The Criterion Collection

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Some Like It Hot is my absolute favorite Marilyn Monroe film, although Niagara is a close second.

For third place, I'll go with River of No Return, which I think is criminally underrated with respect to her films. It's a great Western/adventure flick, and Marilyn Monroe in jeans and a flannel shirt steering a raft through whitewater rapids works for me for some odd reason.

I love Niagara, it's amazing to see what a talent she really was in watching this film. This was the the first of her films in which she didn't play the flighty blonde that I watched. It was nice to see such a change of pace and acting for her, and to see the talent she had be shown on screen. I feel the same about River of No Return. And the flannel and jeans are a nice touch.

Originally Posted by jayembee

Glad you enjoyed it. It really was a pleasant surprise, pretty much coming out of nowhere.

Thanks for the recommendation, it was nice movie to start off my morning.

Originally Posted by jayembee

I hear that, Owl.

I still need to pick up the couple of Marilyn BDs that weren't in the Forever Marilyn set (Niagara and Bus Stop). I'm surprised that Fox didn't include those in the set either in addition to, or instead of, the two MGM/UA titles.


I feel obliged to mention Nicolas Roeg's Insignificance as an adjunct toany Marilyn collection.

I actually have this, and sat down to watch it a month or so ago, but couldn't get into it... maybe it was a bad day for me, or just not in the right mood. I am going to try again soon though.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

I was expecting Goldeneye, but The World is not Enough? Really???

The World Is Not Enough suffers considerably from Denise Richards attempting to play a nuclear scientist➊. But the film more than compensates for Richards by having Sophie Marceau and Robert Carlyle play two wickedly terrific villains. And while I don't think that the film is the best of the Brosnans, I think it has Brosnan's best performance as Bond. It's the one in which he really comes off as a stone-cold killer.

Out of the Brosnan Bonds, Tomorrow Never Dies is far and away my favorite. It has its flaws, but Michelle Yeoh counterbalances any problems the film might have. And Die Another Day is the only one I really dislike.

➊ Denise Richards isn't totally worthless. Her turn as "White She Devil" in the highly underrated Undercover Brother was quite entertaining.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

...and you included a Pierce Brosnan Bond movie aswell. Owl, it seems as if you are hell bent on having the most diverse list in the thread

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

I was expecting Goldeneye, but The World is not Enough? Really???

When I revisited all 23 Bond movies in a row on Blu-ray a few months back, I decided that The World is Not Enough is the best Brosnan Bond film. I wrote a User Review defending my claim. Short version: This movie is more akin to the older Bond films, and this movie was where Brosnan really hit his stride. (Despite the fact that his films are some of my least favorites in the franchise, I think that Brosnan himself was quite excellent in the role of James Bond. Even with the worst film in the Bond series, Die Another Day, Brosnan hit all of the right notes.)
Sophie Marceau is also one of the greatest Bond girls in the entire series.

I couldn't not have a Bond film in that Top 20. I felt bad for leaving City Slickers off of the list, because I love that comedy, but I've watched the Brosnan Bond films a lot more.


Apologies for the decidedly non-Criterion-related post.
Of course, I should specify that my inclusion of Insomnia on the list pertains to the 1997 Norwegian film that is available on Criterion DVD.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The Great Owl's Top 20 Films of the 1990s

Six Criterion titles made my list.

Just for having Point Break on your list makes you my hero. I really do love that movie... "Utah! Get me two!"

And nice to see Blair Witch, World is Not Enough and Quiz Show on some lists! But what about In the Name of the Father? I saw that just after I saw Last of the Mohicans Daniel Day Lewis film. Both are amazing films... and at the time, watching In the Name of the Father, I didn't think you could say f*** that many times in a sentence.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

When I revisited all 23 Bond movies in a row on Blu-ray a few months back, I decided that The World is Not Enough is the best Brosnan Bond film. I wrote a User Review defending my claim. Short version: This movie is more akin to the older Bond films, and this movie was where Brosnan really hit his stride. (Despite the fact that his films are some of my least favorites in the franchise, I think that Brosnan himself was quite excellent in the role of James Bond. Even with the worst film in the Bond series, Die Another Day, Brosnan hit all of the right notes.)
Sophie Marceau is also one of the greatest Bond girls in the entire series.

I too loved Pierce, and couldn't wait for him to be bond. I was young and just loved Roger Moore, didn't like Dalton (though later in life I would come to really enjoy his portralay of Bond), and was very excited to see Remington Steele as Bond! Golden Eye was excellent and a lot I have hoped for, but when I saw World is Not Enough, that was when I knew he was the right Bond.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Just for having Point Break on your list makes you my hero. I really do love that movie... "Utah! Get me two!"

