1. Seven Samurai
2. The Royal Tenenbaums
3. Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara (specifically for Woman in the Dunes)
4. Short Cuts
5. The 400 Blows
6. Mon Oncle
7. The Third Man
8. Naked Lunch
9. Rushmore
10. Playtime
11. High and Low
12. Ikiru
13. Slacker
14. Down by Law
15. Yojimbo
16. Bottle Rocket
17. The Hidden Fortress
18. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
19. The Battle for Algiers
20. Dazed and Confused
Tom probably doesn’t have a point.
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls is good. It’s based on the book. Herzog’s “My best fiend” about Klaus Kinski is also worth watching. Martin Scorsese’s My Voyage to Italy is good too.
I used to buy a lot of dvds. I wanted to have a library. My library is big enough now for my liking. I have so many dvds and I don’t watch them as often as I want to. It’s nice to have the library but I don’t want to own many more dvds.
Recently I discovered a great video store near my house. It is mostly art house and cult dvds, and specializes in Criterions. I don’t feel the need to blind buy anymore. I can probably find what I want there. That makes me a lot happier. Having easy access to whatever film I’m curious about at that moment is a good feeling.
I feel like selling a lot of my old dvds that I’m not much interested in anymore.
At VIFF I saw Cooper’s Camera. It was described as a cinéma vérité National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, which is accurate. It had the audience howling. This stars Jason Jones and Samantha Bee from the Daily show. It’s my new favorite Christmas movie.
Old favorites are:
A Christmas story – I never get tired of this.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Nightmare Before Christmas
Le deuxième souffle This is my first Jean-Pierre Melville film and I am thoroughly impressed. I’ll have to rent more. The acting, pacing, narrative structure and visual style were spot on. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I am pleasantly surprised.
Equally annoying are the Charlie Kaufman ‘inspired’ movies. Like Stranger than fiction or that new Cold Souls (I haven’t seen it and have no desire to).
Also, no one mentioned one of my least favorite movies, Garden State. This felt like an emotionally stunted 18 year old tried to do an unfunny version of Rushmore.
Avatars would be nice. Film people recognize the power of the image as much as anyone.
We can easily remember and recognize a name but to have an image to go along with that would help so much. Avatars please!
I’ve watched Network twice and dozed off three times in the process. The thing is, it has so many funny, prophetic scenes that it’s embarrassing to admit. But the long, drawn out scenes between Faye Dunaway and William Holden were so awkward that they bored me to the point of snoozing. Network is famous for a reason. It has a lot of great scenes. But it also has a lot of slow, boring, preachy scenes. During those slow scenes I slept. Anyone else?
Nobody likes Strange Brew??? (Half joking) edit: (@Nathan M) we were thinking the same thing at the same time.
I like early Bruce MacDonald. Especially Roadkill, although Hardcore Logo was really good too. Naked Lunch is my favorite Cronenberg. Last Night by Don McKellar is very good.
I know embarrassingly little about Quebecoise cinema. I’ll have to rent some Denys Arcand soon.
I still haven’t seen Mon Oncle Antoine but it’s coming to the Pacific Cinematheque in a couple weeks. I will catch it there.
Since the Miyazaki films have been mentioned I would add-
Les Triplettes de Belleville Sylvain Chomet Tokyo Godfathers Satoshi Kon. (His Millennium Actress and Paprika are good too.) The Secret of Nimh Don Bluth. This is very Disney-esque. Watership Down Martin Rosen. A low budget adaptation of the book from the 70s. The Nightmare Before Christmas Henry Selick. I’m adding this just for the sake of the list. Everyone knows about it. Persepolis Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud
As for shorts… Wallace and Gromit of course.
They put out a dvd of the Gerald McBoing Boing shorts a few years ago. They are favorites of mine.
Tex Avery shorts. There is a dvd of his Droopy cartoons but the quality is poor. The Looney Tunes sets too.
Check out the nfb.ca site. It has lots of old great shorts on it. Some new ones too.
I read this. Well, most of it. I just skimmed the end because it’s loooong. Anyway, it’s well written and good job to you. One criticism… " the clothes the characters wear, the locations they are able to travel to, the lifestyles they can afford, are a zillion miles from my reality" this line makes you sound like you’re fifteen years old.
Otherwise nice work. Is this essay for a film class?
A Christmas Story It’s a Wonderful Life Miracle on 34th Street
I try to watch these three every year. I get so nostalgic this time of year for Christmas movies that I loved as a kid.
This year I asked to get Kapra’s autobiography for an Xmas gift.
For tv specials I would pick: A Charlie Brown Christmas How the Grinch Stole Christmas
the type of animation seemed old hat to modern audience But that can’t be, ’cause Aardman Studios has done tremendous business in feature films
Coraline looked close to CG than classic stop motion with it’s smooth movement. Even Wallace and Gromit looked pretty slick. Anderson said that for TFMF he was going for a look more like the old Rankin & Bass tv specials. And it does. That could be what is keeping people away.
