Can't decide which Criterion to buy -- any recommendations?
 

Ok, I just recently received a $20 gc for Father's Day, and wanted to put that towards a Criterion I'd wanted to get but held off due to the price. For $15-16 I think I can swing it. Mainly I'm looking to choose between 3 of them that all look good and none of which I've ever seen before.

The films I'm most interested in are:
Straw Dogs
The Killers
Do The Right Thing

Out of those, and based on my current DVD collection and your personal thoughts, which movie would you recommend would be the best one for me to pick? Thanks much for any suggestions. Feel free to suggest alternatives if you wish, as well.

Each of them is a good choice. Straw Dogs is a great movie (although it appeals to older sensibilities of filmwatching. Slow buildup to a phenomenal conclusion and all that), and the DVD has a good commentary as well as that great Peckinpah documentary on the second disc.

The Killers has two films: one great, one interesting, and some interesting supplements. The 40s film is obviously superior and worth getting on its own, while the 60s telemovie definitely has its merits.

Do The Right Thing is a modern classic with fine extras as well. Arguably Spike TV's...er, Spike Lee's best film (damn, I always get them confused) in a great DVD set.

Of the three, I prefer Straw Dogs, but I'm a Peckinpah devotee. In totality, you can't go wrong with any of them. You might want to consider Kurosawa's Throne of Blood as well. Of all the Criterion's I've picked up this year, it's my favorite based on the movie alone. It pales the others in terms of extras, but in terms of movie-quality it's a doozie!

Do The Right Thing!!!

of those 3, i would get Straw Dogs hands down.

Two votes for Straw Dogs, sounds good so far. I've been wanting to check that out ever since I heard of it.

Another vote for Straw Dogs.

Straw Dogs all the way :up:

I've already listened to the commentary twice. Stephen Prince IS the man!

Without wanting to sound repetative i too would go for 'Straw Dogs'....the commentary has already been praised in an earlier post and add on top the excellent 80min or so Peckinpah documentary....'do the right thing' and buy Straw Dogs :D

Wow, going on your advice I went and picked up Straw Dogs tonight for $11.49 on my way home from work. Hopefully I'll get the chance to watch it tonight.

11.49???? How did you get it that cheap?

I haven't seen it for cheaper than 35.99 around here!

The store I went to had it for $29.99 so I used my $20 gc towards it. :D

In cases like this, I always recommend buying a movie you like, not a Criterion just for the namesake.

How about Kurosawa's Rashomon.

Well like I said, I'd been wanting to check out any of those three movies but hadn't because of the cost, and I don't rent DVDs at all. I don't buy movies just because of the prestige brought upon by whichever studio releases it. I can see your point though, too.

I watched it tonight, then watched it again with the commentary. I now feel very uncomfortable.

It's a real kick in the nads, huh? :) How did it make you feel uncomfortable?