Don't undersell yourself Daisuke! Although you may not technically be a film critic or historian you are one of the most thoughtful and engaging film related youtubers.
Dear James, wow, what a lovely comment to read. Thank you so much for this. It really means a lot and so I want to thank you very much for your words. Please be well and hopefully we can talk again very soon!
There is enough negativity on the internet. I think your more “positive”, open minded approach to discussing film is an example that more critics and film enthusiasts should live by. You keep doing your thing man! You have my support.
Thank you my friend! I should say that I don't necessarily dismiss negative film critic reviews or the like, because those are really important. But I always want to know WHY someone reacts to a film in a certain way, because that is the most important part of a review for me. Still, if a review does not provide a WHY, then it becomes something that is hard for me to deal with. At the same time, I totally get how the "I love everything" approach is not good because it also displays a lack of engagement. So I suppose the key for me is always how one has engaged or wrestled with the film and its contents, and the great reviewers and critics do this so well.
@@DaisukeBeppu Found your channel recently and I am liking it. To put my two cents in on this, subject, I'll preface by saying that for a time (about a year), I was reviewing movies professionally. Yeah, it was mostly fun. I think that if there is no WHY, it's not a review, it's merely opinion. Explaining the why gives the reader/viewer a chance to understand what is important to the reviewer. The reader can then decide how he/she feels about that. In this way, a negative review can tell you that it is a good film for YOU (and vice versa). When Roger Ebert was alive, I found he was the perfect reviewer for me. He explained what he liked and didn't in his reviews and I got to understand his tastes, likes, and dislikes. By reading one of his reviews, I could tell if a film was for me or not, regardless of whether it was a positive or negative film. I admit it can be a lot of fun to crap all over something and show how "clever" you are by finding pithy ways to slam a film, director, or actor. But that's mostly about feeding one's ego and isn't really about the art of film. I too have found that with age comes a more laissez-faire approach to film viewing. I will avoid anything I'm pretty sure I won't like (like Transformers movies) and open myself to most other things and try to learn something from them. I know it's not the same as collecting, but I've been subscribed to The Criterion Channel since it launched and find it has been really rewarding to get back into the exploration of cinema from around the world.
@@jnagarya519 Of course in no way am I trying to dismiss negative assessments. If my comment gave that impression I apologize. I think at the heart of what I was getting at was that Daisuke comes at film criticism and/or analysis with a more positive attitude and curiosity than what I'm use to seeing.
Daisuke, your videos help me so much. I love cinema yes, but I struggle with anxiety and it’s at its worst in the mornings, and I tend to, when I wake up, put on one of your videos to not only gain knowledge of films, but also just because of your calm, peaceful and friendly demeanor. It may sound silly to some, but watching these videos puts my mind at ease. My humblest thanks to you sir.
Hello HORRORFAN 19, and I hope you are well! Gosh, what a comment, and I am very honored. Thank you very much. I must admit that my film knowledge is really not so good and I wish I knew more. However, it is because of people like you that I find this CZcams thing to be very rewarding and exciting. Thank you so much for YOUR great energy and enthusiasm for cinema! And my friend, I hope you are well and talk to you again very soon. Cheers and have a great rest of your week.
Daisuke Beppu I am doing well sir and I hope you and your family are happy and in good health. I find myself feeling the same way regarding knowledge of cinema, but I think of it like a box that never runs out of information to pull from, and there is never too much to learn! I appreciate you taking the time to respond, and look forward to more videos in the future. Again, I hope all is well for you and yours, all the best! -Jerry
I second this. Very relaxing. I found this channel less than a week ago but I’ve been watching it every night because it sets a calm tone with knowledgeable insight into film.
Hello, Daisuke. I just wanted to drop a comment in response to this video. First, I'm right there with you when you say you're not a film critic and your journey is just beginning. I think when we share our passion for film, or anything for that matter, people can easily misinterpret it as is claiming to be experts. I think of myself as a fan of film- good ones, bad ones, and everything in between. I too try to avoid random film bashing and instead, gravitate towards trying to unearth any redeeming qualities I can find. You know, that's much more difficult than it might appear. On another note, I think you're doing a fantastic job with your channel. Your insights continue to push me personally to want to dig deeper when thinking about how I perceive any film. I feel like I learn new things with each of your videos I watch. Also, I applaud your openness and willingness to engage with viewers about how certain things can be perceived. I guess we often forget that this CZcams thing can really feel like a one-way street. Honestly, is there anything more bizarre feeling than speaking into a camera in an empty room?? 😂😂You change that dynamic with videos like this- real responses to viewer comments. Keep doing what you're doing, my friend. Your appreciation for film is contagious. Best to you and hope all is well. 😀❤️ Stephanie
Thank you so much Stephanie! Yes, it is very difficult sometimes to be positive about a film, and, I mentioned it elsewhere, but there is also a danger of looking too much like a "I love everything" critic, which is itself not a good thing in my view. So, ultimately, and you mentioned this already, the key is the WHY: why does one react to a film this way? And it is this WHY that is so important for me to listen to and read. This is great. On that basis, then I realize that I have so much to learn and thus the film journey is just beginning for me. I wonder whether I will ever know as much as I want to know, but then again that is the beauty of this hobby I think. Thank you for the great comment, my friend! This is really nice to read. I hope you are doing well. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the new HALLOWEEN film when it comes out. Best regards.
@@DaisukeBeppu Hope this message finds you well too! I can't stop watching your video now and feel glad that you are making these magnificent contents on movie review~
Hi, Daisuke! I always try to be positive about a film I watch and I think in the end it's much more rewarding. I'm also very selective about the films I watch. It's very rare that I do not like a movie.
This is a very interesting and great comment! It is always a challenge to approach film, and so I agree with you that I try to be as positive about a film as I can when I start watching it.
You’re taking the approach of a good teacher. You’ll have a gut reaction, but your comments are constructive criticisms - understanding the director’s intention and evaluating how successful they were. Re-watching films later in life can be eye-opening. I had the same response to 8 1/2.
Hello and not at all not at all… I have been very lucky to have met many people here who have always been very courteous to me, so my thanks always go to people like you and others here. Warmest regards. Cheers.
I understand the idea of engaging with things, be they films or music or any other type of art. I try this myself, though I am often unsuccessful. I think it takes a certain discipline, maybe even a certain point of view or mood, to excel at that skill. But overall like most skills it is probably best tempered through practice. It's easy to hate a film, to call it trash or terrible. It is far more difficult to look at that same film and ask what it's trying to convey, why it was made, and how it makes you feel. So this is actually something I enjoy in your channel. You don't take the easy way out and you have an interesting perspective. Thanks for the video!
Hello Talynn my friend, and I hope you are well. Thank you also for this great comment, because you display such a well-reasoned and admirable approach to cinema and to art. And you are very kind!! Thank you for such a lovely compliment! I hope you are well and please have a nice weekend.
A great and positive approach not only to films but to people and life in general. Actually the first time I watched one of your videos, your approach to films and discussing them immediately appealed to me. Your views are enlightening.
Thank you very much for watching, and for your kind words. I am very lucky to be able to upload videos here, and so thank you so much for your valuable time. I hope you are well.
Completely agree. Some of the films that have really upset or irritated me, have often been ones I’ve subsequently gone on to repurchase in the future. Great video.
Very interesting video Daiske, I've been watching your channel for a little while now and find your perspectives interesting. I may be much younger but I understand the feeling of being more closed minded and learning to be more open minded about film. For me it was the work of David Lynch, in College could barely sit through half an hour while now I've learned to give films the benefit of the doubt and to put it most honestly "Go with the flow" so to speak. To let the film wash over me and to try and understand it instead of instantly rejecting it at the slightest sign of something I don't like. Thank you again and have a good day my friend.
Hello heyit'sharvey and thank you very much for your comment and your very kind words. It means a lot to hear it, and I admire your approach very very much. I hope you are well and cheers. I look forward to talking with you again very soon.
Your positivity is quite contagious, it's really admirable! I acknowledge I might be too hard on some of my thoughts on film. This is, for us all, a long, and probably eternal road. We will never know everything about such a great form of art, we can only keep moving forward and learning all we can. Though, I can't help but say that I got really curious about which might be some films you are still trying/had the hardest time to engage! If you would be willing to say so, otherwise I do respect your discreteness. Keep your good work spreading positivity and nice thoughts!
Hello Victor and thank you very much for your very kind words. It means a lot. Cheers and I hope to be able to talk to you again very soon. I hope you are well.
Daisuke you did a great job answering this question. I for one like how open minded you are to films. Your diversity is strong, like how you appreciate art house films along with b-films and everything in between. Watching some of your newer videos, like how you will try to find the positives in films you don't like. Have watched and read famous critics reviews who will shut out certain genres or types of films. Which has never seemed fair to me. Can't judge a b-film by the same standards as an art house films. Always felt like a film needs two things good story and characters. Before I start rambling here another great video Daisuke and have never found you to be rude on any of your videos a mark of a true gentleman.