And nice to see Blair Witch, World is Not Enough and Quiz Show on some lists! But what about In the Name of the Father? I saw that just after I saw Last of the Mohicans Daniel Day Lewis film. Both are amazing films... and at the time, watching In the Name of the Father, I didn't think you could say f*** that many times in a sentence.

My college friends and I must have gone to a nearby dollar theater to see Point Break about five or six times. It was one of the first Blu-rays that I purchased, as well. I love that movie without shame or irony.

I saw Michael Mann's The Insider on somebody else's list and realized that I had forgotten about it. I'm quite happy with my list as is, though, and Mann's Heat did make my #3.

With respect to the 1990s film with the most F-bombs, I think that Glengarry Glen Ross is a clear winner.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My college friends and I must have gone to a nearby dollar theater to see Point Break about five or six times. It was one of the first Blu-rays that I purchased, as well. I love that movie without shame or irony.

I saw Michael Mann's The Insider on somebody else's list and realized that I had forgotten about it. I'm quite happy with my list as is, though, and Mann's Heat did make my #3.

With respect to the 1990s film with the most F-bombs, I think that Glengarry Glen Ross is a clear winner.

Heat is such an amazing movie... I got it last Black Friday on blu for $4.99.. such a steal.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Out of the Brosnan Bonds, Tomorrow Never Dies is far and away my favorite. It has its flaws, but Michelle Yeoh counterbalances any problems the film might have.

Michelle Yeoh is a great Bond girl, and Tomorrow Never Dies also has some of the coolest stunts of any of the Brosnan films.

My only real problem with Tomorrow Never Dies is that the story does not go anywhere after the first five minutes. Usually, with the Bond films, we gradually find out that a villain has some grandiose plan, and it's fun to watch Bond start out with a small investigation and move up from there. With this particular film, we know everything after the first scene.
I mean, it's not like we watch Bond films for the storylines anyway, but still...

Massive spoiler ahead...
The Number One spot on my Top 20 of the 2000s list will be a James Bond film.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Michelle Yeoh is a great Bond girl, and Tomorrow Never Dies also has some of the coolest stunts of any of the Brosnan films.

My only real problem with Tomorrow Never Dies is that the story does not go anywhere after the first five minutes. Usually, with the Bond films, we gradually find out that a villain has some grandiose plan, and it's fun to watch Bond start out with a small investigation and move up from there. With this particular film, we know everything after the first scene.
I mean, it's not like we watch Bond films for the storylines anyway, but still...

Massive spoiler ahead...
The Number One spot on my Top 20 of the 2000s list will be a James Bond film.

The Brosnan era has never been my favorite in the Bond series but in retrospect I enjoy them more now than I did when they first came out. TND is enjoyable but for me the weakest aspect is Jonathan Pryce as Elliott Carver. He's a great actor but I did not find him imposing, either physically or psychologically, to be a great villain. He came across as too much comic relief for a main villain. Vincent Schiavelli's Kaufman character was annoying in this respect as well.

As for your Top 20 of the 2000s, I can only imagine it's Casino Royale you are referring to, unless you are looking to rock by the boat by picking DAD or QOS.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

As for your Top 20 of the 2000s, I can only imagine it's Casino Royale you are referring to, unless you are looking to rock by the boat by picking DAD or QOS.

Bingo. Casino Royale is my third favorite Bond film behind Dr. No and From Russia with Love. I was quite stunned by the movie when it came out in theaters, and it's a much better film than any of us longtime Bond fans had a right to expect. The Daniel Craig films are the second golden age of the Bond franchise.

I think that Quantum of Solace gets a bad rap, but it still does not hold a candle to Casino Royale.

Nicholas Roeg fans should appreciate Casino Royale, because the final sequence is an amazing homage to Don't Look Now.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Bingo. Casino Royale is my third favorite Bond film behind Dr. No and From Russia with Love. I was quite stunned by the movie when it came out in theaters, and it's a much better film than any of us longtime Bond fans had a right to expect. The Daniel Craig films are the second golden age of the Bond franchise.

I think that Quantum of Solace gets a bad rap, but it still does not hold a candle to Casino Royale.

Nicholas Roeg fans should appreciate Casino Royale, because the final sequence is an amazing homage to Don't Look Now.

Yes, Casino Royale blew me away when it was released. I had learned to keep my expectations low during the Brosnan era (as a longtime fan I was disappointed even by Goldeneye), so when CR came out, I finally felt that "Bond was back". QOS was a bit disappointing but I put that down to painting themselves into a corner with making it a direct follow-up to CR, plus the writers guild strike hampered the creative process.

Funnily enough, Nicolas Roeg was one of the cinematographers on the 1967 Casino Royale.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Bingo. Casino Royale is my third favorite Bond film behind Dr. No and From Russia with Love. I was quite stunned by the movie when it came out in theaters, and it's a much better film than any of us longtime Bond fans had a right to expect. The Daniel Craig films are the second golden age of the Bond franchise.

