The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Holy crap! Are you independently wealthy or something?

Haha I'm just realllllllly obsessed with films and shopping! Lol

[Mansinthe]

not sure if i should upgrade my BFI Tokyo Story with the Criterion release. (bonus features worth it?) or better get another Criterion movie i do no own yet (first world problems, i know)

these 200+ mins of bonus features sound interessting enough....

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Has anyone read the Picnic novel? Did you like it or the film better? Any notable differences?

Yes. I read the novel for Picnic at Hanging Rock this past week before sitting down to watch the movie (although I've seen the movie several times before on DVD).

The novel has quite a few differences in narrative, but the final result is basically the same in both the novel and the movie. Without revealing any spoilers, the novel focuses more extensively on the effects of the disappearances on the entire community, whereas Weir's adaptation is more intimate and dream-like. The novel and the movie are both wonderful.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

I'm guessing you're going?

Toying with the idea

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Ok fine, but just because you asked.

(As an aside I picked up Picnic and George Washington tonight)

Army Of Shadows

Bleak, haunting, exciting, hopeful. AoS is such a roller coaster of emotional peaks and valleys. Watching the outnumbered French resistance try to outsmart and outrun the occupation kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Knowing that their fragile plans could at any moment go to hell (and it sometimes does) is such a thrilling experience that was put on film with master craft. It's an argument that there are no heroes in war, just people doing what they can.

Far and away Simone Signoret is the standout here, as the unassuming master mind behind the resistance. I wish there were more film roles like this available. Simply unique and empowering.

Some films leave you with a muted emotional responses, or a satisfactory "warm fuzzy feeling". Army of Shadows left me with the feeling I had just swam for my life out of water that was way over my head.

I can't recommend this title enough. Well worth the price of an OOP title.

I'm glad that you enjoyed this! Simone Signoret is one of the strongest female characters that I have ever seen in a movie.

Lino Ventura is at his best as well, in terms of understated toughness.

I've probably revisited Army of Shadows more than I have revisited any of my Criterion Blu-rays to date. I love the movie's attention to detail with the little things about life in German-occupied France, namely the vehicles with the gas cylinders and the wooden enclosed heating rooms to conserve rationed energy.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm glad that you enjoyed this! Simone Signoret is one of the strongest female characters that I have ever seen in a movie.

Lino Ventura is at his best as well, in terms of understated toughness.

I've probably revisited Army of Shadows more than I have revisited any of my Criterion Blu-rays to date. I love the movie's attention to detail with the little things about life in German-occupied France, namely the vehicles with the gas cylinders and the wooden enclosed heating rooms to conserve rationed energy.

Coincidentally, I read your review on this site yesterday.

Must be 10 years since I've seen this movie, but I'm a fan of Le Samourai, so I am looking forward to revisiting it. Now I just need to obtain the Blu-ray...

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by iScottie

After a pretty bad week with the silent era genre that began with The Phantom Carriage, I decided to sit down tonight to watch Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1925 film, Master of the House. This film would serve as my first introduction to the director and his body of work.

Master of the House centers around a family on the verge of splitting apart due to the abusive and tyrannical husband, Viktor. After losing his business, Viktor has developed a rather bitter personality that has been directly affecting his wife and children for an undisclosed amount of time. After an intervention of sorts with his wife, Ida, her mother, and Viktor's childhood nanny, "Mads", Viktor stomps off to get some fresh air. During this time, Ida decides that she will take some time away from the family in order to get some much needed physical and mental rest. When Viktor comes home, he is livid and given a reality check. It is either up for him to reassess his lifestyles and change for the better or risk losing Ida forever.

The film serves as one of the earliest examples of challenging the patriarchal society. Through Ida's time away from the family, Viktor learns the importance of the female in the household. They are not there to slave away during all hours of the day, but rather they are the heart, soul, and caretakers of the family.

As much as I enjoyed the message given off by this film, I could not help being turned off by many of the obvious and phony things that weigh this film down. Note: I will put the details in spoiler tags to prevent anyone from being spoiled.

