The Criterion Collection

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

IScottie - You should look into The Story of Film: An Odyssey. My wife and I consider ourselves film novices and this was our way of taking a short film class together at our own pace.

I would only, only recommend watching that for the clips of films that might interest you, not as a place to start one's personal film education. That guy has a lot of ideas, many of them arbitrary opinions which he presents as facts.

Do not take everything, or even half, of what he says as gospel.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

IScottie - You should look into The Story of Film: An Odyssey. My wife and I consider ourselves film novices and this was our way of taking a short film class together at our own pace.

All you need is David Cook's book "The History of Narrative Film." It's perhaps the most comprehensive study ever made on the subject of worldwide cinema and its history.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by retablo

All you need is David Cook's book "The History of Narrative Film." It's perhaps the most comprehensive study ever made on the subject of worldwide cinema and its history.

Books don't have film clips!

[retablo]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Books don't have film clips!

No, but they have pictures, which is 1 frame of a film clip.

[Abdrewes]

As far as good Intro to Film books, I reccomend David Bordwell's Fim Art.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by retablo

All you need is David Cook's book "The History of Narrative Film." It's perhaps the most comprehensive study ever made on the subject of worldwide cinema and its history.

I took a quick look on Amazon, and this looks like a thorough read. I might spring for a used copy at some point, since that book is quite expensive to buy brand new on that site.

I have never taken a film history course before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

All you need is David Cook's book "The History of Narrative Film." It's perhaps the most comprehensive study ever made on the subject of worldwide cinema and its history.

Is there a significant difference between the third and fourth editions?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

As far as good Intro to Film books, I reccomend David Bordwell's Fim Art.

I second this recommendation, even though the edition I read had Collateral on it.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by sethdlh

They're all on the list and most are of more importance to see before IOAW. The purchase was more of scratching the CC itch than anything haha

That's awesome. I hope you enjoy your trek into the sublime world of Antonioni.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I second this recommendation, even though the edition I read had Collateral on it.

Mine has a still of Chingking Express

However, Collateral does have a significant place in film history

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Is there a significant difference between the third and fourth editions?

No clue. I own the first edition.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Mine has a still of Chingking Express

However, Collateral does have a significant place in film history

just out of curiosity, what is the significant place? I'm not doubting, I like the movie a lot, and I'm interested in thinking about how it fits into the wider field and the arc of Mann's work. Anyways, just curious if you get a chance.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

just out of curiosity, what is the significant place? I'm not doubting, I like the movie a lot, and I'm interested in thinking about how it fits into the wider field and the arc of Mann's work. Anyways, just curious if you get a chance.

Solely for its use of digital cinematography, it was a groundbreaker in that regard.

I like the film, but it wasn't until Miami Vice that he truly unearthed all of the virtues of shooting on digital. The contrast in that film is incredible and recalls the work of Wong Kar Wai and Michaelangelo Antonioni. The look of its characters being engulfed by their surroundings, in specifc the sky, is overwhelming for me and speaks tomes more than its admittedly sketchy plot. Also, Colin Farrel has the greatest hair in the history of mankind

We need Thief now!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

No clue. I own the first edition.

Thanks, I'm gonna order the second edition for $4 on Amazon.

[SammyJankis]

The cinematography is the only praise I can give for Collateral.

Still need to see Thief.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

The cinematography is the only praise I can give for Collateral.

Still need to see Thief.

Double

Thief ranks alongside Heat as Mann's most easily accessible work. I haven't seen The Keep, but he has never made a poor film in my estimation.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Double

Thief ranks alongside Heat as Mann's most easily accessible work. I haven't seen The Keep, but he has never made a poor film in my estimation.

The Keep is his worst film by far. The rumor is that he dislikes it as well, and that he's the one keeping it from even having a DVD release, but I'm not sure he had enough clout in his contract back then (or even now) to do that. The book is a pretty outstanding horror story... but the film is rather abysmal. That said, I've only seen it once, years ago, and never in OAR.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Solely for its use of digital cinematography, it was a groundbreaker in that regard.

I like the film, but it wasn't until Miami Vice that he truly unearthed all of the virtues of shooting on digital. The contrast in that film is incredible and recalls the work of Wong Kar Wai and Michaelangelo Antonioni. The look of its characters being engulfed by their surroundings, in specifc the sky, is overwhelming for me and speaks tomes more than its admittedly sketchy plot. Also, Colin Farrel has the greatest hair in the history of mankind

We need Thief now!

cool, thanks for this perspective. It's helpful - Collateral has for me always been one where I'm more on the fence, compared to other Mann stuff (agreed - we need Thief now) and I definitely see its merits.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

The Keep is his worst film by far. The rumor is that he dislikes it as well, and that he's the one keeping it from even having a DVD release, but I'm not sure he had enough clout in his contract back then (or even now) to do that. The book is a pretty outstanding horror story... but the film is rather abysmal. That said, I've only seen it once, years ago, and never in OAR.

That's what I've heard, but I still want to see it in its original OAR as I've read some of the settings are visually arresting.

Maybe Criterion can get Mann to recut it and release it as an extra on the Thief blu ray.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

cool, thanks for this perspective. It's helpful - Collateral has for me always been one where I'm more on the fence, compared to other Mann stuff (agreed - we need Thief now) and I definitely see its merits.

Even more on the fence than Public Enemies or Miami Vice? I know quite a few people who fell off the Mann-dwagon upon seeing those.