The Criterion Collection

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by John Klein

To break away from the conversation really quick, I do actually have questions about a couple of releases that I'm looking at.




How good are these releases? I'm planning on saving up for The Complete Jacques Tati but considering it is $75, I want to make sure it is actually worth it. M is just purely out of curiosity.

I consider M essential. I have the Tati set, but I'm yet to break them open.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by John Klein

To break away from the conversation really quick, I do actually have questions about a couple of releases that I'm looking at.




How good are these releases? I'm planning on saving up for The Complete Jacques Tati but considering it is $75, I want to make sure it is actually worth it. M is just purely out of curiosity.

The Tati set can be had for $62.50 at the next Criterion flash sale, or you can probably get it for below $50 at July's B&N sale.

I like M a lot. If I recall there is a German blu that has better picture quality, but I'm not one to be too concerned with that stuff myself.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by inderweltsein

I saw Victoria in Berlin last year. And I have to say that the single shot is as much as useless as the false one in Birdman (on the opposite of The Russian Ark).
For me, it has no artistic value, just only a producer motto chosen for promoting it later, rather than any artistic choice.

One of the most useless film I saw in Berlin ... (But as I am one of those that think Knight of Cups is one of the two best films I saw in Berlin, and that these 2 Berlin films being also 2 of the 3 best films of 2015 for me, all three far above almost anything else [except one or two films], YMMV)

From the last part I didn't really understand you, so you liked Victoria or not?

Nevermind I think I get it , you liked both Knight of cups and some other.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by inderweltsein

I saw Victoria in Berlin last year. And I have to say that the single shot is as much as useless as the false one in Birdman (on the opposite of The Russian Ark).
For me, it has no artistic value, just only a producer motto chosen for promoting it later, rather than any artistic choice.

One of the most useless film I saw in Berlin ... (But as I am one of those that think Knight of Cups is one of the two best films I saw in Berlin, and that these 2 Berlin films being also 2 of the 3 best films of 2015 for me, all three far above almost anything else [except one or two films], YMMV)

The thing is, I'm actually thinking about studying editing. So single shots and films that toy around with editing are of great interest to me to study.

Side note: My artist side loves cinematography though. A bad movie with very pretty visuals will always make it in my collection... that is why Lost River is in it.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

The Tati set can be had for $62.50 at the next Criterion flash sale, or you can probably get it for below $50 at July's B&N sale.

Do you know when Criterion does their flash sales? I remember running across it last year but I don't remember when.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by John Klein

To break away from the conversation really quick, I do actually have questions about a couple of releases that I'm looking at.




How good are these releases? I'm planning on saving up for The Complete Jacques Tati but considering it is $75, I want to make sure it is actually worth it. M is just purely out of curiosity.

Did you just ask about my 100th & 101th criterion purchase?

M is a geM...I was ever so convinced it will be one of those early thriller movies without much thrill, I was so wrong!!!

I started watching my set of Tati...watched the 1st two in last few weeks and I watched Playtime before. Till now, it is all good...

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

I started watching my set of Tati...watched the 1st two in last few weeks and I watched Playtime before. Till now, it is all good...

Yeah, I'm asking because I'm interested in Playtime but I heard his entire collection is fantastic and considering how expensive Criterion goes, the collection is damn cheap for the amount of movies in it.

M on the other hand has been sitting in my Amazon wishlist for many months now and I just need to find a push to get me to buy it when I have the extra cash on hand.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by John Klein

To break away from the conversation really quick, I do actually have questions about a couple of releases that I'm looking at.




How good are these releases? I'm planning on saving up for The Complete Jacques Tati but considering it is $75, I want to make sure it is actually worth it. M is just purely out of curiosity.

I would highly recommend both. M is an excellent film that has aged well. Lang's use of shadow in the film is great and I think it is very interesting thematically.

I personally love Tati and the set is phenomenal, with a ton of interesting extras. However, if you haven't seen a Tati film I'd recommend watching one or two first. That'll give you a good idea whether you'll enjoy the set. He's pretty polarizing. I find his films fun and ingenius, even if not everything works or is laugh out loud.

[Scottie]

I just watched my first Rivette film today, Le Pont du Nord, via the Kino Blu-ray.

If all of Rivette's films are as good as this one, I have found my favorite director.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I personally love Tati and the set is phenomenal, with a ton of interesting extras. However, if you haven't seen a Tati film I'd recommend watching one or two first. That'll give you a good idea whether you'll enjoy the set. He's pretty polarizing. I find his films fun and ingenius, even if not everything works or is laugh out loud.

I'm usually pretty good at judging a film on screenshots and quick synopsis, saved me from buying L'avventura (very well made but my god, so boooooringly slow and long) when I was buying the films we were going to watch in my cinema class. I also have noticed that I really like French films. I'll take your advice and see one of the films first before deciding but I do think I'll already enjoy them.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by John Klein

Yeah, I'm asking because I'm interested in Playtime but I heard his entire collection is fantastic and considering how expensive Criterion goes, the collection is damn cheap for the amount of movies in it.