[Show spoiler]

• Everything in the film feels scripted to the point that it feels unnatural. All of the actors say their lines and carry themselves to the point where it is laughable. No one can do any wrong by the time the film is over and everybody lives happily ever after. Given the context of the film, this is a large step in the wrong director.
  
  
• At the beginning of the film, we meet an unbelievably cruel individual (Viktor) who finds fault with everything, regardless of how big or small they may be. He abuses his family both mentally and physically and they manage to stand by his side, doing whatever he asks of them. As soon as Ida leaves the household, Viktor manages to do a complete 180º turn and become the most gentle, kind-hearted, remorseful individual. By the time the movie is over, you will be double-checking that you are in fact still watching Master of the House.
  
  
• Viktor's childhood nanny, "Mads", serves as the nanny for the modern day Viktor and his family. She keeps to herself for the first portion of the film, but as soon as Ida leaves the household, she becomes the domineering individual of the family. This may have been my biggest issue with the film because I was happy that she was treating Viktor cruelly in a manner similar to how he himself treated his own family (payback can be very unpleasant). On the other hand, do two wrongs make a right?

Those are just a few of the things that I found wrong about the film. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the film kept my interest.

Master of the House was definitely ahead of its time in terms of challenging the social structures of society. Due to its interesting story and comfortable pacing, the film gets a solid rating in my book.

Are you saying you didn't like The Phantom Carriage?

For those on the fence about Black Narcissus, go for it! One of my favorite films from the early years of color cinema. The theme of faith vs flesh (human nature) is basis for one of Kerr's best performances.

Watched Breaking the Waves for the first time last night. Great film with a powerhouse leading role from Emily Watson.

[blu-bry]

I was able to get "Picnic at Hanging Rock" for $17.99 plus tax at Barnes & Noble online. I had a 10% off any one item coupon from registering my new 2 month trial membership. If you have recently started a membership be sure to go into your account and register it. You will then get the same 10% off coupon by email which apparently works in conjunction with the sale.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

not sure if i should upgrade my BFI Tokyo Story with the Criterion release. (bonus features worth it?) or better get another Criterion movie i do no own yet (first world problems, i know)

these 200+ mins of bonus features sound interessting enough....

If you are just a Tokyo Story fan I'd say it's a toss up. If you consider yourself an Ozu fan, I'd say they are a must.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Toying with the idea

We're starting to get enough Toronto-able type people in here to get a group together to hit up TIFF.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Are you saying you didn't like The Phantom Carriage?

For those on the fence about Black Narcissus, go for it! One of my favorite films from the early years of color cinema. The theme of faith vs flesh (human nature) is basis for one of Kerr's best performances.

Watched Breaking the Waves for the first time last night. Great film with a powerhouse leading role from Emily Watson.

Nope.

I wasn't a big fan of The Phantom Carriage, The Freshman, or Safety Last! (on a rewatch). They were just okay, in my opinion.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Both films are based on the same Patricia Highsmith novel. "Remake" means "to make again", so a new film adaptation is still a remake even if the original source is a published story.

I disagree with that. I wouldn't call Purple Noon a remake, nor would I call The Talented Mr. Ripley a remake. For the same reason that A.I. is not a remake of Super Toys Last All Summer Long or Vertigo is not a remake of D'entre Les Morts. It's just that the Highsmith novels are more widely known and one might feel more inclined to call it a remake or a retread.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Toying with the idea

Me too, not completely sure yet.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

We're starting to get enough Toronto-able type people in here to get a group together to hit up TIFF.

Clare is from Montreal and I'm from outside Toronto. I'm going to assume you're in Toronto? TIFF has some good showings but the last few months no real older film showings have sprung up yet. In fall part 2 of the Goddard fest is happening so I'll probably go and check out some more of his movies then. Thinking about joining as a subscriber as well.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Nope.

I wasn't a big fan of The Phantom Carriage, The Freshman, or Safety Last! (on a rewatch). They were just okay, in my opinion.

That's a shame. I really enjoyed The Phantom Carriage (the experimental score is dope too!) but I totally get the disappointment in Lloyd's films. I'm not in a rush to see The Freshman after seeing Safety Last!

