The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Incidentally, I called it out a few days back that I wanted Badlands to be my 200th Blu-ray purchase, and that's still the plan. My 199th Blu-ray (the Olive Films release of the 1958 version of Les Miserables) arrived in the mail today, so this means no more purchases for me until March 19. I'm not exactly weepy about this, because I'm excited about watching the last one-third of Blu-rays in my quickly-assembled collection that I have not yet watched. I'll miss out on all the fun if Barnes & Noble or Criterion throw a surprise 50% off sale in the next four weeks, but that's alright, because there will be others.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

After Ikiru that is probably my favorite.

I agree 100%. That's another film that has the power to change your life. I wish Criterion would have sent copies of the movie to wall street ten years ago.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I agree 100%. That's another film that has the power to change your life. I wish Criterion would have sent copies of the movie to wall street ten years ago.

Since I am a government worker myself, I was quite touched and captivated by Ikiru. It really is a show-stopper as far as making one pause and think.

[joie]

Originally Posted by retablo

It's good [Rashomon], 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.

Yojimbo is Kurosawa's best

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Since I am a government worker myself, I was quite touched and captivated by Ikiru. It really is a show-stopper as far as making one pause and think.

For me, alongside (cue broken record: ) Dekalog I think Ikiru is the most profound thing I've seen in terms of conveying a sense of humanity.

If I had my way I might create a semester long course around them. (This stings all the more since a friend who was able to score teaching a film class was excited to screen The Help and similar fare.)

[blkhrt]

I find it really surprising when people claim that Rashômon is only interesting as a novelty, or because it has a structure that was new at the time. I think that it is a great film, and works really well alongside 12 Angry Men as a meditation on the way we experience the world and how "truth" comes to be understood as truth. Both raise questions about the subjective nature of experience and how such experience can be communicated to others, or how we can know something to be true that we didn't experience first hand (or, for that matter, things that we do experience first hand).

[The Great Owl]

This line of Kurosawa discussion got me thinking...

With your Criterion choices, do you naturally gravitate toward movies of any specific nationality?

I consider myself to be well-rounded in my appreciation for all types of cinema in the Criterion queue, but I do have a prominent affinity for French films, especially the French New Wave films or French crime dramas. This started with the Melville films, then branched out into Jacques Becker, Jules Dassin, Jean-Luc Godard, and Louis Malle. The sight of A Man Escaped on the upcoming list triggered my spider-sense more than the other films with which I was not familiar.

This came about out of the clear blue, since I do not speak French, I have never visited France, and I am a typical Georgia "good old boy" who grew up around country music, church, Friday night football games, and family reunions with a lot of barbecue and venison. I instantly fell in love with the style, the offbeat existentialism vs. fatalism edge, and the toughness of characters in most of the French films, though.

I guess I thought about this because my first Criterion purchases were of Akira Kurosawa movies, then I branched out from there into all sorts of movies. There is a preponderance of French films on in my Criterion collection, though.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I find it really surprising when people claim that Rashômon is only interesting as a novelty, or because it has a structure that was new at the time. I think that it is a great film, and works really well alongside 12 Angry Men as a meditation on the way we experience the world and how "truth" comes to be understood as truth. Both raise questions about the subjective nature of experience and how such experience can be communicated to others, or how we can know something to be true that we didn't experience first hand (or, for that matter, things that we do experience first hand).

I'd add that the second half of Ikiru also tackles the subjective nature of experience in how the wake is an assembly of relative outsiders trying to weave a narrative that understands the person and what seemed on the surface to be his random and uncharacteristic behavior. Add to that how our individual filters, limited point of view, and personal agendas make that a futile exercise.

Sidenote: I worked in Baltimore City Hall for a short period. Ikiru helped me ratify the decision to leave. In fact, in the last days there I posted a Donald Richie quote from his essay by my monitor to help me count down the last days.

[Scottie]

Well, I opted to watch Rashomon.

I found it to be a really fun flick. I actually find myself more intrigued to watch Seven Samurai now that I've seen this.

Was I the only one who laughed at the last fight between Tajomaru and the samurai? Haha

Anyway, it seems that the murder was the backdrop to the entire story. I'm curious, whose story do you find to be the real one?

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 just watched Diabolique last night and I found it to be fantastic.

I haven't watched Anatomy Of A Murder yet, but I hope to watch it very soon. I did see Following when it was released in December and I thought it was okay. It wasn't my favorite Nolan film by far, but it was a short little film that has you wondering until the end.

As Coop said, I would go with either Anatomy Of A Murder or Diabolique. It really depends on your mood - either a suspenseful court drama or a mystery film.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe NY

Your opinion doesn't count.

Why are you still allowed to post?

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I find it really surprising when people claim that Rashômon is only interesting as a novelty, or because it has a structure that was new at the time. I think that it is a great film, and works really well alongside 12 Angry Men as a meditation on the way we experience the world and how "truth" comes to be understood as truth. Both raise questions about the subjective nature of experience and how such experience can be communicated to others, or how we can know something to be true that we didn't experience first hand (or, for that matter, things that we do experience first hand).

