Most OVERRATED Films in the CRITERION COLLECTION

For a bit of fun, these are the films that I personally believe are overrated within the Criterion Collection. What do you think are the most overrated films within the Criterion Collection?
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[@ElliotCoen]

My question to YOU - What is the single most overrated film in the Criterion Collection? (No Barry Lyndon answers allowed, sorry)

[@swaggyquaggy5077]

400 blows

[@michaelsmith1262]

Anything with Jacques Tati. I have actually not watched one of his films all the way though, but I have sampled them enough to know I don't find them funny at all. I think maybe if you are French, you can more easily see the humor, but to me they are painfully unfunny and boring.

[@spaceodds1985]

Well said, Barry Lyndon is underrated of all things

[@luissegovia8205]

Andrei rublev.... 3 hour of... Zzzzzzzz!!!!

[@EBFido1973]

Pierro le fou from Goddard

[@NoStasis]

I also love Kurosawa’s later films, but Seven Samurai and a lot of his other films in that era had an incredible magic from the cast and scripts that are hard to surpass. Interesting that you seem to take points off of a film for being so influential that others then refine the ideas from it, that influence would seem to speak to it’s greatness if you ask me. I’ve long believed that Seven Samurai is a legitimate contender for greatest film of all-time, it’s all subjective but to me it checks all the boxes.

[@h.calvert3165]

As I was watching it for the first time, I kept checking how much was left. I wasn't bored. I was saying, "AARRGGHH! There's only two & a half hours left! AARRGGHH! There's only two hours left! AARRGGHH!. . . ." 🤯

[@jnagarya519]

It can't be "all subjective" because the film in question exists as an objective entity.

[@NoStasis]

@@jnagarya519 the film is the film, it is the opinions are subjective.

[@jnagarya519]

@@NoStasis And yet interpretations of a film or other work of "art" are limited by the elements and strictures within the work. A painting of a tree is not a painting of a motor vehicle.

[@voidgrrl]

I was still recovering from the French New Wave slander and then Mulholland Drive???? My favourite film of all time???? I'm seething, lad

[@ElliotCoen]

I’m sorry to let you down so harshly 😂

[@rodneyleon3645]

That's it! That's the final straw! I. Am. Out. Of. Here!

[@JoYiSgUiTaR]

I agree on the French New Wave being Overrated for sure. It feels like it’s trying too hard to be stylistic if that makes sense, like if that genre of film was a person, it would be very arrogant

[@thecinematicmind]

I was always much a fan of Left Bank, more playful and emotional.

[@littleghostfilms3012]

Films should be judged on an individual basis. Your comment is painting with a broad brush a whole bunch of films as if they all have the same tone or sense. Because of the impact and revolutionary nature of what the French New Wave did and then all the mountains of writing done about it I think there is sometimes a push back and urge to puncture the balloon of it's status. To me that is all irrelevant. I'm drawn to that period sometimes just as I'm drawn to other periods from other cultures as a way to experience interesting works of art and learn something along the way. The French New Wave has dozens of films of different styles and some are better than others. I don't see anything arrogant about those films. They are films, not people.

[@MarvinDeLeon-hx4hi]

You know what? Everything is overrated. Because people find everything overrated.

[@agnosoul]

When you pulled up Breathless I went "yeah and so is Godard, and honestly so is the entire French New Wave" and you beautifully followed up with that. hilarious

[@ElliotCoen]

Haha!

[@maxturgeon89]

I kept a copy of the September 2012 issue of S&S with the results of their poll. I look at it from time to time to get some inspiration. But one thing that has always fascinated me is how the critics results are much more uniform than the directors results. And I think that ties to one key idea you mentioned in your video: we watch/love/make movies for a variety of reasons. The films that stay with me the longest are the ones with which I really connect emotionally. Directors probably rank movies highly based on which ones inspired them the most. Academics may focus more on form than content.

[@20thand21stMovies]

Elliot, great video and topic! I agree with all your choices (with the exception of maybe Citizen Kane). Doesn’t mean that the films are bad as you say - I actually love all those films - but one can definitely argue that they are slightly overrated. I love Seven Samurai and think it’s brilliant but I actually like Rashomon, High and Low, and Dreams from Kurosawa way more with High and Low being my favorite of his films.

[@realjoelgomes]

Thought provoking video Elliot!! 👌👌👌👍👍👍. Next I'd suggest you make a couple of videos on Criterion titles that have DVD versions, but have never been released on Blu-ray: a video on the best ones that deserve a BR release, and another on "Not sure how this title made it to Criterion?!"

[@ElliotCoen]

Great ideas, Joel. I’ll add these to my list. Thank you so much for the support! 🙌

[@m.dorado6966]

I have one in my collection called The Thief of Baghdad I've had for years waiting for a BR release. What does Criterion have against Sabu?

[@anthonym8205]

Even if they had the rights, would people double dip on Tout va bien?

[@andrewhladek3528]

I think what a lot of the haters don't seem to understand is that you still show respect these directors and share appreciation to these works. Out of the five films you've discussed, Seven Samurai was the only film I watched. I'll consider watching the other four. Overall, your explanation for each these is professionally done! Great job!

[@gurutattoo75]

I was sitting here waiting for you to say "The Red Shoes" or "Come and See", and if that was the case, we would've had words, butI actually agree whole-heartedly with your picks. Barry Lyndon is a gem, I hope some day we get a 4k release of it.

[@ElliotCoen]

I could never have included those films here! The Red Shoes is vital cinema for me. Thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@JoseChavez-rf4ul]

Yes! “Barry Lyndon” in 4K please! In fact, as much as I adore the Kubrick films that have already seen a release in 4K, “Lyndon” is the film I would have chosen ahead of all the others… Here’s to hoping it gets one soon. 🤞🏽

[@raminagrobis6112]

@@ElliotCoen I couldn't agree more. The Red Shoes was one of my most extraordinary discoveries of my last 19 years of cinema exploration, after " Black Narcissus".. Sacrilege !! 😂

[@sensitivedogs]

Well I'm glad you would have had words if those were chosen. I had words for those that were actually chosen based on the fact it was hitting criterion directly for their choices. Elliot should start his own boutique label and see how we rate his choices.

