The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by LetsGetATaco

If anyone has any non-member coupons to spare I would really appreciate it! PM me. Thanks!

do the 2 month free membership and then check out the other thread. you should be able to use the $5 off $50 w/o any problems.

I did.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by skylog

just when i think i am out, they keep pulling me back in...(got a 20% coupon today)

i think i have narrowed it down to these three (all blind):

the 400 blows (so highly regarded, seems i can not go wrong)
the battle of algiers (again, highly regarded. subject matter i would certainly enjoy)
hearts and minds (this one seems like something i would very much enjoy, but it is either a "must own" or "garbage")

any thoughts would be appreciated!

Read Dr. Svet's review of Hearts and Minds before you buy it. The movie is definitely worthwhile, but it's EXTREMELY one sided and rather broad. That said, you may find that the extras alone warrant a purchase (2 additional hours of interviews).

[Abdrewes]

Oh. And before I forget, there's quite a deal on Amazon:

In the Realm of the Senses, new for $9.50 + 3.99 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

I'm seriously considering buying an additional copy seeing as it's one of my most watched Criterion blurays.

[skylog]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I heartily recommend The Battle of Algiers and The 400 Blows. Can't speak to Hearts and Minds as I haven't seen it.

one of those seems to be the wise choice. thank you!

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

You will save more dollars with Algiers.

this is true. thanks!

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Read Dr. Svet's review of Hearts and Minds before you buy it. The movie is definitely worthwhile, but it's EXTREMELY one sided and rather broad. That said, you may find that the extras alone warrant a purchase (2 additional hours of interviews).

i did, and actually that is the main thing holding me back. i read many reviews, most were quite positive while also acknowledging the bias. it seems the review here is one of the more negative i have seen. i am torn. thank you!

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by skylog

just when i think i am out, they keep pulling me back in...(got a 20% coupon today)

i think i have narrowed it down to these three (all blind):

the 400 blows (so highly regarded, seems i can not go wrong)
the battle of algiers (again, highly regarded. subject matter i would certainly enjoy)
hearts and minds (this one seems like something i would very much enjoy, but it is either a "must own" or "garbage")

any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm targeting Battle of Algiers. I watched it on TCM and was blown away. Many filmmakers have sung high praises, including Spike Lee, Soderbergh, Mira Nair, Oliver Stone. I'm in awe of how this film was executed, how real the demonstrations look, the guerrilla fighting, how particular the camerawork is. It's truly one of the greatest war films ever made. The 1968 Best Director race had Kubrick and Pontecorvo, whose films stand atop their respective genres...I'd have had a difficult time deciding between the two (sorry Carol Reed).

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Read Dr. Svet's review of Hearts and Minds before you buy it.

I would recommend reading just about any other review of the film over Pro-B's. One of our member's accurately described the review as "problematic to say the least".

That said, I don't know anyone that would describe the movie as must own, and the only people that would call it garbage have probably used the word Benghazi way more often than merited.

[skylog]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

I'm targeting Battle of Algiers. I watched it on TCM and was blown away. Many filmmakers have sung high praises, including Spike Lee, Soderbergh, Mira Nair, Oliver Stone. I'm in awe of how this film was executed, how real the demonstrations look, the guerrilla fighting, how particular the camerawork is. It's truly one of the greatest war films ever made. The 1968 Best Director race had Kubrick and Pontecorvo, whose films stand atop their respective genres...I'd have had a difficult time deciding between the two (sorry Carol Reed).

going to choose between this and 400 blows. pretty much a flip of the coin at this point.

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

I would recommend reading just about any other review of the film over Pro-B's. One of our member's accurately described the review as "problematic to say the least".

That said, I don't know anyone that would describe the movie as must own, and the only people that would call it garbage have probably used the word Benghazi way more often than merited.

thanks! think i am going to wait on this one and choose between my other two options. i will view it via another means. it seems it may not be worth the purchase.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

I would recommend reading just about any other review of the film over Pro-B's. One of our member's accurately described the review as "problematic to say the least".

