The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

If the tracking shot during the traffic jam sequence in Godard's Week End is not one of the most impressive things to ever be filmed, then I truly do not know what is.

[aes3728]

Originally Posted by iScottie

If the tracking shot during the traffic jam sequence in Godard's Week End is not one of the most impressive things to ever be filmed, then I truly do not know what is.

I feel like you and I should be friends

[*DrStrangelove*]

I agree, World on a Wire is an excellent release. One of my favorites. I always recommend it whenever someone asks for a recommendation. I feel it's very accessible and a great watch for anyone into Sci fi or Noir. I don't even like Sci fi but I loved it. It was my introduction to Fassbinder. After that I watched The BRD Trilogy (still waiting on that upgrade Criterion!). It amazed me that those films were made by the same director. I probably wouldn't have even got WoaW if it wasn't for all the praise it got here. So yea, everyone pick it up during the BN sale.

[RandyK]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I agree, World on a Wire is an excellent release. One of my favorites. I always recommend it whenever someone asks for a recommendation. I feel it's very accessible and a great watch for anyone into Sci fi or Noir. I don't even like Sci fi but I loved it. It was my introduction to Fassbinder. After that I watched The BRD Trilogy (still waiting on that upgrade Criterion!). It amazed me that those films were made by the same director. I probably wouldn't have even got WoaW if it wasn't for all the praise it got here. So yea, everyone pick it up during the BN sale.

Ugh, don't tell me that! You're making my list of titles to buy too long.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by RandyK

Ugh, don't tell me that! You're making my list of titles to buy too long.

run time of the movie is amazing. i love these long movies ! 213 min + bonus features !

[Stig-Helmer]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

What did you think of Ivan's Childhood?

I very much enjoyed The Devil's Backbone, so much so that I bought the Criterion yesterday.

I thought Ivan's Childhood was very good! It's the second Tarkovsky movie I've seen after Solaris. Tarkovsky has some special stuff going on in his films.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by aes3728

I feel like you and I should be friends

I actually just finished it and out of the five films of his that I've seen, it is probably my least favorite. That being said, it was still good overall!

My favorite film is Pierrot Le Fou, followed by Breathless, Vivre Sa Vie, and Band of Outsiders.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by oildude

World on a Wire is brilliant and beautiful to look at. What German director Rainer Fassbinder accomplished with modest budgets is amazing. An original work that has influenced other science fiction films, particularly The Matrix, it is one of the most outstanding films Criterion has ever released and one that the company is very proud of being able to present in a colorful new digital restoration. In my opinion, it was their release of the year when it came out in early 2012.

The story is difficult to describe without giving away the twists that make the film so intriguing and full of surprises (and spoil it for those who have not seen it). I think of the premise as something akin to a set of Russian nesting dolls, as the main character, a cybernetics engineer named Fred Stiller, investigates a series of mysteries involving his computer simulation project that recreates a virtual world, and in the process slowly uncovers an apparent conspiracy so frightening and powerful it threatens his definition of the real world we see around us every day. Fassbinder uses the Stiller character to explore themes of paranoia and mental stability in a future society, while raising questions about technology and its effects on humanity. Much like Blade Runner, it has strong noir elements. Because World on a Wire has influenced more recent better known films, it may not appear to a viewer as fresh as it did to audiences in 1973, but it is still a first rate film and classic of science fiction.

I read an article a couple of years ago that World on a Wire should appeal to fans of Kubrick, Philip K. Dick, and Kurt Vonnegut, and I agree with that assessment. The film got a lot of discussion in this thread in 2012, but many here now were not part of this thread when that happened, and many of the members who were active in this thread then are not regulars here anymore. It deserves to be brought back to the forefront and should be on the short list of any Criterion or sci-fi fan who does not own it. I highly recommend it for the next B&N sale.

thanks for the review oildude...i'm going to revisit this one again soon probably...i can see how the matrix was influenced by this film with those "headsets" people sat in...the movie was ahead of its time.

[Talal86]

Vengeance Is Mine looks like my kind of movie

[grim_tales]

Is the Criterion an improvement on the MoC release?
I havent even seen it yet

[blooregard_q_kazoo]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I did but sad to say that I stopped after about 8 seconds, it gave away what I call a spolier The film is on my shelf so it will be watched in the next few months.

