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Criterion is releasing The Hit in April! Yay! about 3 years ago

Is anybody else excited? I’m finally going to be able to replace my old Artisan VHS, because at the time of the original DVD release, I still buying tapes. I also heard that the old Artisan DVD was pan and scan, and for sure Criterion will get this one right. Thanks, Criterion!

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Criterion is releasing The Hit in April! Yay! about 3 years ago

Yeah, I haven’t watched my tape in a long time either, I still watch tapes though because there’s certain titles I still can’t find on DVD, like Ruiz’s Three Lives and Only One Death. Totally agree with you Steve on the performances, everyone was on top form. There was also beautiful photography of the Spanish countryside, a perfect setting for the film.

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Someone have Jim Jarmusch, like the best Director? about 3 years ago

Yeah, he’s my favorite director, too. Bela Tarr is a close second. What puts Jarmusch over the top for me is his handling of the people he works with, giving everyone an equal amount of respect; and how he retains the rights to all his films, have final cut and owning the prints of his films. I’d really like to know how he gets investors for his films.
His “Golden Rules”, published in MovieMaker magazine, is wonderful: http://www.moviemaker.com/directing/article/jim_jarmusch_2972/
I agree with what he says, I still check those rules every now and then for reference when I’m making films.

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Someone have Jim Jarmusch, like the best Director? about 3 years ago

Don’t mention it, Andy and Richard, isn’t this what the Auteurs is for? To educate ourselves about cinema and to share what we know with others, right?

This is how I would personally rank Jim Jarmusch’s films:

1) Stranger Than Paradise (this is actually number 1 in my all time favorite films, this was the film that convinced me that if was possible to go out and make your own film, without the need for a huge budget)
2) Down By Law (His coolest and showed parts of New Orleans like I’d never seen before on film)
3) Night On Earth (This was actually what I felt was his most moving film)
4) Dead Man (I loved how this showed the Native American point of view)
5) Mystery Train (Lighting a ciggie with your foot? Effortless.)
6) Ghost Dog (features a great score by the RZA and great performances all around. Rapping Aging Italian Gangster and watching nothing but Cartoons rule!)
7) Broken Flowers (I enjoyed Jeffrey Wright’s character, wish there was more of him. I also enjoyed that the film was kind of like a “quest”)
8) Coffee and Cigarettes (Yeah, it is pretty uneven, but my favorite parts involve Steven Wright, Bill Murray, GZA, RZA, Alfred Molina, Steve Coogan and Taylor Mead)
9) Year of the Horse (The whole discussion on the bus about God’s mysterious ways is classic)
10) Permanent Vacation (see below)

Justin, I can’t speak for the rest, but for me the reason I don’t rate Permanent Vacation as highly as his other films is because I don’t feel that that film had the charm that was evident from Stranger Than Paradise onwards. It was his first feature, and it’s forgivable, and there were times when I did feel that it lapsed into pretension, and I just felt that Chris Parker’s character was particularly interesting or likable. I probably would’ve wanted to know more about his mother, his girlfriend, or even the sax player. I did read Luc Sante’s excellent essay about the film included on the Criterion DVD and I did appreciate that it captured that part of New York during its time, it’s just that Jarmusch’s later films just had more maturity and polish than that early work.

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Which movies would you like to see on The Auteurs? about 3 years ago

Any James Benning film, please! But if I had to pick, “Los”, “El Valley Centro” and “RR”, although I heard it’s really best to watch them in the cinema to get the full experience. Michael Almereyda’s Another Girl, Another Planet as well? Cheers!

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WHO IS / WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS EVER? about 3 years ago

I agree with Johnny, put my vote in for Louise Brooks. So enchanting and mesmerizing to watch.

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Your birthday director(s) almost 3 years ago

Great topic! Jean-Pierre Melville and Danny Boyle. Danny Boyle’s films I find entertaining, but it’s Melville that I feel the most in common with. Film Noir is my favorite genre, and I try to infuse some noir elements in my work, but the thing I feel the most I have in common with him is that his characters rarely talk, and that the silences are more expressive than any words.

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Inventive Narrative Structures almost 3 years ago

I’d also like to add Apichatpong Weerasethkul’s Syndromes and a Century, Steven Soderbergh’s Schizopolis, Richard Lester’s Petulia, and John Boorman’s Point Blank. Oh, and since Guilermo Arriaga been mentioned a couple of times, my favorite screenplay of his is The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.
I don’t want to ruin their surprises..go and seek them out and see the wonderful narrative playfulness!

