The Criterion Collection

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Kyle Million

Trafic (CC title) and Traffic (the one you are referring to) are two different movies.

I'm aware of that Kyle. This thread isn't only for the Studio Canal / Criterion OOP news. A few pages earlier we were discussing large studio films Criterion released on DVD that they would likely not be releasing on BD because of studios keeping them for themselves (such as The Rock and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). Traffic was one of those titles so speculated, and has now proven true.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by reallyagi

be careful when introducing yourself with Godard films

I've heard something along the lines of this whenever a Godard film is mentioned. People seem to say, "If you've never seen a Godard film, I wouldn't start here" about every one of his films.

So question, not yet seeing a Godard film (despite owning a few), which would be the best/easiest to start with?

[RAZGRIZ-1]

Just ordered Pierrot le fou.

Can't wait to watch it!

[rich_adamson]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

I've heard something along the lines of this whenever a Godard film is mentioned. People seem to say, "If you've never seen a Godard film, I wouldn't start here" about every one of his films.

So question, not yet seeing a Godard film (despite owning a few), which would be the best/easiest to start with?

My recommendation would just be to go n order and start with Breathless, working through his filmography chronologically. This way, you get to see his own evolution as a filmmaker, and it helps to lay the groundwork for future ones that you will see. Hope that helps, but the most important thing is to have fun with the experience.

[JediFonger]

or just rent it =P. i mean... if you've seen a director's previous work before, that'll be a better blind buy.... but if you haven't. i'd proceed w/caution.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by rich_adamson

My recommendation would just be to go n order and start with Breathless, working through his filmography chronologically. This way, you get to see his own evolution as a filmmaker, and it helps to lay the groundwork for future ones that you will see. Hope that helps, but the most important thing is to have fun with the experience.

Sounds like a good idea.
Now I'll just wait for the StudioCanal release of Breathless.
I already own Pierrot Le Fou, Contempt, and Une Femme Mariée.

[captveg]

Breathless is indeed the best starting point for Godard, as it lays the groundwork for his tone most succinctly without being as jarring as his later work may be. After that chronological works best, but is not absolutely necessary, of course.

[blurayas11]

JUst added to my Criterion collection the following:
1. For All Mankind Blu-ray
2. Gomorrah Blu-ray
3. Howards End Blu-ray
4. Jimi Plays Monterey & Shake! Otis at Monterey Blu-ray
5. Monterey Pop Blu-ray
6. Play Time Blu-ray
7. The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter Blu-ray

Was able to watch Jimi Plays Monterey & Shake! Otis at Monterey so far. Loved the shake by otis.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Sounds like a good idea.
Now I'll just wait for the StudioCanal release of Breathless.
I already own Pierrot Le Fou, Contempt, and Une Femme Mariée.

You definitely need to pick up "Une femme est une femme" (A woman is a woman), "Masculin Feminin", "Band a Part" (Band of Outsiders), "Made in U.S.A.", "Two or Three Things I Know About Her" and "Alphaville".

The Criterion Collection release of "Breathless" was pretty good, especially with the thick booklet since you are picking up doubles...hehe.

I'm still iffy on the StudioCanal BD releases. I will pick up titles that Criterion hasn't released. The titles they have released, it will all come to down to content.

Originally Posted by captveg

Breathless is indeed the best starting point for Godard, as it lays the groundwork for his tone most succinctly without being as jarring as his later work may be. After that chronological works best, but is not absolutely necessary, of course.

Although I had "Breathless", I waited I think after 4-5 of Godard's films before watching it. I actually started out with "Alphaville", then "Masculin, Feminin". But I do want to pick up the Lionsgate Godard boxset..because I've never seen these films: "Passion", "First Name: Carmen", "The Detective", "Oh Woe is Me". I know that Wellspring has a Godard box set but not familiar with the company...but I do want to see "Le Petit Soldat", "Les Carabinieres", "Notre Musique".

[reallyagi]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Sounds like a good idea.
Now I'll just wait for the StudioCanal release of Breathless.
I already own Pierrot Le Fou, Contempt, and Une Femme Mariée.

I found this review to be quite helpful before I watched Pierrot le Fou, especially this part:

"But Godard never sticks closely enough to this plot to make it important. He does a curious thing. He will have a scene that is perfectly conventional, like a scene in a Hollywood gangster movie. But it doesn't come out of anything or lead into anything; it is important because of its tone, its texture and not because it advances the plot. Thus a Godard movie becomes a montage of pure technique; the parts don't fit together -- but they add up to an attitude. Does this make sense? More than any other director, Godard resists being written about."

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...908240301/1023

[aggienader08]

Kndy, you know how we were talking one time about movies we wished would be Criterion? Here you go! I had some fun!

[TheAlphaNerd]

How do I buy a replacement case from Criterion? Which titles are available? Thanks in advance.


I did the search thread function, but there were so many posts.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by kndy

Although I had "Breathless", I waited I think after 4-5 of Godard's films before watching it. I actually started out with "Alphaville", then "Masculin, Feminin". But I do want to pick up the Lionsgate Godard boxset..because I've never seen these films: "Passion", "First Name: Carmen", "The Detective", "Oh Woe is Me". I know that Wellspring has a Godard box set but not familiar with the company...but I do want to see "Le Petit Soldat", "Les Carabinieres", "Notre Musique".

