The Criterion Collection

[zoodermin]

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

[Vinyl]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

I recommend Ikiru and Tokyo Story

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

The only one I've consistently rewatched from that list is Tokyo Story.

I liked The Apu Trilogy and Ikiru, but I don't like them enough to continue rewatching them and I find them too depressing to continue subjecting myself to them. Similarly, I didn't care too much for Leon Morin or Devil's Backbone (seeing the latter twice), so it was an easy decision to let them go.

[Scottie]

Adding to the discussion of parting with rare or OOP titles...if I didn't like them when they were in-print and if I didn't like them when they were out-of-print, I most certainly don't see a point in holding on to something I can easily flip at a reasonable or moderate price.

Hell, I'm tempted to get rid of The Third Man (which I purchased for $175 several years ago on eBay) in favor of the better 4K UK version.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Watched a few Criterions over the weekend...

Here Comes Mr. Jordan - Fun movie, but a little hokier than I expected. When I read that this won an Oscar for best screenplay and I knew the general premise I thought it would be something along the lines of It's a Wonderful Life.

[Show spoiler]Somewhat confusing because it felt like Mr. Jordan was making up the rules as he went along.

Good...not great IMO. 7/10

My Darling Clementine - Anything shot in Monument Valley is worth a watch. Solid western with my first exposure to Louisville-born Victor Mature. He and Henry Fonda provided strong charismatic roles. 8/10

Days of Heaven - One of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Had the story been on par with the cinematography, then this would be a masterpiece. 8/10

Barcelona - Criterion Close-up's new episode on this popped up yesterday so I decided to give Stillman another shot after thoroughly disliking Metropolitan. Seems like pretty much anything Stillman does is not jiving with me. Total disconnect on the dialogue. Total. 6/10

On a non-Criterion watch...I finally saw Sicario this weekend and was a HUGE fan. It was like the cinematography of Days of Heaven plus the suspense of Wages of Fear wrapped into one film.

I too watched Here Comes Mr. Jordan and enjoyed it a great deal more than I expected to. I found it to be very moving, and Montgomery is excellent (it wasn't until I read the liner notes that I discovered that up until that point he had played very few characters of that ilk).

Shame you didn't like Barcelona. That's a bona-fide 10/10 for me (as is Days of Heaven) and my favourite Stillman, tho I love all of his work.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Adding to the discussion of parting with rare or OOP titles...if I didn't like them when they were in-print and if I didn't like them when they were out-of-print, I most certainly don't see a point in holding on to something I can easily flip at a reasonable or moderate price.

Hell, I'm tempted to get rid of The Third Man (which I purchased for $175 several years ago on eBay) in favor of the better 4K UK version.

Why don't you tell everybody how you got rid of The Apu Trilogy.

Just threw it away like it was never nuthin to yah.

Like it was a piece of trash that was unworthy to be in your vaunted collection.

Why don't you tell em Scottie?

Are you ashamed?

I hope your soul is prepared for what's to come.

...for the fire.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I too watched Here Comes Mr. Jordan and enjoyed it a great deal more than I expected to. I found it to be very moving, and Montgomery is excellent (it wasn't until I read the liner notes that I discovered that up until that point he had played very few characters of that ilk)

He usually played the sophisticated playboy type weather it was comedy, drama, or a combination of the two. His biggest departure from those lightweight roles was as the psychotic Danny in Night Must Fall which is still pretty potent stuff and must have been quite shocking in its day, especially coming from MGM.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

[Show spoiler]Why don't you tell everybody how you got rid of The Apu Trilogy.

Just threw it away like it was never nuthin to yah.

Like it was a piece of trash that was unworthy to be in your vaunted collection.

Why don't you tell em Scottie?

Are you ashamed?

I hope your soul is prepared for what's to come.

...for the fire.

Honestly, I find the process of saving the films to be much more fascinating.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Barcelona - Criterion Close-up's new episode on this popped up yesterday so I decided to give Stillman another shot after thoroughly disliking Metropolitan. Seems like pretty much anything Stillman does is not jiving with me. Total disconnect on the dialogue. Total. 6/10

On a non-Criterion watch...I finally saw Sicario this weekend and was a HUGE fan. It was like the cinematography of Days of Heaven plus the suspense of Wages of Fear wrapped into one film.

Stilman's films generally fit into two categories: bourgeois nonsense or talky bollocks. Some of them are both. He is the epitome of mediocrity to me, along with Bambauch.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

I'm holding out that Criterion announces this release before the end of the year. I think packaging and extras will be more interesting then Arrow's.

