The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Radiant to look at = 63%
Showing her acting range = 37%
Give or take a few percentage points either way.

In all seriousness, she does show a lot of range and versatility in her European films (The Ring Finger, The Assassin Next Door, etc.). Here on these shores, she mostly gets supporting roles (Seven Psychopaths, Max Payne, etc.), but she's more prominent overseas. It looks at though her star is on the rise here, and that's great for everybody.

A lot of people hate on Quantum of Solace, but I love it as a Bond film. The action scene editing could have been much better, but it's an otherwise fine Bond entry.

You lost me after "action scene editing could have been better." If there's one thing an action film must have, its good editing.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You lost me after "action scene editing could have been better." If there's one thing an action film must have, its good editing.

A fair point, and most action movies are weak these days because of poor editing.

This topic has already been killed to death several times over in the "50 Years of James Bond" thread, but Quantum of Solace has some subtle moments showing Bond evolving into his trademark cinematic character. There's a key moment with him downing "shaken, not stirred" martinis while mourning Vesper, and there's the whole "We're teachers on sabbatical and we just won the lottery." scene. Bond is heartbroken and he is on the run from all sides, but he's still going to check into the most luxurious hotel in the city. Why? Because he's Bond, that's why. It's a solid film in the franchise.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by octagon

This question is prompted by but not directed specifically at Frances Ha...

Does anybody else reflexively groan even a little at the thought of yet another film about New York and/or New Yorkers?

Don't get me wrong, obviously New York is a central figure/location/entity not only in the US but in the world and is a completely legitimate film character. But for as much as I love things like Burt Lancaster's 'I love this dirty town' speech in Sweet Smell of Success I've also developed a bit of an 'ugh, enough already' reaction that seems to get a little stronger every year.

That's funny, as I am beginning to feel that way too. When Woody Allen does it, it seems fine, but others (LD)....Yikes... Must be due to the fact we are from Chicago....
Could be worse, you could have been on LaSalle Street today...

Now turn on some Blues Brothers.....

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Must be due to the fact we are from Chicago....

Now turn on some Blues Brothers.....

I've never visited Chicago, but the movie, High Fidelity, really makes me want to go up there.
I'll probably travel up there one of these days to run the Chicago Marathon, because that race is on my bucket list, but I usually have enough on my plate down here.

[majorkonig41]

Watched Seven Samurai and Rashomon the past two days and I want more Toshirô Mifune. So I went ahead and blind bought The Samurai Trilogy. Is there a consensus on those films compared Seven Samurai, Rashomon, or even Yojimbo/Sanjiro (which I plan on watching tomorrow).

[bugsy_pal]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

OT, but has anyone seen Waterloo Bridge (Vivien Leigh)? It's still on DVD but for a great price on Amazon. I thought if any thread I can get some input it would be this one.. Thanks

I love this movie - it's well made, tragic, romantic and Vivien Leigh is at her most beautiful. I would snap it up if I were you.

[joie]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I was always curious about Séance on a Wet Afternoon (which I believe HVE released on DVD years back.)

Saw that on DVD recently (from the library, so it must have been region 1). It had a Janus Films title at the beginning. Very good movie, and it looked like (from watching the DVD) it would make a good Blu-ray.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've never visited Chicago, but the movie, High Fidelity, really makes me want to go up there.
I'll probably travel up there one of these days to run the Chicago Marathon, because that race is on my bucket list, but I usually have enough on my plate down here.

You might want to stay away. They will probably make you pay a tax after every mile run. Could add up after a while...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by majorkonig41

Watched Seven Samurai and Rashomon the past two days and I want more Toshirô Mifune. So I went ahead and blind bought The Samurai Trilogy. Is there a consensus on those films compared Seven Samurai, Rashomon, or even Yojimbo/Sanjiro (which I plan on watching tomorrow).

The Samurai Trilogy is a visual treat. Every still frame of those movies demands to be paused and gazed at for a long while. These three movies have nothing on Seven Samurai in terms of the whole package, but they're also some of the most beautiful films you'll ever see.

I have not see Samurai Trilogy since the old DVD edition, so I would really really like to see the new transfer.

[Archedamian]

Originally Posted by jcs913

You might want to stay away. They will probably make you pay a tax after every mile run. Could add up after a while...

