare exception since I find Cassavetes himself extremely inspiring.

[Polaroid]

Yay!!! Persona & The Great Beauty have been dispatched so excited!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ctzalman

^ i'd urge anyone interested in the man and his work to check out cassavetes on cassavetes, edited by none other than ray carney. its a wonderful book.

I believe the documentary in the Cassavetes box set (A Constant Forge) borrowed a lot of quotations and words from Carney's book. I'd look forward to reading it, unlike Bwdowiak (who avoids reading). Just kidding, Brad.

[Addi-blu-ction]

Originally Posted by natureboy

Yes, excellent point. Lots of Criterion DVDs come out to 50% or less as well.

And the pre-order of Hidden Fortress ends up being $21.24 (47% off). This title wasn't available in the Criterion flash sale so this might be the cheapest it's been so far.

Thanks for the heads up, finally got a preorder in. Far less than I expected

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yay!!! Persona & The Great Beauty have been dispatched so excited!

From where? It is not released until the 25th.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

Anyone else find it super weird that Her hasn't been announced for blu-ray release yet?

I'm really hoping for this to happen, it's the only BP nominee without a Blu-ray release date.

[manunited1]

Originally Posted by Addi-blu-ction

Thanks for the heads up, finally got a preorder in. Far less than I expected

Is deep discount a pretty safe site?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by manunited1

Is deep discount a pretty safe site?

as safe as they come... been around for years. I can remember buying from them as far back as 1999. slow shipping the last time I ordered, but for the deal like they have today, it wouldn't bother me.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

From where? It is not released until the 25th.

There was a site that used to ship them early but they charged a lot more than Amazon or even Criterion.com.

I think the site was Axl something?

[manunited1]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

as safe as they come... been around for years. I can remember buying from them as far back as 1999. slow shipping the last time I ordered, but for the deal like they have today, it wouldn't bother me.

Nice, my cart is ready to roll

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

Anyone else find it super weird that Her hasn't been announced for blu-ray release yet?

Some sites have it listed with an expected release on May, and from my experience those expected dates are usually correct, but it is weird that there is no release date from any other country too.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by manunited1

Nice, my cart is ready to roll

what did you get and how much did it come out to?
curious.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

There was a site that used to ship them early but they charged a lot more than Amazon or even Criterion.com.

I think the site was Axl something?

Can't say paying extra, on top of an already expensive price, is worth it for 2 weeks. But each to their own

Be interesting to see how much extra the copies cost.