The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I've got Shock Corrider and The Naked Kiss in my still-unwatched stack at home, and I almost watched them this past weekend. I love the Sam Fuller films that I've seen to date, and these both look up my alley as post-noir flicks.

[malakaheso]

I don't get the fuss about Fuller. I find the praise quite ridiculous to be honest, but hey, maybe I just don't get it.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

I don't get the fuss about Fuller. I find the praise quite ridiculous to be honest, but hey, maybe I just don't get it.

Yeah, I watched The Naked Kiss a couple years ago and didn't really enjoy it. It was well-made, but it honestly didn't do anything for me. At that time I wanted to watch Shock Corridor to see if my opinion of Fuller would change, but I never got around to it (which means, I guess, that I wasn't and still am not too interested).

[obscurelabel]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Could anyone recommend any Criterion autumn-y films except Autumn Sonanta, Fantastic Mr. Fox and An Autumn Aftertoon?

All That Heaven Allows has some great autumn settings.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Could anyone recommend any Criterion autumn-y films except Autumn Sonanta, Fantastic Mr. Fox and An Autumn Aftertoon?

Not just Criterion, but the BFI has some ideas for you.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Could anyone recommend any Criterion autumn-y films except Autumn Sonanta, Fantastic Mr. Fox and An Autumn Aftertoon?

All that Heaven Allows. It may be more of a winter film in the back half, but that candy-coated autumn technicolor goodness should get you in the mood you're looking for.



EDIT: See someone beat me to it, ha.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I can respect that.

It's just not a genre that I've ever been drawn to.

I watched The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari on TCM a couple weeks ago and there were some cool things about it in terms of the production design and some of the music was effective.

The only silent film I've ever seen that really moved me is The Passion of Joan of Arc. And that's in large part due to the music, which is absolutely incredible.

The first 15 minutes or so of Metropolis are very cool, but then it starts to get boring for me.

No right, no wrong...just everyone has different tastes.

I'm a huge silent film enthusiast, but have the same feelings about Metropolis. Also don't care for the operatic over gesturing of actors in some silent films. I recommend The Phantom Carriage and Sunrise. Also there are some contemporary silent films that are really good like Blancanieves or The Artist. Both highly recommended. Also the Criterion 3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg set. And though not really a silent film Dreyer's Vampyre is one of my annual Halloween watches. Really moody nightmarish film with a lot of innovative stuff.

I love The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari just for the amazingly twisted sets. Love German Expressionism. Faust is also worth a watch. To me silent films are pure cinema and can evoke emotions I've never experienced in color/sound films. Though many feel dated there are quite a few exceptional silent films out there.

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Ive tried to watch silent films like Nosferatu & Haxan I just cant get into them no matter how hard I try.

Not good films IMO to base a like/dislike of silent films. Nosferatu, while having amazing imagery, is a story we all know and is not one that really grabs at your emotions or has any really deep plot mechanisms. Haxan has some creepy imagery, but is just a documentary.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by obscurelabel

All That Heaven Allows has some great autumn settings.

Yes, I'm keeping this for Christmas, thanks.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Not just Criterion, but the BFI has some ideas for you.

Thanks, I have seen this list.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Superted

Not just animation but I really hope criterion release some more child/family movies in 2016. My kids are at a stage where they are getting curious in "Daddy's number movies" so it would be nice to be able to sit down and watch something outside of the usual few that are currently available.

Yes I was secretly holding out for the princess bride in Decembers announcement

this is an interesting topic - one that I have wondered about myself. my son is only 2, so he isn't watching much of anything yet except for nursery rhyme videos. of course, he can watch any kids movie he wants, but I want him to know that the world doesn't end at the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

any other ideas for good kinda artful or thoughtful family films?

[Superted]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Watership Down may only warp smaller kids a little.

I have kids ages 13, 11, 5 and 2. My older girls have liked A Night to Remember, The Blob, and I Married a Witch. They'll also occasionally watch an older subtitled film until they get tired of reading.