[@domcoke]

I have always felt the way you do about Wes Anderson... and I LOVED The Grand Budapest Hotel. For me, that's his masterpiece, where the style and content finally meshed brilliantly.

[@mrbox4814]

Talked my children who hated old or black and white films into watching at least five minutes Seven Samurai before leaving the room; they were still there three hours later.

[@princesmith8008]

Lol nice, my cousin hates black and white too. Made him watch only 10 minutes of "Strangers on a Train" and then I left the room as I had some stuff to do. When I came back 2-3 hours later, he was watching it for the second time.

[@ShortRound42]

The Ten MOST overrated Criterion films (and many are fun, most I LOVE, but these didn't need Criterion type production or curation)... - RoboCop - Chasing Amy - The Blob - Che - Repo Man - Tootsie - Bowling for Columbine - The War of the Worlds - Fast Times at Ridgemont High - Sound of Metal

[@treytison1444]

1. People adapting and refining a classic doesn't take away from the original or make it overrated. 2. I get that this movie could be called overrated. It has memorable scenes and stuff but there's not a ton of substance. 3. The Royal Tenenbaums is still Wes Anderson's best film. It has a ton of great themes in it about family relationships, jealousy, fears, and desire. And it still manages to have a bunch of funny stuff in it. 4. I agree that Mulholland Drive might not be David Lynch's best movie but I don't hear many people who try to argue that it is. I think it's one of his most emotional ones though and I'm surprised you don't feel anything when watching it. 5. If it's hugely influential and ahead of it's time I'm not really sure how it can be overrated. Once again I don't really see how a movie can be greatness when it comes out but then after it gets older it loses what makes it special. The cinematography still looks good and that's what matters. Plus to be overrated, I feel like film snobs have to bring it up all the time and I really don't hear it brought up all that much. I'd really expect something more like bicycle Thieves to appear on a list like this, hell there's even a running joke in The Player of film snobs constantly bringing it up and saying the title wrong. But idk, I think all of these movies are pretty incredible, the only two I'm not like incredibly wowed by are Citizen Kane though I appreciate the cinematography a lot and Breathless which I enjoy moderately but it's not one of my favorites.

[@saharapage1]

Well you went for it Elliott and I must say you expressed your opions very well. You are always interesting and thought provoking. I really enjoy your channel.

[@ricahrdb]

Interesting but I disagree with you 5/5. I am not necessarily a fan of all these films but I do recognise that all 5 are either landmark films or key films for their specific director. I definitely wouldn't pick these in the category "overrated" as most of them (specifically Citizen Kane, Mulholland Dr. and Breathless) are actually often criticised for being "snobbish" and "elitist".

[@ThePanPiper89]

Your take on Godard is one I see often and very much understand. There are those moments where a very fast paced film with a short duration suddenly derails for 10 minutes for a conversation. It’s very hit or miss. I really liked it in Contempt. Contempt is a real outlier in that StudioCanal set.

[@michaelsmith1262]

I agree with some choices, and I really like this topic. Some filmmakers do not connect with me at all. Lynch is one of them. I'm glad you've shifted your focus for this channel to these kinds of topics, rather than just haul videos. Seems like the time you took off was good for you. Would like to see you post videos more often, but of course whatever you are comfortable with is what you should do.

[@harryorenstein1144]

Excellent program. "Overrated" is such a subjective term, and you do a great job of explaining why you think these films are overrated, despite the importance of some of them in the history of film (for me, however, that is a very important factor when determining if a film is overrated or not). Definitely agree with your Goddard and Anderson choices, My big disagreement with you is Mulholland Drive: I remember when I first saw it, someone asked me why I thought and my reply was "I can't tell you why, but I think I've just seen a great film." Subsequent viewings (and reading several critics' interpretations) of the film reinforced this feeling, and I find that with each viewing there is something new that bubbles to the surface.

[@samuelstephens6163]

Red River is an overrated title. I love Hawks, I love Wayne, and I love Westerns. But Red River was just okay with a great Wayne performance. But you know what, even as I say it, I kinda want to watch it again.

[@miz_logo_lee]

My problem with The Royal Tenenbaums is that I really dislike all the characters. The kids are so twee and spoiled and even a bit icky and I don’t really care what happens to them. Breathless feels disjointed and trendy and I honestly don’t like it when I’m distracted by editing or art direction to the point I’m not really following the story. Mulholland Drive and Citizen Kane are two of my favorite movies but I appreciate a different opinion.

[@Bob-Savage]

This is off topic but I just thought of it - Spielberg Criterion?!. He’s probably the last of the ‘big’ directors to not have any films in the collection. Scorsese, Kubrick, Kurosawa, DePalma… The closest is ‘I wanna hold your hand’ as a producer. Off the top of my head I can only think of ‘The Color Purple’ as a possible candidate… anyone else have a thought??

[@cody_t]

Empire of the Sun

[@BackstageBackDoor]

Schindler's list would be amazing.

[@leninsanchez7167]

I wouldn't call these movies "overrated". Based on your arguments, at least 60% of the criterion collection would be overrated. In México we have a word we use which is "quemado", Something that is known to everyone and everyone talks about it, and can sometimes blind us from other things that can be equally as great or better. But overrated is something that is highly rated or regarded and does not deserve the title. Some of the movies you mention here are vital to film history and are landmarks of the art, and you can't call history overrated. I think I get what you're trying to communicate with this video, I just don't think overrated is the right word for the likes of Seven samurai, Breathless, or Citizen Kane.

[@tdbourneproductions8220]

Royal Tenenbaums is my favorite W Anderson film. He had shown promise with Bottle Rocket and Rushmore, but still had to prove himself with a larger ensemble A-list cast. He was still at a phase of growth. After this film, he could do whatever he wanted and has.

[@andrewwilson4733]

I personal love bottle rocket and rushmore the most, I think his underdeveloped style was better and more pure. He quickly became so stylised and predictable with his formula (my opinion obv.)