M on the other hand has been sitting in my Amazon wishlist for many months now and I just need to find a push to get me to buy it when I have the extra cash on hand.

I just found it funny that I purchased them subsequently...
M one day and Tati the next day in November B&N sale last year.

M is so full of style, it does not look like a film made in 1931. Go for it!!!

Have you seen Playtime? It is a treat visually...but since the set means larger amount, sample if you could before buying. To me, based on 3 movies I have watched, it is great.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched my first Rivette film today, Le Pont du Nord, via the Kino Blu-ray.

If all of Rivette's films are as good as this one, I have found my favorite director.

I kind of was expecting the opposite

Nothing in it really made any sense to me, I can't remember much of it now, what did you particularly like?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I kind of was expecting the opposite

Nothing in it really made any sense to me, I can't remember much of it now, what did you particularly like?

Everything from start to finish, including the mise-en-scene and editing.

I really liked the mystery because initially you don't think it's a big deal, but then you realize that there's something more than meets the eye. Furthermore, France has been featured in so many films, but I felt like this was the first time that I was right in the heart of the country.

[SuperFlyHighGuy]

I agree with the above poster on Tati; I find his films I've seen to be very fun and intellectually stimulating to watch, a combination that's pretty rare I think. I just got the box set for Christmas, and I'd only previously seen Monsieur Hulots Holiday and Mon Oncle. I was delighted with Jour de Fete (spelling?) and all the extras, just watched M. Hulots Holiday last night, the print looked beautiful and was a delight to see again. I highly recommend this set if you like high-brow comedy and like to think (some people actually don't ).

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by John Klein

I'm usually pretty good at judging a film on screenshots and quick synopsis, saved me from buying L'avventura (very well made but my god, so boooooringly slow and long) when I was buying the films we were going to watch in my cinema class. I also have noticed that I really like French films. I'll take your advice and see one of the films first before deciding but I do think I'll already enjoy them.

the advice to give Tati a spin before buying is about the best and most applicable 'try before you buy' advice you'll ever see on this forum.

there are those who think he's a genius and there are those who are bored to tears by him. I, personally, am not a fan. he's quite unique, though, and there is no amount of screenshots or synapses, opinions, or comparisons that can guarantee that he'll be your cup of tea.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

the advice to give Tati a spin before buying is about the best and most applicable 'try before you buy' advice you'll ever see on this forum.

there are those who think he's a genius and there are those who are bored to tears by him. I, personally, am not a fan. he's quite unique, though, and there is no amount of screenshots or synapses, opinions, or comparisons that can guarantee that he'll be your cup of tea.

Tati's films do seem to be either love or hate. I saw Playtime a year or so ago and found it immensely boring, so I haven't seen any of his other films. Yet, others adore that film, and the others too.

I think they're all on Hulu, though, so I'd direct anyone there before jumping into buying the whole set.

[Scottie]

I've always admired Tati for his vision and innovation, but I would never subject myself to his films again. I found each film to be incredibly boring and, as a result, a chore to sit through.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by John Klein

I'm usually pretty good at judging a film on screenshots and quick synopsis, saved me from buying L'avventura (very well made but my god, so boooooringly slow and long) when I was buying the films we were going to watch in my cinema class. I also have noticed that I really like French films. I'll take your advice and see one of the films first before deciding but I do think I'll already enjoy them.

Awesome, I hope you enjoy! The only Tati I saw before buying the set was Playtime, which I loved. After buying the set I then watched M. Hulot's Holiday and then Mon Oncle. I'd recommend watching two of those three, as they're widely considered his strongest films. While watching, stay engaged. There is so much activity going on that was painstakingly organized and choreographed. Being very engaged throughout will help you appreciate the films, even if you ultimately don't like them.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I've always admired Tati for his vision and innovation, but I would never subject myself to his films again. I found each film to be incredibly boring and, as a result, a chore to sit through.

That is how I feel about L'avventura. That film, I will never watch again because it is a chore to me. Although that is mainly because there was no aspect to the film I liked... which seems to be with a ton of Italian films with me. Me and Italy do not agree.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by John Klein

That is how I feel about L'avventura. That film, I will never watch again because it is a chore to me. Although that is mainly because there was no aspect to the film I liked... which seems to be with a ton of Italian films with me. Me and Italy do not agree.

that's interesting because I, too, found that I was very interested in French films and thought Italian films just didn't resonate with me. my initial impression of L'Avventura was that it was a terrible bore.

I happen to love that film now and I also like Rossellini, De Sica, etc.

I love Truffaut and early Godard, but for me, the rest of the usual French suspects are pretty underwhelming.

[Vidya]

For M, skip the Criterion. This is the release you want (it's region free): https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/M-Blu-ray/18091/