I think it’s Anderson’s humor and style that killed this movie. For my taste TFMF was much more funny than any other animated feature released this year. But for your average viewer I would think it’s too strange. It isn’t the same old thing they have been programmed to go and see. So it kept them out of the theater. I hope dvd will be it’s saving grace.
I’d go for the Klaus Kinski box first. I think it’s a slightly better introduction to Herzog if you are unfamiliar with his films. Nosferatu is in the Kinski set, although it’s not the best film they made together imo. I wasn’t too familiar with Herzog a few years ago and blind bought this set. And I’m happy I did.
I’ve been trying to remember a movie that I saw on tv years ago. It’s european, probably from the 60’s or 70’s and in colour. The film is about an artist. He’s a troubled painter. He has girl who takes care of him. She is his model and helps him get attention in art circles. I don’t think it was contemporary… it was a period piece but probably not too old.
This is a little vague, but it’s been stuck in my head for so long. I looked through this list but could not find it: http://mubi.com/lists/painters-and-films.
Anyone have any idea what I’m thinking of?
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago
I agree with Tommy – more Guy Maddin. In general I think it is best if Criterion released films that did not already have high quality dvds available.
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Anybody seen this? Thoughts? over 2 years ago
Homeroom is hilarity. Guitar brother rocks. Not all the skits work great in this film but much of it is gold. Funky Forest deserves more than 3 stars.
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FAVORITE/BEST FRENCH FILM? over 2 years ago
The 400 blows
Mon Oncle
Breathless
Playtime
Shoot the Piano Player
…. I need to watch more French films.
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The top twenty Criterions you own. over 2 years ago
1. Seven Samurai
2. The Royal Tenenbaums
3. Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara (specifically for Woman in the Dunes)
4. Short Cuts
5. The 400 Blows
6. Mon Oncle
7. The Third Man
8. Naked Lunch
9. Rushmore
10. Playtime
11. High and Low
12. Ikiru
13. Slacker
14. Down by Law
15. Yojimbo
16. Bottle Rocket
17. The Hidden Fortress
18. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
19. The Battle for Algiers
20. Dazed and Confused
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FAVORITE/BEST FRENCH FILM? over 2 years ago
I forgot Amelie
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spike jonze kayne west short over 2 years ago
This short is gold. Kanye acts drunk the way I wish I was drunk in real life. Thanks for the link.
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Quick suggestions on some of my future criterion purchases over 2 years ago
If you liked Videodrome then check out Naked Lunch. As for noir I recommend The Killers or anything by Dassin.
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Documentaries about Films over 2 years ago
Tom probably doesn’t have a point.
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls is good. It’s based on the book. Herzog’s “My best fiend” about Klaus Kinski is also worth watching. Martin Scorsese’s My Voyage to Italy is good too.
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Irrationality of Buying DVDs over 2 years ago
I used to buy a lot of dvds. I wanted to have a library. My library is big enough now for my liking. I have so many dvds and I don’t watch them as often as I want to. It’s nice to have the library but I don’t want to own many more dvds.
Recently I discovered a great video store near my house. It is mostly art house and cult dvds, and specializes in Criterions. I don’t feel the need to blind buy anymore. I can probably find what I want there. That makes me a lot happier. Having easy access to whatever film I’m curious about at that moment is a good feeling.
I feel like selling a lot of my old dvds that I’m not much interested in anymore.
Go to Comment
CHRISTMAS MOVIES? over 2 years ago
At VIFF I saw Cooper’s Camera. It was described as a cinéma vérité National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, which is accurate. It had the audience howling. This stars Jason Jones and Samantha Bee from the Daily show. It’s my new favorite Christmas movie.
Old favorites are:
A Christmas story – I never get tired of this.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Nightmare Before Christmas
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what did you watch today? over 2 years ago
Le deuxième souffle This is my first Jean-Pierre Melville film and I am thoroughly impressed. I’ll have to rent more. The acting, pacing, narrative structure and visual style were spot on. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I am pleasantly surprised.
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The Disciples of Rushmore over 2 years ago
Equally annoying are the Charlie Kaufman ‘inspired’ movies. Like Stranger than fiction or that new Cold Souls (I haven’t seen it and have no desire to).
Also, no one mentioned one of my least favorite movies, Garden State. This felt like an emotionally stunted 18 year old tried to do an unfunny version of Rushmore.
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skinhead attitude over 2 years ago
Good doc. Thanks for the link.
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Where are the great comediennes? over 2 years ago
Tina Fey is the best on tv. Sarah Silverman is very funny too.
I nominate a japanese actress called Satomi Kobayashi. Her role in Kamome Diner is one of the best understated comedic roles I’ve seen in a long time.
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Help make The Auteurs totally awesome over 2 years ago
Avatars would be nice. Film people recognize the power of the image as much as anyone.
We can easily remember and recognize a name but to have an image to go along with that would help so much. Avatars please!
