The Criterion Collection

[Roninblues]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I'm a big fan of both Dreams and A Touch Of Zen, but my tastes bend pretty hard toward Asian Cinema.

No Lone Wolf and Cub (all six movies)?

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I'm 40 minutes into the film and I can relate. I'm gonna get somethin' to eat and then go to bed. I generally have a strong dislike for movies ABOUT nostalgia or trying to instill a feeling of nostalgia. This is coming from a guy who feels nostalgia for just about everything from my childhood. It's mine though, and I'm not interested in being sold somebody else's. It's for this reason I can't stand the schlock that is Cinema Paradiso. Hopefully this improves but it's not looking promising.

On a positive note, I watched Watership Down earlier and absolutely loved it.

I don't think that Cinema Paradiso is schlock.

Definition of schlock
: of low quality or value
schlock noun

It's sentimental, but not mawkishly so, IMHO.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I don't think that Cinema Paradiso is schlock.



It's sentimental, but not mawkishly so, IMHO.

Few films repulse me as much as this one. I just watched it for the 3rd time or so the other night. I've tried to get past the cheese, but it's piled on in such copious amounts I just can't.

[monorail91]

Criterion-wise, this year I'm most thankful for The New World and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, two films I probably would never have seen if they weren't released by the CC. (And what a bonkers double feature that'd be!)

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Hope yours is closer to Babette's Feast than what they eat in Salo...

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

No Lone Wolf and Cub (all six movies)?

I'm only through the first three and I thought it would be disingenuous to recommend before I finished. But so far big thumbs up.

[Ray Jackson]

I watched The Killing last night.

It's good...it's VERY good.

But I think I prefer The Killers...which is a more perfect example of a traditional film noir that contains all the elements of traditional film noir.

The Killing, at 85 minutes, is almost too taut...too clinical.

There's not a lot of room for character development or the kind of brilliant, snappy dialogue that permeates The Killers in almost every scene. Although The Killing does have some of that.

And I hate the third person voice over...even though it may have been necessary at the time, given the confusing nature of the non-linear, shifting narrative structure. Voice over works brilliantly in noir when it's a character recounting his experiences/emotions...but not when it's a non-character coldly explaining the logistics of a robbery.

Still a very, very good movie.

...but I need to buy back The Killers ASAP.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I don't think that Cinema Paradiso is schlock.



It's sentimental, but not mawkishly so, IMHO.

I agree. I think it's a fantastic film.

[Scottie]

Hey folks,

I figured I'd let you know that I'm having a sale over at my storefront for the next few days. A lot of products are discounted, with some OOP Criterions significantly reduced in price.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by sc1957

So...... you enjoy being repulsed, then?

I've seen 2 Girls, 1 Cup seven times.

Every time I keep thinking I'll pick up on some deeper layer that reveals it to be a classic.

...but I always end up kneeling over the toilet for about an hour.

[the sordid sentinel]

Just ordered Lone Wolf and Cub along with Dreams. That's my Criterion shopping for this sale. SO much stuff I want (I'm looking at you The Asphalt Jungle), but have to hold off for now. Funds are a bit tight.

About to kick back and get absorbed in Lawrence of Arabia. Been on a Lean binge this week.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

[adamhopelies]

I wasn't such a huge fan of The Long Day Closes but do love Cinema Paradiso. The kiss montage, coupled with that music never fails to have me bawling.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by sc1957

So...... you enjoy being repulsed, then?

Well, it's one of those films I've tried very hard to see what others see in it, so I've given it the benefit of multiple viewings. This latest one is most certainly my last though.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've seen 2 Girls, 1 Cup seven times.

Why does this not surprise me, Ray?

[1godzillafan]

Wanted to get my Chaplin and Lloyd up to speed, so my Criterion B&N haul was pretty one note:

The Kid
The Gold Rush
Modern Times
The Great Dictator
Monsieur Verdoux
Limelight
Safety Last
The Freshman
Speedy
It Happened One Night

That last one because it's my favorite romantic comedy, and couldn't resist when I saw it on the shelf.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I've seen 2 Girls, 1 Cup seven times.

Every time I keep thinking I'll pick up on some deeper layer that reveals it to be a classic.

...but I always end up kneeling over the toilet for about an hour.

See every time I watch it I get a craving for ice cream... chocolate in particular.

Mnmmmmmm!

[MifuneFan]

After holding out for a Criterion release for a while, I just picked up Pickup on South Street from Eureka. You are all welcome.

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Default
Totally random but does anyone know the PQ differences between Plain Archive's and the Criterion of Two Days, One Night ??

How do PA's PQs, and overall quality, tend to be?

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I'm 40 minutes into the film and I can relate. I'm gonna get somethin' to eat and then go to bed. I generally have a strong dislike for movies ABOUT nostalgia or trying to instill a feeling of nostalgia. This is coming from a guy who feels nostalgia for just about everything from my childhood. It's mine though, and I'm not interested in being sold somebody else's. It's for this reason I can't stand the schlock that is Cinema Paradiso. Hopefully this improves but it's not looking promising.

On a positive note, I watched Watership Down earlier and absolutely loved it.

Oh and talking about nostalgic movies, for some reason today I started remembering Victor Erice El Sur, not sure if you have seen it but might give you similar problems.

It is a slow movie but one that captures a very special feeling based on the atmosphere and narration.

[lordmorpheus72]

Having myself a Criterion marathon today. My wife is out of town so I have these movies lined up, and will hopefully get through them all over the next day and a half:

Valley of the Dolls
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Chimes at Midnight
In a Lonely Place
Night Train to Munich
Only Angels Have Wings

Going to be a fun day.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Oh and talking about nostalgic movies, for some reason today I started remembering Victor Erice El Sur, not sure if you have seen it but might give you similar problems.

It is a slow movie but one that captures a very special feeling based on the atmosphere and narration.

I actually ended up warming up to The Long Day Closes by the end. That Tammy sequence was spectacular. I'll watch it again in the future to see if it grows any further.