The Criterion Collection

[tallrichard]

Got a shocker at B&N today! Criterion sale in place...but locally, they no longer accept the coupons with the sale price!!

OMG! I had to whine and look sad for almost 10 minutes before they relented!

McCabe and Mrs Miller
Cat People
Night Train to Munich
Blood Simple

Are now MINE!

[Member-167298]

What the heck is happening in this thread? Seriously confused.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by tallrichard

Got a shocker at B&N today! Criterion sale in place...but locally, they no longer accept the coupons with the sale price!!

The latest printable coupons -- for example, this one -- list "Criterion Collection Blu-rays and DVDs" among the items not eligible (in the example above, check the line right above the "visit bn.com/couponexclusions for more details" link).

Whether this is a permanent thing, or only applies during the semi-annual 50% off sales, is unknown.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

What the heck is happening in this thread? Seriously confused.

Me and Ray have become more active..... Not sure about Ray but I had a period of isolation... now I have to make up for it.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Me and Ray have become more active..... Not sure about Ray but I had a period of isolation... now I have to make up for it.

Play on, playaz.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Hmm, you might be alright. I know in the UK thread last year Sifox said he had a couple of customs issues with his orders (if I remember correctly) but some seem to slip through. Also depends how B&N mark up the package I guess.

I'd be quietly hopeful.

All my sale items bar one have shipped with Ascendia and been customs free (if a little slow) but in the last sale there was one title OOS at the time of ordering which they considerately sent UPS. It arrived in a few days complete with a £20.50 bill. The $19.99 item was 16p over the customs limit

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

All my sale items bar one have shipped with Ascendia and been customs free (if a little slow) but in the last sale there was one title OOS at the time of ordering which they considerately sent UPS. It arrived in a few days complete with a £20.50 bill. The $19.99 item was 16p over the customs limit

Ah crap.... defo getting money out for tomorow then....

What makes them choose between Ascendia and UPS?

I'd hate to have to pay customs on both packages, only got two packages cause I made one order and then wanted more, but thought it would be easier to do second order rather than canceling and waiting for funds to come back.

Just think I paid all that extra money for delivery and now more for customs charges... could have got 1-2 more releases with that money! AT this rate i've saved no money in the sale lol.

Guess I could refuse order if there is charges and keep doing until they send via a custom friendly courier lol.

[pedromvu]

So yesterday I watched Dillinger is Dead, never before seen a Marco Ferreri film so I didn't know what to expect.

I can safely say I don't know what the hell everything I just saw means, but the use of music makes it all enjoyable even when nothing much happens, and it's one of those films that leaves a lasting impression after it ends.

[Polaroid]

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by muchogris

Wait... Black magic has been restored?

Was this film lost or incomplete at some point?

[Ray Jackson]

In all seriousness, Dekalog is starting to grow on me.

It really is an extraordinary work of humanist cinema...depending on your definition of humanism.

I think episode 6 was the turning point for me.

I don't know how realistic it is to think that

[Show spoiler]an older woman as hot as that would respond so favorably to some creepy young perv who admits he's been spying on her with a telescope.

...but I suppose it gives some of us hope.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

So yesterday I watched Dillinger is Dead, never before seen a Marco Ferreri film so I didn't know what to expect.

I can safely say I don't know what the hell everything I just saw means, but the use of music makes it all enjoyable even when nothing much happens, and it's one of those films that leaves a lasting impression after it ends.

Love "Dillinger is Dead". Check out "La Grande Bouffe" when you have a chance.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Ah crap.... defo getting money out for tomorow then.... What makes them choose between Ascendia and UPS?

What shipping did you use? I always use the cheapest. I assume they sent that one title because it had been delayed... So I wrote to them and asked them never to use UPS for me again

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

What shipping did you use? I always use the cheapest. I assume they sent that one title because it had been delayed... So I wrote to them and asked them never to use UPS for me again

Went for the middle option, was decent speed but not too expensive, well was only a few dollars more so thought meh why not... plus didn't want to wait all month for the package, I have't bought Criterions in sooo long, I cant wait haha... I will update you guys tomorow

I might email B&N asking to use the other livery company for my second order lol, luckily it wont ship till after 8th due to LW&C release date.

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

In all seriousness, Dekalog is starting to grow on me.

It really is an extraordinary work of humanist cinema...depending on your definition of humanism.

I think episode 6 was the turning point for me.

I don't know how realistic it is to think that

[Show spoiler]an older woman as hot as that would respond so favorably to some creepy young perv who admits he's been spying on her with a telescope.

...but I suppose it gives some of us hope.

Or a wife reconciling with her husband because he puts her in jail...

[trombone dixie]

I've never seen any Lone Wolf and Cub but pre-ordered it on AMZ because of the price. Worth the blind buy? There's plenty of other titles that i know i want during the sale that the money could go towards.

[Edward J Grug III]

Oops, I started a conversation right before a very busy weekend and wasn't able to look back in.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Thanks for bringing up well reasoned points from your point of view, Edward. It's been years since I've seen In a Lonely place, but I wouldn't doubt if I didn't consider the darker implications of his character simply because it's genre stuff and that's that. Casual violence and misogyny are par for the course with noir and sometimes it either slides right past me or I enjoy it at face value as a fan of these type of films.

I'm now scrambling to figure out if I overlooked anything during my viewing of Cover Up last night. (Which was hugely enjoyable as a Christmas themed Noir btw)

My wife and LOVE noir - and I agree there is often some underlying casual violence and misogyny - I think it sticks out more here as the character doesn't do anything to earn redemption, yet the movie plays it like the problem is not his fault - it's bad timing.

