The Criterion Collection

[keke]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

So here I am, with the following question: What are your favorite "hidden gem" Criterions? This has been asked before, but I'm curious to see if anything really good has been uncovered since then.

Useful information--

I have a substantial (though far from complete) collection, so offbeat selections are highly encouraged. The deeper the cut, the better. Think about films that aren't just mildly overlooked, but ones that you feel are criminally underexposed or have slipped deeply through the cracks.

I'm especially interested in titles Criterion released two to three years ago (or even earlier), which I don't feel are quite as well represented on my shelf. But I'm sure there are plenty of options from the last year or two, as well. Really, anything is appreciated.

No content caveats or concerns, I'm an omnivorous viewer.

As has been mentioned a few times, Woman in the Dunes would be a definite from me also.

Some I didn't see in your collection that I would recommend (in approximate order). I would mention Solaris, Being There and The Fisher King too but I am sure you passed on those on purpose and can hardly be considered overlooked or underexposed (Rosetta and My Life as a Dog might already stretch the criteria).

[xHank_Hillx]

Does anyone have any "...Fire Walk with Me" packaging photos?

[theater dreamer]

I don't see any as of yet. Criterion Forum.org will have them as soon as the review is up. That's always my go to for packaging pics.

Originally Posted by xHank_Hillx

Does anyone have any "...Fire Walk with Me" packaging photos?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

So here I am, with the following question: What are your favorite "hidden gem" Criterions? This has been asked before, but I'm curious to see if anything really good has been uncovered since then.

I'm late to the gem party. Not sure if these are truly "hidden" or if I just love them so much I worry they don't get enough love. Regardless, favorite gems of mine are:

[theater dreamer]

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

[theater dreamer]

I enthusiastically second the suggestions of Le silence de la mer and The Bridge. Both captivating films that should be in every collection.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

I bought both A Man Escaped and Pickpocket. They're both good and all. I wound up keeping the former, because I like a good prison break movie--even though this one is pretty quiet, I found it engaging in its own way. Pickpocket was a one and done for me--very nice soundtrack and cinematography, but I just didn't care for it enough to hold on to.

Haven't seen his other work, but I do want to see L'argent sooner or later.

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

I started Bresson with Au hasard Balthazar and I'm glad I did. After that I went with A Man Escaped and then Diary of a Country Priest. While they're all good I think Au hasard Balthazar is easily the best of his I've seen so far.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

A Man Escaped and Pickpocket are both very accessible—I started with the former and responded strongly to it. Pickpocket is arguably the “textbook” Bresson, though.

[Sommerswerd]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

Not only is A Man Escaped my favorite Bresson film, it is also probably his most accessible film. A great introduction to his work.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

I would start with either of Pickpocket or A Man Escaped. If Diary of a Country Priest is also an available option to you, that is IMHO his best.

[Narcissus]

Barry Lyndon is magnificent. IMO the release of the year.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

Pickpocket is one of the greatest films ever made.

If you want to understand the mind of Ray Jackson, where he comes from and why he is what he is, watch Pickpocket.

...or Over The Top.

[Show spoiler]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XONJ-jZ396w

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Pickpocket is one of the greatest films ever made.

If you want to understand the mind of Ray Jackson, where he comes from and why he is what he is, watch Pickpocket.

...or Over The Top.

[Show spoiler]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XONJ-jZ396w

Ah jeez, I watched so much Top Gun in the hopes of reaching a higher understanding of your psyche. Didn't realize these were the missing pieces.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Ah jeez, I watched so much Top Gun in the hopes of reaching a higher understanding of your psyche. Didn't realize these were the missing pieces.

As much as I wish that my father had been a great fighter pilot who almost single-handedly saved America from falling into the grip of Communism...it just isn't so.

[Show spoiler]He was a short-order cook at a local diner who arm wrestled and drank heavily in his spare time. He used to take me on the road to various tournaments around the Pacific Northwest. Well, not so much "tournaments" per se, as they were informal gatherings of aspiring professional arm wrestlers at certain designated locations--watering holes and restaurant type places.

He never got to Vegas though.

The closest we ever came was a Denny's parking lot at 2am in Reno.

...he was glorious that night.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

If you want to understand the mind of Ray Jackson, where he comes from and why he is what he is, watch In the Realm of the Senses.

Fixed that for you.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by nitin

I would start with either of Pickpocket or A Man Escaped. If Diary of a Country Priest is also an available option to you, that is IMHO his best.

My first Bresson was Diary of A Country Priest and I really did not like it. My second was Pickpocket and I was mesmerized from start to finish. My third was A Man Escaped and then I knew I wanted to watch everything he's done. YMMV.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Hey all, looking for a suggestion on where to start with Robert Bresson's films. Do I buy A Man Escaped, or Pickpocket? Should I rent Au hasard Balthazar on iTunes? Or, would I be best served with another film serving as my introduction?

A Man Escaped was also my introduction and I really liked it, but not as much as Au Hasard Balthazar really waiting for an upgrade of that.

The others I've seen Pickpocket and Mouchette are ok but I wasn't particularly fond of.

So I would say rent Au Hasard, if you like it you can consider buying the others.

[xHank_Hillx]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I don't see any as of yet. Criterion Forum.org will have them as soon as the review is up. That's always my go to for packaging pics.

Thanks.

[Ctzalman]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

My first Bresson was Diary of A Country Priest and I really did not like it. My second was Pickpocket and I was mesmerized from start to finish. My third was A Man Escaped and then I knew I wanted to watch everything he's done. YMMV.

surprised you didn't like diary, i would agree with nitin that it's one of bresson's best. balthazar is pure magic. bresson is one of my favorite directors, transcendental cinema. there is a true sense of economy to his work, very minimalistic, yet still profound. check out his book notes on the cinematographer, he lays out the basis for a new language in film. whereas many directors in the '50s were more or less filming stage adaptations, bresson was pushing the envelope for an entirely new medium.