The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Welp, I am still not a fan of Jules and Jim after rewatching it tonight.

I love it up until the war breaks out, but soon afterwards it loses something for me. Maybe it's my lack of interest in the characters, but I am honestly not entirely sure.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

Walkabout is absolutely brilliant. I loved it the first time I saw it and loved it even more the second and third times.

Don't Look Know I have only seen once. I plan to give it another shot, but I had such a bad reaction to it the first time that I'm foreseeing it being traded away. My first big disappointment from Roeg.

That's what happened to me with Dont Look Now. Saw it once & that was enough. Traded it for Shallow Grave which for my tastes was a much better film.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

It's OK man. I'm very affected by it and think it's a masterpiece. That doesn't mean it is. I tend to really get affected by filmmakers that mess with the language of film or "the form". I find Roeg's editing in Don't Look Now to be both perfect for the film and revolutionary for the medium, in much the same way I find Altman's use of sound affecting.

It's definitely an interesting and unique film.

You can tell by watching it that the director is really going for something outside the box and I respect that.

The craft is impeccable.

...may very well sneak up on me with repeated viewings.

I'd be curious to know what your take is on the

[Show spoiler]death scene at the end. Do you view it as straight forward and literal? Just some crazy dwarf killing people...or do you see it as more symbolic? The little lady in the red coat acting as some sort of metaphor for death or the afterlife?

[pro-bassoonist]

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?

Hi Namuhana,

I would like to recommend two films to you



1. This film isn't from the 21 century, but it definitely deals with a 21 century issue and remains extremely relevant today. I rarely see it mentioned here, which is a shame because it is brilliant. I think that it is much better than the other film in the Collection that deals with the same issue, El Norte.

It is from director Robert Young, who won the first Camera d'Or Award (for Best First Feature Film) at the Cannes Film Festival in 1978. Give it a try. It is a great American film



2. The Great Beauty is hands-down the best film I have seen during the past 10-12 years. It hits so many targets with incredible authority and has a style that is simply impossible not to admire. What you see in the film really is the Italia Berlusconi created. And it took a southerner -- again -- to show how massive the moral crisis is. It is one of the most beautiful angry political films you would ever see

I hope you enjoy them.

The Great Beauty trailer - in cinemas 6 September - YouTube

Pro-B

[Scottie]

The Great Beauty is the best film of 2013 and on par with A Separation as best film of the century, thus far.

It is also a great nod to Federico Fellini in its tone and style to La Dolce Vita.

[Gusto-Guus]

2013 was a very good year in film.

Picked up Hiroshima Mon Amor as the sale winded down. That opening criterion put up on YouTube got me hooked.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Hi Namuhana,

I would like to recommend two films to you



1. This film isn't from the 21 century, but it definitely deals with a 21 century issue and remains extremely relevant today. I rarely see it mentioned here, which is a shame because it is brilliant. I think that it is much better than the other film in the Collection that deals with the same issue, El Norte.

It is from director Robert Young, who won the first Camera d'Or Award (for Best First Feature Film) at the Cannes Film Festival in 1978. Give it a try. It is a great American film



2. The Great Beauty is hands-down the best film I have seen during the past 10-12 years. It hits so many targets with incredible authority and has a style that is simply impossible not to admire. What you see in the film really is the Italia Berlusconi created. And it took a southerner -- again -- to show how massive the moral crisis is. It is one of the most beautiful angry political films you would ever see

I hope you enjoy them.

Pro-B

Thanks for the reply, Pro-B! I actually own The Great Beauty, and I agree with you on all points. It's astoundingly beautiful and a nice complement/parallel to La Dolce Vita.

I've never seen Alambrista! before, but it has been on my radar. I'll have to check it out on Hulu the first chance I get.

[monorail91]

What do people think of La Cienaga?

Tbh I wasn't feeling this one. Reminded me of Larry Clark movies (not in a good way), filled with self-centered adults, messy houses, and half-dressed kids. It was very uncomfortable (which I'm sure was deliberate, so I guess it was well made?) but these are not characters and this is not a world I have any interest in revisiting.

[zafisher94]

I just watched Red Beard for this first time. Wow...what a moving film! Definitely one of Kurosawa's most underrated.

Hopefully Criterion will give it the bd upgrade it deserves.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by zafisher94

I just watched Red Beard for this first time. Wow...what a moving film! Definitely one of Kurosawa's most underrated.

Hopefully Criterion will give it the bd upgrade it deserves.

I've said it before, Ikiru and Red Beard are two of the only films I've ever seen that actually caused me to reconsider how I live my life.

[Ausjdm]

Wowza I Haven't bought a CC since last July till today:

Hiroshima mon amour (everyone seemed to buy this one on here this round)
Y Tu mama tambien (wasn't impressed when I saw this when it was 1st released figured give it a second chance)
Safe (one of the better 90s indie movies it creeped the hell out of me for weeks after)
La dolce Vita (waited years to see this finally I can)
Time Bandits (loved this one as a kid)
Don't look now (everyone seems polarized on this one loved or hated)
Friends of Eddie Coyle (pure blind buy the box and info sounded good hopefully it is lol)

[zafisher94]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've said it before, Ikiru and Red Beard are two of the only films I've ever seen that actually caused me to reconsider how I live my life.

