The Criterion Collection

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Had another thought of a Criterion movie that is-but-isn't related to David Bowie.

I watched Fat Girl some time last year for the first time. I thought it was alright - a bit of a slow and drab film, but the ending sucker-punched me pretty good. There is a part towards the end when they're all driving home and they turn the radio on, and it's Bowie's "The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell." It's kinda become one of my favorites - I have the song from the Stigmata soundtrack. When it plays in Fat Girl, the girl just says something to the effect of "turn it off, it's awful!"

So now when I see Fat Girl and that character, I think to myself "that fat little b*tch dissed on Bowie!"

I really like Fat Girl. But, I like Breillat's films in general. And you're right about the ending. Sheesh.

Breillat is a little like Von Trier in that I look at her (and him) as a cinema sadist. There are some filmmakers who just don't care if whatever audience there is likes the film or not. They are doing it for their own personal reasons, and if you don't like it, so what? Sort of a, "I've said what I have to say." attitude. Modern Godard comes to mind.

Then there are filmmakers like Breillat and Von Trier who actively set out to cause spiritual or psychic harm to their audience. They want you to come out damaged goods.

Which brings to mind a question: Why do I like their work? Maybe I'm a masochist.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Then there are filmmakers like Breillat and Von Trier who actively set out to cause spiritual or psychic harm to their audience.

... or to provide catharsis to those with complementary mindsets... at least that's my experience with LVT... YMMV. heh heh

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

@skyantoine -
Still Walking saved the weekend, though...

One of my favorite Criterion blu-rays.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

... or to provide catharsis to those with complementary mindsets... at least that's my experience with LVT... YMMV. heh heh

True, that's another way of looking at it. I guess it all comes down to how someone comes out on the sadism/masochism spectrum.

But I think of movies like Fat Girl or Dancer in the Dark and I can't help but think that the filmmaker's motivation was to cause pain and harm. But you're right: it can also definitely be a cathartic experience.

Film can be pretty twisted sometimes. Heh.

[atlantajoseph]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

True, that's another way of looking at it. I guess it all comes down to how someone comes out on the sadism/masochism spectrum.

Well, not necessarily related to either. For example, I find Melancholia to be beautiful and poetic. I may not suffer from debilitating depression, but it does speak to parts of my psyche in ways that no other film does, and for that I am grateful.

Edited to add: I just thought about this a bit and if you are talking about something along the lines of certain scenes in Antichrist, then yeah, I see your point.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

True, that's another way of looking at it. I guess it all comes down to how someone comes out on the sadism/masochism spectrum.

But I think of movies like Fat Girl or Dancer in the Dark and I can't help but think that the filmmaker's motivation was to cause pain and harm. But you're right: it can also definitely be a cathartic experience.

Film can be pretty twisted sometimes. Heh.

I find Dancer in the Dark cathartic - and probably Trier's most accessible work. Might actually be my favorite, I'm still thinking about it.

Despite my few complaints about Fat Girl, I could dig its themes. It's as dark as they come, but the sheer weight of the thematic material has a lasting impact.

Whether it's good or bad, I find myself gravitating towards these dark, twisted, messed-up movies because I believe they're experiences that need to be experienced, to gain a deeper understanding of the darker parts of the human spirit. I value Salo: 120 Days of Sodom that way, because it's an insightful view on an organized, fascist type of evil. I actually think A Serbain Film does the same thing, showing how an organization or fascist group can abuse people and their talents and ruin families. The Passion of the Christ, American History X, City of Life and Death, Schindler's List, Children of Men, OldBoy...they're all not pretty, but I think they're all immensely powerful because of the evils and important messages they highlight, and I think that makes them more potent and valuable as films.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

So I put on Something Wild, one of my favorite feel-good movies, to get my mind off of David Bowie's death, and of course there's a scene right in the middle of the movie where the band plays Fame which I totally forgot about.

That's great news about McCabe & Mrs. Miller, the only bad part is knowing that it's coming but that might be all the way in December. I certainly hope that it won't have nearly as many Criterion's patented compression issues as the other Zsigmond film discussed in the article, The Rose: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x=...4&l=1&i=8&go=1

Been trying not to think about Bowie but I can't I've been cranking him all day. Argh then I failed to realize the only Scorese film I haven't seen has Bowie in it, The Last Temptation of Christ! I must buy with Lady Snowblood next CC sale...

[The Great Owl]

Tonight, I watched Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (1964).

After watching the first six movies a few months back, I took an extended break, but I'm now ready to resume plowing through this box set.

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword is a short and well-paced entry that finds Zatoichi battling a clan that seeks control of a river ford. The movie gets off to a fantastic start, as the blind swordsman kills some flies in mid-air! There's also a great underwater scene, where Zatoichi almost gets into Jaws mode. The final 10 minutes are the lion's roar, though, as Zatoichi racks up an incredibly high body count.