I agree. From the beginning, I felt it was very similar to 12 Angry Men. A lot of people just accepted what was being said from the beginning, whether it was real or not.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This line of Kurosawa discussion got me thinking...

With your Criterion choices, do you naturally gravitate toward movies of any specific nationality?

I consider myself to be well-rounded in my appreciation for all types of cinema in the Criterion queue, but I do have a prominent affinity for French films, especially the French New Wave films or French crime dramas. This started with the Melville films, then branched out into Jacques Becker, Jules Dassin, Jean-Luc Godard, and Louis Malle. The sight of A Man Escaped on the upcoming list triggered my spider-sense more than the other films with which I was not familiar.

This came about out of the clear blue, since I do not speak French, I have never visited France, and I am a typical Georgia "good old boy" who grew up around country music, church, Friday night football games, and family reunions with a lot of barbecue and venison. I instantly fell in love with the style, the offbeat existentialism vs. fatalism edge, and the toughness of characters in most of the French films, though.

I guess I thought about this because my first Criterion purchases were of Akira Kurosawa movies, then I branched out from there into all sorts of movies. There is a preponderance of French films on in my Criterion collection, though.

I definitely have an appreciation for the Japanese films after seeing Rashomon, but I find myself being drawn to French films the most.

[jrsl76]

Finally got a chance to watch the 1.66:1 On The Waterfront today. It's been years since I saw it and it was wonderful as remembered. Now I need to watch the extras and the remaining extras from The Man Who Knew Too Much that I watched the other day.

[PowellPressburger]

I know there has been talk of a BLU Criterion upgrade of the BRD Trilogy, or is it just that talk? I've been contemplating selling my box set which still looks Mint box cases etc. I still recall buying it at Barnes & Noble and making sure there were no box cuts etc.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I know there has been talk of a BLU Criterion upgrade of the BRD Trilogy, or is it just that talk? I've been contemplating selling my box set which still looks Mint box cases etc. I still recall buying it at Barnes & Noble and making sure there were no box cuts etc.

If I remember it correctly, it was confirmed in an email a while back...but we haven't gotten any news lately.

Personally, it's my most-wanted upgrade...because I don't have the DVD.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

Finally got a chance to watch the 1.66:1 On The Waterfront today. It's been years since I saw it and it was wonderful as remembered. Now I need to watch the extras and the remaining extras from The Man Who Knew Too Much that I watched the other day.

Brando is beyond praise. Every time I see the film his performance knocks me out. Unbelievable.

[brandon_260]

Just about to pop in Hiroshima Mon Amour. Hope it does more for me than Marienbad.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

This line of Kurosawa discussion got me thinking...

With your Criterion choices, do you naturally gravitate toward movies of any specific nationality?

A breakdown of my Criterion BD Collection, excluding titles of multi-national origin, demonstrates this order, from most titles owned to least:

United States
United Kingdom
Japan
France
Germany/Sweden/Italy (three-way tie)
Hong Kong/USSR/Mexico (three-way tie)

I think it's safe to say that, aside from English-language fare, I tend to gravitate more toward Japanese and French films than anything else.

[CoolRanch]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

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

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Agreed.

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched Diabolique last night and I found it to be fantastic.

I haven't watched Anatomy Of A Murder yet, but I hope to watch it very soon. I did see Following when it was released in December and I thought it was okay. It wasn't my favorite Nolan film by far, but it was a short little film that has you wondering until the end.

As Coop said, I would go with either Anatomy Of A Murder or Diabolique. It really depends on your mood - either a suspenseful court drama or a mystery film.

Thanks for the comments! I am deciding to go with Diabolique.

I actually ended up watching Following this evening and I thought it was great, just not 40 dollars great.

[pro-bassoonist]

Viewed Mr. Kiarostami's latest film, Like Someone in Love. Very modern and elegant film.

You should all push for Criterion to release it on Blu-ray. (It is with IFC Films).

LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE - Official Trailer - YouTube

Pro-B

[SammyJankis]

Been planning on watching it On Demand. Almost bit the bullet a couple of days ago. Will be sure to do it this week.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Viewed Mr. Kiarostami's latest film, Like Someone in Love. Very modern and elegant film.

You should all push for Criterion to release it on Blu-ray. (It is with IFC Films).

Pro-B

Can't wait to see this film.
My top three wishlist films for this year are:
Apres Mai
Amour
Like Someone In Love

[ravenus]

Among my Criterion hauls, the films I tend to re-watch the most are the Kurosawas, the Bergmans the classic Hollywood and British dramas, and some of their wonderful horror films. Yea, I'm not so much into the New Wave stuff, although I like Last Year at Marienbad tremendously and have seen it a few times now.