The Criterion Collection

[jhiggy23]

Just watched George Washington and was very underwhelmed; I have to disagree with the widespread praise in this thread about the film.

I thought the voiceover tried much too hard to evoke the voiceover in Days of Heaven, which relied upon narration of insignificant and random thoughts and details. In that film, it was perfectly utilized. In this film, I thought it seemed too forced.

I also found the story to be rather boring and not very thematically deep.

Overall, I'd give it 2 or 2 1/2 out of 4.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Saw Louise Malle's Black Moon (1975) the other day on the Criterion disk - wow, what a truly bizzare flick. Set during a futuristic war between men & women, the film follows a young woman trying to escape the fighting by seeking refuge in an isolated farmhouse, where a lot of strange events occur. The film seems to be at least partially inspired by the Alice in Wonderland novel, but definitely has it's own trippy vibe....

Also saw Kaurismaki's The Match Factory Girl (1990), which is one of the most depressing films I've ever seen - very sad & devastating...

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Saw Louise Malle's Black Moon (1975) the other day on the Criterion disk - wow, what a truly bizzare flick. Set during a futuristic war between men & women, the film follows a young woman trying to escape the fighting by seeking refuge in an isolated farmhouse, where a lot of strange events occur. The film seems to be at least partially inspired by the Alice in Wonderland novel, but definitely has it's own trippy vibe....

Also saw Kaurismaki's The Match Factory Girl (1990), which is one of the most depressing films I've ever seen - very sad & devastating...

I need to see more Kaurismaki, loved Le Havre. Have you seen La Vie de Boheme?

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I need to see more Kaurismaki, loved Le Havre. Have you seen La Vie de Boheme?

Yes - seen Le Havre & La Vie de Boheme - IMHO, Boheme is a minor masterpiece - liked the b&w cinematography & the funny/sad story; though it was filmed (and set) in the early '90's, it definitely brought to mind the 1950's/1960's.

Le Havre was excellent as well - that film was my introduction to Kaurismaki, and though it was set & filmed in the 200X's, it also brought to mind an earlier time period...

I'd like to see more Kaurismaki as well - he's directed a lot of films, though unfortunately many of them aren't available on R1 DVD/Blu...

[stvn1974]

I would trade all of your souls for a David Lynch Collection of Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive and INLAND EMPIRE being announced.


I just finished watching the Criterion Brazil. Still as good the 150th viewing as it was the first.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

I would trade all of your souls for a David Lynch Collection of Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive and INLAND EMPIRE being announced.

You'd trade something you don't own! Wow! You must really want that set!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by The Keeper

Sorry for going a little bit off-topic with this, and I don't know if it's been mentioned here yet, but I have to post this for Owl...

I just read in another thread that "Out of the Past" has been announced for a blu-ray release from Warner Archive!

Here's the link to the facebook page.

I saw this announcement earlier this evening and I'm now back inside after doing cartwheels up and down my neighborhood street for hours.

It certainly deserves a mention here, since it's such a great film that ties into several key Criterion actors.

[Kevin Ridge]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I had the day off before I start my new job so I popped in Wages of Fear,

WOW! This film needs to be in everyone's collection, not just Criterion fans. What a complete thrill. It was a bit slow to get up off the ground but once it takes flight it kept me breathless. The tension and pacing were so perfectly balanced, the film become so unpredictable (up to a point) that i agree with a thought shared in the film's essay that "even a whisper from someone in the audience may send the trucks into turmoil"

The only segment that pulled me out of the film was the ending, which I could see coming from 10 miles away and did not hold even close the same level of drama or tension the other segments did.

I own the remake, but will wait a few weeks before I watch it to let Wages really sink in.

After I watched The Wages of Fear I immediately came on this thread and posted how my initial reaction to the end was to laugh out loud and questioning how should that be my response to things. This movie was such a crazy suspense ride though. I made my case for the other characters doing what they had to do but Mario was the big question mark. You are stunned by his incredible arrogance after all he went through to be that reckless in the end. I love it.

