Cinephiles- Need Movie Advice

T

TaylorTRoom

1,000+ Posts
I watch movies on such a haphazard schedule, that I buy the obscure ones that can't be found at the local Blockbuster. I've got a $30 gift card to BestBuy, and am trying to decide what to get...

Rashomon (Criterion Art House essentials)
The Grand Illusion (same)
Le Cercle Rouge (Jean-Pierre melville)
Purple Sun (the original "Talented Mr. Ripley" adaptation)
Le Doulos (Jean-Pierre Melville)
My Man Godfrey
Kind Hearts and Coronets

I have enjoyed some older movies (Thin Man, etc.), and the Melville movies I've seen (Army of Shadows, Le Samourai, Bob le Flambeur). I have hated a lot of French New Wave. Any comments or suggestions by those who have seen any of these?
 
I second the Big Blue. It is that movie that made me a fan of Jean Reno since I think it came out before The Professional. Great visuals and a certan tender innocence. I love the scene in South America. That is not a spoiler but it is all I will say about it. Great film and one of my favorites.
 
I've seen all of those and thought they were worthwhile.

I usually can read a Roger Ebert review and tell whether a movie about which I know little or nothing will be one I'll care to see.

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That list is pretty stout. I can't really point one out that is a must see, though the Grand Illusion and Rashomon are, as packaged, essential.
 
My compliments on your taste. Of the movies I've seen from your list, I'd say the The Grand Illusion is the one I'd choose to buy.
 
you can't go wrong w/ any kurosawa samurai film starring mifune (rashomon, seven samurai, the hidden fortress are all available in the criterion collection)
 
I would normally recommend Rashomon out of your list, but you may want to wait on that. Criterion did a high-definition transfer when they reissued it on regular DVD in 2002. Criterion is just now releasing stuff on blu-ray (The Third Man, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Last Emperor, Bottle Rocket, Chungking Express; upcoming- 400 Blows, El Norte, The Last Metro). I haven't had a chance to watch any of them, but I'm sure they look great. I'm making an assumption that Seven Samurai and Rashomon are going to be given high priority by Criterion as they start rolling out more movies on blu-ray. Plus the prices are about the same as a regular Criterion DVD.

Also, the Essential Art House versions have no extras, if that is an issue for you (the prices are very good for Criterion releases).

If you don't have a blu-ray player and don't make a habit out of double-dipping (unfortunately, I did a lot of this when I first bought a blu-ray player), then none of the above comments matter.

Since others have recommended movies not on your original list, could I put in a good word for Bicyle Thieves (Italian neo-realism). Criterion does an outstanding job with this one (picture improvement vs. older versions, commentary tracks, follow-up interviews with key participants). Alas, it was a high-def. transfer, and has serious double-dipping potential for me in the future.
 
I'm leaning to "The Grand Illusion" (your recommendations are oovercoming my natural aversion to 70 years old foreign language films), and "My Man Godfrey". I'll get the Criterion releases, not because of the extras (I barely have free time to watch the movies, let alone the commentaries), but because of the quality of the transfer. I have a fairly nice home theatre setup. I will eventually get more Melville movies (not a coincidence that my favorite French filmmaker was the one who most appreciated US cinema).
 
My Man Godfrey is great. I love William Powell and he is perfect in this film. The extras include a very brief outtake wherein Carole Lombard gaffs a line and then says '****,' which is somehow funny since you rarely get to see any stars from that era utter profanities.
 
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