The Criterion Collection

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

With so much rubbish coming out of Hollywood, the land of recycled ideas, anything resembling originality is deemed must see, its director hailed as a visionary. This noxious hyperbole is the unfortunate reality of a movie industry that, taken as a whole, has lost its soul. Cinephiles are confronted by an inextricable sense of melancholy visiting the theater now, as creativity has largely fallen by the wayside in favor of profit. Movies are no longer about artistic endeavor so much as box office receipts.

Given your statement, if you were to stumble upon a potential cinematic 'masterpiece,' would you be able to recognize it?

Furthermore, the film 'industry' is exactly that, a business for profit. Always has, and always will be, about a return on investment, in almost all cases driven by the exploitation of humanity, and not for the greater good.

That's who we are, that's the way it is, and most likely the way it will remain.

Yes, Dryer is a genius for some, The Passion is a masterpiece for a few, and a future masterpiece is always one click or ticket away, provided you are still open to finding one.

As for me, given my recent experience of screening Roma this year and last year's Phantom Thread, I'll continue taking my chances.

[dancerslegs]

Originally Posted by Scottie

[Show spoiler]

A few months ago, I noted in the thread that this same restoration was up on Mosfilm's YouTube channel, sans English subtitles. Hopefully, a similarly-gorgeous blu-ray will follow the screening at FilmLinc, stat.

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

Given your statement, if you were to stumble upon a potential cinematic 'masterpiece,' would you be able to recognize it?

Furthermore, the film 'industry' is exactly that, a business for profit. Always has, and always will be, about a return on investment, in almost all cases driven by the exploitation of humanity, and not for the greater good.

That's who we are, that's the way it is, and most likely the way it will remain.

Yes, Dryer is a genius for some, The Passion is a masterpiece for a few, and a future masterpiece is always one click or ticket away, provided you are still open to finding one.

As for me, given my recent experience of screening Roma this year and last year's Phantom Thread, I'll continue taking my chances.

Firstly, I think how a movie is viewed often changes over time. Would you agree? Societal norms fluctuate, as does what is acceptable. Take something like Bonnie & Clyde, for example. For various reasons, it was derided by many critics when it first came out-the violence in the film was certainly nothing new, but the realism of it was. It shocked the sensibilities of many, yet with a few notable exceptions like Roger Ebert, many reviewers were quite negative. Fast forward a little bit in time to after the end of the Vietnam War. A generation of moviegoers have become desensitized because of the nightly carnage shown on network television. What was once shocking in Bonnie & Clyde is no longer as horrifying, and now the film is considered a classic. Subsequent films have pushed that acceptable line further.

Now, would I be able to spot a "masterpiece"? I'm very hesitant to label a film with such language, especially after one viewing, because that's kind of the pinnacle, and should be reserved for the truly great films. One problem, however, is that "greatness" is completely subjective. As you mentioned, The Passion of Joan of Arc is a masterpiece to some. Dreyer is a genius to some. It's reputation has had several decades to grow. Generations of film historians, critics and cinephiles have had time to debate the merits of the film, and place it in historical context. I would certainly need to see a film multiple times before I'd ever consider labeling it as such. The first time I watch a movie, I try to enjoy it without thinking so much about the technical aspects of the film. I'm absorbed by the narrative, the acting, the mood of the film. I'm there with my popcorn trying to soak it in. With subsequent viewings, usually when I'm by myself in the dark, I'll play parts over and over again. I'll turn on the subtitles, make sure I'm understanding what's being said, and if need be, find a copy of the film script online. Then I start paying more attention to lighting, cinematography, etc. I find more nuance in actor performances, things that I missed the first time because I was just trying to keep up with the story, and the action. But again, what constitutes a great film? Technical achievement? Great acting, a wonderful script?

Guys, I'm not saying there aren't some great films coming out now. And maybe I'm biased against so much of what's coming out of Hollywood because every film is seemingly being shoved in my face, and I've built up an aversion to the sensory overload. The biggest issue I have is the extent to which the talking heads go absolutely overboard praising particular films. Some restraint is needed.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by The Sovereign

It certainly could, given that it won the Palme d’Or, among other accolades. But personally, I’d be more excited to see Drugstore Cowboy first.

Totally Agreed!!!

[theater dreamer]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

What recent films have people been quick to call "masterpieces?" I can't think of any.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, for one. On the front slip cover...

"A Renegade Masterpiece"--Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Really good film. Frances McDormand was fantastic. But a masterpiece?

Look on the back slip of Gravity.

