The Criterion Collection

[spargs]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I would've thought that most people would be familiar with him from De Palma's The Fury.

Even though I know he's a director, I'm still most familiar with Cassavetes from his role in The Dirty Dozen (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award).

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Amazon still has my Zatoichi order listed as "Preparing for shipment", although I ordered it on Thursday. I must have been late to the game in terms of stock availability during the sale or something. There's no hurry, but I'm just hoping that the set arrives in good condition.

I ordered it on Thursday also, and the Amazon tracking shows it is on the truck for delivery today. I'm also nervous about damage.

[Scottie]

I wouldn't be too worried about Zatoichi. It comes in a hard box so it should help minimize damage.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by monorail91

He's also done a few commercials.

ha ha! yes, how can I forget those?

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

[...] Question.. for JW or anyone: you said that you saw your first JC film and then watched a long documentary film on him. I can't bring myself to watch some of the special features on the Criterion discs because I feel I haven't seen everything that might be considered essential viewing from the director. [...]

Anybody else do this? [...]

I am exactly the same way. If I plan to watch a movie, I want to go into the movie COMPLETELY blind. I will leave the room if I even think that a trailer for a movie I want to see is about to play. I read NOTHING about movies I haven't seen by directors I like. And I don't watch special features that I think may contain any information about any films I may want to view in the future. Directors have meticulously conceived their way of portraying even the most insignificant information.

Originally Posted by jw007

[...]To me, its not about spoilers, its about LEARNING and APPRECIATING the director. [...] Sometimes there is a major benefit about doing research and reading/learning about a piece of artwork (or film) before actually viewing it. [...] This is why I think it was a good idea to watch this extremely long (3 1/2 hour) documentary on John Cassavetes so I could then have a basic understanding of the man and subsequently go in now and watch his films knowing a bit more about them and ultimately appreciating/understanding them more. [...]

I have a polar opposite take on this idea.

Art, in my mind, is meant to be interpreted in a way unique to each individual (this applies to all art forms).

I like to watch a film 2-3 times (sometimes more depending on the depth of the film) before I read/view anyone else's perception of the film (even the intended interpretations as described by the director). I feel that someone else's views on a film subconsciously affect my insights (either directly or comparatively). Once I feel that I have solidified my own interpretations I will go back and read other interpretations (or the intent of the director), because at this point I can safely compare my insights with others without risking losing my views or blending my interpretation with theirs (that said, sometimes I do choose to blend my ideas with others if doing so explains more than I was able to get on my own in a way that I accept).

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I
I like to watch a film 2-3 times (sometimes more depending on the depth of the film) before I read/view anyone else's perception of the film (even the intended interpretations as described by the director).

Yes!

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I feel that someone else's views on a film subconsciously affect my insights (either directly or comparatively). Once I feel that I have solidified my own interpretations I will go back and read other interpretations (or the intent of the director), because at this point I can safely compare my insights with others without risking losing my views or blending my interpretation with theirs (that said, sometimes I do choose to blend my ideas with others if doing so explains more than I was able to get on my own in a way that I accept).

Gosh, this explains exactly how I feel almost to a tee! The more subjective a film is, the less inclined I am to think about reading any analysis or watching bonus features. Example: I didn't dare read anything about Last Year at Marienbad after I saw it for the first time not too long ago. Come to think of it, I actually really dislike reading shot by shot analysis and interpretation. Perhaps if I know a film backwards and forwards, I will enjoy what someone has to say about it, but something about that kind of critique just.. idk.. it feels so tedious and kinda makes me angry, actually. Example: The write-up that is on the Criterion site for Ivan's Childhood. I suppose that it has benefit on a scholarly (there is a better word for this - can't think of it now) level, but it kind of takes the fun out of watching films and appreciating art. That kind of analysis comes off as "this is the final word on xyz..." I know that that kind of vibe is characteristic of a well researched and well presented piece, but I just don't dig it.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Art, in my mind, is meant to be interpreted in a way unique to each individual (this applies to all art forms).

I agree with your statement, just as long you exclude the value of a subjective interpretation; because some interpretations are so absurd and far-fetched that they lose credibility and importance.

In other words, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it does not mean it will be granted importance. I believe the more accurate the interpretation, the better the assessment of the work of art. Accuracy is easier to achieve in the technical aspects of the film, but the value of the story content will always be elusive at critical analysis.

