The Criterion Collection

[Rich Pure Doom]

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.

Double Life is a great film, but I definitely prefer Red and Blue, especially on repeat viewings.

[Show spoiler]As for the end of Don't Look Now, to me it doesn't matter what the lady is. I'm so into the film at that point it's kind of irrelevant. Also, the way his death is shot is enough for it to be an all time classic scene by itself. Again, different strokes for different folks.

Someone earlier said they thought Shallow Grave was a better film than Don't Look Now. That is something I can't fathom but whatever floats your boat.

[filmmusic]

Maybe you should include some spoiler tags?

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Maybe you should include some spoiler tags?

Sorry about that.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by prior

I've watched Double Life several times and never really got o the point of loving it. Still it's a visually stunning work of art with an intriguing enough plot to hold your attention multiple times.

I should add that I find the usage of "classical" music in films to be a mixed bag. I've got a problem with it if it's meant to show that the director is "deep" and the film meaningful while it actually is pretty hokey. Also while Jacob does a great job her singing doesn't really convince me, her movements are just a little off and too emotionally loaded. To imply that anyone could conduct a school orchestra without even looking at them because everything works on its own is laughable. This is just sloppy writing and while these are certainly minor points they are a bit distracting.

I know exactly what you're talking about with the music and the "singing."

Irene Jacob gives a great performance in general, but the lip-synching is really obvious and pretty bad imo. It's obvious that the voice they're using doesn't match her own and it detracts from the realism of those scenes.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

This happened to me as well. I felt lukewarm about Double Life, although did find it to be absolutely beautiful. I did not really fall in love with it until I revisited it after watching Three Colors. I loved all 3 of those films on first viewing and actually circled back to watch Blue after completing Red the first time through.

Sounds like you think I should go ahead and watch Three Colors, even if I'm on the fence about Double Life?

[bwdowiak]

so, filmmusic.... give us a top 5 "music in film" list.

some of my favorites are also my favorite movies of all time:

off the top of my head and in no order: Barry Lyndon, Vertigo, The Third Man, Jules and Jim...

one good one that comes to mind from the CC is Heaven's Gate.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I know exactly what you're talking about with the music and the "singing."

Irene Jacob gives a great performance in general, but the lip-synching is really obvious and pretty bad imo. It's obvious that the voice they're using doesn't match her own and it detracts from the realism of those scenes.

I thought she was fantastic, even Preisner would sit in and make sure he was happy with her lip syncing before finishing a take - I think it's part of one of the supplements.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

so, filmmusic.... give us a top 5 "music in film" list.

some of my favorites are also my favorite movies of all time:

off the top of my head and in no order: Barry Lyndon, Vertigo, The Third Man, Jules and Jim...

one good one that comes to mind from the CC is Heaven's Gate.

Tree of Life is an obvious one :P Also, Morvern Callar, We Need to Talk About Kevin.

[Show spoiler]

Morvern Callar Some Velvet Morning - YouTube

Morvern Callar: This is Dedicated to the One I Love - YouTube

Morvern Callar: Blue Milk - YouTube

and slight spoilers here:

[Show spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uICWUSHEh2U

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by adrian333

Just to offer different end of the coin, I find Double Life empty (after watching it twice over the years), and Kieslowski overrated. The first time I watched Red, when it came out, I loved it - the second time, years lated, I hated it and find it pretentious and obvious. Blue: I think it's partly brilliant (small parts), but as a whole doesn't hold together at all. White is nothing special. I actually much prefer some of his earlier Polish films and short documentaries, which I think are much more honest.
Now don't lynch me

You people aren't making this very easy on the old RayJ!!!!

...appreciate the feedback.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Tree of Life is an obvious one :P Also, Morvern Caller, We Need to Talk About Kevin.

interesting... are the latter two scores or do they use pop music?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

so, filmmusic.... give us a top 5 "music in film" list.

some of my favorites are also my favorite movies of all time:

off the top of my head and in no order: Barry Lyndon, Vertigo, The Third Man, Jules and Jim...

one good one that comes to mind from the CC is Heaven's Gate.

I'm sorry but I think I would disappoint you since I'd pick more popular movies.
By the way, when I say film music, i'm refering to originally composed music for film, not classical music used in film.
So, Barry Lyndon wouldn't classify in my list. Neither Tree of Life (although it has some original music composed for it, but from what i remember only 1-2 minutes are heard)

It's hard to pick 5.
I know what I would certainly put in number one.
E.T.
Great form, unity and development in that score, like I have seen in no other film.
The rest to complete a 5, would be mostly Williams too.
Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hook, Schindler's List.

