The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I got home earlier than expected this afternoon, so I decided to return to my Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman box set and plow through another three movies...

Zatoichi's Revenge
This 10th film in the series might be my favorite one since the first two entries, and it's certainly the most fast-paced one that I've seen yet. This one gets a little disturbing when it comes to a couple of scenes with women being mistreated, but it's refreshing to see Zatoichi carve up a couple of no-good brothel owners. Quite cathartic, since sex slavery is something that still goes on today, even here in the United States, and we would all like for Zatoichi to take care of all of those people in the real world.

Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
This one takes things down a notch after the superb previous entry, but it's also fast-paced and enjoyable. The shipyard scene at the end is one of the greatest fight scenes that I've seen in a Zatoichi film so far.

Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Zatoichi loses a game of dice. Oh my Lord, what's the world coming to? Thankfully, he gets his mojo back, while fighting the good fight against a clan who is after him because they feel that they've been cheated during such a game. The interactions between Zatoichi and the chess expert, Jumonji, are my favorite scenes in this one.

I'm going to keep going tonight, now that I'm home from my run, and I'm going to watch the thirteenth film in the series, since that will get me "over the Zatoichi hump" with the 25 films.

[Martin_31]

I mentioned earlier that I watched The Magnificent Ambersons last night. Well today I decided to watch again Citizen Kane. I really like both movies. I can't pick which I like better. Tomorrow I'll try to watch The Lady from Shanghai.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I have no idea how my avatar got to be a smiley face giving thumbs up.. Then again I'm poking around on an ancient iPhone.

Is that what ppl are seeing or do you see Apu?

I see this.

...thought it was an interesting choice.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Jinx! Pinch, poke, you owe me a Coke.

Here's another favorite of mine...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iQG7b7MLG8

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

What happens at the 1:59 mark is one of the most mind-blowing things I've ever seen in a movie.

...that is intense.

I think it is narrated in Swedish. If you watch it over and over and over again, you will soon be able to understand this guy.

The Muppet Show: The Swedish Chef - Spaghetti - YouTube

[oildude]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I have no idea how my avatar got to be a smiley face giving thumbs up.. Then again I'm poking around on an ancient iPhone.

Is that what ppl are seeing or do you see Apu?

Originally Posted by jayembee

I see Apu.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Brings up an interesting question regardless... Member's Top 5 Criterions? Probably happens every week, but I tend to come and stay only if something I'm interested in is in the conversation.
Personally,
1. Repo Man
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
3. Brazil
4. Eating Raoul
5. Something Wild

Also have soft spots for Videodrome, Cronos, and Dazed and Confused.

It's an interesting question, and the answers are always fascinating, too. Theoretically, people's answers will vary over time as their tastes change and they are exposed to more films in the collection, so I think it's a great idea for the topic to come up every so often.

Right now, I'd say my Top Five Criterion blu-rays would include:

1. Night and the City
2. Nashville
3. Black Narcissus
4. Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
5. Shoah

Honorable Mentions: Three Colors Trilogy, The Vanishing, In Cold Blood, A Night to Remember, The Night of the Hunter, Paths of Glory.

[RickDee]

Originally Posted by doctor_who

Cleaned out my closet of DVDs last night. Came across my copy of Armageddon on Criterion DVD. How did that ever happen again?

Lol. (PS: I do like the movie, but still...)

Because even Criterion has to put some "popular" titles out every once in awhile to generate cash. Its not like the masses are knocking the door down for a film like Playtime or Last Year at Marienbad.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by doctor_who

Cleaned out my closet of DVDs last night. Came across my copy of Armageddon on Criterion DVD. How did that ever happen again?

Lol. (PS: I do like the movie, but still...)

Last time I saw the movie, I decided to plow through all those Criterion extras. So much of it was on the SFX -- some of it is informative, but other parts are pretty dry. Gag reel is amusing. Worth seeing once.

I know I've seen the director's cut of the movie before, but I barely remember what's different. They're all very small changes.

It was a cool package back in 1999, but far from essential. The Rock was a much better deal (and thankfully all those extras were ported to the Blu-Ray).

As far as whether or not Bay is worthy of Criterion...I suppose it's fair to question Criterion's sanity if they decide to release all four Transformers, but for the rest of the man's filmography I chose not to judge.

[KillDaWabbit]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Brings up an interesting question regardless... Member's Top 5 Criterions? Probably happens every week, but I tend to come and stay only if something I'm interested in is in the conversation.
Personally,
1. Repo Man
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
3. Brazil
4. Eating Raoul
5. Something Wild

Also have soft spots for Videodrome, Cronos, and Dazed and Confused.

Great question! I am fairly new to the collection at just about 30 titles give or take. I feel like every time I see a new title from Criterion, my answer to this question changes. As of now, these are probably my top 5 in no real order.

