The Criterion Collection

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by TLeeTx2012

[Show spoiler]OK...so I plan on hitting B&N in a couple hours. I'm prepared to buy 3 CCs. I know I'm getting "Dazed & Confused". Probably "Modern Times" also.

Now...I'm stuck on which one to get to fill that 3rd spot. Out of these...what's everyone's opinions on them. They're all blind buys to me mind you.

- Antichrist
- Paris, TX
- Chronos
- Something Wild
- House
- Night of the Hunter

OR should I got with one of these ( which I like )

- Seven Samurai
- Videodrome

Night of the Hunter.

Originally Posted by Monty70

I am completely enamored with my Island of Lost Souls BD. You make a wonderful suggestion of more pre code horror from Criterion. I would love to see any of the following.

Freaks (1932)
The Old Dark House (1932)
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
The Black Cat (1934)
Murders in the Zoo (1933)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)

Freaks is a great film that deserves a better release. The Old Dark House is one of my favorites, but the KINO release is very soft. I think there was only one surviving copy found of the film. Although I can't think of anything in it that would fit into the pre-code era. Very tame yet enjoyable movie.
Murders in the Zoo is pretty graphic for its time. Like Island of Lost Souls its mostly implied though. Although there are a few grisly scenes.

[The Theory]

I may be too late as it has been more than "a couple of hours". Still...

Originally Posted by TLeeTx2012

OK...so I plan on hitting B&N in a couple hours. I'm prepared to buy 3 CCs. I know I'm getting "Dazed & Confused". Probably "Modern Times" also.

Now...I'm stuck on which one to get to fill that 3rd spot. Out of these...what's everyone's opinions on them. They're all blind buys to me mind you.

- Antichrist
- Paris, TX
- Chronos
- Something Wild
- House
- Night of the Hunter

OR should I got with one of these ( which I like )

- Seven Samurai
- Videodrome

Having seen all of them, I would say that all are interesting and entertaining films.

Antichrist is recommended if you like gruesome, dark, and controversial subject matters. I have extreme friends and have heard, multiple times, phrases like "I thought Antichrist was extreme, then I saw A Siberian Film".

Paris, Texas is a slow, southern-fried character study that gives a really poignant look at a man, his son, and general debacle of a life. Gorgeous cinematography and good acting help propel this one, but finding answers to questions unspoken is really the draw here.

Cronos is a neat little modern-day horror-fantasy. It's fun, but lacks some of the breathtaking awe that pervades a lot of Criterion films. A stellar bonus features set gives this release more teeth. I'd probably only go this route if you're into del Toro, are particularly interested in the genre, or simply enjoy rougher storytelling.

Something Wild is sort of an unexpected film of the Criterion collection--it's a fevered road-trip/crime-spree/romance that offers very little time to breathe. But it twists in some great directions. A very enjoyable film if the actual prompt sparks interest.

House is... House. Japanese avant-garde horror. It's infused with that absurd mind-melting "is this a drug trip?" sensation where anything unexpected can and will happen. It isn't really a scary film at all... but it IS a crazy mindtrip with no boundaries.

Night of the Hunter is just brilliant. Thanks to being seen through the eyes of the protagonist children, the viewer is kept unsure as to the validity of what is being "told" to us, while also making the story that much more engaging and intense.

It seems like you've seen Seven Samurai/Videodrome, so I won't bother blurbing those.

From a pure filmmaking standpoint, I'd rank the blind-buys like this: Night of the Hunter, Paris Texas, Antichrist, Something Wild, Cronos, House. But all are worth seeing, imo. (Can't comment on replay value yet, as I haven't gotten around to viewing #2 with any of them.)

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I know your pain, my inspection's due in January (only 25 bucks), but my dad put my snow tires on for me this past weekend and told me I have about 400 dollars worth of work needed right now. My rear shocks and my rocker panels are rusted out.

Ugh, brutal. If my inspection is anything like it has been the past few years, I should be fine. But I keep getting the feeling that I'm due for a major whammy--too many good years in a row for a car that's 16 years old.

