u/vforvolta

I know not everyone has always bought into the hype to the extent I often have. And his latest one ‘Sheep in the Box’ is sadly supposed to be his first true unequivocal dud in a long time (though who knows, I might still get something from it). But I personally think my favourites of his are truly incredible films that will last. He is probably one of the main gateway-yet-still-a-master directors to have shaped my own tastes over the years, with his lens affording a certain thoughtful patience and moral weight to each individual on screen, and also helping me to recognise humanistic qualities and their significance in many of what tend to be the films I love the most.

I hope his Look Back adaptation can deliver something worthwhile - I think if it doesn’t he should reconsider the way he predominantly opts to be the sole writer and editor of his own work.

Their name for anyone interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TradTomboys/s/Tfe5dq1c19

…not even just to watch, but also to ‘go to’ in my head lately. It’s hard to not feel lost as an adult trying to navigate neurodivergence, possible asexuality, different mental health struggles - especially as things I’ve only taken steps to acknowledge/accept and not hate myself for in recent years. I maybe don’t have the exact words for it right now, what specifics I might be connecting with in a video like this. But that’s the transcendent power of art sometimes. I will always be thankful to Caroline as an artist who inspires me to give myself a chance and not see my own brain as something to hide from the world; something to feel embarrassed by or apologetic for all the time.

I’m also healthily aware I’m not alone in this, and so many other fans must have similar experiences. Thank you for this community♥️

Know I’m a little late on this one, but after the Criterion discussion and Jake’s request for some thoughts about this, I put some thought into what actually might be the best overall packages from them I own - for a single film. There’s probably some bias as I also love the films themselves but, if I were to narrow it down to three it would be these. And honourable mention would definitely be the release for Tarkovsky’s Mirror.

The New World has three versions of the film, including newer transfer of the extended cut which is maybe the best looking non-4K disc I own. And if you’re a Malick or Jack Fisk obsessive there are endless extras included. Also one of the best booklets with amazing illustrations.

Ugetsu has a whole feature length documentary about Mizoguchi and many other extras included on the same disc. And what I love about a couple of releases for his films - also Sansho the Bailif (maybe my favourite) - are the short stories that inspired the films being included in the booklets.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters has a mountain of extras and is a must own if you have any interest in Paul Schrader or the subject matter. The whole background of the film and how it all came together is fascinating. I particularly love the packaging and design of this one, though that also goes for all three choices.