The Criterion Collection

[theater dreamer]

There's no way I could pick just one director. That's an impossibility. It would be like asking me, "who's the greatest hitter of all-time? How does one choose between Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, or Shoeless Joe Jackson? Baseball, by its very nature, not only allows for, but seemingly encourages statistical analysis. But how does one quantify truly great works of art? When you have the likes of Bergman, Kurosawa, Ozu, Godard, Truffaut, Fassbinder, Cassavetes, among others, to consider, the title of "greatest", or "most influential" really comes down to preference. And for me, trying to pick one out of this extraordinary group would be pure folly.

The Criterion Collection has literally opened my eyes to what is available for those who are a bit more discerning when it comes to their movie watching experiences. I'd heard of several of the directors I'd ultimately explore through the Collection, but seeing these great auteurs assembled in one place seemed to flick a switch in my head. I wasn't just being confronted with names and a filmography. I was seeing clips from those movies, and the "Three Reasons" videos expanded upon the clips, hinting at the narrative, while giving just a taste of the characters. Coupled with the essays from others within the film community, and comments from moviegoers with an advanced film vocabulary and appreciation (including those here), Criterion became that epiphany for me I spoke of a few days ago. The Collection has literally changed my life; it's taken a love of film, and shown me what truly exceptional films are. I feel very much like a child that's been locked in his room, and prohibited from exploring the world outside. Criterion's efforts have ameliorated what ailed me; they opened the door.

I have always wanted to travel outside my country, and when I hurt my back a few years ago, the plans I'd made had to be put on hold. I was literally less than two months from my first trip to London, and all my plans had to be cancelled. It frustrated me to no end. But over the past few years, I have begun to experience life in different corners of the world, many of them places my heart is set on visiting. I've seen how these people interact, their culture, their music, and their familial relationships. These great works are a little window to the world. They're also time capsules; by seeing into the past, I gain a little better understanding of, and a greater appreciation for, places with decidedly different societal norms than where I've lived my life.

[Vinyl]

Favorite criterion directors: I love nearly all things Japanese. Kurosawa because of watching his films after so much talk of him. I found out why there was so much talk of him. Kobayashi for his straight forward approach to ripping the system down. Ozu because of his simplicity and beauty.

Also, Fritz Lang for his mixing of genres, love German films of the 20s . Truffaut for his whimsy showing the human experience.

Much needed blu upgrades: Shoot the Piano Player, Testament of Dr Mabuse, and Elevator to the Gallows. Some of the very first Criterions I watched and loved that haven't been upgraded.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Saw Here Comes Mr. Jordan today on a cheap rental (not Criterion), and I thought a movie was a steaming pile of sap-crap. I like some of Capra's stuff but this one (directed by Alexander Hall, but essentially Capra mold) was sickeningly silly and pat, with not a single moment that came across as genuine to me. I gather the film was a huge success, but I found little artistic or emotional value. I loved the other Montgomery vehicle on CC, Ride The Pink Horse, a great antidote to this manufactured sugary pap

I saw the two remakes of this film way before seeing Here Comes Mr. Jordan yesterday, and I've gotta say this is the best version. Sure, I'll admit I don't detest the Chris Rock version, but that's because the the premise to all these movies is so damn strong. Here Comes Mr. Jordan is the rare existentialist movie that's entertaining as opposed to lugubrious.

It's certainly in the Capra mold, but it's leagues better than the icky Christmas movie we shan't speak of. Its up there with the best Capra Corn in fact! (Meet John Doe, It Happened one Night)

[CraigThom]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I saw the two remakes of this film way before seeing Here Comes Mr. Jordan yesterday, and I've gotta say this is the best version. Sure, I'll admit I don't detest the Chris Rock version, but that's because the the premise to all these movies is so damn strong. Here Comes Mr. Jordan is the rare existentialist movie that's entertaining as opposed to lugubrious.

It's certainly in the Capra mold, but it's leagues better than the icky Christmas movie we shan't speak of. Its up there with the best Capra Corn in fact! (Meet John Doe, It Happened one Night)

I love how dark that unnamed Christmas movie is. Sure, it's got a happy ending, but it's like the trials of Job until the end. Everything good is immediately squashed by something bad.

[Scottie]

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I demand -- DEMAND -- that Refn's The Neon Demon be put out by Criterion as soon as possible.

This is NOT a request. It's a DEMAND!

Rotten Tomatoes says otherwise.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by iScottie

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

I don't dislike it, but it's certainly not one of my favorites.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by iScottie

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

Sorry to be the one to tell you this but there are people in this world who are cold, heartless, and lack a soul. These are the people who don't like It's a Wonderful Life.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

Rotten Tomatoes says otherwise.

