The Criterion Collection

[SlickDamian]

Just placed my B&N order:

Watership Down
Safe
The Fisher King
Ride the Pink Horse
Friends of Eddie Coyle
The Killers

[mja345]

"Black Moon" is a bit of a chore to get through. Compare it to another film that gets classified as a LSD-inspired "trippy" movie: "The Holy Mountain". "The Holy Mountain", for as ****ed up as the imagery is at times, retains a remarkable level of coherence for as bizarre as it is. That's why it's such a brilliant film. "Black Moon", unfortunately, devolves into incoherence. I'm fine with non-linear narratives or playing with the viewer's head (Altman's masterful "3 Women"), but pure incoherence can be difficult to sit through.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Black Moon" is a bit of a chore to get through. Compare it to another film that gets classified as a LSD-inspired "trippy" movie: "The Holy Mountain". "The Holy Mountain", for as ****ed up as the imagery is at times, retains a remarkable level of coherence for as bizarre as it is. That's why it's such a brilliant film. "Black Moon", unfortunately, devolves into incoherence. I'm fine with non-linear narratives or playing with the viewer's head (Altman's masterful "3 Women"), but pure incoherence can be difficult to sit through.

Black Moon is one of the worst films ever made.

[Ray Jackson]

Question for you guys:

If you had to make a short list of the headiest films you've ever bought from Criterion, what would they be?

By headiest, I mean films that made you think about something--big ideas, scientific ideas, philosophical ideas, abstract narratives, esoteric stories etc.

Which films challenged your mind the most in some way?

[JulesAndJim]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Black Moon is one of the worst films ever made.

Do you have an actual metric to prove this, or are you just frustrated that you didn't understand it?

[The Great Owl]

I finally got a chance to take a break from my moving to a new place to revisit the 1964 Don Siegel version of The Killers by way of the new Blu-ray after having revisited Robert Siodmak's 1946 version a few days back.

The high definition presentation of this made-for-TV Siegel film accentuates what the leaflet essay refers to as the "tackiness" of the 1960s aesthetics in terms of automobiles, interior decorating, and construction, almost to the point where certain objects, while real, have the look of Thunderbirds-esque models and certain scenes look blatantly like sound-stages that were built within minutes. It doesn't look bad, by any stretch, and, in fact, the movie looks downright wonderful on Blu-ray, but it does have a fun "ultra-real" appearance to it.

I love this movie. Angie Dickinson, who was one of cinema's greatest beauties, does not quite have the femme fatale allure of Ava Gardner in the 1946 film, but she is quite fetching in a colorful way, especially in the context of that decade. John Cassavetes is a great here, and he has just the right touch of resigned cynicism for his character. President Ronald Reagan, who is the most unlikely person to portray an outright villain, is icy and fantastic in his role. Lee Marvin, of course, is superb in all of his glorious toughness.

I prefer the 1946 version of The Killers out of the two on this Blu-ray, but they're both quintessential Criterion titles in my book, and they are perfect to show different sides of the coin in terms of how classic-era 1940s film noir morphed into post-noir 1960s decor. Film noir was filled with women who are really beautiful, but ultimately no good at all for the "Average Joe" guy, and these two stories shine as such.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I finally got a chance to take a break from my moving to a new place to revisit the 1964 Don Siegel version of The Killers by way of the new Blu-ray after having revisited Robert Siodmak's 1946 version a few days back.

The high definition presentation of this made-for-TV Siegel film accentuates what the leaflet essay refers to as the "tackiness" of the 1960s aesthetics in terms of automobiles, interior decorating, and construction, almost to the point where certain objects, while real, have the look of Thunderbirds-esque models and certain scenes look blatantly like sound-stages that were built within minutes. It doesn't look bad, by any stretch, and, in fact, the movie looks downright wonderful on Blu-ray, but it does have a fun "ultra-real" appearance to it.

I love this movie. Angie Dickinson, who was one of cinema's greatest beauties, does not quite have the femme fatale allure of Ava Gardner in the 1946 film, but she is quite fetching in a colorful way, especially in the context of that decade. John Cassavetes is a great here, and he has just the right touch of resigned cynicism for his character. President Ronald Reagan, who is the most unlikely person to portray an outright villain, is icy and fantastic in his role. Lee Marvin, of course, is superb in all of his glorious toughness.

I prefer the 1946 version of The Killers out of the two on this Blu-ray, but they're both quintessential Criterion titles in my book, and they are perfect to show different sides of the coin in terms of how classic-era 1940s film noir morphed into post-noir 1960s decor. Film noir was filled with women who are really beautiful, but ultimately no good at all for the "Average Joe" guy, and these two stories shine as such.