I certainly appreciate your method of approaching a film by trying to engage with it as much as possible. By doing so you remain open to positive elements that you might otherwise have missed. However, I also think your personal perspective towards a film is relevant and valuable to share. Even though you are not a “professional” film critic or scholar, I think your life experiences combined with your passion for films validates any subjective opinion or feeling you may have. In fact, I would find it very interesting to hear your personal thoughts after you have presented your analysis
This is a great comment, George! In principle, I avoid using ratings or grades when talking about films because I am not able to think in terms of letter grades or number scores. However, I do try to make my personal feelings known throughout the videos, and so I will try to make that more present going forward. Thank you so much!
I tried watching 8 & 1/2 two or three times in the past - I fell asleep half way, each time. It was only recently did I revisit it (at a much earlier hour) and finally finish it. Was worth pursuing! I ended up really enjoying it. There are so many variables to try and control for to increase the likeliness of engaging in a movie, isn’t there? Your comment about a movie resonating more for you in your thirties rings true. Interesting too to think about is what movies might’ve made a better impression on me in the past. Example: I watched Primer recently and in the end wondered if it’s sensibilities were more in tune with my interests in my mid-late teens.
Hello The Dark Opera, and thank you so much for your comment on this video! I am so happy to hear about your experiences with the Fellini film, which sounds very similar to my own experience with the film. And yes, I think you are so right about the potentially endless amount of variables, and the reverse is also potentially true as you indicate (how films we loved when we were young might not necessarily impact us when we are older, etc.). An excellent point and insight.
I dislike using the word "entertained" or the question "Am I entertained?" as if the film owes me something. In fact I oftentimes feel that to be fair to the film I need to ask myself if I have engaged enough to be rewarded with pleasure, a word I prefer. And sometimes I need to work for my pleasure when confronting difficult or challenging films! Anyway, I much rather spending time talking or thinking about films I like instead of wasting energy on panning or dismissing a film. I might change myself one day. I am allowed to change my mind, right? Anyway, great channel and great positivity. Keep at it!
Great points Daisuke, having an open mind is really important, I certainly have many personal biases towards certain types of films/filmmakers, which can affect my judgment on certain films. I totally agree with you that it's good to give a chance to a film and revisit it, for me Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men was a film that I thought it was just pretty good on first watch, but after another viewing I loved it and now it's one of my favorites. I tend to like films that are acclaimed by cinephiles/critics. Three Criterion titles that I don't like much are Dazed and Confused, Wings of Desire and Rosemary's Baby, but I'm pretty sure that I'll like Rosemary's Baby after I rewatch it. Other acclaimed films that I don't like are Saving Private Ryan( I can't stand this film), Die Hard, Mad Max: Fury Road and Halloween. Fantastic video, I really like this that you take a question from the comment section and make a video about it. One question I have is that, do you have a favorite decade for cinema? For me 50s and 60s are probably the best decades.
Yes, you are so on point here as always. Watching films is so personal--and sometimes films that one person likes will be disliked by others. This is fair. By the way, I do like the films DIE HARD and HALLOWEEN very much, but I can see how people might not like these films. And I should say also that I should never tell anyone that he or she SHOULD like a film or SHOULD NOT like a film, because that would be imposing my views on someone which is not good. But talking about films and disagreeing about films are so crucial and important.
Hi Daisuke! I'm a new subscriber and just wanted to say thank you for the great content. I'm a fellow cinephile and screenwriter. I'm also a Japan-born Korean American, so I really connect with your style and point-of-view. Anyways, I really appreciate this topic. I recently sparked a video from Nathan Jones on a similar subject. About buying/collecting films and making videos about them, before actually seeing them. It's something I'm generally perplexed by with all these unboxing and haul videos. I am personally more interested on a person's personal connection to the films themselves. Not just showing off a purchase. Love to hear your thoughts. Anyways, thanks for your passion!
Dear Young-Sun Kim, greetings to you my friend, and thank you so much for this comment, and other comments that you left on other videos, which I have had the great pleasure of reading and catching up with. Please accept my apologies for my late reply. As for your comment here, I suppose I can say that for me I think that I have nothing philosophically against a "haul" video or anything like that, because I think that kind of video shows a love and passion for physical media, which is always great, especially given the growing influence and presence of streaming services. At the same time, I do get what you are saying about contents sometimes, but then again, I suppose it really depends on how people choose to consume the items that they purchase, which is something that I think people are free to choose. For me, I always feel that I will try not to focus on talking about a blu ray or DVD unless I have seen the film itself, and this is because I'd rather sit and wait on a video and let my thoughts gather, before uploading. I think for me I take such a long time to gather my thoughts, and many times I think that what I end up uploading is not the best quality in terms of contents. I think other people are really good at breaking down a blu ray and its supplements and talking about the synopsis without necessarily having seen the film, which I think is a kind of video or capsule review that many people look for. But still, for me I am more comfortable with uploading a video on a film I have seen, rather than talking about a film I have not seen. Sure, I have made a number of videos where I show a blu ray of a film I have not seen, but I think that tends to be the exception rather than the norm. Anyway, my friend, I hope that answers the question, and I look forward to talking to you again very soon. Cheers.
Great discussion Daisuke! And I like your use of the term "engagement." I find, especially with Criterions and films I watch the supplements of I have more respect and appreciation for the film and that definitely comes off more positive than just saying I didn't like or enjoy a film. I am also working on how to talk about films and point out things I like and/or didn't like. And sometimes it's hard to say things without going into spoilers- which I've complimented you on before. I never feel spoiled for a film after hearing your thoughts on it. I'm also the same way with books and movies I buy being stories I'm interested in. Oh my Lord! The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite things (I love the book, the classic 1925 film, and the musical) and a few years ago I tried to watch as many adaptations of it as possible. The Dario Argent film, oh boy. That was. That was a thing. It's almost hilarious when I think of the premise and how he told and altered the story. My brother and I read a 10/10 star review of it on IMDb called "A Misunderstood Film." We were so bewildered at the movie!
Thank you for your comment! So, yes I think the film PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Argento is a tough one, and I don't like it much at all actually. But I will give it one more try this month. I think also you are right to mention the supplemental materials on releases, because this often helps me to learn more about not only the background of the production, but also about the critical reactions to a film that might in turn help me further appreciate a film (or not as the case may be sometimes).
Yes! I might have already mentioned this to you before, but my least favorite Criterion release that I've bought is Badlands. I blind bought it. It had to do with certain expectations that made me enjoy it less. I was expecting more of a mix between Bonnie & Clyde, Rebel Without A Cause, and Heathers. And that is not what Badlands is. It's much slower and I didn't care for the characters. BUT upon watching the supplements I respected it more and appreciated the film more, even though I didn't enjoy watching it or particularly like it. I was able to get more insight on Malick's intentions and production of the film. I definitely have more of a positive outlook on it instead of just hating the film had I not learned more about the making of it.
Yes... this is a great thing about the supplemental materials... And as for BADLANDS, I totally understand your initial reaction to it. But I am thrilled that you have a positive outlook on it now! By the way, I am on a bit of a Malick film high after the recent release of THE TREE OF LIFE. Amazing release. Have you seen it yet?
No I have not! I almost bought the regular blu-ray one time and am now a bit grateful for that since I'd rather have the Criterion release. It's a Malick film I've had more interest in compared to others. I'd even say more than Badlands initially. Just from stills I've seen the cinematography looks amazing and I really like Jessica Chastain.
Hey Daisuke! Nice hearing your comments on this. I've also had films I didn't like and then grew to appreciate, and a lot of films I used to love and now do not.😏 It's healthy to allow ourselves to change how we feel about something, and remember 'the future is not set'.😉👍
Great video Daisuke! (This is actually my second time watching this video, I wanted to see any of the films you didn’t like) I’m wondering how far does this go for you, if you didn’t like the latest Transformers movie, I’d have to say that’s likely the film itself, but would you rewatch that to try and engage with it more? Or are we just talking about “cinema” or the types of films that would be released by Criterion or Eureka etc... for example if you just watched Vertigo and didn’t like it, I can’t see that being the case with me, seeing my love for Vertigo, but if a film comes along within that vein or something from Criterion that I didn’t connect with I would definitely rewatch it, but if it’s this mainstream blockbuster that I didn’t like then I would likely not be rewatching it.
Thank you for this... and to take the example you bring up, I would like to think that I try to give each film a fair view. And if I don't like something at first, I will always try to keep an open mind if and when I revisit it. This is also true for films that are released in Criterion for example, as I cannot say that I like all the films that have been released by Criterion. I will however try to give them as much of a chance as I can and try to engage with them by trying to get as much background as possible. I am sorry if that does not answer your question appropriately but I hope it does.
Daisuke Beppu I guess you’re more open minded than I, when it comes to the 10th sequel in a line of big blockbuster action movies, if I watched it and didn’t like it then in my eyes the situation is closed. Whereas if I watched a film that’s more critically acclaimed, or just buy an auteur in general then I’d give it another try with an open mind if it didn’t quite hit me. I was also wondering what some of your favorite animated films are? Since the criterion collection is quite lacking in that field I never really hear you talk about them, it’d be nice to see you discuss Studio Ghibli or something like that. Stay safe
I judge a film by this question, " was I entertained?" The whole film could have entertained me or certain aspects or a combination of aspects; direction, story, music, acting, cinematography etc. I've been a film buff since a kid, going to the theatre every Saturday afternoon to watch the Poe adaptations by Roger Corman. I also love music, 50s and 60s, vocal and instrumental, as well as movie soundtracks. If I had to choose movies or music I'd take music. BTW great channel.