Originally Posted by kryptonite1970

that sucks...have you seen The Killing? I am planning to get this together with Carlos but waiting on new coupons due anytime now from B&N to maximize savings. I know it's hard to blind buy Criterions since these movies are not for everyone.

I haven't seen The Killing yet... but it IS Kubrick. I can't imagine that I'll regret the purchase at all. Even lesser Kubrick is still monumental.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by italy12

A clue for February...I have no idea what it is...posted on CC's fb.

A lot of people are saying it is Rocco and His Brothers by Visconti...never saw it, but it sounds very intriguing.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by The Theory

I haven't seen The Killing yet... but it IS Kubrick. I can't imagine that I'll regret the purchase at all. Even lesser Kubrick is still monumental.

I don't know if I'd call The Killing "lesser Kubrick." The film is marvelous!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Theory

I haven't seen The Killing yet... but it IS Kubrick. I can't imagine that I'll regret the purchase at all. Even lesser Kubrick is still monumental.

Killer's Kiss alone is almost worth the price of admission.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by italy12

I don't know if I'd call The Killing "lesser Kubrick." The film is marvelous!

The guy really did hit the ground running, no?

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by italy12

I don't know if I'd call The Killing "lesser Kubrick." The film is marvelous!

Not what I meant, but my phrasing could definitely be interpreted that way. I really wasn't too fond of Spartacus, so that was the film I was thinking of. But do I regret buying Spartacus? Hell no.

[colinrgeorge]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I am completely enamored with my Island of Lost Souls BD. You make a wonderful suggestion of more pre code horror from Criterion. I would love to see any of the following.

Freaks (1932)
The Old Dark House (1932)
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
The Black Cat (1934)
Murders in the Zoo (1933)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)

I'd love to see Criterion tackle Herzog's oddball Even Dwarfs Started Small.

[jcs913]

For anyone that has seen Carlos, this may be interesting to you. Again, timely considering its recent release from Criterion. The publicity has to help them sell copies...

http://news.yahoo.com/carlos-jackal-...105618574.html

[toddly6666]

Which one is the best purchase and most rewatchable:
Senso, The Leopard, or Lola Montes?

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Which one is the best purchase and most rewatchable:
Senso, The Leopard, or Lola Montes?

hmmm I pop in The Leopard a lot however it isn't exactly a short film, but I love looking at it. Esp for the 50% off Barnes Price go for the pricier titles and knock those out for sure.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

hmmm I pop in The Leopard a lot however it isn't exactly a short film, but I love looking at it. Esp for the 50% off Barnes Price go for the pricier titles and knock those out for sure.

Is it entertaining? I keep on reading negative reviews that it's boring.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by italy12

A lot of people are saying it is Rocco and His Brothers by Visconti...never saw it, but it sounds very intriguing.

I always wanted to see this film so if it is Day one purchase for sure.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Is it entertaining? I keep on reading negative reviews that it's boring.

most everyone thinks that almost everything from the Criterion Collection is boring. I think The Leopard looks amazing.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

most everyone thinks that almost everything from the Criterion Collection is boring. I think The Leopard looks amazing.

ha, yeah, true...so besides the visuals, does it have a good story?

[The Theory]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Is it entertaining? I keep on reading negative reviews that it's boring.

The Leopard would have been my recommendation, except I've only seen those three movies once so far. But this question I can answer.

Depends entirely on what you look for in a movie. It is a vibrant character sketch, so if you like movies that explore characters more than more action forward, then this is far from boring.

The most recent Flixster review says: "A great big sigh of a movie. Beautiful and moving." And that pretty much sums it up.

[Sukuri]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Which one is the best purchase and most rewatchable:
Senso, The Leopard, or Lola Montes?

Trick question. They're all the same.

[Show spoiler]I've only seen them each once, I guess lola montes and senso > leopard though, not a huge fan of 3hr films.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by italy12

A lot of people are saying it is Rocco and His Brothers by Visconti...never saw it, but it sounds very intriguing.

If it doesn't make it to Criterion, you should invest in the DVD released by Masters of Cinema.

[SpiderBaby]

A Man Escaped is what I think that photo is for (since it's on Hulu, it's prob a better shot).

Now if only they will announce those Oshima films finally.....