1. Seven Samurai
2. 12 Angry Men
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
4. Hoop Dreams
5. The Thin Red Line

[cheez avenger]

Bay and Fincher used to have a rivalry and Bay got jealous that Fincher kept getting the CC treatment, so he wanted it, as well.


They both came from Propaganda Films Productions and didn't quite get along.

[tisdivine]

Not going to lie I actually really like The Rock. Its just silly fun. But Armageddon needs to go away...far far far away.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Brings up an interesting question regardless... Member's Top 5 Criterions? Probably happens every week, but I tend to come and stay only if something I'm interested in is in the conversation.
Personally,
1. Repo Man
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
3. Brazil
4. Eating Raoul
5. Something Wild

Also have soft spots for Videodrome, Cronos, and Dazed and Confused.

This may change, as I have a boatload of my movies to go through yet.

Right now?

1. On The Waterfront
2. Paths of Glory
3. The Kid
4. Seven Samurai
5. The Seventh Seal

[theater dreamer]

I'd very much like to explore Criterion's documentaries a bit more, so I'm looking for some more suggestions, please.

As some of you may know from my earlier posts, I have a tremendous interest in physics. So, the first documentary I bought a few months ago was A Brief History of Time. I'm a big Stephen Hawking fan, so it was an easy selection to make. In my next life, I'm going to be a theoretical physicist.

My plan is to buy one or two documentaries with each of my next few orders, and I'm contemplating which to buy, and in what order. I've seen one of the other Errol Morris docs in the collection, The Thin Blue Line, and enjoyed it immensely. I will buy that eventually, probably after I've bought four or five others I've not seen. I read about his Gates of Heaven this morning in Roger Ebert's Awake in the Dark, and it, too, interests me. I love Morris' style.

I think For All Mankind has to be the first one I buy, unless somebody can convince me another deserves to bump it down a spot. Space exploration has always captured my imagination (obviously, that goes back to my interest in physics and astronomy). I love The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, pretty much anything to do with the space race, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects, unmanned probes in the Pioneer and Voyager projects. But, I have a deep appreciation for the history of popular music in America, so maybe Monterey Pop should be next. I love the Stones, and I'm interested in learning a lot more about Bob Dylan, too. I love human interest stories, and sports, so maybe Hoop Dreams should be first.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I'd very much like to explore Criterion's documentaries a bit more, so I'm looking for some more suggestions, please.

As some of you may know from my earlier posts, I have a tremendous interest in physics. So, the first documentary I bought a few months ago was A Brief History of Time. I'm a big Stephen Hawking fan, so it was an easy selection to make. In my next life, I'm going to be a theoretical physicist.

My plan is to buy one or two documentaries with each of my next few orders, and I'm contemplating which to buy, and in what order. I've seen one of the other Errol Morris docs in the collection, The Thin Blue Line, and enjoyed it immensely. I will buy that eventually, probably after I've bought four or five others I've not seen. I read about his Gates of Heaven this morning in Roger Ebert's Awake in the Dark, and it, too, interests me. I love Morris' style.

I think For All Mankind has to be the first one I buy, unless somebody can convince me another deserves to bump it down a spot. Space exploration has always captured my imagination (obviously, that goes back to my interest in physics and astronomy). I love The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, pretty much anything to do with the space race, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects, unmanned probes in the Pioneer and Voyager projects. But, I have a deep appreciation for the history of popular music in America, so maybe Monterey Pop should be next. I love the Stones, and I'm interested in learning a lot more about Bob Dylan, too. I love human interest stories, and sports, so maybe Hoop Dreams should be first.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I share your passion for the space program so I second For All Mankind. It's a terrific film and the music score is perfect.

[mja345]

"Hoop Dreams" is probably my favorite documentary of all-time. You don't even have to be a basketball fan to love it, but you'll probably get a bit of extra enjoyment out of it if you are. It's particularly fascinating because William Gates and Arthur Agee are growing up in Chicago while Michael Jordan is entering the prime of his career. You constantly feel the importance that the game plays in both William and Arthur's lives. I can't say enough about how fantastic that film is. "For All Mankind" is incredible as well. Both "Gimme Shelter" and "Don't Look Back" are very well-done, but I prefer "Gimme Shelter". "The War Room" is worth picking up if you have even a moderate interest in politics. "Salesman" is also remarkable, but is only available on DVD.

I think "Crumb" is brilliant, but, in my experience, it's a bit polarizing. I've watched it with people who love it as much as I do, but I've also talked to people who think it's dreary and who aren't absorbed by the character study of Robert Crumb. "Hearts and Minds" is excellent as well, but I also know that a lot of people are bothered by the fact that it is very one-sided.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

As some of you may know from my earlier posts, I have a tremendous interest in physics. So, the first documentary I bought a few months ago was A Brief History of Time. I'm a big Stephen Hawking fan, so it was an easy selection to make. In my next life, I'm going to be a theoretical physicist.

