The Criterion Collection

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by tenia

Exactly. It is, in the end, almost a "feel good" movie, at least one with a lot of energy, exorting to live, try new experiences, and going ahead in life without being afraid of making a few mistakes in the way.

It is also quite clear that Maude is a "Manic Pixie Dream Girl", helping Harold growing up and embracing life.

Good point re: Manic Pixie. I'd also add that upon re-watch many subtleties in production design can be detected that will add layers of absurdity and irony which are easily missed the first time and I believe intentionally obscured by the over-the-top set pieces and rarely subtle dialogue.

Many argue the film has no depth; maybe, maybe not, but it is layered.

[octagon]

I popped Purple Noon in a couple nights ago and it was pretty enjoyable. Not great but solidly on par with something like Charade or Blow Out. It's also kind of a mix of the two. It has Charade's 'Hitchcock travelogue' feel but with the darker (but still largely fun) edge of Blow Out.

And it's hard to argue with the synopsis at the Criterion site: Alain Delon was definitely at his most impossibly beautiful.

[UNCMT9]

I had Days of Heaven on the DVR for a few months now. Cracked it on last night and couldn't get through the first 30 minutes. Gorgeous cinematography but I couldn't get into it.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

I popped Purple Noon in a couple nights ago and it was pretty enjoyable. Not great but solidly on par with something like Charade or Blow Out. It's also kind of a mix of the two. It has Charade's 'Hitchcock travelogue' feel but with the darker (but still largely fun) edge of Blow Out.

And it's hard to argue with the synopsis at the Criterion site: Alain Delon was definitely at his most impossibly beautiful.

Purple Noon is a great Criterion title. The footage of the Mediterranean is quite stunning, and it's the best adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley. This was one of my very first Blu-ray purchases, as I bought it along with Le Cercle Rouge on the day that I purchased my Blu-ray player.

[ZooTv]

Watching the selected-scene commentaries from Leon Morin, Priest... Amazing stuff. It's such a peculiar film when measured against other Melville works, but brilliant nonetheless.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Watching the selected-scene commentaries from Leon Morin, Priest... Amazing stuff. It's such a peculiar film when measured against other Melville works, but brilliant nonetheless.

I just finished watching Leon Morin, Priest now.

While it isn't my favorite Melville film, I really did enjoy it. I like how we were able to see a different side to war with religion. It's really easy to lose one's faith, especially among war and destruction. However, Barny was able to get a new understanding and appreciation for it through her conversations with Morin.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Purple Noon is a great Criterion title. The footage of the Mediterranean is quite stunning, and it's the best adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley. This was one of my very first Blu-ray purchases, as I bought it along with Le Cercle Rouge on the day that I purchased my Blu-ray player.

I remember liking the Damon movie but don't really remember all that much about it now. I'd definitely like to see it again though. I wasn't a really big fan of his at the time but he's since kind of won me over.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished watching Leon Morin, Priest now.

While it isn't my favorite Melville film, I really did enjoy it. I like how we were able to see a different side to war with religion. It's really easy to lose one's faith, especially among war and destruction. However, Barny was able to get a new understanding and appreciation for it through her conversations with Morin.

Have you had the chance to watch Belmondo in Breathless yet?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

Have you had the chance to watch Belmondo in Breathless yet?

Nope, but I will in the near future.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished watching Leon Morin, Priest now.

While it isn't my favorite Melville film, I really did enjoy it. I like how we were able to see a different side to war with religion. It's really easy to lose one's faith, especially among war and destruction. However, Barny was able to get a new understanding and appreciation for it through her conversations with Morin.

Leon Morin, Priest did not make a big impression with me when I watched it the first time, and I dismissed it as one of the "outlying" Melville choices, along with Les Enfants Terribles.

After subsequent viewings, though, I really warmed up to the movie. It's a great take on another side of the French Resistance, with ordinary people doing courageous things (Leon Morin hiding people from the Germans, etc.).

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Leon Morin, Priest did not make a big impression with me when I watched it the first time, and I dismissed it as one of the "outlying" Melville choices, along with Les Enfants Terribles.

After subsequent viewings, though, I really warmed up to the movie. It's a great take on another side of the French Resistance, with ordinary people doing courageous things (Leon Morin hiding people from the Germans, etc.).

I followed a similar progression. My initial reaction was favorable but not overwhelmingly so. But even before watching it again or looking into any of the supplements it started growing on me the more I thought about it.

