6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
#126
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
It's a Popular Culture in the 1960's class. So I understand why Strangelove would be included. Here's the complete lineup, in case you're interested:
One, Two, Three (1961), Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Birds (1963), The Intruder (1962), Point Blank (1967), Soldier Blue (1970), Planet of the Apes (1968), Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Graduate (1967), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Easy Rider (1969), The Strawberry Statement (1970), Monterey Pop (1967)
Should be a good semester. Wish some of those Criterions movies occurred this month!
One, Two, Three (1961), Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Birds (1963), The Intruder (1962), Point Blank (1967), Soldier Blue (1970), Planet of the Apes (1968), Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Graduate (1967), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Easy Rider (1969), The Strawberry Statement (1970), Monterey Pop (1967)
Should be a good semester. Wish some of those Criterions movies occurred this month!
Seeing it now as a Sixties class, that does make a bit more sense, too!
#127
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
- The Last Laugh (Murnau)
- Sabotage (Hitchcock)
- Secret Agent (Hitchcock)
- Young & Innocent (Hitchcock)
- The Thirty-Nine Steps (Hitchcock)
- A Canterbury Tale (Powell & Pressburger)
- The Jungle Book (Korda)
- The Scarlet Pimpernel (Harold Young)
- The Divorce of Lady X (Tim Whelan)
- Q Planes (Tim Whelan)
- Lady For a Day (Capra)
- In Which We Serve
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
- The Killing (Kubrick)
- David Holzman's Diary
- The Graduate
- Annie Hall
- Carrie
- Blade Runner
- This is Spinal Tap
- Trainspotting
- Pulp Fiction
- The English Patient
- Sling Blade (Billy Bob Thornton)
- House of Games (Mamet)
#128
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Just ordered the Criterion Collection copy of Life of Brian. Hopefully, next year I'll get more Criterions throughout the year.
#129
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Anyone know if there's any eclipse titles on Netflix streaming?
#130
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
If you can find it anywhere Milky Way (out of print Criterion DVD release) is one of my favorite movies; it might be niche (surreal parody of religious controversies) but I highly recommend it to anyone who can find a copy or it streaming somewhere. Too bad Milky Way has not been re-released by whoever holds the rights to it now.
#131
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Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I watched Contempt last night and really enjoyed it. I think I like Goddard more when he is not outright trying to antagonize the audience.
#132
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
After all my pre-challenge excitement, wouldn't you know I'd be wiped out by a cold/bug of some kind all week? However, my library got in all three of my DVD requests, which means I have access to all of Martin Scorsese's Top 10 selections! Woot! I started around midnight or thereabouts with Paisa' [Paisan]. From my Letterboxd diary:
[No real spoilers, but spoiler'd for length.]
-X- 1940 - 1946
-X- 451-500 - #498
-X- Watch films in at least 5 languages. (English, German, Italian)
-X- Watch 5 films from different people in Criterion's Explore People - Roberto Rosselini
-X- Watch a film from 5 different “themes” on Criterion’s website - Italian Neorealism, Made During World War II, Tearjerkers
Read 5 essays from the Criterion booklets and/or listed here –
-X- Paisan: Alfred Hayes, Screenwriter by A.S. Hamrah
-X- Paisan: More Real Than Real by Colin MacCabe
Watch 5 Criterion supplemental interviews.
-X- New video interview with Rossellini scholar Adriano Aprà (16:56)
-X- Into the Future, a new visual essay about the War Trilogy by film scholar Tag Gallagher (30:55)
Box Set/Top 10 Lists
Roberto Rossellini's War Trilogy
John Bailey's Top 10
Martin Scorsese's Top 10
Haskell Wexler's Top 10
[No real spoilers, but spoiler'd for length.]
Spoiler:
-X- 1940 - 1946
-X- 451-500 - #498
-X- Watch films in at least 5 languages. (English, German, Italian)
-X- Watch 5 films from different people in Criterion's Explore People - Roberto Rosselini
-X- Watch a film from 5 different “themes” on Criterion’s website - Italian Neorealism, Made During World War II, Tearjerkers
Read 5 essays from the Criterion booklets and/or listed here –
-X- Paisan: Alfred Hayes, Screenwriter by A.S. Hamrah
-X- Paisan: More Real Than Real by Colin MacCabe
Watch 5 Criterion supplemental interviews.
