The Criterion Collection

[eddyw78]

Originally Posted by Arawn

I'd use the term "sequel", but whatever.

Also, for whatever it's worth, Yojimbo is the superior film of the two.

Yes agreed. Definitely see Yojimbo before Sanjuro though as it is a superior movie.

[MifuneFan]

Sanjuro certainly wasn't designed as a sequel. It originally wasn't going to be connected to Yojimbo at all, but because of how popular that film was, they changed the script to incorporate Mifune as the same kind of nameless Ronin. Mifune went on to play similar nameless Ronin in other non-Kurosawa films too. Perhaps most prominently in Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo.

While I personally prefer to watch them in order, it wouldn't hurt the viewer at all to see Sanjuro before Yojimbo. There is no continuity or anything between the two. It's a spiritual sequel, but not a true one.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Sabrina is one of the most charming romantic comedies ever, one of Wilder's three best films, and Bogart's the best performance in it.

I'll give you the first, I dunno about the second. I guess for personal enjoyment, I've gotten more out of it than his classics with the greater reputations (ex, Some Like it Hot, Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard), so I'd probably put it second after The Apartment. I've definitely watched it (Sabrina) multiple times. And yes, it was most definitely peak Audrey adorableness. I don't get the hype about Breakfast at Tiffany's.

To the guy saying the only reason Funny Face bugs me is cause professors indoctrinated me to feel that way - It's possible to find a movie's POV disgusting all by yourself! Just because YOU like it doesn't mean we all have to. I'm more than fine watching the likes of Goldfinger, which really says something about how gross I find FF.

[willtopower]

This weekend I watched Carlos Reygadas' Silent Light. It's a beautiful film and seems something perfectly fit for Criterion. This his second film I've watched; the first was Post Tenebras Lux. I actually didn't connect much with PTL, but both these films, and consequently, I'm guessing, this director's work would be welcome additions to the collection. Silent Light has been exceptionally mistreated imo, as this film really demands an HD release. It looks like it has none!

PTL had a blu released by "Strand Releasing" but the blu looks OOP now. Anyway, just a quick shoutout to Silent Light which I think has some Bresson, Malick, and Tarkovsky going on.

[Vesee1]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Sabrina is one of the most charming romantic comedies ever, one of Wilder's three best films, and Bogart's the best performance in it.

I agree that Sabrina is a prime romantic comedy and that Bogart had the best performance. I think it's outside Wilder's top three, but that's merely a testament to his amazing career.


I closed out my Filmstruck run last week with Opening Night, and I'm happy to say I found a Cassavetes movie I really liked after Minnie and Moskowitz and A Woman Under the Influence fell short for me. Although a few scenes still needed to be shortened, Cassavetes gave his actors(and himself) more space in front of the camera to make an impact. The stage fit Cassavetes' style and it was good to see Joan Blondell with a substantial supporting role.

[Vesee1]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

To the guy saying the only reason Funny Face bugs me is cause professors indoctrinated me to feel that way - It's possible to find a movie's POV disgusting all by yourself! Just because YOU like it doesn't mean we all have to. I'm more than fine watching the likes of Goldfinger, which really says something about how gross I find FF.

While she didn't find it extremely offputting, my wife did say she thought the age difference between Astaire and Hepburn was a bit much and took the movie down a notch. I somewhat agree, but I also understand the studio's desire to have an established musical star co-headline with Hepburn.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I love Sabrina. Bogart was perfect for the role, and it's hard not to fall in love with Audrey after watching it.

To be fair, it's hard not to fall in love with Audrey after watching anything she was in. Charade, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Sabrina....I've got Robin and Marian on the DVR ready to go (I've never seen it), and I'll follow it with My Fair Lady, which I have not seen in years (and obviously, never the remastered blu).

There's this timeless quality to her. She was elegant, yet completely approachable and endearing.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by rollinwith26s

Sabrina has so many beautiful moments. I'll cherish my memories of seeing it for the first time for a long time to come. It isn't my favourite Audrey film, but it is a great one. Furthermore, I have more interest in Billy's romcoms than his more highly considered work such as Sunset Blvd. and Double Indemnity. I'll def rewatch his romcoms, but Sunset and Double are movies I've had little desire to revisit since seeing them for the first time.

Count me in as a fan of Sabrina as well. I was just re-checking Wilder's American filmography, and he made 24 films (not including Death Mills) after coming to the States. I would place Sabrina in the upper third of those movies. While it lacks the caustic cynicism usually associated with Wilder, I find its amiable charm more than makes up for that lack. I also think that Bogart is great in his role (putting aside the age difference for a moment). It's a different kind of role for him, as his stuffed-shirt character slowly, but inexorably, becomes smitten with the title character. And well, Audrey. I mean, who wouldn't?

[theater dreamer]

So, I managed to hold off on taking part in the B&N sale. I just haven't felt up to driving all the way to my local store, and I don't trust their delivery, as a few of the films I want next are either digis, or a box set. But I did grab The Hidden Fortress from Amazon last night. One cannot call themselves a Kurosawa fan, and a Lucas fan, and not have that movie. I've got a Star Wars marathon coming up as soon as Solo: a SWS gets in, and I'll have watched The Hidden Fortress before I start it to see Lucas' inspiration firsthand.

