The Criterion Collection

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by jw007

Actually, he did include LYAM and TTRL on the page before (there are 2 pages in the article).

How anyone can like that thing is beyond me, it took everything I had to sit through it...Hey everyone, here is the movie it two lines, Man says "Did I met you here last year", girl replies "No", man asks again "You sure I didn't meet you here last year", girl replies again "No". Cut to hallway shots....Guy asks "Did I meet you here last year", girl replies "No"....cut to more hallways and clock shots, "You sure I didn't meet you here last year" and repeat 100 times.

[zoodermin]

After some delay, my second batch of the Amazon sale finally arrived! Now I just have to wait for the B&N sale to buy some more!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

^^^
I'm not a big fan of Bevret's criticism, so...

Plus, those wouldn't crack my personal top 15. They are definitely all safe choices though.

I think that this is a superb list, especially for those who may be new to Criterion. It's too bad that Last Year at Marienbad is out of print, because it's one of the most demanding movies out there, but it is also a good introduction to what the Criterion Collection has to offer.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It's too bad that Last Year at Marienbad is out of print, because it's one of the most demanding movies out there, but it is also a good introduction to what the Criterion Collection has to offer.

Owl, come on... why you may enjoy it, it is by far not a good title for anyone new to criterion to start with. It it one of the most alienating movies of all time.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

How anyone can like that thing is beyond me, it took everything I had to sit through it...Hey everyone, here is the movie it two lines, Man says "Did I met you here last year", girl replies "No", man asks again "You sure I didn't meet you here last year", girl replies again "No". Cut to hallway shots....Guy asks "Did I meet you here last year", girl replies "No"....cut to more hallways and clock shots, "You sure I didn't meet you here last year" and repeat 100 times.

I consider Last Year at Marienbad to be the ultimate art house movie. So one just cannot watch this expecting a typical film with a plot and dialogue. No, this is one of those movies you just have to go in with zero expectations. If the laconic dialogue and what little there is makes no sense, just watch a David Lynch film like Inland Empire and you will see just how frustrating it is if you're trying to rationally interpret an intentionally irrational film. LYAM is a waking dream, its about mood and emotion and atmosphere and this is where the film excels.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I think that this is a superb list, especially for those who may be new to Criterion. It's too bad that Last Year at Marienbad is out of print, because it's one of the most demanding movies out there, but it is also a good introduction to what the Criterion Collection has to offer.

It's a safe and solid list with all of the usual suspects (Godard, Fellini, Kurosawa, Bergman) and their films. I think the fact that there are two Clouzot films on the list makes it good too.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Owl, come on... why you may enjoy it, it is by far not a good title for anyone new to criterion to start with. It it one of the most alienating movies of all time.

It's a demanding movie, but I wouldn't consider it to be an alienating movie.

I believe that Last Year at Marienbad would be a good starter for a new Criterion collector because it's not offensive to sensibilities, but it does compel most viewers to venture outside their cinematic comfort zone.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It's a demanding movie, but I wouldn't consider it to be an alienating movie.

I believe that Last Year at Marienbad would be a good starter for a new Criterion collector because it's not offensive to sensibilities, but it does compel most viewers to venture outside their cinematic comfort zone.

I agree, even though I'm not the biggest fan of that film.

I think The 400 Blows is another good introduction.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by jw007

I consider Last Year at Marienbad to be the ultimate art house movie. So one just cannot watch this expecting a typical film with a plot and dialogue. No, this is one of those movies you just have to go in with zero expectations. If the laconic dialogue and what little there is makes no sense, just watch a David Lynch film like Inland Empire and you will see just how frustrating it is if you're trying to rationally interpret an intentionally irrational film. LYAM is a waking dream, its about mood and emotion and atmosphere and this is where the film excels.

Agreed that it does have mood, emotion, and atmosphere but I personally need more than that in a film. I need at least a little string to grab at. It is a matter of opinion really but this film definitely divides the aisles, people really love it and people really hate it but I guess you could say that about many unique films though. That being said it was a dreadfully painful hour and a half for me.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by starman15317

Breathless is the only Godard film I've seen so far and I didn't care for it. I was afraid that my opinion was an unpopular one.

Don't give up on Godard. His films are kind of a continuance of eachother. Each Godard you see, the more you understand him, and it actually strengthens your appreciation for the previous films you've seen that you may have not liked. Atleast check out Pierrot Le Fou and Vivre Sa Vie before giving up on him.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I hated 8 1/2. I'm not quite sure why it's so highly rated.

Also, I started watching Breathless but I wasn't into it so I shut it off. I'll have to retry it soon when I'm more in the mood for it.

I really can't comprehend how anyone couldn't like 8 1/2. It's one of the few totally perfect films ever made. Can't find a single flaw with it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Agreed that it does have mood, emotion, and atmosphere but I personally need more than that in a film. I need at least a little string to grab at. It is a matter of opinion really but this film definitely divides the aisles, people really love it and people really hate it but I guess you could say that about many unique films though. That being said it was a dreadfully painful hour and a half for me.

I will be honest with you. I recently bought this on blu-ray after I found it was going out of print. I was pretty much falling asleep about 40 minutes into the film. Granted, I watched this late at night, but if a movie keeps my attention it can usually keep me awake regardless. So I wanted to love this film but it was so devoid of substance that I immediately was turned off by LYAM. I want to revisit this movie again, but the style over substance technique is not for me.