[LPMA]

Today's haul! (But don't tell the blind buy police...)

[Show spoiler]

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by jw007

I watched Like Someone in Love last night and I nearly fell asleep about half-way through. I'm a big Kiarostami fan but I probably should have watched this fully awake to notice the subtle nuances and elements in the film. I think it was a beautiful story and I love his "less is more" approach, but I'm not sure I can recommend this as a blind-buy. Forget the hideous cover art though, the movie itself is stunning in terms of picture and sound quality. Does anyone else like this movie?

I liked it quite a bit, much more than Certified Copy but not as much as taste of Cherry or some of his older films.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by jw007

I raised a BIG fuss about this last year or the year before regarding the Blue stickers. I was all pissed that I threw these away before I realized these could be collectible and I attempted to start my own "Blue Criterion Signature Sticker" thread. It crashed and burned. People laughed all throughout the forums at this ludicrous idea of saving the blue stickers. Nevertheless, I'm glad I'm not crazy and someone else likes doing this too. I just take a pair of scissors and carefully cut around the sticker (if its the Dual Format grey sticker, cool too) and then put it inside with the booklet.

It just means you are both crazy.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by LPMA

Today's haul! (But don't tell the blind buy police...)

[Show spoiler]

Good lord, you walked out of the store with all of that? Is it payday?

[SammyJankis]

Having just seen it, I'm really hoping Criterion releases Boyhood.

[LPMA]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

Good lord, you walked out of the store with all of that? Is it payday?

Haha, I try to put some money aside every month for the July sale!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Having just seen it, I'm really hoping Criterion releases Boyhood.

I don't see why they wouldn't.

IFC distributed and the great Linklater relationship pretty much seals the deal.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Having just seen it, I'm really hoping Criterion releases Boyhood.

Good chance.

Their social media outlets gave a shout out it was playing soon (which probably means nothing). IFC owns the rights and they have a distribution agreement with Criterion.

Would love the before trilogy to come to the collection also.

[EPlay]

Originally Posted by jw007

I watched Like Someone in Love last night and I nearly fell asleep about half-way through. I'm a big Kiarostami fan but I probably should have watched this fully awake to notice the subtle nuances and elements in the film. I think it was a beautiful story and I love his "less is more" approach, but I'm not sure I can recommend this as a blind-buy. Forget the hideous cover art though, the movie itself is stunning in terms of picture and sound quality. Does anyone else like this movie?

I saw this theatrically only and found it quite interesting.

[Show spoiler]It has those extended moments when you think something major is about to happen, but it doesn't.

But one aspect of this film absolutely broke my heart and I don't think I could watch it again.

[Show spoiler]The entire subplot about the grandmother just made me dislike Akiko so much. I think it particularly affected me because it reminded me of my mother talking to me in Japanese.

The only other film I've seen by Kiarostami is "Certified Copy" at HIFF and my initial reaction wasn't very positive. However, after realizing the different interpretations people draw from the film, it made it much more intriguing and something I'll watch again one day.

[pro-bassoonist]

Hey guys, just a reminder that Cohen Media are releasing Kiarostami's The Wind Will Carry Us in the U.S. in two weeks

It should look stunning on Blu-ray!

The Wind Will Carry Us Blu-ray



Pro-B

[Kevin Ridge]

Regarding Rififi…

[Show spoiler]I loved the break in scene. When they bust out the umbrella I immediately know what they are using it for and still mange to be blown away when I see it on screen. I was practically clapping my hands at that. But I get annoyed that the crooks didn't get away with it in the end. They just seem to have everything planned out perfectly.

[blufellas]

Originally Posted by LPMA

Today's haul! (But don't tell the blind buy police...)

[Show spoiler]

Great haul! I also love to blind buy movies, especially Criterion films.