[@tdbourneproductions8220]

@@andrewwilson4733 I haven't watched the French Dispatch for that reason.

[@machtnichtsseimann]

@@andrewwilson4733 - I'll throw a wrench into the discussion on W. Anderson. "Rushmore" was and is still my favorite of his. And among my favorites of all films of all time. It hits the ground running, great soundtrack, tight editing, snappy dialog ( one of the most quotable films I've ever seen to enter itself quickly into Cult status ), solid acting. Comedy/Tragedy. Lot of heart. Subjectively, continues to touch and entertain me all these years later.

[@halfsquatch]

Great video, Elliott. It's nice to see that there are some movies that you don't love to bits :-) That said, on every one of these films, I can completely understand your perspective. If there is one thing that seems to be in common among all of them, except maybe "Seven Samurai," is a lack of emotional connection to the characters. In particular, for me, I remember seeing "Mulholland Drive" when it came out. I had loved "Lost Highway," and puzzled over it for a long time. Then I saw "Mulholland Drive" and remember thinking, "There is a mystery here, but I don't care enough to solve it." That said, I love all the rest of these films and have even warmed up to "Mulholland Drive" over time. But I find the films I return to the most invest more in the relationships on screen. Maybe this is why I watch more Ozu than Kurasawa. Little boring films about relationships seem to be my jam these days .

[@RiderRated18]

It’s totally fine Man. I haven’t actually seen any of the films you mentioned in this video. But I have encountered other criterion films that were massively hyped up and when I watched them…. I felt not much connection with them at all. For example, one of them was Easy Rider, Seriously I was so disappointed with it and couldn’t understand it’s positive reputation. But nothing lost nothing gained, I just move on and turn to the next recommendation 🙂👍

[@kencur9690]

How can you not like Easy Rider? You’re Rider Rated! _De gustibus_ I guess... Still, what you’re doing is very wrong. Never move on after the first try! Give it a second try. At least start watching for a second time. You might miss something you actually like, just wasn’t in the mood for it first time. Watch for a second time for at least 15 mins. If the feeling persists, then ok, move on, perhaps for good. If not, stay for another 15, etc. I’m not talking about the crap - the consumerist stuff and so on - you can skip those if you don’t immediately like them. But critically acclaimed films deserve a second chance. It doesn’t mean you’ll change your mind, you might even end up hating it even more, and being even more disappointed hehe, but you might see it in a new light. I know it happened to me a couple of times. Usually, a great film will be great first time watching it, but I know for sure that in my case I’ve had different viewings and reception of the same thing, watched on separate occasions. (Can work in reverse too: being less impressed on a second viewing.) Same for music, especially classical music. Sometimes I discount a piece, a symphony for instance, only to revisit it later on and change my mind completely. Try it man, nothing to lose, especially since you can find some of these online nowadays.

[@davidosborn6714]

Even though I disagree with most of your candidates, I admire you for putting yourself in the line of fire. My criticism isn't so much of your choices as your criteria for including them. In several instances you justify a film's inclusion based on there being better incarnations of the same theme or genre in later films. But to my mind this implies the validity of the very films you're choosing as overrated. It seems to me if these movies weren't "overrated" enough for filmmakers to want to emulate, the "more deserving" examples you prefer might never have gotten a green light. All that being said, I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@christopherdoolan925]

Video idea: Which films do you wish had the Criterion treatment? For me Kurosawa’s Ran would be up there.

[@Lightraymuse]

Apart from Breatheless, I have viewed all of these and do believe that there is some substance to your opinions. Of course, respect to all those who say otherwise. In regards to Lynch, Inland Empire (2006), is the movie of his that I most currently rate. Although long, it has all those Lynch elements that we know and love and is capably anchored by Laura Dern. That opinion should cause at least some concern.

[@simonfilmfan4899]

Those Criterion discs are seriously expensive and too arty to risk blind buys. I only own a few.

[@storysightmedia]

Thank you for doing this video!! I love your hot takes and even agree with some of them. More film lovers should not be scared to share their controversial opinions.

[@samuelstephens6163]

LOVE IT! Obviously disagree with two of these, but I enjoy the distinction you draw between a film being good, or even a masterpiece, and still being overrated.

[@GM-nz1te]

Hi Elliot. Thank you so much for your video, much appreciated. It is refreshing. On the side note, I actually often wonder how honest some of the Criterion Collection buyers are about the titles they purchase. I feel there is a bit of dishonesty from some of them and it is more about showing off than anything else. It just takes to look at all the messages posted by Criterion buyers on the KZbin Criterion channel during the sales (look at my collection of Criterion titles! look what I bought! - honestly, who cares what they purchased, we know the titles they bought are available from Criterion). Especially when it comes to 'blind buys'. Just because it is Criterion doesn't mean it is that good or they are going to enjoy the films. Anyway. You have picked some major titles. I agree 100% with you on Wes Anderson. I recently watched his French Dispatch and felt exactly as you have described it - which is the way I feel about all his films. Cold is the word. I think his movies are overrated, even if I acknowledge their technical and aesthetic value. I watched The Seven Samurai only once some years ago and did not really connect to it (same thing with The Magnificent Seven, actually). I do like Citizen Kane, Breathless and Mulholland Drive, but I understand that some may consider them as overrated (or worse). I see Citizen Kane as a great film. To be honest, I don’t understand everything Lynch does, but I enjoy his films nonetheless and don’t see them as pretentious, including Mulholland Drive. I don’t consider Breathless pretentious either, although it might be the way some feel about it. It has to be put in the context of the time. I watched it again the other day and deeply enjoyed it, for what it is but also in the light of what had been done until then and what was shot at the time in France. I agree that from the end of the 60s on Godard’s work becomes increasingly experimental and hard to watch (and some would say pretentious). I really struggled to watch Le Gai savoir last year. Thanks for all the videos!

[@sensitivedogs]

And you put these films in that same context? These films are great films Criterion or no criterion. You just have to know what you like and the difference between something that's genuinely good and make your opinion on film knowledge not on a whim to be controversial.

