The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

I just finished watching The Phantom Carriage and I wasn't that enthused with it, to be perfectly honest. I'm usually a fan of silent films (Metropolis and Sunrise are two of my favorite films of all time), but this one did nothing for me except force me to count the minutes remaining.

To be fair, it wasn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. I liked the narrative structure with the flashbacks within flashbacks - something that seemed rare in that era. Overall, though, I found the story to be rather bland. The film reminded me way too much of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which I've seen done and redone time and time again.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

Blow-Up was good, but I found it rather too clever and pleased with itself at times, especially since it cant provide an answer to many mysteries in the film.

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

That's the entire point.

The answers don't matter. Antonioni doesn't put his focus on plot like De Palma did with Blow Out. Rather, he uses the central mystery as a device to indulge his thematic concerns. What matters is how the protagonist came to this question to begin with. The final shot gives you everything you need to understand the film.

I'm fascinated by Blowup even though I don't pretend to understand it even after many viewings. I always felt it was drawing a parallel to the Kennedy Assassination with the shadowy images seen or not seen in the enlarged photos of The Grassy Knoll.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

you're suggesting that the ONLY way so as not to miss a perhaps favourite film, is to blind buy it?
You can't rent it or whatever first, see if it's something you like, and then buy it?

No libraries near me, I hate streaming services and had bad experiences with Lovefilm etc.

I'd rather just blind but and own the package, all the supplements and artwork get me excited - if I hate the film I'll sell it.

Just find films harder to enjoy when streaming and even with fibre optics it still buffers or has problems, and quality is never the best.

Originally Posted by EricJ

(And when we say "Blind buys", we mean "Utterly blind to the word 'rental'":
"But I HAVE to buy them, I discover so many new films this way!"...Uh, really? I discover them too, y'know, and get them back to the library on time.)

Do you really have to be so rude? As I said not everyone has access to libraries or can easily rent films.

Was just saying how I have found new films and learnt so much from trusting Criterion. Nothing wrong with that and it's my money at end of the day so if I want to "waste" it then that's upto me, I'm sorry I work hard and have money to afford blind buying over renting.

Sheesh

Oh and also if I rent my sound systems don't connect to laptop without wasting time finding cables etc and if rather watch the films on my big TV and decent sound system. Yeah I can connect my laptop to tv but that's effort and again streaming is never the best compared to bluray (IMO).

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

No libraries near me, I hate streaming services and had bad experiences with Lovefilm etc.

I'd rather just blind but and own the package, all the supplements and artwork get me excited - if I hate the film I'll sell it.

Just find films harder to enjoy when streaming and even with fibre optics it still buffers or has problems, and quality is never the best.



Do you really have to be so rude? As I said not everyone has access to libraries or can easily rent films.

Was just saying how I have found new films and learnt so much from trusting Criterion. Nothing wrong with that and it's my money at end of the day so if I want to "waste" it then that's upto me, I'm sorry I work hard and have money to afford blind buying over renting.

Sheesh

Some people seem to be always counting other's money.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

No libraries near me, I hate streaming services and had bad experiences with Lovefilm etc.

Well, that's the difference in discussion--I don't have experience with at what stage of development the UK streaming industry exists, so I understand Criterion may be a little hard to come by, but in the US, Hulu+ has an entire exclusive-deal section for just about the entire early catalog, and at $8 a month, the "But streaming a Criterion's just not as GOOD for a first time experience as disk!" argument ultimately never lasts very long.

When overseas fans defend blind-buying, it's passed off with more of a disclaimer of "Well, they have to...", but then amazement at the sacrifice of all that international shipping paid out for, basically, its own sake.

[Clare2904]

I still would not list films I like to someone new to the Collection, hence me suggesting the poster takes a bit of time to browse what is on offer, see what jumps out and learns about the Collection.

I also don't believe there is such a thing as a "Criterion must-have" To me this smacks of being snobby and elitist. You must love this film and own it or you can't be in our club, BS!

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by EricJ

(And when we say "Blind buys", we mean "Utterly blind to the word 'rental'":
"But I HAVE to buy them, I discover so many new films this way!"...Uh, really? I discover them too, y'know, and get them back to the library on time.)

Are you putting down people who blind buy? It's not like we only buy films that we haven't seen before. It's fun to take risks sometimes. Get off your high horse.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by EricJ

(And when we say "Blind buys", we mean "Utterly blind to the word 'rental'":
"But I HAVE to buy them, I discover so many new films this way!"...Uh, really? I discover them too, y'know, and get them back to the library on time.)

This story gets cooler every time you tell it, bro.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I still would not list films I like to someone new to the Collection, hence me suggesting the poster takes a bit of time to browse what is on offer, see what jumps out and learns about the Collection.

I also don't believe there is such a thing as a "Criterion must-have" To me this smacks of being snobby and elitist. You must love this film and own it or you can't be in our club, BS!

Oh Jesus. I just meant very acclaimed films that are very popular in the collection, films that come highly recommended as a general consensus. Everyone has their own little perceptions of certain terms.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just finished watching The Phantom Carriage and I wasn't that enthused with it, to be perfectly honest. I'm usually a fan of silent films (Metropolis and Sunrise are two of my favorite films of all time), but this one did nothing for me except force me to count the minutes remaining.

To be fair, it wasn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. I liked the narrative structure with the flashbacks within flashbacks - something that seemed rare in that era. Overall, though, I found the story to be rather bland. The film reminded me way too much of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which I've seen done and redone time and time again.