This is one of the best ways to approach film: "was I entertained?" This is brilliant. And so personal and perfect. This is such an admirable approach--even to so-called "art house" cinema--because the word "entertained" can mean so many different things. This is brilliant! Thank you so much!
Great video. I need to start collecting Criterion and I don't know what to start with! Can you give me some of your favorites that aren't talked about a lot? Trying to get into more underground cinema. Love the channel going to keep watching.
Thank you very much for your comment. That is very kind of you. And please enjoy your Criterion journey! There are so many to choose from, and so it is a bit difficult for me to make a tailored recommendation. However, if you are interested, I have made a lot of videos here on this channel over the course of some years, talking about films in the Criterion Collection. If you have time, please feel free to look through the channel and see if there are any films that you think are interesting to you and your own cinematic tastes. For example, if you are interested, a couple years ago I did a video going over my "TOP 10" favorite Criterion titles. Also, recently, I conducted a viewer poll where I asked viewers to name their favorite Criterion titles. I then made videos where I presented the viewer-chosen lists.
Just now getting to this for some reason (played next after your great discussion on the December Criterion releases I believe) and this is something I've dealt with my entire decade-plus as a film critic. As a writer who's had the luxury of getting to pick and choose what he writes about, I find that I just don't have a lot to really say when I don't like a film. I also, frankly, don't see many that don't interest me, so unless there's a strange choice by the director or something simply doesn't work and I feel intrigued to unpack as to why that may be, I just don't spend time thinking much about films I don't like. Make sense?
This is such a fascinating topic you bring up my friend. It is especially great for me to read this because of your experience as a professional critic (and Rotten Tomatoes certified!). I think your approach is very sound and I like it very much. You are getting at something that I tried to get at in the video, but you word it much better than I do. Namely, it is about at what point one is willing to work with a film, and at what point one will walk away from a film if it doesn't work for them. I think ultimately this depends on one's own subjective choices, but I always wonder if this changes at all if one is a professional critic. My hunch is that it really depends on the critic and his or her own personal choices, which forms the approach of the critic and then determines the kinds of readers that are attracted to the critic's works. Do you think it is important as a critic to say something like, "hey, I don't like this film, but I think YOU should give it a try"? Or is it the craft of criticism purely within the context of the viewpoint of the critic making the film criticism or review or essay? I should say that I don't know what the "correct" answer is to the above questions, because I think it ultimately comes down to the philosophy of the critic himself or herself. Anyway, my friend, thank you so much for the very insightful comment as always.
Daisuke Beppu I think it’s contextual. I think if one is assigned to write about something by an editor, then it’s one’s duty to give an honest, thoughtful recollection of his or her experience viewing and combating the film. That said, I don’t THINK the “you may like this even if I didn’t” is entirely necessary. In my experience I’ve spent a decade-plus building a voice and I think people who read me know what I appreciate and either agree or don’t. The handshake a reader and critic make is that they both acknowledge that this is based entirely on specific taste born of specific experiences. Hope that makes sense. Cheers as always my friend.
I try to use that same open minded approach, and I also am very selective about the films I see, I’m always working through a list of the best films of all time or the 90’s etc... and I’ve never had a case despite my young age of disliking films that are critically revered, luckily enough for me 😂
Thank you very much for your comment. It is still such a tough and interesting question for me even now, but ultimately I think my approach is not changed and so it is like your own approach my friend.
I know this is a very late comment but I’ve been going through some of your older videos and came upon this interesting one. I like films of all kinds from Bergman’s subtle and brilliant masterworks to the wonderfully fun Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies. I try not to be snobbish or jerky to anyone about any movies they like since I’ve been mocked for my tastes as well. If I like a film then I like it. I’ll gladly watch Ikiru right after Anchorman: the Legend Of Ron Burgundy because I love both of those films and I personally get annoyed when someone differentiates “cinema” to “movies” I’ve never understood that elitist perspective. Art is subjective and I find cinema, movies and film are different words that mean the same thing. I just don’t like hearing people be super negative about movies. Yes there are bad moves but I almost always find myself finding something to like about any movie I see even if I generally don’t like it. Sorry for the long comment. This is a topic that I’ve encountered recently and it’s nice to see you being as positive as you can in our current environment. Happy 2021!
Thank you so much for the comment and for sharing your great perspective. I can understand totally what you say. I think ultimately it comes down to you and how you view the works... and any opinions you encounter, can either help to affect your view on a work, or it could reinforce how much you love a film to begin with. So ultimately I think even negative reactions that you might encounter can serve your ultimate benefit in the long run. Anyway my friend, continue to be well and keep on enjoying your cinema journey. You are always welcome here anytime my friend.
"Art is subjective". Art has an objective dimension -- it is an objective "object". To claim that art is "subjective" avoids that reality. Art is the objectification of the subjective. Now deal with the objective.
Hi Daisuke, I really enjoy your channel. What are your favorite edgy movies in the Criterion collection? I like Gomorrah, La Heine, The Thin Red Line, Branded to kill, Carlos, Weekend, 400 Blows, Breathless, Seven Samurai, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Touch of Evil, Red Circle, The Night of the Hunter, Salvatore Giuliano, The Night Porter, Bad Timing. Can you recommend others in this vein. Cheers
Hello! What an interesting question about "edgy" movies. I think the word can be interpreted broadly to mean "provocative" or "controversial" (in a good or bad way). So, I think I would say LA HAINE (which you mentioned), and also BAD TIMING (which you also mentioned!), which is one of my favorite films in the Criterion Collection ever. Then there are other films like MAN BITES DOG (which is an extremely violent and intense film), the HOUSEMAID (which is a crazy and edgy Korean film), and IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (a classic film, which some would assert is akin to pornography). By the way, I will be talking very soon about SALO, and I have many things I want to say about that film.
Hello again The Nostalgia Nerds! I recall your previous comment a couple days back so it is nice to see you again. I think that at the moment it might be either Vertigo or Late Spring or A Brighter Summer Day.
There are plenty of films I don’t like but I’m not going to spend time talking about them on my channel. Not going to do top ten worst lists because I don’t think it’s a useful thing to do. It’s subjective of course but we’re all here to share what we think are films that are worthwhile viewing. It’s important to have constructive reasons to like or dislike a film and discussions from a different point of view is useful too. We all have bias, I know I have but I try to be open minded about films and yes daisuke, I’m going to watch vertigo again 😉.
This is a great comment again! I think people can naturally react negatively to a film and want to talk about it in those terms, which is great. However, I like your approach and thought process here.
A better question might be "which Criterion releases do you find are the weakest? Or, releases that need to be reissued and improved?" Maybe due to transfer, lack of extras, presentation, etc. 'Favorite' and 'least favorite' are rather subject terms. And when referring to over a thousand releases, difficult to pin down.
Greetings from New Zealand Daisuke! I hope this comment finds you well. Do you have any tips for being more critical/being able to articulate and communicate your feelings of a film? I unfortunately have a problem, like you mentioned, where I can only say and feel that a film is 'great' or 'not for me' but I can't quite put into words why. If you have any ideas for me to improve my assessment and critical thinking, please let me know! Keep up the hard work, your passion for film is very inspirational.
Hello and thank you very much for your kind words and question. I do not have any special approach or anything like that, but I think for me it is always trying to understand what is the reason behind the choices and story details being presented. So it is not so much about how I like or don't like the work, but rather how I can try to understand what is underlying the work. Also, for me it is also trying to see how I connect even on a personal level. And then, the personal level involves my own experiences that I then try to use when I try to connect with a work. So it becomes a way to discuss a work while also potentially connecting it to one's personal experiences.
@@DaisukeBeppu Very humbled that you saw my response on such an older video, and thank you very much for your reply! That is very useful advice and I will start applying this to films I watch from now on.
Great video daisuke. The film I didnt like that everyone else seems to love is fanny and Alexander. I just couldn't get into the story and it didn't start to get interesting for me till about 3 hours in. I admired the cinematography though but I didn't connect with it unfortunately.
Hello Gary my friend! I hope you are well. And thank you so much for this comment. And that is OK about that film. Yes, I understand your comment. Still, that is OK as there is nothing that says that one has to like everything! And that is also something that should be admired and appreciated. Thank you so much for sharing this my friend. And most importantly, please be well and have a great rest of your week.
I think you said elsewhere that Criterion tries to capture meaningful movies of their decades and generations. Be they amazingly filmed, acted, fx, creatively written. To just overlooked oddities, shock value, personal agendas. A couple of my likes/dislikes is Robinson Carusoe On Mars. I had seen it before, and thought it cheese ball sci fi. When Criterion issued it, I thought it must be a joke. Buying it for a nostalgic lark, I was surprised how ahead of it's time when pointed out in the commentary and all. So it didn't turn it into Citizen Kane for me, but did give me a little more respect for it. Still a bad movie, but fun and deserving of a little more respect for it's inginuity and constraints. Another is Shallow Grave. When screened, it was marketed "If you liked Pulp Fiction..." And let me down immensely. I smirked when Criterion issued it, and thought they must be hoping for a sucker out there still. By accident I wound up with a copy. I put it on ready to take it off, and quite enjoyed it on it's own merits this time. Better than Pulp Fiction? Hardly. But again a new respect for how it was made, and the rigors it was made in.
