The Criterion Collection

[dancerslegs]

Ebert had his merits. But he never managed to be nearly so interesting and insightful a critic as Pauline Kael.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by mja345

His assertion that the film is a "paranoid right-wing fantasy" is so far off, I don't even know where to begin. Next sentence, he says the film "celebrates the nastiness of Alex". But, then in his review of "Natural Born Killers", he says basically says it's a brilliant commentary on the glorification of violence.

I don't want to get into the question of which film is better, or accomplishes more, or any of that. But I will point out that the end of "Clockwork Orange" is you can't cure violent sociopaths, where the end of "Natural Born Killers" is that love conquers the demon. Just on that very surfacey and reductive level, I can see why Roger Ebert finds the former message morally deplorable and consistent with right-wing paranoia, and is more comfortable with the latter message. Needless to say I don't agree with him, but having read enough of his writing, I can understand that's just how he rolls.

[ShellOilJunior]

Ebert was very good at what he did and was able to articulate his opinions well on films he enjoyed. He was also good about replying to emails. I recall emailing him about Ace in the Hole and he replied by saying look out for the Greatest Movies review very soon.

There were some films and subjects that he wrote cursory reviews of over the years. He even admitted to not fully getting La Dolce Vita when it was released then later revising his review. The one subject I don't think he ever got was video games. He was adamant they could not be art. I don't know if this was the case but many people who have a dismissive attitude towards video games have a limited knowledge of them. It seems many believe there is old school Super Mario and there are 1st person shooters and nothing in between.

[cropduster]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

So here I am, with the following question: What are your favorite "hidden gem" Criterions?

My "hidden gems" would be:

Seconds
Canoa
Hopscotch
Something Wild(1961)
Gates of Heaven/Vernon, Florida
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Watership Down
I Married a Witch
And Everything is Going Fine
King of the Hill
World on a Wire
Secret Sunshine

I'd also agree with the previously mentioned Woman in the Dunes, Pale Flower, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind, Downhill Racer, The Breaking Point, Sweetie.

[Majin Blu]

Originally Posted by cropduster

My "hidden gems" would be:

Seconds
Canoa
Hopscotch
Something Wild(1961)
Gates of Heaven/Vernon, Florida
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Watership Down
I Married a Witch
And Everything is Going Fine
King of the Hill
World on a Wire
Secret Sunshine

I'd also agree with the previously mentioned Woman in the Dunes, Pale Flower, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind, Downhill Racer, The Breaking Point, Sweetie.

The more I see The Breaking Point suggested, the more I want to see it.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Majin Blu

The more I see The Breaking Point suggested, the more I want to see it.

Go for it. I blind bought it and would say it's the release of the year for me.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Fair enough. Perhaps I'm a bit of an 'ascetic' at heart. I also prefer Gertrud to The Passion of Joan of Arc.

I haven't seen Gertrud yet but I much much prefer both Ordet and Day of Wrath to Passion (and also Vampyr).

[Scottie]

REVIEW




PACKAGING

[Scottie]

First phantom page

https://www.criterion.com/people/125802

[Show spoiler]Pandora's Box upgrade?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

First phantom page

https://www.criterion.com/people/125802

[Show spoiler]Pandora's Box upgrade?

Odd since he's already in the db

https://www.criterion.com/people/3963

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Odd since he's already in the db

https://www.criterion.com/people/3963

I believe Criterion adds pages for how a person is credited.

I remember them listing two pages for Chaplin - one for Charlie (The Kid) and Charles (for the other titles), but they've since been merged.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Odd since he's already in the db

https://www.criterion.com/people/3963

Exactly, didn't think we got phantom pages for upgrades? I thought this phantom pages only showed new additions?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I believe Criterion adds pages for how a person is credited.

I remember them listing two pages for Chaplin - one for Charlie (The Kid) and Charles (for the other titles), but they've since been merged.

Ah, I see.

[popeflick]

Yeah, NBK was about how we watch and glorify violence. The film gave me a headache, but I'd get a headache if I channel surfed for over two hours straight, and that was the point of the film: how we see it through a medium othr than reality.

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I have to disagree with this assessment.

I think the only conclusion any reasonable viewer can have is that NBK is a pretty strong condemnation of our society's collective glorification of violence and violent people as entertainment for the masses.

This is difficult for me mja345.

...normally I can feel our two demented hearts beating as one.

[CRM 114]

Originally Posted by iScottie

REVIEW









PACKAGING

Is that an actual booklet or just a pamphlet?

[Feiereisel]

It’s a booklet. You can see the staples on the spine if you zoom in.

[andantelise]

Originally Posted by iScottie

REVIEW




PACKAGING

[Polaroid]

Barry Lyndon would have made a beautiful digipack... something like Salo where when you fold out you get a beautiful shot of the film...

damn.

[blujazz]

Lucrecia Martel signed my copy of La Cienaga. She’s very articulate with how she explains her films, at the Q&A for Zama.

[ShellOilJunior]

They're up. No upgrades but a strong month:

#905 Junior
#906 Legends of the Hidden Temple
#907 Uwe Boll Eclipse
#908 Zaat
#909 The One After