The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

While I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way, I can't consider people like Gallo or Korine as genuine, bona fide artists. One of the by products of the Independent boom of the 90s was the pseudo auteur who could get a movie made full of artistic posturing but lacking any actual substance or originality.

Gallo and Korine both make movies that you could see in any film class. The only real difference being the presence of genuinely talented actors like Chloe Sevigny or Ben Gazzara or Christina Ricci or Werner Herzog. These actors do what heavy lifting there is, while the rest of the movies are mostly artifice.

I haven't seen Spring Breakers, but I can't believe that it would get anything close to the attention it gets if it didn't feature hypersexed versions of Disney Channel jailbait. Stunt casting and real time blowies aside, these two guys just don't have much going in the substance department.

From my seat, at least.

Yes sir, you have quite a valid argument. I think the 1990s really churned up a lot of new directors and films after Tarantino took the world by storm with Reservoir Dogs. I think Gallo may be indeed be a byproduct of that whole movement and Korine may be as well. I personally am NOT a fan of Harmony Korine whatsoever, and I have a love/hate relationship with Vincent Gallo's work. I feel that he should not be as successful as he's been. The man has very little substance in his roles and films, but at the same time there is something so original about him that I haven't seen anywhere else with any other actor. I think Buffalo 66 is the only good film he ever made or was involved in and that is it. It's a really good movie though and highly rewatchable.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Thanks for the link. Those screen caps look astounding, Safe Place.

You need to see Essential Killing ASAP. It made my best of list from 2010 or 2009. Just really remarkable on a visual level. Not necessarily eye popping, more very assured visual storytelling. The whole film is nearly dialogue free.

Mr. Safe Place smiles at your comment. I am not sure if I should just blind-buy Essential Killing or not on BD. I'm going to try and find a cheaper used copy online or in a record exchange shop if I can't find this in my library system. I read mixed reviews about the film, but there were a lot of positive ones that might just sway me into buying this. But first, a rental would be best.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I thought the line was ridiculously great. I almost squealed with joy upon hearing it.

You need to see more movies then, there were much, much worse films in 2012. Hell, there were worse films the weekend Savages hit theatres.

I saw somewhere in the ballpark of 130 2012 releases, so I think I've got a wide enough sample to decide which I thought was the worst.

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I'm having a hard time thinking of a film I disliked more. Although I don't seek out films that I know I'll dislike. There was Les Mis... No, I think Savages takes the cake.

EDIT: And yes, that line is what really made me roll my eyes.

Les Mis was a chore as well. I'm shocked I never walked out of that.

[paulgeneacepeter]

Anyone know the reasoning behind Criterion's blu-ray sets having their own catalog number plus each movie having their own number? BBS set and Complete Monterey set quickly come to mind. I understand each movie having a number but Complete Monterey Pop is both movies in a set seems like an unecessary catalog number addition.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Does anyone know why on Criterion's site there is no mention of the White Mane/Red Balloon release but only the singles/separate editions of the two films and the film collection that has all three films with it White Mane/Red Balloon/ Paddle to the Sea.

These films are categorized in a strange way on this site and on the Criterion site. I have the set with all three films.

Funnily enough, The Red Balloon, White Mane, and Paddle to the Sea were the first three Criterion films that I ever saw, because my elementary school used to show these films on occasion. I've loved Paddle to the Sea since I was in third grade, and I was overjoyed when I heard about the Criterion release, because I had assumed that I would never see those childhood films ever again.

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

These films are categorized in a strange way on this site and on the Criterion site. I have the set with all three films.

Funnily enough, The Red Balloon, White Mane, and Paddle to the Sea were the first three Criterion films that I ever saw, because my elementary school used to show these films on occasion. I've loved Paddle to the Sea since I was in third grade, and I was overjoyed when I heard about the Criterion release, because I had assumed that I would never see those childhood films ever again.

It seems simple for Criterion to list it since it has the other ones. I saw Red Balloon in a high school film class. I first hated it but I picked it up because I wanted to give it another shot and it came with White Mane ( I love horses) and the second viewing was better. Paddle to the Sea makes me wonder how they pulled it off with the camera following the toy and how much footage wasn't used.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I saw somewhere in the ballpark of 130 2012 releases, so I think I've got a wide enough sample to decide which I thought was the worst.



Les Mis was a chore as well. I'm shocked I never walked out of that.

It's okay Brandon, we usually agree. This time we did not. And it's not even a film I'm very passionate about. I just thought it was good, 3 star good. Don't unfriend me yet

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Sonically? Sure. Visually? I don't know. I'd probably give the edge to Les Mis.

Even with all the lopsided compositions, Dutch angles, close-ups and generally wrecklessness conveyance of geography? Les Mis was brutal to sit through. The only positive elements I can think of are the gorgeous costumes and lighting (as far as visuals go).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by laikaisdead

Question about The Seventh Seal:

[Show spoiler]Why were Block's wife and the mute girl not a part of the Dance of Death?

[Show spoiler]From what I understand, the decision to shoot the Dance of Death was a spontaneous one, because Bergman liked the view of a cloud in the sky, and he assembled crew members to dress as various characters to film the scene on the fly after shooting had officially ended for the day and most of the actors had returned home. The depiction of characters lined up for the Dance of Death is a mixed assortment of crew technicians and others who happened to be present at the time.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

It seems simple for Criterion to list it since it has the other ones. I saw Red Balloon in a high school film class. I first hated it but I picked it up because I wanted to give it another shot and it came with White Mane ( I love horses) and the second viewing was better. Paddle to the Sea makes me wonder how they pulled it off with the camera following the toy and how much footage wasn't used.