[@gorehound3414]

Seven Samurai is a masterpiece, it isn’t the best Japanese film but it is a masterpiece. MullHolland Drive; is a flawless masterpiece. It isn’t even my favourite Lynch probably ranking 5th, that’s only because some of his films feel more personal to me. I don’t understand how MullHolland Drive can’t leave you emotionally blown away.

[@jshimmy786]

Absolutely heresy.. Seven Samurai, Breathless and Citizen Kane are the greatest movies of all-time.. yeah, its subjective... and I love those movies after taking film classes in college so context is definitely needed and helpful. Those movies greatness is not "intuitive". But you're spot on regarding Royal Tenenbaums.

[@nomad6218]

I think that not only is The French new wave the most vital era in cinema, but objectively as a brilliant era of cinema that has some of the best and some of my favourite films, like Cleo for 5 to 7, Last year at Marienbad, Day for Night, etc.

[@ElliotCoen]

Day for Night is one of my favourite Truffaut’s. I think the late silent era is the most vital. If only Murnau and other masters had another decade to play around with before sound!

[@elizabethveldonstuff]

not going to disagree there.

[@valentinedussaut3839]

Day for Night isn't part of the French New Wave. The problem with you Americans is that you have a shallow understanding of French cinema. The French New Wave lasted from 1958 to 1962. Anything after that, even Godard, and Truffaut isn't French New Wave. Bresson isn't French New Wave, Melville and Pialat neither. It is even disputed if Demy or Resnais were.

[@initialise21]

Nah bro french new wave films are trash

[@valentinedussaut3839]

@@initialise21 I challenge you to a duel.

[@toffeur23]

Lynch's case is special. Because he does not make only cinema but also painting and artistic installations. He has several strings to his bow. But my thesis is that he does not make a thing beside another, but one through another. There are indeed two Lynch, one in a vein that I would call "traditional" or conventional, respecting narrative codes, the other that I would name "surrealist", and which upsets the traditional codes of the narration. The most representative works are Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive.

[@finlaylonghurst]

funnily enough, the royal tenenbaums is the wes anderson film that i connect with the most, always makes me emotional

[@sgist7824]

This is a great video thank you. I am interested to start collecting Criterion, do you have any videos on how best to do this in the UK?

[@k-boxmotionpictures1337]

It’s your experience in finding underrated films so that you can rule out gate blocker overrated films and secondly with age we want to refresh some mind buttons and files. I agree with all of your 4 picks except Citizen Kane. After 5 years you will feel same about Vertigo

[@ElliotCoen]

We will see if you’re right about Vertigo! Have loved that now for 8 years and counting… thanks for watching!

[@LuisFilipeAlves]

hahahaha, i was listening to you talk about breathless and seven samurai and thinking, he's going to close with citizen kane, isnt he? :D i disagree with a lot of this, in particular mulholland drive, which is a favorite of mine (what do you think of fire walk with me,btw?). but it was a fun video. :) just, brace yourself for the hate :D

[@leedurbin4419]

Whats the name of your podcast?

[@OGMillwood]

Completely agree re: Citizen Kane. I watched this years ago, and went in with an abundance of excitement and reverence, and left feeling... Let down? Underwhelmed? Thankfully it's all subjective, but for me, I'm totally in agreement with you on this one.

[@GlenHallstrom]

Ya didn't get me until Kane. Then again, I kind of expected it. I'm just glad you didn't say Welles was overrated.

[@colaguy29229]

Wow, Eliot. We are so simpatico. I can honestly say I agree with all of your selections. (Except for Seven Samurai, which I haven't watched yet.) I particularly agree with your comments on Breathless and Godard.... And The Straight Story is also my favorite Lynch film. I dare anyone to get through the ending without tearing up or crying.... Great video! And I'm sure some people who work at "Criterion Headquarters" secretly feel this way too.

[@classiccinemac9480]

Elliot!!! Happy Sunday!! I absolutely loved your video on overrated movies on the Criterion Collection! I do think some films are really great but are movies I also don’t see myself owning on Criterion. Yes, they still may be strong films to appreciate but they just don’t capture my taste the same as other film buffs. From my personal taste, the overrated film I’m not the biggest fan of on Criterion is the 1979 film The Tin Drum 😂 I only watched the film once and I had ALOT of squirmy feelings after my first viewing. The film was definitely well shot with fantastic direction and performances but I just deeply feel very odd about that film haha. But I do love some of the others you mentioned like Seven Samurai and Breathless! 🎥🎥

[@endresee]

Man I was ready to hate but I agree with all these picks, though as you say many of these are amazing films despite being overrated. The problem, I think, is the whole concept of a “best” film or “10 best” or whatever. Film is such a varied medium and so many kinds of films try to do so many different things. No one film, no matter how good, can be defended as “the best” or 10 best, etc.

[@tmorganriley]

I do wonder if "Seven Samurai" owes much of its impact to its original but timeless story, rather than the finished film per se. It is a great film... but one that has been successfully remade twice (namely, "Magnificent Seven" and "Battle Beyond the Stars"), both of which have proved worthwhile in the long-run. Which means that its directing isn't entirely irreplaceable, and I confess often I would rather just watch one of those later two (or one of Kurosawa's other b&w samurai films). I would concur that "Ran" is absolutely breathtakingly epic, and is the zenith of his ouvre (and was the first one I thought of when you began to opine that there were stronger works.). Thank you for the well argued video essay.

[@GA-1st]

It's all subjective, so you're obviously entitled to your opinion. "Citizen Kane" used to be overrated just about unanimously, but lately I've run across your opinion among critics much more frequently than ever before. Personally, I've never connected to it emotionally, but appreciate the innovation and visionary talent that it took to make a such an excellent film, particularly in the period in which it was made. IMO, "overrated" is the most misunderstood term out there. Let me give some context. Watch ANY YT review of a popular film nowadays, I guarantee that at least once the term "great" will be stated. If one considers "greatness" to be the ultimate achievement in filmmaking, it's obvious that a relatively few films are truly "great," and to suggest that a movie is great simply because one finds it very entertaining is ridiculous. Ergo, by definition, it's more likely than not "overrated." It doesn't mean it's bad, unentertaining, not worthy of admiration, nor even unimportant. Just not the ultimate that cinema has to offer! Gutsy video!

