The Criterion Collection

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Snicket

After all the gushing for Certified Copy I'm sort of feeling guilty for putting my copy up for sale.

Does anybody want to talk some Bergman with me?

I have only seen a few of his works, Seventh Seal, which I though was excellent and is on my list to buy.

Persona, for some reason this did not capture me as much, I watched it in film school and definitely appreciated it, but did not enjoy it on the same level as Seventh Seal.

So how do Summer with Monika, Summer Interlude and Wild Strawberries fit in here? I really enjoy the themes in his work, and The history of cinema doc on netflix recently peaked my interest in seeing them (Strawberries is actually on my DVR I just haven't found the time to dive into it.)

It really all depends what you want from Bergman. If you're more interested in his works that deal with religion, like The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries is perfect for you. I personally enjoy his films like the Silence and Persona, which I think Monika fits in with a bit, even though it came much before them.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

As many people have said, John Malkovich and The Royal Tenenbaums. The former is one of the most creative films of the 90's, and the latter is Anderson's finest work.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've never seen his music videos (nor Gondry's), any reccomendations?

The classic Jonze video is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys, with the intentional low-budget aesthetic and the homage to 70s crime/action flicks, it's great. His work for Weezer (e.g., Buddy Holly, or the Sweater Song) are also at the top of my Jonze music video list.

I've not paid as much attention to Gondry's music videos, though I do like the video for Gary Jules' version of Mad World (from the Donnie Darko soundtrack), and Everlong by the Foo Fighters. And no doubt this emoticon . . . . . . was literally made for such a topic.

[Mooch360]

Originally Posted by Lutz

all DVDs are region free in blu ray players.

Wait, what? Is this true?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

The classic Jonze video is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys, with the intentional low-budget aesthetic and the homage to 70s crime/action flicks, it's great. His work for Weezer (e.g., Buddy Holly, or the Sweater Song) are also at the top of my Jonze music video list.

I've not paid as much attention to Gondry's music videos, though I do like the video for Gary Jules' version of Mad World (from the Donnie Darko soundtrack), and Everlong by the Foo Fighters. And no doubt this emoticon . . . . . . was literally made for such a topic.

Thanks. I'll check those out. Music Videos are a big blank spot for me.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

The I Wish Blu is in shipment to me as i type. Can't wait to watch it!

That's my favorite of his. I was incredibly moved. Lucky bastard. I wish I had a region free player.

[metaridley]

Being John Malkovich is a great movie but Adaptation is better. (Yes, I might be biased because it contains DOUBLE the regular amount of Nicolas Cage.) Spike Jonze kicks ass, especially his early music videos, etc.

It's expensive and I haven't seen it in ages but for those interested, give this DVD a look: http://www.amazon.com/Directors-Vol-...dp/B0000AZT2X/

[JohnWayne]

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys! I just went with Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. BJM and Bottle Rocket will definately be my next criterion purchases! I haven't seen any of these movies but I've only heard good things about them. I can't wait to get my beauties!

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Being John Malkovich is a great movie but Adaptation is better. (Yes, I might be biased because it contains DOUBLE the regular amount of Nicolas Cage.)

good, but not better imho. But are you really a fan of Nicolas Cage? I must say that I also love many of the films he's in (Rumble Fish being perhaps my favorite in his filmography . . . but partly because I'm a huge Coppola fan). Cage's been in so many great films . . . Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart. I also like Red Rock West.

(Off topic for a Criterion forum? . . . let me say that Wild at Heart and Rumble Fish, if not other Cage work, are CC worthy).

But other Cage efforts have been difficult for me to appreciate or like. For example, I recently tried watching Face/Off again and was really turned off by Cage's over-the-top bravura performance - - another movie with double the Cage.

[Abdrewes]

Favorite Cage for me is easily Leaving Las Vegas

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Favorite Cage for me is easily Leaving Las Vegas

totally! I forgot, good call. That is an amazing movie.

[Snicket]

Thanks for the feedback on Bergman.

I did grab some time this afternoon and finally watched Wild Strawberries. I watched a version that was on TCM so I cant speak much for the PQ, but suffice it to say it looked great for what it was.

It's really a nice love letter to youth and coming of age. It's really a reflection piece on growing older and coming to terms with the follies of youth. This is one film I think will resonate more with people the older you get. I loved the little scene with Max Von Sidow pumping gas.

This is also one film that makes me wish I was fluent in Swedish, as the performances were really top notch, even just judging by the cadence of it, it was really absorbing.

Also, how charming was Bibi Andersson?

