The Criterion Collection

[AverageAtBest]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Sorry I'm late to the party, but why would someone snag it out from under you? Is there a sale tomorrow or something?

Amazon but I have had bad recent luck with getting the newer OOP movies.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Seventh Seal was okay, but definitely not a film I would watch again. It had a lot of deep concepts, I feel, but too much to grasp on one viewing. I'm sure I would appreciate it a bit more on a second viewing, but from what I saw the first time around, it wasn't anything as good as people made it out to be.

This is really puzzling. If you know there is a lot more to grasp, you should want to watch it again.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I wasn't a huge fan of Black Moon either, and normally I love the weird stuff. I just couldn't get into it. I haven't seen People on Sunday, and I don't own Shock Corridor (liked it though), or The Third Man (I'm kinda neutral to it, I think I'll enjoy it more after I read the Greene novel).

Everything else on your list, I own. There are some I like more than others. I know everyone is upset about 8 1/2 and The Seventh Seal, but Design for Living is the one that upsets me most. I blind bought it based on Fredric March and Gary Cooper (Cooper in a comedy and as a romantic lead? Not as a folksy sort a la Sergeant York or in a Western?), and I really enjoyed it, even thought it's apparently nothing like the Coward play.

I do agree that The Seventh Seal might need a few repeat viewings for some. I enjoyed it first view, and was surprised by it, as I always avoided Bergman due to all the parodies of him. I actually found the film to be quite humourous, and have been a Bergman fan ever since, which is why it's killing me to not be able to get Wild Strawberries in June. However, I need a mice-free domicile, and a reliable vehicle that's not going to fall apart on me, nor require a booster pack every time I have to start it in colder weather.

The only thing I liked about Black Moon was the subtle references to the feminist movement of the 1970s. Even at that, the entire thing was bizarre and plotless. Maybe the film is about the world turning into a bizarre and plotless existence if women gained more and more rights? I'm not quite sure, to be honest.

Design For Living started out pretty neat for me. It was one of the titles in the collection I was looking forward to the most, but I found it to be a bit of a drag. There were some moments that I liked, but as a whole, I didn't enjoy it as much as you did

Originally Posted by brandon_260

This is really puzzling. If you know there is a lot more to grasp, you should want to watch it again.

It's a film that requires more viewings to grasp, but it is also a film that I don't really want to watch again, at least for awhile.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Does anyone else have a rank of Jean Pierre Melville's filmography? Or does everyone agree with this list.

I haven't seen them all, but I love all of Melville's films I've seen.
I wouldn't bother ranking them; they're all pretty awesome.
I think he's pretty fascinating for directing "Resistance" films, such as Le Silence de la mer, Léon Morin, Priest and Army of Shadows, but also genre films like Le Deuxieme Souffle and Le Cercle Rouge.
I often find it a little reductive when you want to rank the films of your favourite director. Sure, some don't come up to same the high standards of their best films, but I don't want to order them.
Not all of Scorsese's films are great, but do you want to put Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas in order? What about Kubrick's films? That would be even harder.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only thing I liked about Black Moon was the subtle references to the feminist movement of the 1970s. Even at that, the entire thing was bizarre and plotless. Maybe the film is about the world turning into a bizarre and plotless existence if women gained more and more rights? I'm not quite sure, to be honest.

I'm pretty much on the same level with you where Black Moon is concerned. I liked some elements of it very much (that women vs. men aspect)...but it ended up something completely different, which I was completely uninterested in.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Not all of Scorsese's films are great, but do you want to put Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas in order? What about Kubrick's films? That would be even harder.

Sure:

Goodfellas
Taxi Driver
Raging Bull.

Kubrick's films would be harder, because I want to give most of them the bottom slot.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'm pretty much on the same level with you where Black Moon is concerned. I liked some elements of it very much (that women vs. men aspect)...but it ended up something completely different, which I was completely uninterested in.

It had a lot of potential and had a lot going for it, but then they decided to throw in a talking unicorn and introduce a breastfed old lady.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

Yep, I've also recommended the Masters of Cinema discs. I've also got a bunch from Studio Canal, BFI and Artificial Eye.
Speaking of Artificial Eye, the latest line-up from them has made me very happy: Atom Egoyan's Exotica! They're also releasing his Calendar, The Adjuster and Speaking Parts.
You'll also see they're releasing Olivier Assayas' Après mai and three films from Satyajit Ray.

After reading some posts here and BFI thread (especially rkishes posts). I made up my mind to save some money and buy a region free blu ray player. There are many excellent blu ray releases by BFI, MoC and the most recent studio canal.

I was hoping that criterion would release Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'm pretty much on the same level with you where Black Moon is concerned. I liked some elements of it very much (that women vs. men aspect)...but it ended up something completely different, which I was completely uninterested in.

Okay, I really liked the film, but in a "Head" kind of way. I was in awe of the sights, but not particularly moved. I don't mind not having an emotional response to a film (ala Hollis Frampton). Interesting is interesting.

If anyone is put off of seeing more Malle after Black Moon, don't be, the rest of his films are undeniably impressive.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

I haven't seen them all, but I love all of Melville's films I've seen.
I wouldn't bother ranking them; they're all pretty awesome.
I think he's pretty fascinating for directing "Resistance" films, such as Le Silence de la mer, Léon Morin, Priest and Army of Shadows, but also genre films like Le Deuxieme Souffle and Le Cercle Rouge.
I often find it a little reductive when you want to rank the films of your favourite director. Sure, some don't come up to same the high standards of their best films, but I don't want to order them.
Not all of Scorsese's films are great, but do you want to put Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas in order? What about Kubrick's films? That would be even harder.

