The Criterion Collection

[jcs913]

Going to throw this out there, as I finally got to my copy of 3 Women. This was my 3rd viewing, first on blu, and I am just mesmerized every time. Generally, I am not a big Altman fan, but I listened to about 3/4 of his commentary track this time, as I remembered most of the dialogue. His comments on the film and what his interpretation of what he was thinking are opposite of my thoughts on most of the film. I do agree with him that if he had to do it all over again, he would get rid of or redo the 'dream' sequence. It didn't seem to fit the flow of the movie.

Anyways, my question is simply; Do you agree with his assessment that the film is primarily based around the male as the 'Alpha' figure and the Womens' main purpose is to bring him down? That seems to be what I got out of his interpretation throughout the film, which is a little different than my thoughts.

If you have not seen the film, then shame on you... I will say that the PQ is not a big improvement over the CC dvd, so if you already own it, keep it...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I know how you feel... I bought the DVD but wanted it on BLU. My grails for Blu upgrades in terms of recent releases that were contracted for BLU at that moment would be Z and Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

I want The Blob, Rebecca, Spartacus (mom can have my current BD copy, we can retire the Universal DVD), The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Bad Sleep Well, Throne of Blood, The Killers Box set, The River, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Ace in the Hole, Brazil, and Life Aquatic. That's just to name a few of the ones I want upgraded.

[deltasun]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Maybe to them a better use of time would be playing fantasy football (colossal waste of time imo).

Come on now, this is just as ignorant a comment as the one said about (classic) film. I personally don't do FF, but I know people who derive much enjoyment with keeping track of stats, etc. I can respect it and see what makes it tick.

In other topics, I'm about halfway through Che (from Netflix). I'm surprised how much it flows for me and am liking what I'm watching thus far.

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I guess I'm a pretentious ******* to my co-worker, whos' a year older than I am, when I just gawk at him when he sprouts off that he doesn't watch anything made before 1980, animated films aren't real ones, and questions as to why I buy movies and have a movie collection at all, when I can just download the latest films and watch them once with poor PQ. He and I do not agree on films. I don't like a lot of stuff he likes, but it seems like it's a personal insult to him when I say something like Inception is a 7/10, rather than a 10/10. Of course, he's critical of everything I like/do. Ranting on and on about everything like it's an abomination. He has issues.

Forgot to add, I don't try to force my tastes on him. I just roll my eyes and carry on. It's annoying as hell to put up with this daily though. He keeps trying to push Mac on me as well, because Windows and Android suck, Apple's the only company to make quality products.

I agree with him about Mac

But that comes with a few caveats that shouldn't be discussed on this thread, and I'm also an Android user, supporter, and fan. I'm just anti-Windows.

Slightly back OT: I wish we were getting Gojira in December. I was pretty stoked about it.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

All this late chat remember me of a thing that happened a few weeks ago. I was at a school meeting discussing the events and such of this semester. Half-through the meeting, a proffesor pointed out that the French Cinema Tour was just about to begin. I was pretty excited about it, not screaming or telling anyboby about it, just within myself. Then, suddenly, one of my girl classmates stand up and starts saying the Tour was a waste of time and that all French Cinema is obviously porn . I didn't say anything cause I know such ignorance is unfixable but it really hitted me how incredibly ignorant most people sounded about films. Most of my class is composed of people who don't appreciate anything that doesn't involve gore, sex, "horror" and/or romantic comedy by the numbers . I don't have a problem with people not liking film at all, what I have problem with is when people just talk in such a blatantly ignorant way.

I don't think that I ever thumbed my nose at "arthouse" films (never liked the sound of that...always comes across as being snooty )...but 10 years ago, I would never have even considered watching the films that I have embraced in the last 3-5 years. My wife was the "artsy" one that followed French directors and ironically, showed me "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down" (ironic, as you have an Almodóvar avatar) for the first time. How quickly people forget that this is how Antonio Banderas got his start in film...thanks to Almodóvar.

I just got tired of the crap that has/is still coming out of Hollywood...reamkes of old films (not done very well at that), as well as remakes of old TV shows, cartoons, games characters, etc. What has happened to originality and creativity? Gone the way of the dinosaur I guess...

[rkish]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Going to throw this out there, as I finally got to my copy of 3 Women. This was my 3rd viewing, first on blu, and I am just mesmerized every time. Generally, I am not a big Altman fan, but I listened to about 3/4 of his commentary track this time, as I remembered most of the dialogue. His comments on the film and what his interpretation of what he was thinking are opposite of my thoughts on most of the film. I do agree with him that if he had to do it all over again, he would get rid of or redo the 'dream' sequence. It didn't seem to fit the flow of the movie.

Anyways, my question is simply; Do you agree with his assessment that the film is primarily based around the male as the 'Alpha' figure and the Womens' main purpose is to bring him down? That seems to be what I got out of his interpretation throughout the film, which is a little different than my thoughts.

If you have not seen the film, then shame on you... I will say that the PQ is not a big improvement over the CC dvd, so if you already own it, keep it...

Shame on me, I guess...

