The Criterion Collection

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

Just bought Fantastic Mr. Fox and In the Mood for Love at B&N to take advantage of their sale.

ITMFL will be a first time view for me. I love Wong Kar-Wai, so I'm excited.

You're in for such a treat with ITMFL. My favorite film of the 2000s and in my top 5 of all time.

[ultlife2013]

I'm not sure which to watch tonight:

Rented: The Man Who Fell To Earth

Bought: Ace In The Hole, Hidden Fortress

All blind buys; don't know which one to watch though.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

Just bought Fantastic Mr. Fox and In the Mood for Love at B&N to take advantage of their sale.

ITMFL will be a first time view for me. I love Wong Kar-Wai, so I'm excited.

I watched ITMFL for the first time a few nights ago. Loved it! (... not to mention Maggie Cheung Man-yuk being very easy on the eyes). I'm still working my way through the special features.

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by thebard

i found wild strawberries to be very accessible, and a good "starter" film for bergman.

+1

[Andrew13]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

The topic of Bergman and my own fondness for Harriet Andersson makes me hope for an upgrade of Sawdust and Tinsel.

Very underrated Bergman, would love to see an upgrade, but I'm personally pulling for a properly remastered blu-ray release of Scenes From A Marriage this fall, as the TV version on DVD leaves quite a lot to be desired.

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I'm not sure which to watch tonight:

Rented: The Man Who Fell To Earth

Bought: Ace In The Hole, Hidden Fortress

All blind buys; don't know which one to watch though.

I didn't care for "The Man Who Fell to Earth", but the others are fantastic!

[Scottie]

I rewatched All That Heaven Allows via Criterion's new release of this film and it is truly one of the most remarkable romance films ever made. All of the beautiful technicolor looks a lot more crisper and brighter in the high definition format.

If you folks don't pick this up, you are missing out!

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Obvious ones would be Bicycle Thief and Au Hazard Balthasar but you've probably already seen those. BTW, I love Umberto D as well.

Yes, I've seen both of those. I can't wait for them to hit Blu-ray, as they are both my favorite works from both of those directors.

Originally Posted by Clare2904

You seen The Bicycle Thieves?

I have, excellent film!

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Another "depressing" but fantastic film is Grave of The Fireflies (non-Criterion)

I've seen that one.

It was a very good film, but very draining. It didn't have the same effect on me as I had imagined.

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm going to switch it up and give you novel recommendations:

A House for Mr. Biswas
The Adventures of Augie March
Henderson the Rain King

Thank you for the recommendations.

I will admit that my novel reading is a bit lacking, but I will read into those three.

[mrjohnnyb]

I just finished watching My Life as a Dog with my "soon-to-be" 8-year-old son. I had not seen the film since the 1980's and forgot about many of the adult themes. However, my son was completely enrapt with the story and watched it from beginning to end. At the end, I could sense that he was very moved by the story. I will remember tonight as a very special one.

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I didn't care for "The Man Who Fell to Earth", but the others are fantastic!

I started watching The Man Who Fell to Earth a few weeks ago, and found it to be the least palatable Criterion yet. I did not end up finishing it, but may revisit the title to give it a fair shake. It really felt like a B movie filmed by a high school student.

[Scottie]

All of this talk on "The Man Who Fell To Earth" has reminded me that I still have my copy to watch.

I loved Roeg's "Insignificance", but was not a huge fan of his "Walkabout". And while I've seen bits and pieces of his "The Witches", I'm curious how I will react to "The Man Who Fell To Earth".

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Page14

Loved it! (... not to mention Maggie Cheung Man-yuk being very easy on the eyes).

She can be very easy on the eyes, especially when seen in a latex catsuit.



Pro-B

[RandyK]

Originally Posted by iScottie

All of this talk on "The Man Who Fell To Earth" has reminded me that I still have my copy to watch.

I loved Roeg's "Insignificance", but was not a huge fan of his "Walkabout". And while I've seen bits and pieces of his "The Witches", I'm curious how I will react to "The Man Who Fell To Earth".

