The Criterion Collection

[octagon]

You don't like George???

He's the Elisha Cook Jr of character actors who aren't named Elisha Cook Jr.

Seven Days in May, Gilda, Paths of Glory, The Big Clock and a ton of great tv appearances...George was freaking great.

Oh wait, are you just still pissed at him for making Kirk Douglas charge that hill?

Cause I could see that.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by octagon

You don't like George?

Oh wait, are you just still pissed at him for making Kirk Douglas charge that hill?

Cause I could see that.

Watching the Extras bar the commentary afterwards, the story about the 4 men the film is based on made me even more

What an utter stain on humanity

[Herry Dunston]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Go buy it NOW. If the store is not open, wait outside. Don't fight about coupons, at $40 it is a bargain!

It's on sale for twenty. And I'm just waiting for the very last day of the sale, because I just spend my weekly income on The Train (why does it have to sell so fast?).

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Herry Dunston

It's on sale for twenty. And I'm just waiting for the very last day of the sale, because I just spend my weekly income on The Train (why does it have to sell so fast?).

Oops, missed a word "even at $40" I hope you get it and, I won't say enjoy, but have a similar emotional experience to mine.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I think you are right on some level, growing up in US is a lot different to UK sow as harder to connect with his life.

Specifically what did you find difficult to connect with? In terms of the cultural differences between the UK and US I mean. I'm struggling to think of a single one.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

It has been overhyped, if they had just used a normal actor and different person for each segment it wouldn't have been as amazing or special, they played on this idea to film same actor over 12 years and as cool as it was, for me it was just a way to hide the flaws.

All this talk of "ifs" doesn't make any sense. Of course, IF he had used multiple actors then it wouldn't be being talked about in this way, but he didn't, so why even distract from the debate with such a straw man?

Again, the "overhyped" thing is not the fault of the film, nor the filmmakers. Heck, it's actually a relatively unassuming project for all intents and purposes. It's not like we've had a five-year long marketing campaign preceding the thing.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

The acting was really forced by a lot of the actors and just didn't come across as natural or real, and I found a few of them very annoying.

I guess that's a condition that comes with working with a six year old kid. I can see what you're saying with this, and I actually literally noted in my notebook that there were problems with some of the performances during the early portion of the film, but when it came to writing my review of the movie I abandoned any mention of this simply because in the grand scheme of things it didn't matter, and I'd pretty much forgotten about those minor things along the way. It's such a significant and fantastic achievement that to focus on the film's slight negatives seemed to me, to rehash an earlier remark, to miss the point of the overall vision.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

As I said it was nice seeing this child grow up before your eyes in this film, but it did need more runtime to develop further, it just happened to quick and I understand how life can flash by but no, that's not an excuse really.

It kind of is though, especially when that's the point of the movie. I mean, it's quite literally spelled out at one point, by Patricia Arquette's character.

[Herry Dunston]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Oops, missed a word "even at $40" I hope you get it and, I won't say enjoy, but have a similar emotional experience to mine.

Oh, I saw Paths of Glory long ago. It's both one of the best WW1 movies and one of the best anti-war movies I've seen. The film was high on my to-buy list for quite a while.

Very rarely do I buy any film before seeing them.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Specifically what did you find difficult to connect with? In terms of the cultural differences between the UK and US I mean. I'm struggling to think of a single one.

The schools are completely different, the parties they do - not sure about other people but I never go camping which seems to be a big thing in America? (I may be wrong but its portrayed a lot). The college and stuff like that is completely different as well, I dunno its hard to explain lol

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

All this talk of "ifs" doesn't make any sense. Of course, IF he had used multiple actors then it wouldn't be being talked about in this way, but he didn't, so why even distract from the debate with such a straw man?

Again, the "overhyped" thing is not the fault of the film, nor the filmmakers. Heck, it's actually a relatively unassuming project for all intents and purposes. It's not like we've had a five-year long marketing campaign preceding the thing.



I guess that's a condition that comes with working with a six year old kid. I can see what you're saying with this, and I actually literally noted in my notebook that there were problems with some of the performances during the early portion of the film, but when it came to writing my review of the movie I abandoned any mention of this simply because in the grand scheme of things it didn't matter, and I'd pretty much forgotten about those minor things along the way. It's such a significant and fantastic achievement that to focus on the film's slight negatives seemed to me, to rehash an earlier remark, to miss the point of the overall vision.



