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New to The Auteurs? You Belong Here over 3 years ago

Hello. I am not a film major and am pretty much self educated when it comes to films. However, within the last two years I have dedicated myself to seeing a vast array of movies (mostly foreign art house) and currently own almost 200 criterion DVDs. I love the new Criterion website and am thrilled to join this forum.

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Criterion junkies here? over 3 years ago

I am definitely a Criterion junky and might need help. Within the last year I have accumulated close to 200 criterions and have no plans to stop anytime soon. My friends think I’m crazy, but I just can’t help myself. My favorites include any Bergman, Bunuel, or Fellini title. Not to mention Cassavetes, Ozu, Mizoguchi, Fassbinder, Dreyer, Bresson, etc. In fact, there aren’t many titles I don’t care for.

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favorite films? over 3 years ago

My ever-changing top 10:

1. Persona
2. Viridiana
3. Knife in the Water
4. Notorious
5. Rififi
6. The Battle of Algiers
7.Seven Samurai
8.Sansho the Bailiff
9. 8 1/2
10. Cria Cuervos

Not to mention Yojimbo, Ran, Throne of Blood, Ikiru, High and Low, Belle De Jour,That Obscure Object of Desire, Winter Light, Cries and Whispers, Wild Strawberries, The Seventh Seal, Nights of Cabiria, La Strada, I Vitelloni, Ali:Fear Eats the Soul, Berlin Alexanderplatz, Trouble in Paradise, To Be or Not to Be, The Great Silence, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Day of Wrath, Mouchette, Pickpocket, The 400 Blows, Shoot the Piano Player, Elevator the Gallows, Breathless, Pierrot le Fou, M, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Stranger than Paradise, Two-Lane Blacktop, Paths of Glory, Full Metal Jacket, A Clockwork Orange, In a Lonely Place, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Divorce Italian Style, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dog Day Afternoon, The French Connection, The Rules of the Game, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,Bicycle Thieves, Umberto D., The Apartment, Ace in the Hole, Sweet Smell of Success, Tokyo Story, Late Spring, Ugetsu, Harakiri, Fires on the Plain, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Straw Dogs, Man of the West, The Naked Spur, Harvey, Touch of Evil, Hirosima Mon Amour, The Conformist, The Last Emperor, Crimes and Misdemeanors, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Modern Times, La Haine, Do the Right Thing, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Stroszek, Raise the Red Lantern, Before the Rain, Le Samourai, Army of Shadows, Bob le Flambeur, Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, Night and the CIty, The Conversation, Gun Crazy, Out of the Past, L’Avventura, Blow-Up, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Playtime, Pandora’s Box, Taxi Driver,No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski,Three Women, The Long Goodbye, Andrei Rublev, The Third Man

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head.

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Your favorite Woody Allen's film? over 3 years ago

1. Crimes and Misdemeanors
2. The Purple Rose of Cairo
3. Manhattan
4. Husbands and Wives
5. Sweet and Lowdown

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Most Traumatic or Dramatic Film Endings over 3 years ago

Sergio Corbucci’s Spaghetti Western The Great Silence has as shocking an ending as I’ve ever seen. I’ll never forget it. Unfortunately, not many people have seen it since it was never released theatrically in the U.S. It’s my favorite western and features Klaus Kinski playing as memorable a villain as there’s ever been. This film needs a Criterion release ASAP!

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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago

I already mentioned this on the most shocking endings topic page, but Sergio Corbucci’s The Great Silence needs to be in the collection. I believe it’s among the greatest westerns ever made with the most unforgettable and shocking ending I’ve ever seen. The current dvd is poorly dubbed. Plus, it would put a Spaghetti Western and Klaus Kinski in the collection!

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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago

I already mentioned this on the most shocking endings topic page, but Sergio Corbucci’s The Great Silence needs to be in the collection. I believe it’s among the greatest westerns ever made with the most unforgettable and shocking ending I’ve ever seen. The current dvd is poorly dubbed. Plus, it would put a Spaghetti Western and Klaus Kinski in the collection!

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TOP BERGMAN over 3 years ago

1. Persona
2. Cries and Whispers
3. Winter Light
4. Wild Strawberries
5. The Seventh Seal
6. Scenes From a Marriage
7. Fanny and Alexander
8. Through a Glass Darkly
9. Smiles of a Summer Night
10. Sawdust and Tinsel

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most overrated oscar performances or robberies over 3 years ago

“How Green Was My Valley?” over “Citizen Kane” for 1941’s Best Picture. “Oliver” over “2001: A Space Odyssey” for 1968’s Best Picture. Neither Welles nor Kubrick ever won a Best Director Oscar.

