The Criterion Collection

[jhiggy23]

Most of the films, imo, are exceptional and some are among the best ever made. That being the case, here are my 5 and why:



1) Everlasting Moments (a lesser known film but still very moving, the reason this is selected is that imo it is the best example yet of how blu can present a film how it was meant to look. The film grain and sepia tone color scheme come through exceptionally well. The scene in front of the train is the epitome of this)


2) Seven Samurai (arguably the greatest film of all-time and an incredible package of extras)


3) The Thin Red Line (MANY sites and ppl consider this to be the finest blu-ray release to date, based on the PQ and AQ. Malick is also a director unlike any other)


4) Days of Heaven (Malick's films have been called the most beautiful ever filmed and this film in particular was named by Ebert as the most beautiful film ever made. In addition, the sound is amazing. Check out the coal throwing in the beginning. I literally came out of my seat)


5) Playtime (this is a film where every single detail on the screen is purposeful. Until now, it's unlikely that anyone ever was able to see the extent of the detail set forth in this film. furthermore, there really is no film like it--just imitators.)




***My fifth choice was difficult. I almost went with either Vivre Sa Vie or Last Year at Marienbad because they're both very unique and they're arguably the two best black and white PQs I've seen yet, but they didn't quite make it.

[greekak229]

Antichrist is awesome. Enough said.

[silentblu]

Stagecoach

[VideoPhonic]

pull up the list of criterions, see what interests you, rent, and then buy. If you're itchin to pick up some criterions during the sale then blind buy based on your research. you really wont know if you like Godard, Kurosawa, or even Malick until you have a real sense of their films, which most of the time comes from watching those films. Granted, most of these films truly are gems, and with criterion, most risks are worth taking. I'm really just trying to say don't base your film selection arbitrarily from someone's recommendations (and seeing that you have ordered Seven Samurai and Thin Red Line I don't think you are).

That said, (and now somewhat hypocritically) the five I would pick from my own collection (that I can't honestly see anyone disliking) would be:

1. The Third Man........OOP so no good
2. Paths of Glory
3. Seven Samurai
4. The 400 Blows
5. Stagecoach (One of Criterion's most impressive efforts restoration-wise)

So there's my two cents, or just my ranting. anyway hope I helped.

Fun fact: Ben Button is NOT a true Criterion

[Arkadin]

Vivre sa vie
The Seventh Seal
Wings of Desire
Seven Samurai
Che

bonus pick:
The Night of the Hunter

.

[Blu Titan]

My top five (six )

Seven Samurai
Yojimbo & Sanjuro
Playtime
Modern Times
The Thin Man

[greekak229]

For me:

Paris, Texas
Night of the Hunter
Modern Times
Bigger Than Life
Chungking Express

[Brad1963]

Wages of Fear
Playtime
Chungking Express
The Leopard
Wings of Desire

[Geezer00003]

Surprised no one has mentioned The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Truly a must have!

[blufellas]

Originally Posted by retablo

Seven Samurai
The Thin Red Line
Walkabout
The Seventh Seal
Repulsion

(However, the majority of their collection is worth owning)

great choices!

[blufellas]

Seven Samurai
The Thin Red Line
Che
Night of the Hunter
Repulsion

[Pyoko]

If I had to pick a selection of 5 essentials it would probably be:

The Wages of Fear
Seven Samurai
The Seventh Seal
Revanche
The Thin Red Line

A mix of old, new, foreign and English-language, all with great to excellent video quality.

[Duffy12]

Most of these films I have not seen yet, so I really need to tune in to the 'Sundance Channel' and the 'Independent Film Channel' more often.

However, the following are ones that I am interested in either picking up or ordering online-


- The Thin Red Line
- Seven Samurai
- Yojimbo & Sanjuro
- Black Narcissus
- The Seventh Seal
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter


The ONLY one of these that I have not seen yet is Yojimbo & Sanjuro. But it appears to be a pretty sure bet.

[silentblu]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Very well. If this is how you interpreted the message of the film, I certainly understand. Now, please, let's not turn this thread into a thread that deals with religion instead of films (and Criterion's output in particular).

Thank you as always for reading our reviews and commenting on them

Pro-B

That's pretty silly to say considering the religious comments were directed towards the film Antichrist to explain why & how others saw it.

[KeithTalent]

Tough to narrow it down, but you asked, so I'll try:

1a. Yojimbo/Sanjuro
1b. Breathless
1c. Che
1d. Seven Samurai
1e. The Thin Red Line

KT

[jcs913]

I love interpretation..

[Gremal]

The Third Man (I know--it's out of print)
Yojimbo/Sanjuro
Chungking Express
Seven Samurai
The Last Metro

runners up
The 400 Blows
Kagemusha

[indiansbsa]

1. 8 1/2
2. The Seventh Seal
3. The Magician
4. Seven Samurai
5. The Third Man (OOP)

[indiansbsa]

Originally Posted by Geezer00003

Surprised no one has mentioned The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Truly a must have!

Thought that movie would never end. Now 8 1/2 being absent until my list, now thats a total mystery!!

[MyBoyBlu]

Seventh Seal
Seven Samurai
M
Thin Red Line
Repulsion

...without a doubt!