Among Criterion films, the ones I can think of right now are:
The Thin Red Line
and the Kieslowski films we're talking about: Double life of Veronique, and Three Colors.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

interesting... are the latter two scores or do they use pop music?

Lynne Ramsay usually sticks with existing music and I feel she uses it so well and she kind of uses a bit of everything from Mammas and Papa's to Washington Philips (adore this piece and so perfect for Kevin):

Washington Phillips - Mother's Last Word To Her Son (1927) - YouTube

I think she also used Apex Twin, Nancy Sinatra and velvet underground.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

so, filmmusic.... give us a top 5 "music in film" list.

some of my favorites are also my favorite movies of all time:

off the top of my head and in no order: Barry Lyndon, Vertigo, The Third Man, Jules and Jim...

one good one that comes to mind from the CC is Heaven's Gate.

I thought the music was a big reason why I fell in love with Picnic At Hanging Rock.

...incredible, haunting score.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I thought the music was a big reason why I fell in love with Picnic At Hanging Rock.

...incredible, haunting score.

Which surprises me why Criterion DID NOT include a remastered version of the OST with their release - seeing as there is no real OST available.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

You people aren't making this very easy on the old RayJ!!!!

...appreciate the feedback.

Just watch one. Chances are you will want the other one immediately afterwards. Both the trilogy and double life are wonderful films, but just make sure you are in the right frame of mind. Artistically all the films are beautiful and I dare say Kieslowski has very few peers in this regard. Where I think most people come away disappointed is in the very subtle and slow moving stories.

Just don't think about them too much to avoid forming a image in your mind creating unattainable expectations.


Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Just watch one. Chances are you will want the other one immediately afterwards. Both the trilogy and double life are wonderful films, but just make sure you are in the right frame of mind. Artistically all the films are beautiful and I dare say Kieslowski has very few peers in this regard. Where I think most people come away disappointed is in the very subtle and slow moving stories.

Just don't think about them too much to avoid forming a image in your mind creating unattainable expectations.


Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

Doesn't Earrings... have a really poor transfer? Some scene grabs I saw looked like photoshop filters : /

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Just watch one. Chances are you will want the other one immediately afterwards. Both the trilogy and double life are wonderful films, but just make sure you are in the right frame of mind. Artistically all the films are beautiful and I dare say Kieslowski has very few peers in this regard. Where I think most people come away disappointed is in the very subtle and slow moving stories.

Just don't think about them too much to avoid forming a image in your mind creating unattainable expectations.


Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

Odd Man Out and Red River definitely.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Just watch one. Chances are you will want the other one immediately afterwards. Both the trilogy and double life are wonderful films, but just make sure you are in the right frame of mind. Artistically all the films are beautiful and I dare say Kieslowski has very few peers in this regard. Where I think most people come away disappointed is in the very subtle and slow moving stories.

Just don't think about them too much to avoid forming a image in your mind creating unattainable expectations.


Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

I too bought Friends of Eddie Coyle as a blind buy.

Liked it, but wasn't blown away by it.

Robert Mitchum's performance is classic, but the scenes he isn't in are somewhat prosaic and suffer by comparison imo.

Definitely worth seeing, but not sure it's the type of film I feel compelled to watch over and over again.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Just watch one. Chances are you will want the other one immediately afterwards. Both the trilogy and double life are wonderful films, but just make sure you are in the right frame of mind. Artistically all the films are beautiful and I dare say Kieslowski has very few peers in this regard. Where I think most people come away disappointed is in the very subtle and slow moving stories.

Just don't think about them too much to avoid forming a image in your mind creating unattainable expectations.


Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

I saw your Criterion list and you don't seem to have All that Heaven Allows.
Do you like that kind of cinema? it's one of my favourite films, the release is outstanding, and it has become a Christmas staple for me.

Also I see Days of Heaven, but I don't see The Thin Red Line.
Have you seen it?

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Ok I'm thinking of another B&N run: Thinking of 2, maybe 3. Recommendations?

The Earrings of Madame de
Master of the House
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
Sundays and Cybèle
Odd Man Out
Red River

You can't go wrong with Sundays and Cybèle. It's a masterpiece. I haven't seen any of the others except for The Earrings of Madame de..., and I wasn't particularly fond of it.