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Favorite Kurosawa flicks? over 3 years ago

1. Seven Samurai
2. Ikiru
3. Yojimbo
4. Ran
5. Throne of Blood
6. High and Low
7.The Lower Depths
8. Rashoman
9. Stray Dog
10. Dersu Uzala

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Madame De. . . over 3 years ago

I believe it is not abridged. However, the author was said to not care for the film, as it was almost completely different from her novel. That’s probably a good thing. Although I have yet to read the novel, I think the film is a masterpiece.

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Controversial opinion: Orson Welles is not very good over 3 years ago

I think the fact that Citizen Kane is universally lauded as “the greatest film ever” by critics has turned many people off of Kane and Welles. I can understand the feeling of Welles being overrated, but if you look closer at his work and personal history, I think a greater appreciation can be attained. Kane was the only film Welles had complete control over, as he was essentially blackballed by Hollywood. His innovative techniques inspired a whole generation of filmmakers and were like nothing seen before. Plus, his films are remarkable to look at and a feast for the eyes. He tells the story of Citizen Kane in just under two hours that encapsulates one man’s life, comments on the American dream and materialism, and is both whimsical and tragic. Welles was truly one of the first auteurs of cinema.

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Controversial opinion: Orson Welles is not very good over 3 years ago

I think the fact that Citizen Kane is universally lauded as “the greatest film ever” by critics has turned many people off of Kane and Welles. I can understand the feeling of Welles being overrated, but if you look closer at his work and personal history, I think a greater appreciation can be attained. Kane was the only film Welles had complete control over, as he was essentially blackballed by Hollywood. His innovative techniques inspired a whole generation of filmmakers and were like nothing seen before. Plus, his films are remarkable to look at and a feast for the eyes. He tells the story of Citizen Kane in just under two hours that encapsulates one man’s life, comments on the American dream and materialism, and is both whimsical and tragic. Welles was truly one of the first auteurs of cinema.

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Anybody else hate the Dark Knight? over 3 years ago

Actually, I don’t really hate it. I just can’t stand all the attention it’s getting. It’s just an entertaining superhero movie. It’s certainly not, “The greatest film ever!”, like some of my friends have called it. I did love Heath Ledger’s performance though, and could watch it again just for him. Otherwise, I feel it’s just another Hollywood blockbuster that should be forgotten.

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Anybody else hate the Dark Knight? over 3 years ago

Exactly. It’s not a bad film, but I don’t think it warrants any serious discussion. Of course, that’s exactly what I’m doing now!

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David Lynch Overrated? over 3 years ago

While I think he is very talented, I’ve never gotten anything out of his films. He can’t do surreal as well as Bunuel, and he can’t do creepy as well as Cronenberg. I appreciated what he was trying to do in Eraserhead, but thought the story was poorly executed. I enjoyed Blue Velvet, but I don’t think it’s the masterpiece many say it is. Lost Highway was interesting, but not as good as it should of been. Mulholland Dr. is probably his most overrated film. I usually don’t think about his films much after I see them, which shouldn’t be the case if he is supposed to as great as many claim he is. Although, someone can’t be all that bad if he features Naomi Watts and Laura Harring as lovers!

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David Lynch Overrated? over 3 years ago

That’s fine. It also explains why I don’t get anything from his films. I would think he should want others to gain something from his vision, but it hasn’t worked for me as of yet.

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David Lynch Overrated? over 3 years ago

His films are certainly interesting to watch and I can appreciate what he is trying to do. However, I feel the reason I don’t get anything from his films is because they don’t actually add up to much. I don’t know if it’s as simple as style over substance, but his so called mystique I feel is just covering up a director with not a lot to say. At least nothing that resonates.

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David Lynch Overrated? over 3 years ago

I certainly don’t mind thought provoking and challenging works that are hard to understand. I actually don’t think his films are as hard to understand as people say they are. I just think what he has to say and how he says it isn’t all that interesting. I might be in the minority, and I wish we had more filmmakers trying to be original like him, but I just don’t think he’s as great as many say he is.

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David Lynch Overrated? over 3 years ago

I’m not arguing that Lynch is not a major figure in cinema. He is truly an original who makes interesting films. I just don’t think they’re as good or as important as many claim them to be.

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Anybody else hate the Dark Knight? over 3 years ago

Yeah, I guess I probably shouldn’t have brought it up in this forum because it’s really not worth talking about. I guess I just wanted a topic I thought a lot of people would respond to.

