The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

It probably makes a difference seeing it in a packed theater and particularly back in 1975 before the more graphic gore-fests and torture films and other violent sh*t have come out and desensitized newer generations who will watch it having seen it ranked #1 on "most disturbing films" lists on the internet. As one of those latter people, I would agree it's not as shocking as you're lead to believe, at least if you go in knowing full well the sadistic acts that are committed on screen (and let's be honest, most people who watch it these days likely do). I never closed my eyes during the film, and afterward I didn't lose sleep over what I saw. That said, there's no denying the film's ability to disturb, unsettle, and gross you out. The climax is still pretty effective in its realism and brutality.

Salo shocked me and saddened me when I watched it a few months ago, courtesy of a 720p presentation on YouTube.

I love the Friday the 13th films, and I love a number of other 1980s slasher flicks that utilize grisly makeup effects, so I do not have a problem with gore in cinema. I do, however, find it difficult to watch depictions of sadism (torture, rape, general mean-spirited abuse, etc.) in movies. While I was watching Salo, I kept thinking about how the atrocities are probably not far removed from things that have happened in real life (abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, etc.), and it was unpleasant to get my mind around the idea of being entertained by the subject matter.

So, yeah, I'd say that Salo is the most disturbing film that I've ever watched. It's not the most gory film that I've seen, not even by a long mile, but it's the most disturbing in terms of sheer sadism. The fact that the movie is so well-made in technical terms just adds to its icky unpleasantness.

[kuro_sawa]

Salo I respect as a film, understand and have thought out (rather dealt with ) its merits/message, and yet it's something I can't own on my shelf. I own some of Pasolini's other flicks but for this one, personally, even a You tube stream is enough

Aside from that, why did you all ignore my Solaris post? You've exhausted yourselves about it haven't you? Is it not a lightly transparent piece of paper in the sun?

[starman15317]

I think I would agree that Salo is overhyped, but it is still disturbing and shocking. It's not something I can see myself ever watching again.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Aside from that, why did you all ignore my Solaris post? You've exhausted yourselves about it haven't you? Is it not a lightly transparent piece of paper in the sun?

I saw your comment, but I have not seen the 2002 remake of Solaris, so I refrained from responding.

I am a huge fan of the original Solaris, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it on the big screen at a local theater last spring.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I saw your comment, but I have not seen the 2002 remake of Solaris, so I refrained from responding.

I am a huge fan of the original Solaris, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it on the big screen at a local theater last spring.

I envy you!

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Salo shocked me and saddened me when I watched it a few months ago, courtesy of a 720p presentation on YouTube.

I love the Friday the 13th films, and I love a number of other 1980s slasher flicks that utilize grisly makeup effects, so I do not have a problem with gore in cinema. I do, however, find it difficult to watch depictions of sadism (torture, rape, general mean-spirited abuse, etc.) in movies. While I was watching Salo, I kept thinking about how the atrocities are probably not far removed from things that have happened in real life (abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, etc.), and it was unpleasant to get my mind around the idea of being entertained by the subject matter.

So, yeah, I'd say that Salo is the most disturbing film that I've ever watched. It's not the most gory film that I've seen, not even by a long mile, but it's the most disturbing in terms of sheer sadism. The fact that the movie is so well-made in technical terms just adds to its icky unpleasantness.

I'm a big slasher and horror fan myself! Friday the 13th is one of my favorite horror series. I see what you mean, I think the reason I found it not as disturbing as other movies I've seen (I've personally been more affected by other movies, despite Salo's ultraviolent and sadistic depictions) is because of the way it's filmed and how there's really no character development, no protagonist(s) to latch onto; there's a detachment in the film's staging and camerawork. Because of that, I didn't feel quite as much sympathy for these poor, tormented children/teenagers as I would've had I known more about them. They hardly utter a word if I remember correctly. I know that sounds cruel, because they're put through hell, but it's just the reality for me. On the contrary, someone like yourself could argue that in fact is what made it so disturbing and unnerving: its distancing, almost-documentary-like style. But let me add this, I did not go into this expecting "entertainment" nor did I get that out of it, at least not in the way of Friday the 13th and similar fun movies. I just have an interest in disturbing cinema because it affects me, which is one of the many reasons I enjoy films in general. In one corner I enjoy the fun, silly horror movies of the 80s and such, but in the other I have my "real" horror films that are unpleasant but remarkably made.

[bdmartin134]

I don't know when they updated it, but the cover of Cries and Whispers is much better with the red tint as opposed to just the plain picture of Harriet Andersson.... That scream still haunts me

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

I don't know when they updated it, but the cover of Cries and Whispers is much better with the red tint as opposed to just the plain picture of Harriet Andersson.... That scream still haunts me

Whoa....I swear I've seen that version of the cover somewhere before. I thought Polaroid might've done that up in a quick photoshop job or something. Seriously. Can't remember.

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't know if this a bit grim or weird but what are the best films in collection that revolve around suicide or the degradation of the human spirit?

