The Criterion Collection

[AaronJ]

Persona is definitely my favorite Bergman film. I've seen it many times over the years, and I still always find it highly provocative.

For me, it's one of those films where the ending has an emotional impact, but you I'm still not sure exactly what I just watched. The fact that something can be impactful and ambiguous (at least to me) at the same time is fascinating, and what brings me back to it time and time again.

Well, that and two performances for the ages.

[octagon]

I haven't seen a lot of Bergman (Hour of the Wolf, Seventh Seal, The Magician, Fanny and Alexander, Wild Strawberries) so picking a favorite seems kind of premature but I will say as much as I liked F&A I really, really, really responded to Wild Strawberries.

It was the first time I ever had a really strong, visceral response to one of his films.

[ShellOilJunior]

I know some people get upset when Criterion goes back to the well again and again with the same directors...

..but when they release films by Kurosawa and Bergman the attitude I take is "thank you, may I have another?"

[oildude]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Finally got a chance to watch Persona today. Then, I spent the rest of the afternoon reading articles about everyone's interpretation of the film. Nothing like getting totally engrossed in a Criterion title. Definitely a change from my wife's theater selection of Spy last night.
I'm following up tonight with 3 Women.

I hope your wife doesn't find out.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by oildude

I hope your wife doesn't find out.

This is why I love this thread. Nothing slips by you guys.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

What didn't you like?

I haven't seen a Bergman film I haven't liked yet, but this is my favourite.

The only one I was neutral towards was Summer with Monika, but having read some information on the film, particularly in it being an homage to femininity, makes me appreciate it more.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only one I was neutral towards was Summer with Monika, but having read some information on the film, particularly in it being an homage to femininity, makes me appreciate it more.

I haven't seen Summer with Monika yet. It and the more recently released Cries and Whispers are the two Bergman Blu Rays in the Criterion Collection I am missing.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Thought id share everything ive grabbed from the sale since it started on the 7th until now. I still have like 4-5 id like to grab before the end. Its funny cause the only Criterion I owned before this sale started was only Rosemary's Baby which I got in a trade on here. Seems im becoming hooked lol. Its also a bit of a shame since im late to CC titles that some im interested in are OOP & are a bit pricey.

I almost bought House today.

Just couldn't decide whether I would love it or loathe it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

What didn't you like?

I haven't seen a Bergman film I haven't liked yet, but this is my favourite.

Long, slow slog through the life of an upscale bourgeoisie family circle--that world doesn't interest me at all.

Film starts out with a scene at the

[Show spoiler]family party where the one guy blows out a candle with a giant fart

and I thought to myself, "This...just isn't for me."

Then the

[Show spoiler]mother marries that creep and it just gets extremely dark in a way that I didn't find appealing in any way

.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Long, slow slog through the life of an upscale bourgeoisie family circle--that world doesn't interest me at all.

Film starts out with a scene at the

[Show spoiler]family party where the one guy blows out a candle with a giant fart

and I thought to myself, "This...just isn't for me."

Then the

[Show spoiler]mother marries that creep and it just gets extremely dark in a way that I didn't find appealing in any way

.

There was a lot of talk about that fart here a week or so ago. It's less than a minute out of a five + hour movie though (assuming you watched the TV version? I've only seent he extended version, so I don't know if the fart makes the cut)

And it's dark, but aren't almost all of his films?

Anyway, I won't try and convince you that you like it, but I think it's incredible.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Page14

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how (or if) these 2 films compare to each other. I've seen 3 Women before, but have never seen Persona. In fact, I don't own any Bergmans yet and have been tempted by Persona, but stayed away partly because I'm not sure how accessible it would be for me, being my first Bergman and all.

I think any of the Summer films are a good starting point. Summer With Monika is a fairly simple story about the highs and lows of young love as is Summer Interlude but it's a bit darker than Monika plus it's a bare bones Criterion release. Smiles of a Summer Night is a fun film that proved Bergman could do comedy and not just gloom & doom dramas. I really need to add it to my list this sale along with Wild Strawberries. Which would also be a good intro film.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by octagon

...t I will say as much as I liked F&A I really, really, really responded to Wild Strawberries.

It was the first time I ever had a really strong, visceral response to one of his films.

Originally Posted by hoytereden

... along with Wild Strawberries. Which would also be a good intro film.

I agree that Wild Strawberries is probably a really good Bergman into too.

[ijustblumyself]

Bergman is honestly quite accessible when it comes to art-house directors. He's very much about the relationship between actor and dialogue.
Persona and Autumn Sonata are my favourites from him.
The only film which he's made in which I haven't loved was The Seventh Seal. Bergman's better when he's writing about people rather than ideas.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I almost bought House today.

Just couldn't decide whether I would love it or loathe it.

Funny thing, all of those were blind buys for me, never seen any of them before. I was sure id love Cronos & The Devils Backbone since I love del Toro's films. The others I took a chance on.

[ace_666]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Throne of Blood has pacing issues galore. It's not bad but certainly not top tier.

Couldn't disagree more. Throne of Blood is operatic in it's cutting and really does build up to a wonderful climax. Not to mention, it puts you on edge with Mifune's performance. He's always clenching and tight-fisted. The calming pace against the theatrical blocking and performances is a testament to Kurosawa's abilities as a storyteller. Not to mention, it's both horrific and funny at parts.

[KillDaWabbit]

I decided to pass on buying Shoah, which allowed me to pick up these titles, all of which are blind-buys:

Red River
The Bridge
The Confession
Hidden Fortress

How did I do? There is a strong chance I will pick up Brazil before this is said and done. That would make 9 titles for my first BN Criterion sale.

[GasmaskAvenger]

For those wondering about Hausu, i'd say its money well spent, especially if you're into really off the wall movies brimming with crazy visuals and ideas.

I want to get the blu-ray so I can upgrade my DVD-R copy of it AND actually have a legitimate copy in my collection

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I almost bought House today.

Just couldn't decide whether I would love it or loathe it.

I loved it but it is a wild ride for sure. My daughter, who grew up watching all sorts of weird programming on our Japanese TV stations, watched it and afterwards, with a kind of shell-shocked expression, said "That was really something else, wasn't it!" Oh yea! The trailer for Jellyfish Eyes kinda left me in that same state of mind. :

[repulsed]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I almost bought House today.

Just couldn't decide whether I would love it or loathe it.

I'd say it's no doubt a must own. I was lucky to have seen it before it was officially released and was thrilled to find out Criterion was releasing so it could be the best possible package inside and out
You just have to be into bizarre cinema. I've bought numerous movies just because of a crazy title. Would movies called Flesh Eating Mothers, The Taint or Ticked Off Trannies with Knives be enough for you to buy it? It also helps if you like the Asian way of making one film be strange, sappy and slapstick all while being a horror film. Also, can't mention enough how brilliant the effects are but again that's me and I think the original Tron had way better effects than Legacy

Hope you give it a try and even more that you feel like it was worth seeing/owning

Originally Posted by RojD

Not a problem. Just wisdom.

Congrats on Friends of Eddie Coyle. That film really touched me, as much for the technical elements as for the main character. Mitchum is awful, awful good, and the character has so much poignancy. Pretty sure you're gonna be glad for the moment of temporary insanity that landed that in your collection.

[ijustblumyself]

I'd be a little bit cautious about blind-buying House. Visually, it's nuts, but there's so little going on under the surface it really began to grind on me after a while. Fun film though.