The Criterion Collection

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

It's probably the digital film for me. It's just beautiful to look at, and the window reflection in the car scenes are amazing.

Binoche is astounding in this. So much so that Shimmel's performance just pales in comparison. He can't hold his own against her, especially during the dinner scene. She is just on another level compared to most actors.

The reflections are amazing...not just how they look but, for me, how they act as an example of a false, yet accurate, copy of things when all we see is the reflection of what's happening.

She really gives one of the most 'natural' performances in recent memory. I know that according to the interview part of the release, she was told to 'play herself' and it really comes through here, as if her character is a real person with real needs. It makes the relationship much more effective and sympathetic.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Wild Strawberries goes along well with The Seventh Seal, I think. For one thing, it shares an actor or two. It also features some of the same ethereal qualities. I sold my DVD of Wild Strawberries last month to make room for the upcoming Blu-ray, and I cannot wait.

When it comes to Bergman, I'm all for the five-plus hour televised version of Fanny and Alexander. That's my favorite Bergman film, and it's just an outright joy to experience from beginning to end. I took a long afternoon a few weeks ago and watched the entire thing.

I have not seen Summer with Monika or Summer Interlude, but I shall soon.

Ah yes, I forgot about Fanny and Alexander. Seems to be getting warm reviews everywhere.

Budget wise, it may be a while before I can get to it, Three Colors Trilogy is ahead of it on my list as far as box sets go.

I just need to make some time to watch Wild Strawberries.

[JohnWayne]

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Being John Malkovich and The Royal Tenenbaums

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

None of those will ever be in my collection, but I did like Bottle Rocket and Rushmore more than the other two when I saw them years ago.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Snicket

After all the gushing for Certified Copy I'm sort of feeling guilty for putting my copy up for sale.

Does anybody want to talk some Bergman with me?

I have only seen a few of his works, Seventh Seal, which I though was excellent and is on my list to buy.

Persona, for some reason this did not capture me as much, I watched it in film school and definitely appreciated it, but did not enjoy it on the same level as Seventh Seal.

So how do Summer with Monika, Summer Interlude and Wild Strawberries fit in here? I really enjoy the themes in his work, and The history of cinema doc on netflix recently peaked my interest in seeing them (Strawberries is actually on my DVR I just haven't found the time to dive into it.)

That's a really big topic. Can we narrow it down a bit maybe Bergman's work in a given decade?

My favorite is probably a toss up between Persona and one film from his unofficially titled "Faith Trilogy." It features some of his most surefooted visual direction and a palatable mix of symbolism and character work.

This is kind of unrelated, but, Have you read Bordwell's Film Art? In chapter two he advocates looking into form before you start discussing themes. I have to agree, too much criticism these days resembles topical journalism. A critic should be much more aware of form, and should discuss sound design, editing, compositions, etc, before plot synopsis, themes, story, performances. It all seems much too superficial.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Ah yes, I forgot about Fanny and Alexander. Seems to be getting warm reviews everywhere.

Budget wise, it may be a while before I can get to it, Three Colors Trilogy is ahead of it on my list as far as box sets go.

I just need to make some time to watch Wild Strawberries.

I lucked out and found Fanny and Alexander for 40% off a few months back. It's worth noting that the Blu-ray blows the DVD completely out of the water for this particular film. Many Criterion titles look so good on DVD that the difference is not as readily noticeable, but Fanny and Alexander opens up into a new world in high definition.

Let us know what you think about Wild Strawberries. It's good that more people here will be introduced to the film soon.

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Definitely Rushmore and Tenenbaums.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

None of those will ever be in my collection, but I did like Bottle Rocket and Rushmore more than the other two when I saw them years ago.

I think you're shortchanging Being John Malkovich. I mean where to begin with such a bold film? It's darkly hilarious, atypical & thought provoking.

[StonesEGF]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Being John Malkovich
Rushmore

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Being John Malkovich and The Royal Tenenbaums

This. Royal Tenenbaums is by far my favorite Wes Anderson and Being John Malkovich is one of the most unique films you'll ever see.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Tenenbaums is one of my all time favorites, the others are all top notch as well.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

What leads you to only those 4 choices?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I think you're shortchanging Being John Malkovich. I mean where to begin with such a bold film? It's darkly hilarious, atypical & thought provoking.

I watched Being John Malkovich several times when it was first released on DVD. I posted a lot in an R.E.M. message board around that time, and that movie was a big deal because Michael Stipe was involved in the production.

It's a witty film, and certainly it certainly gets points for being different, but the novelty wore off pretty quickly for me.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Snicket

After all the gushing for Certified Copy I'm sort of feeling guilty for putting my copy up for sale.

Does anybody want to talk some Bergman with me?

I have only seen a few of his works, Seventh Seal, which I though was excellent and is on my list to buy.

Persona, for some reason this did not capture me as much, I watched it in film school and definitely appreciated it, but did not enjoy it on the same level as Seventh Seal.

So how do Summer with Monika, Summer Interlude and Wild Strawberries fit in here? I really enjoy the themes in his work, and The history of cinema doc on netflix recently peaked my interest in seeing them (Strawberries is actually on my DVR I just haven't found the time to dive into it.)

Others might not agree with me, but I'd rank Monika up there with his best work. I absolutely loved it. It is so textured and nuanced in spite of having a relatively straightforward and simple plot. Never seen Interlude, but I've seen most of the rest (including the early stuff from the Eclipse set) and I'd say that Monika is essential, well worth watching. For me, it was a blind buy, and I'm happy with that purchase.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by JohnWayne

Thinking of picking up two criterions today. Out of these four, which two would you guys get?

Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket
Rushmore
The Royal Tenenbaums

Right now, I'm leaning towards Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Rushmore and Tenenbaums. These are my top two Anderson films. I like Bottle Rocket too, but I'd rank it a full notch down at least. I also like Malkovich but for me that one more depends what kind of mood I'm in. I'm glad I have it in my collection but revisit it less frequently than the two Anderson masterpieces.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched Being John Malkovich several times when it was first released on DVD. I posted a lot in an R.E.M. message board around that time, and that movie was a big deal because Michael Stipe was involved in the production.

It's a witty film, and certainly it certainly gets points for being different, but the novelty wore off pretty quickly for me.

I don't just give it novelty points, it's a fully realized film. I can't think of another film that more potently dives into issues of identity and sex. It's a film that is literally bursting with ideas. If Spike Jonze was more prolific, I would rank him among the finest directors working today.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I don't just give it novelty points, it's a fully realized film. I can't think of another film that more potently dives into issues of identity and sex. It's a film that is literally bursting with ideas. If Spike Jonze was more prolific, I would rank him among the finest directors working today.

I completely agree with you about Malkovich. I think it's one of the great American films of the late 1990s, with Magnolia, for example. And I do regularly appreciate Jonze's work on my Criterion Beastie Boys Anthology dvd, a really good box set with great extras.

[MidwestCrucible]

For anyone interested, looks like this store has 3 more copies of the (OOP) Leon Morin, Priest at 29.97 + shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/cwcqnpl

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

I completely agree with you about Malkovich. I think it's one of the great American films of the late 1990s, with Magnolia, for example. And I do regularly appreciate Jonze's work on my Criterion Beastie Boys Anthology dvd, a really good box set with great extras.

I've never seen his music videos (nor Gondry's), any reccomendations?