Criterion would really have to go out of their way to make a worse cover than the third-rate amateur collage what Arrow decided to go with. Every time I see that cover it insults my sense of aesthetics.

Originally Posted by zoodermin

The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

Tokyo Story and Ikiru are both the kind of movies that might just change your life. The Apu Trilogy is excellent. Leon Morin didn't do much for me, but I was perhaps expecting too much (being a fan of Melville's later work). The Devil's Backbone is an understated horror/thriller movie that's a twin to Pan's Labyrinth (they're similar in period and genre and by the same director). I liked it a lot, but it's definitely not your average jump-scare horror fare.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

Tokyo Story and Ikiru are both the kind of movies that might just change your life.

well, at this point I can say that I don't think ANY film changed or would change my life!
Even my most favourite ones.
I treasure them, I enjoy watching them, I'm moved, I cry, but life changing? No.
People and situations are life changing.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only one I've consistently rewatched from that list is Tokyo Story.

I liked The Apu Trilogy and Ikiru, but I don't like them enough to continue rewatching them and I find them too depressing to continue subjecting myself to them. Similarly, I didn't care too much for Leon Morin or Devil's Backbone (seeing the latter twice), so it was an easy decision to let them go.

That's interesting because if I were to rank these films in order of depressing, I'd go:

1 Tokyo Story
2 Apu Sansar
3 Ikiru

Tokyo Story is just hard cold reality. The Setsuko Hara character is wonderful, but remember

[Show spoiler]she has the backstory of being a young widow, too. The rest of the kids are okay with the parents dying off, it seems, and the old man is all alone at the end.

\

Pather Panchali is just so damn artful and so good that in two watches I just haven't thought of it as depressing.

...and Ikiru is a celebration of life, IMO, and there is a lot of light-heartedness in the middle of the film.

the the OP: you've got 6 great films and The Devil's Backbone which is a decent one time watch, IMO. Leon Morin, Priest is a great film if you give yourself to it. for me it was easy to see the Melville style in this film which is quite different than his gangster film fare.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

Apu and Tokyo Story are incredible. They're all something that film can do but that no other medium could. Top rank.

And I was surprised at how engaged I was in Leon Morin. I normally wouldn't give a rat's tail about a film concerning faith, but this movie gave me insight into it. I think it's among Melville's best even if it's not what you think of with him; maybe it's just that Belmondo so totally sells the character.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

Watched a few Criterions over the weekend...

Here Comes Mr. Jordan - Fun movie, but a little hokier than I expected. When I read that this won an Oscar for best screenplay and I knew the general premise I thought it would be something along the lines of It's a Wonderful Life.

[Show spoiler]Somewhat confusing because it felt like Mr. Jordan was making up the rules as he went along.

Good...not great IMO. 7/10

Barcelona - Criterion Close-up's new episode on this popped up yesterday so I decided to give Stillman another shot after thoroughly disliking Metropolitan. Seems like pretty much anything Stillman does is not jiving with me. Total disconnect on the dialogue. Total. 6/10

I totally agree with you Sky. Stillman is not my thing either. Hated Metropolitan and thought Barcelona was just alright. Wouldnt want to see it again. I did really enjoy The Last Days of Disco to the point I actually bought it. So if you haven't already you might want to check it out.

Rented Mr. Jordan on Amazon. Getting ready to start it now. Im guessing its going to be like I Married A Witch meaning a very very light romantic comedy.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

well, at this point I can say that I don't think ANY film changed or would change my life!
Even my most favourite ones.
I treasure them, I enjoy watching them, I'm moved, I cry, but life changing? No.
People and situations are life changing.

For me life changing doesn't mean it has to change it from one day to the next, but I cherish certain films that portray certain viewpoints about life that little by little could shape one way of thinking, making me reaffirm or question my points about certain themes, and that is the least I would expect of any great work of art, otherwise I wouldn't like spending so much time watching them.

Also maybe indirectly but I like the way some films force one to reflect on aspects that might relate to one's life but that we are sometimes too busy to really think about them for a while, even if it is something important to us.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I've realized I have some Criterion BDs I haven't seen yet and I made a promise that I will see them before buying any more (that's why I'm probably skipping the July B&N sale and wait for the one in November). The titles I haven't seen are:

The Apu Trilogy
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Leon Morin, Priest
The Devil's Backbone.

