The Criterion Collection

[Majin Blu]

I know being broke during a Criterion sale is blasphemous, but I can only get one other title (already ordered the Apu Trilogy). Choosing between Carnival of Souls or Persona?

Any recommendation?

*I know Liv Ullmann is my avatar. I just think that shot of her is beautiful. I haven't seen the film.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

I know being broke during a Criterion sale is blasphemous, but I can only get one other title (already ordered the Apu Trilogy). Choosing between Carnival of Souls or Persona?

Any recommendation?

*I know Liv Ullmann is my avatar. I just think that shot of her is beautiful. I haven't seen the film.

Carnival of Souls and Persona are so different that it really depends on what you're looking for. Do you want some low-budget but effective horror or a cerebral and spiritual look at two women who become one and then the other? I enjoy Persona more than Carnival of Souls, but I've also had the opportunity to view the former more times than the latter. They're both really great, but I prefer Persona.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I've been itching to rewatch it lately.

I guess tonight would be appropriate, as it had its theatrical premiere in the UK on this date.

I didn't know that ... a dual reason for a re-watch (... not that a reason is necessary).

[olivianewtonyawn]

Just returned home with my first pickups of this sale:

Eric Roehmer's Six Moral Tales boxset
Certified Copy
Judex
La Chienne

Went to the plaza b&n, Wonderweasel, and it was flush with Criterions.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I'm a few days late here, but wanted to give a short eulogy for a director whose films have a special place in my collection and in my heart and this shout out is for Michael Cimino.

[Show spoiler]Heaven's Gate was THE film that opened up the floodgates for me and my love for this web site, this thread, and for the Criterion Collection. It is exactly the type of film I love to see get supported by Criterion - a redemption story for a wonderful director who, IMO, got the short end of the stick. It is a very special film - Ambitious (w/ a capital A,) and heartfelt. At times its flaws are glaring and at times it is pure movie magic. The attention to detail is unmatched by any other period drama I can recall - the cinematography, costumes, set design, and score are all perfection.

If you haven't seen Heaven's Gate, give it a try and remember that it is an art film that happened to have been made for a large studio.

Cimino is, to me, the Montgomery Clift of film directors - not quite as pretty, but with a career in film that seemed to end too abruptly and almost as tragically.

Thank you for The Deer Hunter and for Heaven's Gate. Rest in peace.

I recall years ago we exchange several private messages about our interest in Heaven's Gate. I'll never forget how much you love that film.

[Snicket]

Road Trilogy
Four Feathers
Wings of Desire
Fantastic Planet
Clouds of Sils Maria
Phoenix
Dr Strangelove

Only Touch of Zen, New World, and Paths of Glory to go!

[repulsed]

Artificial Eye has listed on Amazon uk a bluray release for Au Hasard Balthazar for December 2017.

does this mean we well be seeing a bluray from Criterion at some point?

[malakaheso]

Is Inside Llewyn Davis worth getting? Is the picture better than the first blu released, or is it just worth it for the extras?

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by repulsed

Artificial Eye has listed on Amazon uk a bluray release for Au Hasard Balthazar for December 2017... does this mean we well be seeing a bluray from Criterion at some point?

I believe that is one title that was announced something like three years ago and is being continually pushed back (something AE are notorious for) so I wouldn't hold your breath

[grim_tales]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Thief of Baghdad is already out by Cohen, unless you mean the Michael Powell one which already has a CC DVD edition.

Thats the one I meant

[mja345]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

I know being broke during a Criterion sale is blasphemous, but I can only get one other title (already ordered the Apu Trilogy). Choosing between Carnival of Souls or Persona?

Any recommendation?

*I know Liv Ullmann is my avatar. I just think that shot of her is beautiful. I haven't seen the film.

"Persona" is a f**king amazing film and in my top 20 of all-time. It's one of those that will leave you thinking about it at really unexpected times. If you can somehow get two titles during the sale, pick up "Persona" along with "3 Women" as they're terrific to watch as companion pieces.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jw007

I recall years ago we exchange several private messages about our interest in Heaven's Gate. I'll never forget how much you love that film.

That's right. It was my piqued interest in that film that lead me to the forum here. I searched for posts that mentioned Heaven's Gate and I found that JW had been curious, too, so I struck up a chat with him. JW - you were my first buddy here.

I really fell in love with film when I found this thread and found so many others like me who love to talk about it.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

I've never seen a Dardenne's film.
Where should I start dammit?
La Promesse? Rosetta? The Kid with a Bike? Two Days One Night?

I currently have Two Days One Night in my cart but I feel like I'm making random grabs in the dark.

I like the sound of their style and plots but something is eluding me, making it hard to decide on one...
Basically, help lol. Guidance for this fool would be appreciated.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've never seen a Dardenne's film.
Where should I start dammit?
La Promesse? Rosetta? The Kid with a Bike? Two Days One Night?

I currently own both La Promesse and Rosetta. Both are excellent films, but I would rank La Promesse higher since I really like that story. However, I think that most critics prefer Rosetta.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Persona" is a f**king amazing film and in my top 20 of all-time. It's one of those that will leave you thinking about it at really unexpected times. If you can somehow get two titles during the sale, pick up "Persona" along with "3 Women" as they're terrific to watch as companion pieces.

I just want to second this recommendation of Persona. I would choose it over almost any movie in my collection (of course I'm a Bergman fanatic!).

[Arch Stanton]

Persona/3 Women/Mulholland Drive is a great trilogy.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've never seen a Dardenne's film.
Where should I start dammit?
La Promesse? Rosetta? The Kid with a Bike? Two Days One Night?

I currently have Two Days One Night in my cart but I feel like I'm making random grabs in the dark.

I like the sound of their style and plots but something is eluding me, making it hard to decide on one...
Basically, help lol. Guidance for this fool would be appreciated.

I've seen Kid With a Bike and 2 Days 1 Night both are great. Highly Recommend 2 days, I was feeling anxiety watching it

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

I've seen Kid With a Bike and 2 Days 1 Night both are great. Highly Recommend 2 days, I was feeling anxiety watching it

I've seen the same 2 and I preferred Kid With a Bike. 2 Days 1 Night was a bit too repetitive. ...and I know that the plot was simply a device through which to explore the film's themes, but it wasn't very realistic

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've never seen a Dardenne's film.
Where should I start dammit?
La Promesse? Rosetta? The Kid with a Bike? Two Days One Night?

I currently have Two Days One Night in my cart but I feel like I'm making random grabs in the dark.

I like the sound of their style and plots but something is eluding me, making it hard to decide on one...
Basically, help lol. Guidance for this fool would be appreciated.

Two Days, One Night is what I'd go with.

[olivianewtonyawn]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

I've never seen a Dardenne's film.
Where should I start dammit?
La Promesse? Rosetta? The Kid with a Bike? Two Days One Night?

I currently have Two Days One Night in my cart but I feel like I'm making random grabs in the dark.

I like the sound of their style and plots but something is eluding me, making it hard to decide on one...
Basically, help lol. Guidance for this fool would be appreciated.

I am a fan of the Dardenne's and generally speaking their body of work is very strong. La Promesse is a great jumping off point. It is an extremely powerful coming of age film with a great story, as mentioned, so if that seems like your thing then go for it. I almost always find value in starting chronologically.

On the other hand, Rosetta is amazing as well, a film that really makes desperation visceral, with a lead performance that is heartbreaking. I think that starting with either one of these is a better jumping off point than the other two in terms of getting to know the Dardenne's style, and both are films that will stick with you.