In February, I'll be getting my next $50 cert from Criterion, and making a rather nice dent in the next one.

[mande2013]

Doesn't Barnes and Noble sometimes have storewide blu-ray sales, Criterions included, around Christmas time? Maybe not anymore?

[jjhunsecker]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Doesn't Barnes and Noble sometimes have storewide blu-ray sales, Criterions included, around Christmas time? Maybe not anymore?

In the past few years, they've been having a 40% off all blu-rays sale in December, after the Criterion sale ends. Hopefully, they'll do it again this year

[jjhunsecker]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

To be fair, it's hard not to fall in love with Audrey after watching anything she was in. Charade, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Sabrina....I've got Robin and Marian on the DVR ready to go (I've never seen it), and I'll follow it with My Fair Lady, which I have not seen in years (and obviously, never the remastered blu).

There's this timeless quality to her. She was elegant, yet completely approachable and endearing.

Just watched the KL blu-ray of "The Children's Hour"...not a great film, and very dated in it's attitudes, but featuring my two favorite actresses, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by jjhunsecker

In the past few years, they've been having a 40% off all blu-rays sale in December, after the Criterion sale ends. Hopefully, they'll do it again this year

Hopefully. I live in the EU but will be in New York for Christmas, so we'll see. Too bad the next pressing of the Bergman set won't be available by then. Before, I decided I would prefer to have standalones of the Bergman films I want but after learning Cries and Whispers, The Seventh Seal, and F&A all have newer transfers I'm tempted if the price is right. At least Wild Strawberries and Persona, which I already own, have the same transfer.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by mande2013

Doesn't Barnes and Noble sometimes have storewide blu-ray sales, Criterions included, around Christmas time? Maybe not anymore?

Usually the week before Christmas they have a 40% off MSRP Most Blurays.
This applies to about 2/3 of online items though almost always excluded Disney properties and often excludes newer releases, high profile items, specialty studios (Warner Archive, Cohen, etc)

In-store usually allows nearly ALL blurays except Disney and includes ship to home items for many/most items not carried in-store -- so it's a way to get WAC, Cohen, Shout, etc at a nice discount. 4K seem to be partially included in the past though it's an item to item hunt.

Criterions have been included MOST Dec sales, but less often in the equivalent Fathers Day Sale. DVDs have usually been excluded for Xmas, but allowed in June.

Coupons are hit or miss -- some sale they're OK, some sales they aren't

[SammyJankis]

I watched Age of Innocence over the weekend. Film has probably secured itself as my favorite Scorsese at this point. It resonates in the way Taxi Driver did for my teenage years, in a more nuanced, plunging-into-the-heart kind of way. It has the kind of formal control that builds its emotion, through a balance of experimentation and restraint (at least when compared to the oeuvre of Scorsese), accompanied by a performance from Day-Lewis that is appropriately calculated as anything he's ever done, that I find the final thirty minutes or so to be some of the most quietly devastating cinema I've come across. Just sublime.

Grateful for the package. The essay is particularly worthwhile.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

To be fair, it's hard not to fall in love with Audrey after watching anything she was in. Charade, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Sabrina....I've got Robin and Marian on the DVR ready to go (I've never seen it), and I'll follow it with My Fair Lady, which I have not seen in years (and obviously, never the remastered blu).

There's this timeless quality to her. She was elegant, yet completely approachable and endearing.

How did it slip by me that Sony released Robin and Marian last month? I thought for sure that it was headed for a TT release. A wonderfully elegiac film with great performances by both leads.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Vesee1

While she didn't find it extremely offputting, my wife did say she thought the age difference between Astaire and Hepburn was a bit much and took the movie down a notch. I somewhat agree, but I also understand the studio's desire to have an established musical star co-headline with Hepburn.

Yeah, I get that established musical star thing, my issue is far more the writing than the casting. As I said, I like Sabrina quite a bit and I THINK that age difference is almost as big, if not bigger. The way the characters interact is totally different, though, and I never feel at any point like Bogart is bullying her around to get her to change her personality so she'll be a subservient wife to him, or anything like that.

Huge age differences sorta come with the territory on things of this vintage (pre-1970), so I mostly just sort of laugh and shake my head when I see them.

Anyway, Audrey!! I still haven't watched How To Steal a Million or Two For the Road. I should probably do so at some point. I think I still have the DVDs lying around somewhere.

[Luke Dodge748]

I picked up and watched The In-Laws yesterday. I Love Peter Falk. I really like Alan Arkin, too, and this was a great Buddy-cop movie before there were Buddy Cop movies. This was a really pleasant blind buy.

12 Angry Men tonight.

[demonknight]

Don't know if anyone brought this up, but Janus Films tweeted a grab from The Gleaners and I the other day. Could bode well. Do they very often tweet screencaps from films that they don't have rights to?

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by eddyw78

Yes agreed. Definitely see Yojimbo before Sanjuro though as it is a superior movie.

Seconded or is it thirded? While Sanjuro is great on its own merits when you accept it isn't or never will be Yojimbo, I would seek out Yojimbo and watch that before I dive into Sanjuro.