Funny you said those two, because I also blind bought Ikiru on DVD during the sale. I was going to watch it tonight, but decided to go with Red Beard, for the mere reason it was longer and I had spare time tonight.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just rewatched Night and the City for the second time tonight in anticipation for the Blu-ray release and I still cannot get into it.

I love film-noirs and I think Dassin's Rififi is one of the greatest films ever made, but this one does nothing for me. It's certainly not a bad film, consisting of phenomenal acting by Richard Widmark, but I definitely do not appreciate it nor see any greatness in it like everyone else seems to.

Rififi is the only Dassin film that I've seen so far that I wasn't really into.

Brute Force, The Naked City and Night and the City are fantastic. I even find Topkapi to be quite fun, even though it is clearly a minor work.

But Rififi left me cold. I must revisit it.

[GoldMotel]

Just finished My Beautiful Laundrette (which I blind bought over B&N's sale), and christ...it's become one of my favorite movies of all time.

Daniel Day-Lewis is a revelation.

Also, I think this quote (taken from this site's review of the blu-ray) speaks to why this movie really resonated with me: "It is not that skin colors are irrelevant, but economic inequality is very much what breeds the hatred that turns people against each other."

[Ray Jackson]

Well I watched The Double Life of Veronique tonight for the first time.

Right now I can't really say whether I liked it or disliked it.

...I know I didn't love it.

It's certainly beautiful to look at--both the photography and Irene Jacob. But I'm not sure I was really able to find an emotional connection to the story. I know the ending made no sense to me. Perhaps I'll be able to peel back some additional layers with multiple viewings.

My real concern now is whether to go ahead and take off the wrapping for the Three Colors trilogy? If I was lukewarm about Double Life, is that a solid indication of how I'll most likely feel about Three Colors?

...somebody help me.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Well I watched The Double Life of Veronique tonight for the first time.

Right now I can't really say whether I liked it or disliked it.

...I know I didn't love it.

It's certainly beautiful to look at--both the photography and Irene Jacob. But I'm not sure I was really able to find an emotional connection to the story. I know the ending made no sense to me. Perhaps I'll be able to peel back some additional layers with multiple viewings.

My real concern now is whether to go ahead and take off the wrapping for the Three Colors trilogy? If I was lukewarm about Double Life, is that a solid indication of how I'll most likely feel about Three Colors?

...somebody help me.

Try watching some of the special features to see if that makes you warm on the film?

(I haven't seen either so can offer no help)

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Well I watched The Double Life of Veronique tonight for the first time.

Right now I can't really say whether I liked it or disliked it.

...I know I didn't love it.

It's certainly beautiful to look at--both the photography and Irene Jacob. But I'm not sure I was really able to find an emotional connection to the story. I know the ending made no sense to me. Perhaps I'll be able to peel back some additional layers with multiple viewings.

My real concern now is whether to go ahead and take off the wrapping for the Three Colors trilogy? If I was lukewarm about Double Life, is that a solid indication of how I'll most likely feel about Three Colors?

...somebody help me.

I consider The Double Life a masterpiece, but I was only really convinced on second viewing.
The Three Colours Trilogy is quite similar stylistically and thematically, although narratively much less ambiguous. Blue and Red are some of my favourite films.

[Simon_LDT]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Well I watched The Double Life of Veronique tonight for the first time.

Right now I can't really say whether I liked it or disliked it.

...I know I didn't love it.

It's certainly beautiful to look at--both the photography and Irene Jacob. But I'm not sure I was really able to find an emotional connection to the story. I know the ending made no sense to me. Perhaps I'll be able to peel back some additional layers with multiple viewings.

My real concern now is whether to go ahead and take off the wrapping for the Three Colors trilogy? If I was lukewarm about Double Life, is that a solid indication of how I'll most likely feel about Three Colors?

...somebody help me.

Definitely give the Three Colours Trilogy a watch - they're great films and for me much better than Double Life (which I also found difficult to get into/connect with).

[darkness2918]

Saw Pierrot Le Fou today, really gotta say I enjoyed it very much. It was the most expensive blind buy ive probably ever bought but wow was it so worth it.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by octagon

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.

Godfather III, I finally watched that when the blu-ray box came out. I may revisit it when I check out the first two again, but it' s not something I think will get all that much "better" a second time, so may not even bother.

Eyes Wide Shut had me the first time (at the cinema). A favorite from the get-go.

Billy Wilder, definitely hit and miss for me. I just tried to watch Holmes again and pretty quickly remembered why I couldn't get very far into it the previous two or three times, decided it's time to move along and find something else that might prove less a waste of time for me. Maybe give Sunset Boulevard a second shot, ditto Fedora just for the heck of it (not expecting much with the latter, but maybe Sunset Blvd will strike me differently next time). (Watched Avanti not too long ago, don't recall disliking it; and One, Two, Three recently also, too manic for me, also the type of comedy from the early 60s that is a bit too prevalent in it just kind of rubs me the wrong way nowadays (maybe because that's when I was a kid and have since (supposedly) grown up).