The Criterion Collection

[Thebunk]

Well here is another standard "blind buy" idea suggestion.

Looking to find something to pair up with "Diabolique" (which I have never seen). Looking at the following but not tied to them:

- Repulsion
- 81\2 - saw a bit of it and besides the opening sequenced which I liked, the rest felt flat to me.
- High and Low - Leaning towards this
- Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicision - The concept looks good but the hokey music in the in the trailer turned me off a it.

Thoughts?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

Well here is another standard "blind buy" idea suggestion.

Looking to find something to pair up with "Diabolique" (which I have never seen). Looking at the following but not tied to them:

I think that Diabolique would make a fine double feature night with The Wages of Fear, since they are both Clouzot films, and because they are both intensely suspenseful. If you're looking for the best Criterions, both of these are sure contenders.

In a darkly comedic way, though, I would also go for a double feature with Diabolique and Monsieur Verdoux.

The titles that you listed are all outstanding, though. Don't let the Ennio Morricone music throw you off for Investigation of a Citizen without Suspicion, because the intent becomes clear during the actual film. It's a great new title!

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Brad1107

Want to elaborate?

Oh, I just think I'm not that much of a Cronenberg fan, and when I do connect to his stuff, it's later films like History Of Violence and Eastern Promises.

It *was* neat to get my picture taken with a mugwump though. I would certainly recommend the exhibit. Lots of unique stuff to see.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I think that Diabolique would make a fine double feature night with The Wages of Fear, since they are both Clouzot films, and because they are both intensely suspenseful. If you're looking for the best Criterions, both of these are sure contenders.

In a darkly comedic way, though, I would also go for a double feature with Diabolique and Monsieur Verdoux.

The titles that you listed are all outstanding, though. Don't let the Ennio Morricone music throw you off for Investigation of a Citizen without Suspicion, because the intent becomes clear during the actual film. It's a great new title!

Actually have Wages showing up any day now.

Thanks for your feedback as always Owl!

[Brad1107]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Oh, I just think I'm not that much of a Cronenberg fan, and when I do connect to his stuff, it's later films like History Of Violence and Eastern Promises.

It *was* neat to get my picture taken with a mugwump though. I would certainly recommend the exhibit. Lots of unique stuff to see.

I see. Yes he's definitely a very different film-maker today then he was when he started. A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis seemed another step in his evolution from HoV and EP. Definitely more of a challenging step but I've enjoyed everything he's done.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Brad1107

I see. Yes he's definitely a very different film-maker today then he was when he started. A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis seemed another step in his evolution from HoV and EP. Definitely more of a challenging step but I've enjoyed everything he's done.

The problem with Cronenberg movies is that they are painful to watch.

I do not mean this in figurative terms. I mean, these movies are literally painful to watch.

I can handle viseral gory effects as well as the next person, but Cronenberg's scenes make me recoil like nothing else.
The needle scenes in Videodrome
The fingernail scenes in The Fly
The blow to the face in A History of Violence

These scenes just make me hurt.

Back in the late 1980s, I stopped arm-wrestling friends on my high school football team for a few weeks after one particular sequence in The Fly.

When it comes to directors with a knack for unnerving physical responses to their scenes, Cronenberg is the most effective.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The problem with Cronenberg movies is that they are painful to watch.

I do not mean this in figurative terms. I mean, these movies are literally painful to watch.

I can handle viseral gory effects as well as the next person, but Cronenberg's scenes make me recoil like nothing else.
The needle scenes in Videodrome
The fingernail scenes in The Fly
The blow to the face in A History of Violence

These scenes just make me hurt.

Back in the late 1980s, I stopped arm-wrestling friends on my high school football team for a few weeks after one particular sequence in The Fly.

When it comes to directors with a knack for unnerving physical responses to their scenes, Cronenberg is the most effective.

I have to agree. Cronenberg takes his time with his horror scenes and makes sure it really gets absorbed into the human psyche. He goes underneath the flesh and exposes what is within and brings it out in grotesque ways. He is obsessed with what is "underneath" the exterior. I still have my blu-ray copy of Naked Lunch that I haven't opened yet because I still need to prepare myself to watch this again when I'm in the right mood.

