I saw Metropolitan years & years ago, but I still remember being really irritated by how pretentious, boring, and uneventful it was---boring, spoiled rich kids, doing & saying absolutely nothing of interest. (And for context: I remember liking My Dinner With Andre!)
Aw man, kiarostami is my favorite director so it bummed me out to hear that "Friend's House" didn't click with you, because it was such a beautiful piece of art to me. Didn't find it boring or bland at all. Your interpretation of the movie was different than mine though. I wouldn't say its about how children's troubles seem so much bigger than they are. It WAS big for him. It was an odyssey. Ultimately, the reason I love it so much is for it's poetic nature and altruistic themes, but I understand how that won't speak to everyone the same way it does to me. Definitely give the rest of the movies in the Koker Trilogy a shot. Regarding plot, they are nothing alike. Take care
Based on ones I actually paid money to own: 1. Bresson's, The Pickpocket 2. Mr. Arkadin 3. Dr. Mabuse 4. The Lady Vanishes 5. Odd Man Out. Bresson is just garbage, sorry. At some point Criterion went from issuing films of major importance with an Auteur bent to - putting out the lesser films of of the same. Each of these is an example of that. Sometimes that works, sometimes it just looks like a money-grab.
Great idea for a video… most Criterion videos on RUclips are about favorites and this least favorites was welcome. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing but rather just listening to others opinions and insights into their own experiences with a title that I enjoy.
I hated, hated, hated Funny Games! I loathed it. Haneke complains about movies being manipulative and then what does he do? Correct, he manipulates us into thinking that the couple is going to escape, but no, they don't! Of course not! That would be too Hollywoodish. Talk about condescension, huh.
I think the best beginner Cassavetes film might be Faces, or Woman Under the Influence, but you may find them not to your taste as well. He is a film- maker most interested in character, not plot. You could accuse many of them of being “meandering.” Those of us with the Cassavetes jones were prepared for Chinese Bookie. I loved it, though not as much as Faces. It may be a difference in temperament because I liked Shoot the Piano Player as well, though not as much as 400 Blows and some of his other films.
Well... I think you started with the wrong Cassavetes film. He has his own style, and sometimes it's hard to watch when you don't know it, or at least expect it. I recommend you to watch A Woman Under the Influence, I think it's his most easy film to watch,
I didn’t really care for The Uninvited. It’s not bad; it’s just kind of dull and hokey with no edge and a schmaltzy Hollywood ending. Though, what can you really expect from Hays-era Hollywood? Also, the special features are pretty lacking. I don’t regret buying it because it’s cheaper than most Criterion releases, and it’s another piece of my collection.
With Cassavetes, I started with Shadows and loved it. It was like no other film I'd seen from its time period and must have seemed especially daring and scandalous at the time.
I actually watched Le Samouraï (1967) recently and I thought it was profoundly boring, stylistically rich but substantially vacant, I've seen two French New Wave films so far and they've both left me ennui
Which Funny Games did you see? I personally saw his 2008 exact remake of the original and loved the hell out of it. I thought the use of more famous actors like Roth and Watts better applied to the commentary of violence in "every" film and using bigger names almost like a lure itself, and from what I've seen of the 1st Funny Game's clips, the brothers are way better performed and creepy and just overall more entertaining in the remake vs the original. I do agree it's still got its slower moments and it's pretentions (after seeing 4 of his films though, I think that's just Hanake in general hahah), but this is easily my favorite film of his; Cache close 2nd.
Man, the Criterion blind buy that haunts me the most is Picnic at Hanging Rock. I was really excited to see an early Peter Weir at work, and reviews raved about the mysterious atmosphere. I'm a sucker for atmosphere, but I found the pan flute score just grating. It's like the musician played at the exact frequencies my ear drums never want to experience again, for the entire length of the film. It just meanders and grates. I can't recall if I even finished it, but I'm usually quite a patient film watcher, I like a slow cooked story, but this was just unbearable.
I saw Metropolitan years & years ago, but I still remember being really irritated by how pretentious, boring, and uneventful it was---boring, spoiled rich kids, doing & saying absolutely nothing of interest. (And for context: I remember liking My Dinner With Andre!)