"A Bracing Masterpiece"-Claudia Puig, USA Today

The Wolf of Wall Street. Back slip. "The Best Film of the Year. A Masterpiece." James Verniere, The Boston Herald

The King's Speech. "A Masterpiece. The Best Picture of the Year" Rex Reed, The New York Observer

Four of the first five blu-rays I checked (Phantom Thread being the other) are being labeled as a masterpiece by at least one critic from a major publication. Obviously, they're going to use the best blurb to sell the film, but there's no question that this label is being tossed about quite liberally.

[sawdustandtinsel]

I think if we're lucky there are only around 2 masterpieces per year. There are always anomalies (2007?) but I'd wager that's the average. Having said that, Burning was quickly labeled a masterpiece at Cannes this year and rightfully so in my opinion. I might be a tad biased as a Lee Chang-Dong fan but that film hit me so hard I didn't watch anything for 3 days afterword.

[mande2013]

I didn't think Roma was a great film, not that it's a bad one either, but I imagine it will be remembered regardless. At the very least, I'll need to let it germinate in my mind before I decide how I feel about it once and for all. This is of course while we're on the topic of how many masterpieces get made a year in recent times.

[MifuneFan]

Roma is the best film of the year. It is filmmaking at it's finest.

[sawdustandtinsel]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Roma is the best film of the year. It is filmmaking at it's finest.

So what you're saying is bite the bullet and drive an hour to see it in an actual cinema?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

So what you're saying is bite the bullet and drive an hour to see it in an actual cinema?

Yes. I walked 2 miles yesterday back and forth from the subway to see it in theater, and it was totally worth it. It's a beautiful film, and visually the nicest looking B&W I've probably ever seen

[octagon]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

This noxious hyperbole is the unfortunate reality of a movie industry that, taken as a whole, has lost its soul.

No irony deficiency here.

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

The biggest issue I have is the extent to which the talking heads go absolutely overboard praising particular films. Some restraint is needed.

A little restraint sounds like just the ticket: stop paying so much attention to talking heads.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yes. I walked 2 miles yesterday back and forth from the subway to see it in theater, and it was totally worth it. It's a beautiful film, and visually the nicest looking B&W I've probably ever seen

Was it uphill both ways?

[senseabove]

Originally Posted by sawdustandtinsel

So what you're saying is bite the bullet and drive an hour to see it in an actual cinema?

Yes. Preferably one with good 7.1 sound at least, if not Atmos. Its meticulous sound design is reason enough to see it in a theater. This isn't your usual "explosions, crowds, and some score also come from the back" surround mix.

[Purplenoon]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yes. I walked 2 miles yesterday back and forth from the subway to see it in theater, and it was totally worth it. It's a beautiful film, and visually the nicest looking B&W I've probably ever seen

What theater did you see it in? My son lives in Williamsburg, and trudged over to Manhattan a couple of times, only to find sold out houses both times.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Purplenoon

What theater did you see it in? My son lives in Williamsburg, and trudged over to Manhattan a couple of times, only to find sold out houses both times.

I went to the Landmark theater at 57th and 12th avenue. It's fairly far from the nearest subway. I took the Q train to 57th street (right by Carnegie Hall) at 7th avenue, and just walked straight up to 12th. It's about a 15-20 min walk.

It was my first time going to that theater, but it's pretty nice. They have reserved seating (through atom tickets at least), very nice recliner seats, and laser projection. The only downside is that they don't mask their screens, so the movie was letterboxed, but I actually didn't mind at all. It even gave it a more cinematic look in my opinion. The movie looked incredible on the laser projection. And the sound system was also great too.

I heard the one at the IFC center fills up nearly every showtime, and I didn't want to deal with that, and the lack of reserved seating. So I opted to go to Landmark. Tickets are like $18.50, but I got a discount code to use at atomtickets.com which saved a little (use the code BUZZ50 to get half off for new accounts).

The theater also looks pretty cool from the outside too. My showtime was at 11:15 am, and I got there at 10:55, and they were still closed. They don't open till 11 apparently, which is kind of crazy when they start movies less than 20 mins later. But it allowed me to cross the street to snap this pic, which I probably wouldn't have done anyway, so that worked out

[GeoffOliver]

I think Moonlight is pretty much a masterpiece. It’s assured filmmaking at its finest. There’s a few other recent films that I would call masterpieces, but more based off my own opinion than anything else.

[javy]

A Ghost Story is a genuine masterpiece.

[The Great Owl]

I ordered Panique.

[javy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I ordered Panique.

I want to have that movie in my life but I'm going to wait until a sale. Hopefully during DeepDiscounts next 15% off sale it will be around $23 or so and then I'll be able to purchase it cheaper than a B&N sale.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by javy

I want to have that movie in my life but I'm going to wait until a sale. Hopefully during DeepDiscounts next 15% off sale it will be around $23 or so and then I'll be able to purchase it cheaper than a B&N sale.

I decided to jump in at the $26 Amazon price, but additional discounts would make it even nicer.