5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
#51
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Reducing GOJIRA to simply a science fiction movie or a monster movie is like calling WEST SIDE STORY a teen musical, SEVEN SAMURAI a swashbuckler, or THE SEARCHERS a cowboy movie. It's not just a genre film. It's a portrait of a nation and its reaction to a trauma that no other nation on the globe experienced ever.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
The #3 "related film" on Criterion's website is I Live in Fear, which is a really underrated Kurosawa film that deals with the aftermath of World War II.
#52
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Reducing GOJIRA to simply a science fiction movie or a monster movie is like calling WEST SIDE STORY a teen musical, SEVEN SAMURAI a swashbuckler, or THE SEARCHERS a cowboy movie. It's not just a genre film. It's a portrait of a nation and its reaction to a trauma that no other nation on the globe experienced ever.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
#53
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
For me, the criticisms levied at the film don't make sense and probably reek of that elitism others have mentioned. Some don't like seeing mainstream films in the collection, and I understand that feeling, but I like seeing good films in the best condition, with the most supplemental material that I can. This release does that and I think it's a solid film.
Reducing GOJIRA to simply a science fiction movie or a monster movie is like calling WEST SIDE STORY a teen musical, SEVEN SAMURAI a swashbuckler, or THE SEARCHERS a cowboy movie. It's not just a genre film. It's a portrait of a nation and its reaction to a trauma that no other nation on the globe experienced ever.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
This all reminds me that Godzilla makes a few cameos in Millennium Actress. That's another film that needs to watched by any movie lover who hasn't seen it. Too bad Criterion never dips into animated features.
#54
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Gojira is definitely an excellent movie, and that's coming from someone who has little to no interest in kaiju films in general. While I think the American version is seriously lacking in some ways, it is interesting to see the two versions in order to compare and contrast. I will also say that the Criterion release has some great special features (and great packaging!). I found the David Kalat commentaries on both versions to be highly informative and entertaining.
#55
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
When I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I was blown away and enjoyed every minute of the film. Then I got online and was completely blown away by how many people hated it. I suppose it is a polarizing film. I couldn't resist the $5 BD, but haven't been able to part with my DVD copy yet.
This reminds me: there is one film eligible for this challenge and the Animated Challenge. Akira was released on Laserdisc and would qualify as a film not released by Criterion on DVD/BD.
#56
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Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I go heaviest on TV, Sci-Fi, and holiday. I always "register" for the other challenges and get credit when I slip an eligible title in, but sometimes that's only a handful over the month. Criterion, Oscars, B movie--all categories I dig, but due to circumstances I can't go all out for.
#57
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Reducing GOJIRA to simply a science fiction movie or a monster movie is like calling WEST SIDE STORY a teen musical, SEVEN SAMURAI a swashbuckler, or THE SEARCHERS a cowboy movie. It's not just a genre film. It's a portrait of a nation and its reaction to a trauma that no other nation on the globe experienced ever.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
Hello? Are there any other GOJIRA fans in here to back me up?
Don't be shy, guys, help me out here.
No need to make the case for it. I'm already aware of the thematic value and allegorical points, etc. That's really the only context that makes it interesting to me. I'll get around to it one day, but I'm in no rush. Way too many movies that I'm excited to finally see ahead of it!
#58
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I see that nearly all the Zatoichi movies are now Criterionized. It'll be nice to have some action breaks in between the usually slow, moody stuff that I (Or we) encounter in this challenge.
#59
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Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Ok so I worked on a viewing list during work today. Based on the checklist as it stands now these films should allow me to complete it.
A Canterbury Tale
Akira
Amarcord
The Atomic Submarine
Band of Outsiders
Che
Corridors of Blood
Le doulos
Europa
First Man into Space
The Forgiveness of Blood
Geometria
The Haunted Strangler
Kes
L’avventura
Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Lola
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Repo Man
Sanjuro
Stagecoach
That Obscure Object of Desire
The Third Man
Young Törless
A Canterbury Tale
Akira
Amarcord
The Atomic Submarine
Band of Outsiders
Che
Corridors of Blood
Le doulos
Europa
First Man into Space
The Forgiveness of Blood
Geometria
The Haunted Strangler
Kes
L’avventura
Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Lola
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Repo Man
Sanjuro
Stagecoach
That Obscure Object of Desire
The Third Man
Young Törless
#60
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Of the movies on your list, I've only seen three so far: Amarcord, Stagecoach and The Third Man. I enjoyed all three. Probably Amarcord the most, then The Third Man. I'll warn you now: I couldn't go an hour after watching The Third Man before I had to buy the title music from Amazon.