I'm terribly sorry, Clare2904! I'm not sure I'd call it a spoiler, but please don't let this stop you from watching the film. The plot really is not that important in it imho (I'm not saying it's not good), but the mood, music and cinematography are really outstanding. And don't forget that crazy good Japanese jazz!

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by blooregard_q_kazoo

I'm terribly sorry, Clare2904! I'm not sure I'd call it a spoiler, but please don't let this stop you from watching the film. The plot really is not that important in it imho (I'm not saying it's not good), but the mood, music and cinematography are really outstanding. And don't forget that crazy good Japanese jazz!

No problem I am expecting craziness galore with this film.

[Tin Drum]

<------------------ This guy loves it.

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I remember watching The Tin Drum on showcase when I was smaller and thinking what an odd movie it was. I kinda want to revisit it since I see criterion has released it on blu.

Also those Three Reasons videos on the criterion YouTube channel really make me want to blind buy all their movies.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I recently blind bought and watch and wow what a strange and unique film lol - I didn't know ANYTHING about it and my god there are some surprises lol! I enjoyed it lol, not sure if I should have though lol

I love Three Reasons videos, I try an guess them if I know the film but they always come up with better reasons!

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by starman15317

All of the talk of In the Mood For Love makes me want to see it

I was frustrated when I saw it.
I didn't hate it, but it's just that I expected the film of the century!

[spargs]

Originally Posted by oildude

World on a Wire is brilliant and beautiful to look at. What German director Rainer Fassbinder accomplished with modest budgets is amazing. An original work that has influenced other science fiction films, particularly The Matrix, it is one of the most outstanding films Criterion has ever released and one that the company is very proud of being able to present in a colorful new digital restoration. In my opinion, it was their release of the year when it came out in early 2012.

The story is difficult to describe without giving away the twists that make the film so intriguing and full of surprises (and spoil it for those who have not seen it). I think of the premise as something akin to a set of Russian nesting dolls, as the main character, a cybernetics engineer named Fred Stiller, investigates a series of mysteries involving his computer simulation project that recreates a virtual world, and in the process slowly uncovers an apparent conspiracy so frightening and powerful it threatens his definition of the real world we see around us every day. Fassbinder uses the Stiller character to explore themes of paranoia and mental stability in a future society, while raising questions about technology and its effects on humanity. Much like Blade Runner, it has strong noir elements. Because World on a Wire has influenced more recent better known films, it may not appear to a viewer as fresh as it did to audiences in 1973, but it is still a first rate film and classic of science fiction.

I read an article a couple of years ago that World on a Wire should appeal to fans of Kubrick, Philip K. Dick, and Kurt Vonnegut, and I agree with that assessment. The film got a lot of discussion in this thread in 2012, but many here now were not part of this thread when that happened, and many of the members who were active in this thread then are not regulars here anymore. It deserves to be brought back to the forefront and should be on the short list of any Criterion or sci-fi fan who does not own it. I highly recommend it for the next B&N sale.

Wow, World on a Wire sounds like it should be up my alley... how did I miss the synopsis of this film previously??? Just went back and read Pro-B's review as well. This might be moving to the top of my list of CC films to buy at the July B&N sale!

Fassbinder, like Fellini and Antonioni, is a director whose films I haven't gotten around to viewing yet, in my seemingly neverending saga to "catch up". Maybe it's the comparison of so much of his work to Sirk, as I'm just not a fan of Sirk's films.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

<------------------ This guy loves it.

Richard Gere?

;-)

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

Richard Gere?

;-)

Whoops. I have recently turned off avatars and forgot about him.

[monorail91]

Just watched Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! for the first time. It was so out-there I'm not sure how much I liked it - but it was definitely entertaining and very different. Available on Netflix Instant Watch if anyone's interested.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by monorail91

Just watched Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! for the first time. It was so out-there I'm not sure how much I liked it - but it was definitely entertaining and very different. Available on Netflix Instant Watch if anyone's interested.

Pedro Almodovar is definitely in my top five directors and everything that I've seen from him (which is almost everything sans his shorts) I've loved. Some more than others but I've never been disappointed with anything from him.(yes, even I'm So Excited).

I hope that Criterion gets their hands on some of his other films not already on blu in region 1. Heck, I just wish they would come at all no matter the studio (with great PQ though).

[Andrew13]

A week ago Criterion's Youtube channel uploaded a five minute clip from The Human Condition. I was strongly considering picking this up during the upcoming sale, but would anyone interpret this upload as a sign of an impending blu-ray upgrade?