Time is the greatest challenge to any artform and best critic of great induring art. We still listen to Mozart and Beethoven or watch/read plays by Shakespeare.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I agree with your statement, just as long you exclude the value of a subjective interpretation.

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I believe the more accurate the interpretation, the better the assessment of the work of art.

all artistic assessment is subjective, no? you may be contradicting yourself here. I don't think accuracy is part of the equation.

even with technical aspects of a film. someone can bring your attention to them by pointing them out, but that is not an interpretation. if someone says, "it's wonderful the way Hitchcock and his editors created the shower scene in Psycho," that is subjective analysis.

[Clare2904]

Scored a very kind gesture off Criterion. I asked for clarification regarding my recent Flash Sale order. It has not been processed yet and I presumed this was due to ordering The Great Beauty.

This is indeed the case and as a result I had no chance of a golden ticket I had mentioned this in my original email then cheekily mentioned that all I wanted to win was a Tote bag (which I actually do want). Whilst they have not given me a bag they have very kindly sent me a $10 gift voucher towards my next order.

[Scottie]

I just finished watching Rififi. Excellent, excellent film!

It's up there with Heat and Thief as my favorite heist films.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished watching Rififi. Excellent, excellent film!

It's up there with Heat and Thief as my favorite heist films.

Glad that you enjoyed it!

Rififi makes a perfect double feature with Melville's Le Cercle Rouge.

It also makes a great double feature with Touchez Pas Au Grisbi. (Criterion, are you listening? Upgrade this one to Blu-ray already.)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Glad that you enjoyed it!

Rififi makes a perfect double feature with Melville's Le Cercle Rouge.

It also makes a great double feature with Touchez Pas Au Grisbi. (Criterion, are you listening? Upgrade this one to Blu-ray already.)

I definitely thought of Le Cercle Rouge, another excellent film, quite a bit during Rififi.

[Noro]

I just found a copy The Last Year At Mariebend, mint with everything for $20 and I left it... I'll probably regret that.

[The Great Owl]

My paycheck for my 13 hours as an extra on a film set last month arrived in the mail today, and it covers the cost of the Zatoichi set that I ordered last week during the sale (Amazon now has it listed as "shipping now."). Good news, indeed.

I'm about to drive into the city to see the 35mm print of Godard's Breathless. A full report later...

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by Noro

I just found a copy The Last Year At Mariebend, mint with everything for $20 and I left it... I'll probably regret that.

Yeah, you might… Honestly, my advice would be to go back to wherever it was and try and get it. Even if you watch it and despise it you'll be able to sell it for much more than $20… good luck! But at the same time, don't beat yourself up over it if you can't/choose not to.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My paycheck for my 13 hours as an extra on a film set last month arrived in the mail today, and it covers the cost of the Zatoichi set that I ordered last week during the sale (Amazon now has it listed as "shipping now."). Good news, indeed.

I'm about to drive into the city to see the 35mm print of Godard's Breathless. A full report later...

You mean, we get to see The Great Owl on the big screen

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

You mean, we get to see The Great Owl on the big screen

Hopefully. There's no telling what makes the final cut with movies, but there might be an Owl sighting somewhere in the corner of the screen. I actually found out about the casting through my local running circles, because they were looking for experienced trail runners, marathon runners, etc., so I took a day off from my normal job to participate. I'm sworn to secrecy with regard to everything else, but I'll just say that it was amazing to observe a big film production firsthand.

I'm chilling out at the theater now waiting for Breathless to start.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Noro

I just found a copy The Last Year At Mariebend, mint with everything for $20 and I left it... I'll probably regret that.

Yeah, you should have grabbed Marienbad. Where did you see it? Sure it wasn't a DVD?

[BladeRunner2007]

Just finished Yojimbo. Fantastic film all around. Mifune is one badass mother..... you know what Fantastic villain, great music, cinematogrpahy is breathtaking. One could say this is the predecessor for the spaghetti western, since Yojimbo is actually shot like one. Climax was very intense and very rewarding. I actually like it better than Leone's film. That wolf-like shoulder movement from Mifune is so badass!

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Hopefully. There's no telling what makes the final cut with movies, but there might be an Owl sighting somewhere in the corner of the screen. I actually found out about the casting through my local running circles, because they were looking for experienced trail runners, marathon runners, etc., so I took a day off from my normal job to participate. I'm sworn to secrecy with regard to everything else, but I'll just say that it was amazing to observe a big film production firsthand.

I'm chilling out at the theater now waiting for Breathless to start.

A movie star in our midst

Can I have your autograph please