I think that might be what really stuck in out collective craw?

Originally Posted by yhzmr

Is it surprising that someone capable of such violence could be portrayed in a somewhat sympathetic light? Is it the fact that Steele wasn't hauled in by the police for putting his hands on her that makes this an apology for domestic violence? The fact that this is not a happily ever after film is the right tone and Ray's instincts are right. Read Great Owl's review for further insight.

My complaint isn't that he's a 'complex' character treated in a sympathetic light - Actually I think he's not complex enough to earn the films treatment of him.

I am hoping TGO has commented, as I usually really enjoy his thoughts on film.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Do you feel the same way about Raging Bull?

I've only seen Raging Bull the once as I always have a hard time bringing myself to watch a film about a boxer, despite there being so many great ones.

So, I can't comment with any authority on the film, but I did think the film was great. I have thought films with violent characters were great before, and I am sure I will again. I just really read this one as treating it a minor quirk.

Originally Posted by Purplenoon

I really liked the novel, but not the movie: a big disappointment.

I really enjoyed the two other Hughes novels I have listened to but haven't heard this one yet. I am still going to give it a go, but I might leave it a little bit first.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Banned User

In regards to my feelings of In A Lonely Place. IMO I don't think the film is trying to be an apologist film. Its a dark bleak film all around. The Bogart character is flawed which is a lot more interesting and true to life. Bogart is a likable actor playing against type as a horrible person, but a character type that does exist in real life and does have relationships and good qualities on top of being deeply flawed. He's more or less a Jekyll and Hyde character who's alcohol abuse and violent nature stem from his self loathing.

Well, I agree it's not trying to be an apologist film. But I don't think author intent is worth all that much once the product is finished.

Originally Posted by Banned User

The agent and characters around Bogart are lying to themselves and making excuses for his behavoir because in real life that's what many people do for a variety of complicated reasons. The film doesn't explore these reasons, though probably due to the characters own flaws.

Right, that's my point though? The film does this but doesn't explore it at all. Hence I don't think it earns the way it forgives him in the end.

Originally Posted by Banned User

I think you can come to the conclusion the film is apologetic because you expect the standard hollywood formula where its suppose to be sad that the two lovers don't end up in the end like Casablanca, but the film is a better film because it uses this expectation on top of your hatred of the character's actions to twist your feelings. Should you be like the agent and friends of Bogarts and make excuses for him or should you hate him and be glad she got away? Because you are conditioned to expect the Casablanca ending, but loathe the character, it leaves you with a lot of deep questions and opposing feelings.

You don't question at the end that Bogarts character is sad he didn't get married to her because he does love her. Just because he is a piece of trash doesn't change how he feels or thinks. Just like you don't question the women knows she is getting away from a violent man even though she does love him.

No one is asking you to like or feel sorry for the character or their ultimate departure from each other. You are bringing that own baggage into your assesment of the film. Beating a woman is a horrible violent act, but is it impossible to have any sympathy for him without apologizing for his actions? Had he been a drug abuser or thief instead would he have then been redeemable? Clearly these are personal questions. If you are looking for clear and cut black and white characters this is the wrong film to watch. In A Lonely Place is one of Bogarts best roles because he doesn't play his typical clear cut good guy or bad guy. Those kind of characters make for really boring cinema IMO and leave nothing for discussion.

As everyone should be well aware Ray had just left his wife and was shooting the original ending, where Bogart strangles her, when it dawned on him "Romances don’t have to end that way. Marriages don’t have to end that way, they don’t have to end in violence. Let the audience make up its own mind what's going to happen to Bogie when he goes outside the apartment" then later in a interview Ray said "You do not know whether the man is going to go out, to get drunk, have an accident in his car, or whether he is going to go to a psychiatrist for help”

So the true ending is left up to the viewer. If you think the film is apologetic then Bogart gets drunk that night, drives off and dies in a car accident. Standard Hollywood bad guy gets his justice ending. Or he seeked help and solved his violence issues, quit drinking and became a successful playwright and lived happily every after always wondering about the women who he drove away those many years ago. Redemption ending.

What happens after the movie is fine to speculate about, but it doesn't really enter into my feelings with what the film DOES say. It very specifically has her say the information was too late. If only it had have come a week earlier, everything would have been fine.

Also that she only 'lived when he loved her.'

It's not ambiguous in saying the way she feels (and we are meant to feel) like they are the victims of circumstance and a great love was torn apart, tragedy tragedy tragedy.

Originally Posted by Banned User

That being said I much prefer the current ending to the original scripted one which seems typical bad guy kills women he loves and gets arrested. Close curtain. Boring.

Every plot point in every movie is boring when presented like that. That is very disingenuous.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by octagon

My reading would be that the characters you see as apologists I see as enablers. Enablers exist. I don't see their purpose as justifying or mitigating Dix's violent tendencies. If anything, rather than mitigating blame they spread blame around.

And I don't share your take on Dix's ultimate fate either.

[Show spoiler]Whatever success he might have is pretty clearly hollow. Sure, he might have a successful screenplay on his hands but his own flaws have poisoned any chance he might have had at real happiness.

That might not be tragic in the classical Greek sense (his flaws aren't what made him great and his downfall isn't quite as dramatic - he basically ends up right where he started, bitter and alone) but it's pretty damn close.

I see the characters very much as enablers. I see the film as an apologist.