It kind of is though, especially when that's the point of the movie. I mean, it's quite literally spelled out at one point, by Patricia Arquette's character.

I don't think I am explaining myself well, its hard to explain what I am thinking over forums, and not sure its coming across correctly.

The lead boy was great, really greta break out performance and I don't think I can fault him, he did come across as real in a sense, but the others just didn't for me, the sister was so annoying and seemed really forced.

Patricia Arquette was great as the mum but at times she did seem a little forced? not sure I need to rewatch just to make sure what I am saying is correct, I did watch film in a bad screening with annoying people talking throughout so that may have ruined the experience for me.

I did like how real the mum was made to look though, not skinny perfect looking, she was real looking and still beautiful.

The performances did improve towards end of the film though, just wish it didn't come across as so forced to start with.

I will give it another try but in regards to the hype, I know that is not film makers fault and it is more the reviewers and press but it has been forced down our throats in trailers and reviews etc so when you go to watch thats all you think about and focus on.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

The schools are completely different, the parties they do - not sure about other people but I never go camping which seems to be a big thing in America? (I may be wrong but its portrayed a lot). The college and stuff like that is completely different as well, I dunno its hard to explain lol

I really don't see it as being particularly different. I'm 31 now, and have spent most of my life in Yorkshire, which is, theoretically at least, a world away from the US. With that in mind, I found the portrayal of the school system, growing up in the suburbs, the discovery of the big city and all of that sort of stuff to be true to my own experiences.

And you've never been camping?! Crazy!

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I will give it another try but in regards to the hype, I know that is not film makers fault and it is more the reviewers and press but it has been forced down our throats in trailers and reviews etc so when you go to watch thats all you think about and focus on.

Hype is hype, and I actually think it's pretty easy to avoid (and I say that as someone who makes a living out of writing about this kind of thing). Personally speaking I never read reviews until I've seen a film (when it comes to new films) and avoid trailers.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I really don't see it as being particularly different. I'm 31 now, and have spent most of my life in Yorkshire, which is, theoretically at least, a world away from the US. With that in mind, I found the portrayal of the school system, growing up in the suburbs, the discovery of the big city and all of that sort of stuff to be true to my own experiences.

And you've never been camping?! Crazy!



Hype is hype, and I actually think it's pretty easy to avoid (and I say that as someone who makes a living out of writing about this kind of thing). Personally speaking I never read reviews until I've seen a film (when it comes to new films) and avoid trailers.

Haha yeah I can't stand camping, I'm a snob and need a nice hotel XD.

I was brought up in the city and stuff so I suppose I was just brought up differently so its harder for me to connect?

The again around hype, Blue is the warmest colour, all I knew from the hype was it had loads of sex and was explicit, but when I saw it, it made sense and worked with the story and found it abetter coming of age story (albeit I want to see uncut version).

As I said I will revisit Boyhood because I saw at crappy cinema and ruined experience so kinda put me in a bad mood anyway, and again some films ar abetter a second viewing

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by Herry Dunston

Oh, I saw Paths of Glory long ago. It's both one of the best WW1 movies and one of the best anti-war movies I've seen. The film was high on my to-buy list for quite a while.

Very rarely do I buy any film before seeing them.

Paths of Glory is phenomenal, and I only assumed it was not mentioned very often in this thread because of its popularity and prominence in film history. I thought most everyone has already seen it, so most folks here would rather discuss and discover the more obscure titles in the collection.

Enough cannot be said about Stanley Kubrick's contribution to film. Every time I start thinking about his filmography, I find myself amazed with the moments he's left us with. Each film is so perfect, yet each is so isolated from one another. He's able to tackle crime, war, space, underworld, history, politics, relationships - all to perfection. The diversity of his works is, like the star child, out of this world.

I recently saw this video on YouTube, which is more or less a "tribute" to his works, and it is deeply moving:

Stanley Kubrick - The Works - YouTube

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Haha yeah I can't stand camping, I'm a snob and need a nice hotel XD.