As a big Godard fan (no one ever knew that) I started out with my first being Band of Outsiders, but I think Breathless or Band of Outsiders are the most "friendly" in terms of people's taste.

If someone on here is not yet a Godard film watcher, DO NOT WATCH the Lionsgate Godard boxset that kndy just mentioned. I like Godard stuff after the NEW WAVE but most people (I mean alot of people) are turned off by his films after the 60's. Like I said I like both his new wave films and his films after, but I have saw alot of people say they can't watch his films after the New Wave. So I don't know, I just don't want people turned off by Godard by watching something before you watch his 60's films. Then after that watch TOUT VA BIEN from the Criterion Collection to see the way his films started to turn after the New Wave.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

Kndy, you know how we were talking one time about movies we wished would be Criterion? Here you go! I had some fun!

Cool!!! Great job! I've never seen the movie before. Recommended?

[kndy]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

If someone on here is not yet a Godard film watcher, DO NOT WATCH the Lionsgate Godard boxset that kndy just mentioned. I like Godard stuff after the NEW WAVE but most people (I mean alot of people) are turned off by his films after the 60's. Like I said I like both his new wave films and his films after, but I have saw alot of people say they can't watch his films after the New Wave. So I don't know, I just don't want people turned off by Godard by watching something before you watch his 60's films. Then after that watch TOUT VA BIEN from the Criterion Collection to see the way his films started to turn after the New Wave.

I agree, watch his '60s work first. There's a reason why critics like Ebert who have championed his earlier works and never mentioned his late works for a reason. Once you watched most of the Criterion releases and admire his work, it's time to move on and see how his work has evolved, especially how he has become more philosophical and political. Discussion of later films, you can read here.

Oh, and also remember that if you enjoy his '60s work, its essential to get the "4 by Agnes Varda"Box set and the Rohmer box set as Godard and Rohmer's "Charlotte" shorts are there as well. As for Varda, "Cleo from 5 to 7" with the "Les Fiances Du Pont MacDonald" silent with Godard, Karina is just fun! And if you like Godard's early work, you'll more than likely enjoy Varda and Rohmer's work as well.

Originally Posted by reallyagi

I found this review to be quite helpful before I watched Pierrot le Fou, especially this part:

Ebert has gotten a lot of angry e-mails over the decades of his support of Godard's earlier works. He recommends them and then people get upset. But it's about watching his films together and then finally accepting his work than just watching one film.

Also, it's always interesting to hear Godard speak of his films. For those who have the "Breathless" release, just to hear him upset of how popular "Breathless" was quite intriguing. We know the characters are extensions of himself and what's in his mind. These earlier films, he never game them a script and just explain what he wanted them to say and they do it (sometimes with just an earpiece).

If anyone recommends a very solid Godard book, please let me know. He's such a complex person.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by reallyagi

I found this review to be quite helpful before I watched Pierrot le Fou, especially this part:

"But Godard never sticks closely enough to this plot to make it important. He does a curious thing. He will have a scene that is perfectly conventional, like a scene in a Hollywood gangster movie. But it doesn't come out of anything or lead into anything; it is important because of its tone, its texture and not because it advances the plot. Thus a Godard movie becomes a montage of pure technique; the parts don't fit together -- but they add up to an attitude. Does this make sense? More than any other director, Godard resists being written about."

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...908240301/1023

That actually makes a lot of sense to me. I watched Pierrot le fou for the first time last night and was absolutely enthralled by it, but I never quite knew what was going on with her brother and the gangsters and who-killed-who. But at the same time, I didn't feel like I was missing the point of the movie - there'd be a small scene where I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I knew where the main characters stood, and then the rest of the movie would resume after it like nothing ever happened.

This was actually my first Godard film, and now I'm really excited to see some more. I pre-ordered the StudioCanal BD of Breathless, and I have Le Mepris, Une femme mariee, Made in USA, and 2 Or 3 Things I Know About Her all sitting on my shelf. Time to get watching!

[stobbart]

I have seen about 5 Godard films and "A woman is a Woman" continues to be my favorite.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by TheAlphaNerd

How do I buy a replacement case from Criterion? Which titles are available? Thanks in advance.


I did the search thread function, but there were so many posts.

You obviously didn't look at the very first post of this whole thread, did you? There, you shall find your answers.

CC

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by reallyagi

I found this review to be quite helpful before I watched Pierrot le Fou, especially this part:

"But Godard never sticks closely enough to this plot to make it important. He does a curious thing. He will have a scene that is perfectly conventional, like a scene in a Hollywood gangster movie. But it doesn't come out of anything or lead into anything; it is important because of its tone, its texture and not because it advances the plot. Thus a Godard movie becomes a montage of pure technique; the parts don't fit together -- but they add up to an attitude. Does this make sense? More than any other director, Godard resists being written about."

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...908240301/1023

What a spectacular article. thanks for sharing this.

[substance]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

What a spectacular article. thanks for sharing this.

Curious. Whats the make/model number of your DVD/LD upconvert player? I thought they stopped making LD player before upconvert DVD players existed