As an Illinoisian, this made me laugh (and shake my head in sadness and shame at the same time). If this state can figure out a way to tax something, they will.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

To The Wonder is releasing On Demand the day it hits theaters.

Hmm...I could go to theaters for it, but that might be easier...although it'll of course benefit more from a theatrical experience.

[Scottie]

I just watched People On Sunday.

Was it a good entry into the world of cinema? Sure it was. It had a pretty neat character study. We were able to see this happy period in Germany's history before the onset of World War II and Hitler's regime.

However, I found the movie INCREDIBLY boring. I was begging for it to end, despite its short run time of ~1 hour and 10 minutes. The film did not do it for me and not because it was a silent film either. The Criterion Collection has put out quite a few silent films and I have found many of them to be treasures. Unfortunately this one did not stick out for me and nothing about it really made me fall in love with it.

Oh well, hopefully Monsieur Verdoux will pick up my mood.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Archedamian

As an Illinoisian, this made me laugh (and shake my head in sadness and shame at the same time). If this state can figure out a way to tax something, they will.

STATE... Try living in the city... Pretty soon the air will be taxed...
You know, and this is Criterion related, I was joking with my wife's sister a few weeks ago about the 'amusement tax' as we were talking about theater and how expensive it is. She was not only mystified by it and its premise, but laughed at it... Which I later laughed too at the stupidity of it...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Hmm...I could go to theaters for it, but that might be easier...although it'll of course benefit more from a theatrical experience.

Going to the theater is an increasing irritation these days, but I will make the trip to see Terrence Malick's vision in that format.

I am debating going to see Spring Breakers at a cheap morning matinee sometime this weekend. I'm torn between the "I'm probably way too old for this movie." mindset that was my first impression when I heard about it, and my inclination to see for myself why a lot of critics whom I trust have been raving about the movie.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Isn't it great? That scene always makes me smile, and it's the sort of moment that draws me to cinema in the first place.

The first hour is pure perfection.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched People On Sunday.

Was it a good entry into the world of cinema? Sure it was. It had a pretty neat character study. We were able to see this happy period in Germany's history before the onset of World War II and Hitler's regime.

However, I found the movie INCREDIBLY boring. I was begging for it to end, despite its short run time of ~1 hour and 10 minutes. The film did not do it for me and not because it was a silent film either. The Criterion Collection has put out quite a few silent films and I have found many of them to be treasures. Unfortunately this one did not stick out for me and nothing about it really made me fall in love with it.

Oh well, hopefully Monsieur Verdoux will pick up my mood.

People on Sunday is one of my favorite releases. I find it to be a captivating experience. In fact, I think it conveys pure emotion better than most films. Not in an overt and cutesy way like say Chaplin's City Lights but rather through its simple but gorgeous compositions. By the end I'm almost in tears that it has to end.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

However, I found the movie INCREDIBLY boring. I was begging for it to end, despite its short run time of ~1 hour and 10 minutes. The film did not do it for me and not because it was a silent film either.

This is the first time I've seen you mention a film was so boring...any other films had that effect on you?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched People On Sunday.

Was it a good entry into the world of cinema? Sure it was. It had a pretty neat character study. We were able to see this happy period in Germany's history before the onset of World War II and Hitler's regime.

However, I found the movie INCREDIBLY boring. I was begging for it to end, despite its short run time of ~1 hour and 10 minutes. The film did not do it for me and not because it was a silent film either. The Criterion Collection has put out quite a few silent films and I have found many of them to be treasures. Unfortunately this one did not stick out for me and nothing about it really made me fall in love with it.

Oh well, hopefully Monsieur Verdoux will pick up my mood.

I loved it. The way to captured Germany using all non-professional actors was a treat. I thought it was heads and tails more interesting than Lonesome, right up there with The Phantom Carriage.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

This is the first time I've seen you mention a film was so boring...any other films had that effect on you?

maybe it needs more stuff, rammed in there Danny Boyle style to make it more palatable.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

I loved it. The way to captured Germany using all non-professional actors was a treat. I thought it was heads and tails more interesting than Lonesome, right up there with The Phantom Carriage.

All three are impeccable.