The Criterion Collection

[AaronJ]

Dammit! Why couldn't they have done this last weekend, when I was getting all these channels for free?!

They are EVIL!

But thanks for the list. I do get some of these.

Still, they are EVIL!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

When I watched it prior to the Blu-ray release this year, I loved the introduction, but wasn't particularly keen on the pace of the remaining of the film.

Last night I watched it again and I was engrossed the entire time. So good!

I followed almost that exact course. The first time around that first ten minutes had me riveted but I was glancing at the clock for the remaining hour and a half or so.

I watched it again last night and found it far more engaging.

And I think part of the credit for that goes to the transfer too. My mind still wandered a bit every now but this time it would wander no farther than marveling at the sets or the lighting or the costumes.

[Namuhana]

I received Jellyfish Eyes in the mail today. I'm really curious to see what the film is like, especially since people seem to have some strong opinions on it (even if they haven't seen it yet). I'll hopefully get to watch it this weekend--maybe even tomorrow morning.

[Majin Blu]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I received Jellyfish Eyes in the mail today. I'm really curious to see what the film is like, especially since people seem to have some strong opinions on it (even if they haven't seen it yet). I'll hopefully get to watch it this weekend--maybe even tomorrow morning.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I was curious about that one.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I received Jellyfish Eyes in the mail today. I'm really curious to see what the film is like, especially since people seem to have some strong opinions on it (even if they haven't seen it yet). I'll hopefully get to watch it this weekend--maybe even tomorrow morning.

I watched it last weekend and it was nowhere near as bad or painful to sit through as I had imagined.

It reminded me a lot of Pokémon and Digimon, but with the creatures on acid. Thinking back on the film, it shares many elements with Godzilla in terms of its critique of the environment and cautions of nuclear radiation.

I honestly don't know if I was a fan of it or not.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I was curious about that one.

I'll definitely post them after watching it.

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched it last weekend and it was nowhere near as bad or painful to sit through as I had imagined.

It reminded me a lot of Pokémon and Digimon, but with the creatures on acid. Thinking back on the film, it shares many elements with Godzilla in terms of its critique of the environment and cautions of nuclear radiation.

I honestly don't know if I was a fan of it or not.

I enjoy Pokémon, Digimon, and Godzilla, so that's a good sign. I'm looking forward to watching it even more now.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I enjoy Pokémon, Digimon, and Godzilla, so that's a good sign. I'm looking forward to watching it even more now.

Pokémon is love. Pokémon is life.

[Quinni]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched it last weekend and it was nowhere near as bad or painful to sit through as I had imagined.

It reminded me a lot of Pokémon and Digimon, but with the creatures on acid. Thinking back on the film, it shares many elements with Godzilla in terms of its critique of the environment and cautions of nuclear radiation.

I honestly don't know if I was a fan of it or not.

Sounds exactly like the kind of movie I was hoping for, but I'd love to hear other opinions about Jellyfish Eyes.

[Ray Jackson]

Any of Ray's other Criterion films that anyone would recommend for a blind buy?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Just finished The Shop on Main Street. There are just no words. Most devastating movie and effective storytelling I've experienced in a long time.

Everyone needs to see this at least once.

And it needs an upgrade.

Excellent film that deserves more attention than it gets.

[Ray Jackson]

I almost hesitate to post this, as it feels somewhat corny and over the top.

But I have to say that today I feel profoundly grateful to all the people here who so enthusiastically endorsed the Apu Trilogy in their posts.

I finished it last night and it was one of the great film experiences of my life.

And I came so very close to passing on it.

My only regret is the fact that I will never again be able to watch these great films for the first time.

...and I was very upset that the

[Show spoiler]wife died.

I supposed one could view the ending of The World of Apu with a sense of hope and optimism--which is probably the way one should look at it.

But I don't.

I was just sad.

But it was a good kind of sadness.

...I guess.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Any of Ray's other Criterion films that anyone would recommend for a blind buy?

The Big City

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Any of Ray's other Criterion films that anyone would recommend for a blind buy?

All 3

I would rank them like:

The Big City
The Music Room
Charulata

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I almost hesitate to post this, as it feels somewhat corny and over the top.

But I have to say that today I feel profoundly grateful to all the people here who so enthusiastically endorsed the Apu Trilogy in their posts.

I finished it last night and it was one of the great film experiences of my life.

And I came so very close to passing on it.

Ahem...

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.

[Namuhana]

Well, I ended up watching Jellyfish Eyes tonight; I finished it mere moments ago and, I have to say, I really quite enjoyed it. It's a really, really fun film. It was certainly nostalgic, as it reminded me of when I was younger and watched Pokémon and Digimon, two anime series that I thoroughly enjoyed. And, then, the last half hour or so the film becomes a Kaiju film. It's basically a live-action anime. You can tell that Murakami is an artist, as well, because it's aesthetically pleasing (the beginning is especially beautiful). It surely isn't for everyone, but I found it to be quite fun. I'd give it a good chance before writing it off.

Also, Naoto (Takumi Saito) is rather good-looking, which is no surprise as it appears he's a model.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Ahem...

You are Leonardo Dicaprio to my Kate Winslet.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Big City

Originally Posted by pedromvu

All 3

I would rank them like:

The Big City
The Music Room
Charulata

I'm on it!!!!

...in July that is.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I almost hesitate to post this, as it feels somewhat corny and over the top.

But I have to say that today I feel profoundly grateful to all the people here who so enthusiastically endorsed the Apu Trilogy in their posts.

I finished it last night and it was one of the great film experiences of my life.

And I came so very close to passing on it.

My only regret is the fact that I will never again be able to watch these great films for the first time.

...and I was very upset that the

[Show spoiler]wife died.

I supposed one could view the ending of The World of Apu with a sense of hope and optimism--which is probably the way one should look at it.

But I don't.

I was just sad.

But it was a good kind of sadness.

...I guess.

Each movie in The Apu Trilogy contained an emotional gut punch that knocked me flat on my tail.

The second movie, Aparajito, hit me in a more subtle way than the other two did, but it hit me hard nonetheless.

When watching these, I thought about Ozu's Late Spring, and how sad that I am when I watch

[Show spoiler]the father alone in his house at the end of the movie.

The Apu Trilogy got me emotional on a deeper level sort of like how that Ozu film does.

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Big City

Originally Posted by pedromvu

All 3

I would rank them like:

The Big City
The Music Room
Charulata

I'd also rank the Criterion of The Big City at #1 (not counting the Apu trilogy), but only because comes with a second Ray film, The Coward, which I love. The Big City is great, but I like The Coward even better. Otherwise I'd go with Charulata, which has one of the greatest character intros I've ever seen in a film and an incredible final scene.

I haven't seen The Music Room yet or the Eclipse set of Ray's later films. I've seen six Ray films and so far he's six for six. The guy has never let me down.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Each movie in The Apu Trilogy contained an emotional gut punch that knocked me flat on my tail.

The second movie, Aparajito, hit me in a more subtle way than the other two did, but it hit me hard nonetheless.

When watching these, I thought about Ozu's Late Spring, and how sad that I am when I watch

[Show spoiler]the father alone in his house at the end of the movie.

The Apu Trilogy got me emotional on a deeper level sort of like how that Ozu film does.

The Late Spring comparison is a very good one.

Of the three Apu films, I personally think The World of Apu is the deepest and the richest.

Followed closely by Pather Panchalli.

Aparachito was my least favorite, but that's like saying that between a Porsche, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini...the Porsche is the weakest of the three.

It's still a freaking Porsche.