The Criterion Collection

[spanky87]

Just saw Contempt...uuugh.

Should I give up on Godard? I've only seen this and Breathless, and had emotionally empty experiences with both. I at least appreciated Breathless for it's innovative camera work and editing, but with Contempt there was nothing.

I love Bardot, but this has got to be the most annoying character she's ever played. That entire apartment sequence was painful to get through with some of the most bullshit meandering and repetitive dialogue I've heard in awhile. Actually the entire film was repetitive, "I love you, I despise you, I'll go to Capri if you want me to, no I don't want to go, why do you hate me" blah blah blah. Have to also mention the annoying and unsuitable 'grandiose' score that plays constantly, then it stops and starts again multiple times during the same scene.

I actually gave my television screen the finger when the "FIN" title card appeared. Vivre Sa Vie looks interesting, but I don't know now.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Should I give up on Godard?

I always recommend Band of Outsiders to people that jump right into Godard and dislikes what they see. It seems to be the one that people likes to start with.

[Scottie]

When do the 50% off Criterion.com sales usually occur? Or are they random?

I'd really like to pick up:

Ivan's Childhood
Kes
Orpheus
Phantom Carriage
Two-Lane Blacktop

[henry00x]

thanks for all the suggestions guys!

[Bluprint]

If this was true, what would you do?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

If this was true, what would you do?

Be really disappointed.

[Scottie]

That's a pretty neat fan-made cover. I'd obviously get rid of my regular BD for the Criterion of it, as I don't need two copies.

I saw it on DVD for the first time a year or so ago. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but there was just something that turned me off. I'll have to give it another watch to see if my opinion changes.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

When do the 50% off Criterion.com sales usually occur? Or are they random?

The past two years (at least), they've had one in February.

[Bluprint]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Be really disappointed.

For Shame,.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I saw it on DVD for the first time a year or so ago. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but there was just something that turned me off. I'll have to give it another watch to see if my opinion changes.

I never saw what made it so appealing either...it was just fairly generic to me.. which everyone disagrees with, I know, but I just didn't see it as special.

[Bluprint]

Originally Posted by iScottie

That's a pretty neat fan-made cover. I'd obviously get rid of my regular BD for the Criterion of it, as I don't need two copies.

I saw it on DVD for the first time a year or so ago. I don't know. I enjoyed it, but there was just something that turned me off. I'll have to give it another watch to see if my opinion changes.

I made it from a Drive fan art poster, always thought this and Shame would end up on Criterion. Day one though me.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

For Shame,.

Shame I'd instantly go for

[Show spoiler](...but still be disappointed it's not something new )

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

The past two years (at least), they've had one in February.

Thanks, Coop!

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I never saw what made it so appealing either...it was just fairly generic to me.. which everyone disagrees with, I know, but I just didn't see it as special.

Yeah, I feel like I'll be flamed for not being very won over by it. It still deserves to be seen, but it was just bland, in my opinion. For me, it was just a violent movie with some cool stunt racing. I honestly don't even remember what the plot was about. All I know is that there wasn't very much dialogue and Ryan Gosling's character seemed to lack a lot of emotion.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

I made it from a Drive fan art poster

It's very good...very Criterion-like.

[Bluprint]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Shame I'd instantly go for

[Show spoiler](...but still be disappointed it's not something new )

Shame would be amazing.

[metaridley]

I watched Rashomon recently and almost fell asleep! One of the more boring films I've seen in awhile. (Note that I'm not normally bothered by slower-paced movies and like foreign film quite a bit.) Really disappointed and it was my first Kurosawa to boot!

Seven Samurai is one of the most highly-acclaimed works in the history of cinema but it's really long (I don't mind lengthy films as long as they justify their running time) and only available to rent on DVD via Netflix. Should I go ahead and check it out anyway?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

If this was true, what would you do?

I would think 'damn, that was a pretty cool cover' while paying for something else.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I never saw what made it so appealing either...it was just fairly generic to me.. which everyone disagrees with, I know, but I just didn't see it as special.

I don't think generic's the right word. It seemed like they were at least trying to do something interesting by blending the over-the-top violence with the slow-burn moody atmophere.

It just didn't work.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Bluprint

Shame would be amazing.

Eh. I have to agree with Coop on this one.

I think the release is fine right now. Plus, I would definitely want to see something that:

1. Hasn't either been released on Blu-ray in the U.S. yet
2. Is a transfer from an older release
3. Currently has a poor U.S. release that makes it a disappointment to watch

I just hope Criterion can acquire some Warner titles. We'd at least have a chance of seeing something new instead of a bunch of re-releases.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yeah, I feel like I'll be flamed for not being very won over by it. It still deserves to be seen, but it was just bland, in my opinion. For me, it was just a violent movie with some cool stunt racing. I honestly don't even remember what the plot was about. All I know is that there wasn't very much dialogue and Ryan Gosling's character seemed to lack a lot of emotion.

My thoughts exactly. I liked the style of the opening scene, but after that it seemed just average...not some very unique, out-of-nowhere film.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Just saw Contempt...uuugh.

Should I give up on Godard? I've only seen this and Breathless, and had emotionally empty experiences with both. I at least appreciated Breathless for it's innovative camera work and editing, but with Contempt there was nothing.

I love Bardot, but this has got to be the most annoying character she's ever played. That entire apartment sequence was painful to get through with some of the most bullshit meandering and repetitive dialogue I've heard in awhile. Actually the entire film was repetitive, "I love you, I despise you, I'll go to Capri if you want me to, no I don't want to go, why do you hate me" blah blah blah. Have to also mention the annoying and unsuitable 'grandiose' score that plays constantly, then it stops and starts again multiple times during the same scene.

I actually gave my television screen the finger when the "FIN" title card appeared. Vivre Sa Vie looks interesting, but I don't know now.

Well, Godard has his followers and detractors. CONTEMPT is actually my favorite Godard film and probably his most mainstream title (except for that extended real-time apartment scene, which is a fascinating exercise in symbolic staging, camera composition and color all by itself). [And incidentally, the Criterion DVD looks substantially better than the bitterly disappointing Lionsgate Blu-ray.] BREATHLESS is okay but often annoying. VIVRE SA VIE and UNE FEMME MARIEE are rather interesting and PIERROT LE FOU is sort of pretty good. Most later Godard (after the mid-60s) tends to be virtually unwatchable, but again YMMV. I tend to prefer Truffaut, Melville, and some of the other French new wave directors over Godard (I even like LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD), but Godard is undeniably influential.