There is just too much that I want to get now and I'd rather wait until November to purchase most of the new films. I'm only allowing myself the pleasure of the silents for now (Phantom Carriage and Battling Butlers...plus The Kid and City Lights (UK) ).

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by rkish

Shame on me, I guess...

There is just too much that I want to get now and I'd rather wait until November to purchase most of the new films. I'm only allowing myself the pleasure of the silents for now (Phantom Carriage and Battling Butlers...plus The Kid and City Lights (UK) ).

Glad to hear you ordered the Park Circus releases. You will not be disappointed, until Criterion finally releases them...

You know, Altman has made so many films and some are etched in stone to the masses, but IMO Criterion certainly released one of his best. He was such a 'Hollywood' director, but this is a nice off color output. As you know Rich, I am such a fan of thought provoking films that are just 'there' and this one is the epitome of that. For others that have not seen this film, it is similar to something that you would get from David Lynch. I don't know if you still have the disc part of Netflix, but you can rent the CC dvd from them. Like I said, it is not a big downgrade from the BD.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by nathan_393

I agree with him about Mac

But that comes with a few caveats that shouldn't be discussed on this thread, and I'm also an Android user, supporter, and fan. I'm just anti-Windows.

Slightly back OT: I wish we were getting Gojira in December. I was pretty stoked about it.

I use Android on a rooted Nook Color, Windows on my Desktops/Laptops, and iOS on an iPhone, and have a iPod Nano. I don't think any is better than the other, as they all have equal merit: both bad and good. I just think it's wrong to tell others they're stupid for what they like. I don't tell him he's stupid for buying only Apple products, and what food he likes to eat.

I also want Gojira too.

[oildude]

I should be getting my copy of 3 Women by next week. I ordered it from Criterion during their 75,000 second sale, along with seven replacement plastic cases for early criterion releases that came with slipcovers. However, because The Man Who Fell to Earth plastic case was out of stock, it has delayed the order.

3 Women is a movie I saw part of years ago, but remember nothing about it other than I didn't like it enough to finish watching and turned it off. When Criterion announced the upgrade to blu, I was disappointed because there are so many other films I am wanting to see upgraded.

While I still like the same movies I did back then, I also recognize my views of film have expanded over the years, so I decided to search out 3 Women online for another look. I quickly discovered the whole film is on YouTube. After watching about 20 mins of it, my reaction was completely different this time around. I was sold and ordered it from Criterion. Now I am looking forward to finally getting it when my delayed order arrives.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by oildude

I should be getting my copy of 3 Women by next week. I ordered it from Criterion during their 10,000 second sale, along with seven replacement plastic cases for early criterion releases that came with slipcovers. However, because The Man Who Fell to Earth plastic case was out of stock, it has delayed the order.

3 Women is a movie I saw part of years ago, but remember nothing about it other than I didn't like it enough to finish watching and turned it off. When Criterion announced the upgrade to blu, I was disappointed because there are so many other films I am wanting to see upgraded.

While I still like the same movies I did back then, I also recognize my views of film have expanded over the years, so I decided to search out 3 Women online for another look. I quickly discovered the whole film is on YouTube. After watching about 20 mins of it, my reaction was completely different this time around. I was sold and ordered it from Criterion. Now I am looking forward to finally getting it when my delayed order arrives.

I am glad you changed your mind on it. When watching it, it seems like a simple regular film that you have seen a thousand times. But it just has a pan or phrase or some other little thing here and there, like the fixation on the paintings, that keeps you compelled to watch. I do not know how to describe it, but it has that 'Mulholland Drive' feel to it. Maybe its got to do with California....

[EnigmaticWarrior]

Hello blu-ray.com members, I've recently had the urge to check out some films from the Criterion Collection. (Don't really know why, now that I think about it. ) Anybody have any recommendations as to a single movie I could try buying and watching before I start delving deeper into this massive collection of classic/arthouse/contemporary films? Something that a "mainstream" person like me could easily sink into? I don't have any specific genres that I primarily watch (I'll watch anything that's considered good ), but I can't endure excessive violence and excessive strong language/swearing just annoys me to no end.

Originally Posted by abbazappaplant

Watched "Still Walking" last night. What a beautiful film. It's a simple story in my opinion, but in this case, simple makes it meditative and and subtle shifts keep the story moving to its ultimate conclusion. I honestly cannot recommend this film enough, it's beautifully shot, acted, directed and is simply wonderful.

Originally Posted by oildude

Agree 100%. I have written several posts in this forum about how much I like this fillm and how, like you, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is one of the gems of the collection. As I wrote a just few days ago, what makes the film so brilliant is that it can take a slice of everyday life - the gathering of an extended Japanese family, their interactions over several meals, interwoven with interpersonal tensions, quiet demons, and modern vs. traditional cultural themes - and make such a compelling story out of it for a non-Japanese audience.

Originally Posted by jvince

I love Still Walking. I'm planning to get the blu-ray during the next B&N sale. I found it very elegant and down-to-earth, and it's probably one of the safest blind-buys in the Criterion Collection.

Still Walking definitely caught my attention when I was exploring the Criterion Collection several days ago. As someone who's been watching slice of life anime series for a while now, would this be the "safest" one, or is there something else that is even more accessible for a person like me?