[@ElliotCoen]

Completely agree, G A! Overrated and underrated are rather nebulous terms, but they feel like the easiest to use in these circumstances. It makes for interesting discussion!

[@elizabethveldonstuff]

citizen kane is a great film but it is the one of the director's films i'm least likely to watch.

[@jnagarya519]

It isn't "all subjective" -- which is an excuse to avoid the issue. There are objective objects called "films". There are standards which apply to them. The objective object can be objectively evaluated critically.

[@GA-1st]

@@jnagarya519 Um, no. Perhaps you misunderstand my point. Film is art. And art is always subjective in terms of its merit or lack thereof. There's no objectively "great" film. In reality, it's always a matter of someone's or some group's opinion. But art's value is not a matter of consensus among certain critics. Art cannot be defined by an elite, otherwise it becomes dogma, which is more the province of religion. The only element of film that might be considered "objective" MAY be in the technical aspect, e.g., the sound is bad, the lighting is poor, etc. But otherwise a movie's ultimate impact to the individual viewer is what counts. And that's undeniably a subjective experience.

[@jnagarya519]

@@GA-1st So you reject aesthetic valuations based upon objectively-existing art objects. Why not just argue that any "opinion" about a work of art is as legitimate as any other. You know, a painting of a tree being described as being instead a painting of a motor vehicle. I mean, there's no "right and wrong" when it comes to "opinion," correct? And what is an "elite"? -- those who know more about a subject than others? Those who know stuff you don't know?

[@sifatshams1113]

3 AMAZING dark comedy films that absolutely need to be in the CC: The King of Comedy (1983), The Heartbreak Kid (1972), and In The Company of Men (1997).

[@CosasdeOswaldo]

05:50 "I think some people will have clicked off by this point, but let's continue, I want to enrage more people." Hahahaha, best words in the entire video.

[@Ifrit007]

Very interesting video as always! I personally agree with some of the takes, especially Godard and the New Wave (or at least what I’ve seen so far) and I while I will watch more films from the New Wave, so far I’ve personally only enjoyed the works of Jean Pierre Melville. The Wes Anderson take us also very understandable, Grand Budapest still rocks though. Haven’t seen much of David Lynch, so I can’t comment on that one. Though out of the bunch, it seems like the film I’d definitely would most likely enjoy the most. Citizen Kane, again, haven’t seen this, but I’ll be watching it with an open mind. Overall, very nice video as always and keep up the great work! Also, out of curiosity, are there any silent films you find particularly overrated?

[@deezee2965]

J-P Melville is not from the French New Wave. He made movies during and after it but he is not part of it. Godard-Truffaut-Rohmer-Chabrol are pretty much the core of the Movement. However, I would argue that only Godard is the only director who actualy matches with what the Wave was about. (The movie that broke me and cut me away from watching more of their films was "Le Mépris" from him...)

[@Ifrit007]

@@deezee2965 I see, I see. Makes sense. I am curious, when you said it broke you and cut you away, I’m taking that you didn’t enjoy the film? I’m also asking because I was kind of looking forward to it seeing it was recently restored and it seemed interesting, that and it stars one of my favorites, Fritz Lang.

[@CarlosHernandez-rl2wg]

The most overrated title is Stalker. I have seen at least 2 SCI-FI / Post apocalyptic lists put it at top of their list. I drove all the way to my local Barnes and Noble during a 50% sale to buy it. Upon watching it, I was interested at the beginning (Escaping the city scenes), but then got progressively angry and bored. The movie ended, and I felt like I misspent my money on a bad title instead of something greater that I overlooked at the store. Agreed, on Citizen Kane. I like the film, but I can see how if you took away all the great cinema techniques, it would be a very boring film. Now Seven Samurai, is what I disagree on. Good video regardless.

[@amarsharma2766]

What’s your take on Harakiri instead of Seven Samurai

[@s.m.whiteII]

At least you are honest enough to admit you might not connect with Lynch. Kudos. As for me, Blue Velvet, Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive were all movies that had a DEEP impact on me, each viewed at different times of my life. No single director comes close in that respect for me personally

[@stevehak]

I always like your videos and this is one of the rare occasions when I just can’t agree with your picks. These movies have long been regarded as classics and I think they all have their rightful places in the Criterion Collection. But appreciate your opininon.

[@ElliotCoen]

Oh yes, they all belong in the collection for sure. No disputing that!

[@GA-1st]

He said that they are "overrated," not that they're not classics.

[@danevans6812]

Enjoyed the video, thanks for making this - nice change from the standard issue even with some disagreement.

[@ElliotCoen]

My pleasure, Dan. Thanks for watching!

[@simeonmaximostuartfernande2804]

I was shocked that you mentioned Seven Samurai, but after you explained why, I am ok with your choice.

[@WorldsCollide23]

Yes! Normalize finding the French New Wave and Godard overrated. Meandering is right. I understand what the movement did for cinema, but I also dislike when people talk about what came before it as stuffy. Just look at masterpieces like “Children of Paradise.” Nothing stuffy about that film.

[@thecinematicmind]

I predict either BFI Sight & Sound will pick Vertigo again or Tokyo Story or 2001 will top the list.

[@jaredmiller7365]

As someone who would put Seven Samurai in my Top 5, I actually completely understand. King Lear became my favorite Shakespeare play in college and around that time I discovered Ran, and I was completely blown away. It is just a slight bit below Samurai for me, and I get that exhaustion that comes from Samurai's influence and from a standpoint in scope and full directorial potential his later films are technically superior. I also agree with Tenenbaums as well, his more recent work has certainly held up as more emotionally enjoyable.

[@trevorbartram5473]

Agree with Breathless, Royal Tennenbaums & Mulholland Drive. I havn't seen Seven Samurai in years. You are wrong regarding Citizen Kane. You need to see the PBS series on William Randolph Hearst or read a good biography. At the tail end of the Depression, Welles was documenting the excesses of American commerce and experimenting with cinematic techniques within a thinly disguised biographic movie, plain genius!