Safety Last! has great set pieces, it's very well made technically and the transfer is GORGEOUS but I just didn't find Harold Lloyd entertaining or funny. There's great silent films out there though. Be sure to check out Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc". The lead actress gives one of the greatest performances in film history and the film is great.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

That's a shame. I really enjoyed The Phantom Carriage (the experimental score is dope too!) but I totally get the disappointment in Lloyd's films. I'm not in a rush to see The Freshman after seeing Safety Last!

Safety Last! has great set pieces, it's very well made technically and the transfer is GORGEOUS but I just didn't find Harold Lloyd entertaining or funny. There's great silent films out there though. Be sure to check out Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc". The lead actress gives one of the greatest performances in film history and the film is great.

I think I expected more from The Phantom Carriage, considering how much everybody rants and raves about it. I mean it was Ingmar Bergman's favorite film, one of my favorite directors of all time. It's definitely one of the earliest films that tackles the idea of death and redemption, I get that. I just think I prefer later films that touched upon this exact same subject.

RE: Harold Lloyd - The Freshman is one of the best releases by Criterion this year in terms of technical presentation. It's absolutely gorgeous. The jokes and gags, on the other hand, got repetitive very, very fast. I scratched my head in wonder as to whether they were thrown in to annoy the audience or to make them laugh. Safety Last! is probably his best film from what I've seen. It's worth seeing alone due to the set designs and the final twenty minutes where Lloyd climbs the building.

RE: The Passion of Joan of Arc - I've had it on my DVR for several months now. I just haven't gotten around to watching it yet. I will change that sometime this week, though.

[ultlife2013]

The key is to go into every movie with low expectations, if you overhype in your head and it doesn't deliver what you want it to you're only letting yourself down.

The more you know.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

Me too, not completely sure yet.




Clare is from Montreal and I'm from outside Toronto. I'm going to assume you're in Toronto? TIFF has some good showings but the last few months no real older film showings have sprung up yet. In fall part 2 of the Goddard fest is happening so I'll probably go and check out some more of his movies then. Thinking about joining as a subscriber as well.

I'm in the states, but within a 90 min drive of downtown TO. Close enough that things like TIFF and HotDocs get me to make a trip up.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

The key is to go into every movie with low expectations, if you overhype in your head and it doesn't deliver what you want it to you're only letting yourself down.

The more you know.

That's perfect advice.

However, second viewings work wonders if you go in knowing how the film is.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I think I expected more from The Phantom Carriage, considering how much everybody rants and raves about it. I mean it was Ingmar Bergman's favorite film, one of my favorite directors of all time. It's definitely one of the earliest films that tackles the idea of death and redemption, I get that. I just think I prefer later films that touched upon this exact same subject.

RE: Harold Lloyd - The Freshman is one of the best releases by Criterion this year in terms of technical presentation. It's absolutely gorgeous. The jokes and gags, on the other hand, got repetitive very, very fast. I scratched my head in wonder as to whether they were thrown in to annoy the audience or to make them laugh. Safety Last! is probably his best film from what I've seen. It's worth seeing alone due to the set designs and the final twenty minutes where Lloyd climbs the building.

RE: The Passion of Joan of Arc - I've had it on my DVR for several months now. I just haven't gotten around to watching it yet. I will change that sometime this week, though.

Yeah it seems Lloyd's films have been excellently preserved. There's a box set expected to be released by criterion so that should be interesting.

As for TPC... I agree with the poster that said the trick is to always go in with low expectations. I never let anything get hyped up too much for me so it's a shock when something turns out to be disappointing. I only recently "got" Bergman so I ordered a bunch of his Criterion's in the sale. I'm excited to see some of his more well known work. All I've seen is The Hour of the Wolf and The Passion of Anna. I really enjoyed the second half of THOTW. Haunting stuff.

Hopefully you enjoy TPOJOA more though. It's great.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by SilentDawn

That's perfect advice.



However, second viewings work wonders if you go in knowing how the film is.

Completely agree with that.