Need to decide on a Criterion

[SephirothClone]

I can't decide weither I want either of the two Criterion's listed. I'm trying to go for a suspense movie which I can study the director's visual style with. While both movie's have their share of beauty, I cant decide which one I want to buy. The only thing that makes it seem like Straw Dogs is winning is because it's OOP. Anywho, help moi decide!!

Contempt (1963) directed by Jean-Luc Godard


Straw Dogs (1971) directed by Sam Pekinpah

[rolisme]

I like Contempt better as a movie and normally I would say get that one, however like you mentioned Straw Dogs is OOP (or soon to be I am not sure) so my vote is get Straw Dogs.

[SharpShooter5]

well IMO i would "Fuck 'em both and get Underworld"

[Meloosh]

I have not seen Contempt. As for Straw Dogs, I personally like it and own it, but it is certainly not for everyone. It is a dour and depressing film that offers no answers, only questions. Peckinpah's portrayal of women in his films is something I've always been uncomfortable with, and his ambivilent treatment (at first) of the rape scene in Straw Dogs is disturbing. It is certainly worth owning, as it has a fantastic, in-depth documentary on Peckinpah's films and his life, which provides a great deal of perspective on what made the man tick. I also found the on-set interviews with Hoffman to be quite interesting. Plus, it is OOP now. That being said, although I own the film, I don't know how often I can watch it - sitting through Straw Dogs is a draining experience.

[Marq]

I own and enjoy both DVDs. While Straw Dogs is great, Contempt is a masterpiece. It is probably Godard's best and most fascinating film. I can't recommend it highly enough. This film would get my vote against always any movie. The DVD itself is packed with worthwhile material, including a typically fantastic booklet of essays and a gorgeous transfer. I say go for this one. It was one of my Top 3 DVDs of last year, and it's a film to love and see many times over.

However, since this edition of Straw Dogs is going out of print soon, I'd understand that this one perhaps being a better purchase for "right now". It too is a great presentation of the film with a great lengthy documentary on the director. It's cool if you get this one (because it's great, and I'd say it meets your tastes quite ideally from what I can tell), just promise you'll get Contempt eventually too!
Both DVDs are perfect examples of the best of what the medium of DVD can offer.

I'd say that if it's within your budget get both, but if not I prefer Contempt as a whole.

[Anti-Hero]

Fuck em both and get Underworld, OR fuck all those and get Freddy Vs. Jason, on tuesday..

[orf]

Contempt, because I haven't seen it and it's in French. If you buy Underworld, you officially become an idiot.

[DrDetroit]

Originally Posted by SephirothClone

I'm trying to go for a suspense movie which I can study the director's visual style with. While both movie's have their share of beauty, I cant decide which one I want to buy. The only thing that makes it seem like Straw Dogs is winning is because it's OOP. Anywho, help moi decide!!

I don't have the Straw Dogs dvd, regrettably, but I do have the Contempt dvd, and I really don't understand how you've lumped it into the category of "suspense." Contempt is very anti-climactic, very dry, very over-intellectual, and above all, very slow. I'm not saying that I don't like it, or admire it at least. It's just the furthest you can possibly from suspense, film-wise.

[SharpShooter5]

Originally Posted by orf

Contempt, because I haven't seen it and it's in French. If you buy Underworld, you officially become an idiot.

Actually some would say that if you buy anything French you become an idiot

:p

[Notoriousaurus]

I would go with Straw Dogs for now, just because it is OOP. I own Straw Dogs and it is interesting, and well acted, but it will be a while before I watch it again.

I have yet to see Contempt, but I am looking forward to doing so.

[Anti-Hero]

Al Bundy's 2nd Commandment: It's wrong to be French.



Married... With Children/Al Bundy insult the French..
http://www.bundyology.com/french.html

[Marq]

Originally Posted by SharpShooter5

Actually some would say that if you buy anything French you become an idiot

Not to be a party-pooper but, howso? Especially when talking film... what with the French basically inventing the medium and perfecting it throughout time....


Feh, some jokes just ain't for me methinks.

