The Criterion Collection

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

wow! $5.10 brand new and shipped. just bought the book. that was a no-brainer.

thanks, again!

Glad to hear it, I hope you enjoy it now!

Yep, it's a chapter per film for the 60s work, with it more often than not breaking down in to him charting the production of a particular film, then offering up his own analysis, before finally discussing the contemporary response to the picture. It's a really good way to tackle that era. Things become a little more complex when he's looking at the more experimental stage of Godard's career, but that in itself is apt for the period!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

I'm not a big fan of musicals - there's only a handful I really like - but I think ALL THAT JAZZ is brilliant. It's kind-of the DARK KNIGHT of musicals, imo, though you could argue that it's not really a musical at all.

It's bound to feel a bit dated now due to the 70s fashion and Bob Fosse (this film is all but his autobiography) was hugely influential, so you'll have seen echoes of his style in lesser films; but this is essentially a story about a choreographer facing his own death and looking back( fairly mercilessly) on how he's lived his life, warts and all; so the musical numbers have a context and seem absolutely right for the film. It's closer to Fellini's 8 AND A HALF or the work of Dennis Potter, if you know who that is, than CHICAGO.

It's moving, blackly comic and actually quite shocking in some ways, especially the climactic number. Roy Scheider gives the best performance of his career too. Give it another shot and think of it more as a drama than a musical.

Thanks for this. I gave a shot at responding to jw007's question about the film, but got frustrated because I just couldn't hammer it into a response that satisfied even me, so I gave up. You hit the nail squarely on the head.

[aes3728]

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsono...source=Twitter

According to this post Criterion CEO Peter Becker has joined the Academy as a member at large. Pretty cool.

[jlk5844]

I watched Tess last night. What a beautiful film. The lush countryside locations and sunset hues of green, yellow, and gray were lovely to look at, and I really appreciated the period detail. That was my favorite part of the movie, as well as the gorgeous as always Nastassja Kinski. The film is a little too long, and the plot isn't as exciting and impactful as it should be. There's a period in between the first and second act that started to lose me, but then it grew more interesting and you were following Tess's journey and all the things that happen to her. It's a quietly emotional movie, and while indeed quite slow, I didn't mind it after awhile and it only got better as it went along. The amazing cinematography and art direction, and the performances, were what kept me interested. I just really fell in love with the period set decoration and costumes. There are some well acted scenes by the two supporting actors who have a relationship with Tess (it was really surprising seeing Peter Firth in this after only previously having seen him in Lifeforce). Not being familiar at all with the source novel Tess of the d'Ubervilles, I had no idea where the story was going and there were some surprising turns. Not one of Polanski's strongest efforts, but a worthy one. A film you should check out if you're into beautifully filmed period epics. For my first viewing, I'd give the film a 4/5.

The video on the Criterion disc was fantastic, but way more impressive to me was the audio. This is seriously one of the greatest audio tracks I have ever listened to for a catalogue title based purely on the quality of the sound. It's magnificent. The extras are also very filling, I love the supplements for Polanski's films because the guy is obviously passionate about filmmaking and I can just listen to him for hours giving tips and insight into the process. He's starting to become one of my favorite directors. So far I'm 4 for 4 on what I've watched from him. Can't wait to check out Macbeth!

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I watched Tess last night. What a beautiful film. The lush countryside locations and sunset hues of green, yellow, and gray were lovely to look at, and I really appreciated the period detail. That was my favorite part of the movie, as well as the gorgeous as always Nastassja Kinski. The film is a little too long, and the plot isn't as exciting and impactful as it should be. There's a period in between the first and second act that started to lose me, but then it grew more interesting and you were following Tess's journey and all the things that happen to her. It's a quietly emotional movie, and while indeed quite slow, I didn't mind it after awhile and it only got better as it went along. The amazing cinematography and art direction, and the performances, were what kept me interested. I just really fell in love with the period set decoration and costumes. There are some well acted scenes by the two supporting actors who have a relationship with Tess (it was really surprising seeing Peter Firth in this after only previously having seen him in Lifeforce). Not being familiar at all with the source novel Tess of the d'Ubervilles, I had no idea where the story was going and there were some surprising turns. Not one of Polanski's strongest efforts, but a worthy one. A film you should check out if you're into beautifully filmed period epics. For my first viewing, I'd give the film a 4/5.

