The Criterion Collection

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

criterion.com doesn't play nice with Chrome either. Seems it was optimized with only IE in mind.

I don't seem to have any problems with the site and I use Safari.

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

I don't seem to have any problems with the site and I use Safari.

Good to know. I forgot about you Mac users.

Originally Posted by prior

Just installed Opera and it works.

Eh, ignore my previous post...

[ChromeJob]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Okay, here....we...go....



I finally decided to jump into my Criterion Blu-ray box set, Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman, and I just finished watching The Tale of Zatoichi (1962).



The Tale of Zatoichi is a beautifully nuanced black-and-white film that looks great on the Blu-ray. The scene where Zatoichi and Hirate meet while fishing is probably my favorite part of the film, but the conclusion is wonderfully emotional and intense.



Onward to the next film in the set...

Wait'll you get through Tale of Zatoichi continues (first sequel before they realized they had a monster hit). The two together are marvelous. I'm on the third (again, watched the first few on Hulu Plus, which does NOT do the BDs justice). I can't believe the quality of these restored versions ... like new.

And Katsu ... wow. When I first saw the Hanzo the Razor films, I had no idea of this guy's range and subtlety. The Gregory O'Brien essay in the book is priceless too.

Alas, I crumpled the cellophane sticker (front) before realizing that artwork wasn't anywhere inside. B&N had a price sticker on it anyway; that's what I get for not ordering online. :-\

Instead of finishing Another tale of Zatoichi, I popped in Yojimbo/Sanjuro to listen to the Stephen Prince commentaries. Really interesting on Yojimbo.

Originally Posted by foxends

Are there currently any coupon codes available for non-members for B&N online? Trying to get an end-of-sale purchase in.

If you have a store nearby, use the method of ordering something cheap online, get the free two-month trial membership for free express shipping, then use the membership for a 10% across the board discount at the store.

Originally Posted by chad_1138

Anyone else having trouble with adding/removing films from the lists on criterion.com?

YES! Thought it was me or my Chromebook....

[nondiatonic]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

Any recommendations for films in the Collection from the 21st century? I know there aren't too many to choose from, but are there any that come highly recommended by you lot?

Just watched my copy of Yi Yi last night and was absolutely moved. An epic of the highest caliber and yet subtle and low key for the most part. Can't wait to watch it again as it is seemingly straight forward, but I know there are many layers waiting to be peeled back through multiple viewings. Comes highly recommended.

I believe it was iScottie who initially turned me onto to this film. Can't thank you enough!

[nondiatonic]

Speaking of iScottie, I'll also second his suggestions of Certified Copy, Like Someone in Love, and of course Yi Yi.

And I'll add:

Antichrist

[bwdowiak]

I was very much looking forward to revisiting In The Mood For Love after I picked up the CC Blu-ray last week. Although, I had failed to connect with it on my first viewing a couple years ago, I had a strong feeling about giving it another look and figured that I was ready to love this film. I’m not quite there yet, but I do like it a lot and would recommend it highly.

Speaking solely from a critical standpoint, I’m not sure the music is right for the film. The fragmented nature of the story telling in the first half of the film can be mildly frustrating and it also makes it difficult to keep up with the number of neighbors, wives, husbands, mistresses, etc. that populate the narrative. I think, however, that there is a point to be taken from the “confusion” and it has to do with the inter-changeability of spouses that is suggested and also how we choose our partners based sometimes on convenience, the laws of attraction, etc. I think that if all of what Wong War Kai is suggesting would be black and white, the film would lose a lot of its power. Thankfully, it is not and there is enough fodder for multiple watches. Very happy to have it in my collection.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Although, I had failed to connect with it on my first viewing a couple years ago, I had a strong feeling about giving it another look and figured that I was ready to love this film. I’m not quite there yet, but I do like it a lot and would recommend it highly.

Why do you feel compelled to love the film?
because it is established that it is a masterpiece and so you should love it even if you have to try hard?

This is not just addressed to you, but many people, including myself, who sometimes I think we're trying to like something because many people like it..

[ShellOilJunior]

In August the Cleveland Cinematheque moves to a new facility equipped with 35mm, 16mm and 4K capabilities.

Glancing at August's films:

Casablanca 35mm
Apu Trilogy 4k
The Third Man 4k
Tess 4k
Queen Margot 4k
The Tales of Hoffman 4k
Samsara DCP

The best part is the new place is about 1 mile from my apartment.

[Show spoiler]

[octagon]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Why do you feel compelled to love the film?

I pull The Godfather Part III out every couple years partly because there are bits I enjoy but most because I would very much love to love that film. I would love for all the pieces to fall into place and for me to finally see whatever it was Copolla saw when he was making it.

I went through a similar (though ultimately far more successful) routine with Eyes Wide Shut.

Late Billy Wilder films are another example for me. I don't particularly like Avanti! or One, Two, Three or The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes but I would really like to.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Why do you feel compelled to love the film?
because it is established that it is a masterpiece and so you should love it even if you have to try hard?

This is not just addressed to you, but many people, including myself, who sometimes I think we're trying to like something because many people like it..

This is just my personal answer, but...

A film can have deficiencies which impead my ability to truly love the film. But likewise, I can have deficiencies that impead my ability to truly love a film. Sometimes I have to wrestle with the film over multiple viewings until I get to the place where I truly fall for it.

