The Criterion Collection

[SpiderBaby]

Hello everyone.....

[DLizzle]

Originally Posted by silentblu

It is a necessary piece of film history.

I'm surprised so many people have opinions like this. Here's a few questions, which may or may not be relevant to this discussion: In 500 years, will filmmakers be required to watch The Godfather to be considered serious about their craft? How many films currently in existence are required viewing, or necessary pieces of film history? If someone has seen 99 of AFI's Top 100 films but hasn't seen Citizen Kane and doesn't want to, can they be considered a serious filmmaker? Should a filmmaker today be considered serious if they haven't seen Transformers or Avatar?

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Good god what happened to this thread? Haven't read much of the discussion of late but when I do it keeps getting more and more bizarre.

Well the real problem is that Hitler wore pants. So everyone in this thread should take them off lest they become evil.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Hey! You're 27 days early for the Being John Malkovich argument!

I haven't fully caught up on the last 2 days of posts on here, but I think I got the basics of what is going on.

[silentblu]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

I'm surprised so many people have opinions like this. Here's a few questions, which may or may not be relevant to this discussion: In 500 years, will filmmakers be required to watch The Godfather to be considered serious about their craft? How many films currently in existence are required viewing, or necessary pieces of film history? If someone has seen 99 of AFI's Top 100 films but hasn't seen Citizen Kane and doesn't want to, can they be considered a serious filmmaker? Should a filmmaker today be considered serious if they haven't seen Transformers or Avatar?

500 years? Maybe, maybe not. At this current time...an unfounded yes. 99 out of 100? The point is, The Godfather is a top 5 film. I don't necessarily even care if you haven't seen something, but to smugly talk like you should be respected because you haven't seen it is asisnine.

Again...If you want to be great you have to understand the greats. A lack of study is a lack of devotion/caring.

[Darkcritic]

Probably lost in all this late discussion (Which I may agree/disagree on but definitely found interesting ), but has anyone seen the latest newsletter hint? It seems like we are getting a Grey Gardens upgrade . I think Criterion is going the extra mile on this one and will also give us the other part of the "box-set" with The Beales of Grey Gardens.

Also, just some thoughts to add my two cents to the latest discussion (May be taken partly as inoffensive comments, not trying to prolongue the flame war)...

- I just turned 18 and have seen a great deal of cinema already .
- Although it may no be a MUST, knowing film history usually helps out a great deal. You just need to check out most great director's favorite/influential films. Maybe not all but the great majority of them were/are also film buffs/historians.
- Tiny Furniture may not be the greatest addition to the Collection but things could have been a lot worse. They have 600+ films on their catalogue, I think it is fair to committe one or two mistakes by that point (Not that this is a mistake).

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I was wondering, have you ever seen Jesus De Montreal? I think it's not an easy one to find on DVD

Which reminds me, Québécois cinema is just plain under-represented on home video, much less Blu-ray, or the Criterion Collection. My 'snowball's chance in hell' list for Criterion editions would include:

• Maelström
• Les bons débarras
• Mémoires affectives
• Un 32 août sur terre
• Mon oncle Antoine
• Un zoo la nuit
• Polytechnique

Yes, it's true. I like Villeneuve...a lot.

[DLizzle]

Originally Posted by silentblu

I don't necessarily even care if you haven't seen something, but to smugly talk like you should be respected because you haven't seen it is asisnine.

The fact that you got "smugly talk like you should be respected" from:

"...But I know myself, for better or worse, and mafia narratives (be they tragic, comic, starring a Pacino, a De Niro, or even my beloved Hugh Grant) leave me utterly cold. I guess I’m generally nonplussed by a complex web of crime."

says a little something about your prejudices here I think. If anything, the quote has a self-deprecating tone.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Dr_Bedlo

Maybe some Atom Egoyan?!?!?

Exotica is at the top of my wish list

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Twenty-six-and-a-half days 'til the May announcements...