The video on the Criterion disc was fantastic, but way more impressive to me was the audio. This is seriously one of the greatest audio tracks I have ever listened to for a catalogue title based purely on the quality of the sound. It's magnificent. The extras are also very filling, I love the supplements for Polanski's films because the guy is obviously passionate about filmmaking and I can just listen to him for hours giving tips and insight into the process. He's starting to become one of my favorite directors. So far I'm 4 for 4 on what I've watched from him. Can't wait to check out Macbeth!

Im not big on period films, but this film was so beautiful, from start to finish - made it worth the watch didn't realise it was 3 hours which I find is hard for a period film... but still the acting, the imagery was all superb.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

The period between Weekend and Every Man For Himself is pretty difficult to get in to, but those years aside the rest is nowhere near as impenetrable as the reputation suggests. EMFH kicked off an accessible few years, with highlights for me being Passion and his Lear, but I really like everything he made during that era. Histoire(s) du cinéma is the capper for this period of his career, which is as great as movies get. His more recent work is really exciting too. Some balked at Film Socialisme, but I'm a fan, and the same goes for Notre Musique and In Praise Of Love.

Godard is my favourite filmmaker. I'd probably recommend that one contextualises a venture in to his later work with a book like Richard Brody's Everything Is Cinema, if you want to get the most out of it, but the 1970s aside I don't think there's anything that's particularly hard going.

Thanks for posting this. I've loved his 60s work, but have been intimidated by anything that follows. Outside of the 60s, I've only watched Tout va bien and Comment ca va?, neither of which sat great with me, but I've been very interested in a lot of his works from 1980 onward.

[Page14]

Just finished watching Kiss Me Deadly for the first time. I don't like to give out spoilers, so I'll just say I sure didn't see *that* coming. I definitely need to watch this one at least one more time ... probably many more. I did get a kick out of recognizing several familiar character actors in their younger days (... whose names I won't mention, again not wanting to spoil anything). Great movie!!! (Still need to go through the supplements).

[lordmorpheus72]

Quick question for the group.... know I haven't posted in a while but I do have a question.

I picked up Life Aquatic blu-ray and was going to trade or sell my dvd, but am trying to figure out if everything on the dvd is on the blu-ray, bonus feature wise. Anyone find anything missing? I know there was what seemed to be an easter egg on disc 2 of the dvd, a 35sec clip of Albert Maysles, found by clicking on the coral on the bottom left. I may have missed it, but didn't see it.


Thanks for the help all!! I go crazy trying to make sure I'm not missing anything... that damn ocd...

[fdm]

Originally Posted by iScottie

You're probably right, but I'm not going to get too worked up about it haha.

Aside from the Jacques Demy set, I don't see why they would include more than one clue related to a release.

If you mean the dancers, they were for Il Sorpasso, no? Otherwise, not sure what other clue(s) you refer to. (I guess the jazz players were for All That Jazz.)

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Page14

Just finished watching Kiss Me Deadly for the first time. I don't like to give out spoilers, so I'll just say I sure didn't see *that* coming. I definitely need to watch this one at least one more time ... probably many more. I did get a kick out of recognizing several familiar character actors in their younger days (... whose names I won't mention, again not wanting to spoil anything). Great movie!!! (Still need to go through the supplements).

This is one I keep passing up on even though I've heard strong recommendations about it. Thanks for keeping a lid on the secrets!

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Thanks for posting this. I've loved his 60s work, but have been intimidated by anything that follows. Outside of the 60s, I've only watched Tout va bien and Comment ca va?, neither of which sat great with me, but I've been very interested in a lot of his works from 1980 onward.

