The Criterion Collection

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Zen_Amako

It will only frustrate anyone looking for a regular horror film, though. You might call it "arthouse horror". It's the kind of film that asks the viewer to interpret lots of symbolism instead of offering a clear explanation. I would advise renting first if possible because it's a very polarizing film. To some, it's great, but to others, it's pretentious crap. Either way, it's a very good looking film. Even if you don't like it, you're not likely to forget having seen it.

Agreed...

It's ironic,. that I showed it to my wife on NetFlix streaming, as I had heard various reviews of it. It was a good film, but not exactly my cup of tea (maybe a second or third viewing is in order).

But my wife LOVED it...she immediately researched all the symbolism in the film and started to teach me about it.

I might have to add this to the collection during the November sale.

[rkish]

For any of us that have DirecTV (or any other TV carrier that has picked it up), they added the Sony Movie HD channel to their HD Extra package.

It looks like it'll be carrying some decent films, including (this month) The City of Lost Children (Jean-Pierre Jeunet), which was a very pleasant surprise.

Keep em' coming Sony!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

It helps to fall in love with Karina before falling in love with Godard's films.

I have...she is a doll!

But I really like what I've seen from Jean-Paul Belmondo...he seems to "get it" in the Godard films that he's been in and I enjoyed him in Mississippi Mermaid (Truffaut).

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by keldons

A Woman is A Woman is also easy to get into and just so happens to be the only Godard I think is anything more than meh. If you want to fall in love with Anna Karina, she never looks cuter than she does in that film.

The thing with Karina is that she is such a focal point in this film that if you do not know Godards 'relationship' with her you may lose the point of the film. It is also a film that is a typical Godard 'non plot' experience. I think the whole film is basically Godards feelings for Karina slowly expressed for 90 minutes. Band really doesn't have that emotional attachment involved, like so many of Godards films do.

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by jcs913

The thing with Karina is that she is such a focal point in this film that if you do not know Godards 'relationship' with her you may lose the point of the film. It is also a film that is a typical Godard 'non plot' experience. I think the whole film is basically Godards feelings for Karina slowly expressed for 90 minutes. Band really doesn't have that emotional attachment involved, like so many of Godards films do.

It also helps if you know a bit about their relationship when you watch Contempt. Bardot actually puts on a Karina wig at one point and Piccoli is essentially playing Godard. That's what I thought anyway.

[dag]

Interesting thought about the black wig. Much as I enjoyed Contempt, I gotta say - there wouldn't be any problems in my marriage if my wife were Brigitte Bardot!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by dag

Interesting thought about the black wig. Much as I enjoyed Contempt, I gotta say - there wouldn't be any problems in my marriage if my wife were Brigitte Bardot!

If you've got a thing for 76 year-olds...... more power to you

[Zen_Amako]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

If you've got a thing for 76 year-olds...... more power to you

That's one problem with watching older films. Bardot was 29 and still a knockout when she made Contempt, and it's a little depressing to see how she looks now. At least she is still alive, I guess, along with Godard and Karina.

[stobbart]

Someone posted on the CC facebook that the B&N sales happens Nov 1st.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

then watched Vivre and didn't like that either (why am I to feel sympathetic for this protagonist again? ).

I don't want to sound like I'm talking about you, I'm just quoting your post.



I have seen alot of this "I don't like a movie because I don't feel for the characters". I find sympathy for characters are overrated. Also when someone is talking about a Godard film, you do know 90% of French New Wave films are pretty much the same with their characters right?

Is it because it is suppose to be a "smarter" "arthouse" film that it can't be fun and not manipulate emotions?

Let's compare. Take Godard's Vivre sa vie. Like this post I quoted said, he doesn't feel for the character. Well now take Star Wars. I don't care for anyone of those characters either. But yet you prob like Star Wars. And to think, Star Wars is considered from the American "New Hollywood-New Wave" which was taken from the French New Wave (and you guessed it, Godard.). Same goes for films like Easy Rider, etc.

Also an example, some are fascinated with horrors in history (WWII, Nazi history, etc). I find Charles Manson fascinating, but I don't feel for him. Why would you have to connect with characters to like a movie? Spielberg and Hollywood has you tainted.

[Zen_Amako]

It looks like Best Buy is not stocking Seven Samurai in store. It's a little odd that they have titles like Crumb and Red Desert on their shelves, but won't be carrying a relatively popular film like Seven Samurai. It could be part of their plan to downsize the media section.