My 5 year old actually found watership down quite moving even if a little too sad at times. She really enjoyed fantastic mr fox.
Time bandits was a little too scary so only lasted a few minutes lol.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

this is an interesting topic - one that I have wondered about myself. my son is only 2, so he isn't watching much of anything yet except for nursery rhyme videos. of course, he can watch any kids movie he wants, but I want him to know that the world doesn't end at the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

any other ideas for good kinda artful or thoughtful family films?

Red balloon went down a treat

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I think there are plenty to chose from.
There are many serious anime films (if Criterion ever released anime - eg. Angel's Egg would fit quite well in the collection), and other European ones like Rene Laloux films, the Sylvain Chomet films etc.

I'm kinda surprised they haven't released Fantastic Planet. Eureka's UK disc is wonderful.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

this is an interesting topic - one that I have wondered about myself. my son is only 2, so he isn't watching much of anything yet except for nursery rhyme videos. of course, he can watch any kids movie he wants, but I want him to know that the world doesn't end at the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

any other ideas for good kinda artful or thoughtful family films?

90% of my Criterions are blind buys, so I'm always hesitant to watch with my older kids unless I have seen the film myself. I try to get as much info as possible from the parent's guide section on IMDb.

My kids seeing violence doesn't bother me within reason. But, I try to keep them from seeing too much skin or hearing excessive language. My oldest girls are only 11 and 13. I don't know if it will ever be released on Criterion, but my oldest loves Pan's Labyrinth. I let her watch it even though it is rated R.

In October I plan on watching a few of the more tame horror films with them: Eyes Without a Face, The Innocents and The Uninvited. We may watch Rosemary's Baby if they turn their head during the bed scene.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by oildude

It's written and directed by Sam Fuller. That's all you need to know.

I love both The Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor, but prefer the former.

The Naked Kiss just might have the most memorable opening four minutes in the history of film

Constance Towers is badass. I hadn't previously been familiar with her, but when I first saw The Naked Kiss (on Criterion LD), after that opening scene my jaw dropped and I said, "Who the hell is this woman?!"

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
- Isabelle Adjani is the most beautiful actress in the world. [At least until my mind settles on another actress whom I'm keen on.]
- Rats. A lot of rats. A whole lot of rats. Thousands of thousands of rats. So creepy and awesome.
- Despite the 1979 release year, this film feels authentically antiquated and believable in its story era as well.
- It's my favorite Werner Herzog film.
- Klaus Kinski is no Schreck, but he's nonetheless entrancing in the role.

Owl, Ray J, jmclick... you've piqued my interest in this one. I have never seen ANY of the Dracula movies, btw.

I grabbed the Anchor Bay DVD from the library. a couple questions:

1) German version or English version? my understanding is that the English isn't just an overdub? or it is an overdub w/ the same actors... is that correct?

2) the screen caps for the BFI release, Pro B's 5 star PQ review, and Ebert's inclusion of the Herzog film in his "Great Movies" column have me wondering... will a crappy DVD do it justice? Anchor Bay is not synonymous w/ quality. should I take the plunge? blind buy?

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Could anyone recommend any Criterion autumn-y films except Autumn Sonanta, Fantastic Mr. Fox and An Autumn Aftertoon?

The Ice Storm sounds like a winter film, but takes place in Autumn.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I love both The Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor, but prefer the former.



Constance Towers is badass. I hadn't previously been familiar with her, but when I first saw The Naked Kiss (on Criterion LD), after that opening scene my jaw dropped and I said, "Who the hell is this woman?!"

I called the bookstore and had them hold The Naked Kiss for me. I'll be picking it up Friday! I can't wait to see this opening that you guys speak so highly of.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Owl, Ray J, jmclick... you've piqued my interest in this one. I have never seen ANY of the Dracula movies, btw.

I grabbed the Anchor Bay DVD from the library. a couple questions:

1) German version or English version? my understanding is that the English isn't just an overdub? or it is an overdub w/ the same actors... is that correct?

2) the screen caps for the BFI release, Pro B's 5 star PQ review, and Ebert's inclusion of the Herzog film in his "Great Movies" column have me wondering... will a crappy DVD do it justice? Anchor Bay is not synonymous w/ quality. should I take the plunge? blind buy?

