The Criterion Collection

[oildude]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I don't usually tweet, post, or whatever while watching films. But I'm watching Head and all I have to say is "wtf?" Has anyone else seen it?

Yes. Hehe......please post what you think when you get to A Safe Place.

It is a GREAT set even if you have your mind blown or eyelids tested by a couple of the entries.

[bwdowiak]

I hate when I fall asleep during a film because to me it means that I made a poor decision by choosing to start watching in the first place.

I didn't fall asleep, but 5 minutes into Mizoguchi's Street of Shame and I kinda thought that maybe it was a bad idea to start it. It is a good film, but it was the wrong time to watch it. I started it again today after having left off at the 50 minute mark and this time I fell asleep. Oh, well. It's only 85 minutes, I'll get there.

Regarding Tarkovsky, I think Ivan's Childhood is fantastic and really bears no similarities to the style he is more known for - the style that is making people snooze. So, I'd highly recommend seeing that and not ruling it out even if other Tarkovsky hasn't been your cup of tea.

I happen to like what I've seen from him which is Solaris, Ivan's Childhood, Nostalghia, and parts of The Sacrifice. Who knows why certain directors click with us while others don't. On the other hand, I really haven't loved anything from Bergman.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

That was my reaction at the time, but in the end I did enjoy all the craziness and the music, even if not much makes sense.

This was basically my finishing reaction. I'm not a Monkees fan in the slightest, but I appreciate the ambition, creativity, and randomness. It has moments of sheer brilliance, and then moments of ... The Monkees. Although they seem to be somewhat in on the joke.

[mja345]

Tarkovsky is very much a mood director for me. If you're in the wrong mood or frame of mind, then his films are very difficult to watch, outside of "Ivan's Childhood". However, I find if I'm in a relaxed state of mind, I am almost hypnotized by Tarkovsky's films. But after a long day at work, for example, the last thing I want to do is sit down and watch a Tarkovsky film.

Godard is also a mood director, but in a different way. There are times when I find Godard's films briliant and there are other times when the same films irritate the ever-loving shit out of me. Tarkovsky is more related to restlessness, while Godard is more related to annoyance. But I almost imagine that's how Godard wants viewers to react haha.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I don't usually tweet, post, or whatever while watching films. But I'm watching Head and all I have to say is "wtf?" Has anyone else seen it?

Head is a unique flick, to say the least, but the movie flies by so fast, and I've always thought that this scene is the coolest thing in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PNfnNBDatY

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by mja345

Tarkovsky is very much a mood director for me. If you're in the wrong mood or frame of mind, then his films are very difficult to watch, outside of "Ivan's Childhood". However, I find if I'm in a relaxed state of mind, I am almost hypnotized by Tarkovsky's films. But after a long day at work, for example, the last thing I want to do is sit down and watch a Tarkovsky film.

Godard is also a mood director, but in a different way. There are times when I find Godard's films briliant and there are other times when the same films irritate the ever-loving shit out of me. Tarkovsky is more related to restlessness, while Godard is more related to annoyance. But I almost imagine that's how Godard wants viewers to react haha.

I've seen Solaris three times now and have had pretty much the same reaction each time.

The first 5-10 minutes are pretty slow, but interesting and then there's the weird sped-up sequence where the guy is driving into town with the lights and what not and I'm thinking to myself, "This is pretty cool...I'm watching something special."

Eventually the main guy gets to the space station and I'm definitely intrigued by the story and the whole Sci-Fi feel to it.

Then the

[Show spoiler]wife shows up

and I'm ready for something really interesting to happen.

Then about an hour to 90 minutes in I realize that nothing really interesting is happening and I'm starting to get a little bored.

About two hours in I'm looking at the clock and just waiting for it to be over.

At the very end I'm amazed by the final sequence and feel as though I've watched something special.

...but it's not something I feel like ever watching again.

It's happened like that all three times.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Head is a unique flick, to say the least, but the movie flies by so fast, and I've always thought that this scene is the coolest thing in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PNfnNBDatY

A young Toni Basil of Mickey fame is in that scene. Still not a Monkees or Davy Jones fan, but that was a cool scene.

[mja345]

Very true, Ray, "Solaris" does sneak up on you. You don't feel like you're watching a masterpiece for the balance of the running time, but, at the end, you felt like you just watched a masterpiece. There are very few films that have that quality, but it's certainly one of them. I'm hard-pressed to think of others off the top of my head. Most great films kind of hit you over the head with their greatness at many points. The mood, the effect on the viewer of "Solaris" is very hard to explain or articulate.