I was brought up in the city and stuff so I suppose I was just brought up differently so its harder for me to connect?

The again around hype, Blue is the warmest colour, all I knew from the hype was it had loads of sex and was explicit, but when I saw it, it made sense and worked with the story and found it abetter coming of age story (albeit I want to see uncut version).

As I said I will revisit Boyhood because I saw at crappy cinema and ruined experience so kinda put me in a bad mood anyway, and again some films ar abetter a second viewing

Boyhood came together perfectly for me. I'm a huge fan of Linklater's, and his ability to use time as an auxiliary character in his films is one of my main draws to his style. I loved how Dazed and Confused, Slacker, and the Before Trilogy films all take place over the course of one day, and now Boyhood is a 12-year epic. Additionally, his use of music, specifically in Boyhood and Dazed and Confused, is top notch.

In comparing Boyhood to my own personal experiences (I'm 25), everything was similar enough to be continually rewarding throughout the course of the film, yet my boyhood also differed (for example, no divorced parents or alcoholic father). This did not detract from my enjoyment, and I shared *many* moments with the main character - even just the tiny moments, like

[Show spoiler]putting up a pillow divider from your sibling in the car, having your sister find you and your friend up to some trouble, being kissed by your mom in the middle of classmates, etc.

I think it's really a magical film, and if it's true that Criterion will be releasing it first, I'm elated. I just hope they release it soon enough!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm enjoying the supplementary interviews now, but will turn off the computer again to watch Stereo, which comes as an extra feature with this disc.

David Cronenberg's Stereo is not for everyone, and I myself will probably not revisit it nearly as often as I revisit Scanners, but it's an interesting early take on the director's unnervingly clinical approach to filmmaking.

It was a great idea for Criterion to pair these two films together, because, although they are quite disparate in terms of pacing and accessibility, the subject matter of both films runs along the same lines.

[ngower]

Alright all, I'm sure there will be a billion answers: I wanna blind-buy the biggest omission from my Collection, but I want your help. Judging by my collection (size doesn't matter!) where do you see a massive gap—either with a must-have film, or a director, or a genre...whatever!? Pick one!

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...wer/collection

[aes3728]

Originally Posted by ngower

Alright all, I'm sure there will be a billion answers: I wanna blind-buy the biggest omission from my Collection, but I want your help. Judging by my collection (size doesn't matter!) where do you see a massive gap—either with a must-have film, or a director, or a genre...whatever!? Pick one!

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...wer/collection

I'll give you two:

-any Chaplin (my favorite is Gold Rush)
-Cassavettes box (62.50 for 5 films?)

[ultlife2013]

Westerns in black and white are awesome, it gives them a real classic look.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Haha yeah I can't stand camping, I'm a snob and need a nice hotel XD.

Don't we all! I was forced to go camping by my dad. Hated it.

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I was brought up in the city and stuff so I suppose I was just brought up differently so its harder for me to connect?

I've lived in the city for most of my life too (we have those in Yorkshire!). Only moved to the suburbs in my teens, before moving back to the city for uni, and have bounced around a couple in the intervening years (London, Exeter, and now Sheffield).

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by ngower

Alright all, I'm sure there will be a billion answers: I wanna blind-buy the biggest omission from my Collection, but I want your help. Judging by my collection (size doesn't matter!) where do you see a massive gap—either with a must-have film, or a director, or a genre...whatever!? Pick one!

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...wer/collection

Given what you already own, the lack of any Truffaut is particularly notable. The 400 Blows is the obvious starting point, but Jules et Jim is excellent too.

[silverlakephil]

I just watched Carl Theodor Dreyer's Master of The House and I loved it. What a great silent film! It's one of the delicious films where a tyrant get his just desserts. The actress who plays The Nanny stole the film IMO. If looks could kill,lol..

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by ngower

Alright all, I'm sure there will be a billion answers: I wanna blind-buy the biggest omission from my Collection, but I want your help. Judging by my collection (size doesn't matter!) where do you see a massive gap—either with a must-have film, or a director, or a genre...whatever!? Pick one!

http://www.criterion.com/my_criterio...wer/collection

Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is a must-own title IMO.