-X- New video interview with Rossellini scholar Adriano Aprà (16:56)
-X- Into the Future, a new visual essay about the War Trilogy by film scholar Tag Gallagher (30:55)
Box Set/Top 10 Lists
Roberto Rossellini's War Trilogy
John Bailey's Top 10
Martin Scorsese's Top 10
Haskell Wexler's Top 10
Last edited by Travis McClain; 09-05-14 at 07:48 PM.
#133
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Streaming Free on Hulu This Week: Trip Around the World
#134
Moderator
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
not sure why it took so long to see Breaking the Waves first time viewing this afternoon - but I was floored.
#135
Moderator
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
UPDATED!
- The Last Laugh (Murnau)
- Sabotage (Hitchcock)
- Secret Agent (Hitchcock)
- Young & Innocent (Hitchcock)
- The Thirty-Nine Steps (Hitchcock)
- A Canterbury Tale (Powell & Pressburger)
- The Jungle Book (Korda)
- The Scarlet Pimpernel (Harold Young)
- The Divorce of Lady X (Tim Whelan)
- Q Planes (Tim Whelan)
- Lady For a Day (Capra)
- In Which We Serve
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
- The Killing (Kubrick)
- David Holzman's Diary
- The Graduate
- Annie Hall
- Carrie
- Blade Runner
- This is Spinal Tap
- Trainspotting
- Pulp Fiction
- The English Patient
- Sling Blade (Billy Bob Thornton)
- House of Games (Mamet)
#136
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I just updated that list post of all the Box Sets and Top 10 lists. It's a little more manageable now, further broken into sub-categories than before.
#137
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
It's CardiffGiant's call, but my feeling is that those non-Criterion supplements are outside the letter of the law of the challenge, but since they flesh out your understanding and perceptions of the film, they're within the spirit of the challenge. I would recommend formatting like this:
You might also want to check to see if the supplement in question appears on the Criterion edition. For instance, Disney licensed all the Criterion supplements for their Blu-ray Disc releases of Armageddon and The Rock. I think when I compared editions of Being John Malkovich last year, I saw that Criterion had re-used some, if not all, of the original DVD supplements.
- Criterion Edition Title
- Criterion Edition Title Commentary
- Non-Criterion Edition Title
Non-Criterion Edition Title Supplement
You might also want to check to see if the supplement in question appears on the Criterion edition. For instance, Disney licensed all the Criterion supplements for their Blu-ray Disc releases of Armageddon and The Rock. I think when I compared editions of Being John Malkovich last year, I saw that Criterion had re-used some, if not all, of the original DVD supplements.
I think Travis' answer is a good one and that your suggestion (regular list versus checklist) is also appropriate. I wouldn't include it in the checklist items (except for the main feature itself and any crossover supplemental material), but I think adding in "other" content is great for adding to the larger conversation about the films we're watching. When Trevor started this thing, the idea was for depth more than breadth. I think this approach (including additional material) enhances our discussion.
UNRELATED: I'll be responding to other posts later today. Sorry for the delay everyone...I'll try and be a better host the rest of the month.
#138
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I watched The Cranes Are Flying after my family went to bed. I agree that it's an excellent film, and I will have to borrow Ballad of a Soldier from the library when I get back home. The film put me in the mood for Russian and Soviet cinema so I may have to change my initial plans a bit. (I'm one of those people who plan around the checklist and make a list of films to watch.) While reading about the film, I found out that the director of Cranes also directed Letter Never Sent, one of my favorites.
#139
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Just finished watching A Hard Day's Night on Hulu Plus. I'm a bit late but it was my first Criterion movie for this challenge. I love the music and it was nice seeing the personalities of each member shine through but didn't much care about the story. Not that there was much of a story to begin with... I will eventually purchase this movie just for the music itself.
#140
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I had never gotten around to watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button before now, so I watched it today. I thought it was quite good actually, in a Forrest Gump kind of way.
