The Criterion Collection

[trombone dixie]

Waiting on my third copy of The Double Life of Véronique. The first two Amazon shipped arrived with either a broken case or a mangled booklet insert. This is on top of the four broken cases that arrived over the last two months courtesy of B&N... My last five Criterion orders have been really depressing.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by Fanboyz

I have no "favorite film" per say, but I have discovered films that have no flaws.
28: Pulp Fiction
34: Dr. Strangelove
36: Psycho

Your Batting Average Sucks.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by billzfan

You lost me at Showgirls

He lost me at "discovered films that have no flaws".

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by JHas

I streamed "Tiny Furniture" on Netflix the other day. All I can say is if Wes Anderson films getting the Criterion Treatment result in a lot of people whining on message boards about their merit, then this release should inspire an Occupy Criterion HQ's protest.

My main problem with Tiny Furniture is that Criterion prefered it over Kiarostami's Certified Copy. But the latter at least has a fantastic region free release in the UK from Artificial Eye, which you can get for less than seven pounds.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Though it's not a priority for me, an upgrade of The Scarlet Empress would be nice. That DVD looks pretty rough next to the von Sternberg silents. I would love Kino or someone to get out a Blue Angel Blu-ray soon, though.

Agreed...I rented The Scarlet Empress from NetFlix as well and it could use an upgrade from ANYONE!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

My main problem with Tiny Furniture is that Criterion prefered it over Kiarostami's Certified Copy. But the latter at least has a fantastic region free release in the UK from Artificial Eye, which you can get for less than seven pounds.

You can also currently stream both films on NetFlix, for those of us that are members.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by dag

All this discussion around the Eclipse sets. I have seen Pleasures of the Flesh and definitely intend to watch the remaining movies in Eclipse 21. This evening I finished watching the Nikkatsu Noir set (Eclipse 17). Immensely entertaining! Special mention to Cruel Gun Story (quite the body count in that one) and A Colt Is My Passport. All five movies are only about 90 minutes in length, have very good PQ, and portray a fascinating slice of underbelly Japan. Recommended!

I really liked the Nikkatsu Noir set, too. Prolly because I've been watching a lot of French cinema, I picked up on how connected these Japanese pop movies were to what was going on in the rest of the world in the 60s-- esp France and the US. A Colt is My Passport is such a Western; at one point, the sidekick even picks up a guitar to sing a song. Cruel Gun Story is very noir, too, in style and theme. Suzuki's Take Aim at the Police Van is way over the top visually (of course) but also there are New Wave flourishes too. The girl in the tight sweater jivin to the juke box is Nana from Vivre sa Vie or Marianne from Pierrot; if I'm not wrong, I think I even hear accordion music at one point.

I think Eclipse series can be hit or miss....that's why they're Eclipse. But I ate this set up.

[DLizzle]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

He lost me at "discovered films that have no flaws".

Lost ME at "Meaning everything works, everything pays off and is correct emotionally and conceptually."

Correct emotionally and conceptually? What an absurd statement.

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by DLizzle

Lost ME at "Meaning everything works, everything pays off and is correct emotionally and conceptually."

Correct emotionally and conceptually? What an absurd statement.

I think we can all agree that it's a post that should have never happened, lol.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by rkish

You can also currently stream both films on NetFlix, for those of us that are members.

Rich, I don't know if you did stream Certified Copy yet, but the film is very good. Juliette is fantastic as usual. She seems to always give great performances, regardless of the content, unlike many US actresses. Unfortunately, the Netflix quality was not very good. Definitely makes me want to import the Artificial Eye. Their streaming quality has seemed a step below lately, which is not good news for them. The other day I wanted to watch the Kino release of Rapt, and frankly, the stream was unwatchable. As for Tiny Furniture, they can keep it, along with Criterion when it comes out....

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I'm all for enthusiasm about films when there is actually some passion and reasoning behind it (which I think he has, at least) as opposed to almost insect-like attraction to 'splosions and boobs and bad jokes (demonstrated on a lot of these forum threads), so my dismissal of that post is meant to be good-natured. Calling anything flawless is absurd, but absurdity has its place, too.