What are your (non-spoilery) thoughts on these films?

I basically love every Melville Ive seen so far but I only picked up Morin because it was going oop and it happened to be the last one on the shelf at the Union Square B&N so I took it as a sign lol I put off watching it for months because the synopsis sounded like the equalivent of watching paint dry dreadful. Finally I had a day where I could literally not come up with anything else to do so I popped it in and was AMAZED! Belmondo is mesmerizing in this film. Riva is great. The story just keeps pulling you in deeper.

[theater dreamer]

I have never seen Barcelona, and I'm sure I'll get around to it with one of these next sales. You guys don't have to twist my arm too hard. Mira Sorvino is in it, and back in the 90s, to borrow from Ferris Bueller, "she was so choice."

[theater dreamer]

I would have to strongly disagree, though I do respect your opinion. I could see a film being life-altering. Why not? If you see a great film, and have an epiphany, it can change how you view the world around you. It can re-direct your path in life.

What if a 17 year old sees The Pianist for the first time, and becomes completely enraptured with Janusz Olejniczak's playing, or classical music, in general? What if they discover a love for music they never knew existed, and decide to pursue a career as a classical pianist? You never know when, or where, inspiration might strike. Film is one of the most dramatic art forms. You're sitting in a dark room, your senses being flooded with images, words and music. I've had some pretty powerful experiences in a movie theater. I remember very little from my early childhood. But I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time as a five year old. I remember standing in line with my father for two hours before the doors opened. I remember the sheer glee I felt when the opening fanfare started, and the text scroll gave way to that huge Imperial Destroyer chasing the rebel ship. That was nearly 40 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. And now, I have nearly 700 movies in my collection, and I'm working towards a future as a film blogger. Film has become one of my great passions. I would say that passion is due, in large part, to that first experience.

Didn't George Lucas say that his decision to become a filmmaker came about, in part, from his love of Saturday morning serials, as well as the art house films he saw in junior college? I distinctly remember reading that he switched majors to film after seeing works from Kurosawa and Godard, among others. And Kurosawa's films clearly had a huge influence on Star Wars. How many future filmmakers do you think were inspired to take that path because of Star Wars? And that's just one example.

I think that film can, indeed, be life altering.

Originally Posted by filmmusic

well, at this point I can say that I don't think ANY film changed or would change my life!
Even my most favourite ones.
I treasure them, I enjoy watching them, I'm moved, I cry, but life changing? No.
People and situations are life changing.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

For me life changing doesn't mean it has to change it from one day to the next, but I cherish certain films that portray certain viewpoints about life that little by little could shape one way of thinking, making me reaffirm or question my points about certain themes, and that is the least I would expect of any great work of art, otherwise I wouldn't like spending so much time watching them.

Also maybe indirectly but I like the way some films force one to reflect on aspects that might relate to one's life but that we are sometimes too busy to really think about them for a while, even if it is something important to us.

Absolutely. Any film that gives me new knowledge or insight is what I'd call "changing my life." Shoah, for example, changed the way I understand the holocaust and even antisemitism in general. How can good people frustrate themselves and harm others? Raging Bull. To even begin to understand how radical Islam feels, Timbuctu. My life gets changed weekly. Even a movie like Sunset Song shows how tight and interwoven with the world love can be. Or class relationships I've never experienced except in Rules of the Game. OK, I'll stop. But all these films "changed my life" to the extent they have become part of the way I understand living. And I could go on.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

well, at this point I can say that I don't think ANY film changed or would change my life!
Even my most favourite ones.
I treasure them, I enjoy watching them, I'm moved, I cry, but life changing? No.
People and situations are life changing.

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I think that film can, indeed, be life altering.

I have to say that is true a movie can change your life.... if you're still a child.

But as an adult, as we grow older, the effect is not the same anymore.

Some of the most life-changing films occurred for me between the ages of 7 and 17.

As children, we are still ingesting the world and figuring out things... a powerful film, when seen as a child (such as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" or the "Wizard of Oz"), can affect our minds and open up new horizons.

As an adult though now, it seems that the closest to films "changing my life" are ones that push the envelope in terms of innovation and storytelling. Great directors like Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch and Francis Ford Coppola never cease to amaze me whenever I see some of the films they made.

I can't honestly say though that I expect to have a movie change my life anymore though... that all happened already when I was a kid. But if a film can change my perspective in life, THEN THAT is as close as it gets for me.