Aw man, kiarostami is my favorite director so it bummed me out to hear that "Friend's House" didn't click with you, because it was such a beautiful piece of art to me. Didn't find it boring or bland at all. Your interpretation of the movie was different than mine though. I wouldn't say its about how children's troubles seem so much bigger than they are. It WAS big for him. It was an odyssey. Ultimately, the reason I love it so much is for it's poetic nature and altruistic themes, but I understand how that won't speak to everyone the same way it does to me. Definitely give the rest of the movies in the Koker Trilogy a shot. Regarding plot, they are nothing alike. Take care
Based on ones I actually paid money to own: 1. Bresson's, The Pickpocket 2. Mr. Arkadin 3. Dr. Mabuse 4. The Lady Vanishes 5. Odd Man Out. Bresson is just garbage, sorry. At some point Criterion went from issuing films of major importance with an Auteur bent to - putting out the lesser films of of the same. Each of these is an example of that. Sometimes that works, sometimes it just looks like a money-grab.
My vote for worst Criterion release ever is Prince of Tides.
Great idea for a video… most Criterion videos on RUclips are about favorites and this least favorites was welcome. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing but rather just listening to others opinions and insights into their own experiences with a title that I enjoy.
I hated, hated, hated Funny Games! I loathed it. Haneke complains about movies being manipulative and then what does he do? Correct, he manipulates us into thinking that the couple is going to escape, but no, they don't! Of course not! That would be too Hollywoodish. Talk about condescension, huh.
I think the best beginner Cassavetes film might be Faces, or Woman Under the Influence, but you may find them not to your taste as well. He is a film- maker most interested in character, not plot. You could accuse many of them of being “meandering.” Those of us with the Cassavetes jones were prepared for Chinese Bookie. I loved it, though not as much as Faces. It may be a difference in temperament because I liked Shoot the Piano Player as well, though not as much as 400 Blows and some of his other films.
Well... I think you started with the wrong Cassavetes film. He has his own style, and sometimes it's hard to watch when you don't know it, or at least expect it. I recommend you to watch A Woman Under the Influence, I think it's his most easy film to watch,
I didn’t really care for The Uninvited. It’s not bad; it’s just kind of dull and hokey with no edge and a schmaltzy Hollywood ending. Though, what can you really expect from Hays-era Hollywood? Also, the special features are pretty lacking. I don’t regret buying it because it’s cheaper than most Criterion releases, and it’s another piece of my collection.
Which version of killing of a Chinese Bookie? I’m guessing the long version based on your comments the shorter version is much better
Nice concept!
Refreshing to hear opinions about films that are not enjoyed and why.
With Cassavetes, I started with Shadows and loved it. It was like no other film I'd seen from its time period and must have seemed especially daring and scandalous at the time.
I like Funny Games but I can definitely see it not being for everyone. Try The Piano Teacher or Benny’s Video for other Haneke goodness 😊
I need to make a video like this. Woman Under the Influence is great
I actually watched Le Samouraï (1967) recently and I thought it was profoundly boring, stylistically rich but substantially vacant, I've seen two French New Wave films so far and they've both left me ennui
Which Funny Games did you see? I personally saw his 2008 exact remake of the original and loved the hell out of it. I thought the use of more famous actors like Roth and Watts better applied to the commentary of violence in "every" film and using bigger names almost like a lure itself, and from what I've seen of the 1st Funny Game's clips, the brothers are way better performed and creepy and just overall more entertaining in the remake vs the original. I do agree it's still got its slower moments and it's pretentions (after seeing 4 of his films though, I think that's just Hanake in general hahah), but this is easily my favorite film of his; Cache close 2nd.
The two Cassavetes films tat I would highly recommend are Faces and A Woman under the Influence.
In terms of the Koker trilogy, you'll like Life and nothing more much, much better
Man, the Criterion blind buy that haunts me the most is Picnic at Hanging Rock. I was really excited to see an early Peter Weir at work, and reviews raved about the mysterious atmosphere. I'm a sucker for atmosphere, but I found the pan flute score just grating. It's like the musician played at the exact frequencies my ear drums never want to experience again, for the entire length of the film. It just meanders and grates. I can't recall if I even finished it, but I'm usually quite a patient film watcher, I like a slow cooked story, but this was just unbearable.