The Criterion Collection

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

I've been thinking about blind buys . . . It's something I do a lot, and derive much pleasure from - the satisfaction of researching a product to predict some level of assurance and enjoyment, and getting feedback/input from friends and co-collectors as part of the process. That there is always some level of uncertainty is for me a part of what I like about taking the plunge, so to speak.

My favorite Criterion blind buys in the past couple of years have probably been World on a Wire, Weekend (Haige), Carlos, and Letter Never Sent.

As a potential conversation topic, any thoughts or opinions about the riskiest blind buys? I guess it all depends on the person. But I think some of the titles are inherently riskier, or require that more care be taken in the decision. I'm thinking, for example, of the Qatsi trilogy, or Insignificance. While I thoroughly enjoy these, I wouldn't just recommend my friends go out and buy them without watching them first to gauge some level of interest or appetite.

Speaking of appetite, I also love Eating Raoul. I got it via a blind buy when it was first released. But I'd also say that's a really risky one. Same goes for Kes, one of my favorite, most rewarding blind buys . . . perhaps one of my favorite movies, period . . . but if you're not into British social realism it might be challenging, boring, or otherwise unappealing.

Only Blu-ray blind buys I've made so far have both been Criterions: Three Colors and The Double Life of Veronique, both Kieslowski films. I've seen my fair share of Criterions on Blu-ray, DVD and streaming but none that I would deem "risky" blind buys. Like you said, it's really up to an individual's taste and hard to find a general consensus. Maybe the most expensive titles?

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

As a potential conversation topic, any thoughts or opinions about the riskiest blind buys? I guess it all depends on the person. But I think some of the titles are inherently riskier, or require that more care be taken in the decision. I'm thinking, for example, of the Qatsi trilogy, or Insignificance. While I thoroughly enjoy these, I wouldn't just recommend my friends go out and buy them without watching them first to gauge some level of interest or appetite.

Speaking of appetite, I also love Eating Raoul. I got it via a blind buy when it was first released. But I'd also say that's a really risky one. Same goes for Kes, one of my favorite, most rewarding blind buys . . . perhaps one of my favorite movies, period . . . but if you're not into British social realism it might be challenging, boring, or otherwise unappealing.

What is the risk though? Criterion's hold their value better than any other label, so worse case scenario you waste a couple of hours of your time and get your money back on eBay. Save all your "risky" blind buys for the B&N sales and you stand to make a profit on any you don't like. What's the big deal? I just buy what I fancy.

[Abdrewes]

Riskiest Blind Buys

In the Realm of the Senses (great movie though)
Salo
Fear and Loathing
Last Temptation of Christ (love it)
Tiny Furnature
Fat Girl
Shallow Grave (if you're a quality person)
Moment of truth (if you're an animal person)

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

Let's face it, Nicolas Cage can be way over the top, and while there is something of artistic merit in much of that style, it sometimes goes too far, and I felt that way about Face/Off. Just my opinion

I enjoy Roger Ebert's take on Cage, whenever he goes over-the-top and whenever he gives a nuanced performance. The only real love I have for Ebert is that he's a huge Cage fan. That alone makes him solid in my book.

There are some incredibly terrible movies he's been in and if it weren't for him devouring the scenery, in sometimes incredibly surreal ways, they would be completely unwatchable. Deadfall (directed by Christopher Coppola, clearly lacking the talent of his relatives) is a perfect example. You can easily find clips on YouTube. I've never seen a performance like that and probably never will again. In some ways, his ~45 minute appearance is one of the best, most bizarre stretches of cinema, ever.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Riskiest Blind Buys

In the Realm of the Senses (great movie though)
Salo
Fear and Loathing
Last Temptation of Christ (love it)
Tiny Furnature
Fat Girl
Shallow Grave (if you're a quality person)
Moment of truth (if you're an animal person)

I say yes for Salo and yes also for In The Realm Of The Sense but I own the last one on DVD while I would not buy Salo. I think the others are save bet, nothing too crazy as blind buy goes. I am surprise you listed Shallow Grave cause for me it's not really that risky so I am wondering what made it seem risky for you?

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

My dad died quite suddenly on Sunday morning was a bit of a shock. He was talking to me and then I just turn around to get something and first thing I know he is on the ground Doctor confirm to us his heart just stop, firemen and paramedics where at the house quickly but he never came back.

Holy eff, that's terrible! I don't know you at all and thankfully have yet to lose my parents so I can only imagine what you're going through but best wishes and take care. May watching Criterion movies or anything else help to ease your pain.

[metaridley]

Oh hey, all this talk about Nicolas Cage just upgraded me from an "Expert Member" to a "Special Member".

[ZooTv]

My copy of Le doulos which I ordered from ImportCDS is now on back order, I have my doubts that it will even ship.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I say yes for Salo and yes also for In The Realm Of The Sense but I own the last one on DVD while I would not buy Salo. I think the others are save bet, nothing too crazy as blind buy goes. I am surprise you listed Shallow Grave cause for me it's not really that risky so I am wondering what made it seem risky for you?

