The Criterion Collection

[glarus]

I do recommend watching it more than once, as you have already figured out. The first time through, I loved the shots and loved the music, but I missed a lot. I had trouble caring about the characters. It's not about relating to them, I have no connection to their time or culture, it's simply about caring what happened to them. I couldn't get that, so I came away from the film awed by certain aspects, and left shrugging my shoulders by others. I thought it was imperfect, but SO good in areas that it's a great film. We started watching it again last night (wife is seeing it for the first time,) and I was watching something else entirely. Things people said suddenly made sense, and I was better able to understand what they are thinking and feeling. You have to do that, because much of what's happening is not said, it's thought and felt by the characters. The second viewing gives you knowledge of what's to come, and it makes what you're watching even better. That the film is so beautifully shot makes it a joy to watch more than once.

No one is obligated to think a widely-acclaimed film is great. I too, think a few highly-regarded films suck. But I know I need to see them again. It would be a mistake to move on without trying to get what so many others do.

Originally Posted by 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.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

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.

I'm not there yet because the film is rather complex. Have you seen it?

the final destination does not have to be loving it, but sometimes you do get the feeling that you're headed there.

not understanding something is not reason to dismiss something, nor is it a reason to say you love something that you're not entirely sure you do, so that's where I'm at right now. very fond of ITM4L

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by prior

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

I have seen Still Walking, and I did enjoy it when I saw it, but it'll have to wait until the next sale. That being said, I think I'm finished with the sale. I purchased more than I should have, so nothing for me until November except for the Amazon pre-orders I've already paid for with gift cards from Swagbucks (Day for Night, Dressed to Kill, Moonrise Kingdom, and A Room with a View). And, yes, I probably won't get anything during the next Criterion Flash Sale.

In total, I got:

Autumn Sonata
Belle de jour
Here is Your Life
Hiroshima mon amour
In the Mood for Love
My Beautiful Laundrette
Safe
Sundays and Cybèle
The Bridge
The Great Dictator

$157.56 instead of $399.90 (plus tax) isn't bad at all. I think saved around $32 with my membership and coupons, too, so it's certainly worthwhile to become a B&N member.

[AaronJ]

I hate to be that guy, but a movie from 2000 is not technically from the 21st century. Like I said, hate to be that guy.

Frances Ha is absolutely brilliant. You can't go wrong with that one.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I hate to be that guy,...

No you don't.

Which is fine. I don't hate it either. In fact, I loved the whole 2000/2001 thing.

I loved being that guy on that one.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by octagon

No you don't.

Which is fine. I don't hate it either. In fact, I loved the whole 2000/2001 thing.

I loved being that guy on that one.

OK, you caught me.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

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!

I'm going to be honest Rich, I've watched Don't Look Now twice since I bought it and my feelings are somewhat lukewarm.

It's good, but kind of slow.

It hasn't chewed into my soul the way Picnic at Hanging Rock has.

...and it hurts me to say that to you.

[ajnejedi]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

In August the Cleveland Cinematheque moves to a new facility equipped with 32mm, 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 house

From the east side of cleveland here! You are taking about Ohio right?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ajnejedi

From the east side of cleveland here! You are taking about Ohio right?

Cleveland is a good place to eat and see movies. Some of my favorite restaurants are there.

[Ray Jackson]

Well boys...I've officially gone full-on Thelma and Louise with my blind buy purchases for this sale.

Picked up The Double Life of Veronique AND Three Colors today...in addition to Walkabout because the cover art was so pretty and I've been obsessed with Australia ever since seeing Picnic at Hanging Rock for the first time. Many of you have staked your movie-geek reputations behind the so-called "Kieslowski magic."

If these blind buys turn out to be an epic failure, then I'm going to blame some of the people on this forum.

...and then I do not forgive.

[Ray Jackson]

Any thoughts on Walkabout?

I thought Don't Look Now was pretty good, but not great.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

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!

Watching Dont Look Now once was enough for me. If I didn't like it the first time I won't like it the second.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Any thoughts on Walkabout?

I thought Don't Look Now was pretty good, but not great.

I personally didn't care for Walkabout.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I personally didn't care for Walkabout.

Why didn't you care for it?

[repulsed]

I thought Walkabout was good and I only see liking it more upon more viewings

it didn't hurt that it has Jenny Agutter in it either

[Alex DeLarge]

Roeg's WALKABOUT reveals more sublime emotion, naturalism and cultural counterpoint each time you visit it. Here's a bit of my review; I hope it inspires you to give it a spin and experience it:-)

From my blog post at the Korova Theatre:

"The young protagonists remain nameless, prototypes of the self-absorbed and crumbling British Colonialism, children of a psychotic god. Taken to the desert, their father attempts a murder/suicide but only succeeds in the later respect; frightened, the children race towards the unknown, lost amid the jagged mountains haunted by a distant life as mysterious as their new environment. These are civilized children, raised in the steel and concrete valleys with no understanding of their predicament; they only plod ever onward, afraid to retrace their footsteps which lead to a ghostly father sheathed in flames. They fortuitously stumble upon a tiny oasis where they are discovered by a young Aboriginal boy, and together the three of them embark upon an adventure of self-discovery."

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by repulsed

I thought Walkabout was good and I only see liking it more upon more viewings

it didn't hurt that it has Jenny Agutter in it either

Good but not great?

...or it became great after multiple viewings?

What specifically do you like about it?

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Alex DeLarge

Roeg's WALKABOUT reveals more sublime emotion, naturalism and cultural counterpoint each time you visit it. Here's a bit of my review; I hope it inspires you to give it a spin and experience it:-)

From my blog post at the Korova Theatre:

"The young protagonists remain nameless, prototypes of the self-absorbed and crumbling British Colonialism, children of a psychotic god. Taken to the desert, their father attempts a murder/suicide but only succeeds in the later respect; frightened, the children race towards the unknown, lost amid the jagged mountains haunted by a distant life as mysterious as their new environment. These are civilized children, raised in the steel and concrete valleys with no understanding of their predicament; they only plod ever onward, afraid to retrace their footsteps which lead to a ghostly father sheathed in flames. They fortuitously stumble upon a tiny oasis where they are discovered by a young Aboriginal boy, and together the three of them embark upon an adventure of self-discovery."

Consider me inspired!

[repulsed]

Thanks Ray[emoji3]

It's been so long and so many movies since I watched it that it was hard to elaborate on it. I just felt that from the cover art to what I read on the back of the case it offered me all that I expected from it. Wouldn't quite call it a favorite but not a shred of disappointment involved

[Zen_Amako]

The Double Life of Veronique and Walkabout are among my top five favorite films (as is Mulholland Drive). There are some things in Walkabout that I don't care for, such as the graphic hunting scenes, and the comic relief bit with the scientists. The ending always gets to me, though. The film has a dreamlike feel not unlike Picnic at Hanging Rock. It also does have a young Jenny Agutter, and a memorable John Barry score. Veronique is one of those films I always end up watching all of when I put it in. It's mesmerizing. Every B&N sale, I can't believe everyone doesn't already own it.

Also, I finished my first viewing of Marketa Lazarova last night. A real masterpiece.