The Phantom Carriage is one of my all time favorite silent films. A movie like this is so humanistic and deals with morality and it is more timely than ever today. The story breaks down to what human nature is all about regardless of the century or time period. The motifs in that ancient film can apply to today's world as well, just with more "dumbing down" technology. I found the film to be moving and I really hold this film in high esteem to this day.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Are you putting down people who blind buy? It's not like we only buy films that we haven't seen before. It's fun to take risks sometimes. Get off your high horse.

He's been kicked out of here at least twice for equating Criterion collectors to drug addicts and is very well known for his looking down upon blind buying.
Blind buying really isn't crazy for those who know their own tastes.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Well, that's the difference in discussion--I don't have experience with at what stage of development the UK streaming industry exists, so I understand Criterion may be a little hard to come by, but in the US, Hulu+ has an entire exclusive-deal section for just about the entire early catalog, and at $8 a month, the "But streaming a Criterion's just not as GOOD for a first time experience as disk!" argument ultimately never lasts very long.

When overseas fans defend blind-buying, it's passed off with more of a disclaimer of "Well, they have to...", but then amazement at the sacrifice of all that international shipping paid out for, basically, its own sake.

International shipping for Criterions is cheap and not even noticeable, I think most I've paid is £2, that's ebay, amazon , dvdworld etc and only bit customs charges about 2 times out of roughly 300 orders, and both times they company's refunded it.

£11-25 isn't a huge loss to me either cause I've never been let down and if I am I can resell at same price.

I can't be bothered with hassle of finding American credit card for Netflix and I just find streaming films harder to get into mood for or enjoy, I find it easier to enjoy and get into the mood of film when it's a physical disc.

I had UK netflix and it was really crap for films and lacked any decent ones, and used love film which was better but they kept messing up my rental discs and the service was appauling, and can't try amazon now as I'm perm banned from them lol.

Pin suppose everyone does things differently. If you are strapped for cash or worried then rent, it doesn't bother me I was just saying don't be scared to blind buy to find new stuff on Criterion, cause majority of the films their catalogue are incredible.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by octagon

This story gets cooler every time you tell it, bro.

Yeah, but I didn't get to do the bit about:

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Some people seem to be always counting other's money.

Originally Posted by EricJ

Ah, the "I can be cool because I have more disposable income to spend on fun!" defense--
Yeah, let's see how long that lasts, MC Hammer...So, still single, then, I'm guessing?

[adamhopelies]

Spent this evening with Zazie dans le métro, which is a film I'd seen before, but only on television and many years ago at that. I really enjoyed this most recent watch: it plays as close to a live-action cartoon as any film I can think of. The Blu-ray looks excellent, and certainly bests my previous viewing experience with the film.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Yeah, but I didn't get to do the bit about:

Umm really? I work hard for my money and I don't think that makes me cool? Also I'm In a very happy relationship... So yeah...

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Can anyone suggest some films on Criterion that feature a very strong score, bit like The Great Beauty for example - like big classical pieces etc - almost the point where the music is almost a mother character of the film, might have most but interested to know which contain strong soundtracks like this .

(Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vladimir, Preisner, etc etc etc)

Got stuff like The Leopard to watch still and not sure what it features, also got Solaris (Bach) and got all Bergman film in collection (more bergman needs to be on bluray btw!!!!!)...

Thanks

None of these scores is a "mother" character in the film (I suppose your mean "another" character), but they are outstanding and play a prominent role in the impact of the narrative:

Paris, Texas
The Last Emperor
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
The Mikado
Pale Flower
Tokyo Drifter
Harakiri
For All Mankind
Godzilla
Stagecoach
Heaven's Gate

I know there are some others, but these are all I can remember at the moment. I am thinking Letter Never Sent, Seven Samurai, and Ride With the Devil have great scores also, but it has been awhile since I last watched them.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by oildude

None of these scores is a "mother" character in the film (I suppose your mean "another" character), but they are outstanding and play a prominent role in the impact of the narrative:

Paris, Texas
The Last Emperor
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
The Mikado
Pale Flower
Tokyo Drifter
Harakiri
For All Mankind
Godzilla
Stagecoach
Heaven's Gate

I know there are some others, but these are all I can remember at the moment. I keep thinking Letter Never Sent has a great score also, but it has been awhile since I last watched it.

Ah thanks! - yeah my autocorrect always gets me on phone lol XD

I haven't got many of those so will check them out :-) thanks ^^ (I'm in love with the godzilla theme)

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Can anyone suggest some films on Criterion that feature a very strong score, bit like The Great Beauty for example - like big classical pieces etc - almost the point where the music is almost a mother character of the film, might have most but interested to know which contain strong soundtracks like this .

(Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vladimir, Preisner, etc etc etc)

Got stuff like The Leopard to watch still and not sure what it features, also got Solaris (Bach) and got all Bergman film in collection (more bergman needs to be on bluray btw!!!!!)...

Thanks

Anatomy of a Murder. The Duke Ellington score is fantastic and there's a great Ellington supplement too.

Obviously it's not classical but it's one of my favorite movie scores.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by jw007

The Phantom Carriage is one of my all time favorite silent films. A movie like this is so humanistic and deals with morality and it is more timely than ever today. The story breaks down to what human nature is all about regardless of the century or time period. The motifs in that ancient film can apply to today's world as well, just with more "dumbing down" technology. I found the film to be moving and I really hold this film in high esteem to this day.

The visuals in the Phantom Carriage interested me. Are those spectacular?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by octagon

Anatomy of a Murder. The Duke Ellington score is fantastic and there's a great Ellington supplement too.

Obviously it's not classical but it's one of my favorite movie scores.

Thanks, yeah I just asked mainly classical because I'm mad about it and want to find new stuff but I'm huge fan of normal soundtracks and not seen those so will check them out :-) was running out of criterions that I wanted in collection so nice to have more to look up and .. Dare I say... Blind buy