It looks more like another Only God Forgives than Drive, no thanks then , but will probably still see it sometime.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Hands down Masaki Kobayashi.
Stumbled upon Samurai Rebellion when I was starting to take my first steps into foreign film and it blew me away big time.
I remember checking it out mainly due to the fact that the cover had Toshiro Mifune and it looked awesome and thought "its not one of Kurosawa's but why should that matter? Lets give it a go!"
He is now one of my all time favorite directors.
Jean Cocteau, Seijun Suzuki and Jean Pierre Melville are others I can practically thank Criterion for as well.

Have you seen The Human Condition yet?

I recently saw it for the first time.

...it took my breath away.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by iScottie

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

Or Salo for that matter.

Any man who can't appreciate the forced consumption of human feces as a metaphor for the totalitarian methods of the fascist state is a cold-hearted cynic who hates every thing that's good and decent about America.

I watch Salo every year on the Fourth of July.

...followed by Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by CraigThom

I love how dark that unnamed Christmas movie is. Sure, it's got a happy ending, but it's like the trials of Job until the end. Everything good is immediately squashed by something bad.

Yeah, that's why it's a great film. I can't imagine watching it now, but that's only because I watched every. single. year. when I was young.

Well, and Jimmy Stewart helps, too.

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

Rotten Tomatoes says otherwise.

I've commented many times what I think of RT. And for a film like this, critical opinion is always going to be severely split, as it's really a love-it-or-hate-it film. A film like Drive, conversely, was much more mainstream. Well, as mainstream as Refn gets anyways.

But my opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that this film is a masterpiece.

Originally Posted by pedromvu

It looks more like another Only God Forgives than Drive, no thanks then , but will probably still see it sometime.

Hmm. It's not really like either, to be honest. I mean, sure, even if you didn't know going in, it wouldn't take long to figure out that Refn directed it. It's definitely a Refn film. But it's very different from those other films, both in how its narrative progresses and in its thematic content.

But yeah, you're probably right in the sense that if you absolutely had to choose which film it's more like, it's OGF.

ETA: I was obviously joking with my first post. I think that the chances of Criterion releasing The Neon Demon are worse than my chances of winning the lottery. But it would be nice.

[Snicket]

I couldn't tell what Refin's intentions were with Neon Demon, it's an odd mix of schlock and genuine artistry. Then it's actors were painful to watch, that beginning nightclub scene in the bathroom was awful. Elle Fanning is so flat and boring, it makes me suspicious that Drive's low key atmosphere happened completely on accident, and Refin has been trying to do it on purpose ever since and has been falling so short every time.

And yet...I would still recommend seeing it.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

It looks more like another Only God Forgives than Drive, no thanks then , but will probably still see it sometime.

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Hmm. It's not really like either, to be honest. I mean, sure, even if you didn't know going in, it wouldn't take long to figure out that Refn directed it. It's definitely a Refn film. But it's very different from those other films, both in how its narrative progresses and in its thematic content.

But yeah, you're probably right in the sense that if you absolutely had to choose which film it's more like, it's OGF.

I'm one of the few people who enjoyed both Drive and Only God Forgives, so I'll definitely have to check out The Neon Demon.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I couldn't tell what Refin's intentions were with Neon Demon, it's an odd mix of schlock and genuine artistry. Then it's actors were painful to watch, that beginning nightclub scene in the bathroom was awful. Elle Fanning is so flat and boring, it makes me suspicious that Drive's low key atmosphere happened completely on accident, and Refin has been trying to do it on purpose ever since and has been falling so short every time.

And yet...I would still recommend seeing it.

Hmm, other than the "odd mix" thing, I disagree with almost everything you said.

And I LOVE that bathroom scene.

Originally Posted by Namuhana

I'm one of the few people who enjoyed both Drive and Only God Forgives, so I'll definitely have to check out The Neon Demon.

I'm right there with you: I enjoy both too. They're obviously extremely different films. But I think they're both very good.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Hmm, other than the "odd mix" thing, I disagree with almost everything you said.

And I LOVE that bathroom scene.



I'm right there with you: I enjoy both too. They're obviously extremely different films. But I think they're both very good.

To be fair, one of the speakers was blown out in my theater, so there was a constant 90's printer sound the entire time (I complained, got free passes, but they could not fix it) so the quiet scenes were so noisy with all the distortion.

So I do plan to see it again and give it a fair shot.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Snicket

To be fair, one of the speakers was blown out in my theater, so there was a constant 90's printer sound the entire time (I complained, got free passes, but they could not fix it) so the quiet scenes were so noisy with all the distortion.

So I do plan to see it again and give it a fair shot.

Oh man, that sucks.

And there were a LOT of quiet scenes.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

Spike Lee put it best in his interview for a certain American directors interview book. I can't for the life of me find a quote online.

...But yeah, it was a vicious.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by iScottie

How can anyone dislike It's a Wonderful Life?

I'd counter that, sir, with how can anyone dislike "The Wages of Fear"?

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by mja345

I'd counter that, sir, with how can anyone dislike "The Wages of Fear"?

There aren't people who dislike it.

Are there?