Maybe he was still on medication when he wrote it

[Darkcritic]

Just finished watching 12 Angry Men for the very first time. For some reason, I never came to watch it before but when the BD was announced I putted it on the high end of my wishlist. Bought it the last Christmas and I can't believe it got me so long to discover such an amazing piece of cinema. Here you have a simple but so well structured character study that I could not help but love every moment of. Henry Fonda stole the show as the opposing juror but every juror did something for me. In fact, I think this is one of the few films I have ever seen where I really like every character for what they are. Each one seemed to be well developed with pretty remarkable character traits. The script, direction and camera work were superb too. I need to make special mention of Juror #4 played by E.G. Marshall, he gives an amazing performance, my favorite one from the film. One of my top Criterion now, alongside Diabolique and Army of Shadows.

[SlickDamian]

Watched Three Colors: Blue yesterday. A very fantastic film. I really lIke the director's style. Excellent acting and atmosphere. A very emotionally devastating film. I'm pumped to watch White and Red.

[MelZombie]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

Watched Three Colors: Blue yesterday. A very fantastic film. I really lIke the director's style. Excellent acting and atmosphere. A very emotionally devastating film. I'm pumped to watch White and Red.

had to watch 'Blue' in one of my film classes. didn't really care for it.. might check out the other two.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Just finished watching 12 Angry Men for the very first time. For some reason, I never came to watch it before but when the BD was announced I putted it on the high end of my wishlist. Bought it the last Christmas and I can't believe it got me so long to discover such an amazing piece of cinema. Here you have a simple but so well structured character study that I could not help but love every moment of. Henry Fonda stole the show as the opposing juror but every juror did something for me. In fact, I think this is one of the few films I have ever seen where I really like every character for what they are. Each one seemed to be well developed with pretty remarkable character traits. The script, direction and camera work were superb too. I need to make special mention of Juror #4 played by E.G. Marshall, he gives an amazing performance, my favorite one from the film. One of my top Criterion now, alongside Diabolique and Army of Shadows.

You should also take a look at the 97 cable version.

I know, I know...bear with me...

It's much more an homage than a remake and between William Friedkin and an incredible cast (featuring Jack Lemmon and George C Scott and including a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini and a surprisingly memorable William Peterson) it's actually quite good.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by Fanboyz

I have no "favorite film" per say, but I have discovered films that have no flaws. Meaning everything works, everything pays off and is correct emotionally and conceptually.
It's my List of Forty-Four Flawless Feature Films in no particular order:

[Show spoiler]1: Taxi Driver
2: To Kill a Mockingbird
3: Star Wars (Version not relevant)
4: Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back (Version not relevant)
5: Star Wars- Return of the Jedi (Version not relevant)
6: Apocalypse Now (Version not Relevant)
7: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
8: The Big Lebowski
9: Goldfinger
10: E.T. (1982 version only)
11: The Spy who Loved Me
12: Superman- The Movie (Version not relevant)
13: Blade Runner (1992 or 2007 versions only)
14: Evil Dead 2
15: Batman '1989
16: Nosferatu- A Symphony of Terror
17: Robocop (Version not relevant)
18: Night of the Living Dead
19: Aguirre- The Wrath of God
20: Terminator 2 (Theatrical and Special Edition Version)
21: Dawn of the Dead (theatrical version only)
22: Hard Boiled
23: Maniac (Theatrical version only)
24: Flash Gordon '1980
25: Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
26: Showgirls
27: Back to the Future
28: Pulp Fiction
29: The Toxic Avenger (Director's Cut)
30: Raiders of the Lost Arc
31: Rambo II
32: Annie Hall
33: Austin Powers (American Theatrical Cut only)
34: Dr. Strangelove
35: Star Trek II- The Wrath of Khan (Version not relevant)
36: Psycho
37: Aliens (Special Edition)
38: Darkman
39: From Dusk till Dawn
40: Mallrats (Theatrical Cut)
41: City Lights
42: Conan The Barbarian (Version not relevant)
43: Natural Born Killers (Director's Cut)
44: The Matrix

Interesting list to be sure. I cannot say that I agree with you on some of your selections, but then again, everyone has different tastes, and I do not know what processes you used to select the films on this list.

I do not think I could ever really consider a film "flawless" though. Too many variables on what constitutes a flawless film. As you can see, it generated a bit of conversation, at the very least.

By the way everyone, I just noticed tonight, that Triumph of the Will is streaming on Netflix, for those interested in the conversation we had earlier this week, or wanting to check it out (as I am) from learning a bit about it in that conversation. I was disappointed to see that Olympia was not, however.