I'm married these days, but when i was single, I rarely fell in love on the first date, but I could usually tell when the girl had potential and was worthy of further dates.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Why do you feel compelled to love the film?
because it is established that it is a masterpiece and so you should love it even if you have to try hard?

This is not just addressed to you, but many people, including myself, who sometimes I think we're trying to like something because many people like it..

I do not feel "compelled" to love it. I felt "ready" to love it because certain films stay in your consciousness even after an initial viewing in which you have dismissed a film or had some kind of luke warm reaction to it.

It could be that you had different expectations for a film (i.e., expectations of what the tone will be like or idk... expected "blood" in a film titled There Will Be Blood and believe me, many walked out disappointed after they found out there was little to none.) It could be that you were not feeling well when you watched a film the first time or maybe it was too late in the day for something that was heavy thematically (that's what happened to me w/ ITM4L.) Or it could be that you've grown more mature and will see things that sailed over your head the first time around.

I'm the last person, btw, who feels any kind of need to be a part of what is popular.. haven't you been paying attention to any of my posts? I dislike to downright despise some of the most popular films.

[octagon]

Oh, here's a couple more (very relevant) examples...

I've only seen Picnic at Hanging Rock and Don't Look Now once and was fairly indifferent to both of them. I plan on giving them both another look and would love to see what other people see in them.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

This is just my personal answer, but...

A film can have deficiencies which impead my ability to truly love the film. But likewise, I can have deficiencies that impead my ability to truly love a film. Sometimes I have to wrestle with the film over multiple viewings until I get to the place where I truly fall for it.

I'm married these days, but when i was single, I rarely fell in love on the first date, but I could usually tell when the girl had potential and was worthy of further dates.

I love this post. SP4 - you're becoming one of my favorites around here.

I figured that In The Mood For Love was worth a second date. I was right. Thinking now there will be a third.

[joie]

There's a brilliant story there. It's easy to miss what the man and woman are doing. The synopsis at RottenTomatoes gives it away.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by octagon

Oh, here's a couple more (very relevant) examples...

I've only seen Picnic at Hanging Rock and Don't Look Now once and was fairly indifferent to both of them. I plan on giving them both another look and would love to see what other people see in them.

It won't be difficult for you to see the brilliance of Don't Look Now on second viewing. It took me twice as well. Get on that!

[dannyfriar]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

Any recommendations for films in the Collection from the 21st century? I know there aren't too many to choose from, but are there any that come highly recommended by you lot?

A Christmas Tale
Weekend (2005)
Everlasting Moments
Revanche

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I do not feel "compelled" to love it. I felt "ready" to love it because certain films stay in your consciousness even after an initial viewing in which you have dismissed a film or had some kind of luke warm reaction to it.

It could be that you had different expectations for a film (i.e., expectations of what the tone will be like or idk... expected "blood" in a film titled There Will Be Blood and believe me, many walked out disappointed after they found out there was little to none.) It could be that you were not feeling well when you watched a film the first time or maybe it was too late in the day for something that was heavy thematically (that's what happened to me w/ ITM4L.) Or it could be that you've grown more mature and will see things that sailed over your head the first time around.

I'm the last person, btw, who feels any kind of need to be a part of what is popular.. haven't you been paying attention to any of my posts? I dislike to downright despise some of the most popular films.

Ok, I understand and I have felt the same way about certain films, since the first time I was bored and 2nd time I loved them.

But, you used a phrase "i'm no there yet", which seemed to me like you have already made up your mind that the final destination is (or should be) to love this film, and you haven't reached there yet, and you somehow are forcing your way to it.

Couldn't the final destination (even after multiple viewings) just be that you simply don't like the film and you're not into this kind of film?

Anyway, I may be over-analysing.

[Ray Jackson]

I just have to take one final opportunity to enthusiastically recommend Picnic At Hanging Rock as a blind buy.

Never...and I mean NEVER...have I been so dramatically affected by a blind buy before. I came extremely close to passing on this film, because it seemed like such a risky proposition.

And now I'm obsessed with it.

...haunted by it.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by octagon

Frances Ha was an absolute delight. Not in a whimsical, unsubstantial way either. It's a great film.

Some other favorites include...

Blue is the Warmest Color
Carlos
Revanche
Everlasting Moments

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Just the other day everyone was duscussing how good The Great Beauty is, there is also Traffic (that I think is brilliant), In The Mood For Love, and Le Havre (featuring Pierre Etaix as Dr. Becker).

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Originally Posted by iScottie

Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Certified Copy (2010)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Fish Tank (2009)
Frances Ha (2013)
The Great Beauty (2013)
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Like Someone in Love (2012)
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Revanche (2008)
Still Walking (2008)
Two Days, One Night (2014)
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Yi Yi (2000)

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

In The Mood For Love (although I'm cheating since 2000 is technically not 21st century)
Secret Sunshine
Still Walking
Fishtank
The Great Beauty
Certified Copy
Like Someone In Love

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Speaking of iScottie, I'll also second his suggestions of Certified Copy, Like Someone in Love, and of course Yi Yi.

And I'll add:

Antichrist

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I'm surprised to see The Devil's Backbone go unmentioned, though; it's a mesmerizing and haunting film, for sure. I think I'm deciding between In the Mood for Love, Still Walking, and Revanche, which I'm now realizing are all pretty different. I'm leaning toward In the Mood for Love, though, so I may just pull the trigger and get that one.

[prior]

If you can manage two, maybe consider Still Walking. It might very well be the best Criterion blind buy I've done.