Other films in the Criterion Collection that captured my attention are Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line (since Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is coming out soon, though I heard Malick's film are really divisive among moviegoers), The Seventh Seal, Seven Samurai, 8 1/2, The Red Shoes, Wings of Desire, Solaris, The Last Emperor, Yojimbo & Sanjuro, and Paths of Glory. So, any helpful recommendation(s) would be greatly appreciated, you guys.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

Hello blu-ray.com members, I've recently had the urge to check out some films from the Criterion Collection. (Don't really know why, now that I think about it. ) Anybody have any recommendations as to a single movie I could try buying and watching before I start delving deeper into this massive collection of classic/arthouse/contemporary films? Something that a "mainstream" person like me could easily sink into? I don't have any specific genres that I primarily watch (I'll watch anything that's considered good ), but I can't endure excessive violence and excessive strong language/swearing just annoys me to no end.

I guess Salo would not be a good choice...

[EnigmaticWarrior]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I guess Salo would not be a good choice...

What would Salo fall under? The violence or the swearing? Just curious.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

Hello blu-ray.com members, I've recently had the urge to check out some films from the Criterion Collection. (Don't really know why, now that I think about it. ) Anybody have any recommendations as to a single movie I could try buying and watching before I start delving deeper into this massive collection of classic/arthouse/contemporary films? Something that a "mainstream" person like me could easily sink into? I don't have any specific genres that I primarily watch (I'll watch anything that's considered good ), but I can't endure excessive violence and excessive strong language/swearing just annoys me to no end.







Still Walking definitely caught my attention when I was exploring the Criterion Collection several days ago. As someone who's been watching slice of life anime series for a while now, would this be the "safest" one, or is there something else that is even more accessible for a person like me?

Other films in the Criterion Collection that captured my attention are Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line (since Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is coming out soon, though I heard Malick's film are really divisive among moviegoers), [B]The Seventh Seal, Seven Samurai, 8 1/2, The Red Shoes, Wings of Desire, Solaris, The Last Emperor[/B], Yojimbo & Sanjuro, and Paths of Glory. So, any helpful recommendation(s) would be greatly appreciated, you guys.

Indigo ones are the ones I own and love. The Last Emperor was ok, but not one of my favourites. Red Shoes was the same. I wasn't a fan of Days of Heaven, the little sister drove me nuts.

If you like the Dollars Trilogy by Leone, you should like Yojimbo, as A Fist Full of Dollars was a remake of it. The Magnificent Seven was a remake of Seven Samurai.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by enigmaticwarrior

what would salo fall under? The violence or the swearing? Just curious.

all of the above and more...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

What would Salo fall under? The violence or the swearing? Just curious.

Both, plus poop eating. It's definitely not for kids.

[EnigmaticWarrior]

Originally Posted by jcs913

all of the above and more...

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Both, plus poop eating. It's definitely not for kids.

Oh, wow. Probably not something that I could watch. Sorry to disappoint you guys on that one.

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Indigo ones are the ones I own and love. The Last Emperor was ok, but not one of my favourites. Red Shoes was the same. I wasn't a fan of Days of Heaven, the little sister drove me nuts.

If you like the Dollars Trilogy by Leone, you should like Yojimbo, as A Fist Full of Dollars was a remake of it. The Magnificent Seven was a remake of Seven Samurai.

I've seen The Magnificent Seven and loved it. I'm also fully aware that it's a western remake of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, so I have zero doubts that I'm gonna love it too.

[trombone dixie]

I'm going to try to be appropriate with the November sale. Then again I'm going to have a shitload of extra money so I doubt that will be the case.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

Hello blu-ray.com members, I've recently had the urge to check out some films from the Criterion Collection. (Don't really know why, now that I think about it. ) Anybody have any recommendations as to a single movie I could try buying and watching before I start delving deeper into this massive collection of classic/arthouse/contemporary films? Something that a "mainstream" person like me could easily sink into? I don't have any specific genres that I primarily watch (I'll watch anything that's considered good ), but I can't endure excessive violence and excessive strong language/swearing just annoys me to no end.







Still Walking definitely caught my attention when I was exploring the Criterion Collection several days ago. As someone who's been watching slice of life anime series for a while now, would this be the "safest" one, or is there something else that is even more accessible for a person like me?

Other films in the Criterion Collection that captured my attention are Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line (since Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is coming out soon, though I heard Malick's film are really divisive among moviegoers), The Seventh Seal, Seven Samurai, 8 1/2, The Red Shoes, Wings of Desire, Solaris, The Last Emperor, Yojimbo & Sanjuro, and Paths of Glory. So, any helpful recommendation(s) would be greatly appreciated, you guys.

I am a "mainstream" Criterion guy as well. From your list I own Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, The Seventh Seal, Seven Samurai, and Paths of Glory. All are WELL worth the time and effort. I also highly recommend Paris, Texas.

As far as a single recommendation from your list I would start with Paths of Glory. It's the most straight forward and accessible of those you mention.

[HyperRealist]

I got these from goHastings for less than $10 each.

Play Time
The Red Shoes
Repulsion
Seven Samurai