I guess B&N is going to sell a lot of Criterion BDs next month.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I don't want to sound like I'm talking about you, I'm just quoting your post.



I have seen alot of this "I don't like a movie because I don't feel for the characters". I find sympathy for characters are overrated. Also when someone is talking about a Godard film, you do know 90% of French New Wave films are pretty much the same with their characters right?

Is it because it is suppose to be a "smarter" "arthouse" film that it can't be fun and not manipulate emotions?

Let's compare. Take Godard's Vivre sa vie. Like this post I quoted said, he doesn't feel for the character. Well now take Star Wars. I don't care for anyone of those characters either. But yet you prob like Star Wars. And to think, Star Wars is considered from the American "New Hollywood-New Wave" which was taken from the French New Wave (and you guessed it, Godard.). Same goes for films like Easy Rider, etc.

Also an example, some are fascinated with horrors in history (WWII, Nazi history, etc). I find Charles Manson fascinating, but I don't feel for him. Why would you have to connect with characters to like a movie? Spielberg and Hollywood has you tainted.

CG, I agree, I don't believe you ever have to 'feel' for the protagonist (main character). I think that post didn't understand that 'feel' has nothing to do with the success of the story and its characters. The idea is to understand and make some sort of connection with that persons, whether it's good or bad. IMO Godard wants you to feel something for Karina in all his movies, but he seems to alienate feelings for the other characters. Again, going back to his relationship with her off screen. If you have not seen most of his films, or understand his thought process, you probaly won't 'feel' for his protagonist.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Someone posted on the CC facebook that the B&N sales happens Nov 1st.

I don't know if its a stupid question, but does that apply for BN.com as well?

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by greekak229

I don't know if its a stupid question, but does that apply for BN.com as well?

In the past, yes... so, I'm going to assume that if it does happen again, the same will pertain.

CC

[ShellOilJunior]

Anyone know when the BN sales is next summer?

[Show spoiler]

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I don't want to sound like I'm talking about you, I'm just quoting your post.



I have seen alot of this "I don't like a movie because I don't feel for the characters". I find sympathy for characters are overrated.

I agree. There are many ways that a film can be engaging. Engaging sympathetically with a character is one way, but it's just one of many and is certainly not a requirement for the film to be good.

[billzfan]

I just watched Seven Samurai. Well worth the price tag!! Amazing!!

[billzfan]

Btw, anyone here own The Last Emperor on blu?? I was wondering what your thoughts/reviews were on the disc. Thanks!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by billzfan

Btw, anyone here own The Last Emperor on blu?? I was wondering what your thoughts/reviews were on the disc. Thanks!

Not one of my favorites from the currently available Blu-rays, but still a very solid film, and actually one of the more popular amongst the original 10 or so releases (box-office-wise)

[whbinder]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

For me, "Breathless" isn't a good start.

I would go with either "Vivre sa vie," "Band of Outsiders," or "Masculin féminin."

CC

You know? On further reflection. I think I'm going to have to disagree (respectfully). I'm not sure "Vivre se vie" would be a good introduction to Godard.

On one hand, the film is separated into the twelve bite-sized tableauxs giving someone short easily digestible samples of Godard's style.

But on the other hand, even though it was fairly early in his career, I think Godard had developed a stylistic vocabulary and in Vivre there seems to me an expectation of the audience to be fluent in it before the film begins.

In that respect, I would oddly compare to to the recently discussed "Darjeeling Limited" that might be off putting - or at least confusing - to someone not familiar with Anderson's cinematic vocabulary.

But more, I think most of us automatically go to an image of Karina when we think of Godard because she had such a presence, but Vivre (and "A Woman is a Woman" and maybe "Made in U.S.A.") are such terribly personal reflections of Godard they border on autobiographical (thematically if not literally). I think someone who appreciates Godard as a director and a human will have a deeper resonance with these films than someone with no context.

I kind of cringe at this comparison, because I certainly am not comparing these films nor directors in terms of quality, but it's almost like introducing someone to Kevin Smith by showing them "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", sure it's everything Kevin Smith does all at once, but without the context of what that means, it's just a bunch of people doing things (and a monkey if memory serves).

Anyway. It's not really important. Just my thinking. I still love Vivre