I watched it yesterday. Had it on the DVR for awhile. Quite an interesting experience to say the least. Very surreal. I'd say it was good but I would probably want to watch it again to truly make a decision.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by RandyK

I watched it yesterday. Had it on the DVR for awhile. Quite an interesting experience to say the least. Very surreal. I'd say it was good but I would probably want to watch it again to truly make a decision.

I've heard many mixed things, so I'm semi-apprehensive.

Thanks for your opinion, though!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

I just finished watching My Life as a Dog with my "soon-to-be" 8-year-old son. I had not seen the film since the 1980's and forgot about many of the adult themes. However, my son was completely enrapt with the story and watched it from beginning to end. At the end, I could sense that he was very moved by the story. I will remember tonight as a very special one.

Terrific film. My favorite scene is

[Show spoiler]Ingemar trying to spy on Berit with hilarious results. Like he said "It was worth it!" I agree.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Well, my emotions are in an uproar after watching Umberto D. It's such a powerful film in the sense that it is incredibly depressing yet reaffirming about life.

Can anybody recommend me films similar to this? I also love It's A Wonderful Life and Wild Strawberries where we're shown the hurt and sadness of the main character before being shown the beauty of life.

Thank you!

I can think of some non-Criterion titles, which I have spoiler tagged below. In a similar vein, these are all moving and emotionally compelling character driven films showing the pain of circumstances and the struggle to overcome and find redemption, in some cases to the edge of life itself. Not all of these are quite as depressing as Umberto D is in places (although Tomorrow may actually top it), each documents struggles and the real threat of bottoming out. All are fantastic films with powerful life affirming lessons to be learned:

[Show spoiler]
Tomorrow (1972, Joseph Anthony, a devastating film, one of the most profoundly moving I have seen, with a great performance from Robert Duvall - available exclusively from B2MP)




The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler)




The Men (Fed Zinnemann, also Marlon Brando's first starring role - available from Olive - check out DVD Planet where Olive's are cheap as of a couple of days ago)




The Slender Thread (Sydney Pollack, starring Sidney Poitier, also from Olive)




The Apartment (Billy Wilder)

One other film that comes to mind for similar reasons is a Criterion - Harakiri. A superb film, where the main character seeks to find salvation from the pains and injustices that life circumstances - and wicked men - have done to him. Being Japanese, and a samurai, the path he chooses to find fulfillment and end his pain is culturally correct, yet different in implementation than the viewer might expect, and the result is an edge-of-your-seat experience.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by oildude

I can think of some non-Criterion titles, which I have spoiler tagged below. In a similar vein, these are all moving and emotionally compelling character driven films showing the pain of circumstances and the struggle to overcome and find redemption, in some cases to the edge of life itself. Not all of these are quite as depressing as Umberto D is in places (although Tomorrow may actually top it), each documents struggles and the real threat of bottoming out. All are fantastic films with powerful life affirming lessons to be learned:

[Show spoiler]
Tomorrow (1972, Joseph Anthony, a devastating film, one of the most profoundly moving I have seen, with a great performance from Robert Duvall - available exclusively from B2MP)




The Best Years of our Lives (William Wyler)




The Men (Fed Zinnemann, also Marlon Brando's first starring role - available from Olive - check out DVD Planet where Olive's are cheap as of a couple of days ago)




The Slender Thread (Sydney Pollack, starring Sidney Poitier, also from Olive)




The Apartment (Billy Wilder)

One other film that comes to mind for similar reasons is a Criterion - Harakiri. A superb film, where the main character seeks to find salvation from the pains and injustices that life circumstances - and wicked men - have done to him. Being Japanese, and a samurai, the path he chooses to find fulfillment and end his pain is culturally correct, yet different in implementation than the viewer might expect, and the result is an edge-of-your-seat experience.

Thank you very much for the list.

I've honestly been eyeing a few of those, especially The Best Years Of Our Lives and The Slender Thread.

