The Criterion Collection

[dynel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Rififi might be a good fit for you.

Thanks! My eye has also been on Judex for a while, although this one seems less straightforward it looks really impressive. Do you recommend?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by ngower

Any impressions of The Long Day Closes? I'm just now discovering it but it sounds RIGHT up my alley. Want to know more of what to expect, though, given the comments on Davies' stream-of-consciousness style of directing. Could he be likened to Malick in that regard? Just trying to understand what people mean by that...?

I love it, it is slow and can come across as boring to some, but for me I loved the pacing and the visuals.

It is similar to Malick but slower pace, not seen in a while so can;t be certain - really ant to watch again though

It is a very personal film to director, a bit like Malick films.

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by dynel

Thanks! My eye has also been on Judex for a while, although this one seems less straightforward it looks really impressive. Do you recommend?

I know you were asking Owl (and you are wise to do so), but if I can put my 2 cents in:
Rififi is the better of the two if you are only going to buy one. It is a great suspensful, French crime/heist movie. I love that film.
If you are considering buying both, I would recommend Judex as well. It tickled me to see just how beautiful the filming was on this one, especially the first half. As it gets near the end it gets more cliched and predictable, but I still like it.
I am the proud owner of both.

[ultlife2013]

Just get Rififi!

[bluesilo]

Watched my first picture from the new Jacques Demy set. While I've seen Young Girls at Rochefort early this year, I decided I'd go in order and start with Lola. I was not the biggest fan of the film. It was fine sure, but the available print is really blurry at some points and the story doesn't resonate with me all that well.

Anyone watch it and really feel blown away? Just looking for general thoughts.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by dynel

Thanks! My eye has also been on Judex for a while, although this one seems less straightforward it looks really impressive. Do you recommend?

I'm not sure what you mean by 'less straightforward'.

With Rififi what you see is exactly what you get. It's the heist movie.

It's fantastic.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Thanks Pro-B! Do you know when the last of the Demy set reviews will be up?

Hi hustlermane,

Yes, completing all special features tonight and tomorrow will have the final disc covered.

Pro-B

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by bluesilo

Watched my first picture from the new Jacques Demy set. While I've seen Young Girls at Rochefort early this year, I decided I'd go in order and start with Lola. I was not the biggest fan of the film. It was fine sure, but the available print is really blurry at some points and the story doesn't resonate with me all that well.

Anyone watch it and really feel blown away? Just looking for general thoughts.

I liked LOLA it was the first title I watched also.. I knew not to expect much from the trasnfer that was given to Criterion and yeah the transfer is really bad... but I did like the film. Depends on what mood you are in when you watch it also... but it has a fun light tone even when you think life is going to get real in the movie outlooks change.

Maybe Criterion will ready the Agnes Varda set for BLU. I would love to see Le Bonheur (1965) in HD. I just love that film of hers. I can't say I've ever seen anything quite like it the films colors tone and story. This is one of my favorites.

Last nite I went back into my Pierre Etaix set and watched Le Grand Amour and I liked it a lot. Great transfer and color. also a lot of fun.. some of the sequences were genius! Speaking of Pierre Etaix I totally forgot he is also in PickPocket! (Also a great new Criterion BLU upgrade!)

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by ngower

Any impressions of The Long Day Closes? I'm just now discovering it but it sounds RIGHT up my alley. Want to know more of what to expect, though, given the comments on Davies' stream-of-consciousness style of directing. Could he be likened to Malick in that regard? Just trying to understand what people mean by that...?

I would say that the Malick film that comes to my mind after seeing The Long Day Closes is The Tree of Life, it is an autobiographical film that conveys emotions through impressionistic memories that in a way everyone could relate to at least some of them, but that as a whole doesn't really have regular narrative structure.

Also the framing of most scenes is beautiful, and in a way the film is a kind of love letter to cinema so i would highly recommend you take a look at it when you got a chance

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm not sure what you mean by 'less straightforward'.

With Rififi what you see is exactly what you get. It's the heist movie.

It's fantastic.

Yes, Rififi is as straightforward as they come. So much so that although my dad doesn't like many of the films that I enjoy and he seems to be averse to subtitles, I almost want to make him watch it. There is an English overdub track, too. I'm pretty sure that doesn't interest anyone here, but it does speak to the fact that it is very accessible.

