The Criterion Collection

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Just watched Salo last night. I had thought about blind-preordering it because of its reputation, but now I'm certainly glad I watched it first. It didn't gross me out or shock me or anything, since I'm pretty desensitized. That being said, however, watching what those people were forced to go through is like a big fist of depression punching you over and over in the face. I'm glad I watched it, though, for the sake of film history and all that, but it's one I would never want to watch again.

Why would you never watch it again? IMO, what you saw on the screen is not much different than what basically happened in Schindler's List or any other Nazi/Fascist themed film. The difference is that Spielberg and other directors didn't take it that far due to their target audience and fear of backlash to their status as a 'director'. Salo is a different film, but it seems by many posts on this forum, that all the people that have never seen the film are pushed away by what they have read or heard. I do not believe that people understand the background (fascism) of the film. These things did happen in these areas, but again, Pasolini took it to a level of shock that we almost refuse to 'stomach' the reality of it. Besides the images on the screen, listen to the dialogue in the film and the commentary. You will see the importance of the film in the 'scope' of WW2 and what it did to the people that had power at that time.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Why would you never watch it again? IMO, what you saw on the screen is not much different than what basically happened in Schindler's List or any other Nazi/Fascist themed film. The difference is that Spielberg and other directors didn't take it that far due to their target audience and fear of backlash to their status as a 'director'. Salo is a different film, but it seems by many posts on this forum, that all the people that have never seen the film are pushed away by what they have read or heard. I do not believe that people understand the background (fascism) of the film. These things did happen in these areas, but again, Pasolini took it to a level of shock that we almost refuse to 'stomach' the reality of it. Besides the images on the screen, listen to the dialogue in the film and the commentary. You will see the importance of the film in the 'scope' of WW2 and what it did to the people that had power at that time.

Some people can't even watch Schindler's List more than once though. I think people are more than aware of the reality of the film, but just won't watch it again, or even watch it to begin with. I know that many people have been subjected to what goes on in Salo, or far worse, but to watch the film just isn't my cup of tea. Sometimes people want to watch a film for enjoyment, and not for a huge dose of horrific reality.

[GilliamsBrazil]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Get Videodrome instead. Long live the new flesh!

+1 for Videodrome! If your taste is more in the realm of Antichrist, Fear and Loathing, Repulsion and The Thin Red Line you're probably more likely to enjoy Videodrome than Seven Samurai or Solaris.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by djkest

That being said, which one of these kurosawa films would you recommend, knowing that my tastes are decidedly more modern?

Seven Samurai is probably the most modern/western of his samurai films and the action isn't cheesy at all. I can understand your reaction though. Short clips of the action taken out of sequence can make it look cartoonish and almost spastic. It's definitely not.

If you want to go even more modern with Kurosawa, High and Low is being released next week. It's not my favorite non-samurai AK but it's very strong.

Oh, and you can't go wrong with Diabolique.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Salo is a different film, but it seems by many posts on this forum, that all the people that have never seen the film are pushed away by what they have read or heard.

Ya think?

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Some people can't even watch Schindler's List more than once though. I think people are more than aware of the reality of the film, but just won't watch it again, or even watch it to begin with. I know that many people have been subjected to what goes on in Salo, or far worse, but to watch the film just isn't my cup of tea. Sometimes people want to watch a film for enjoyment, and not for a huge dose of horrific reality.

IMO, the part I put in bold is not true. People do not understand the film and what it tries to ultimately say. The post I originally quoted, says he was interested because of its 'reputation'. I think the film does have a huge reputation, but its merits are clouded by it too. That is why people need to view the film with a 'blank slate' and actually listen to the dialogue and commentary before judgment is passed.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by octagon

Ya think?

How different, or shocking is Salo than a film like Hunger? They both have a point to get across and both use 'shit' as a method....

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jcs913

How different, or shocking is Salo than a film like Hunger? They both have a point to get across and both use 'shit' as a method....

I was more joking about the words 'it seems' in the quote I responded to...I should have bolded them or something.

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Why would you never watch it again? IMO, what you saw on the screen is not much different than what basically happened in Schindler's List or any other Nazi/Fascist themed film. The difference is that Spielberg and other directors didn't take it that far due to their target audience and fear of backlash to their status as a 'director'. Salo is a different film, but it seems by many posts on this forum, that all the people that have never seen the film are pushed away by what they have read or heard. I do not believe that people understand the background (fascism) of the film. These things did happen in these areas, but again, Pasolini took it to a level of shock that we almost refuse to 'stomach' the reality of it. Besides the images on the screen, listen to the dialogue in the film and the commentary. You will see the importance of the film in the 'scope' of WW2 and what it did to the people that had power at that time.

