The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Have you ever watched a film by Aki Kaurismaki? Now that director I can say is more similar to Jim Jarmusch. I don't see any Jarmusch in S. Coppola's work whatsoever. Lost in Translation isn't dry or deadpan at all. It's a very intimate, warm film about a female who is discombobulated and there are no Jarmusch films that have similar themes, including Only Lovers Left Alive, that can relate to Lost in Translation.

No, I said in previous post I haven't :P (what film would recommend I watch a first viewing?).

LIT isn't dry? are you serious lol? She is lost in this country, isolated and alone... longing for someone, or something. Same for OLLA, they are lost in time, alone and seeking each other. Also, I'd say LIT has a few deadpan moments and dry humour.

I'd say they are quite similar in that sense lol

Suntory Time! - Lost in Translation (1/10) Movie CLIP (2003) HD - YouTube

Bill Murray - Lost In Translation (Funniest Scene) - YouTube

Lost in Translation - funny Bill Murray exercising scene - YouTube

Lost In Translation (ITA): Bob in the waiting room at the hospital - YouTube

Maybe I am getting confused about what deadpan/dry humour is?

I mean I'm not fussed if you don't see a link, I do and I was only sharing and suggesting, but we all see different things and take different things from film or whatever so no worries lol :P But I personally see a link which OLLA, not seen his other films so I am not including those

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

No, I said in previous post I haven't :P (what film would recommend I watch a first viewing?).

LIT isn't dry? are you serious lol? She is lost in this country, isolated and alone... longing for someone, or something. Same for OLLA, they are lost in time, alone and seeking each other. Also, I'd say LIT has a few deadpan moments and dry humour.

I'd say they are quite similar in that sense lol

I implore you to watch a Kaurismaki film immediately. Watch Le Havre, his recent movie, which I found to be beyond amazing. Kaurismaki is as close to Jarmusch as I can find for similar themes/humor.

LIT lacks the sharp wit, deadpan humor and dry comedy of a Jarmusch film for sure. To me, it was repetitive drama in many scenes, of two unfulfilled characters that showed a lot of emotion. Jarmusch films don't show emotion at all. The whole point of a Jarmusch film is to be as emotionless as possible because otherwise it won't be "cool" anymore. I find Lost in Translation to be one of the best films in my collection and I love all of Jarmusch's films as well. I love both directors, but they are not similar at all!

If anyone else agrees with me that Jim Jarmusch and Sofia Coppola are not similar, please respond.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Maybe I am getting confused about what deadpan/dry humour is?

Well, I'd say its more like screwball comedy in Coppola's movies...and maybe gags and "verbal stunts".

But...looking back, perhaps there is some deadpan humor in there...just not the same type as Jarmusch.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

I implore you to watch a Kaurismaki film immediately. Watch Le Havre, his recent movie, which I found to be beyond amazing. Kaurismaki is as close to Jarmusch as I can find for similar themes/humor.

LIT lacks the sharp wit, deadpan humor and dry comedy of a Jarmusch film for sure. To me, it was repetitive drama in many scenes, of two unfulfilled characters that showed a lot of emotion. Jarmusch films don't show emotion at all. The whole point of a Jarmusch film is to be as emotionless as possible because otherwise it won't be "cool" anymore. I find Lost in Translation to be one of the best films in my collection and I love all of Jarmusch's films as well. I love both directors, but they are not similar at all!

If anyone else agrees with me that Jim Jarmusch and Sofia Coppola are not similar, please respond.

I did order that film as a blind buy but cancelled it and went for a film I knew - maybe I should have trust my blind buy instincts! lol

See, I found there was emotion in OLLA, it was subtle but I did notice it maybe I need a re watch! I am not saying the directors are similar either lol

I am just saying I noticed similar themes and tone between OLLA and LIT. I understand what you are saying and respect that.

-

jw007 lets meet up and have a movie night and watch the complete works of the two directors you mentioned and then we can discuss and have a little fight lol

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jw007

I implore you to watch a Kaurismaki film immediately. Watch Le Havre, his recent movie, which I found to be beyond amazing. Kaurismaki is as close to Jarmusch as I can find for similar themes/humor.