#61
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I went ahead and finalized-ish the checklist based on the feedback in the thread thus far. The highlights include:
1. A merging of the 1920s and 1930s and a merging of the 2000s and the 2010s. Anyone looking to spike the football a bit should feel free to keep them separated.
2. The removal of the Criterion Top 10 Directors as a subsection and the addition of Watch 5 Films from different people in Criterion's "Explore People" section.
3. The removal of the Watch a Film Which Won and Academy Award. That check is now redundant-ish because of the Themes subsection (one such "Theme" is Academy Award Winners).
4. The addition of Reading 5 Essays from the Criterion booklets/website.
5. The addition of Watching 5 Criterion supplemental interviews.
6. The addition of Watching a Trailer.
7. Slight word changes for clarity.
All of these changes are reflected in Post #1 of this thread and will be noted in Post #1 (or #2) of the List Thread, when it is created.
Please note: I still need to linkify (I can't remember if that's a Trevor term or a Travis term?) to some of the Criterion lists, so it remains a work in progress.
For my own list, I've put together an excel spreadsheet with Spine Number, Title, Year, and Language. I just went through the collection, and my unwatched pile, and then sorted by spine number. It really does help with what is becoming the overwhelming size of the collection.
1. A merging of the 1920s and 1930s and a merging of the 2000s and the 2010s. Anyone looking to spike the football a bit should feel free to keep them separated.
2. The removal of the Criterion Top 10 Directors as a subsection and the addition of Watch 5 Films from different people in Criterion's "Explore People" section.
3. The removal of the Watch a Film Which Won and Academy Award. That check is now redundant-ish because of the Themes subsection (one such "Theme" is Academy Award Winners).
4. The addition of Reading 5 Essays from the Criterion booklets/website.
5. The addition of Watching 5 Criterion supplemental interviews.
6. The addition of Watching a Trailer.
7. Slight word changes for clarity.
All of these changes are reflected in Post #1 of this thread and will be noted in Post #1 (or #2) of the List Thread, when it is created.
Please note: I still need to linkify (I can't remember if that's a Trevor term or a Travis term?) to some of the Criterion lists, so it remains a work in progress.
For my own list, I've put together an excel spreadsheet with Spine Number, Title, Year, and Language. I just went through the collection, and my unwatched pile, and then sorted by spine number. It really does help with what is becoming the overwhelming size of the collection.
#62
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Ok so I worked on a viewing list during work today. Based on the checklist as it stands now these films should allow me to complete it.
A Canterbury Tale
Akira
Amarcord
The Atomic Submarine
Band of Outsiders
Che
Corridors of Blood
Le doulos
Europa
First Man into Space
The Forgiveness of Blood
Geometria
The Haunted Strangler
Kes
L’avventura
Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Lola
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Repo Man
Sanjuro
Stagecoach
That Obscure Object of Desire
The Third Man
Young Törless
A Canterbury Tale
Akira
Amarcord
The Atomic Submarine
Band of Outsiders
Che
Corridors of Blood
Le doulos
Europa
First Man into Space
The Forgiveness of Blood
Geometria
The Haunted Strangler
Kes
L’avventura
Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Lola
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Repo Man
Sanjuro
Stagecoach
That Obscure Object of Desire
The Third Man
Young Törless
1. L'avventura
2. The Passion of Joan of Arc
3. The Third Man
4. Band of Outsiders
5. Stagecoach
6. Sanjuro
7. That Obscure Object of Desire
8. Amarcord
9. Repo Man
I put Repo Man by itself because I think the last time I saw that was in the 1990s, so, really...it's unranked.
#63
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Of the movies on your list, I've only seen three so far: Amarcord, Stagecoach and The Third Man. I enjoyed all three. Probably Amarcord the most, then The Third Man. I'll warn you now: I couldn't go an hour after watching The Third Man before I had to buy the title music from Amazon.
I remember your comment about The Third Man and I ended up creating a soundtrack playlist on Spotify because of it.