This one has a rather abrupt ending, so we don't see the usual footage of Zatoichi walking off alone after helping people (just as David Banner always walked off alone at the end of each television episode of The Incredible Hulk).

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by mattyp4

Is there a thread for Criterion sales or something?

I realize this is literally the worst day to post this but I'm looking to buy a Blu-ray copy of Criterion's The Man Who Fell To Earth.

I used to own it but stupidly sold it (for $75) a few years ago when I needed a few bucks & was trying to thin my collection.

The truth of the matter is Bowie's death has nothing to do with me wanting it again-- I have been looking for another copy ever since I saw Lazarus (his Off-Broadway musical) back in November. I really enjoyed it & it really made me want to have The Man Who Fell To Earth in my collection again.

Today's news of his death just makes me willing to pay a bit more, but I've been shoppong around for a copy for the past couple months. (I prefer to buy the version with the plastic replacement care though--that's the kind I sold. I never cared for the digipak case!)

Anyone looking to help out a big Bowie fan?? And make a bit of a profit while you're at it?? (Or can someone point me in the direction of a more appropriate thread?)

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=160614

[mattyp4]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=160614

Thanks!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Been trying not to think about Bowie but I can't I've been cranking him all day. Argh then I failed to realize the only Scorese film I haven't seen has Bowie in it, The Last Temptation of Christ! I must buy with Lady Snowblood next CC sale...

Dude, are you kidding me? We've been Facebook friends for over a year and you still haven't watched The Last Temptation of Christ?

It's one of my top 10 favorite films.

I'm going to unfriend you on general principle if you don't watch that soon!

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jw007

Dude, are you kidding me? We've been Facebook friends for over a year and you still haven't watched The Last Temptation of Christ?

It's one of my top 10 favorite films.

I just saw it for the first time late last year, and it was great. I was worried it would be a bit of a slog to get through, but found it to be a very easy watch.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by mattyp4

Thanks!

I have been trying to get a copy of MWFTE for a good while, for a reasonable price, now I imagine that hunt is going to become much harder.

For all of you going for a copy be prepared to shell out $150 for a copy. Maybe even more now.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I just saw it for the first time late last year, and it was great. I was worried it would be a bit of a slog to get through, but found it to be a very easy watch.

Did you think Peter Gabriel's score/music enhanced or damaged the film? Personally, I loved his music, although a friend I know claims the modern music was the biggest problem with the movie... I cannot disagree more. I think the music elevated this film to a level it would never have been at.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by jw007

Did you think Peter Gabriel's score/music enhanced or damaged the film? Personally, I loved his music, although a friend I know claims the modern music was the biggest problem with the movie... I cannot disagree more. I think the music elevated this film to a level it would never have been at.

I agree with your pov here. It's an amazing film all around, and the music is a critical piece of the beautiful puzzle.

*sigh* It's been so long since I've seen it. I definitely need to see it again soon. What a wonderful cinematic experience.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jw007

Did you think Peter Gabriel's score/music enhanced or damaged the film? Personally, I loved his music, although a friend I know claims the modern music was the biggest problem with the movie... I cannot disagree more. I think the music elevated this film to a level it would never have been at.

I thought it worked really well. The film doesn't attempt to recreate the historical time.

[Edward J Grug III]

But I'll lose you here - My wife and I watched Under the Skin the other night, and we hated it like we haven't hated a film in a long time.

[Al_The_Strange]

I felt that Gabriel's score was fitting. What's funny is that in the movie itself it never felt too modern to my ears, all the ethnic influences made it feel right at home in the Middle Eastern setting. Listening to it on its own, I can make out the 80s experimental rock vibes, but I hardly think of it as a problem - it fit with the movie very well imo.

My only complaint would be the "It Is Accomplished" track, which feels a little too jovial and sappy to me personally.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

But I'll lose you here - My wife and I watched Under the Skin the other night, and we hated it like we haven't hated a film in a long time.

It's definitely not a real pleasant movie. I don't think there's ever been a film that makes the viewer feel as strange about the entire concept of sexual attraction. I actually can't think of a film I'd want to watch less with a woman I was romantically involved in. I think I'd rather watch "Salo" or "Antichrist" to be honest. "Under the Skin" is to sex what a film like "Requiem for a Dream" is to drugs.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by mja345

It's definitely not a real pleasant movie. I don't think there's ever been a film that makes the viewer feel as strange about the entire concept of sexual attraction. I actually can't think of a film I'd want to watch less with a woman I was romantically involved in. I think I'd rather watch "Salo" or "Antichrist" to be honest. "Under the Skin" is to sex what a film like "Requiem for a Dream" is to drugs.

It didn't help that my wife read and really enjoyed the book, and the movie has very little in common with the book.