I have seen The Apartment and I can see what you mean in regards to the big picture. I've been meaning to rewatch it as I was a tad bit underwhelmed by it. I also have Harakiri sitting on my shelf to watch. I'll move it up.

[cornbread_1788]

Went to my newest BluRay dive (Tri-State Jewelry & Pawn) and found 4 Criterion blurays.... Blue is the Warmest Color, Red River, Ace in the Hole & some other disc, but needless to say, I officially began my Criterion Collection with Red River & Ace in the Hole for $4.99 brand new.... fingers crossed I find It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World CC edition....

[oildude]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thank you very much for the list.

I've honestly been eyeing a few of those, especially The Best Years Of Our Lives and The Slender Thread.

I have seen The Apartment and I can see what you mean in regards to the big picture. I've been meaning to rewatch it as I was a tad bit underwhelmed by it. I also have Harakiri sitting on my shelf to watch. I'll move it up.

The Best Years of Our Lives is an exceptional experience. It perfectly captures the torments of returning WWII servicemen, some shattered physically, all emotionally impacted, and the effects this has on those around them. Each main character is seeking a way back to normalcy, while holding off the personal demons that no one understands except other veterans. It is an emotional rollercoaster that hits on all the right notes.

Don't delay on Harakiri. I was not a big samurai movie fan at the time (although that view is now changing), so I let it sit on my shelf too for an extended period. Then one day I watched it, and it is now among my favorites in the Criterion Collection. It is done so well on so many levels, another emotionally affecting film, where the beauty in life may be the manner of death itself.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by oildude

The Best Years of Our Lives is an exceptional experience. It perfectly captures the torments of returning WWII servicemen, some shattered physically, all emotionally impacted, and the effects this has on those around them. Each main character is seeking a way back to normalcy, while holding off the personal demons that no one understands except other veterans. It is an emotional rollercoaster that hits on all the right notes.

Don't delay on Harakiri. I was not a big samurai movie fan at the time (although that view is now changing), so I let it sit on my shelf too for an extended period. Then one day I watched it, and it is now among my favorites in the Criterion Collection. It is done so well on so many levels, another emotionally affecting film, where the beauty in life may be the manner of death itself.

The structure of the script and build up of tension in Harakiri is PERFECT. One of my favorite movies.
As is The Best Years Of Our Lives actually. One of those 3 hour films that never feels its length and has wonderful performances out of all of the actors and really moving.
Definitely some good choices!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by oildude

I can think of some non-Criterion titles, which I have spoiler tagged below. In a similar vein, these are all moving and emotionally compelling character driven films showing the pain of circumstances and the struggle to overcome and find redemption, in some cases to the edge of life itself. Not all of these are quite as depressing as Umberto D is in places (although Tomorrow may actually top it), each documents struggles and the real threat of bottoming out. All are fantastic films with powerful life affirming lessons to be learned:

[Show spoiler]
Tomorrow (1972, Joseph Anthony, a devastating film, one of the most profoundly moving I have seen, with a great performance from Robert Duvall - available exclusively from B2MP)




The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler)




The Men (Fed Zinnemann, also Marlon Brando's first starring role - available from Olive - check out DVD Planet where Olive's are cheap as of a couple of days ago)




The Slender Thread (Sydney Pollack, starring Sidney Poitier, also from Olive)




The Apartment (Billy Wilder)

One other film that comes to mind for similar reasons is a Criterion - Harakiri. A superb film, where the main character seeks to find salvation from the pains and injustices that life circumstances - and wicked men - have done to him. Being Japanese, and a samurai, the path he chooses to find fulfillment and end his pain is culturally correct, yet different in implementation than the viewer might expect, and the result is an edge-of-your-seat experience.

You mention a Robert Duvall title which made me think of another he's in that I haven't seen in ages that still sticks with me-The Stone Boy. Heartbreaking film. It's another of those titles that I'm not even sure made it to dvd much less Blu-ray