With all this said, I still think its a very peculiar and original film and though the film didn't do anything for me in terms of brain stimulation, I did admire some of the tracking shots and amazing production design.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It's a demanding movie, but I wouldn't consider it to be an alienating movie.

I believe that Last Year at Marienbad would be a good starter for a new Criterion collector because it's not offensive to sensibilities, but it does compel most viewers to venture outside their cinematic comfort zone.

That is where I was coming from thinking it would not be a good starter disc because it takes a lot of people outside of their cinematic comfort zone(for me personally too far, but that is ok that is just me). I personally think it would be better to ease your way in with like with titles like 12 Angry Men, Rosemary's Baby, then maybe some Bergman or Fellini.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I agree, even though I'm not the biggest fan of that film.

I think The 400 Blows is another good introduction.

Another film along the same lines-My Life As a Dog.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

I really can't comprehend how anyone couldn't like 8 1/2. It's one of the few totally perfect films ever made. Can't find a single flaw with it.

See unique films can really divide. I absolutely love 8 1/2 as well, there are many things I love about the film but I think what I love most of all is the theatrical feel is has at times which I find extremely entertaining, for this same reason I think is what I love about many of Bergman's early films. However some don't enjoy it, like iScottie for example, and I can understand why but I think iScottie should revisit the film because given his liking towards other films I have seen him mention I think he might find something he really likes the second time around(but maybe not).

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

See unique films can really divide. I absolutely love 8 1/2 as well, there are many things I love about the film but I think what I love most of all is the theatrical feel is has at times which I find extremely entertaining, for this same reason I think is what I love about many of Bergman's early films. However some don't enjoy it, like iScottie for example, and I can understand why but I think iScottie should revisit the film because given his liking towards other films I have seen him mention I think he might find something he really likes the second time around(but maybe not).

I plan on rewatching it as I go through my Criterions in the near future.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by jw007

I will be honest with you. I recently bought this on blu-ray after I found it was going out of print. I was pretty much falling asleep about 40 minutes into the film. Granted, I watched this late at night, but if a movie keeps my attention it can usually keep me awake regardless. So I wanted to love this film but it was so devoid of substance that I immediately was turned off by LYAM. I want to revisit this movie again, but the style over substance technique is not for me.

With all this said, I still think its a very peculiar and original film and though the film didn't do anything for me in terms of brain stimulation, I did admire some of the tracking shots and amazing production design.

I also watched it late at night and I was no lie literally smacking the side of my face to stay awake as if I were a trucker driver at 4 in the morning on a highway after a long night. I too while admire style a very great deal, I value substance more, and to me storytelling should be the first and foremost aspect of a film(not everyone agrees on that of course), and if you can bring unique style in too then all the better.

[The Great Owl]

Now, if I had to name one single Criterion title that I believe functions best as an introduction to the Collection, I'd have to go with Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. This is a shining example of a movie that has name recognition, but also has enough "arthouse" nuance to steer a viewer into unfamiliar territories.

Incidentally, when I was attending the theatrical screenings of Dr. No and From Russia with Love this week, I talked for a short while with the theater owner to thank him for putting the Bond showings together. He told me that they were about to announce a big screen showing of Seven Samurai.
As a wise man once said, "I'd hit that."

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

I also watched it late at night and I was no lie literally smacking the side of my face to stay awake as if I were a trucker driver at 4 in the morning on a highway after a long night. I too while admire style a very great deal, I value substance more, and to me storytelling should be the first and foremost aspect of a film(not everyone agrees on that of course), and if you can bring unique style in too then all the better.

I saw it late t night too, but my experience was different. I found myself thinking, "I should be falling asleep, but these images are just too striking to do so." Like I have said in the past, motivated style is key. Does the form align with function? Is the way it is being told further the narrative, or better yet, complicate or endeepen it? If yes, i am witnessing a masterpiece.

Last Year at Marienbad was one of those films for me.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't J. Rosenbaum deem it the greatest film of all time (if he had to choose one)?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Now, if I had to name one single Criterion title that I believe functions best as an introduction to the Collection, I'd have to go with Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai.

This.

I see the merit to 'easing somebody in' with 12 Angry Men or Rosemary's Baby or the like but as much I love the job they did truth be told MGM or Paramount could have put out perfectly good releases as well. There's nothing particularly 'Criterion' about those titles.

Seven Samurai really hits all the notes that Criterion so valuable. Meticulous presentation, a really film, a very important/influential film, a film that might not make it onto US shelves otherwise (welllll, that one might be a stretch but only a small one)...

And it's hands down the most easily accessible three hour long black-and-white subtitled film out there.

It's kind of a comfort zone trojan horse. People think they're going outside their comfort zones but it's not nearly as exotic or foreign as it might seem at first glance.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

I also watched it late at night and I was no lie literally smacking the side of my face to stay awake as if I were a trucker driver at 4 in the morning on a highway after a long night. I too while admire style a very great deal, I value substance more, and to me storytelling should be the first and foremost aspect of a film(not everyone agrees on that of course), and if you can bring unique style in too then all the better.

I had the exact opposite experience with Marienbad. It kept me riveted late at night as I was very tired. I actually watched it again with my GF the very next night. Love it.