The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Lots of talk about Le Samouraï while I've been away.

I blind-bought Le Samouraï on DVD a week or two after its Criterion release years ago, because I read some raving reviews from a number of unlikely sources. There was even a short blurb in Rolling Stone Magazine about the release, and every review had the same "It's about damn time this movie was available in the United States." sentiment. Something about the premise and the description of Jef Costello as the coolest movie character in existence caught my attention.

I watched Le Samouraï later on the evening that I purchased it, and, when the final credits rolled, I sat there for a few minutes just staring at the screen. It was night time, but I put on my running clothes and ran six miles or so around the neighborhood, just replaying the scenes back and forth in my head.

That's what cinema is all about for me. I love the movies that just stun me so that I have to be alone for a long time after the film thinking about what I've just seen.

During my freshman year of college, several friends and I went to see The Silence of the Lambs on opening night. We went out for dinner after the film and just rambled on about the movie. When I got back to my dorm, my roommate was gone, and I just sort of paced around the dorm room for an hour or so thinking about the film. Le Samouraï was like that, except ten times greater.

I'm looking forward to a great restoration of Le Samouraï on Blu-ray, so that I can finally retire from collecting Blu-rays.
I'm just kidding, of course, but my Blu-ray collection will have an air of completeness when that film is finally added.


P.S.: Don't laugh about The Silence of the Lambs during my freshman year of college paragraph. I know that I'm as old as hell.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Well, this may sound trite but, life experience does change the way we look at movies. So talking about it makes sense. Initially we may only appreciate Chaplin films for their energy and antics, but later fall for their purity and timelessness. Furthermore, how will I view Wild Strawberries when I'm in my seventies?

This couldn't ring more true. Personal experiences help extract different meaning. And they shape film preference, in both mood and content. For example, one thing that irks me about French cinema is the superfluous amount of infidelity it depicts. I understand it's a culture thing though.

I am sorry for your loss, P@t.

[shortmartin]

regarding Antichrist, I can see how it would fit into that risky category for blind buys. On the other hand, that's one of the movies where I say, just go for it. Personally, I loved it and regard it very highly as a really great recent horror film, in the context of Von Trier's work, and with amazing performances by Dafoe and, especially, Gainsbourg. She was fantastic, such a nuanced performance. As far as blind buys go, it doesn't seem safe, but I say go for Antichrist. It is just too creepy (and beautiful at the same time?) to pass up.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

How is everyone? Haven't been around much, things have been a litle crazy. No time to watch movies much. I have Monsieur Verdoux that I need to see this weekend.

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.

I am hoping to be able to relax a little on the weekend wondering if Monsieur Verdoux is the best movie to watch right now with my state of mind

You guys seen the other thread on question about Criterion?

Pat, I am really sorry to hear about your dad. I think it is safe to say that all of our hearts go out to you.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Bohemian Graham, you're making me sad. Solaris, 3 Women and Lola Montes are among my favorite Criterion releases.

I said I enjoyed Lola, once I watched it a second time, but it's not something I can watch at any time; I have to be in a certain mood for it. If I'm not in the mood to watch it, I get bored, and start doing other things, and will just stop a film/tv program. Admittedly, when I did the LOTR EE marathon with friends back in December, by 10pm, and halfway through ROTK, I was getting bored and started playing with my phone.

As for Solaris and 3 Women, I just couldn't connect to either of them. Again, it could have been when I decided to watch them. I watched Solaris when I was rather tired, and not feeling too well, and ended up falling asleep during it. Also, it was a pretty crappy SD recording to my PC from when I had TCM. I forget what was going on when I watched 3 Women, but I may have to try that one again.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yet again, I must disagree, Hidden gracefully surpasses Amour

I still have little love for Funny Games, though. Is the remake any better? (I know it was done shot for shot).

Here we go again.

I'm in the same boat as you, haven't seen the remake. I think it is hard to appreciate a film when the director condescends those who can actually get through it. At least, I think I read that somewhere...

[The Great Owl]

Risky blind buys, eh?

I am going to go out on a limb and name David Cronenberg's Videodrome as a risky blind buy, but not necessarily because of the movie itself.

The Criterion Main Menu screen for Videodrome, though... Oh, man...

I had seen Videodrome several times over throughout my life before Criterion got hold of it, so it was never a Criterion blind buy for me, but the menu screen surprised me. I thought to myself, "WTF?" I then started laughing. Finally, I thought, "WTF?", again.

For the people out there who did blind buy the Criterion release of Videodrome, what did you think that you were in for when you saw that main menu screen?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

regarding Antichrist, I can see how it would fit into that risky category for blind buys. On the other hand, that's one of the movies where I say, just go for it. Personally, I loved it and regard it very highly as a really great recent horror film, in the context of Von Trier's work, and with amazing performances by Dafoe and, especially, Gainsbourg. She was fantastic, such a nuanced performance. As far as blind buys go, it doesn't seem safe, but I say go for Antichrist. It is just too creepy (and beautiful at the same time?) to pass up.

Gainsbourg was fantastic. Better than any of the nominees that year. Here's my review.

It's conflicting when a film is both ugly and beautiful. I'm a fan of the film, but I doubt I would ever watch it again due to its depiction of both mental and physical agony.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Here we go again.

I'm in the same boat as you, haven't seen the remake. I think it is hard to appreciate a film when the director condescends those who can actually get through it. At least, I think I read that somewhere...

I just hate the whole rewind/ shoving it in your face angle. There's no doubt he's trying to say something and its infinitely smarter than your average slasher flick. But that doesn't make it any less sour tasting.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

How is everyone? Haven't been around much, things have been a litle crazy. No time to watch movies much. I have Monsieur Verdoux that I need to see this weekend.