[dynel]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I know you were asking Owl (and you are wise to do so), but if I can put my 2 cents in:
Rififi is the better of the two if you are only going to buy one. It is a great suspensful, French crime/heist movie. I love that film.
If you are considering buying both, I would recommend Judex as well. It tickled me to see just how beautiful the filming was on this one, especially the first half. As it gets near the end it gets more cliched and predictable, but I still like it.
I am the proud owner of both.

Thanks! Your 2 cents are very welcome, i'll be sure to get both

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Just get Rififi!

Will do

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm not sure what you mean by 'less straightforward'.

With Rififi what you see is exactly what you get. It's the heist movie.

It's fantastic.

Thanks, I was referring to Judex(apologies for bad grammar, i'm dutch you see ) What I meant was that in terms of storyline it seems to be more complex. Wages was based around those trucks and the hardships/camaraderie that came with it. Very easy to follow but still an awesome ride.

Judex on the other hand (from what I gather from the synopsis & trailer) seems to be a bit more layered/symbolic, e.g.: the usage of animal masks without dialogue. I don't mind complex movies but I'm looking for something similar like wages. Keep in mind though that I have never seen Judex before, so I could be way off here

[lukejosephchung]

Just got an e-mail from Criterion.com...they're processing my order for the blu-ray/DVD of "The Big Chill"(1983)and it should be in my hands by street date, July 29th...WHOO-HOO!!!

[ultlife2013]

Sometimes you just gotta make your own mind up over a certain movie, because only you know what you're into. Watch trailers, read reviews and form your own opinion on certain blind buys. Sometimes other people's biases will play into their recommendations and in the end your likes will not gel with them in the same manner.

Of course that doesn't mean to not ask opinions because someone like me has amazing taste in movies.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by dynel

Thanks, I was referring to Judex(apologies for bad grammar, i'm dutch you see ) What I meant was that in terms of storyline it seems to be more complex. Wages was based around those trucks and the hardships/camaraderie that came with it. Very easy to follow but still an awesome ride.

Ah, okay. If you're looking for an awesome ride that's easy to follow then Rififi is right up your alley. Or street. Or canal or whatever

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by dynel

Thanks! My eye has also been on Judex for a while, although this one seems less straightforward it looks really impressive. Do you recommend?

Of course I recommend Rififi, if that was what you meant. It's a great French heist film from Jules Dassin, who helmed several brilliant film noirs on these shores before he was blacklisted. The heist sequence is one of the most riveting scenes in the entire Criterion Collection, and the whole movie plays out beautifully.

I have a much longer User Review that I've posted on the movie's dedicated page here on this site.

Sadly, I cannot compare it to Judex just yet, since Judex is on my still-unwatched stack here on the shelf.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Of course I recommend Rififi, if that was what you meant. It's a great French heist film from Jules Dassin, who helmed several brilliant film noirs on these shores before he was blacklisted. The heist sequence is one of the most riveting scenes in the entire Criterion Collection, and the whole movie plays out beautifully.

I have a much longer User Review that I've posted on the movie's dedicated page here on this site.

Sadly, I cannot compare it to Judex just yet, since Judex is on my still-unwatched stack here on the shelf.

I never knew you were a fan of film noirs.

[Scottie]

Since watching Touki Bouki almost a month ago, this song (featured in the film) has consistently been stuck in my head. So catchy!

Josephine Baker - Paris...Paris, 1949 - YouTube

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I never knew you were a fan of film noirs.

I've been known to watch them from time to time.

Later tonight, though, I'll be watching The Legend of Billie Jean. Hurray for the 1980s!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I never knew you were a fan of film noirs.

Asking The Great Owl if he is a fan of film-noirs is like asking if The Pope is Catholic.

[WalterNeff]

Originally Posted by JeffTheMovieGuy

Nothing like Thief. Its more along the lines of a campy cult classic that would probably get most of its traction from small indie theaters if I were released today. Its got a Pee Wee's playhouse "**** it all" kinda vibe and full of zany "out there" characters.

I meant it was like Thief, in that it dosen't get much attention.