I definitely prefer the '46 version as well, but the '64 version is very entertaining. Ronald Reagan was pretty decent in it, although it's bizarre watching Reagan on screen.

Angie Dickinson was incredibly sexy in her prime. I saw her recently in the bizarre "Pretty Maids All In a Row" and she just looked absolutely amazing in that film.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

It's not Criterion, but seeing as you like A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, I would recommend getting Julie Taymor's ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (2007) for its amazing use of Beatles songs to construct the plot and characters, besides the performances worked into the story. Plus, it has stunningly beautiful HD imagery and a great soundtrack.

It's worth it just for Joe Cocker doing "Come Together" or Eddie Izzard doing "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite". Everything else is gravy.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Question for you guys:

If you had to make a short list of the headiest films you've ever bought from Criterion, what would they be?

By headiest, I mean films that made you think about something--big ideas, scientific ideas, philosophical ideas, abstract narratives, esoteric stories etc.

Which films challenged your mind the most in some way?

Easy one. Last Year at Marienbad.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Question for you guys:

If you had to make a short list of the headiest films you've ever bought from Criterion, what would they be?

By headiest, I mean films that made you think about something--big ideas, scientific ideas, philosophical ideas, abstract narratives, esoteric stories etc.

Which films challenged your mind the most in some way?

Ones that come to mind off the top of my head are:

Antonioni's trilogy.

Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, especially Red.

Tree of Life

Persona

Hiroshima mon amour


Then there are ones I still only have on DVD:

The Double Life of Veronique

8 1/2


I'm sure there are others. But off the top of my head, those those are the ones.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Black Moon is one of the worst films ever made.

In your opinion, of course

However, you could not be more wrong in your dismissal. The film is brilliant (in my opinion, of course). That doesn't mean you have to like it, or find it rewatchable enough to be worth buying or keeping it in your collection. There are plenty of well-made, metaphor heavy, and considered by many to be both deep and difficult to comprehend films open to interpretation that I personally don't much care for (Persona being one), but I would never call them one of the worst films ever made. To do so says more about the viewer than the film. I need to rewatch Persona, but I understand that. It is undeniably beautiful, but ponderous and difficult to grasp for me on a first viewing. It might click for me, or it may never do so. But I am okay with that and don't feel the need to bash it to others who are seeking understanding or have never seen it.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by jmclick

I got totally spoiled yesterday on my birthday. My family members have ordered me:

Broadcast News
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
The Long Day Closes
The Night Porter
People on Sunday

and I received enough cash and B&N gift cards to buy another dozen Criterions next week before the sale ends. It was quite a nice and unexpected surprise ... usually I get a couple of shirts, some new socks and one or two pieces of antique Vaseline glass, which is more than enough. I have the best family ever!

Happy belated Birthday

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Easy one. Last Year at Marienbad.

I was afraid someone was going to say that.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Ones that come to mind off the top of my head are:

Antonioni's trilogy.

Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, especially Red.

Tree of Life

Persona

Hiroshima mon amour


Then there are ones I still only have on DVD:

The Double Life of Veronique

8 1/2


I'm sure there are others. But off the top of my head, those those are the ones.

Three Colors intrigues me.

Expensive...but possibly worth a blind buy?

What makes it thought provoking for you?

PS...you need to upgrade on 8 1/2...masterful black and white blu transfer.

[Will G]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Question for you guys:

If you had to make a short list of the headiest films you've ever bought from Criterion, what would they be?

By headiest, I mean films that made you think about something--big ideas, scientific ideas, philosophical ideas, abstract narratives, esoteric stories etc.

Which films challenged your mind the most in some way?

Picnic At Hanging Rock, Solaris, The Tin Drum

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Will G

Picnic At Hanging Rock, Solaris, The Tin Drum

I'm watching Picnic At Hanging Rock tonight for the first time.

...it's exciting.

[Will G]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I'm watching Picnic At Hanging Rock tonight for the first time.

...it's exciting.

Good choice, it's one of my all time favorites.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I was afraid someone was going to say that.

Why afraid? It's an excellent film.

[Dislimb]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Did you purposely order two copies of A Hard Days Night?

Sure did. The extra copy is a gift for my dad.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Why afraid? It's an excellent film.

1. It's out of print on Criterion.

2. I've seen it once and I don't think I'm smart enough to crack that code.