Very interesting comments on Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Yes, I think I am not the biggest fan of this film either, but I admire it for what it is and what it represents in terms of the type of film that it is. And, you nail it in your comment: Criterion can help us to understand films that we might not otherwise be engaged with (for whatever reason). And I think that ultimately this has helped me too over the years to try to engage with films that I have otherwise been unable to engage with. And while I understand and appreciate the "danger", in a manner of speaking, of being thought of as a "film reviewer that loves every film ever", I think that I am not a film reviewer but rather I am always trying to get at least something from a film that I see. It doesn't always work for me, and so there are films even in the Criterion Collection that I have trouble with even today, but at least there are tools and materials that CC makes available for people to use in order to gain a better appreciation of what the film is and what it is trying to do. This is why I think your comment is so well stated on this point. Thank you very much.
I think you're a great reviewer, in that you don't love every movie you present. You point out strengths and weaknesses of many, and/or guide us what to pay attention to and what to overlook. You inspired me to check out Bad Timing, and maybe I won't like it? But I certainly wouldn't hold you responsible, and still respect what you get out of it. That was the beauty of movie reviewers Siskel & Ebert. Sometimes they agreed on a movie for same reasons, sometimes for different. One may dislike a movie for good reason, and the other may love it for the same or different reasons. That to me was the first and last fair and balanced reality TV show ever! Now it's like sports scores with box office amounts, and what's #1 for the 2nd week in a row. Multi-million dollar movies over an hour and a half long, reduced to the status of a pop tune on the Billboard charts. Drives me nuts! So I think it's great the time you take, and the passion you have for your collection. Whether you love them all or not, you're educating many today. Keep up the great work! :-)
What are some films that you think have merit but are also very problematic? You mentioned that you enjoy some films you find to be problematic, so I’m curious about some examples. I always find those types of films to be very interesting, and frequently they become my favorites. Salo, Antichrist, Pink Flamingos, Life of Brian, Do the Right Thing, Silence of the Lambs, and many others are among my favorites because the content brings up some interesting discussions. Pink Flamingos is one that I especially enjoy because I’m so conflicted on the content of the movie, finding myself both appreciating and being repulsed by much of the content.
You bring up an interesting point. Yes, "problematic" films are always interesting. Especially when one has the view that, even though one is watching a film, the act of watching a film does not automatically mean that the viewer espouses every single viewpoint or perspective of the film or otherwise condones every single point raised or depicted in the film. For me, engagement does not always mean condoning every single aspect of every single thing of that work. So, yes, films like those you mentioned come to mind for me. (But at the same time, this does not mean that I like every film I see.) I hope I am making sense here.
Daisuke Beppu Those are my thoughts exactly. For me, I’d much rather watch something that might be flawed but brings up some interesting discussions than a film that is technically flawless but doesn’t have much to think about because I feel much more engaged by the controversial ideas. I can understand why someone wouldn’t like them, and I’d be overwhelmed if it was all I watched, but I find that art that is confrontational in some way is frequently, but not always, the most engaging. Salo is one of my favorite films for this reason. There’s many issues with the film, but the nature of the content shown along with the messages brings many interesting discussions about the film. Generally, my favorite films are the ones that inspire these strong reactions yet also are of very high quality. Do the Right Thing comes to mind because it’s very well made and entertaining, yet the ending can spark very interesting conversations about racism and about violence.
@@xbird532 You bring up a lot of films that have a lot of ambiguity in their narratives and film styles, which I too appreciate very much. It sounds to me like you and I have similar tastes in cinema. Thank you so much for this, my friend, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
You are friendly to your viewers, and friendly to FILMS! There are lots of crappy films, including some that are considered "GREAT". Prime example is" Breathless... But Breathless is so bad it's good! IMHO
Richard Schickel did a book with Martin Scorsese years ago and complained that it's impossible to get Scorsese to take a negative view to anything in cinema. You're in great company Daisuke!
@@larsthurgood811 What did he say, I must've missed it. The closest I remember Scorsese getting negative about a film is that he said Rebecca felt a bit too simply plot-centric to be as good as Hitchcock's best work. I kind of disagree, but I understand why he would think that.
@@larsthurgood811 Wow, that's great. Marty picked the perfect time to end his streak of uncut enthusiasm. Although, it's worth pointing out that Scorsese said that the Marvel movies are not "real cinema," ie, they are dismissed on a technicality and as such should we even count this as Schickel being wrong about how impossible it is to get Scorsese to be negative over anything IN CINEMA. I'm not so sure... Furthermore, do the Marvel fans have something against theme parks if they hate being relegated to theme park fans by Marty?
There are films i don't like but i can appreciate their cinematography, or score. The artists who work in the art department, the set decorators/ the special effects technicians etc. The Last Jedi is one of those. I can appreciate the visuals and the music and some of the acting while hating the story and the way certain characters act or are portrayed. The allusions to Rashomon were interesting but i think it was a miss for RIan.
Good evening Daisuke. I've watched over 13,100 different films and many of them multiple times. I rate each film and encourage myself to try and think deeply about what I saw. Many years ago I revised my system to incorporate two aspects. The first is the question... Was I entertained, or did I like it? A completely subjective assessment. I devote a score of 0-5 for this section. The second 0-5 is ...did I appreciate the films artistic merit. My average score is 5.1 which I'm statistically proud of. I've only rated 50 (of over 13,000) movies a perfect 10. I don't often watch films that I know have zero artistic merit. This is why I tend to like most of the films I watch. I can appreciate artistic merit and not enjoy and I can enjoy junk. I'm watching junk tonight - it's called The Cassandra Crossing :)
No film is for everyone and so no worries if you don’t like it. Cheers.
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I like your views very much but as a gay man I am conscious that not one LGBT film has been considered. Directors like Terence Davies, Pasolini, Andrew Haigh, Visconti, Derek Jarman, the list could go on. The directors mentioned above have all included homosexuality in their films, both negatively and positively. Directors like the great Cukor due to it being a forbidden issue ( especially in Hollywood ) could not express his sensibility on film completely. A friendly comment on something that is not often mentioned, despite the fact quite a few LGBT directors have chosen films from the quaintly named Criterion ' closet. ' Thank you for your attention.
Thank you so much for your friendly comment! I appreciate it very much indeed. Though I don’t claim any kind of expertise in cinema overall or specifically, I would very gently push back on your comment here that “not one LGBT film has been considered.” In fact I think I have spoken about some films on this channel, and while the discussions are not at all in any way definitive or good from me, I have spoken about some films here. Maybe as an example, I would very kindly draw your attention to a discussion series I did on the works of Marlon Riggs, which is multipart and quite a lot of videos, on that filmmaker alone. Anyway my response is also meant as a friendly one, so I hope it is taken in that spirit. And so warmest regards.
the films that i hate are ....l eclipsse , the last year at marienbad, and el manuscrito encontrado en Zaragoza ...in my opinión boring films ... greetings my friend
Don't undersell yourself Daisuke! Although you may not technically be a film critic or historian you are one of the most thoughtful and engaging film related youtubers.
Dear James, wow, what a lovely comment to read. Thank you so much for this. It really means a lot and so I want to thank you very much for your words. Please be well and hopefully we can talk again very soon!
There is enough negativity on the internet. I think your more “positive”, open minded approach to discussing film is an example that more critics and film enthusiasts should live by. You keep doing your thing man! You have my support.
Thank you my friend! I should say that I don't necessarily dismiss negative film critic reviews or the like, because those are really important. But I always want to know WHY someone reacts to a film in a certain way, because that is the most important part of a review for me. Still, if a review does not provide a WHY, then it becomes something that is hard for me to deal with. At the same time, I totally get how the "I love everything" approach is not good because it also displays a lack of engagement. So I suppose the key for me is always how one has engaged or wrestled with the film and its contents, and the great reviewers and critics do this so well.
@@DaisukeBeppu Found your channel recently and I am liking it. To put my two cents in on this, subject, I'll preface by saying that for a time (about a year), I was reviewing movies professionally. Yeah, it was mostly fun.
I think that if there is no WHY, it's not a review, it's merely opinion. Explaining the why gives the reader/viewer a chance to understand what is important to the reviewer. The reader can then decide how he/she feels about that. In this way, a negative review can tell you that it is a good film for YOU (and vice versa).
When Roger Ebert was alive, I found he was the perfect reviewer for me. He explained what he liked and didn't in his reviews and I got to understand his tastes, likes, and dislikes. By reading one of his reviews, I could tell if a film was for me or not, regardless of whether it was a positive or negative film.