That said, I don't know anyone that would describe the movie as must own, and the only people that would call it garbage have probably used the word Benghazi way more often than merited.

Fair enough. Not to undermine the review, but I suggested reading it out of proximity and the fact that it briefly touches on the film's faults as perceived by me.

Would you mind pointing me towards some decent reviews? I read the AV club one just now, but it, like most of their reviews, was much too brief.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Oh. And before I forget, there's quite a deal on Amazon:

In the Realm of the Senses, new for $9.50 + 3.99 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

I'm seriously considering buying an additional copy seeing as it's one of my most watched Criterion blurays.

Wow, that is a good deal. Hmm. I've been curious about this one. Any thoughts anyone?

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Wow, that is a good deal. Hmm. I've been curious about this one. Any thoughts anyone?

IMO it's a truly pointless movie, I honestly think that if it weren't for the graphic sex scenes, most people would never have even heard of it. Glad I didn't buy it.

[TheHighRoller]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Blue is the Warmest Color is an absolutely incredible film.

B&N Members can get it for $10.99, and if they use the 20% off coupon, they can get it for $8.99.

[starman15317]

I watched Jim Jarmusch's Night on Earth late last night. Wonderful, underrated film. Probably up there with Stranger Than Paradise as one of my favorite Jarmusch films I've seen. I hope they both get Criterion Blu-Ray releases soon.

Originally Posted by iScottie

Don't worry, I wasn't a huge fan of Jules and Jim either. The 400 Blows, on the other hand, is a gem.



I wonder how The Last Metro is.

Yeah I wasn't big on Jules and Jim but The 400 Blows (and Day For Night) are great. I need to see more Truffaut.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Wow, that is a good deal. Hmm. I've been curious about this one. Any thoughts anyone?

Well, if you are okay with graphic nudity (and I mean graphic), it could prove to be one of the most rewarding films in the collection for you. On a surface level it is about a sexual addiction--the need to get more and more out of each experience with their partner. But on a deeper level, I feel it is about the need to plunge head first into one's chief source of pleasure as death (represented in the film by marches to war)looms around the corner.

This may be unrelated, but for some reason the image of an aged Mark Rothco contemplating color for his painting popped into my head as I was typing that last sentence.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Well, if you are okay with graphic nudity (and I mean graphic), it could prove to be one of the most rewarding films in the collection for you. On a surface level it is about a sexual addiction--the need to get more and more out of each experience with their partner. But on a deeper level, I feel it is about the need to plunge head first into one's chief source of pleasure as death (represented in the film by marches to war)looms around the corner.

This may be unrelated, but for some reason the image of an aged Mark Rothco contemplating color for his painting popped into my head as I was typing that last sentence.

Huh. Yeah nudity is no bother. It wasn't a high priority title on my list but of course you hear about the sex scenes and you can't help but be interested.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Fair enough. Not to undermine the review, but I suggested reading it out of proximity and the fact that it briefly touches on the film's faults as perceived by me.

I sent you a PM.

[skylog]

one more quick question. what is the packaging on the dual format "400 blows?" it seems it is the "standard" plastic case, but i just want to verify. thanks!

[jlk5844]

I mentioned before how I was surprised at the thick size of Picnic at Hanging Rock and Red River. Conversely, I was surprised at how small the Zatoichi set was in person. I guess when you hear 25 discs or so you expect a really huge box set, but nope. I'll bet it's heavy though.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by skylog

one more quick question. what is the packaging on the dual format "400 blows?" i just want to verify. thanks!

Standard clear plastic case.

[skylog]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Standard clear plastic case.

thank you!

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by smoss469

IMO it's a truly pointless movie, I honestly think that if it weren't for the graphic sex scenes, most people would never have even heard of it. Glad I didn't buy it.

Agree 100% posted about it months ago, to me that movie was a bore. Go rent Audition instead lol. More style and plot with similar themes