Boxwalla is a really unique subscription box service that offers four different types of subscriptions: Food, Beauty, Books, and Film. Subscribers can subscribe to multiple boxes, or can hop around among the four boxes from shipment to shipment. Fun! I love movies! Boxwalla's website states, "'Art Cinema is Boring.' The Film Box challenges this notion by demystifying the work of the best filmmakers, by creating a context within which to view them."
Boxwalla kindly sent us this box for review purposes. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Boxwalla Film
The Cost: $49.95 per shipment (every two months)
The Products: Two films from The Criterion Collection plus an insert are mailed to you. Additional material is emailed to you before and after you have watched the films.
Ships to: US for free, Canada for $11.95, Internationally for $18.95
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Boxwalla's packaging is beautiful! The box is really high quality and very sturdy. It could easily be used for storage or gifts. This letter was included with information about the films that I was sent. Honestly, I never read it before I watch the movies because I hate any kind of spoiler! I always read it afterward though, and it is always helpful.
October's theme was "East Meets West." I received a post-film discussion, as promised, which I also read after watching the films. It, too, was very helpful.
Film #1: Murmur of the Heart - Value $21.02 on Amazon
Wow, what a disturbing film! It was enjoyable, don't get me wrong, but wow. I often assess a film based on how I feel afterwards, and I think shocked pretty much sums it up. It's a coming of age tale, and it was made all the more poignant by the fact that the protagonist, a 15-year-old boy, looked about twelve. Those short pants! I actually love seeing old movies and soaking in the culture of the era, including fashion, cars, decor, etc. This movie was set in post-WWII France. I also appreciated that this film had more of a plot than a lot of art films do, and it was fairly easy to get sucked in and follow along.
Film #2: Charulata - Value $19.49 on Amazon
I found this film fascinating, for a number of reasons. It is the story of a bored housewife in late 19th century India during the colonial era and her politically inclined husband. It's based on a story by Tagore, and my Mom introduced me to Tagore many years ago. Like the last film, this was very watchable/accessible, and both films had to do with difficult matters of the heart. Again, I loved getting lost in the beauty of the film and its era, and for this film I was particularly grateful that it was sort of atypical for an Indian movie. The post-film discussion actually talks about the director's strict separation from Bollywood, and I was glad to see that.
This is a peek at the post film discussion that was sent following the movies via email. This email usually comes about three weeks after the boxes have been received.
Both movies are part of The Criterion Collection, which is an organization that works to preserve and restore classic and modern films that are considered important. The films are published in editions that offer the highest technical quality as well as fantastic supplemental material. As a note, the Criterion Collection will be removed from Hulu after November. At that point they are planning on launching their own streaming service in collaboration with TCM.
Verdict: This was another amazing box from Boxwalla Film. I have always been a cinemaphile, but I love that I'm getting such a great education from Boxwalla! I really enjoyed watching both movies this month - they were both incredible. In terms of value, the cost is a little high, but I feel like there is real value in the curation, pre- and post-film discussions, bonus features, and related materials. I think this is a great way to build up a killer classic film collection! I think Boxwalla should start forums and add more of a film club feel to their online presence. The only thing that could add to the experience would be an increase in my ability to discuss the movies with other film buffs!
What do you think of Boxwalla Film box?
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