I also watched Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas for the first time.
I also watched Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas for the first time.
#141
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Started watching Seven Samurai on Hulu today. But just didn't have the time to sit all the way through it. I really enjoyed what I saw though.
#142
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I watched the TV episode of No Time For Sergeants, starring Andy Griffith in his very first role, and really liked it. Seriously, watch it. It's good and I was never a big Griffith fan until now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyOI3Prkh8M
Next episode was Wind From the South. Hated that and it took multiple tries to finish a 50 minute show.
I was pulling unwatched Criterions off my shelf earlier and set the horror ones aside. Not sure why because it's not like I'd be able to watch more than one during the challenge crossover.
Next episode was Wind From the South. Hated that and it took multiple tries to finish a 50 minute show.
I was pulling unwatched Criterions off my shelf earlier and set the horror ones aside. Not sure why because it's not like I'd be able to watch more than one during the challenge crossover.
#144
Senior Member
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Mothlight is pure beauty, and The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes is also beautiful, although I am uncertain if I will be able to watch it again. There are at least a few worthy others, although most have not aged well, or were misbegotten from the onset. The disc as a whole did not convince me that he was a particularly talented filmmaker (often I was convinced that he was not a competent filmmaker).
Context is always important, and it can be difficult to watch an old movie in the way that you would have watched it at the time, but it can be useful to remember that you are not watching a movie that was made yesterday. I wouldn't recommend the Brakhage set for someone who is not obsessive about movies, but it has its moments.
#145
Senior Member
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I've been leaning toward leaving my horror re-watches (like King Kong and Cure) for the end of the month, with the aim of building the Halloween spirit as October nears.
#146
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
But the one thing that makes the set worthwhile to me are the interviews. Along with Jodorowsky, Brakhage is another one of those guys who I just love to listen to when it comes to discussing artforms....Considering that I had previously pictured him sounding super pretentious and speaking in riddle.
#147
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I'm impressed with Modern Times. The movie is still relevant after all these years in regards to industrialization and technology. One of my favourite Chaplin movie. The rest of the night was watching Pulp Fiction and The Princess Bride which are still enjoyable.
#148
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I do think that and also follow it up with, "You have to go to work in the morning and even if you didn't, you're an old man that can't stay up late."
I will admit that in small doses, I can handle some of them on their own. Watching that set from start to finish would drive me nuts. I got the set used from someone, with some other stuff, and that's the only reason I have it.
Yesterday I also squeezed in Bergman's The Magic Flute. That sure was an opera, says the guy that's never seen one before and this hasn't inspired him to sit through any others. It felt like it was 6 hours but I did it from start to finish without stopping it and I also can't say too much about what went on.
Agreed.
But the one thing that makes the set worthwhile to me are the interviews. Along with Jodorowsky, Brakhage is another one of those guys who I just love to listen to when it comes to discussing artforms....Considering that I had previously pictured him sounding super pretentious and speaking in riddle.
But the one thing that makes the set worthwhile to me are the interviews. Along with Jodorowsky, Brakhage is another one of those guys who I just love to listen to when it comes to discussing artforms....Considering that I had previously pictured him sounding super pretentious and speaking in riddle.
Yesterday I also squeezed in Bergman's The Magic Flute. That sure was an opera, says the guy that's never seen one before and this hasn't inspired him to sit through any others. It felt like it was 6 hours but I did it from start to finish without stopping it and I also can't say too much about what went on.
#149
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Was planning to watch a movie, then all of a sudden, sleepiness came onto me. The perils of middle age I guess. I hit 40 last month.
#150
Re: 6th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Yesterday I also squeezed in Bergman's The Magic Flute. That sure was an opera, says the guy that's never seen one before and this hasn't inspired him to sit through any others. It felt like it was 6 hours but I did it from start to finish without stopping it and I also can't say too much about what went on.
BTW, in case people were wondering why I haven't posted any comments/reactions in this year's list thread, it's because I honestly feel that my reviews are getting worse with age........Naw, but the truth is I that I now feel a little more safe on providing comments for Exploitation films than on Criterion selections. But I'm comfortable on posting here on the discussion thread. Go figure.