[@ElliotCoen]

Oh yes, I completely understand the historical context and how brilliant that is! That doesn’t affect the film itself though. I can’t remember who said it first but you shouldn’t have to read a book to enjoy a film to its fullest! Thanks for watching and commenting, Trevor!

[@trevorbartram5473]

That is the brilliance of Kane, it's a reflection of a life not a mirror, and is still a compelling story in it's own right.

[@christopherdoolan925]

I prefer Lost Highway to Mulholland Dr, and Alphaville to Breathless. Brave video. You showcased some of the jewels of my collection. Seven Samurai is still my number one best film. I usually shed a few tears. One of the only Criterions, in my collection, I did not finish and have not yet returned to is Fellini’s Roma. The barrage of plotless talk was too tiresome and I never seem to be in the mood to try again.

[@ryanwolfgang9500]

Hey brother I always love listening to your videos you made some really good points in this one I wanted to see you citizen Kane for a long time but everyone I talk to says it's overrated and that I probably will not like it keep it up Elliot you inspire me to study more great films

[@SamDavies94]

Breathless has always been an overrated film for me. Studying film at Uni, it was recommended viewing and a lot of lecturers loved it. I don't think it works - I find the general 'plot' of the film to be a nonsensical drag. I do really like some of Godard's other films, Vivre Sa Vie, Bande a Part, Un Femme Mariè really worked for me. I also really dislike that one of the stylistic elements that's praised is the editing in the car during conversations. When I did the background reading, I read that Godard was told to shorten the film before release, so he decided to save time by jump cutting the scenes - this really took the magic out of the edit, and every time I watch it those moments make me roll my eyes.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

I couldn’t agree with you more with Royal Tenenbaums, it’s a film I just couldn’t get into, as with most of Wes Anderson’s filmography (except Grand Budapest Hotel, thats Anderson’s masterpiece). You’re right about Seven Samurai not being Kurosawa’s best (that honor belongs to Ran) but I wouldn’t call it overrated.

[@ShanghaiRooster]

Overrated is perhaps a poor word. Better maybe to describe some of these films as being ones that unfairly overshadow others in the director's canon. In a similar way, Elliot's previous 'underrated' video is better described as under-appreciated.

[@mitch89014]

Agree with most you stated, Not Mulholland Drive, For me personally, a great film is one that you watch over and over and no matter how many times you have seen it, still brings you some joy, Some of my favorite films are little known films, Citizen Kane is a great film, but for me it’s not the kind of film I reach for when looking for a complete pleasurable experience watching, it is a great film study, but the story is cold and not emotional at all

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Wow, I agree (vehemently) with all of your picks except for ‘Seven Samurai’. I don’t think Kurosawa ever achieved his ideal of “pure cinema”; I find his later work often too static. Movies aren’t paintings, though they can be influenced by them, which is why I feel filmmakers like Peter Greenaway are more successful with expressing the dynamism inherent in what the best paintings suggest. Kurosawa’s mid-career features, imo, are among his most compelling work. Oh, there’s nothing more “meandering” than ‘Barry Lyndon’; not in terms of narrative or storyline but within the frames. Someone like Tarkovsky is almost exactly the opposite: his narratives meander like a mofo, but he is rigorously painstaking about the story within the frame. Kubrick is so much like Hitchcock who also takes great pains to arrive at a scene but he’s so plastic that when we get there we find that there’s nothing much going on (usually a joke)! My two cents. 😁 Thanks!!

[@toms9453]

Hope you don’t get any hate for this. Feel like you have solid reasoning behind all of your comments. I agree for the most part, I even agree with you on Godard, although for me Breathless just remains effortlessly cool. I really enjoy the American remake of Breathless as well. I love Kane but it’s totally overrated you’re 100% on that one. I’ve felt the same way you do about Seven Samurai since I first saw it, only difference is that 3 and a half hours was a slog for me to get through. I haven’t seen a ton by Kurosawa but Rashomon is absolutely better in every way than Seven Samurai.

[@ElliotCoen]

Cheers, Tom. I think I’d agree that Rashomon is the better film, and the one I’d be more likely to watch often.

[@ngoodey]

Well done for saying the French New Wave is overrated. And for being not so hot on Wes Anderson . I am in total agreement

[@unityoc]

I completely agree with all of your picks. The only one I might have to (slighlty) push back on is Mulholland Dr. but that's ok, Lynch isn't for everyone, in fact he's not for most people.

[@MAFion]

I would nominate Pan's Labyrinth. I was never dazzled by this film though it certainly catapulted Guillermo del Toro to a sort of unexpected borderland between prestige film and monster movie. It just didn't really work for me. I think his best is The Shape of Water, which I don't expect he'll ever top.

[@ElliotCoen]

That’s a choice I think I agree with! They’re both films that I need to rewatch soon for sure

[@thomashojnoski3658]

Blade 2

[@fv5681]

Respect Elliot for taking on this monumental task. Taking on some heavy hitters. Seems like an emotional connection is key to leave a lasting impression on you. I will agree on Royal and Breathless. To me the most overrated is Ingmar Bergman so I am sure that would go really well with the Internet! 😂 Enjoyed the video.

[@keancv]

**Elliot** ref Citizen Kane that you say is over rated. What would you say was a better O-W- title available on Blu or 4K disc?

[@ElliotCoen]

It still is probably his best, just about. That said, I’m very excited for The Trial getting a 4K disc later this year. I’m a huge fan of The Magnificent Ambersons in its current state. If the lost footage is ever found in Brazil, I think that film will be his masterpiece.

[@kaiheps]

I totally agree with your Breathless take. I found the main character just insufferable. Now your Mulholland Drive take is bonkers to me haha but I also kinda get it. I personally love Mulholland Drive because it makes more sense with every rewatch and feels so rewarding.