This is completely offensive to my people.
Please be more sensitive in future.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Which reminds me, Québécois cinema is just plain under-represented on home video, much less Blu-ray, or the Criterion Collection. My 'snowball's chance in hell' list for Criterion editions would include:

• Maelström
• Les bons débarras
• Mémoires affectives
• Un 32 août sur terre
• Mon oncle Antoine
• Un zoo la nuit
• Polytechnique

Yes, it's true. I like Villeneuve...a lot.

That is quite a list of movies from chez nous I know a lot of people would also say movies like Kamouraska and Le Declin De L'Empire Americain as well but that debate could last forever.

[keldons]

I dunno if this was posted, but the dude that runs All Things Shining (a Terrence Malick fan blog) contacted a higher-up at Warner who said that Badlands is most likely being issued by Criterion, and should be out later this year.

This comes after Billy Weber (Malick's editor) said Badlands is coming from WB or Criterion a few months back.

Exciting to be getting Badlands as a Malick fan, and exciting for all the non-Malick fans to finally not have to listen to us beg for it anymore.

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

On another note.
I just watched the first part of World on a Wire. I liked it and will definitely be picking up the blu ray when it releases. Unfortunately the second part isnt on Hulu so ill have to wait. The film had a real eerie feel to it. Kind of like a David Lynch film. This was my first Fassbinder.

Hulu - World on a Wire: Part 2 - Watch the full movie now.

Originally Posted by DLizzle

She said she didn't want to watch The Godfather because the themes and subject matter don't interest her. That's a harsh judgement? The most delicious filet mignon isn't going to taste good to someone who doesn't like the taste of beef, and eating it would be silly. The only attitude problem I see here is from a bunch of cantankerous old people writing long paragraphs that basically amount to "they don't make 'em like they used to". Contrasting the tone and logic of her responses to the comments about her in this thread is embarrassing for one side (hint: not her)

There are a lot of dumb posts in this thread from the last few days, but this isn't one of them. Thank you.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by keldons

I dunno if this was posted, but the dude that runs All Things Shining (a Terrence Malick fan blog) contacted a higher-up at Warner who said that Badlands is most likely being issued by Criterion, and should be out later this year.

This comes after Billy Weber (Malick's editor) said Badlands is coming from WB or Criterion a few months back.

Exciting to be getting Badlands as a Malick fan, and exciting for all the non-Malick fans to finally not have to listen to us beg for it anymore.



Hulu - World on a Wire: Part 2 - Watch the full movie now.



There are a lot of dumb posts in this thread from the last few days, but this isn't one of them. Thank you.

Huh, that's strange. On my ps3 it only showed the 1st part. Maybe this is web only? I'll try a search when I get on again. Thanks!

[Criterion Collector]

Just catching up on what I have missed the past several days...

I take it that Tiny Furniture will not be in many collections of those who frequent this thread.

While I cannot really say I was a fan of the film, it wasn't that bad. I certainly don't feel it's necessary to attack the films director because I wasn't wowed by her film. Sure, her characters were annoying and (kind of) boring, but I found the film to be "watchable" for what it's worth...

I am kind of surprised about the seemingly angry tone that is aimed at this film. Personally, I do not see a reason to be angry that a film was released under the Criterion banner that you did not enjoy. That doesn't make sense to me.

If you do not want to see the film, that's cool, you have the right to not watch it. If you have watched it, but felt it was rather mediocre (as myself), that is ok too. Neither of us have to watch it again. If you watched this film and enjoyed it, cool, I am glad this received a nice release for it's fans.

If you didn't find anything about this film to like in any way, that is also fine. You are entitled to your opinion. Please remember, though, that opinion is of the film as a work of art, not about what the director looks like, or what films she may have seen. Who cares about that? Why should we care about what she looks like or what she watches? I am not concerned about those things one bit. That's like saying Bergman doesn't know how to direct films because he has to wear glasses! That's utterly absurd! What does ones appearance have to do with their artistic talent?