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Best Takashi Miike movie? almost 3 years ago

I love Ley Lines. Only Takashi Miike would cast Naoto Takenaka (the wig guy from Shall We Dansu?) as Mr. Big. And it has one of his most sublime endings.

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Awesome basslines Col. Dax! I love Victor Wooten’s Classical Thump and Tool’s Stink Fist (Justin Chancellor). I also like Mangoes.

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TOP 10 FILMS FROM YOUR "BIRTH YEAR" almost 3 years ago

Anybody else from this year?

Stranger Than Paradise
Paris, Texas
The Hit
Repo Man
Love Streams

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

I love how the OP never posted again after the first post. I wonder what his reaction is to all of this…hahaha…I’ve had a blast.

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Hahaha, I didn’t realize that, Soybean. The irony is delicious!

@DAV I.D. : Mission Hills, reprezent! <’,))(

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Hehehe, which part of LA do you hail from, DAV I.D.?

Samantha, Rancho isn’t so bad, I used to be part of film group that used to meet out there. But in the Inland Empire, Ontario rules! They got that mill there with an IMAX theater. <’,))(

I love Silent Library! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-06K5lIow

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Is that Spanish for THE CANADA? Awesome, eh!

I saw Will.I.am Legend Smith at the IMAX, good times…Midnight!

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Oh, I just remembered that when I saw I Am Legend at that IMAX there was that Dark Knight preview before the show. Then I went home and saw that Heath Ledger died that day. :(

Kenji, your name in combination with you saying “This is a matter of great importance” made me think of the Hagakure (via Ghost Dog): Among the maxims on Lord Naoshige’s wall, there was this one: “Matters of great concern should be treated lightly.” Master Ittei commented, “Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.”

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Pomona Fairplex ftw!

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Is that a real California Raisin? I bestow the name Turd Ferguson upon thee…

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Oh no, this thread has stopped making lists!
1. Pepperoni
2. Green Peppers
3. Mushrooms
4. Olives
5. Chives

Say all five quickly!

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

thank you DAV I.D., Samantha, Soybean, and everyone else who made this a great thread, I had fun. I’m out like a light. I can only imagine what this thread looks like tomorrow. Peace! <’,))(

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

aha..just to chime in before I sleep…looks like all Red Wings for you, Nathan, except for Super Mario…
Here are my favorites (in no particular order):

1. Bobby Orr
2. Paul Coffey
3. Al MacInnis
4. Scott Niedermayer
5. Ken Dryden
6. Mike Bossy
7. Ryan Getzlaf
8. Georges Laraque
9. Shea Weber
10.Jarome Iginla

g’nyt!

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TheAuteurs List of the Week 4/26/09: Your 10 Favorite Books almost 3 years ago

Books in my library I consider indispensable:

I Was Interrupted by Nicholas Ray
Notes on the Cinematographer by Robert Bresson
Lonely Planet Guide to Experimental Travel
if on a winter’s night a traveler by italo calvino
Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

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STOP THE LISTS! almost 3 years ago

Hahaha! Finally a response! excellent! I’ve been busy of late, but I’m back! Hi Dav I.D. and Samantha!

Since people have been mentioning cats a lot, I really like the title of Bahman Ghobadi’s new film, No One Knows About Persian Cats. And at only 66 mins., how can they go wrong? Cool still from the film on this site, too.

I think the son is trying hold his mum’s head in place for the picture. Eggcellent!

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What'd you think about Steve Buscemi ass Director? almost 3 years ago

Aw, man..this thread title is one of the funniest I’ve ever seen on this site. I love Steve. Yeah, I agree with T, his episodes for the Sopranos are brilliant. In fact, Pine Barrens is my favorite Sopranos episode. If you just look at the wikipedia page of that episode and see all the connections it has, intentional or otherwise, it’s amazing.

When you read or listen to Steve’s interviews, he clearly has a respect for the medium, and has learned well from the directors he’s worked with (Jarmusch, Coens, etc.).