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Can we talk about "Magnolia" for a bit? over 3 years ago

Roger Ebert just chose Magnolia for his Great Movies list. I personally disagree, but he’s been on a bad streak lately. He’s also chosen A Prairie Home Companion, Adaptation, Babel, Moonstruck, and Say Anything, Don’t get me wrong, these are all good movies, but not among the greatest of all time.

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Can we talk about "Magnolia" for a bit? over 3 years ago

I can accept that. Even though I have lost someone close to me and I still don’t care for Magnolia, your point is well taken.

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Can we talk about "Magnolia" for a bit? over 3 years ago

I know what you meant DAVID LEE and appreciate your opinion. I guess I was more frustrated at Ebert for including movies on his list that I didn’t deem worthy but excluding some of my favorites. I still use his Great Movies List as a reference for movies I should see, even though I don’t always agree with him.

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Spirit of the Beehive over 3 years ago

I did not care for the film the first time I saw it, but after a second viewing I can understand the claim of it being called a masterpiece. This has been the case for me with many films, including Once Upon a Time in the West and most of Antonioni and Bresson’s films. Spirit of the Beehive shows a village under the thumb of the Franco regime, but mainly concentrates on a fractured family. Both the mother and father have a lifeless marriage and live in their own worlds. Ana has been greatly affected upon viewing Frankenstein and listening to the suggestions of her older sister that the spirit of the Frankenstein monster does exist and will appear when she calls upon him. After the soldier whom Ana thinks is the spirit of Frankenstein has disappeared, Ana believes it is her father’s fault. Indeed, Ana’s innocent world has been taken away from her by adults, just like those who opposed Franco’s regime (including Ana’s parents) have had their hopes and dreams shattered as well. The ending is seemingly hopeful however, as the mother is seen showing affection towards her husband and Ana still believes that the spirit will appear again if she calls him. She has not lost her innocence yet. This is all handled very subtly and and the film demands repeat viewings to unravel it’s great power.

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INGMAR BERGMAN: GENIUS...OR...OVERRATED BORE? over 3 years ago

Blasphemy! How dare you sir! No, I’m just kidding. The truth is that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to asking if a director is overrated. I personally believe that Bergman is among the handful of greatest directors to ever live.When I look at Bergman’s career, I see a body of work unparalleled by just about any other director. I see someone who is able to address the difficulties of life melodramatically and at the same time unpretentiously. I am mesmerized and inspired viewing the work of a man who shows his own faults, worries, and questions about life while acknowledging his inability as an artist to give clear answers. And yet, someone else can look at the very same work and feel absolutely nothing. That is the beauty of art.

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CLASSIC FILM NOIR over 3 years ago

1. Rififi
2. Notorious
3. Touch of Evil
4. The Third Man
5. Out of the Past
6. Gun Crazy
7. Ace in the Hole
8. Elevator to the Gallows
9.In a Lonely Place
10.Sweet Smell of Success
11. Night and the City (couldn’t leave it out)

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Favorite film composers over 3 years ago

The discussion begins and ends with Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota.

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Herzog, Welles, and Bergman on Godard over 3 years ago

I found these quotes by Werner Herzog, Orson Welles, and Ingmar Bergman concerning Godard. Pretty interesting stuff.

“Someone like Jean-Luc Godard is for me intellectual counterfeit money when compared to a good kung fu film.”

- Werner Herzog

“… his gifts as a director are enormous. I just can’t take him very seriously as a thinker — and that’s where we seem to differ, because he does. His message is what he cares about these days, and, like most movie messages, it could be written on the head of a pin. But what’s so admirable about him is his marvelous contempt for the machinery of movies and even movies themselves — a kind of anarchistic, nihilistic contempt for the medium — which, when he’s at his best and most vigorous, is very exciting.”

- Orson Welles

“I’ve never gotten anything out of his movies. They have felt constructed, faux intellectual and completely dead. Cinematographically uninteresting and infinitely boring. Godard is a fucking bore. He’s made his films for the critics. One of the movies, Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis (1966), was shot here in Sweden. It was mind-numbingly boring.”

-Ingmar Bergman

Bergman also has some harsh words for Antonioni and Welles. I would tend to agree with the Welles quote. Although I’m a big fan of most of Godard’s 60’s films, I don’t care much for what he has done since. I also don’t like him personally, but I have to admit that he is one of the most important directors of all time.

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Herzog, Welles, and Bergman on Godard over 3 years ago

Bergman’s not a hater. He’s just honest and passionate, just like a devoted cenephile is supposed to be. He’s praised the work of many directors, including Ford, Fellini, Kurosawa, and Tarkovsky (who was his favorite). Welles has harshly criticized other directors, including Bresson and Antonioni, and Godard was probably more blunt than Bergman ever was when he was a critic for Cashiers du Cinema.

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