I'd give it a shot. Much of the 80s work is no more challenging than the more provocative of the 60s films like Weekend or 2 Or 3 Things I Know About Her.

The aforementioned Everything Is Cinema really helped me with the 70s work too. There's a great French DVD box-set collecting a number of the political movies from this period and I feel like I've finally got a grasp on them (being watching Godard movies for half my life, wrote my MA thesis on Une Femme Mariee, but still struggled with some of the political movies). I'd have loved to have see Criterion tackle Numero Deux, a film for which Godard acquired financing for under the pretence that it was going to be a Breathless remake! Olive put it out recently, but only on DVD.

[K1NG J0RDAN]

With the B&N half off sale in a few days, I decided to make a list of titles I want. Very bad idea.... lol

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by K1NG J0RDAN

With the B&N half off sale in a few days, I decided to make a list of titles I want. Very bad idea.... lol

Great list, I can highly recommend about 8 of them!

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Under The Skin... wow...

I just somehow know there's a thread for it somewhere else on this site... seriously. (And no I realize there is nothing remotely resembling a spoiler in your post, but regardless, I really don't want to know any more about this film before I see it, and once again...)

[jrsl76]

I will be picking up the following titles:

Judex
Hearts And Minds
A Hard Day's Night
Picnic At Hanging Rock
Pickpocket
Scanners
Essential Jacques Demy
Insomnia
The Big Chill (hopefully an week extension again so this is included)

[Clare2904]

@smoss469 You failed the alphabet test with Late Spring

[aes3728]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

I will be picking up the following titles:

Judex
Hearts And Minds
A Hard Day's Night
Picnic At Hanging Rock
Pickpocket
Scanners
Essential Jacques Demy
Insomnia
The Big Chill (hopefully an week extension again so this is included)

You have excellent taste. This is roughly my list as well. Add Life Aquatic and Red River and Picnic.

[K1NG J0RDAN]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

@smoss469 You failed the alphabet test with Late Spring

Not his fault! It's mine. Added it in after I made the list. Didn't even think about that

[Monty70]

I've been saving a $200 B&N gift card from the holidays for the upcoming sale. Looking to pick up the following titles.

Red River
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Breaking the Waves
Riot in Cell Block 11
Ace in the Hole
Judex
Insomnia
and
L'eclisse

[jw007]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

I'm not a big fan of musicals - there's only a handful I really like - but I think ALL THAT JAZZ is brilliant. It's kind-of the DARK KNIGHT of musicals, imo, though you could argue that it's not really a musical at all.

It's bound to feel a bit dated now due to the 70s fashion and Bob Fosse (this film is all but his autobiography) was hugely influential, so you'll have seen echoes of his style in lesser films; but this is essentially a story about a choreographer facing his own death and looking back( fairly mercilessly) on how he's lived his life, warts and all; so the musical numbers have a context and seem absolutely right for the film. It's closer to Fellini's 8 AND A HALF or the work of Dennis Potter, if you know who that is, than CHICAGO.

It's moving, blackly comic and actually quite shocking in some ways, especially the climactic number. Roy Scheider gives the best performance of his career too. Give it another shot and think of it more as a drama than a musical.

Originally Posted by jayembee

Thanks for this. I gave a shot at responding to jw007's question about the film, but got frustrated because I just couldn't hammer it into a response that satisfied even me, so I gave up. You hit the nail squarely on the head.

Awesome response, duggie walker. Thanks! I probably would have enjoyed All That Jazz more had I not started watching this at 2 AM last night! Kind of late...I've been going to bed later but I have to remember never to start watching a movie at such an hour in the future. I'm thinking of just buying this when it is released on Criterion BD as I only saw the first hour and liked what I saw...and then the suspense will only build when I finally buy this and can watch the entire film and see how it all ends!

jayembee, thanks for giving it a shot!