The Artist (2011) Review

[BluPix]

The Artist Blu-ray

The Artist Blu-ray Review

The US blu-ray release of The Artist is now available for preorder at Amazon.com. Nominated for a slew of Academy Awards, including Best Picture, its current release date is April 24th, 2012.

In my opinion, it is one of the very top films of 2011 and deserves the accolades it is receiving. I highly recommend that anyone who hasn't seen this film yet, go see it if it's still in theaters near you or, the next best thing, buy or rent the blu-ray. I've already preordered it.

More information:

IMDb.com: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/

[Presence]

I'll be very curious about the packaging, but probably day one since the French version won't be very English friendly.

[Wally Q]

If this wins Best Picture (holding onto hope for Hugo), it'll be the first Best Picture winner I haven't seen in theaters since Crash prior to the ceremony. Thank goodness April is looking like a slow month.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Wally Q

If this wins Best Picture (holding onto hope for Hugo), it'll be the first Best Picture winner I haven't seen in theaters since Crash prior to the ceremony. Thank goodness April is looking like a slow month.

Is the reason you haven't seen it that you're not interested in the film or it didn't play theatrically in your area? I can't recall if The Artist received a wider release or not.

[Wally Q]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Is the reason you haven't seen it that you're not interested in the film or it didn't play theatrically in your area? I can't recall if The Artist received a wider release or not.

There's interest but just haven't had the time to make it to see it.

[djgeneral]

I'm watching this right now. It is cool to see a silent film released in 2011, and in black and white...but I'm not entirely moved by it. However, I'll probably pick it up when it hits 14.99 or so.

[El_Jay]

Saw this about a month ago and really thoroughly enjoyed it. Not sure if I'll buy the Blu though, doesn't seem like something I could watch many times, and since it's 4:3 (whatever the theatrical version of this ratio is called, 1.33:1?) and in black and white it's not making a case for an instant must-buy. I may still pick it up anyway just to have it, might be worth having on the shelf in case I have guests who are curious and want to see it.

Jean Dujardin's performance was great here, it's incredible how much emotion they can convey without using any words in this pic. Berenice Bejo was fantastic as well.

[JenM]

I've seen this movie twice already, and will definitely pick it up on Day 1. Just an amazing movie.

[Monterey Jack]

There better be lossless DTS 7.1 audio!

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by El_Jay

Saw this about a month ago and really thoroughly enjoyed it. Not sure if I'll buy the Blu though, doesn't seem like something I could watch many times, and since it's 4:3 (whatever the theatrical version of this ratio is called, 1.33:1?) and in black and white it's not making a case for an instant must-buy. I may still pick it up anyway just to have it, might be worth having on the shelf in case I have guests who are curious and want to see it.

Jean Dujardin's performance was great here, it's incredible how much emotion they can convey without using any words in this pic. Berenice Bejo was fantastic as well.

Really?

That is curious about the aspect ratio. I mean obviously they were going for a certain stylistic look to make it reminiscent of a certain era, but I could have done without 1.33 on a modern film.

I'm not sure that it impacts whether to buy the blu-ray or not though. I mean do you just stay away from all old (pre 1954) movies that are 1.33?

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I mean do you just stay away from all old (pre 1954) movies that are 1.33?

Aspect ratio is the least of The Artist's home video marketing hurdles AgentOrange. I mean, here you have a silent* movie...in black and white...full screen...with intertitles...made by an obscure French filmmaker...starring two French performers almost no one stateside has ever seen before. Even if it wins Best Pic (as I'm rooting for it to do), this "arrêt incroyable" could take a long time finding its way into some mainstream players.

* Well, mostly.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Interesting to see Sony is handling this release instead of Anchor Bay.

[Benchman]

Day 1 for me

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Aspect ratio is the least of The Artist's home video marketing hurdles AgentOrange. I mean, here you have a silent* movie...in black and white...full screen...with intertitles...made by an obscure French filmmaker...starring two French performers almost no one stateside has ever seen before. Even if it wins Best Pic (as I'm rooting for it to do), this "arrêt incroyable" could take a long time finding its way into some mainstream players.

* Well, mostly.

$55 million+ worldwide box office and counting means it made it into the mainstream.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

$55 million+ worldwide box office and counting means it made it into the mainstream.

Barely. In the year 2012, that's really not a lot of dough for a multi-award winner and Oscar contender. But yes, considering the built-in hurdles mentioned above, The Artist has done amazingly well theatrically, and will continue to do so, especially if it plays wider after the awards. For some reticent folks, plain old fashioned curiosity will eventually win them over. Curiosity will also help on video, but the more adamant "no B&W", "no silent", "no full screen", and "no French" renters/buyers will no doubt be apoplectic over this one.

On the other hand, never discount the 'Uggie' factor...

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

It always kills me hearing about people not buying a blu-ray because a film's black and white, or it's not in an aspect ratio that fills up the screen, etc. As far as I'm concerned, Blu-ray is about preserving the theatrical presentation - and, yes, that includes a black and white silent film with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. I consider a blu-ray of this film to be of no less value than that of something like "Avatar".

You couldn't pay me to buy this film on DVD. For me, it's going to be all about a high def picture, with proper grain structure, accompanied by a wonderful DTS-HD soundtrack for that sumptuous musical score.

[Yankees0222]

This movie will look absolutely wonderful on blu ray I can't wait to watch it over and over until I finally get sick of it

[bluearth]

I'm not keen at all at spending money on a film that trys to look like it was made in the 20s

Its funny how "found footage" filming is considered a gimmick and a crutch, but making a silent black and white movie in the year 2012 is considered artistic, and groundbreaking. Thats odd, because found footage, when properly used with the right script adds a level of realism to the movie. A silent black and white movie made today will always use that as a crutch first, with any enhancements to the story telling or cinematography secondary

Just goes to show you that no institution, no matter how self promoting or refined they claim to be is above the allure of a well played gimmick.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by bluearth

I'm not keen at all at spending money on a film that trys to look like it was made in the 20s

Its funny how "found footage" filming is considered a gimmick and a crutch, but making a silent black and white movie in the year 2012 is considered artistic, and groundbreaking. Thats odd, because found footage, when properly used with the right script adds a level of realism to the movie. A silent black and white movie made today will always use that as a crutch first, with any enhancements to the story telling or cinematography secondary

Just goes to show you that no institution, no matter how self promoting or refined they claim to be is above the allure of a well played gimmick.

/facepalm

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

Barely. In the year 2012, that's really not a lot of dough for a multi-award winner and Oscar contender. But yes, considering the built-in hurdles mentioned above, The Artist has done amazingly well theatrically, and will continue to do so, especially if it plays wider after the awards. For some reticent folks, plain old fashioned curiosity will eventually win them over. Curiosity will also help on video, but the more adamant "no B&W", "no silent", "no full screen", and "no French" renters/buyers will no doubt be apoplectic over this one.

On the other hand, never discount the 'Uggie' factor...

Since when to Oscar contenders (or even winners) necessarily do well at the box office?

These things are not "hurdles", they are essentially what is driving the curiosity that you speak of. If it were the same players involved, the same script, but instead of a "new" silent film it was a standard color/widescreen release, The Artist probably wouldn't enjoy the same discussion OR the relative success at the box office (obviously, it is no Harry Potter, but it's more than respectable - and some recent Oscar winners have done MUCH worse).

I'm also fairly certain it is already a wide release, if it's in my town it has to be. This a good thing because I planned on catching a matinee tomorrow.