LIT lacks the sharp wit, deadpan humor and dry comedy of a Jarmusch film for sure. To me, it was repetitive drama in many scenes, of two unfulfilled characters that showed a lot of emotion. Jarmusch films don't show emotion at all. The whole point of a Jarmusch film is to be as emotionless as possible because otherwise it won't be "cool" anymore. I find Lost in Translation to be one of the best films in my collection and I love all of Jarmusch's films as well. I love both directors, but they are not similar at all!

If anyone else agrees with me that Jim Jarmusch and Sofia Coppola are not similar, please respond.

I'm not sure about Sofia Coppola, but you have a really good point about Le Havre. I completely enjoyed that film. It happens in such an odd space, partly in the 30s world of poetic realism, and partly in today's France. I've seen very few films that have so successfully created a space that is so entirely and uniquely cinematic. I've rewatched this film several times and come away rewarded each time.

And like you mentioned, the tone in some Jarmusch is very similar. I think that's why I like Mystery Train so much (well, that and the fact I like BBQ and blues). And though it's not as similar to Le Havre, I think Dead Man is a phenomenal film, too. Jarmusch's best. There's often an elusiveness in Jarmusch but, at the same time, a sense that things are happening on several levels at any given moment. Le Havre approaches that, as does Mystery Train. But I don't think either get it so perfectly as Dead Man.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I did order that film as a blind buy but cancelled it and went for a film I knew - maybe I should have trust my blind buy instincts! lol

See, I found there was emotion in OLLA, it was subtle but I did notice it maybe I need a re watch! I am not saying the directors are similar either lol

I am just saying I noticed similar themes and tone between OLLA and LIT. I understand what you are saying and respect that.

-

jw007 lets meet up and have a movie night and watch the complete works of the two directors you mentioned and then we can discuss and have a little fight lol

Lol... I might pass if a fight is going to happen, but if you and a dozen other people in this forum thread ever want to have a movie night somewhere in a major city in a major country sometime, I'd be up for that.

And oh, yes, you definitely should trust your instincts. Go for Le Havre. It's a movie you can bring home to mom and watch together. It's the only one I've been able to watch with my own mother and not cringe once during any scene. Lol.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RojD

I'm not sure about Sofia Coppola, but you have a really good point about Le Havre. I completely enjoyed that film. It happens in such an odd space, partly in the 30s world of poetic realism, and partly in today's France. I've seen very few films that have so successfully created a space that is so entirely and uniquely cinematic. I've rewatched this film several times and come away rewarded each time.

And like you mentioned, the tone in some Jarmusch is very similar. I think that's why I like Mystery Train so much (well, that and the fact I like BBQ and blues). And though it's not as similar to Le Havre, I think Dead Man is a phenomenal film, too. Jarmusch's best. There's often an elusiveness in Jarmusch but, at the same time, a sense that things are happening on several levels at any given moment. Le Havre approaches that, as does Mystery Train. But I don't think either get it so perfectly as Dead Man.

I need to revisit Dead Man. It was one of my least favorite Jarmusch films for a while but it deserves a re-watch from me again.

Yes, Le Havre is just a wonderful film. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too. Do what I did and check out more of Kaurismaki's work on the two Eclipse box sets and pick up La Vie de Bohème while you're at it too.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by jw007

I need to revisit Dead Man. It was one of my least favorite Jarmusch films for a while but it deserves a re-watch from me again.

Yes, Le Havre is just a wonderful film. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too. Do what I did and check out more of Kaurismaki's work on the two Eclipse box sets and pick up La Vie de Bohème while you're at it too.

Le Havre is a wonderfully entertaining film.

[Edward J Grug III]

I also highly recommend Le Havre.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

The whole Vampire genre can be tricky, it can be either incredible, or full of cliches and really bad lol. (although I was a sucker for Buffy when I was younger! oh the shame!)

There's no shame in being a sucker for Buffy.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I'd do it XD and how the hell do you get this credit thing!?

PaylPal, which is owned by eBay, has its own revolving credit program. I applied for it several years ago, and was accepted. Originally, it only allowed me to pay for my eBay purchases, but in recent years, more and more online retailers (including FoxConnect and Deep Discount) accept it. I just place my orders and check out with PayPal instead of a regular credit card.