Go to Comment
Ok, admit you dozed off or slept while watching.... over 2 years ago
I’ve watched Network twice and dozed off three times in the process. The thing is, it has so many funny, prophetic scenes that it’s embarrassing to admit. But the long, drawn out scenes between Faye Dunaway and William Holden were so awkward that they bored me to the point of snoozing. Network is famous for a reason. It has a lot of great scenes. But it also has a lot of slow, boring, preachy scenes. During those slow scenes I slept. Anyone else?
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The Illusionist (Chomet, Sylvain; coming soon) over 2 years ago
These stills look so good. This is in my top 5 most anticipated movies of next year. If anyone can do Tati justice I have faith in Chomet.
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The Best Canadian Films of all time? over 2 years ago
Nobody likes Strange Brew??? (Half joking) edit: (@Nathan M) we were thinking the same thing at the same time.
I like early Bruce MacDonald. Especially Roadkill, although Hardcore Logo was really good too.
Naked Lunch is my favorite Cronenberg.
Last Night by Don McKellar is very good.
I know embarrassingly little about Quebecoise cinema. I’ll have to rent some Denys Arcand soon.
I still haven’t seen Mon Oncle Antoine but it’s coming to the Pacific Cinematheque in a couple weeks. I will catch it there.
Go to Comment
What is your favorite animated film, excluding all of Disney? over 2 years ago
Since the Miyazaki films have been mentioned I would add-
Les Triplettes de Belleville Sylvain Chomet
Tokyo Godfathers Satoshi Kon. (His Millennium Actress and Paprika are good too.)
The Secret of Nimh Don Bluth. This is very Disney-esque.
Watership Down Martin Rosen. A low budget adaptation of the book from the 70s.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Henry Selick. I’m adding this just for the sake of the list. Everyone knows about it.
Persepolis Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud
As for shorts…
Wallace and Gromit of course.
They put out a dvd of the Gerald McBoing Boing shorts a few years ago. They are favorites of mine.
Tex Avery shorts. There is a dvd of his Droopy cartoons but the quality is poor. The Looney Tunes sets too.
Check out the nfb.ca site. It has lots of old great shorts on it. Some new ones too.
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What is your favorite animated film, excluding all of Disney? over 2 years ago
Yes, Ponyo is more for small kids than adults. I still liked it. But it isn’t one of Miyazaki’s best.
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Lost in a Dream: Thoughts on Wes Anderson over 2 years ago
I read this. Well, most of it. I just skimmed the end because it’s loooong. Anyway, it’s well written and good job to you. One criticism… " the clothes the characters wear, the locations they are able to travel to, the lifestyles they can afford, are a zillion miles from my reality" this line makes you sound like you’re fifteen years old.
Otherwise nice work. Is this essay for a film class?
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Do You Like Wes Anderson? over 2 years ago
Yes you did.
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Worst Criterion DVDs over 2 years ago
I watched Mona Lisa last night. I wouldn’t say it’s one of the worst Criterions. But it wasn’t very good.
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Worst Criterion DVDs over 2 years ago
I watched Mona Lisa last night. I wouldn’t say it’s one of the worst Criterions. But it wasn’t very good.
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christmas movies over 2 years ago
A Christmas Story
It’s a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
I try to watch these three every year. I get so nostalgic this time of year for Christmas movies that I loved as a kid.
This year I asked to get Kapra’s autobiography for an Xmas gift.
For tv specials I would pick:
A Charlie Brown Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
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Robert Altman over 2 years ago
Nashville would be the next one to watch. I also liked 3 Women. It’s a smaller movie but really interesting.
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Why is The Fantastic Mr. Fox is a failure? over 2 years ago
the type of animation seemed old hat to modern audience
But that can’t be, ’cause Aardman Studios has done tremendous business in feature films
Coraline looked close to CG than classic stop motion with it’s smooth movement. Even Wallace and Gromit looked pretty slick. Anderson said that for TFMF he was going for a look more like the old Rankin & Bass tv specials. And it does. That could be what is keeping people away.
I think it’s Anderson’s humor and style that killed this movie. For my taste TFMF was much more funny than any other animated feature released this year. But for your average viewer I would think it’s too strange. It isn’t the same old thing they have been programmed to go and see. So it kept them out of the theater. I hope dvd will be it’s saving grace.
Go to Comment
Werner Herzog boxsets over 2 years ago
I’d go for the Klaus Kinski box first. I think it’s a slightly better introduction to Herzog if you are unfamiliar with his films. Nosferatu is in the Kinski set, although it’s not the best film they made together imo. I wasn’t too familiar with Herzog a few years ago and blind bought this set. And I’m happy I did.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers over 2 years ago
The Celine & Julie cover is really beautiful. Nice work. Original and top notch.
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"Identify that movie" Thread 6 months ago
I’ve been trying to remember a movie that I saw on tv years ago. It’s european, probably from the 60’s or 70’s and in colour. The film is about an artist. He’s a troubled painter. He has girl who takes care of him. She is his model and helps him get attention in art circles. I don’t think it was contemporary… it was a period piece but probably not too old.
This is a little vague, but it’s been stuck in my head for so long. I looked through this list but could not find it: http://mubi.com/lists/painters-and-films.
Anyone have any idea what I’m thinking of?
Go to Comment