The Criterion Collection

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think I'm going to watch Rashomon in a little bit.

It will also be the first Japanese film that I watch

I'd suggest starting with Seven Samurai, or even Still Walking. Rashomon may leave you a bit cold.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think I'm going to watch Rashomon in a little bit.

It will also be the first Japanese film that I watch

It was my first.

You always remember your first.






Anyone got a cigarette?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think I'm going to watch Rashomon in a little bit.

It will also be the first Japanese film that I watch

It's good, but far from a favorite Kurosawa. The flashback structure was groundbreaking at the time, but thats really all it has going for it.

I'd also agree with Dan - Seven Samurai, Hari-Kiri, or Still Walking instead.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I'd suggest starting with Seven Samurai, or even Still Walking. Rashomon may leave you a bit cold.

I don't know...Rashomon is very accessible...and something very often shown in classes, too. I don't think it's a bad start (I also don't like the film very much either, but that's just a matter of opinion). Although Seven Samurai works too...I just watched it a couple days ago and would say it's not a bad first choice either.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ParticleDan

I'd suggest starting with Seven Samurai, or even Still Walking. Rashomon may leave you a bit cold.

Originally Posted by retablo

It's good, but far from a favorite Kurosawa. The flashback structure was groundbreaking at the time, but thats really all it has going for it.

I'd also agree with Dan - Seven Samurai, Hari-Kiri, or Still Walking instead.

I sort of just want to watch something that's not very long

[retablo]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I sort of just want to watch something that's not very long

So watch just Disc 1 of Seven Samurai. But I guarantee you'll want to watch Disc 2 immediately upon finishing.

[The Great Owl]

For Terrence Malick fans...

YouTube has a multi-part video series on the making of Malick's new film, To the Wonder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...=FR94GBgSl6U#!

With a lot of interview footage from my favorite actress, Olga Kurylenko, and some fun insights on what it is like to work with Terrence Malick.

My day = made.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Another excellent region-free Blu-ray in their collection is TOKYO SONATA (2008) by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

I really enjoyed Tokyo Sonata.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I sort of just want to watch something that's not very long

Heh, you can watch four two hours movies in one night but one three hour movie is too long?

You kill me sometimes, you really do

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

Heh, you can watch four two hours movies in one night but one three hour movie is too long?

You kill me sometimes, you really do

Haha, you make a good point, but I don't know

I'll re-evaluate what I'm going to do.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Haha, you make a good point, but I don't know

I'll re-evaluate what I'm going to do.

retablo's point is pretty good too. You don't have to watch the whole thing at once.

But once you get into it you'll probably want to.

And I agree with everybody who said SS is a better intro to Japanese film.

The length aside it's a very, very interesting, accessible story. It looks great, everybody in it is great, the pacing is even great (though granted it's a lot more patient with the setup than US films tend to be).

[The Great Owl]

Rashômon was the first Akira Kurosawa movie that I saw, and I turned out okay. The last part of the sentence is up for debate, I guess, but, at any rate, it's an excellent movie that does not tax the brain as much as one would imagine going into the film. It's a fun viewing.

Seven Samurai is a better film, especially for a first Kurosawa experience, but Rashômon will give you a good idea of Kurosawa's talent for visuals.

[CoolRanch]

I want to buy another Criterion blu but I'm torn between Anatomy of a Murder, Diabolique, and Following. I haven't seen any of them but I've heard great things about each. Hmmm decisions decisions....

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

Nice, I just added Twenty Four Eyes to my Hulu queue. Can you or anyone else recommend any Criterion's off Hulu? I normally base mine off the reviews on this site but Hulu has a lot more that aren't on here.

It depends on your taste...if you like Japanese cinema, then I think you'll like Twenty Four Eyes. Kinoshita was my latest discovery on Hulu. He reminds me a lot of Ozu, but with his own twists and turns. Twenty Four Eyes has the major plus of starring Hideko Takamine, who appeared in a number of Kinoshita's and Naruse's films. I'd place her in the upper tier of Japanese actresses, along with Kinuyo Tanaka and Setsuko Hara. There are a ton of great offerings of Japanese films on Hulu. I'm a huge fan of Ozu, so I'd suggest "Late Spring", "Tokyo Story", or just about any other of his films. Naruse, Mizoguchi, Kinoshita...you can't go wrong. Just pop one on and see if it holds your interest.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by CoolRanch

I want to buy another Criterion blu but I'm torn between Anatomy of a Murder, Diabolique, and Following. I haven't seen any of them but I've heard great things about each. Hmmm decisions decisions....

I would personally go with one of the former two (both are great choices), and not Following.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I would personally go with one of the former two (both are great choices).

Agreed.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by octagon

And I agree with everybody who said SS is a better intro to Japanese film.

The length aside it's a very, very interesting, accessible story. It looks great, everybody in it is great, the pacing is even great (though granted it's a lot more patient with the setup than US films tend to be).

Personally, I think Yojimbo is the best intro to Kurosawa's work, in terms of ready accessibility to the average Westerner.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

Personally, I think Yojimbo is the best intro to Kurosawa's work, in terms of ready accessibility to the average Westerner.

High and Low is pretty awesome, as far as accessible Kurosawa movies go. It's rooted in present-day (well, 20th Century present day, anyway) and is just a cool mystery/suspense flick.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

High and Low is pretty awesome, as far as accessible Kurosawa movies go. It's rooted in present-day (well, 20th Century present day, anyway) and is just a cool mystery/suspense flick.

After Ikiru that is probably my favorite.

[SammyJankis]

Yojimbo is probably Kurosawa's most entertaining film, so I would point anyone who wants to get into Kurosawa in that direction.

Honestly, I think his best work was towards the end of his career. You got a pretty clear grasp of how the man felt, and it wasn't very cheerful. I know Kurosawa often gets criticized for sentimentality, but if you look at his late work - after his attempted suicide - you see work that has been stripped of these problematic aspects. Ran is just a masterpiece, plain and simple.

EDIT: And I'm not trashing his earlier work. There are few directors that have a body of work that's as impressive as Kurosawa's. Hell, the only other directors that come to mind are Bergman and Kubrick.