John Cassavetes: Five Films (DVD, 2004, 8-Disc Set, Special Edition Eight Disc Set)

First off I am a big fan of the Criterion Collection. It's a great collection of films that are, for the most part, out of the main stream Hollywood films. And they can show you so much about what film can be.

Combine this with John Cassavetes. A real Hollywood outsider who created films based on his personal vision. Real and complex characters. Interesting, often disturbing stories. And a real "fly by the seat of his pants" approach to making films. You sense things in the film were often a surprise to him as the director, as much as they become a surprise to us the viewer.

A John Cassavetes movie watches like a Bukowski novel reads, as a kick in the nuts while going through some serious withdrawl in an unfamiliar city. Ron Burganday is said to have watched The Killing of a Chinese Bookie at least 15 times, and has a proud mane of chest hair to proove it. So, if people like Dennis Hopper and Harvey Kietel don't give you the night terrors, Cassavetes is probably for you.

As a long time Cassavetters fan this review is biased to say the least. What I like about Cassavettes is the way he deals with the human condition. Most films today that attempt to deal with this subject don't develop the character(s) so the viewer is drawn in. Sometimes unknowns are the best for getting a story of human infalability, that's why Cassavettes used unknown actors often. My favorite film is Edge of the City and is not in this box set because it is directed by Martin Ritt. In this film you can see where Cassavettes (Axel Nordmann) and Sidney Portier (Tommy Tyler) have take their respective characters to heights where mere acting disappears. Criterion reproductions never ceases to come through. I am not a movie or TV buff but when I like music, books, woodworking and films that stand the test of time.

I highly recommend the Criterion box to everyone.

Awesome. Vraiment merveilleux! Un truc à avoir dans sa bibliothèque. John Cassavetes est définitivement un maître.