I think that Quantum of Solace gets a bad rap, but it still does not hold a candle to Casino Royale.

Nicholas Roeg fans should appreciate Casino Royale, because the final sequence is an amazing homage to Don't Look Now.

So I know I'll get crap for this, but as much as I love Casino Royale, and think it's best Bond film out there (and Skyfall a close second)... my favorite is still Live and Let Die . It was my first Bond film, and thus Roger Moore my first Bond. That being said.... Daniel Craig could be the best Bond to date, Connery fans will hate me I know, but he really has it all.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

So I know I'll get crap for this, but as much as I love Casino Royale, and think it's best Bond film out there (and Skyfall a close second)... my favorite is still Live and Let Die . It was my first Bond film, and thus Roger Moore my first Bond. That being said.... Daniel Craig could be the best Bond to date, Connery fans will hate me I know, but he really has it all.

Jane Seymour is so amazing in Live and Let Die. I love that film as well.

My favorite Roger Moore Bond film, however, is For Your Eyes Only. I like how this movie takes the most low-key approach of any of the Moore Bond films and eschews the gadgets or over-the-top story elements. It has a lot more in common with the 1970s espionage flicks (Marathon Man, etc.) than one would think.
Bond girl Carole Bouquet is also a Criterion girl, because she starred in Luis Buñuel's That Obscure Object of Desire.

It's too bad that Monica Vitti was never a Bond girl.

[Gusto-Guus]

Casino Royale is probably the best Bond but I gotta say, the last third of that movie really didn't convince me.

[mrjohnnyb]

...with the current B&N 40% off blu-ray sale, my B&N membership and 4 30% off coupons, I was able to buy the following titles for $8.08 each:

Sunset Boulevard
Strangers on a Train
Shane
and
The Best Years of Our Lives

Another happy day!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Sunset Boulevard
Strangers on a Train
Shane
and
The Best Years of Our Lives

All four of these Blu-rays are outstanding. Good work!

I'm looking forward to seeing the fruition of Criterion's Ace in the Hole hint.

[SolidBlu]

Merry Christmas everyone

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

So I know I'll get crap for this, but as much as I love Casino Royale, and think it's best Bond film out there (and Skyfall a close second)... my favorite is still Live and Let Die . It was my first Bond film, and thus Roger Moore my first Bond. That being said.... Daniel Craig could be the best Bond to date, Connery fans will hate me I know, but he really has it all.

I love me some bond movies!!! Still gotta rank Goldfinger #1, Such a cool flick. Skyfall is a brilliant bond movie, what an amazing villain! Casino Royale is top 5 also and man Eva Green is one of the hottest bond chicks ever IMO! Live & let die and from Russia with love and goldeneye are my top list.

[Ausjdm]

OT: I saw American Hustle last night. Really good movie easy best picture nominee. Bale is brilliant in it! Def go see it.

Also just saw this clip: IGN top 10 movies no one saw in '13. Good list I wanna see them all they look good. I have seen Don Jon & Blackfish already. Damn i didn't even know they made a Filth book adaption this yr!? Have y'all seen any on there?

http://m.ign.com/videos/2013/12/23/t...missed-in-2013

[hustlermane]

There aren't many stars who alone would make me buy or even watch a film, I'm more of a director guy. I think only Burt Lancaster and Barbara Stanwyck would bend that rule for me. But that said, Marilyn was in so many great films and worked with so many great directors (which obviously is testament to her talent, and guys like Wilder and Huston had nothing but overwhelmingly positive things to say about her) that most of her films are pretty essential. This Xmas I'm definitely getting the Monroe set. And as they're all slightly different by region, it seems compared to the US set we lose Misfits but gain Bus Stop and Niagara - Misfits is great, but that seems like a decent trade to me.

Oh and add me to the River of No Return fan club. I'm a massive Preminger fan and this is one of his most underrated films (aside from Daisy Kenyon, Advise & Consent, Angel Face, Bonjour Tristesse, Where the Sidewalk Ends…hell, just about every Preminger film aside from the canonised Laura and Anatomy of a Murder is "underrated"). One of his many talents was a peerless eye for CinemaScope mis-en-scene, he knew how to fill that wide lens and River is a masterpiece and landmark of widescreen cinematography. One of the many reasons Monroe didn't like the film was because she thought the characters took a backseat to the cinematography, which is to an extent probably a fair criticism but the narrative is still (aside from one awful, notorious 'love scene'') pretty great. And again, a visual masterpiece. There's a night scene at the start at the camp surrounded by candles and wagon trains (one struggling to get through water just behind Mitchum) that's one of the greatest scenes I've ever seen.


And on Bond, it's a weird and mostly terrible movie but I would buy the **** out of a Casino Royale (1967) blu-ray

EDIT: It seems there is a solid blu-ray of Casino Royale. Very interesting...