You'll find out enough from the DVD version to decide whether or not you want to buy a Blu-ray. I personally have real issues with the Scream Factory Blu-ray of Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), although, to read the thread on this site, one would think that this was worse than the Wall Street crash of 1929. Of course, I also watched the Blu-ray on my old television, and haven't yet seen it on my spiffy new television.

The German versions and English versions of Nosferatu the Vampyre do, indeed, differ, because the cast was international, and Herzog filmed both dialogues separately for many scenes (although there were couple of actors whose voices were dubbed for both versions because of their accents). As such, the camera angles are different in a few sequences. Pages of Jonathan Harker's journal is even shown in the respective languages.

I myself prefer the German version of this film, simply because it just feels more "correct", and, as with many foreign language flicks, the unfamiliar language helps to transport me into that otherworldly make-believe vibe.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Owl, Ray J, jmclick... you've piqued my interest in this one. I have never seen ANY of the Dracula movies, btw.

I grabbed the Anchor Bay DVD from the library. a couple questions:

1) German version or English version? my understanding is that the English isn't just an overdub? or it is an overdub w/ the same actors... is that correct?

2) the screen caps for the BFI release, Pro B's 5 star PQ review, and Ebert's inclusion of the Herzog film in his "Great Movies" column have me wondering... will a crappy DVD do it justice? Anchor Bay is not synonymous w/ quality. should I take the plunge? blind buy?

I prefer the english version myself.

Very well done...doesn't sound like some poorly dubbed Kung Fu movie.

Rather watch that than having to read subtitles.

I recently bought the Scream Factory blu-ray and the PQ definitely isn't the greatest. Scenes alternate between heavy grain and heavy dnr.

But for $15, I'm satisfied with it.

...the cover art is perhaps the coolest cover art I've ever seen on any dvd/blu-ray.

[Gerby]

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I saw Shock Corridor a while back and really enjoyed the pulpy writing style and exploitative feel to it. Some of it is so ridiculously silly it's entertaining, like

[Show spoiler]when Johnny stumbles into the nympho ward, or the defector who thought he was J.E.B. Stuart.

If The Naked Kiss is along the same lines, then I'll probably enjoy it.

Oildude, you have convinced me to pick it up and thoroughly investigate his filmography. I should have read more about Fuller instead of the individual film. Thanks for the input!

I've seen every Sam Fuller movie & while I like most of them, I would rate ''Underworld USA' as one of his best & certainly my favourite.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You'll find out enough from the DVD version to decide whether or not you want to buy a Blu-ray. I personally have real issues with the Scream Factory Blu-ray of Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), although, to read the thread on this site, one would think that this was worse than the Wall Street crash of 1929. Of course, I also watched the Blu-ray on my old television, and haven't yet seen it on my spiffy new television.

The German versions and English versions of Nosferatu the Vampyre do, indeed, differ, because the cast was international, and Herzog filmed both dialogues separately for many scenes (although there were couple of actors whose voices were dubbed for both versions because of their accents). As such, the camera angles are different in a few sequences. Pages of Jonathan Harker's journal is even shown in the respective languages.

I myself prefer the German version of this film, simply because it just feels more "correct", and, as with many foreign language flicks, the unfamiliar language helps to transport me into that otherworldly make-believe vibe.

cool. thanks Owl!

I'm region free, so I'd get the BFI, aka "the good one." I actually have it in my cart on both the Amazon UK and Amazon US site... it'd be $17.20 to have it imported (and not available til the 26th for shipment) or $18.68 and I'd probably have it in a few days.

my sister is vampire movie crazy (not like the teeny-bopper vampire movies, the stuff that came before that) and my wife might like it, too. plus there is the Adjani connection which I didn't realize. my wife and I saw her in Truffaut's Adele H recently.

thinking about making a movie night out of it sometime before Halloween. horror movies have NEVER been my thing, but, as it often does when hanging around here, the light bulb flickered on in my head and its telling me that I need to see this movie!