[SkyAntoine]

I finally finished Solaris earlier tonight. This was my first Tarkovsky film and I'm intrigued yet hesitant to view another until I'm completely in the mood for it.

This was such a strange viewing for me. Although I have no clue what he was doing at times (i.e. the ear zoom shot, alternating b&w/color) he seemed to turn the norm on its edge in making this movie. In ways it did remind me of Fassbinder because of the pace and attention to detail.

I'm teetering between loving it and dismissing it as the movie that kept putting me to sleep. Solid 8/10 for uniqueness and at some point rewatchability.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I finally finished Solaris earlier tonight. This was my first Tarkovsky film and I'm intrigued yet hesitant to view another until I'm completely in the mood for it.

This was such a strange viewing for me. Although I have no clue what he was doing at times (i.e. the ear zoom shot, alternating b&w/color) he seemed to turn the norm on its edge in making this movie. In ways it did remind me of Fassbinder because of the pace and attention to detail.

I'm teetering between loving it and dismissing it as the movie that kept putting me to sleep. Solid 8/10 for uniqueness and at some point rewatchability.

Looks like you are determined not to go below 8/10 for any movie...

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've seen Solaris three times now and have had pretty much the same reaction each time.

The first 5-10 minutes are pretty slow, but interesting and then there's the weird sped-up sequence where the guy is driving into town with the lights and what not and I'm thinking to myself, "This is pretty cool...I'm watching something special."

Eventually the main guy gets to the space station and I'm definitely intrigued by the story and the whole Sci-Fi feel to it.

Then the

[Show spoiler]wife shows up

and I'm ready for something really interesting to happen.

Then about an hour to 90 minutes in I realize that nothing really interesting is happening and I'm starting to get a little bored.

About two hours in I'm looking at the clock and just waiting for it to be over.

At the very end I'm amazed by the final sequence and feel as though I've watched something special.

...but it's not something I feel like ever watching again.

It's happened like that all three times.

That is not at all what I got from it, the whole time except for maybe the first half hour I was completely intrigued by it, once he goes on the station the atmosphere is very creepy and mysterious, once

[Show spoiler]the wife shows up

I was exactly like you, but I was very interested in all the philosophical talks, also that zero G scene really amazing, love the ending too.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

Looks like you are determined not to go below 8/10 for any movie...

I can relate to that. I tend to have a good old time watching almost any movie.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

Looks like you are determined not to go below 8/10 for any movie...

I've watched very few Criterions that I didn't like or greatly appreciate. Other than some of the the artsy Frampton and Brakhage shorts I've only dipped below 7/10 a few times. (A certain Japanese artist release in 2015 was much, much lower.)
I'd hate to think I'm sinking this much money in completely average films.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I'd hate to think I'm sinking this much money in completely average films.

Well, if you do, then Criterion is succeeding!

[jhiggy23]

Just watched Two Days, One Night. Excellent, understated film. I'm not sure yet if it has replay value for me, but I definitely recommend it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Just watched Two Days, One Night. Excellent, understated film. I'm not sure yet if it has replay value for me, but I definitely recommend it.

Try the sequel...Two Girls, One Cup.

One of the most provocative, disturbing films I've ever seen.

Was difficult to stomach at times.

...might be better than the original.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Try the sequel...Two Girls, One Cup.

One of the most provocative, disturbing films I've ever seen.

Was difficult to stomach at times.

...might be better than the original.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

[captveg]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I don't usually tweet, post, or whatever while watching films. But I'm watching Head and all I have to say is "wtf?" Has anyone else seen it?

Head at least has an energy and Python-like stream of consciousness to it. Often brilliantly so.

Right now, however, I'm suffering through A Safe Place, possibly the most head-up-its-ass art film I've ever witnessed. It's as though the term hoity-toity became image and sound itself.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Try the sequel...Two Girls, One Cup.

One of the most provocative, disturbing films I've ever seen.

Was difficult to stomach at times.

...might be better than the original.

Glad you didn't put an animated gif this time

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Try the sequel...Two Girls, One Cup.

One of the most provocative, disturbing films I've ever seen.

Was difficult to stomach at times.

...might be better than the original.

Haha sicko.