I admit it can be a lot of fun to crap all over something and show how "clever" you are by finding pithy ways to slam a film, director, or actor. But that's mostly about feeding one's ego and isn't really about the art of film. I too have found that with age comes a more laissez-faire approach to film viewing. I will avoid anything I'm pretty sure I won't like (like Transformers movies) and open myself to most other things and try to learn something from them.
I know it's not the same as collecting, but I've been subscribed to The Criterion Channel since it launched and find it has been really rewarding to get back into the exploration of cinema from around the world.
If open minded, it would include the negative.
@@jnagarya519 Of course in no way am I trying to dismiss negative assessments. If my comment gave that impression I apologize. I think at the heart of what I was getting at was that Daisuke comes at film criticism and/or analysis with a more positive attitude and curiosity than what I'm use to seeing.
Daisuke, your videos help me so much. I love cinema yes, but I struggle with anxiety and it’s at its worst in the mornings, and I tend to, when I wake up, put on one of your videos to not only gain knowledge of films, but also just because of your calm, peaceful and friendly demeanor. It may sound silly to some, but watching these videos puts my mind at ease. My humblest thanks to you sir.
Hello HORRORFAN 19, and I hope you are well! Gosh, what a comment, and I am very honored. Thank you very much. I must admit that my film knowledge is really not so good and I wish I knew more. However, it is because of people like you that I find this CZcams thing to be very rewarding and exciting. Thank you so much for YOUR great energy and enthusiasm for cinema! And my friend, I hope you are well and talk to you again very soon. Cheers and have a great rest of your week.
Daisuke Beppu I am doing well sir and I hope you and your family are happy and in good health. I find myself feeling the same way regarding knowledge of cinema, but I think of it like a box that never runs out of information to pull from, and there is never too much to learn! I appreciate you taking the time to respond, and look forward to more videos in the future. Again, I hope all is well for you and yours, all the best! -Jerry
I second this. Very relaxing. I found this channel less than a week ago but I’ve been watching it every night because it sets a calm tone with knowledgeable insight into film.
I thought I’m the only one! This channel calms my nerves, I also struggle with anxiety
Hello, Daisuke. I just wanted to drop a comment in response to this video. First, I'm right there with you when you say you're not a film critic and your journey is just beginning. I think when we share our passion for film, or anything for that matter, people can easily misinterpret it as is claiming to be experts. I think of myself as a fan of film- good ones, bad ones, and everything in between. I too try to avoid random film bashing and instead, gravitate towards trying to unearth any redeeming qualities I can find. You know, that's much more difficult than it might appear.
On another note, I think you're doing a fantastic job with your channel. Your insights continue to push me personally to want to dig deeper when thinking about how I perceive any film. I feel like I learn new things with each of your videos I watch. Also, I applaud your openness and willingness to engage with viewers about how certain things can be perceived. I guess we often forget that this CZcams thing can really feel like a one-way street. Honestly, is there anything more bizarre feeling than speaking into a camera in an empty room?? 😂😂You change that dynamic with videos like this- real responses to viewer comments.
Keep doing what you're doing, my friend. Your appreciation for film is contagious. Best to you and hope all is well. 😀❤️
Stephanie
Thank you so much Stephanie!
Yes, it is very difficult sometimes to be positive about a film, and, I mentioned it elsewhere, but there is also a danger of looking too much like a "I love everything" critic, which is itself not a good thing in my view. So, ultimately, and you mentioned this already, the key is the WHY: why does one react to a film this way?
And it is this WHY that is so important for me to listen to and read. This is great.
On that basis, then I realize that I have so much to learn and thus the film journey is just beginning for me. I wonder whether I will ever know as much as I want to know, but then again that is the beauty of this hobby I think.
Thank you for the great comment, my friend! This is really nice to read.
I hope you are doing well.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the new HALLOWEEN film when it comes out.
Best regards.
This is inspiring, really appreciate your attitude on watching cinema
Hello and thank you so much for watching. I am very grateful to you. I hope this message finds you well.
@@DaisukeBeppu Hope this message finds you well too! I can't stop watching your video now and feel glad that you are making these magnificent contents on movie review~
Well put sir. Thank you for taking the time to explain. I really enjoy your videos, please keep up the good work.
No problem, and thank you for allowing me to respond to your great comment. Best regards, my friend.
Hi, Daisuke! I always try to be positive about a film I watch and I think in the end it's much more rewarding. I'm also very selective about the films I watch. It's very rare that I do not like a movie.
This is a very interesting and great comment! It is always a challenge to approach film, and so I agree with you that I try to be as positive about a film as I can when I start watching it.
You’re taking the approach of a good teacher. You’ll have a gut reaction, but your comments are constructive criticisms - understanding the director’s intention and evaluating how successful they were. Re-watching films later in life can be eye-opening. I had the same response to 8 1/2.
Aside from your thoughtful and engaging approach to films, you extend the same courtesy towards your audience. Thank you. Cheers!
Hello and not at all not at all… I have been very lucky to have met many people here who have always been very courteous to me, so my thanks always go to people like you and others here. Warmest regards. Cheers.
You seem like such a grateful and sincere person :)
Thank you so much T. Hamill. You are very kind. I hope you are well and please have a safe and happy new year.
I understand the idea of engaging with things, be they films or music or any other type of art. I try this myself, though I am often unsuccessful. I think it takes a certain discipline, maybe even a certain point of view or mood, to excel at that skill. But overall like most skills it is probably best tempered through practice. It's easy to hate a film, to call it trash or terrible. It is far more difficult to look at that same film and ask what it's trying to convey, why it was made, and how it makes you feel. So this is actually something I enjoy in your channel. You don't take the easy way out and you have an interesting perspective. Thanks for the video!
Hello Talynn my friend, and I hope you are well.
Thank you also for this great comment, because you display such a well-reasoned and admirable approach to cinema and to art. And you are very kind!! Thank you for such a lovely compliment! I hope you are well and please have a nice weekend.
A great and positive approach not only to films but to people and life in general. Actually the first time I watched one of your videos, your approach to films and discussing them immediately appealed to me. Your views are enlightening.
Thank you very much for watching, and for your kind words.
I am very lucky to be able to upload videos here, and so thank you so much for your valuable time. I hope you are well.
Completely agree. Some of the films that have really upset or irritated me, have often been ones I’ve subsequently gone on to repurchase in the future. Great video.
Thank you very much for your comment. And it is very interesting how films that we might find upsetting at first can grow on us over time.
Just found out your wonderful channel and I enjoy your insight on your film review. Great Video!
Hello and it is nice to meet you. And thank you very much for your very kind words. Cheers.
Very interesting video Daiske, I've been watching your channel for a little while now and find your perspectives interesting. I may be much younger but I understand the feeling of being more closed minded and learning to be more open minded about film. For me it was the work of David Lynch, in College could barely sit through half an hour while now I've learned to give films the benefit of the doubt and to put it most honestly "Go with the flow" so to speak. To let the film wash over me and to try and understand it instead of instantly rejecting it at the slightest sign of something I don't like.
Thank you again and have a good day my friend.
Hello heyit'sharvey and thank you very much for your comment and your very kind words. It means a lot to hear it, and I admire your approach very very much. I hope you are well and cheers. I look forward to talking with you again very soon.
Your positivity is quite contagious, it's really admirable!
I acknowledge I might be too hard on some of my thoughts on film. This is, for us all, a long, and probably eternal road. We will never know everything about such a great form of art, we can only keep moving forward and learning all we can.
Though, I can't help but say that I got really curious about which might be some films you are still trying/had the hardest time to engage! If you would be willing to say so, otherwise I do respect your discreteness.
Keep your good work spreading positivity and nice thoughts!
Hello Victor and thank you very much for your very kind words. It means a lot. Cheers and I hope to be able to talk to you again very soon. I hope you are well.
Daisuke you did a great job answering this question. I for one like how open minded you are to films. Your diversity is strong, like how you appreciate art house films along with b-films and everything in between. Watching some of your newer videos, like how you will try to find the positives in films you don't like. Have watched and read famous critics reviews who will shut out certain genres or types of films. Which has never seemed fair to me. Can't judge a b-film by the same standards as an art house films. Always felt like a film needs two things good story and characters. Before I start rambling here another great video Daisuke and have never found you to be rude on any of your videos a mark of a true gentleman.
Thank you very much for your kind words! That means a lot to me. You are very very kind as always, my dear friend.
Too much negativity. It’s nice to see someone dedicated to looking at the positives.
Dear Eddy, thank you so much. You are very very kind. Have a nice rest of your day and cheers.
Daisuke.
I certainly appreciate your method of approaching a film by trying to engage with it as much as possible. By doing so you remain open to positive elements that you might otherwise have missed. However, I also think your personal perspective towards a film is relevant and valuable to share. Even though you are not a “professional” film critic or scholar, I think your life experiences combined with your passion for films validates any subjective opinion or feeling you may have. In fact, I would find it very interesting to hear your personal thoughts after you have presented your analysis
This is a great comment, George!
In principle, I avoid using ratings or grades when talking about films because I am not able to think in terms of letter grades or number scores. However, I do try to make my personal feelings known throughout the videos, and so I will try to make that more present going forward. Thank you so much!
Love the Romero frames!!!!