Repulsion might fit, as well. Didn't disturb me as much as Breaking the Waves truly did, though.

Thanks the head ups for Downloading Nancy, never heard of it yet.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't know if this a bit grim or weird but what are the best films in collection that revolve around suicide or the degradation of the human spirit?

Requiem for a Dream

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

Got me on the 1st.

[Tuco_76]

Originally Posted by zbinks

Requiem for a Dream

I guess it was about movies already released in the collection. But wait a sec..

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by Tuco_76

I guess it was about movies already released in the collection.

I guess I missed that part.

There are a few Collection films I can think of that might scratch this particular itch to some extent or another.

Antichrist
Cronos
Crumb
The Devil's Backbone
Eraserhead

[Show spoiler]Quadrophenia

Videodrome

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't know if this a bit grim or weird but what are the best films in collection that revolve around suicide or the degradation of the human spirit?

In the Realm of the Senses
A Woman Under the Influence
Opening Night
Naked

These are all about spiritual/personal decay in one sense or another and they're all quite bleak. And quite good.

In the Realm of the Senses is a bit of an odd man out. It definitely doesn't shy away from chronicling the downward spiral of the main characters but it is a little more stylized than the others and maybe a little less emotionally draining.

Gena Rowlands is freaking fantastic in A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night. Cassavetes never turns away from her no matter how uncomfortable situations get and she's more up to the task.

Naked is great too. At times the humor almost lets the audience off the hook but it's extremely bleak overall.

You'll love them

And Kes is sort of the opposite of what you're asking for but might be a good fit just the same.

[Show spoiler]The human spirit holds up remarkably well given a variety of trying circumstances but boy, it gets tested.

[WonderWeasel]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't know if this a bit grim or weird but what are the best films in collection that revolve around suicide or the degradation of the human spirit?

If its a spoiler just put in spoiler tags but I'm ok to be spoilt.

I think 'Umberto D.' fits into this category rather well.

[Show spoiler]The entire film, Umberto walks a fine line between dignity and despair, quite often teetering toward the latter, but is pulled back by the love of/for his dog, and the responsibility he owes him. As the story continues, this begins to appear to provide only a temporary respite, and the ambiguous ending seems to lend itself to the idea of the duality of Umberto's existence, leaving you unsure of what lies ahead for our protagonist after the cameras stop rolling.

[sjconstable]

Originally Posted by iScottie

All of the "shock" is severely overhyped.

I see it as a black comedy, and intentionally so.

[CinemaBlu]

Best Buy has some Criterions on sale. Not a great sale, but not bad either.

$21.99.
The Thin Red Line
Stagecoach
The Magician
Traffic
Paris, Texas
Black Orpheus
8 1/2
Being John Malkovich
Wings of Desire
Nashville
L'avventura
Diabolique
La Dolce Vita

$29.99
Che
Heaven's Gate

$34.99
Fanny and Alexander

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Whoa....I swear I've seen that version of the cover somewhere before. I thought Polaroid might've done that up in a quick photoshop job or something. Seriously. Can't remember.

I shared it a few weeks ago on here, but no I never did a mockup like that in here :P

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by octagon

In the Realm of the Senses
A Woman Under the Influence
Opening Night
Naked

These are all about spiritual/personal decay in one sense or another and they're all quite bleak. And quite good.

In the Realm of the Senses is a bit of an odd man out. It definitely doesn't shy away from chronicling the downward spiral of the main characters but it is a little more stylized than the others and maybe a little less emotionally draining.

Gena Rowlands is freaking fantastic in A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night. Cassavetes never turns away from her no matter how uncomfortable situations get and she's more up to the task.

Naked is great too. At times the humor almost lets the audience off the hook but it's extremely bleak overall.

You'll love them

And Kes is sort of the opposite of what you're asking for but might be a good fit just the same.

[Show spoiler]The human spirit holds up remarkably well given a variety of trying circumstances but boy, it gets tested.

Thanks for these, will check them out

Originally Posted by WonderWeasel

I think 'Umberto D.' fits into this category rather well.

[Show spoiler]The entire film, Umberto walks a fine line between dignity and despair, quite often teetering toward the latter, but is pulled back by the love of/for his dog, and the responsibility he owes him. As the story continues, this begins to appear to provide only a temporary respite, and the ambiguous ending seems to lend itself to the idea of the duality of Umberto's existence, leaving you unsure of what lies ahead for our protagonist after the cameras stop rolling.

Thanks I have Umberto D but I still need to watch it, sounds like something I could relate to, all I have is a dog lol poor me... haha

[SlickDamian]

I've been collecting Criterion blu-rays for years and consider myself a serious film fan, even if I don't get a chance to watch as many as I'd like. However, I don't own any samurai films in my Criterion collection, and I feel that this is the one area where my collection is lacking. Can you guys recommend the best Criterion blu-ray as a starting point for samurai films? For whatever reason, I've never felt the desire to buy Seven Samurai, which I'm sure is where I should probably start.