[MKej]

Kicking and Screaming upgrade would be nice

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Brad1107

I see. Yes he's definitely a very different film-maker today then he was when he started. A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis seemed another step in his evolution from HoV and EP. Definitely more of a challenging step but I've enjoyed everything he's done.

The exhibit had the films separated into periods, and everything from Spider to Cosmopolis was lumped together. I still have to see the A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis.

For anyone who thinks they might announce an upgrade to a low spine # today, here are the 10 oldest in print not updated to blu spines:

22 - Summertime
29 - Picnic At Hanging Rock
31 - Great Expectations
32 - Oliver Twist
33 - Nanook Of The North*
34 - Andrei Rublev
40 - Armageddon
41 - Henry V
42 - Fishing With John
45 - Taste Of Cherry

I vote for Andrei Rublev.

*released on blu in US by Flicker Alley

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

I have to agree. Cronenberg takes his time with his horror scenes and makes sure it really gets absorbed into the human psyche. He goes underneath the flesh and exposes what is within and brings it out in grotesque ways. He is obsessed with what is "underneath" the exterior. I still have my blu-ray copy of Naked Lunch that I haven't opened yet because I still need to prepare myself to watch this again when I'm in the right mood.

Cronenberg also taps into one of our greatest fears, the fear of becoming disfigured. People are obviously afraid of death, torture, rape, and such, but the idea of becoming disfigured and losing the physical attributes that shape our notion of what defines us as human beings is unsettling on a different level altogether.

I think that Videodrome is a tremendous movie, but it is the only Cronenberg film that I own at present.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm fond of saying that Revanche is my favorite Criterion film of the 2000s

Ok.. so I had a chance to watch Revanche last night and I'm right there with Owl. This movie was fantastic! The pacing was perfect. The acting was superb (Johannes Krisch as Alex gives one of the best performances I think I have EVER seen.) It was suspenseful, too, but I think a better adjective would be tense. My wife enjoyed it, too! I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring any of Criterion's newer films.

[JHas]

Today's announcement wishlist:

Andrei Rublev
The Red Tent
The Lost Weekend
A Matter of Life and Death
Dersu Uzala
Samurai Rebellion

[Brad1963]

I'm revising my guesses for today's March announcements.


La Chinoise
The Great Beauty
Liv & Ingmar
Persona
Cries and Whispers
The Freshman (Lloyd)
Sullivan's Travels (BD upgrade)

[bwdowiak]

I'm hoping that Criterion announces Checkmate today.

knight: I didn't know you enjoyed chess, your majesty.
king: Why wouldn't I?
knight: Because the king is always in jeopardy.
King: Yes, but it's only a game!
knight: (suspiciously) Yes, of course...only a game.

[SammyJankis]

Completely forgot announcements were today. Gotta love that feeling.

[smoss469]

Any possible additions to the Eclipse lineup?

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by StonesEGF

My wishlist:

25th Hour
Le Samourai
More Antonioni
The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Really have my fingers crossed for The Friends of Eddie Coyle. I've held off buying the DVD for a couple years in hopes of a format upgrade. I'm doubtful though, considering the supplemental materials are pretty skimpy aside from the Peter Yates commentary. The PQ isn't too, too bad on the DVD either.

That's a great list. I am a massive fan of The Friends of Eddie Coyle as well. I keep hoping for an upgrade one of these months..maybe this will be the one.

[Illy Scorsese]

Will we ever get "Ikiru" on Blu????? Is today finally the day?

By the way, why has "Memories of Murder" never been in the Criterion Collection?

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Ok.. so I had a chance to watch Revanche last night and I'm right there with Owl. This movie was fantastic! The pacing was perfect. The acting was superb (Johannes Krisch as Alex gives one of the best performances I think I have EVER seen.) It was suspenseful, too, but I think a better adjective would be tense. My wife enjoyed it, too! I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring any of Criterion's newer films.

I've been raving about Revanche for years. One of my very favourite Criterions. The cinematography in the forest is fantastic, and the lack of a score adds a new dimension to the tension.

[SlickDamian]

I'd like to see 25th Hour and Short Cuts announced today. A Lynch title would be great as well.