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.

I am hoping to be able to relax a little on the weekend wondering if Monsieur Verdoux is the best movie to watch right now with my state of mind

You guys seen the other thread on question about Criterion?

Pat, I just read this and am very sorry for your loss. That's a very tough loss and I hope all gets better for you and the family...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I still have little love for Funny Games, though. Is the remake any better? (I know it was done shot for shot).

The movies are basically shot-for-shot identical, but the original actors playing the parents were a lot more believable than Naomi Watts and Tim Roth for some reason. I think that it's because they just came across as a lot more ordinary. The villains were more ordinary-looking as well.

I'm not sure what it says about me as a person that I actually watched the remake of Funny Games after seeing the original film, but I admit to doing so.

[The Bronx Bull]

Whew! I watched Le Cercle Rouge for the first time a few weeks ago, and thought it was *excellent*... possibly my favorite Criterion. Thus, the past few weeks I've been meaning to add the Blu-Ray to my cart at Amazon.com, but never got around it it. Then just yesterday, I see that these titles are going out of print!

I ordered from Amazon but both Le Doulos and Le Cercle Route are in the "Usually ships in 6-10 days" phase. So I went to work on the Barnes and Noble website and found Le Doulos and Last Year at Marienbad at the B&N in Downtown Washington, D.C., and Le Cercle Rouge (which is my favorite) over here in Virginia. I'm happy to have it in my hands finally! The gentleman at B&N remarked how both titles were going OOP and said I was lucky to get them while I still can.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Caché is the only Haneke film that I can say I really like. His full-force nihilism doesn't seem to be in full effect for this one.

I didn't find Amour to be nihilistic. It was a beautiful depiction of the depths of love between two people.
I went in thinking it would be a depressing film, but came out feeling the opposite.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I didn't find Amour to be nihilistic. It was a beautiful depiction of the depths of love between two people.
I went in thinking it would be a depressing film, but came out feeling the opposite.

Nihilism can be argued

[Show spoiler](neither of them had to die)

, but I would hardly call it "full-force." One can just as easily argue that

[Show spoiler]all actions were driven out of love. Georges saw the point of keeping her alive, but decided against it due to her persistence.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

Whew! I watched Le Cercle Rouge for the first time a few weeks ago, and thought it was *excellent*... possibly my favorite Criterion. Thus, the past few weeks I've been meaning to add the Blu-Ray to my cart at Amazon.com, but never got around it it. Then just yesterday, I see that these titles are going out of print!

I ordered from Amazon but both Le Doulos and Le Cercle Route are in the "Usually ships in 6-10 days" phase. So I went to work on the Barnes and Noble website and found Le Doulos and Last Year at Marienbad at the B&N in Downtown Washington, D.C., and Le Cercle Rouge (which is my favorite) over here in Virginia. I'm happy to have it in my hands finally! The gentleman at B&N remarked how both titles were going OOP and said I was lucky to get them while I still can.

[Show spoiler]

That's a sweet purchase! Glad to see another Melville fan in the fold, because Le Cercle Rouge is one of my favorites as well, and Le Doulos is one of my favorite DVDs in my collection.

Last Year at Marienbad is a divisive movie, because a lot of people relate to the setup and a lot do not find it to their liking. It's certainly one of the most challenging Criterion films, but I find it best simply to dive in without trying to figure the movie out. I think that it's a wonderful viewing.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I didn't find Amour to be nihilistic. It was a beautiful depiction of the depths of love between two people.
I went in thinking it would be a depressing film, but came out feeling the opposite.

I was the opposite. I actually went in expecting a deal of humanism in the minimalistic Haneke. What I got what typical Haneke fare: glacial pacing and a Haneke "shocking" third-act. My takeaway was, yeah, there is love, but you two are also going to die, and it's really going to suck. Here, watch! I just picture Haneke smirking behind the camera during the entire production.

[Abdrewes]

I just cracked open my Nikkatsu Noir set and I regret not doing so earlier. I wouldn't make the case that I am Waiting is a great film, nor is it a great noir, but it has its merits. First of all it has fair performances, although lead Yujiro Ishihara is pretty uninteresting, a predictable but sturdy plot and pretty good cinematography.

On a cold night, down at the docks, former boxer (Ishihara) meets a distressed night club singer (a canary whose lost its tune), he takes her in and allows her to wait tables at his restaurant. He tries to get through (via mail) to his brother over in Brazil, while her gangster boss tries to wrangle her back into her prior job.

Once can see the resolution coming a mile away, yet I was still fairly engaged. Koreyoshi Kurahara proved himself a capable genre craftsman in his first film and I'd like to see more of his work. It's not on par with the furious and incoherent Branded to Kill, but then again, what is?
On to the next one

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I just cracked open my Nikkatsu Noir set and I regret not doing so earlier. I wouldn't make the case that I am Waiting is a great film, nor is it a great noir, but it has its merits. First of all it has fair performances, although lead Yujiro Ishihara is pretty uninteresting, a predictable but sturdy plot and pretty good cinematography.

I really enjoyed that movie, a "noir" in every sense of the word, it as all the "cliche" one would expect from a "noir" movie.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I really enjoyed that movie, a "noir" in every sense of the word, it as all the "cliche" one would expect from a "noir" movie.

Yes, but thankfully it doesn't take itself too seriously. It also zipps along in an enjoyably linear rat tat tat way.

[drbikeshorts]

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.

My condolences to you.
If it's any consolation, I lost both parents in recent years and both suffered long, drawn-out (and painful, in my mother's case) declines before they eventually passed away.
I wished they could have passed quickly and relatively painlessly.