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| Criterion Collection Haul (Part I)
Barnes and Noble coinciding one of their twice-annual Criterion Collection sales with me getting my quarterly commission check is always a dangerous combo, so I've given myself a budget. Here's the haul so far, along with some recent digs. | | 1 |  | The Appleseed Cast
The Fleeting Light of Impermanence
Being John Malkovich: An absolute classic, and one that it's been long enough since I've seen that it'd basically be like watching the film anew.
Album notes: Relistening to this one pretty regularly, and I really feel like it was slept on for a lot of the year-end best of lists for 2019. Definitely this band's best output since the Owls, and "Time the Destroyer" simply slays. | | 2 |  | Dogleg
Melee
The Friends of Eddie Coyle: Actually going into this bad boy cold, though I read and really liked the book back in my college days. Plus, I mean, Robert Mitchum? Come on now.
Album notes: Luckily snagged this one at my recently reopened local record shop, which is doubly awesome since it seems like, despite being released this year, it's already out of print? Either way, super fun, energetic, singalong pop-punk, which is some of the pick-me-up magic we can all use these days. | | 3 |  | Hum
Inlet
Godzilla: Showa-Era Films:: Easily the biggest-ticket item on the list, but worth every red cent fo sho. 15 O.G. Gojira and kaiju classics, and some pretty killer displayable packaging, as well. If you're any kind of Godzilla fan and have the expendable funds, treat yo self while this monstrosity is half-off.
Album notes: Been on steady rotation since they quietly dropped it last month. Haven't lost a step in two decades--and, by the by, "Step Into You" is a gotdang BANGER, but one made all the more propulsive by its context among some of the best spacey compositions this side of early-day Rosetta. | | 4 |  | Haim
Women In Music, Pt. III
Hunger: A blu-ray upgrade to an existing DVD in my collection, but well worth the double-dip. Not sure I'd call it Steve McQueen's best, but an absolutely riveting and complexly layered film. And that centerpiece scene between Fassbender and a pre-Onion Knight Liam Cunningham? Basically a masterful one-act play in and of itself.
Album notes: Still digesting this one, at its robust 16 tracks, but hey, I'll take too much of a good thing anyday, especially since there aren't any particularly lacking or lagging stretches that feel easy to trim. Get the feeling I'll end up pruning it into a select top half, but for now, it's quantity time! | | 5 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Afterburner
Lone Wolf + Cub: Another one new to me, outside of knowing its general reputation. Plus, it compiles all six films, so if even half of them are worthy, that'll still be a solid batting average.
Album notes: This one's growing on me, though probably/admittedly a step down from their last few (though I'm still in the minority that thinks Instant Gratification may be the best of the Tilian era, so, y'know, feel free to ignore me). Still, some great tracks here, and the front half in particular is super-engaging. | | 6 |  | Katie Malco
Failures
Naked: Actually picked this up on the recommendation of another Criterion mainstay, Greta Gerwig, who cited it as a surprising influence on her performance in Frances Ha. Plus, I've loved David Thewlis in virtually everything I've seen him in, so a lot of solid backing for this one, even sight unseen.
Album notes: I'd mount my soapbox and shout about how this one is criminally overlooked around these here parts (so far, at least), though that'd be hugely hypocritical, as I only came across this by virtue of AV Club's mid-year music review. If this hasn't crossed your path, though, do yourself a favor and check it out, especially if you're a fan of fellow 6131 labelmate Julien Baker. | | 7 |  | Trixie Mattel
One Stone
Paris is Burning: A gift for my partner, who, bless her heart, has slowly but surely worn me down into something of a Drag Race fanboy. It'd feel queasy at best, if not outright disingenuous to say I'm fully enmeshed in the culture, though, so hoping this'll be some elucidating viewing for me, selfishly, while also making for a pretty good present.
Album notes: Speaking of Drag Race, this alum has a pretty solid classic country sound that might get unjustly overlooked as "gimmicky," but who goofy persona belies a true and substantial musical talent. | | 8 |  | Owen
The Avalanche
Watership Down: Another blu-ray upgrade (which may be a bit silly given that it's animation, but what can ya do?), this film sticks with you long after viewing. We're talking years. Transcends both its era and it medium--and, to that latter point, sort of represents a tragic road-not-taken when it comes to Western animation as a rich, nuanced vehicle for "grown-up" storytelling, at least for the subsequent couple of decades.
Album notes: Yeesh, what a brutal listen. But gorgeous, too, which helps to swallow some of the wallowing bitterness. Some occasional lyrical clunkers (looking at you, "I Should've Know"), which are more than made up for by the poignancy, scathing introspection, & odd moment of catharsis on display almost everywhere else. Also enhanced by the sheer coincidence that I finally mustered up the willpower to work through the homestretch of BoJack Horseman (speaking of adult-geared animation...), which is a pretty apt thematic/spiritual companion for this record. | |
EyesWideShut
07.24.20 | I got a few of these myself. 2, 4, 6, and 8 are clossics so you got some good ones broski. | thecheatisnotdead
07.24.20 | Nice! Yeah, definitely pretty excited to check out 2 and 6 for the first time, both seem to come very highly regarded. | EyesWideShut
07.24.20 | Naked is actually an all time fav for me, the dialogue is so sharp and great performances.
I would recommend Crumb, Repo Man, Night of the Hunter, and The America Lost & Found box set. | thecheatisnotdead
07.24.20 | I've got a waaaay too long list already, but hey, what's a few more, right haha? Incidentally, Night of the Hunter was already on it, and I am curious about Crumb. I also saw Repo Man way back, and honestly didn't love it then, but that might've been more a product of my expectations, so I might try to rewatch it somehow. | Casavir
07.24.20 | Lone Wolf and Cub rules. | EyesWideShut
07.24.20 | I hear ya broski tbh I havent bought a single criterion in some years but I was selling some off for 10 bucks a pop before this pandemic bullshit.
Funny you mentioned the B&N sale because back in the day they had a buy 2 get 1 free sales glitch because of the time schedules and coinciding with a prior sale.. did p good. | thecheatisnotdead
07.24.20 | Haha scoop 'em up when you can, I feel that. | thecheatisnotdead
07.24.20 | Post this here as much for myself as anything, but others on my (not-so-)shortlist include:
Che
City Lights
Darjeeling Limited
Day for Night
George Washington
His Girl Friday
A Marriage Story
Scorsese Shorts
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Y Tu Mama Tambien | bigguytoo9
07.25.20 | Yeah Being John Malkovich is one I would buy too. I live in Canada though so alas, no B&N for me. | thecheatisnotdead
07.31.20 | Part II: https://www.sputnikmusic.com/list.php?listid=192783 |
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