Maybe it's still a check we can add...or make optional...?
#64
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
The set is 99% complete. Movies 1-25, including the till now MIA #14 Zatoichi's Pilgrimage (1966), but not #26 Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman (1989) are in the box.
#65
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I *think* I coined "linkify" and Trevor enthusiastically adopted it. Though I could be wrong and it was the other way. I'm too lazy to search the discussion thread from 2011 to find out.
I dig the revisions to the checklist. I think soundtrack is a good idea, but I also agree with it being optional just because I'm sure it'll be inconvenient to find a lot of them without going to some degree of difficulty and expense.
Also, I think I finally thought of a way to include the Top 10s. What if we make the following amendment:
--- Watch an entire Criterion Collector's Set/Eclipse Box Set/Top 10 List?
I dig the revisions to the checklist. I think soundtrack is a good idea, but I also agree with it being optional just because I'm sure it'll be inconvenient to find a lot of them without going to some degree of difficulty and expense.
Also, I think I finally thought of a way to include the Top 10s. What if we make the following amendment:
--- Watch an entire Criterion Collector's Set/Eclipse Box Set/Top 10 List?
#66
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Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I like the amendments made to the list so far. My only suggestion would be to up the trailers to 5. It's not like it is a big time commitment and I like the idea of keeping things uniform.
The world has thus far conspired against me when it comes to watching Repo Man. For whatever reason I never am able to make it through. I figure by putting on my list I'll have to break my streak.
The world has thus far conspired against me when it comes to watching Repo Man. For whatever reason I never am able to make it through. I figure by putting on my list I'll have to break my streak.
#67
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I saw it in the theater, shortly after its release and there wasn't too much negative criticism at the time (at least that I had heard). I think the vitriol gained steam as we neared Oscar season. I have since watched it a second time and still found it enjoyable despite the criticisms.
I really like the changes to the checklist! It looks awesome!
#68
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I highly recommend you watch Gojira, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers during the Criterion challenge as both qualify and The Day the Earth Stood Still as soon as you can.
#69
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I highly recommend you watch Gojira, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers during the Criterion challenge as both qualify and The Day the Earth Stood Still as soon as you can.
Another link to add to the list, BTW:
iCheckMovies - Criterion's Eclipse Collection
#70
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
I'm really going to try to focus on first time watches and any unopened Blu-rays that I purchased. Looking forward to going completely through a disc. That's always my favorite part of the challenge.
#71
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
#72
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
When I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I was blown away and enjoyed every minute of the film. Then I got online and was completely blown away by how many people hated it. I suppose it is a polarizing film. I couldn't resist the $5 BD, but haven't been able to part with my DVD copy yet.
This all reminds me that Godzilla makes a few cameos in Millennium Actress. That's another film that needs to watched by any movie lover who hasn't seen it. Too bad Criterion never dips into animated features.
This all reminds me that Godzilla makes a few cameos in Millennium Actress. That's another film that needs to watched by any movie lover who hasn't seen it. Too bad Criterion never dips into animated features.
It's funny that you mention Millennium Actress. I watched it last night and really enjoyed it. I did notice those parts, they're not long though, but I laughed when she was taking photos with Godzilla. Sadly, it's out of print. Used are still fairly cheap but new are fairly expensive. I'll probably pick up a used one, but I hate not knowing what you'll get.
Wow! I just don't know what to say about that! It hits me the same way me not having seen Nightmare Before Christmas hit LJG765.
I highly recommend you watch Gojira, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers during the Criterion challenge as both qualify and The Day the Earth Stood Still as soon as you can.
I highly recommend you watch Gojira, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers during the Criterion challenge as both qualify and The Day the Earth Stood Still as soon as you can.
#73
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
When I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I was blown away and enjoyed every minute of the film. Then I got online and was completely blown away by how many people hated it. I suppose it is a polarizing film. I couldn't resist the $5 BD, but haven't been able to part with my DVD copy yet.
#74
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
You really should. The original is not the kiddie camp stuff that came later. It's a very serious film. Just save the US version for second and then mainly as a curiosity. It's not "bad" but it doesn't have the impact of the original.
#75
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: 5th Annual Criterion Challenge - Discussion Thread
Whoops! Had two windows open and posted in the wrong one.
Last edited by LJG765; 08-23-13 at 06:14 PM.