To call the director names, insult her, and attack her personally, is way over the top and not necessary. Especially in a thread that is supposed to be populated by film lovers with an open mind, and not the type of person who just eats up Hollywood garbage with wall to wall explosions.

I am not trying to call anyone out here, I am just trying to understand the logic behind some of the comments on this thread.

[Narcissus]

All Great Points CC.
Why can't there be spirited discourse without it being seen as an attack.

FYI:
Just Because You May Hate Something Does Not Mean You Get To Banish It.
Please Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do In My Own Home That You Won't Know About If I Don't Tell You. Thanks.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Is Belle de Jour a good blind buy? I'm thinking of picking it up tomorrow with Branded to Kill.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Is Belle de Jour a good blind buy? I'm thinking of picking it up tomorrow with Branded to Kill.

Both are incredible films. I too blind-bought Belle de Jour and watched it for the first time yesterday. I thought it was a truly amazing movie. I definitely think you'd enjoy it.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by greekak229

Both are incredible films. I too blind-bought Belle de Jour and watched it for the first time yesterday. I thought it was a truly amazing movie. I definitely think you'd enjoy it.

Great. Thanks, looks like ill be trading in some DVDs and PS3 games to Best Buy and pick these up!

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

That is quite a list of movies from chez nous I know a lot of people would also say movies like Kamouraska and Le Declin De L'Empire Americain as well but that debate could last forever.

Oui, mais non.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

Just catching up on what I have missed the past several days...

I take it that Tiny Furniture will not be in many collections of those who frequent this thread.

While I cannot really say I was a fan of the film, it wasn't that bad. I certainly don't feel it's necessary to attack the films director because I wasn't wowed by her film. Sure, her characters were annoying and (kind of) boring, but I found the film to be "watchable" for what it's worth...

I am kind of surprised about the seemingly angry tone that is aimed at this film. Personally, I do not see a reason to be angry that a film was released under the Criterion banner that you did not enjoy. That doesn't make sense to me.

If you do not want to see the film, that's cool, you have the right to not watch it. If you have watched it, but felt it was rather mediocre (as myself), that is ok too. Neither of us have to watch it again. If you watched this film and enjoyed it, cool, I am glad this received a nice release for it's fans.

If you didn't find anything about this film to like in any way, that is also fine. You are entitled to your opinion. Please remember, though, that opinion is of the film as a work of art, not about what the director looks like, or what films she may have seen. Who cares about that? Why should we care about what she looks like or what she watches? I am not concerned about those things one bit. That's like saying Bergman doesn't know how to direct films because he has to wear glasses! That's utterly absurd! What does ones appearance have to do with their artistic talent?

To call the director names, insult her, and attack her personally, is way over the top and not necessary. Especially in a thread that is supposed to be populated by film lovers with an open mind, and not the type of person who just eats up Hollywood garbage with wall to wall explosions.

I am not trying to call anyone out here, I am just trying to understand the logic behind some of the comments on this thread.

I agree with you, and said the same arguments a few pages back, and so did several others, but its' obviously fallen on deaf ears. There's a difference between self-deprecating humour, and someone else referring to you with the same terms you use in your sef-deprecating humour.

Many of the comments are not those of true cinema lovers, and are hypocritical, because they claim that her tastes in films are awful, and that she can't direct because she doesn't like films that are "classics," without even watching them. We only know her opinion on those films, maybe she likes others not listed. We don't know, and if many of the posters on this board had their way, we wouldn't know anything about Lena Dunham because they hate her and her work, and want it abolished.

I'm disappointed that the Criterion thread is now like the rest of the board, as I usually stuck around here to avoid the kind of garbage that's been posted the past few days. I'm done wasting my keys on the subject, as I feel my time is better spent actually discussing works currently in the collection in a positive way, or with constructive criticism, than to pay attention to this garbage any longer.

Change of subject, only a few more days until Gojira!