The Criterion Collection

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Have you seen Nine?

You have to watch the whole Quadrilogy (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2 Weeks, and 10).

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I bought a 'very good' copy of Juliet of the Spirits this morning for $7.98. I know nothing about this movie other than that it is a Fellini title. I didn't even know it was a color film when I pulled the trigger.

Looking forward to it, though, because other than one viewing of La Dolce Vita ages ago, I haven't seen anything from Fellini.

is JotS any good?

The first Fellini film I ever saw was Juliet and I was hooked! You're in for a treat and the score by Nina Rota is great.

[Vinyl]

For a starter Fellini film maybe Amarcord or Juliet of the spirits. 8 1/2 is good but difficult for some, especially when it isn't representative of his work. It has similarities like the actors used and the thing about his films being about his past, but is a whole separate experience (at least to me).

[Scottie]

La Dolce Vita
8 1/2 (it took me 3 viewings to recognize it as a wonderful piece of art)
Amarcord
Nights of Cabiria
Juliet of the Spirits
La Strada
Satyricon

I have Roma and I Vitelloni on my DVR.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

For a starter Fellini film maybe Amarcord or Juliet of the spirits. 8 1/2 is good but difficult for some, especially when it isn't representative of his work. It has similarities like the actors used and the thing about his films being about his past, but is a whole separate experience (at least to me).

I think it took me like 3 viewings of 8 1/2 to really love it.

First viewing: "That was kind of strange, not sure I understood it all, but I did find it intriguing"

Second: "Oh, I get it now, that's pretty neat, I bet there's even more I missed"

Third: "I love this movie, it's inventive, funny, and beautifully filmed. Can't wait for such and such scene"

And it's been like that for all future viewings after

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

La Dolce Vita
8 1/2 (it took me 3 viewings to recognize it as a wonderful piece of art)
Amarcord
Nights of Cabiria
Juliet of the Spirits
La Strada
Satyricon

I have Roma and I Vitelloni on my DVR.

Whoa, posted my comments about seeing it 3 times to love it, before reading yours

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Whoa, posted my comments about seeing it 3 times to love it, before reading yours

First time = blah!
Second time = hmm!
Third time = whoa!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I haven't seen a-n-y Fellini film.
i wonder which should be my first..

It's kind of like those Rob Lowe commercials when it comes to choosing a Fellini film

"Hi! I'm classic neorealist Federico Fellini"-La Strada, I Vitellone
"Hi! I'm transitioning style Federico Fellini"-8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, Juliet
"Hi! I'm fully weirded-out Federico Fellini"-Satyricon, And the Ship Sails On

I love films from all his styles but if I was recommending a starter Fellini film I'd go with something from the first two categories.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

It's kind of like those Rob Lowe commercials when it comes to choosing a Fellini film

"Hi! I'm classic neorealist Federico Fellini"-La Strada, I Vitellone
"Hi! I'm transitioning style Federico Fellini"-8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, Juliet
"Hi! I'm fully weirded-out Federico Fellini"-Satyricon, And the Ship Sails On

I love films from all his styles but if I was recommending a starter Fellini film I'd go with something from the first two categories.

I'd recommend just....starting. Fellini is without a doubt one of the greatest cinematic artists of all time. I feel like even if one doesn't like a film of his, they will eventually come around to something they enjoy possibly even years on. Several of his films are discussed no matter who you talk to or what circles you're in. I heard about Fellini before ever knowing a title of his - he is unavoidable and his films stand up to time.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

It's kind of like those Rob Lowe commercials when it comes to choosing a Fellini film

"Hi! I'm classic neorealist Federico Fellini"-La Strada, I Vitellone
"Hi! I'm transitioning style Federico Fellini"-8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, Juliet
"Hi! I'm fully weirded-out Federico Fellini"-Satyricon, And the Ship Sails On

I love films from all his styles but if I was recommending a starter Fellini film I'd go with something from the first two categories.

I've known people that have struggled with Juliet of the Spirits but liked 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita. I think it's sort of a transitional piece from his more introspective, low-key works to the color extravaganzas that would come. Even though it's a character story at heart (and a brilliant one at that), it has digressions of visual surrealism.

[bsnee]

I just wish we could get something that doesn't exist on blu-ray yet, like McCabe & Mrs. Miller as opposed to a reissue of something like Moonrise Kingdom that already has a solid transfer.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I really hope then the Here's your Life clue was a double clue for Tree (tray) of Life too!

Even though I'd love Tree of Life on Criterion, it already has a pretty good BD release already. If this was a double clue, then my hope is for Waking Life.

Of course a triple clue would rule all!

[bsnee]

It took me a few viewings as well, but I now see 8 1/2 as an all-timer. It's funny how things like that work. I'm curious how I'd feel about other Fellini revisits

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

I'd recommend just....starting. Fellini is without a doubt one of the greatest cinematic artists of all time. I feel like even if one doesn't like a film of his, they will eventually come around to something they enjoy possibly even years on. Several of his films are discussed no matter who you talk to or what circles you're in. I heard about Fellini before ever knowing a title of his - he is unavoidable and his films stand up to time.

this is a persuasive post. his films are probably my biggest cinematic hole. I don't exactly know why I've stayed away. maybe because of 8 1/2's reputation for being... idk... impenetrable? and that's probably not a good adjective at all, but I think that is/has been my impression.

I'll report back on Juliet of the Spirits. really looking fwd to it now!

[ShellOilJunior]

8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita aren't good starting points for Fellini, imo. That's not to say they're not great because they're incredible films but Fellini's pace in those is really fast and the visual metaphors are plenty.

I'd recommend something like La Strada or Nights of Cabiria.

[jlk5844]

8½ is the only Fellini I've seen and I admit it's kinda soured my interest a bit in seeing more. I had it built up as one of the best films about filmmaking, and I saw the high IMDb and RT scores, the cool Criterion cover. I finally saw it as part of a film class, and it was far different than I had imagined, and turned me off. The opening scene was great though. It's due for a rewatch at some point.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita aren't good starting points for Fellini, imo. That's not to say they're not great because they're incredible films but Fellini's pace in those is really fast and the visual metaphors are plenty.

I'd recommend something like La Strada or Nights of Cabiria.

Agreed. Amarcord and I, Vitelloni are good starting points as well.

[Kolm14]

Hey guys, not sure if that has been asked before but does anyone know if Criterion gives tours of their offices to the public? I was considering emailing them but figured I'd ask here first. I pass by their offices in NYC frequently and I would love to just get a little tour. Anyone have any info?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Kolm14

Hey guys, not sure if that has been asked before but does anyone know if Criterion gives tours of their offices to the public? I was considering emailing them but figured I'd ask here first. I pass by their offices in NYC frequently and I would love to just get a little tour. Anyone have any info?

if you want a tour of their facilities, you have to buy chocolate bars and keep your fingers crossed.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Kolm14

Hey guys, not sure if that has been asked before but does anyone know if Criterion gives tours of their offices to the public? I was considering emailing them but figured I'd ask here first. I pass by their offices in NYC frequently and I would love to just get a little tour. Anyone have any info?

Juts pop in and introduce yourself I guess lol I dunno, I'm sure they will be friendly and say yes or not

I have popped into many graphic design studios to meet the designers/boss just to get to know them/the company better