Don't get me wrong. I can appreciate this film and I know plenty of the background of the story, and that the Marquis de Sade's novel in 18th century France is transposed onto Fascist Italy. I've read quite a bit on the history of this film, so I'm not completely dismissing it because of the horrors that occur throughout. I realize that, although these particular events in the film did not actually happen, many of these same atrocities did occur during WWII. As I said, I can appreciate this film and what it has to say about that period in history, but just because these things actually happened, that doesn't mean that I have to necessarily like it or have/want to watch it again.

[Delirious]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Just watched Salo last night. I had thought about blind-preordering it because of its reputation, but now I'm certainly glad I watched it first. It didn't gross me out or shock me or anything, since I'm pretty desensitized. That being said, however, watching what those people were forced to go through is like a big fist of depression punching you over and over in the face. I'm glad I watched it, though, for the sake of film history and all that, but it's one I would never want to watch again.

like i always say to myself when i'm terrified or scared watching something (especially the "saw" films)-- "it's only a movie."

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I know that many people have been subjected to what goes on in Salo, or far worse, but to watch the film just isn't my cup of tea.

I try to subject myself to similar things in my life daily.

[Dosto]

Originally Posted by octagon

If you want to go even more modern with Kurosawa, High and Low is being released next week. It's not my favorite non-samurai AK but it's very strong.

Which one's your favorite?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Don't get me wrong. I can appreciate this film and I know plenty of the background of the story, and that the Marquis de Sade's novel in 18th century France is transposed onto Fascist Italy. I've read quite a bit on the history of this film, so I'm not completely dismissing it because of the horrors that occur throughout. I realize that, although these particular events in the film did not actually happen, many of these same atrocities did occur during WWII. As I said, I can appreciate this film and what it has to say about that period in history, but just because these things actually happened, that doesn't mean that I have to necessarily like it or have/want to watch it again.

This. You worded it more eloquently than I did.

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I try to subject myself to similar things in my life daily.

Really, you like eating poop?

[Yojimbo]

Originally Posted by jcs913

IMO, the part I put in bold is not true. People do not understand the film and what it tries to ultimately say. The post I originally quoted, says he was interested because of its 'reputation'. I think the film does have a huge reputation, but its merits are clouded by it too. That is why people need to view the film with a 'blank slate' and actually listen to the dialogue and commentary before judgment is passed.

Yes, I was drawn to it because of its reputation. Otherwise, I probably would not have known this film even existed. However, I didn't watch it purely because people said it was the sickest, grossest film ever made. Sure, that may have been part of it, but when I watch films, I like to know why they were made and the meaning behind them. My judgement of the film after having watched it is not a total dismissal. I don't get shocked or grossed out easily. As I have said, I appreciate the film and its meaning, but it was not something I have any particular interest in watching again.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Really, you like eating poop?

I'm not saying that I like to eat it, but I do like being forced to eat it.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

Don't get me wrong. I can appreciate this film and I know plenty of the background of the story, and that the Marquis de Sade's novel in 18th century France is transposed onto Fascist Italy. I've read quite a bit on the history of this film, so I'm not completely dismissing it because of the horrors that occur throughout. I realize that, although these particular events in the film did not actually happen, many of these same atrocities did occur during WWII. As I said, I can appreciate this film and what it has to say about that period in history, but just because these things actually happened, that doesn't mean that I have to necessarily like it or have/want to watch it again.

I understand and appreciate your willingness to understand the film. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of people will not watch it because of its 'reputation', which is typical with many of the posters on this forum. My job is done on this film, due to CC making a quote. I knew I could get him out of hiding with mention of Salo. I know, as it is the same with me, one of his favorites....

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by octagon

I was more joking about the words 'it seems' in the quote I responded to...I should have bolded them or something.

No worries, I know what you meant. BTW, did you look into that Insignia player?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Dosto

Which one's your favorite?

Stray Dog or Drunken Angel, probably.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

I'm not saying that I like to eat it, but I do like being forced to eat it.

That's just oh, so, sexy.

Change of subject, I finally got my copies of Pierrot Le Fou, Night of the Hunter, and Gimme Shelter. I'm looking forward to PLF as it's a blind buy and OOP.

[Dosto]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of people will not watch it because of its 'reputation', which is typical with many of the posters on this forum.

No, they'll not watch it because it doesn't have a slipcover.