The Criterion Collection

[Areyakiddin]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Or the two remaining Lewton titles, since classic horror is a proven seller.

Only reason I didn't mention those is because I wasn't sure if they're with Criterion or WAC. Looking at the stupidly expensive prices for I Walked With A Zombie on DVD, I now am completely convinced that at least that one is with Criterion.

[ponderingtheuniverse]

Last night, The Uninvited made it to spot #12 of the Best Sellers in Horror on Amazon. This morning, it moved to spot #19. For a Criterion bu-ray that was released in 2013, ten years ago, this is impressive. There's no doubt at this point that Svengoolie airing it this past Saturday influenced the high sales of it.

[NeilZ]

I've never seen any of these Indian movies by this director called Satyajit Ray. Was looking at one called Devi. For those familiar do his movies veer more strongly towards the artsy category like say Antonioni or Godard (at least some of them)? Or are his movies something that can be more easily appreciated like say Fellini or Melville?

I'm not a fan of Bollywood but a more traditional Indian film without Bollywood elements is something that might appeal to me.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I've never seen any of these Indian movies by this director called Satyajit Ray. Was looking at one called Devi. For those familiar do his movies veer more strongly towards the artsy category like say Antonioni or Godard (at least some of them)? Or are his movies something that can be more easily appreciated like say Fellini or Melville?

I'm not a fan of Bollywood but a more traditional Indian film without Bollywood elements is something that might appeal to me.

I'm not sure he can be compared to any of those directors. I would compare him to the more dramatic work of Kurosawa or De Sica.

[ShellOilJunior]

I'd start with Pather Panchali. Can't go wrong the Apu Trilogy.

Akira Kurosawa on Ray:

The quiet but deep observation, understanding and love of the human race, which are characteristic of all his films, have impressed me greatly. … I feel that he is a “giant” of the movie industry. Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon. I can never forget the excitement in my mind after seeing it (Pather Panchali). It is the kind of cinema that flows with the serenity and nobility of a big river. People are born, live out their lives, and then accept their deaths. Without the least effort and without any sudden jerks, Ray paints his picture, but its effect on the audience is to stir up deep passions. How does he achieve this? There is nothing irrelevant or haphazard in his cinematographic technique. In that lies the secret of its excellence.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

I'm not sure he can be compared to any of those directors. I would compare him to the more dramatic work of Kurosawa or De Sica.

Gosh that might be right up my alley then.

[speedracer5]

Barnes and Noble has a coupon for if you spend $50 you'll get $10 in rewards. Ugh that sucked me back into the sale. I got three more titles: War of the Worlds, The Gunfighter, and Buck and the Preacher. I also picked up a Warner Archive DVD, Keep Your Powder Dry, with Lana Turner.

I hope that by the time the $10 is issued to me, the Dietrich and von Sternberg box set will be back in stock. If not, I may gamble and get the Jacques Demy box set.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I've never seen any of these Indian movies by this director called Satyajit Ray. Was looking at one called Devi. For those familiar do his movies veer more strongly towards the artsy category like say Antonioni or Godard (at least some of them)? Or are his movies something that can be more easily appreciated like say Fellini or Melville?

Definitely quite approachable. Ray was primarily inspired by the neorealist cinema movement as well as old Hollywood, and his own interest in art and music. He did not make films as per a dogma, which is why he has a wide range of themes in his movies. He has even made popular musicals and detective potboilers which have been huge successes in his native state of Bengal. He was a big fan of Billy Wilder.

[alexrinse]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

Gosh that might be right up my alley then.

Get stuck in, he's one of the greats.

[koberulz]

I've only watched the first two of the Apu trilogy, because they were on Prime and the third wasn't, but I found them utterly boring. The whole "amateurs milling around not doing much" genre holds no appeal to me.

[WillieMLF]

Has anyone received the $10 for spending $50?

[NeoNical]

65 Years Ago Today

Mario Monicelli’s Big Deal on Madonna Street was screened at the San Sebastián Film Festival in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain (1958.07.25). Also introduced the world to an up and coming icon of Italy, Claudia Cardinale (20 years old when the film came out)! Very entertaining heist comedy with Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni, and the legendary Totò.

[dancerslegs]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I've only watched the first two of the Apu trilogy, because they were on Prime and the third wasn't, but I found them utterly boring. The whole "amateurs milling around not doing much" genre holds no appeal to me.

What did you think of, say, Charulata, a Ray film employing more accomplished performers?

[Lannister1098]

Was looking at Barnes and Noble the other day and saw Jellyfish Eyes for $14.99 on Blu-ray. Is it worth buying?

Was thinking about doing a final purchase off of Amazon, which may or may not include the Olympic set. Is the Olympic set worth it if you’re not interested in sports, but want to see it from a historical standpoint?

[Bradsdadg]

Originally Posted by Lannister1098

Was looking at Barnes and Noble the other day and saw Jellyfish Eyes for $14.99 on Blu-ray. Is it worth buying?

Was thinking about doing a final purchase off of Amazon, which may or may not include the Olympic set. Is the Olympic set worth it if you’re not interested in sports, but want to see it from a historical standpoint?

Jellyfish Eyes was a fun Pokémon type of live action movie. It's directed by artist Takashi Murakami, who has done some amazing pieces of contemporary art. It's not for everyone though. Think of it like a live action movie you might see on the Cartoon Network. If you're in the mood for it, it's fun enough for a pickup.

[deadheadbill]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I've never seen any of these Indian movies by this director called Satyajit Ray. Was looking at one called Devi. For those familiar do his movies veer more strongly towards the artsy category like say Antonioni or Godard (at least some of them)? Or are his movies something that can be more easily appreciated like say Fellini or Melville?

I'm not a fan of Bollywood but a more traditional Indian film without Bollywood elements is something that might appeal to me.

Satyajit Ray is sublime. He is really a style all his own but if I had to compare him it would probably be to the Italian Neo-Realists or maybe even Bresson,

As others have said, pick up The Apu Trilogy or if you don't want to spend that much money "checking him out", then The Music Room is a good choice.

[SeanJoyce]

I keep banging the drum for WAC to release it, but I'd have no problem with a Criterion edition of The Search, especially since they already put out superb editions of Clift's two other star-making vehicles.

Whoever it is, just get this sublime, humane drama out there already please!!!

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by dancerslegs

What did you think of, say, Charulata, a Ray film employing more accomplished performers?

Never even heard of it.

My post certainly wasn't a comment on Ray specifically, I've found the "amateurs milling around not doing much" genre tedious no matter who's helmed it or which country it's come from.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by deadheadbill

Satyajit Ray is sublime. He is really a style all his own but if I had to compare him it would probably be to the Italian Neo-Realists or maybe even Bresson,

As others have said, pick up The Apu Trilogy or if you don't want to spend that much money "checking him out", then The Music Room is a good choice.

Thanks, I was about to ask. Was hesitating between The Music Room, Charulata, The Hero, and Devi. I'd like to see the Apu Trilogy someday but want to see one or two of his stand alone films first to get an idea of his style.

[JulesAndJim]

On the subject of Satyajit Ray, just want to point out that one of my favorite films by Ray or any other director, Kapurush (The Coward) is relegated to being an extra on The Big City blu-ray. It's a hell of a 2-for-1 for those interested and please do check it out of you have the disc and were unaware of this one. It would've been better paired with Charulata, but it's worth watching in any case. I seem to be unusual in that his films with Madhabi Mukherjee (the three mentioned in this post) are my favorites of his.