[@pete49327]

Ha ha, yea found the main character over the top myself (the guy, Belmondo). Damn, Godard must have made him smoke 5 packs of cigarettes a day while filming scenes. BTW I notice a LOT of cigarette smoking by characters in French New Wave films, more so than U.S. films of same time period......imo.

[@leonardkrasner4399]

I just started following you recently. I like your style. I like that you’re soft-spoken and of course I love your accent, being from the US, I love a British accent. I agree with most of your choices for overrated films. I am not a big West Anderson fan. Ive tried watching a number of his movies. I find them difficult to get through. As recently as last 2 nights I tried to watch The Grand Budapest hotel. Actually I think it was on your recommendation. I couldn’t finish it. I don’t appreciate his style. As for citizen Kane, being a lot older than you, I have found, on many occasions, when I see a movie years after I saw it the first time, I not as impressed. I personally don’t think that Citizen Kane is overrated. It is a one of a kind movie, that has been used as a stepping stone for other filmmakers to rip off over the years. I ‘ve liked all your Criterion reviews since started. I have bought more than I should have. As for my most overrated would be Valley of the Dolls. Everything about it is terrible. It should not have a place on the Criterion roster. I look forward to your future vlogs.

[@helliot666]

Since you put Godard and Anderson here, I’ll let you go with Mulholland as most people that says they love cinema just don’t understand the film as they are not able to go with the core theme (also the parts that were supposed to be extended in the TV series doesn’t help). Now a question for you, can you do a list of films that should be on the Collection and they have not do enough to get the rights and add it to the collection: e.g. many horror fans think Dawn and Day of the Dead should be there and get a box set release along Night. Oh, and I’ll add Solaris and Dr Strangelove to the overrated.

[@cujomiller]

“Hi I’m Elliot, and today I’ll label as overrated three of the most historically consequential and celebrated films in cinema, and two modern classics with rabid, cult-like fanbases to see what kind of shitstorm I can kick up for clicks and comments.” BTW “Overrated” is a loaded but ultimately useless term when discussing film or any other art form; it is not a critique of art, but a critique of the audience’s experience with and connection to the art. And in that regard, really who gives a shit? That’s not what we should care about when diving into a film to either examine or enjoy. On a separate note, Ran is my second favorite film and Barry Lyndon is gorgeous.

[@Ally140992]

Citizen Kane is a great movie but Ambersons was Welles' masterpiece and I just wish we got to see his own cut.

[@mondegreens]

Great video! Mulholland Drive is (one of) the best of the 21st century imo, but isn’t Bay’s Armageddon in the Collection too? Speaking of overrated. But honestly I get it, there are a lot of great movies in the collection but they’re there for their importance to cinema rather than fun or interesting watch I guess. So overrated yeah, but not Mullholland Drive man, come on.. 😅

[@jgirlLVR]

Nooooo! Armageddon in the Criterion Collection. I can't accept that. Two and a half hours of my life I'll never get back. By the time that stupid tear runs down Bruce Willis's stupid stone face as he's about to make his heroic sacrifice I was rooting for the asteroid. I wanted everyone in the film to die. I wanted everyone involved in the making of the film to die. I wanted everyone who enjoyed the film to die. And now, with that rotting vegetable in the White House leading us into war with not one but two nuclear armed powers, maybe, just maybe, my dream can come true. Bwahahahaha!

[@LeonardoJJardim]

I'd love to see in the Criterion Collection in 4K Sunset Boulevard (1950) Directed by Billy Wilder.

[@ElliotCoen]

YES! Love Wilder and Sunset Boulevard. If this can happen, it would make my year!

[@user-ju7nu6mq5x]

Being there. Has a couple of good moments but overall fell flat for me

[@nikhilkulkarni646]

Great content over here. Love the courage... Also, surprised Tokyo Story isn't on here.

[@hollyswoods]

weirdly enough the Criterion version of Royal Tenenbaums always seems to be at Goodwills. it feels like people bought it due to the hype then got bored with it, but it is odd that I've not only seen so many but in particular the Criterion version

[@URBONED]

I actually agreed with all of your choices except for breathless. I had to bite my tongue on that one. Though, like anything I get why it’s not for everyone. Aside from (in my opinion) being THE most influential film of all time, sparking both the French and American New Wave, I just adore 1960s Paris. The fashion, the cars, the music, and the filmmaking!! I think Le Mepris and Masculin Feminin are my favourite Godard films though, so I’d agree that Breathless was overrated if people said it was his best (I actually love the remake way more, Richard Gere and Valerie Kaprisky 😍💘 now that’s an underrated film)

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

You’re brave to do this. 🤣 If I did I’d be railing against so many of their modern inclusions. I fully agree on Mullholland Drive which is one of the absolute worst things I’ve ever seen. Then again I don’t like Lynch at all and am not a Wes Anderson person. I think the issue with the old standards is that they were picked up by the emerging critical culture and mentioned to death without keeping the spirit of the films alive. Seven Samurai isn’t my favorite Kurosawa film either and like Rashomon it’s a bit harder to get a fresh view on it whereas lesser discussed Kurosawa classics are easier to look at with a fresher perspective. My favorites are just before this period like Ikiru, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog or just after like the bemused cynicism of Yojimbo. Breathless is iconic and timeless due to its breezy and cynical “screw it” attitude. That’s what immediately spoke to me and what I felt Godard was after as sort of the flip side of the coin to Truffaut’s emotionally devastating 400 Blows. Plus to look at Jean Seberg with the iconic pixie haircut once makes you swoon for life… I knew you would probably mention Kane. Kane is the one that everyone has to discover for themselves. What people often miss nowadays is the energy and progressive can-do attitude that so defined the 1930’s theater and radio-much of which drives Kane itself. That combined with the never ending levels of fascination Welles had that are felt in the film itself-creates a sort of cross between a never ending magic trick and the most inspirational film ever made for us cinema nerds. And then you see Ambersons and weep for life.

[@HallgeirOlsen]

If you switch Goddard's Breathless with McBride's you listed what could be a list of my favourite fims!

[@ElliotCoen]

Hey it’s still a great list!