I really, really admire the restraint shown by all involved. If anybody had been even a little over the top the whole thing could have been a melodramatic mess. But everybody involved treated the characters and the audience like adults and all things considered that was pretty gutsy.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by octagon

I really, really admire the restraint shown by all involved. If anybody had been even a little over the top the whole thing could have been a melodramatic mess. But everybody involved treated the characters and the audience like adults and all things considered that was pretty gutsy.

Excellent post, really couldn't agree more.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

My order from the flash sale finally arrived. All blind buys: Pale Flower, Harakiri, and The Game. I kind of just threw in The Game in there when Solaris sold out so I hope it's good. Gonna watch Pale Flower first.

Pale Flower is one of my favorite Criterion BD released in the past year or two. I hope you enjoy it. (be sure to let us know what you thought)

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Pale Flower is one of my favorite Criterion BD released in the past year or two. I hope you enjoy it. (be sure to let us know what you thought)

Yes---Pale Flower is just perfect. I wish there were more films like it.

[oildude]

Glad to see some more acclaim for Leon Morin, Priest. It is my second favorite Melville film (as good as it is, it can't top Le Samourai for my favorite). LMP moved me with my fist viewing; it is an exceptionally intelligent and well-written film, one of the best in the Criterion Collection, and I have posted a review of it a few times in here.

One of the nicest surprises for me on first watching Leon Morin, Priest was the presence of Patricia Gozzi, a superbly talented young actress who quit making movies early and never reached the heights of stardom that I believe was her potential. For those interested in more of her work, check out Rapture from Twilight Time, a great lost-in-the-vault gem from 1965. It is available on youtube in nine parts, but nothing compares to the sumptuous black-and-white Cinemascope presentation of the blu-ray with its haunting Georges Delerue score. Gozzi, at the age of 15, is magnificent. Rapture has elements that I think would appeal to fans of Bergman and Hitchcock, and even Polanski's Repulsion. It would have fit nicely into the Criterion Collection.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Pale Flower is one of my favorite Criterion BD released in the past year or two. I hope you enjoy it. (be sure to let us know what you thought)

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Yes---Pale Flower is just perfect. I wish there were more films like it.

I loved Pale Flower. I had a very immediate 'omg, best movie ebrah' reaction.

I'd be pretty hard pressed to say why exactly. Nothing about it really jumped out at me but it all just came together in a really cool way.

[RandomThought31]

So, I read the review for Godzilla. I noticed it said that it suffers in quality around the end. Could anybody who owns it or has seen it on Blu-ray tell me their opinion on it?

Also, I really want to get 12 angry men and being john malkovich. I'm just wondering if these movies tend to appear in stores at all?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by octagon

I loved Pale Flower. I had a very immediate 'omg, best movie ebrah' reaction.

I'd be pretty hard pressed to say why exactly. Nothing about it really jumped out at me but it all just came together in a really cool way.

Pretty much. It's made with such style that makes a simple film something more special. It's very, very 'cool' indeed. That's what gave me my own 'best ever' reaction. Plus,

[Show spoiler]I love the fact that you never get the full story

.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by randomthought31

So, I read the review for Godzilla. I noticed it said that it suffers in quality around the end. Could anybody who owns it or has seen it on Blu-ray tell me their opinion on it?

Also, I really want to get 12 angry men and being john malkovich. I'm just wondering if these movies tend to appear in stores at all?

Barnes & Nobel yes, if they have a media section. Best Buy may carry them but its very YMMV.

Other than Criterions aren't really carried at other retailers. Maybie Frys or FYE if you have one in your area.

Good luck.

[Page14]

Well, I was able to watch 3 more Criterions within the past week or so ... The Red Shoes, Head and Stagecoach. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch or listen to any of the supplements yet. To me, that's a vital part of the bluray experience ... like I haven't really explored the entire film until I go through all the supplements. That being said ...

Very briefly (due to current lack of time to sit at the keyboard):

The Red Shoes: I liked it very much, but might have been expecting more, after reading so many glowing comments about it. I'm anxious to give it another watch.

Head: This is a film that I was very anxious to see because I grew up watching the Monkees TV show ... bought most of their albums. I thought I must have seen it before a long long time ago, but if I did, I sure don't remember any of it. Then again, after seeing the film, it might be easy to not remember, since it jumps all over the place. It was an effort for me to watch it all, but at the same time, I'm anxious to watch it again while listening to the Monkee's commentary.

Stagecoach: I found this one to be surprisingly fun! Beautiful scenery!!! (even in B&W). I have a hard time believing I never saw this before. Now I'm anxious to stock up on more John Ford/John Wayne collaborations.

(Looking back at my comments, I sure seem like an "anxious" kind of guy).