I hope you're not restricted to Criterion because other labels have done some great work in the genre. While not a documentary, you may want to try Illumination by Krysztoff Zanussi (out on Second Run DVD). Quoting the blurb:

Unanimous winner of all three main prizes at the 1973 Locarno International Film Festival, Zanussi's landmark film is a dazzling kaleidoscope of ideas and images. Illumination explores the life of a self-absorbed young physicist trying to understand his place in the universe. He thinks science will provide the answers, but ultimately learns far more about himself through experiencing love, betrayal, loss, and facing his own mortality.

As much a philosophical essay as a narrative feature, Illumination is a cinematic mosaic combining art and science, intellect and emotion. Innovatively structured, this unflinching examination of one man's life became an iconic cultural marker for a whole generation.

I think For All Mankind has to be the first one I buy, unless somebody can convince me another deserves to bump it down a spot.

Far from bumping it down, it's a terrific experience, so yeah go for it
Perhaps as an interesting fiction feature you could also add Robinson Crusoe on Mars
My personal interest is in docu's with anthropological interest, I completely loved Second Run's release of Pictures of The Old World by Dusan Hanak:

Dušan Hanák's renowned film was voted by critics as the best Slovak film of all time. Inspired by the photographs of Slovak artist Martin Martinček (1913–2004) whose pictures distilled entire lifetimes into luminous and intransient images, Hanák created his own distinctive impressions of the artist's work in reflecting a myriad of human stories.

At odds with the Communist propaganda of the time, the authorities withdrew the film from release and it remained condemned and banned for many years. Hanák's film, however, is not political or polemical but explores much more fundamental levels of human experience. Its power and beauty lie in its unique portrait of a people left behind by the modern world. A singular and shattering film.

[ravenus]

In Criterion, People on Sunday has a strong documentary vein in its depiction of popular culture in Berlin of 1930.

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by ravenus

In Criterion, People on Sunday has a strong documentary vein in its depiction of popular culture in Berlin of 1930.

I agree: exceptionally fine film, not to be missed.

[The Great Owl]

Last night, I watched Zatoichi's Vengeance, the thirteenth film in the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman box set.

Zatoichi's Vengeance kicks off with one of the coolest opening sequences that I've seen yet, and I love how the other swordsmen fall to the ground when Zatoichi sneezes. There are some genuinely heartfelt sequences in this movie concerning Zatoichi's interactions with a blind priest, and that is the most memorable aspect of this particular film. It's a good entry, all in all.

Incidentally...

To the ear-splitting loud-as-hell Amber Alert that interrupted my viewing of Zatoichi's Vengeance last night by way of my work cell phone that I left on during off hours...

I'm really not exactly sure what you expect me to do right now at the moment. If, however, the white Jeep Cherokee with the license plate beginning with the letters, "ATK", happens to drive through the front door of my townhouse, through my foyer, and directly into my living room, then I will kindly take the time to pause my Zatoichi Blu-ray, pick up my cell phone, and call in my vehicle sighting to the proper authorities. I'm really cool, awesome, and helpful that way. Anything for the children!

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I'd very much like to explore Criterion's documentaries a bit more, so I'm looking for some more suggestions, please.

[Show spoiler]As some of you may know from my earlier posts, I have a tremendous interest in physics. So, the first documentary I bought a few months ago was A Brief History of Time. I'm a big Stephen Hawking fan, so it was an easy selection to make. In my next life, I'm going to be a theoretical physicist.

My plan is to buy one or two documentaries with each of my next few orders, and I'm contemplating which to buy, and in what order. I've seen one of the other Errol Morris docs in the collection, The Thin Blue Line, and enjoyed it immensely. I will buy that eventually, probably after I've bought four or five others I've not seen. I read about his Gates of Heaven this morning in Roger Ebert's Awake in the Dark, and it, too, interests me. I love Morris' style.

I think For All Mankind has to be the first one I buy, unless somebody can convince me another deserves to bump it down a spot. Space exploration has always captured my imagination (obviously, that goes back to my interest in physics and astronomy). I love The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, pretty much anything to do with the space race, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects, unmanned probes in the Pioneer and Voyager projects. But, I have a deep appreciation for the history of popular music in America, so maybe Monterey Pop should be next. I love the Stones, and I'm interested in learning a lot more about Bob Dylan, too. I love human interest stories, and sports, so maybe Hoop Dreams should be first.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I've been working my way through the Les Blank set - I finished the first disk yesterday; its main focus is on Texas and Louisiana bluesmen, as well as the general Cajun way of life, so if that interests you can I can recommend it. The films have a special kind of magic that transcends the subject matter.

I also finished the Eclipse set Agnès Varda in California which is mostly documentaries; although they don't cover music, they are similar to the Blank stuff in being luminously filmed, 16mm colour productions from the 60s and 80s; the one about LA murals, Mur Murs, is a beautiful piece of work.