On topic, I guess I didn't read your whole post Seph, because like DrDetroit, I'd say Contempt is as far from a "suspense" movie as you can get, so my recommendation might not be the best afterall, even if I feel it to be the better of the two films. Although Straw Dogs isn't exactly a suspense mopvie either (if considering the traditions of the genre anyways). It's very intense and powerful, but not so much heavy on the classic suspense elements. For that, you might consider another Criterion title like "The Vanishing" or perhaps "Insomnia"...

[Triple HHH]

I've seen both and I'll agree that Contempt is far better, however, now that you mentioned the OOP status of Straw Dogs, I'd really suggest getting that first, and getting Contempt down the line.

Criterions are like Pokemon -- gotta catch 'em all!

(But I'll add that Contempt, like Dr. Detroit mentioned, is a much "artsier", slow-moving type of film. I think it moves at a more leisurely pace than even Godard's own "Breathless")

[Sycowulf]

Call me an idiot then, fuck em both get underworld... I am not a fan of 90% of the criterion collection (actually the only one in my collection is Chasing Amy, and the only one I want is Fear and Loathing). I realize they make great dvds and all but I dont understand the obsession with them... I mean just because a movie is in the criterion collection doesnt mean its a masterpiece (for christs sake wasnt there an Armageddon criterion?).

[SephirothClone]

Originally Posted by Marq

I own and enjoy both DVDs. While Straw Dogs is great, Contempt is a masterpiece. It is probably Godard's best and most fascinating film. I can't recommend it highly enough. This film would get my vote against always any movie. The DVD itself is packed with worthwhile material, including a typically fantastic booklet of essays and a gorgeous transfer. I say go for this one. It was one of my Top 3 DVDs of last year, and it's a film to love and see many times over.

However, since this edition of Straw Dogs is going out of print soon, I'd understand that this one perhaps being a better purchase for "right now". It too is a great presentation of the film with a great lengthy documentary on the director. It's cool if you get this one (because it's great, and I'd say it meets your tastes quite ideally from what I can tell), just promise you'll get Contempt eventually too!
Both DVDs are perfect examples of the best of what the medium of DVD can offer.

I'd say that if it's within your budget get both, but if not I prefer Contempt as a whole.

Marq, of all people in the forum I respect you opinion the most. I suppose I will be getting Straw Dogs because of the OOP status and the amount of votes. But I will try and get Contempt by the end of the year, you cant go wrong with Godard! I just brought this thread up because I have an extra $30 for a DVD, and I figure I'll go Criterion.

fuck all those and get Freddy Vs. Jason, on tuesday..

I already got my $15 in my wallet ready for Freddy Vs. Jason on Tuesday.

[DrDetroit]

Originally Posted by Sycowulf

I mean just because a movie is in the criterion collection doesnt mean its a masterpiece (for christs sake wasnt there an Armageddon criterion?).

I think that you have a valid point, but just a leisurely glance over the criterion catalogue will tell you that there are a great deal of genuine masterpieces within the collection. I think people soil their trousers over criterions in a not-too-subtle ways which I am probably guilty of, but not to the extreme of buying the entire line of dvds, or buying a movie for no other reason than that it's a criterion (I may've done that once... cough... George Washington.. cough... achoo)

[asphodel5]

As has already been mentioned, Contempt isn't much of a suspense movie. I own both of the titles that you have mentioned. At this point, I would say, go with Straw Dogs. It is technically already out of print. I have yet to watch the documentary, but it does have an informative commentary. Also, based on your likes/dislikes, I think that you will enjoy it. Do keep in mind that MGM will probably release their own (cheaper) version of the film. I'm almost 100% sure that the Criterion will be better (nice transfer, commentary, documentary), but MGM may do it justice.

Contempt is a strong Godard film. I can't remember which of his you have seen. It has a lot to do with film making and is "more serious" than some of his earlier b/w films. Luckily it isn't as involved with politics as his late 60s films. The set is quite nice too. It has good commentary, transfer and Fritz Lange feature. Also, it is the first time in a while that the film has been available in widescreen.

So, to conclude, get them both eventually, but start with Straw Dogs (unless you are mainly interested in seeing the film alone...then wait for MGM to re-do it).

[the_GeForce]

Straw Dogs

[Oscar Antonio M]

I haven't seen neither of them but I will have to say Straw Dogs specially since after it's out-of-print it will be very hard to find.