The Criterion Collection

[dsman71]

Im guessing the Blob , Foreign Correspondent, In A Lonely Place, On the Waterfront, Rosemary's Baby & some non USA films that I have never heard of before.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by dsman71

Im guessing the Blob , Foreign Correspondent, In A Lonely Place, On the Waterfront, Rosemary's Baby & some non USA films that I have never heard of before.

Okay, that would be a good year.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Jef Costello

So how's Jean Piere Melville's Leon Morin in comparison to his other films (Le Cercle Rouge, Army of Shadows, Le Samourai)? I plan to buy at the BN sale.

Compared with Melville's other films in the Criterion Collection, Leon Morin, Priest is much more dialogue driven. The story takes place in a Vichy village during the Nazi occupation of France, and focuses on the relationship between a widow who is a commited communist and atheist, and a young priest who becomes her spiritual guide along a road she did not know she wanted to travel.

The conflicts in the film are internally focused as opposed to external as in Melville's other films. They revolve around what it means to have faith and to seek that which is the best in ourselves. This includes a smouldering sexuality, as the woman finds herself becoming attracted to the priest. The way this relationship is handled in the film is one of its highlights, restrained and realistic, with no weepy melodrama. The viewer is drawn into understanding the longings and the denials of both characters, and what it means to be truly commited to something larger than ourselves, with the sacrifice that entails.

In my opinion, Leon Morin, Priest is one of the best films in the Collection. Jean-Paul Belmondo as the priest does a fantastic job, as does Emmanuelle Riva as the widowed communist. And in a supporting role as the woman's young daughter, the movie also features Patricia Gozzi, about four years before she starred in one of my favorite films Rapture.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by oildude

Compared with Melville's other films in the Criterion Collection, Leon Morin, Priest is much more dialogue driven. The story takes place in a Vichy village during the Nazi occupation of France, and focuses on the relationship between a widow who is a commited communist and atheist, and a young priest who becomes her spiritual guide along a road she did not know she wanted to travel.

The conflicts in the film are internally focused as opposed to external as in Melville's other films. They revolve around what it means to have faith and to seek that which is the best in ourselves. This includes a smouldering sexuality, as the woman finds herself becoming attracted to the priest. The way this relationship is handled in the film is one of its highlights, restrained and realistic, with no weepy melodrama. The viewer is drawn into understanding the longings and the denials of both characters, and what it means to be truly commited to something larger than ourselves, with the sacrifice that entails.

In my opinion, Leon Morin, Priest is one of the best films in the Collection. Jean-Paul Belmondo as the priest does a fantastic job, as does Emmanuelle Riva as the widowed communist. And in a supporting role as the woman's young daughter, the movie also features Patricia Gozzi, about four years before she starred in one of my favorite films Rapture.

+1 to all of this .

You should get it without hesitation, it IS one of the best films in the Collection. It is quite undiscussed at times but many here strongly support it, including myself. Buy with confidence .

[Matt2434]

Rosemary's Baby tomorrow or bust for me. Extra gravy? The Tenant. Based on everything we've heard, I don't see how anyone could NOT be predicting Rosemary's Baby, it seems like a slamdunk for October, no?

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

I was having trouble deciding, but I ended up choosing Oshima's Outlaw Sixties and Harakiri

Harakiri is a hard film to not thoroughly appreciate, especially with that ending. I'm still on trying to decide between Oshima's Outlaw Sixties and Pearls of the Czech New Wave. Honestly, I may wind up acquiring both.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by jaredc

Just watched Videodrome and I loved it. Hard to watch at times, but never dull. He sure knows how to unnerve you.

That statement could apply to many David Cronenberg films. He's one of the world's best director's, in my opinion.

[Darkcritic]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Harakiri is a hard film to not thoroughly appreciate, especially with that ending. I'm still on trying to decide between Oshima's Outlaw Sixties and Pearls of the Czech New Wave. Honestly, I may wind up acquiring both.

You should .

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Watched Umberto D. for the first time on Criterion Hulu this afternoon. What a devastating character study. The film is probably as relevant today as it was when it was made. (if not more) This will be a definite pick up at the next sale.

Umberto D. is easily one of my favorites in the Criterion Collection and one of my favorites anywhere. You're definitely right when you say its themes are relevant today (and across the world, including the US and western Europe as well). I doesn't try to soften the devastation of its main character and its commentary on a civilized society that doesn't seem to be all that civilized for those who are struggling financially, due to no fault of their own. It's an incredibly frank portrait.

The title will be mine the day it is released. That's how much I enjoy it.

You should definitely watch another masterpiece by Vittorio De Sica: Bicycle Thieves, another film that deals with socioeconomic underdogs drowning in a society that lacks compassion.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Jef Costello

So how's Jean Piere Melville's Leon Morin in comparison to his other films (Le Cercle Rouge, Army of Shadows, Le Samourai)? I plan to buy at the BN sale.

Leon Morin, Priest is one of the films I just blind-bought from B&N's 50% off sale (combined with the B2G1 offer). I've been looking forward to having it for a long time, especially with all the positive comments posted here about it lately.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Nice list ShellOilJunior, but where's the 'theme' artist? Hasn't Criterion settled into this groove now where we get 2 works by the same 'featured' filmmaker each month?

If so, I'd bet on another Polanski, possibly The Tenant...or maybe Tess...or wait a minute, what about his Macbeth?

I'm not going to wager a guess but Rosemary's Baby and The Tenant together would be most welcome for me. So would Macbeth and Tess, actually. Personally, I rather like the way Criterion has been releasing a pair of films by the same director(s) each month.

[fkbrun]

I'd be a happy camper if they got around releasing some Jacques Demy. A double with Lola and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg would be perfect. Although I don't see it coming. One can wish, though

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Matt2434

Rosemary's Baby tomorrow or bust for me. Extra gravy? The Tenant. Based on everything we've heard, I don't see how anyone could NOT be predicting Rosemary's Baby, it seems like a slamdunk for October, no?

Rosemary's Baby does seem like a slam dunk at this point and I for one would be very happy to upgrade my copy of the near-barebones, rather low-quality Paramount DVD to a high-quality Criterion blu-ray with some supplements on the day of its release.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

You should .

lol. At this point, it's a very strong possibility.

*Sigh* You see, this is why I tend to spend so much more than planned during these sales.

[nf0603]

Hopefully The Blob, Rosemary's Baby and Eraserhead will be announced tomorrow, especially Eraserhead

[GenPion]

I'm hoping for some Truffaut announcements. Or Kurosawa. Preferably both.

[Darkcritic]

I hope for something surprising. I don't want to expect anything so I wouldn't be disappointed . Fingers crossed for something BIG tomorrow (Just please, not a mostly-horror month )

[italy12]

Originally Posted by nf0603

Hopefully The Blob, Rosemary's Baby and Eraserhead will be announced tomorrow, especially Eraserhead

Would it not be awesome if Criterion announced a Lynch box set? Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, Eraserhead...one can dream!

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I'm not going to wager a guess but Rosemary's Baby and The Tenant together would be most welcome for me. So would Macbeth and Tess, actually. Personally, I rather like the way Criterion has been releasing a pair of films by the same director(s) each month.

So do I BluPix. That wasn't a complaint, just noting the expectation they've created.

[CinemaBlu]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Nice list ShellOilJunior, but where's the 'theme' artist? Hasn't Criterion settled into this groove now where we get 2 works by the same 'featured' filmmaker each month?

If so, I'd bet on another Polanski, possibly The Tenant...or maybe Tess...or wait a minute, what about his Macbeth?

Rosemary's Baby and The Fearless Vampire Killers would make more sense.