One of the nice things about it is that anytime you charge $100 or more, you automatically receive zero percent interest on that transaction for at least 6 months. So when I place a large order of blu-rays at a participating retailer, I use PayPal Credit and get six months interest-free to pay it off. When the Fox website ran all their Studio Classic blu-rays for between $3.99 and $4.99 a couple of weeks ago, I ordered 21 titles (including How Green Was My Valley, Fantastic Voyage, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Laura, Panic in the Streets, Sunrise, and Zorba the Greek) and my bill came to $103 ... which I don't have to pay interest on until the end of May.

Another plus about the program is that when you purchase things on eBay, you accumulate an extra 1% in "Bonus Bucks" rebates that are paid every quarter. I usually rack up enough rebates every three months to be able to get a free movie or a book, which is kinda cool.

I hope that information is helpful to you!

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jw007

I need to revisit Dead Man. It was one of my least favorite Jarmusch films for a while but it deserves a re-watch from me again.

Yes, Le Havre is just a wonderful film. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too. Do what I did and check out more of Kaurismaki's work on the two Eclipse box sets and pick up La Vie de Bohème while you're at it too.

Already did! Every once in awhile, I get obsessive and layer a run though a director's filmography on top of my usual filmwatching. Kaurismaki's work was one of those spasms.

You're right about La Vie de Bohème -- wonderful film and very similar in feeling to Le Havre. There are many layers to every scene in the film.

I was less enthused about the Eclipse sets. I thought the Proletariat Trilogy was OK with The Match Factory Girl being particularly outstanding. But none of the films has what I like in the later two blu's, Kaurismaki's deeply satisfying complexity and suggestion. And I didn't care for Leningrad Cowboys at all, though I know a lot of people have the set as their favorite Kaurismakis. To me, that set seemed like a stunt, a movie about the stunt, and then some spin-offs. Andy Warhol and Dali strike me the same way. But then, humor is so subjective.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by jmclick

...

When the Fox website ran all their Studio Classic blu-rays for between $3.99 and $4.99 a couple of weeks ago, I ordered 21 titles (including How Green Was My Valley, Fantastic Voyage, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Laura, Panic in the Streets, Sunrise, and Zorba the Greek) and my bill came to $103 ... which I don't have to pay interest on until the end of May.

....

I hope that information is helpful to you!

I couldn't believe that sale! I just kept throwing BDs into my cart, and it was only going up at $4-$5 increments. I can't imagine they could make money at those prices, but it was great to fill in so many gaps in my collection at those prices. I keep my BDs arranged by directors, so my Criterion guys have a lot of Fox company now. That was probably the best deal I found this season.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RojD

Already did! Every once in awhile, I get obsessive and layer a run though a director's filmography on top of my usual filmwatching. Kaurismaki's work was one of those spasms.

You're right about La Vie de Bohème -- wonderful film and very similar in feeling to Le Havre. There are many layers to every scene in the film.

I was less enthused about the Eclipse sets. I thought the Proletariat Trilogy was OK with The Match Factory Girl being particularly outstanding. But none of the films has what I like in the later two blu's, Kaurismaki's deeply satisfying complexity and suggestion. And I didn't care for Leningrad Cowboys at all, though I know a lot of people have the set as their favorite Kaurismakis. To me, that set seemed like a stunt, a movie about the stunt, and then some spin-offs. Andy Warhol and Dali strike me the same way. But then, humor is so subjective.

I only liked the first Leningrad Cowboys film but the 2 sequels were not as good. I definitely liked the first 2 films in the Proletariat Trilogy though a lot but disagree and thought the 3rd and final film was not as strong (surprising that you thought it was outstanding, I have the exact opposite opinion). I think Kaurismaki is best when he sticks to his offbeat, light, deadpan humor but when he ventures into more serious and heavy territory such as The Match Factory Girl, things don't always turn out so well.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

I truly enjoy Aki Kaurismaki's films, even though I've only seen a handful of them.

I consider La Vie de Bohème & Le Havre both minor masterpieces; they evoke an earlier, simpler era. Even though they take place in the '90's & the 20XX's (respectively), when I watch them I feel as if I'm seeing a film from the 1950's/1960's.

The Match Factory Girl was well-done, but was an extremely depressing film about someone in a dead-end situation, with no hope in sight.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

I truly enjoy Aki Kaurismaki's films, even though I've only seen a handful of them.