For Melville (and from what I've seen), I would put them in the following order:

Le Cercle Rouge
Army Of Shadows
Leon Morin, Priest

For those three Scorsese films, I've only seen GoodFellas and Taxi Driver and I would put GoodFellas over Taxi Driver.

From what I've seen from Kubrick, I would put them in the following order:

Eyes Wide Shut
The Killing
The Shining
Full Metal Jacket
Paths Of Glory
Fear And Desire (absolutely terrible)

[octagon]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

This is really puzzling. If you know there is a lot more to grasp, you should want to watch it again.

I've watched The Seventh Seal three times and to be honest, it was something of a chore every time.

I'm all for putting effort into understanding and appreciating highly regarded films but I can't say I'm too confused or puzzled when people watch certain things and say 'you know, I think once is going to hold me for a while'.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It had a lot of potential and had a lot going for it, but then they decided to throw in a talking unicorn and introduce a breastfed old lady.

I love those Bizzarro static touches. So uncomfortable

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've watched The Seventh Seal three times and to be honest, it was something of a chore every time.

Pretty much my thoughts on one viewing. I can't imagine three.

A lot of films feel like chores to me, especially when I don't really feel like watching them. Luckily, I usually have a change of heart by the end of the movie.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I love those Bizzarro static touches. So uncomfortable

Didn't the film abruptly end too with the blonde girl breastfeeding the unicorn?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only thing I liked about Black Moon was the subtle references to the feminist movement of the 1970s. Even at that, the entire thing was bizarre and plotless. Maybe the film is about the world turning into a bizarre and plotless existence if women gained more and more rights? I'm not quite sure, to be honest.

Design For Living started out pretty neat for me. It was one of the titles in the collection I was looking forward to the most, but I found it to be a bit of a drag. There were some moments that I liked, but as a whole, I didn't enjoy it as much as you did



It's a film that requires more viewings to grasp, but it is also a film that I don't really want to watch again, at least for awhile.

See, I normally like bizarre and plotless. Head's my favourite film, and I'm also a huge fan of Hausu, Pierrot le fou (very minimal plot), and Zazie dans le metro (again, very minimal plot, and also by Malle). I watched it because I liked the other Malle films I had seen, and the write up made it sound interesting. It just got too weird for my liking.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm right there with you in Considering Persona and the "God trilogy" his best. However, there's something to be said of his earlier, "lighter" films. Summer Interlude (priced resonably) is a gorgeous piece of work.

What did you make of Rosenbaum's semi take down of Bergman about ten years ago?
http://www-nc.nytimes.com/2007/08/04...nted=all&_r=6&

Personally, I like my existentialism Michael Mann Style (ala Heat & Miami Vice). Oh wait, scratch that...Antonioni Style.

Summer Interlude should have been the premium CC disc, rather than a barebones, instead of Summer with Monika. It was a far more enjoyable film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Eyes Wide Shut
The Killing
The Shining
Full Metal Jacket
Paths Of Glory
Fear And Desire (absolutely terrible)

You haven't seen Dr Strangelove, 2001, A Clockwork orange, Barry Lyndon, Spartacus, Lolita, etc? STOP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING AND WATCH THEM (especially the first four)

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I was hoping that criterion would release Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray.

They will. We're definitely getting a Ray title this year and it may not be Apu, but the trilogy is coming.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You haven't seen Dr Strangelove, 2001, A Clockwork orange, Barry Lyndon, Spartacus, Lolita, etc? STOP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING AND WATCH THEM (especially the first four)

Nope, I own them all but haven't seen them yet haha.

[ZooTv]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Does anyone else have a rank of Jean Pierre Melville's filmography? Or does everyone agree with this list.

Le Samourai
Le Cercle Rouge
Le Doulos
Army of Shadows
Bob Le Flambeur
Leon Morin, Priest
Le Deuxième Souffle
Un Flic
Le Silence de la Mer
Les Enfants terribles

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Okay, I really liked the film, but in a "Head" kind of way. I was in awe of the sights, but not particularly moved. I don't mind not having an emotional response to a film (ala Hollis Frampton). Interesting is interesting.

If anyone is put off of seeing more Malle after Black Moon, don't be, the rest of his films are undeniably impressive.

See, I did the opposite. I watched a few Malle films prior to Black Moon, and really liked them, and expected to like Black Moon. I didn't. It started it out interesting, but the whole menstrual metaphor annoyed me.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

See, I normally like bizarre and plotless. Head's my favourite film, and I'm also a huge fan of Hausu, Pierrot le fou (very minimal plot), and Zazie dans le metro (again, very minimal plot, and also by Malle). I watched it because I liked the other Malle films I had seen, and the write up made it sound interesting. It just got too weird for my liking.



Summer Interlude should have been the premium CC disc, rather than a barebones, instead of Summer with Monika. It was a far more enjoyable film.

Plotless films never fail to disappoint me.

I think CC got the order right. Summer With Monika is great, whereas Interlude is merely pleasant.