I've seen 9% and have about 80 more of those on my DVD rental list currently, but does the Beastie Boys Video Anthology and The Rock really count as Best Of The Web Films?

Criterion Collection. Yeah, baby. The Seven Samurai.

Michael Bay got some sort of deal in his contract where all of his movies get released as Criterion DVDs.

Michael Bay got some sort of deal in his contract where all of his movies get released as Criterion DVDs.

that's sort of like a hack author like jackie collins getting a "cliff's notes" line item in her publishing contract. ugh.

thankfully, though, wes anderson got the same deal. that sort of cancels the michael bay thing out and simultaneously compensates for it in a small way.

i've officially lost track of how many times i've seen rushmore. that movie never gets old.

i've officially lost track of how many times i've seen rushmore. that movie never gets old.

I'm so glad that the first time I saw Rushmore, I had no clue what I was in for. I love that movie because it's just busting with joy at the whole idea of moviemaking and storytelling.

I have only about 4% but have seen about twice that. I'd never looked at a list until just now. There's things on there I'm surprised to see and many things not there that I would have expected to see (had I thought about them specifically).

I'm reminded of some movies I want to add to my collection, not counting the classics. Specifically Hoop Dreams caught my eye. Definitely want that one. Great movie. I didn't realize Fishing with John was in the Criterion Collection. Is it the only version? I wonder if it's the one I have.

Picking one of those lists is always such an ambitious project. When I was in ..... late elementary or early middle school (no, wait, high school, because the list came out in 2000), I decided to read the Modern Library's 100 best novels of the 20th Century (it's the list on the left). I tried, I really did, but turns out? I don't like fiction all that much. I probably got to about 10% completed, maybe even less.

I've been working my way through a pretty big swath and for the most part they've all been excellent. The commentaries are top notch and will teach you a lot about metaphor and story craft. Last few I saw were: Hopscotch (Walter Matthieu (sp?)) in top form as a wily disgruntled ex-spy. If you liked him in Pelham 1,2,3 you'll like this I think). Not to deep, but wonderful all the same and makes you really miss WM.

A Canterbury Tale: The Archers, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. This Brit team is one of my all time favorites (The team who brought you the excellent Black Narcissus and I Know Where I'm Going!. Which I've watched a dozen times and loved each time. Drink some single malt while doing so and it's like a Scottish dream...), Powell is one of my favorite directors. This was a little on the disappointing side, maybe because I'd been so looking forward to it, but also I had a hard time with the real American soldier they cast in this. He'sH just too "Golly gee whiz all the time." He grows on you eventually, but it took a while.

Eclipse, L'avventura - Both of these are by Michaelangelo Antonini. L'Aventtura is my favorite foreign film of all time. Eclipse is a sequel of sorts (La Notte, L'Avventura and L'eclisse make up a lose thematic and aesthetic trilogy) a major filmic event. The commentaries for both of these will blow your mind. Antonioni was trying to do nothing less than create a new visual language. Plus I love that early 60's B&W film stock. Just beautiful.


Ugetsu - A story that takes place in medieval Japan. If you like any of the historical Kurosawa stuff you'll love this. It's by Japan's other post-war auteur director Kenji Mizoguchi. Mizoguchi moves fluidly through many different worlds. With an impermeability between this world and the one of spirits. Fantastic film. The sort that after it's over you feel humble and you realize you've just witnessed greatness.

Speaking of greatness, most people know Kurosawa's big epic's, but check out his post war Japan stuff. Specifically Ikuru and High and Low. Ikuru is, again like Ugetsu, a special experience where you just feel lucky to have been able to see it. High and Low will suck you in so fast you won't know what hit you.

Man, what I'm I doing writing all this stuff here? This ain't Metafilter (which seems to be down again). Hope someone reads this.

TPS: I love fiction and have only read 11 of the books on that list.

thankfully, though, wes anderson got the same deal. that sort of cancels the michael bay thing out and simultaneously compensates for it in a small way.

Noah Baumbach's first feature just came out on Criterion. I wonder if he worked a deal based off of Wes Anderson's?

a guy I work with is trying to collect the entire list. he's been dismayed at the number of new titles lately.

also, any opinions on the new logo/packaging design? I like it, even if it's a bit faddish. certainly doesn't stand against the old underline, though.

fave Criterion I own has got to be Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.

Hahaha, looks like we're even then, LF.

There are a lot of movies from the Criterion list that I have on non-Criterion (sometimes old, out of print) DVDs, but they're decent discs that enough I'm not inclined to buy them again.

However, I WOULD like to see the Criterion version of The Man Who Fell To Earth... I think the old Fox-Lorber DVD I've got is probably an incomplete cut of the movie.

Yikes, I lost power at work right after posting this. I've seen the Criterion version of TMWFTE, and it is very good. Nice and crisp and in the correct aspect ratio.

All the ones I've reviewed are marked here. [self link!] I need to get all the ones I've seen before reviewed as well, so I have a better idea on what lies in store for me.

Wow, you've still got a way to go! Does the Criterion Collection keep adding movies to the collection? What if they add more movies every year and you NEVER CATCH UP AHHHHHHH?!?!?

It's cool to see The Blob on that Criterion list. That and The Seventh Seal would make for a pretty swell double feature, I think.

Yeah, they add a couple every month. If I watch 2 a week I could finish sometime in the next 3 years.

sciurus, here's somebody else trying to watch all the Criterion DVDs. Also--when you finish, will you start on the laserdiscs?

And I don't suppose anyone can tell me whether the Criterion print of The Harder They Come is any better than the regular one?

I really want a Criterion of Chimes at Midnight. That's all.

Thanks for that lead, box! I'll send 'em a note.

Yeah, they add a couple every month. If I watch 2 a week I could finish sometime in the next 3 years.

Ugh, that sounds like a lot of work :-\

Grey Gardens? Cool. Robocop? WTF?

Robocop is actually a great movie, loq.

I've seen the bulk of them and at one point owned over 250 of them. I've been slowly selling them off. In fact, I'm waiting right now for someone to come pick up 5 titles.

My fave Criterion release is their laserdisc of The Graduate. I love the commentary on it. My second fave is probably L'Avventura.

I was very disappointed they didn't release any Michael Haneke films.