I consider La Vie de Bohème & Le Havre both minor masterpieces; they evoke an earlier, simpler era. Even though they take place in the '90's & the 20XX's (respectively), when I watch them I feel as if I'm seeing a film from the 1950's/1960's.

The Match Factory Girl was well-done, but extremely depressing about someone in a dead-end situation, with no hope in sight.

Yes, there is something about Kaurismaki's films that bring about a warm, cozy, comforting feeling that the world is not completely dehumanized yet...and that people still carry umbrellas, read newspapers, use a "real" telephone (without a screen), drive an actual car that doesn't have airbags or a computer built in, write with pencils and pens that contain real ink, use real money or cash to pay instead of credits cards, use vinyl turntables and boomboxes instead of iphones and earbuds and talk instead of text. It's all right before the human transformation of the internet/digital age and its an age that I sensed was less complicated and more simple, even though I lived through it. Yes, a warm fuzzy feeling is what I gain from his movies.

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by jw007

I implore you to watch a Kaurismaki film immediately. Watch Le Havre, his recent movie, which I found to be beyond amazing. Kaurismaki is as close to Jarmusch as I can find for similar themes/humor.

LIT lacks the sharp wit, deadpan humor and dry comedy of a Jarmusch film for sure. To me, it was repetitive drama in many scenes, of two unfulfilled characters that showed a lot of emotion. Jarmusch films don't show emotion at all. The whole point of a Jarmusch film is to be as emotionless as possible because otherwise it won't be "cool" anymore. I find Lost in Translation to be one of the best films in my collection and I love all of Jarmusch's films as well. I love both directors, but they are not similar at all!

If anyone else agrees with me that Jim Jarmusch and Sofia Coppola are not similar, please respond.

Both their films contain a quiet, contemplative tone which is characterised by emptiness and longing. They're not exactly alike, but I think they're both interested in exploring the same kinds of ideas.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, there is something about Kaurismaki's films that bring about a warm, cozy, comforting feeling that the world is not completely dehumanized yet...and that people still carry umbrellas, read newspapers, use a "real" telephone (without a screen), drive an actual car that doesn't have airbags or a computer built in, write with pencils and pens that contain real ink, use real money or cash to pay instead of credits cards, use vinyl turntables and boomboxes instead of iphones and earbuds and talk instead of text. It's all right before the human transformation of the internet/digital age and its an age that I sensed was less complicated and more simple, even though I lived through it. Yes, a warm fuzzy feeling is what I gain from his movies.

I carry two umbrellas with me at all times! You never know when it will rain in UK and you never know when one umbrella will break!

[prior]

I, too, consider the The Match Factory Girl to be a masterpiece and easily the best of the Proletariat Trilogy.

Other than that I think The Man Without a Past is outstanding, maybe because it's equally moving and containing his typical deadpan humor, or maybe because of the scope of the story.

Having seen Le Havre recently, there wasn't really anything new in there, something he has never done before, I was a bit let down.

[mbennett2283]

Originally Posted by jmclick

PaylPal, which is owned by eBay, has its own revolving credit program. I applied for it several years ago, and was accepted. Originally, it only allowed me to pay for my eBay purchases, but in recent years, more and more online retailers (including FoxConnect and Deep Discount) accept it. I just place my orders and check out with PayPal instead of a regular credit card.

One of the nice things about it is that anytime you charge $100 or more, you automatically receive zero percent interest on that transaction for at least 6 months. So when I place a large order of blu-rays at a participating retailer, I use PayPal Credit and get six months interest-free to pay it off. When the Fox website ran all their Studio Classic blu-rays for between $3.99 and $4.99 a couple of weeks ago, I ordered 21 titles (including How Green Was My Valley, Fantastic Voyage, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Laura, Panic in the Streets, Sunrise, and Zorba the Greek) and my bill came to $103 ... which I don't have to pay interest on until the end of May.

Another plus about the program is that when you purchase things on eBay, you accumulate an extra 1% in "Bonus Bucks" rebates that are paid every quarter. I usually rack up enough rebates every three months to be able to get a free movie or a book, which is kinda cool.

I hope that information is helpful to you!

I love that PayPal deal. I just ordered The Thin Red Line, 12 Angry Men, Broadcast News, Days of Heaven, and Anatomy of a Murder for $113.15. No payments until June.