Criterion Collection Pick-Ups & Recommendations July 2023

[@MrJDNJ]

"Being There" is so odd, it took a lot of time to get into to, but it goes to another level once Shirley McClain gets on screen.

[@thespagent5718]

I adore Being There! Such a beautiful film and Peter Sellers performance is amazing!

[@jnagarya519]

Tony Leung Chu Wai is a great actor -- see as example his films with Wong Kar-Wai. And see the Ang Lee film "Lust, Caution," with Tony and first-timer Tang Wei.

[@lukemick]

I really like a lot of Ang Lee’s work. Still have yet to watch Lust, Caution though. Tang Wei was absolutely devastating in Decision To Leave!

[@CitronQ]

Omg he’s back!! hope you’re doing well

[@jnagarya519]

Hong Kong and Taiwan films are very different. Hong Kong has been most influenced by international film, especially (Wong Kar Wai) US film. So much kineticism. Ang Lee is Taiwan, but educated in the US. Edward Yang and King Hu are also Taiwan. Another is Hou Hsiao Hsien (sp?), "Three Times," "Millennium Mambo," "The Assassin". (All three of those star the wonderful Shu Qi, and "Three Times" also stars Chang Chen, who played the bandit in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". His first film was Yang's film with "Summer" in the title.) All in all, it takes time to learn the distinctions between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan film, each of which had its unique origins.

[@lukemick]

Millennium Mambo will be playing near me theatrically this summer! I’m definitely planning on attending one of its screenings. Learning, identifying, and seeing the distinctions between Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan films/filmmaking is certainly part of the fun watching!

[@jnagarya519]

@@lukemick Yes, learning those differences finds surprises. And one begins to see influence of Japanese film on Taiwan film not seen on Hong Kong or Mainland.

[@jnagarya519]

@@lukemick I picked up "Millennium Mambo" -- a new blu-ray release by Kino -- for $10.99 during Amazon sale. Quite enjoyed it. Reviews of it are helpful with orientation.

[@BaileeWalsh]

I need to work on going through the titles already on my shelves!! I haven't gone to B&N, yet, and actually found out the location I usually go to had a fire a few months ago and is temporary closed! I'm not getting much this sale to focus on my collection more but also there are a lot of other things I'm getting at the moment- other movie label sales, kpop, some other stuff, and I'm redoing one of my rooms. One of the things I'm continuing going through from last summer is a couple Claude Chabrol (limited) box sets from Arrow. At the beginning of the month I watched Betty (1992), which is definitely my favorite film of his atm. I thought it was incredible! I didn't really have expectations for it in any way and I was hooked from the start. I'm a bit busy this weekend so I haven't started editing, yet, but I filmed a recommendations video last night :)

[@lukemick]

Yeaahhh these are probably the only titles I’m going to grab this sale. I have a ton of unwatched Criterion releases myself. And I have those Claude Chabrol box sets too! I’ll make it a priority to check out Betty soon, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for your vid!

[@jnagarya519]

"Incredible Shrinking Man" by the prolific writer Richard Matheson.

[@davidsudak5114]

Does one really “enjoy” M Haneke?

[@lukemick]

Excellent point. Only if one enjoys feeling terrible, I suppose.

[@warpathh]

This vid should be titled "I am really behind on picking up Criterion Collection blu rays so here's what I got".

[@adamnelson8572]

You’re not dead!

[@lukemick]

Correct! I’m still kickin’!

[@FreezeInfinite]

Good recommendations I wish Criterion delved more into Hong Kong Action Cinema

[@AnInternetUser1]

Have you seen the two Election films from Johnnie To? They're not really action films but they're still quite good.

[@lukemick]

It’d be cool if they did more Hong Kong action for sure. Still patiently waiting for them (or someone else) to bring John Woo’s Hard Boiled back to Blu-Ray. 88 Films has actually been killing it lately in terms of HK action releases though. I’d recommend taking a peek at their catalogue if you haven’t before! Usually a good amount of extras on each disc, and they include double sided posters for lots of their releases too

[@FreezeInfinite]

@@AnInternetUser1 have not. Will have to check them out.

[@FreezeInfinite]

@@lukemick hard boiled and the killer would be perfect for criterion. As for 88 films, yes I've been collecting every martial arts film release in the US so far. As well as arrow video and shout factory, etc. It's been a martial arts movie release Renaissance and I'm loving it.

[@jnagarya519]

I believe "2046" is superior to "In the Mood for Love": no one agrees with me. The challenge is to figure out what "2046" is about. Trivia: Magge Cheung was originally "eye candy". But she says she learned how to act from working with Wong Kar-Wai. And see her extraordinary work in "Clean," by her then-husband Olivier Assayas.

[@lukemick]

Very interested in seeing Clean. Their collaboration with Irma Vep is one my faves

[@jnagarya519]

@@lukemick Criterion pubishes several Assayas films other than "irma Vep". See "Cold Water". "Clean" has Maggie Cheung speaking English (in UK), French and Chinese (in Paris). And her character's child is in Canda with the parents of her washed up/junkie/late rock star/husband. A wholly mature Maggie Cheung is entirely convincing in the role. One of her very best.