And thank you for this comment as well. Cheers.
I tried watching 8 & 1/2 two or three times in the past - I fell asleep half way, each time. It was only recently did I revisit it (at a much earlier hour) and finally finish it. Was worth pursuing! I ended up really enjoying it.
There are so many variables to try and control for to increase the likeliness of engaging in a movie, isn’t there? Your comment about a movie resonating more for you in your thirties rings true. Interesting too to think about is what movies might’ve made a better impression on me in the past. Example: I watched Primer recently and in the end wondered if it’s sensibilities were more in tune with my interests in my mid-late teens.
Hello The Dark Opera, and thank you so much for your comment on this video! I am so happy to hear about your experiences with the Fellini film, which sounds very similar to my own experience with the film. And yes, I think you are so right about the potentially endless amount of variables, and the reverse is also potentially true as you indicate (how films we loved when we were young might not necessarily impact us when we are older, etc.). An excellent point and insight.
I dislike using the word "entertained" or the question "Am I entertained?" as if the film owes me something. In fact I oftentimes feel that to be fair to the film I need to ask myself if I have engaged enough to be rewarded with pleasure, a word I prefer. And sometimes I need to work for my pleasure when confronting difficult or challenging films! Anyway, I much rather spending time talking or thinking about films I like instead of wasting energy on panning or dismissing a film. I might change myself one day. I am allowed to change my mind, right? Anyway, great channel and great positivity. Keep at it!
Thank you very much for the comment. Warmest regards.
Great points Daisuke, having an open mind is really important, I certainly have many personal biases towards certain types of films/filmmakers, which can affect my judgment on certain films. I totally agree with you that it's good to give a chance to a film and revisit it, for me Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men was a film that I thought it was just pretty good on first watch, but after another viewing I loved it and now it's one of my favorites. I tend to like films that are acclaimed by cinephiles/critics. Three Criterion titles that I don't like much are Dazed and Confused, Wings of Desire and Rosemary's Baby, but I'm pretty sure that I'll like Rosemary's Baby after I rewatch it. Other acclaimed films that I don't like are Saving Private Ryan( I can't stand this film), Die Hard, Mad Max: Fury Road and Halloween. Fantastic video, I really like this that you take a question from the comment section and make a video about it. One question I have is that, do you have a favorite decade for cinema? For me 50s and 60s are probably the best decades.
Yes, you are so on point here as always. Watching films is so personal--and sometimes films that one person likes will be disliked by others. This is fair. By the way, I do like the films DIE HARD and HALLOWEEN very much, but I can see how people might not like these films. And I should say also that I should never tell anyone that he or she SHOULD like a film or SHOULD NOT like a film, because that would be imposing my views on someone which is not good. But talking about films and disagreeing about films are so crucial and important.
Hi Daisuke! I'm a new subscriber and just wanted to say thank you for the great content. I'm a fellow cinephile and screenwriter. I'm also a Japan-born Korean American, so I really connect with your style and point-of-view. Anyways, I really appreciate this topic. I recently sparked a video from Nathan Jones on a similar subject. About buying/collecting films and making videos about them, before actually seeing them. It's something I'm generally perplexed by with all these unboxing and haul videos. I am personally more interested on a person's personal connection to the films themselves. Not just showing off a purchase. Love to hear your thoughts. Anyways, thanks for your passion!
Dear Young-Sun Kim, greetings to you my friend, and thank you so much for this comment, and other comments that you left on other videos, which I have had the great pleasure of reading and catching up with. Please accept my apologies for my late reply.
As for your comment here, I suppose I can say that for me I think that I have nothing philosophically against a "haul" video or anything like that, because I think that kind of video shows a love and passion for physical media, which is always great, especially given the growing influence and presence of streaming services.
At the same time, I do get what you are saying about contents sometimes, but then again, I suppose it really depends on how people choose to consume the items that they purchase, which is something that I think people are free to choose.
For me, I always feel that I will try not to focus on talking about a blu ray or DVD unless I have seen the film itself, and this is because I'd rather sit and wait on a video and let my thoughts gather, before uploading. I think for me I take such a long time to gather my thoughts, and many times I think that what I end up uploading is not the best quality in terms of contents. I think other people are really good at breaking down a blu ray and its supplements and talking about the synopsis without necessarily having seen the film, which I think is a kind of video or capsule review that many people look for.
But still, for me I am more comfortable with uploading a video on a film I have seen, rather than talking about a film I have not seen. Sure, I have made a number of videos where I show a blu ray of a film I have not seen, but I think that tends to be the exception rather than the norm.
Anyway, my friend, I hope that answers the question, and I look forward to talking to you again very soon. Cheers.
Great discussion Daisuke! And I like your use of the term "engagement."
I find, especially with Criterions and films I watch the supplements of I have more respect and appreciation for the film and that definitely comes off more positive than just saying I didn't like or enjoy a film. I am also working on how to talk about films and point out things I like and/or didn't like. And sometimes it's hard to say things without going into spoilers- which I've complimented you on before. I never feel spoiled for a film after hearing your thoughts on it.
I'm also the same way with books and movies I buy being stories I'm interested in.
Oh my Lord! The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite things (I love the book, the classic 1925 film, and the musical) and a few years ago I tried to watch as many adaptations of it as possible. The Dario Argent film, oh boy. That was. That was a thing. It's almost hilarious when I think of the premise and how he told and altered the story. My brother and I read a 10/10 star review of it on IMDb called "A Misunderstood Film." We were so bewildered at the movie!
Thank you for your comment! So, yes I think the film PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Argento is a tough one, and I don't like it much at all actually. But I will give it one more try this month.
I think also you are right to mention the supplemental materials on releases, because this often helps me to learn more about not only the background of the production, but also about the critical reactions to a film that might in turn help me further appreciate a film (or not as the case may be sometimes).
Yes! I might have already mentioned this to you before, but my least favorite Criterion release that I've bought is Badlands. I blind bought it. It had to do with certain expectations that made me enjoy it less. I was expecting more of a mix between Bonnie & Clyde, Rebel Without A Cause, and Heathers. And that is not what Badlands is. It's much slower and I didn't care for the characters. BUT upon watching the supplements I respected it more and appreciated the film more, even though I didn't enjoy watching it or particularly like it. I was able to get more insight on Malick's intentions and production of the film. I definitely have more of a positive outlook on it instead of just hating the film had I not learned more about the making of it.
Yes... this is a great thing about the supplemental materials... And as for BADLANDS, I totally understand your initial reaction to it. But I am thrilled that you have a positive outlook on it now!
By the way, I am on a bit of a Malick film high after the recent release of THE TREE OF LIFE. Amazing release. Have you seen it yet?
No I have not! I almost bought the regular blu-ray one time and am now a bit grateful for that since I'd rather have the Criterion release. It's a Malick film I've had more interest in compared to others. I'd even say more than Badlands initially. Just from stills I've seen the cinematography looks amazing and I really like Jessica Chastain.
Then I would suggest that you try to get it if you can, because I think you would really like what Criterion has done with the film.
Hey Daisuke! Nice hearing your comments on this. I've also had films I didn't like and then grew to appreciate, and a lot of films I used to love and now do not.😏 It's healthy to allow ourselves to change how we feel about something, and remember 'the future is not set'.😉👍
You say it so well and much much better than I could. Cheers and I really appreciate this perspective.
Great video Daisuke! (This is actually my second time watching this video, I wanted to see any of the films you didn’t like) I’m wondering how far does this go for you, if you didn’t like the latest Transformers movie, I’d have to say that’s likely the film itself, but would you rewatch that to try and engage with it more? Or are we just talking about “cinema” or the types of films that would be released by Criterion or Eureka etc... for example if you just watched Vertigo and didn’t like it, I can’t see that being the case with me, seeing my love for Vertigo, but if a film comes along within that vein or something from Criterion that I didn’t connect with I would definitely rewatch it, but if it’s this mainstream blockbuster that I didn’t like then I would likely not be rewatching it.
Thank you for this... and to take the example you bring up, I would like to think that I try to give each film a fair view. And if I don't like something at first, I will always try to keep an open mind if and when I revisit it. This is also true for films that are released in Criterion for example, as I cannot say that I like all the films that have been released by Criterion. I will however try to give them as much of a chance as I can and try to engage with them by trying to get as much background as possible. I am sorry if that does not answer your question appropriately but I hope it does.
Daisuke Beppu I guess you’re more open minded than I, when it comes to the 10th sequel in a line of big blockbuster action movies, if I watched it and didn’t like it then in my eyes the situation is closed. Whereas if I watched a film that’s more critically acclaimed, or just buy an auteur in general then I’d give it another try with an open mind if it didn’t quite hit me. I was also wondering what some of your favorite animated films are? Since the criterion collection is quite lacking in that field I never really hear you talk about them, it’d be nice to see you discuss Studio Ghibli or something like that.
Stay safe
I judge a film by this question, " was I entertained?" The whole film could have entertained me or certain aspects or a combination of aspects; direction, story, music, acting, cinematography etc. I've been a film buff since a kid, going to the theatre every Saturday afternoon to watch the Poe adaptations by Roger Corman. I also love music, 50s and 60s, vocal and instrumental, as well as movie soundtracks. If I had to choose movies or music I'd take music. BTW great channel.