I just couldn't justify it at $20+ prices. It's awfully underwhelming, even as a sturdy B-movie.

Sorry to hear the news of your father's passing. My heart goes out to you.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Riskiest Blind Buys

In the Realm of the Senses (great movie though)
Salo
Fear and Loathing
Last Temptation of Christ (love it)
Tiny Furnature
Fat Girl
Shallow Grave (if you're a quality person)
Moment of truth (if you're an animal person)

I would add 8 1/2, Antichrist, Black Moon, By Brakhage, Hollis Frampton, and Rosetta to the list.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I just couldn't justify it at $20+ prices. It's awfully underwhelming, even if its a sturdy B-movie.

Oh I see what you mean now, I was thinking of something else when I was reading your post. Yes I can see that, it's not amazing but interesting. I haven't got it myself either cause for me I think it lack a bit of replay value cause it's a movie with "shock value ending" meaning a sort of surprise crazy ending and for me a lot of time these type of movie are just not that fun to watch again once I know what is going on. It does not really make much sense since you can apply that to almost any movies and the endings but I am just strange that way

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I would add 8 1/2, Antichrist, Black Moon, By Brakhage, Hollis Frampton, and Rosetta to the list.

+1 on those, but I really do like Rosetta and 81/2 very much. Also, there's tremendous value in the Brakhage set. Dog Star Man alone is worth the price of the box set.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Riskiest Blind Buys

In the Realm of the Senses (great movie though)
Salo
Fear and Loathing
Last Temptation of Christ (love it)
Tiny Furnature
Fat Girl
Shallow Grave (if you're a quality person)
Moment of truth (if you're an animal person)

I would agree with all except The Last Temptation of Christ. If you like Martin Scorsese and if you're not one of those who are going to dislike it no matter what, I'd say you'll probably like it.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

+1 on those, but I really do like Rosetta and 81/2 very much. Also, there's tremendous value in the Brakhage set. Dog Star Man alone is worth the price of the box set.

I haven't seen the shorts, but they seem like love / hate relationships.

I pretty much advise everybody to not blind buy Black Moon whatsoever. If you want to see it THAT badly, watch it on Hulu (if available), torrent it, rent it, whatever, as long as you don't shell out $20+.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Oh I see what you mean now, I was thinking ofsomething else when I was reading your post. Yes I can see that, it's not amazing but interesting. I haven't got it myself either cause for me I think it lack a bit of replay value cause it's a movie with "shock value ending" meaning a sort of surprise crazy ending and for me a lot of time these type of movie are just not that fun to watch again once I know what is going on. It does not really make much sense since you can apply that to almost any movies and the endings but I am just strange that way

It's totally worth watching and even entertaining, but I regret even paying $14 for it. There are plenty of Echo Bridge $5 thrillers that have more value. Heaven, Dirty Pretty Things, The Grifters and Fresh all come to mind.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Holy eff, that's terrible! I don't know you at all and thankfully have yet to lose my parents so I can only imagine what you're going through but best wishes and take care. May watching Criterion movies or anything else help to ease your pain.

Yeah was a bit of a surprise, just happen in matter of seconds and he was gone. I did the CPR right away but doctor told me later not to feel bad nothing could have been done, he was just gone by the time he was down. Been thinking about it a lot the last few days, life is sort weird just a few seconds before he was all smile and everything. You really have to just appreciate every single second you have, you just never know when its just going to be done.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by vader4

I would agree with all except The Last Temptation of Christ. If you like Martin Scorsese and if you're not one of those who are going to dislike it no matter what, I'd say you'll probably like it.

Yeah, as long as you know it deviates radically from the Bible, you're okay. I just know my parents won't come close to the film (having been told off by Christian media)

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

It's totally worth watching and even entertaining, but I regret even paying $14 for it. There are plenty of Echo Bridge $5 thrillers that have more value. Heaven, Dirty Pretty Things, The Grifters and Fresh all come to mind.

I am not a big expert on these type of movies, they are in general not something that fall into my range of taste. So most of the time I see what I would call the big ones but might miss some of the more special or better interesting ones mostly because I don't know about them

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Yeah was a bit of a surprise, just happen in matter of seconds and he was gone. I did the CPR right away but doctor told me later not to feel bad nothing could have been done, he was just gone by the time he was down. Been thinking about it a lot the last few days, life is sort weird just a few seconds before he was all smile and everything. You really have to just appreciate every single second you have, you just never know when its just going to be done.

Sorry about your loss

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by ZooTv

My copy of Le doulos which I ordered from ImportCDS is now on back order, I have my doubts that it will even ship.

If u are able to order it someplace else ASAP They canceled an order of mine recently and they even got more stock afterwards and I was told my
Order would have shipped same business day per their amazon listing at the time. It never did. Most people like Import and Deep Discount I don't. Go with anyone who has stock. If you live near a Barnes & Noble that has stock Id buy locally and not even regret it. (With OOP titles.) Most are on Backorder with all retailers but a lot of stores still show stock.