I could have easily watched a two-hour version of Paddle to the Sea. The story of that little canoe and its whereabouts really fascinated me for some odd reason.

[The Great Owl]

I just watched Yojimbo, and I'll be watching Sanjuro later this evening if I can stay awake. I've seen both films a number of times via my old DVDs, but I'm stricken with how good Yojimbo looked on Blu-ray. (Probably because the DVDs that I owned were the first Criterion editions with the less-than-stellar video presentation)

[Show spoiler]I'm pretty tired from work and could easily fall asleep now, but the artery spray at the end of Sanjuro is worth staying awake for. (Yeah, I know...I'm a sick puppy.)

[Majin Blu]

I decided to try my hand at Fellini (I've never seen one of his films), so I just ordered "Amarcord".

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

I decided to try my hand at Fellini (I've never seen one of his films), so I just ordered "Amarcord".

Probably not the best place to start. If La Dolce Vita was available on BluRay, I would reccomend that one.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Probably not the best place to start. If La Dolce Vita was available on BluRay, I would reccomend that one.

My favorite Fellini film, I Vitelloni, needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray. It's such a cool-looking movie.

Fans of Swingers (1996) and Old School (2003) take note: I Vitelloni is worth your while. (I'm not joking. These films share some common ground.)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Probably not the best place to start. If La Dolce Vita was available on BluRay, I would reccomend that one.

Yeah, isn't Amarcord rated pretty low on the Fellini scale? I've only seen 8 1/2, and while I didn't like it, I really want to see La Dolce Vita.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My favorite Fellini film, I Vitelloni, needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray. It's such a cool-looking movie.

Fans of Swingers (1996) and Old School (2003) take note: I Vitelloni is worth your while. (I'm not joking. These films share some common ground.)

I've seen all the wrong Fellini's then. Will have to see that one (Old School is Todd Phillips' only good film too, BTW)

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Yeah, isn't Amarcord rated pretty low on the Fellini scale? I've only seen 8 1/2, and while I didn't like it, I really want to see La Dolce Vita.

Well, it's considered a classic by many, but it left me kind of cold (not the same effect as 81/2). It's the rare Fellini film whose excesses I did not respond to...well that one and Satyricon.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

While I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way, I can't consider people like Gallo or Korine as genuine, bona fide artists. One of the by products of the Independent boom of the 90s was the pseudo auteur who could get a movie made full of artistic posturing but lacking any actual substance or originality.

Gallo and Korine both make movies that you could see in any film class. The only real difference being the presence of genuinely talented actors like Chloe Sevigny or Ben Gazzara or Christina Ricci or Werner Herzog. These actors do what heavy lifting there is, while the rest of the movies are mostly artifice.

I haven't seen Spring Breakers, but I can't believe that it would get anything close to the attention it gets if it didn't feature hypersexed versions of Disney Channel jailbait. Stunt casting and real time blowies aside, these two guys just don't have much going in the substance department.

From my seat, at least.

as much as I like Korine's work (basically, Kids, Gummo, Spring Breakers) I also concede that you've hit some nails on the head here in your assessment and I find it difficult to quibble with you about Korine's work being super stellar or truly profound when it all comes down too it. What I like about them is that they provide askew, provocative, stylized, and satirical portraits of interesting aspects of contemporary American life, much like a Todd Solondz (also a divisive director), and in Korine's work in particular there is a real flare for getting at elements of kitsch Americana, and the hypocrisies, excesses, and dangers of contemporary youth cultures.

And I agree with you that the substance is often lacking with these sorts of directors. That said, I've a special fondness for Korine's work since it has high nostalgia value for me going back to my college days, and I see Spring Breakers for what it is, an over-the-top, eye candy spectacle (yes, the Disney channel casting and

[Show spoiler]threesome

was interesting) that is also abound danger and mayhem, a kind of fairy tale gone awry, and yet ultimately a movie in which nothing really matters - the danger never feels really real - and so patently superficial, but perhaps that's the point.

If you're interested in more Korine, I'd say check out Gummo. I consider it to be a minor masterpiece and the one I'd most like to see spined.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've seen all the wrong Fellini's then. Will have to see that one (Old School is Todd Phillips' only good film too, BTW)

I have a soft spot for Road Trip, because parts of the movie were filmed at my alma mater (Georgia Tech), and several other scenes were filmed at recognizable locations around Atlanta.

I've always adored Amy Smart as well, although most of her movies are not worth seeing at all. (Sort of like most of Kate Beckinsale's movies)

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I could have easily watched a two-hour version of Paddle to the Sea. The story of that little canoe and its whereabouts really fascinated me for some odd reason.

Yes. It makes you wonder what was left out and such. I wonder if Criterion upgrades them to BD( i hope but it would be a really long time if ever) would they all be on the same disc?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

Yes. It makes you wonder what was left out and such. I wonder if Criterion upgrades them to BD( i hope but it would be a really long time if ever) would they all be on the same disc?

I would hope so. It would be a considerable waste of disc space to have them housed in different packages.