This is one of the best ways to approach film: "was I entertained?" This is brilliant. And so personal and perfect. This is such an admirable approach--even to so-called "art house" cinema--because the word "entertained" can mean so many different things. This is brilliant! Thank you so much!
Great video. I need to start collecting Criterion and I don't know what to start with! Can you give me some of your favorites that aren't talked about a lot? Trying to get into more underground cinema. Love the channel going to keep watching.
Thank you very much for your comment. That is very kind of you. And please enjoy your Criterion journey! There are so many to choose from, and so it is a bit difficult for me to make a tailored recommendation. However, if you are interested, I have made a lot of videos here on this channel over the course of some years, talking about films in the Criterion Collection. If you have time, please feel free to look through the channel and see if there are any films that you think are interesting to you and your own cinematic tastes.
For example, if you are interested, a couple years ago I did a video going over my "TOP 10" favorite Criterion titles.
Also, recently, I conducted a viewer poll where I asked viewers to name their favorite Criterion titles. I then made videos where I presented the viewer-chosen lists.
Just now getting to this for some reason (played next after your great discussion on the December Criterion releases I believe) and this is something I've dealt with my entire decade-plus as a film critic. As a writer who's had the luxury of getting to pick and choose what he writes about, I find that I just don't have a lot to really say when I don't like a film. I also, frankly, don't see many that don't interest me, so unless there's a strange choice by the director or something simply doesn't work and I feel intrigued to unpack as to why that may be, I just don't spend time thinking much about films I don't like. Make sense?
This is such a fascinating topic you bring up my friend. It is especially great for me to read this because of your experience as a professional critic (and Rotten Tomatoes certified!). I think your approach is very sound and I like it very much. You are getting at something that I tried to get at in the video, but you word it much better than I do. Namely, it is about at what point one is willing to work with a film, and at what point one will walk away from a film if it doesn't work for them. I think ultimately this depends on one's own subjective choices, but I always wonder if this changes at all if one is a professional critic. My hunch is that it really depends on the critic and his or her own personal choices, which forms the approach of the critic and then determines the kinds of readers that are attracted to the critic's works. Do you think it is important as a critic to say something like, "hey, I don't like this film, but I think YOU should give it a try"? Or is it the craft of criticism purely within the context of the viewpoint of the critic making the film criticism or review or essay?
I should say that I don't know what the "correct" answer is to the above questions, because I think it ultimately comes down to the philosophy of the critic himself or herself.
Anyway, my friend, thank you so much for the very insightful comment as always.
Daisuke Beppu I think it’s contextual. I think if one is assigned to write about something by an editor, then it’s one’s duty to give an honest, thoughtful recollection of his or her experience viewing and combating the film. That said, I don’t THINK the “you may like this even if I didn’t” is entirely necessary. In my experience I’ve spent a decade-plus building a voice and I think people who read me know what I appreciate and either agree or don’t. The handshake a reader and critic make is that they both acknowledge that this is based entirely on specific taste born of specific experiences.
Hope that makes sense. Cheers as always my friend.
I try to use that same open minded approach, and I also am very selective about the films I see, I’m always working through a list of the best films of all time or the 90’s etc... and I’ve never had a case despite my young age of disliking films that are critically revered, luckily enough for me 😂
Thank you very much for your comment. It is still such a tough and interesting question for me even now, but ultimately I think my approach is not changed and so it is like your own approach my friend.
I know this is a very late comment but I’ve been going through some of your older videos and came upon this interesting one. I like films of all kinds from Bergman’s subtle and brilliant masterworks to the wonderfully fun Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies. I try not to be snobbish or jerky to anyone about any movies they like since I’ve been mocked for my tastes as well. If I like a film then I like it. I’ll gladly watch Ikiru right after Anchorman: the Legend Of Ron Burgundy because I love both of those films and I personally get annoyed when someone differentiates “cinema” to “movies” I’ve never understood that elitist perspective. Art is subjective and I find cinema, movies and film are different words that mean the same thing.
I just don’t like hearing people be super negative about movies. Yes there are bad moves but I almost always find myself finding something to like about any movie I see even if I generally don’t like it.
Sorry for the long comment. This is a topic that I’ve encountered recently and it’s nice to see you being as positive as you can in our current environment. Happy 2021!
Thank you so much for the comment and for sharing your great perspective.
I can understand totally what you say.
I think ultimately it comes down to you and how you view the works... and any opinions you encounter, can either help to affect your view on a work, or it could reinforce how much you love a film to begin with. So ultimately I think even negative reactions that you might encounter can serve your ultimate benefit in the long run.
Anyway my friend, continue to be well and keep on enjoying your cinema journey. You are always welcome here anytime my friend.
"Art is subjective".
Art has an objective dimension -- it is an objective "object". To claim that art is "subjective" avoids that reality. Art is the objectification of the subjective. Now deal with the objective.
You look like Ken Watanabe in a good way 😎
Wow, what a very kind compliment! Thank you so much!!!
Hi Daisuke, I really enjoy your channel. What are your favorite edgy movies in the Criterion collection? I like Gomorrah, La Heine, The Thin Red Line, Branded to kill, Carlos, Weekend, 400 Blows, Breathless, Seven Samurai, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Touch of Evil, Red Circle, The Night of the Hunter, Salvatore Giuliano, The Night Porter, Bad Timing. Can you recommend others in this vein. Cheers
Hello! What an interesting question about "edgy" movies. I think the word can be interpreted broadly to mean "provocative" or "controversial" (in a good or bad way). So, I think I would say LA HAINE (which you mentioned), and also BAD TIMING (which you also mentioned!), which is one of my favorite films in the Criterion Collection ever. Then there are other films like MAN BITES DOG (which is an extremely violent and intense film), the HOUSEMAID (which is a crazy and edgy Korean film), and IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (a classic film, which some would assert is akin to pornography). By the way, I will be talking very soon about SALO, and I have many things I want to say about that film.
@@DaisukeBeppu Thanks for this. I like all the films you mentioned. Empire of Passion is also very interesting. Cheers.
In a few words :
Yes we all have some .
Thank you!
daisuke what's your favorite film
Hello again The Nostalgia Nerds! I recall your previous comment a couple days back so it is nice to see you again.
I think that at the moment it might be either Vertigo or Late Spring or A Brighter Summer Day.
and the silent film of hitchcock the farmer wife
Thank you very much, and I apologize for the lateness of my reply. I hope you are well.
There are plenty of films I don’t like but I’m not going to spend time talking about them on my channel. Not going to do top ten worst lists because I don’t think it’s a useful thing to do. It’s subjective of course but we’re all here to share what we think are films that are worthwhile viewing. It’s important to have constructive reasons to like or dislike a film and discussions from a different point of view is useful too. We all have bias, I know I have but I try to be open minded about films and yes daisuke, I’m going to watch vertigo again 😉.
This is a great comment again! I think people can naturally react negatively to a film and want to talk about it in those terms, which is great. However, I like your approach and thought process here.
A better question might be "which Criterion releases do you find are the weakest? Or, releases that need to be reissued and improved?" Maybe due to transfer, lack of extras, presentation, etc. 'Favorite' and 'least favorite' are rather subject terms. And when referring to over a thousand releases, difficult to pin down.
That is a great point.
Greetings from New Zealand Daisuke! I hope this comment finds you well.
Do you have any tips for being more critical/being able to articulate and communicate your feelings of a film? I unfortunately have a problem, like you mentioned, where I can only say and feel that a film is 'great' or 'not for me' but I can't quite put into words why.
If you have any ideas for me to improve my assessment and critical thinking, please let me know!
Keep up the hard work, your passion for film is very inspirational.
Hello and thank you very much for your kind words and question. I do not have any special approach or anything like that, but I think for me it is always trying to understand what is the reason behind the choices and story details being presented. So it is not so much about how I like or don't like the work, but rather how I can try to understand what is underlying the work.
Also, for me it is also trying to see how I connect even on a personal level. And then, the personal level involves my own experiences that I then try to use when I try to connect with a work. So it becomes a way to discuss a work while also potentially connecting it to one's personal experiences.
@@DaisukeBeppu Very humbled that you saw my response on such an older video, and thank you very much for your reply! That is very useful advice and I will start applying this to films I watch from now on.
Great video daisuke. The film I didnt like that everyone else seems to love is fanny and Alexander. I just couldn't get into the story and it didn't start to get interesting for me till about 3 hours in. I admired the cinematography though but I didn't connect with it unfortunately.
Hello Gary my friend! I hope you are well. And thank you so much for this comment. And that is OK about that film. Yes, I understand your comment. Still, that is OK as there is nothing that says that one has to like everything! And that is also something that should be admired and appreciated. Thank you so much for sharing this my friend. And most importantly, please be well and have a great rest of your week.
