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I had six more CC's in my GB yesterday, and I have four today. I think I've now had every title in the sale in my Gold Box at one time or another, except for those I already own plus the following: Army of Shadows, Blow Out, and Wings of Desire have also not appeared.

I have 8 1/2 and Breathless in there today at $16 and some change.

I finally had Blow Out appear in my Gold Box this morning. I've had a number of Criterions show up in my GB all week, but mine are probably skewed because I ordered four on the very first day of sale (Mikado, Senso, Amarcord & Sweet Smell of Success). I did pick up Broadcast News and Eclipse London set in GB over the course of the week. --Peter

Huzzah, bitches! I got some CC in my GBD!

Sadly...they're not the ones I want, now I must reasearch them cuz know nothing about:

Le Cerle Rouge (actually a film I've wanted to see for some time cuz you bastards keep bringing it up)
Sweet Smell of Success
Topsy Turvy
Au Revoir Les Enfants.

Le Cercle Rouge and Au Revoir Les Enfants are must-haves.

I'll cast the odd vote against Le Cercle Rouge. I watched it last weekend and was disappointed. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood, because I've certainly enjoyed the other Melville Criterions (although still on the fence on Le Samorai - decent film, but seems to be highly overrated). Army of Shadows is probably a better place to start with Melville. --Peter

Au Revoir les Enfants is considered by many to be a bona-fide classic. I enjoyed it and look forward to watching it again someday...would probably reccommend a rental first on it.

I wanted to like Topsy-Turvy (being a G/S fan), but found it moderately tolerable (have not seen the Criterion edition). As I recall, the film assumes the viewer has some knowlege of Gilbert & Sullivan and the times they lived in. I found it difficult to keep tabs on all the characters and their interrelationships. Some of the G/S stagings were interesting, but seemed more distracting than essential to the narrative.

I picked up Sweet Smell of Success, but haven't had a chance to watch it. For me, the bonus features were as enticing as the film itself. --Peter

"Topsy-Turvy" is one of my favorite films of the last twenty years, but I don't know that I'd recommend it either if you haven't already seen it. The film, in the tradition of most of Mike Leigh's stuff, is more interested in the relationships between characters than in providing any sort of definitive biography of Gilbert and Sullivan. That's not to say that it's historically inaccurate or doesn't provide some interesting information about their lives - Leigh actually had all the major actors read up extensively on their real-life counterparts. It also contains some of the most effective, authentic evocations of setting - of its time and its place - of any historical film that I've seen. The settings and costumes feel appropriately lived-in, and it's clear that Leigh and his production team went to a lot of effort to ensure accuracy and realism in that sense.

But, in traditional Leigh fashion the film also veers away from the main protagonists for a while to give us glimpses into the lives of some of the minor characters. The stagings are, in my opinion, absolutely essential to the film, and help provide it with a lot of its texture - they're also, to me (a long-time fan of Gilbert and Sullivan), a joy to watch. To me, that digressionary, meandering narrative adds up to something quite remarkable, but it may be less interesting to others.

Anyway - to make a long story short, I'd rent the film first and then decide. It can be a very rewarding experience (I've watched it about ten times in the past five years,) but if you're not into Gilbert & Sullivan and Mike Leigh's style than it might be a bit hard to take.

-

Other than that, you can't go wrong with anything on that list, though I'd probably choose "Sweet Smell of Success" if I had to go with one. It's an incredible edition of a truly great film. The script is very sharp, and quite nasty (in the best possible way,) and the lead performances are spot on. And even if you don't love the film as much as I do, the extras are, in usual Criterion fashion, very informative and should keep you busy for quite a while.

Just ordered Wings of Desire. I've wanted that for a while and can't beat the amazon price even at the B&N sale. Actually, I'm tempted to get all three of the $17.49 titles since the other two are in my Gold Box, although 8 1/2 and Breathless weren't on top of my shopping list at the moment.

Hey amazon, you wouldn't be interested in taking 50% or so off The Wages of Fear or Night of the Hunter, by any chance? 'Cause if you would, I'll send the money your way I'd otherwise send to B&N, if they do another sale this year.

Yeah...isn't night of The Hunger like $37.49 on amazon?

Get them right now! 8 1/2 & Breathless are two of my favorite Criterion titles. I don't think that you would regret the purchase.

8 1/2 is not one of my favorite Fellini films (currently), but I do consider it essential; esp. with the extras Criterion has. Same thing for Breathless - another film that I feel is somewhat overrated (and I've decided I'm not a Godard fan)...but the extras are so insightful that you can revisit this several times before repeating anything. And by that time, you may find yourself praising it like so many others. --Peter

Certainly can't argue with either of your opinions, James and Proglodite. Don't know when I'll see $16+ for these fine editions again, so just ordered both!

I have never regretted a Criterion purchase to date (and I have ordered one or two CC titles where I don't exactly love the film, just because the Criterion extras are usually very insightful).

Thanks again for the encouragement.

I might have to say...that...if it wasn't for the extras...I'd probably have less of an interest on the films. They get some great shit.

Sadly, yes...but no matter, it shall be mine at a good price eventually. I've already bought four titles off this CC sale when I said I would limit myself to one (famous last words lol).

This is a classic movie that I just caught up with and watched recently. Such a great film with superb performances all around. Really looking forward to getting the Criterion BD.

Hey, kids, guess what? I've got SEVEN F*CKING CRITERIONS IN MY GOLD BOX QUICK PICKS TODAY!!!! Nothing I want, mind you, but the farging bastages at Amazon are now just rubbing my nose in their cruelty. Jerks.

Seven in mine as well (five yesterday, six the day before), including the BBS box. Thought I was done and they got me again.

Got 3 more as my quick picks this morning. I've spent way too much already, but might get 2 of them....

Part of me wishes that they would end the sale just to stop the temptation.

So there are movies you really want to buy from this sale, but haven't because they're not in your quick picks. Now you're thinking about blind buying some titles you had no interest in yesterday, because they're 95 cents cheaper today?

yes?

Solid Snake PAC,

I would go with Sweet Smell of Success first. I watched it in April and was quite pleased with both video and the audio. I had seen the film before (last year) and enjoyed it much more the second time around. The snappy dialogue, great score and top notch acting are worth it.

I'd go with Le Cercle Rouge second. I love both Au Revoir Les Enfants and Le Cercle Rouge. But I think the Melville film flows a bit better. They're both great though. Also Au Revoir Les Enfants is available via streaming on Netflix. So you can watch it there before blind buying.

I haven't seen Topsy Turvy so can't comment on that. Anyone care to wager an opinion on Still Walking? That's the only Criterion that has popped up in my gold box.

You are the ideal customer.

Amazon: We're not going to offer you what you really want but you can have these for a buck off. Want them?

Snake: Hell yes!

Thanks. You pushed me over the edge; I bought both. Today in my GB I have Senso, Fish Tank, and High and Low Criterion BDs. High and Low isn't on sale so that will wait until the B&N sale. Now to read a few reviews on Senso and Fish Tank.