Regarding Tiny Furniture, it doesn't seem to receive much love on this thread. I also agree with the general consensus that it wasn't that great. Perhaps I was just expecting too much... I have a "full review" earlier in this thread if any of you are interested in going back and reading it. In short, I found it to be a watchable film, but without an interesting story to tell, or real plot to move it forward. These characters had nothing interesting, nor exciting, to do.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I watched Branded to Kill yesterday. To say the film left me speechless is an understatement. I am going to ask for someone to confirm a scene that I still don't believe. (not sure if I was having an acid flashback or something)

Warning clicking on the spoiler tag below will expose you to foul language as I will state my question in the spirit of the film.

[Show spoiler]Did #3 killer shoot his girlfriend/wife in the puss before kicking her body into the shit house only to have part of her head flushed down the toilet?

I have never laughed so hard in my life, and I'm not sure that I should be.

I can now confirm what you saw, as I watched Branded to Kill last night. I completely forgot about this post until I actually saw it, and had to do a search just so I could respond.

[Show spoiler]It does appear that he shot her in the crotch, and kicked her in the washroom so her head landed in the toilet. He then goes back and shoots her once in the head. The top of her head and the blood are swirling in the toilet, however, you can see a bullet hole in her boob, as well as half her head being blown off. so I think there's a bit of a technical error as to where he shot his wife the first time.

I really enjoyed Branded to Kill. It was just so sporadic and random. I started watching Tokyo Drifter last night, but made it halfway through before I decided to go to bed as I was having a hard time staying awake. The movie was far, far, far from boring, if that's what anyone is thinking, it was getting late and I needed to get up for work.

From what I saw, and I think I'm in the minority here, Tokyo Drifter was looking to be a bit more enjoyable than Branded to Kill, and I really think it was because the plot was bit more coherant, and I liked the soundtrack a bit more. I have to finish Tokyo Drifter before I can confirm this, and watch Branded to Kill several more times. It's not that I don't like films that seem to lack a plot (Head is my favourite film, as flawed as it is, and I really enjoy Hausu, Zazie dans le metro, and Pierrot le fou), it's just that this one didn't quite click instantly like the others have. As I said, I'll need to watch it a few more times.

Originally Posted by Fanboyz

I have no "favorite film" per say, but I have discovered films that have no flaws. Meaning everything works, everything pays off and is correct emotionally and conceptually.
It's my List of Forty-Four Flawless Feature Films in no particular order:

<list of fail goes here>

There are more that I like to add, but they have little things that prevent them from being perfect. Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a good example as neither version represents a truly finished film.

I'm officially calling you a troll. Some of those films on your list are great, but none of them are flawless. Also, Showgirls and the remake of Conan? As someone else snarked, you must still be on drugs. Can I have some of those magic pills so I too, can enjoy some of those awful films and call them flawless?

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I'm officially calling you a troll. Some of those films on your list are great, but none of them are flawless. Also, Showgirls and the remake of Conan?

No, "Attention-starved and posting" =/= "Troll"
If he said "What's the big deal about overpriced Criterion crap?" without really knowing which particular titles had come out in the last ten years, that would be a big fat fake rehearsed vaudeville act, and that would be trolling--
Here, our lil' nipper's just at the age when "Favorite" = "Best", and "Personal favorite list" = "Super Epic Ever Since the Neanderthal Cave Paintings We-Will-Conquer-With-Our-Coolness Ultimate Best list", as if that was some actual qualitative comparative yardstick.

Ah, that first rush of independent feelings; I remember those days in high school, too--The Thing always had to go on a Year's 10 Best list next to Blade Runner...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by zui

No way, you liked it even better than Branded to kill's great jazzy soundtrack?
I'll have to admit the first time I heard the Tokyo Drifter theme I felt it was a bit too cheesy, okay I still feel the same way about it but I've somehow grown to like it, despite or for its cheesiness... I don't know.^^



Ok, now she said it. I'm beginning to think that it was just a very elaborate joke, though.

I like cheesy 1960s novelty pop and Asian garage rock. I listen to Josie and the Pu.ssycats, The Banana Splits, Nancy Sit, Sakura and the Quests, and Ronnie Ong, just to name a few. I have a ton of obscuro/novelty 1960s music like that. That's why I'm more partial to it. I'm not knocking the Branded to Kill soundtrack at all, I'm just more "in-tune" with the Tokyo Drifter one, because I listen to so much of it now anyways.

[ShellOilJunior]

I sent in my WHITE disc this past weekend. I'd expect a replacement to be at my door before next Saturday.

Criterion usually hustles on things like this.

Now to send the MY FAIR LADY disc back to CBS....