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Another off Topic/Your Favorite Albums almost 3 years ago

Miles Davis-Kind of Blue, Bitches Brew, Ascenseur pour l’échafaud, Live-Evil
Thelonious Monk-Monk’s Dream, Underground, Genius of Modern Music Vol. 1&2, At Carnegie Hall
Tool-Aenima, Lateralus, Undertow
Soundgarden-Superunknown
Mogwai-Ten Rapid, Young Team
Weezer- Blue Album, Pinkerton
Primus-Pork Soda, Sailing the Seas of Cheese
Tom Waits-Rain Dogs, Bone Machine, Frank’s Wild Years, Alice, Blood Money, Orphans
GZA-Liquid Swords
Kev Brown-I Do What I Do
Getz/Gilberto
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins-Cow Fingers and Mosquito Pie
The Lounge Lizards
Guitar Paradise of East Africa
Toe-The Book About My Idle Plot on A Vague Anxiety
John Zorn-Spillane, The Circle Maker, Film Works III, Masada: live in Sevilla
Charles Mingus-Blues and Roots, The Clown, New Tijuana Moods, The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady
Fugazi-13 Songs, The Argument
At The Drive-In -Relationship of Command
Explosions in the Sky-The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
Lester Young With the Oscar Petersen Trio
Scientifik-Criminal
Artifacts-Between a Rock and Hard Place
Large Professor-The LP
Pete Rock and CL Smooth-Mecca and the Soul Brother
A Tribe Called Quest-Midnight Marauders
Showbiz & AG-Runaway Slave, Good Fellas
Big L-Lifestylez ov da Poor an Dangerous
Yano
P.O.T.
Eraserheads-Circus, Cutterpillow
Ed O.G-Roxbury 02119
Eric Dolphy-Out To Lunch
Ornette Coleman-The Shape of Jazz To Come
Slint-Spiderland
Orion Rigel Domisse-What I Want From You is Sweet
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party-Devotional and Love Songs
My Bloody Valentine-Loveless
Rage Against The Machine-rage against the machine, Evil Empire
Brian Eno-Music for Airports
Del Tha Funky Homosapien-No Need for Alarm
Nine Inch Nails-The Fragile
Minutemen-Double Nickels on the Dime
Tortoise-Millions Now Living Will Never Die

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STOP THE LISTS! over 2 years ago

Samantha, would you be Cissie Colpitts 1, 2, or 3?

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STOP THE LISTS! over 2 years ago

Anybody else notice that The Auteurs spell checker always puts a red underline on the word “Auteurs”?

Films I’m planning to catch at the LA Film Fest:

1) Crude Oil Part 1 (it’s great that they’re showing Wang Bing’s 14 hour documentary, but why only the first 7 hours? Where is part 2? Well, I can’t really complain, it’s a free screening!)
2) 35 Shots of Rhum (Claire Denis paying homage to Ozu, need I say more?)
3) Los Bastardos (I’m interested to see this because Amat Escalante is Reygadas’ protege, and it’s about people I encounter every day: day laborers)
4) Still Walking (This will be my first Kore-eda film, he’s just one of those filmmakers I never took the opportunity to see, even when After Life was showing on this site for free)
5) Musica Nocturna (There’s always interesting films coming from Argentina, and I always enjoy films that programmed in “Films That Got Away”)

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STOP THE LISTS! over 2 years ago

Well, both 35 Shots of Rhum and Still Walking were able to get distribution deals so they should be coming to an art house near you…

That was probably another reason why I put off watching Kore-eda for awhile, because I wanted to watch Maborosi first. Maybe I should check if they have a copy at the lib…

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STOP THE LISTS! over 2 years ago

Great list of sandwiches, Fitzcarraldo—any vegetarian sandwiches you’d recommend? Where can you get the best tuna melt in NYC?

Favorite films with character’s names as titles:
1) Steamboat Bill, Jr.
2) Oh! Soo-jung
3) Henry Fool
5) Jackie Brown
6) The Falls
7) The Straight Story
8) Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana
9) My Name is Joe
10) Ploy
11) Sex and Lucia
12) Being John Malkovich
13) Amelie
14) Withnail &I
15) Ichi the Killer
16) The Big Lebowski
17) Bob le Flambeur

Damn, this page has 15 more posts to go before it moves to the next page!

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FREE Movies Online over 2 years ago

A Girl, She is 100% : http://vimeo.com/2838020

Watch it before it’s gone!
One my my favorite short stories adapted by one of my favorite filmmakers. Naoto Yamakawa’s Attack on the Bakery is excellent, too.

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