[@HallgeirOlsen]

@@ElliotCoen These are in my view overrated: Throw Down - Not bad, but not in Johnnie To’s top 5 I am curious Yellow and I am curious Blue - Two uninteresting movies Kes - has dated terribly Fellinis’s Roma - one of his worst By the way, Barry Lyndon can never be overrated

[@BubaGlobalJ]

Whatsup with the relatively boring new backdrop in the last few videos? Are you making exciting collection changes?

[@ElliotCoen]

Filming the videos in a different room to before. It gives me more space and much less setup, making it easier for me to make these videos. I’ll think of some way to jazz up my backdrop soon!

[@scottylovesthings]

I do and I don’t agree with Seven Samurai. I actually finally saw it for the first time just two years ago. Now, personally, I did love it, but also agree that Kurosawa has made quite a few better movies. But at the same time, I would never call it overrated because of reasons you actually stated in this video. It was enormously influential as a film, even within Kurosawa’s own filmography. If a single movie influenced and inspired so many others in film history, can it really be called overrated, no matter what our individual opinions of it may be?

[@IshiGoturi]

Having rewatched Seven Samurai last week, I believe it’s strength comes from its accessibility to the average person. It’s a very simple action-adventure story that anyone from any culture can understand, and it has a relatively uplifting ending despite some of the characters perishing in the battle with the bandits. Unfortunately, the ease of watching that movie is hindered by the long runtime, as well as the deteriorated condition of the film print itself. The movie that is often considered the second-greatest Japanese film of all time, Godzilla, is much shorter and in much better condition than Seven Samurai, despite both being produced by Toho Studios in 1954.

[@Methuselah969V]

I agree with you about Mulholland Drive being overrated Naomi Watts and the other actress are super hot 🔥 but the film was so weird I didn't get it though I probably need to watch it a second time one of these days

[@jayash3539]

To say a film is no longer great because of it's influence on other films is really a silly thing to say. Seven Samurai laid down a marker and it's influence must be considered when evaluating it's greatness.

[@ElliotCoen]

Should something great not stand alone on its own merit? I think the film is great! But not because of its influence.

[@jayash3539]

@Boutique Blu-rays with Elliot Coen Don't you acknowledge in your video that it influenced films you like better? What would those films be without it? And while it should stand alone on its own merit, that cannot be the only standard when measuring greatness.

[@jasonep2]

the beauty of art is the different reactions people have to it. There's very little objectivity involved, it's primarily a subjective experience. So it's only natural that movies some people find to be the best ever made will be considered overrated or even disliked by others. Of the films you listed, I've not seen Citizen Kane or Breathless but I have watched the others. I enjoy but don't love Seven Samurai. The Royal Tenenbaums is the only Wes Anderson film I've seen that really did anything for me and I love it. And Lynch's Mulholland Dr. is one of the greatest films I've ever watched. The experience of watching Mulholland Dr. (or Lynch in general) and taking it all in is just so much fun. And then talking with friends about what it all means and comparing our own interpretations is a blast.

[@dbarker7794]

"unrefined and meandering" is one of the best descriptions of French new wave I've ever heard. Can't agree on Mulholland Drive but not not going to argue with a guy who digs Barry Lyndon.

[@davidlevy4291]

Its not about offending.. its about weather or not someone agrees or not...and perhaps someone has derived more meaning from the work than than you have and all the better for them

[@JoshuaSutlive]

Oh boy! I have to hand it to you, you certainly went for it in terms of controversial picks! Personally, I really love all the films you picked though I can definitely understand why you chose them. I really enjoy how DIY a lot of French New Wave films can be. Breathless in particular is one where you can pretty easily recreate much of what they did at home so I’ve always appreciated the low-budget, radically independent energy those films have though I will be the first to admit you definitely have to be in the mood for them as they don’t always make themselves easy to watch as they often intentionally lack the polish of studio films. Citizen Kane’s a bit of a tricky one because it’s name sounds so pretentious that it feels like a lot of people nowadays go into it looking to hate it. I know that’s not at all why you listed it here but just in general I’ve found it interesting that the film got so hyped up by previous generations in film schools especially that people nowadays seem to have almost a lessened reaction to it. For me, Orson Welles was actually my real gateway into classic films and I guess a more serious interest in film appreciation. Though Touch of Evil was really the film that introduced me to Welles’ style, I watched Citizen Kane relatively on in my discovery of Welles’ work and I guess somehow, nobody had mentioned to me that this movie was the greatest film of all time so I went in pretty much blind and was blown away by just how different if felt from every other movie I’d seen including Touch of Evil which had previously given me the very same reaction. I remember the name Citizen Kane gave me some hesitancy as I was initially thinking it might be this experimental art film. I guess in a way it is, but it is also quite funny which I was not at all expecting. It’s not a comedy by any stretch but the film is way more enjoyable than I think most people give it credit for. That being said, I can’t really argue that it’s not overrated to some degree as it’s “best film of all time” reputation seems to be one of the things which ends up driving people away as odd as it sounds. Regardless, this was a very fun topic and you did a great job explaining your reasoning behind your choices. In fairness, my horrible take is that I haven’t really gotten into Fellini. In fairness, I’ve only seen 8 1/2 and La Strada one time each about 5-6 years ago so they are very much in need of a rewatch but as of now those are two I recall not really getting at the time. I enjoyed the strangeness of 8 1/2 but I never picked up on what the it was trying to say at the time and have only since heard how much they were really conveying through some of those scenes.

[@sensitivedogs]

Controversial is correct. And I find it arrogant. Sorry it's my gut reaction to this segment. I really do feel that way about his choices and approach.

[@darkomilicevic9900]

I agree on Citizen Kane and Seven Samurai, I don’t have problem with you picking Royal Tenenbaums and Breathless but I do like these two movies. David Lynch is my favourite director and if I had to pick one of his movies that is overrated is Eraserhead. We just have to remember that overrated doesn’t mean bad. Great video.👍

[@MrKahlerHahn]

Was expecting or hoping for tarkowsky's andrej rublov

[@brutusalwaysminded]

How dare you! 😡😁 No. 1 for me. 😉