I think you said elsewhere that Criterion tries to capture meaningful movies of their decades and generations. Be they amazingly filmed, acted, fx, creatively written. To just overlooked oddities, shock value, personal agendas. A couple of my likes/dislikes is Robinson Carusoe On Mars. I had seen it before, and thought it cheese ball sci fi. When Criterion issued it, I thought it must be a joke. Buying it for a nostalgic lark, I was surprised how ahead of it's time when pointed out in the commentary and all. So it didn't turn it into Citizen Kane for me, but did give me a little more respect for it. Still a bad movie, but fun and deserving of a little more respect for it's inginuity and constraints. Another is Shallow Grave. When screened, it was marketed "If you liked Pulp Fiction..." And let me down immensely. I smirked when Criterion issued it, and thought they must be hoping for a sucker out there still. By accident I wound up with a copy. I put it on ready to take it off, and quite enjoyed it on it's own merits this time. Better than Pulp Fiction? Hardly. But again a new respect for how it was made, and the rigors it was made in.
Very interesting comments on Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Yes, I think I am not the biggest fan of this film either, but I admire it for what it is and what it represents in terms of the type of film that it is. And, you nail it in your comment: Criterion can help us to understand films that we might not otherwise be engaged with (for whatever reason). And I think that ultimately this has helped me too over the years to try to engage with films that I have otherwise been unable to engage with.
And while I understand and appreciate the "danger", in a manner of speaking, of being thought of as a "film reviewer that loves every film ever", I think that I am not a film reviewer but rather I am always trying to get at least something from a film that I see. It doesn't always work for me, and so there are films even in the Criterion Collection that I have trouble with even today, but at least there are tools and materials that CC makes available for people to use in order to gain a better appreciation of what the film is and what it is trying to do.
This is why I think your comment is so well stated on this point. Thank you very much.
I think you're a great reviewer, in that you don't love every movie you present. You point out strengths and weaknesses of many, and/or guide us what to pay attention to and what to overlook. You inspired me to check out Bad Timing, and maybe I won't like it? But I certainly wouldn't hold you responsible, and still respect what you get out of it. That was the beauty of movie reviewers Siskel & Ebert. Sometimes they agreed on a movie for same reasons, sometimes for different. One may dislike a movie for good reason, and the other may love it for the same or different reasons. That to me was the first and last fair and balanced reality TV show ever! Now it's like sports scores with box office amounts, and what's #1 for the 2nd week in a row. Multi-million dollar movies over an hour and a half long, reduced to the status of a pop tune on the Billboard charts. Drives me nuts! So I think it's great the time you take, and the passion you have for your collection. Whether you love them all or not, you're educating many today. Keep up the great work! :-)
What are some films that you think have merit but are also very problematic? You mentioned that you enjoy some films you find to be problematic, so I’m curious about some examples. I always find those types of films to be very interesting, and frequently they become my favorites. Salo, Antichrist, Pink Flamingos, Life of Brian, Do the Right Thing, Silence of the Lambs, and many others are among my favorites because the content brings up some interesting discussions. Pink Flamingos is one that I especially enjoy because I’m so conflicted on the content of the movie, finding myself both appreciating and being repulsed by much of the content.
You bring up an interesting point. Yes, "problematic" films are always interesting. Especially when one has the view that, even though one is watching a film, the act of watching a film does not automatically mean that the viewer espouses every single viewpoint or perspective of the film or otherwise condones every single point raised or depicted in the film. For me, engagement does not always mean condoning every single aspect of every single thing of that work.
So, yes, films like those you mentioned come to mind for me.
(But at the same time, this does not mean that I like every film I see.) I hope I am making sense here.
Daisuke Beppu Those are my thoughts exactly. For me, I’d much rather watch something that might be flawed but brings up some interesting discussions than a film that is technically flawless but doesn’t have much to think about because I feel much more engaged by the controversial ideas. I can understand why someone wouldn’t like them, and I’d be overwhelmed if it was all I watched, but I find that art that is confrontational in some way is frequently, but not always, the most engaging.
Salo is one of my favorite films for this reason. There’s many issues with the film, but the nature of the content shown along with the messages brings many interesting discussions about the film.
Generally, my favorite films are the ones that inspire these strong reactions yet also are of very high quality. Do the Right Thing comes to mind because it’s very well made and entertaining, yet the ending can spark very interesting conversations about racism and about violence.
@@xbird532 You bring up a lot of films that have a lot of ambiguity in their narratives and film styles, which I too appreciate very much. It sounds to me like you and I have similar tastes in cinema. Thank you so much for this, my friend, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
You are friendly to your viewers, and friendly to FILMS! There are lots of crappy films, including some that are considered "GREAT". Prime example is" Breathless... But Breathless is so bad it's good! IMHO
Joe Morton thank you so much, and I respect your views on Breathless my friend.
The one with Richard Gere?
@@HP_____ I was thinking of the film directed by Goddard in 1960. The dialog for Goddard's "Breathless" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breathless_(1960_film)
Oh that film? . . . . . . One of the greatest films ever made! ;-)
Richard Schickel did a book with Martin Scorsese years ago and complained that it's impossible to get Scorsese to take a negative view to anything in cinema. You're in great company Daisuke!
Hello Helsinki Renaissance Arts, and thank you so much for your very kind comment. This is very kind of you. Cheers my friend.
After Scorsese's recent blast on superhero films, we see that nothing is impossible. Also, I think he was right though.
@@larsthurgood811 What did he say, I must've missed it. The closest I remember Scorsese getting negative about a film is that he said Rebecca felt a bit too simply plot-centric to be as good as Hitchcock's best work. I kind of disagree, but I understand why he would think that.
@@helsinkirenaissance czcams.com/video/qYGGEhoHG_k/video.html
Marvel fanbase seems extremely offended...
@@larsthurgood811 Wow, that's great. Marty picked the perfect time to end his streak of uncut enthusiasm. Although, it's worth pointing out that Scorsese said that the Marvel movies are not "real cinema," ie, they are dismissed on a technicality and as such should we even count this as Schickel being wrong about how impossible it is to get Scorsese to be negative over anything IN CINEMA. I'm not so sure... Furthermore, do the Marvel fans have something against theme parks if they hate being relegated to theme park fans by Marty?
There are films i don't like but i can appreciate their cinematography, or score. The artists who work in the art department, the set decorators/ the special effects technicians etc. The Last Jedi is one of those. I can appreciate the visuals and the music and some of the acting while hating the story and the way certain characters act or are portrayed. The allusions to Rashomon were interesting but i think it was a miss for RIan.
Thank you so much for sharing with us your perspective on this. I really appreciate it. Cheers and I hope you are well.
Good evening Daisuke. I've watched over 13,100 different films and many of them multiple times. I rate each film and encourage myself to try and think deeply about what I saw. Many years ago I revised my system to incorporate two aspects. The first is the question... Was I entertained, or did I like it? A completely subjective assessment. I devote a score of 0-5 for this section. The second 0-5 is ...did I appreciate the films artistic merit. My average score is 5.1 which I'm statistically proud of. I've only rated 50 (of over 13,000) movies a perfect 10. I don't often watch films that I know have zero artistic merit. This is why I tend to like most of the films I watch. I can appreciate artistic merit and not enjoy and I can enjoy junk. I'm watching junk tonight - it's called The Cassandra Crossing :)
Thank you so much!! A great approach.
And I think I received a comment from you on a separate video about Cassandra Crossing. I will check it out.
I'm halfway through Celine and Julie Go Boating.
Not sure I can make it through the second half without kicking a piece of furniture!😕😳
No film is for everyone and so no worries if you don’t like it. Cheers.
I like your views very much but as a gay man I am conscious that not one LGBT film has been considered. Directors like Terence Davies, Pasolini, Andrew Haigh, Visconti, Derek Jarman, the list could go on. The directors mentioned above have all included homosexuality in their films, both negatively and positively. Directors like the great Cukor due to it being a forbidden issue ( especially in Hollywood ) could not express his sensibility on film completely. A friendly comment on something that is not often mentioned, despite the fact quite a few LGBT directors have chosen films from the quaintly named Criterion ' closet. ' Thank you for your attention.
Thank you so much for your friendly comment! I appreciate it very much indeed.
Though I don’t claim any kind of expertise in cinema overall or specifically, I would very gently push back on your comment here that “not one LGBT film has been considered.” In fact I think I have spoken about some films on this channel, and while the discussions are not at all in any way definitive or good from me, I have spoken about some films here. Maybe as an example, I would very kindly draw your attention to a discussion series I did on the works of Marlon Riggs, which is multipart and quite a lot of videos, on that filmmaker alone. Anyway my response is also meant as a friendly one, so I hope it is taken in that spirit. And so warmest regards.
You basically don't answer the question.
Ok thanks for watching anyway.
If you think that then you basically don't understand his response, which was excellent.
the films that i hate are ....l eclipsse , the last year at marienbad, and el manuscrito encontrado en Zaragoza ...in my opinión boring films ...
greetings my friend
Luis Segovia Last Year at Marienbad is a top 5 film
Thank you for your comment!
Please give Last Year at Marienbad another go. Watch it until you enjoy it. And then watch his (Alain Resnais) Night and Fog.
Last Year at Marienbad is a hard first watch. I tried again and liked it, tried again and love it. How weird are we humans :)
@@birddogfreemann night and fog is sad... But great!!!!!