[vader4]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

You could go with any of these as they are all great, but Being John Malkovich and The Royal Tenenbaums are my favorite two.

[MTRodaba2468]

Well I got my copy of Léon Morin, Priest in the mail...and the disc was loose, with some nasty looking scuffs on the underside.

Luckily, Amazon still has copies (and now slightly cheaper than when I initially ordered it)...

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

good, but not better imho. But are you really a fan of Nicolas Cage? I must say that I also love many of the films he's in (Rumble Fish being perhaps my favorite in his filmography . . . but partly because I'm a huge Coppola fan). Cage's been in so many great films . . . Moonstruck, Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart. I also like Red Rock West.

(Off topic for a Criterion forum? . . . let me say that Wild at Heart and Rumble Fish, if not other Cage work, are CC worthy).

But other Cage efforts have been difficult for me to appreciate or like. For example, I recently tried watching Face/Off again and was really turned off by Cage's over-the-top bravura performance - - another movie with double the Cage.

How dare you question my adoration of The Cage. This is probably the most offended I've ever been on here.

I've seen every single performance of his, with the exception of Time to Kill, which I can't find anywhere.

He specializes in over-the-top acting (best example is Vampire's Kiss, which would make for a crazy and tasty Criterion edition), and Face/Off is one of his best. That movie called for such a performance and without it, would be far less memorable and enjoyable.



I enjoy Oscar-caliber Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, Adaptation) but I also savor and appreciate the many flavors of acting he has to offer. I'm just glad I live in the same time as him. The world would be a drearier place without his presence.



That being said, I hope he resolves his financial situation soon because I'm not sure how many more sub-par/shitty movies of his I can tolerate. He's great but they're certainly not.

[Abdrewes]

Yup. The Criterion Collection needs to have its Cage-hole filled on blu ray. To put it bluntly. Cotton Club maybe?

[shortmartin]

I've been thinking about blind buys . . . It's something I do a lot, and derive much pleasure from - the satisfaction of researching a product to predict some level of assurance and enjoyment, and getting feedback/input from friends and co-collectors as part of the process. That there is always some level of uncertainty is for me a part of what I like about taking the plunge, so to speak.

My favorite Criterion blind buys in the past couple of years have probably been World on a Wire, Weekend (Haige), Carlos, and Letter Never Sent.

As a potential conversation topic, any thoughts or opinions about the riskiest blind buys? I guess it all depends on the person. But I think some of the titles are inherently riskier, or require that more care be taken in the decision. I'm thinking, for example, of the Qatsi trilogy, or Insignificance. While I thoroughly enjoy these, I wouldn't just recommend my friends go out and buy them without watching them first to gauge some level of interest or appetite.

Speaking of appetite, I also love Eating Raoul. I got it via a blind buy when it was first released. But I'd also say that's a really risky one. Same goes for Kes, one of my favorite, most rewarding blind buys . . . perhaps one of my favorite movies, period . . . but if you're not into British social realism it might be challenging, boring, or otherwise unappealing.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yup. The Criterion Collection needs to have its Cage-hole filled on blu ray. To put it bluntly. Cotton Club maybe?

Made me laugh.

I wish I could remember The Cotton Club. Must not have been very memorable to me. As my signature indicates however, I'd like to see The Weather Man on Blu-ray, even if it's not Criterion. Between that and Lord of War, 2005 was his last great year. It's a shame The Wicker Man remake came out the following year and he's been sloshing through a bunch of cinematic sludge ever since, with a few exceptions (Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans, for example).

A lot of his earlier movies are not yet available on Blu-ray so Criterion has a bunch to choose from, provided they can acquire the rights. As they have yet to release a single Cage movie (except for The Rock on DVD all those years ago), perhaps they're too snooty for him?

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by metaridley

How dare you question my adoration of The Cage. This is probably the most offended I've ever been on here.

Let's face it, Nicolas Cage can be way over the top, and while there is something of artistic merit in much of that style, it sometimes goes too far, and I felt that way about Face/Off. Just my opinion

[P@t_Mtl]

How is everyone? Haven't been around much, things have been a litle crazy. No time to watch movies much. I have Monsieur Verdoux that I need to see this weekend.

My dad died quite suddenly on Sunday morning was a bit of a shock. He was talking to me and then I just turn around to get something and first thing I know he is on the ground Doctor confirm to us his heart just stop, firemen and paramedics where at the house quickly but he never came back.

I am hoping to be able to relax a little on the weekend wondering if Monsieur Verdoux is the best movie to watch right now with my state of mind

You guys seen the other thread on question about Criterion?