The Criterion Collection

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I wont really be jumping into 4k anytime soon, right now I would need to upgrade all my equipment (receiver, player and projector) except for streaming media since I got a Shield TV that supports that, but true 4k projectors are still incredibly expensive and don't really want to downgrade the display size.

Maybe in about 3 years, depending on how everything goes, since if it never becomes too popular, I guess prices might not lower considerable to what I am willing to pay for such an upgrade.

Having said that, if Criterion starts doing 4k blu-rays, that would be a big point for me to take into consideration.

Same here. 4k projectors will need to come way down to justify buying a new one. I've very pleased with 1080p resolution on my home theater system.

Where I am torn is on my everyday living room setup. My 65" plasma has about a year or two in it before I need to replace. I know that I will be going to 4k and a UHD player in that room.

If Criterion starts issuing UHD, then I'm not sure what I will do. Do I experience UHD on the smaller set or do I wait until I can justify upgrading the projector and seeing it on my basement system? Either way it is going to cost...

[bwdowiak]

My wife and I watched Phoenix last night on Netflix. I thought it was good – a worthwhile watch, but I didn’t think it was great. I felt that it worked best

[Show spoiler] from Nelly’s point of view, i.e. her coming to terms w/ both her new physical identity and the possibility that her husband was a piece of crap. Whatever suspense the film tries to sustain didn’t work that well for me as I found the premise a little far-fetched. The ‘big reveal,’ so to say, worked on somewhat of a superficial level, but it kinda keels over under some analysis. Did it really take all of that for him to realize that she was his wife? It made me think of the end of The Usual Suspects

[Show spoiler]when Kevin Spacey stops limping.

Almost silly, actually.

Can someone explain the extended family and friends who meet Nelly at the train? Are they his family? Do they believe that she is the real Nelly? If no, then why do they play along with the whole “Welcome back, Nelly!” angle at their private party? If they aren’t wise to the whole thing, then why do they have the same dumbfounded ‘holy s**t!’ look on their face as Johnny does?

[SkyAntoine]

I watched Breaker Morant last night in preparation for Criterion Close-up's podcast this weekend. Aaron and Mark are covering Breaker Morant and Mister Johnson which I will watch either tonight or Friday night.

I was very blown away by the film. For whatever reason I went in with very low expectations. It think it is because some have questioned whether or not Mr. Johnson should be in the collection. By association, I thought Breaker Morant would be subpar, too.

This was one of the best court dramas I have seen. I would say 2nd best military court-martial film behind Paths of Glory. Vastly superior to A Few Good Men IMO other than no standout "You can't handle the truth!" quote.

I'm looking forward to getting into the supplements tonight. 9/10

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I watched Breaker Morant last night in preparation for Criterion Close-up's podcast this weekend. Aaron and Mark are covering Breaker Morant and Mister Johnson which I will watch either tonight or Friday night.

I was very blown away by the film. For whatever reason I went in with very low expectations. It think it is because some have questioned whether or not Mr. Johnson should be in the collection. By association, I thought Breaker Morant would be subpar, too.

This was one of the best court dramas I have seen. I would say 2nd best military court-martial film behind Paths of Glory. Vastly superior to A Few Good Men IMO other than no standout "You can't handle the truth!" quote.

Yes, Breaker Morant IS the best court-room drama I've seen, and a great historical war film (even though there are not many battles in this). The fact that this was based on a true story makes this all the more poignant/sad. The late Edward Woodward was stellar in this film - I only saw this for the first time several years back & prior to seeing this, I had only really been familiar with him in the great '80's Equalizer TV series, as well as the original The Wicker Man. However, Breaker Morant is his best role.

It was truly sickening how the "powers that be" hung these three?! soldiers out to dry here - the viewer may disagree with what they were doing, but it's obvious that they were all but instructed to do what they did by the higher-ups - who didn't back them up.

The

[Show spoiler]execution scene was one of the toughest scenes I've ever had to watch in cinema - truly heart-breaking.

[SkyAntoine]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Yes, Breaker Morant IS the best court-room drama I've seen, and a great historical war film (even though there are not many battles in this). The fact that this was based on a true story makes this all the more poignant/sad. The late Edward Woodward was stellar in this film - I only saw this for the first time several years back & prior to seeing this, I had only really been familiar with him in the great '80's Equalizer TV series, as well as the original The Wicker Man. However, Breaker Morant is his best role.

It was truly sickening how the "powers that be" hung these three?! soldiers out to dry here - the viewer may disagree with what they were doing, but it's obvious that they were all but instructed to do what they did by the higher-ups - who didn't back them up.

The

[Show spoiler]execution scene was one of the toughest scenes I've ever had to watch in cinema - truly heart-breaking.

I am not very familiar with the Boer Wars and I thought that would be a hindrance for me when reading the movie summary. I found that my ignorance actually made the film more intriguing due to all the nations and parties involved. The film seemed very timeless to me compared to other "war" films. Coming off the heels of watching A Room with a View I was dreading another period piece. Such a pleasant surprise.

While the final scene was tough it was beautifully shot. Very memorable.

[llj]

re: Affleck

I generally dislike him, but I did like him in Gone Girl. Then again, he was probably playing himself there anyway. Or maybe the Fincher Power managed to conquer the Affleck Stink in that film.

[Ray Jackson]

I watched The River last night on TCM.

It's really, really good.

The voice over is fantastic.

...great example of how to use voice over in a movie.

There's a couple things about it that I don't like.

1. The scenes that delve into Indian culture and religion are the most interesting aspects of the film imo. The scenes that focus in the British actors are the least interesting imo.

2. The guy who plays the American captain isn't a very good actor imo.

3. Not a huge fan of technicolor...just doesn't look natural to me. Would much rather watch a beautifully photographed black and white film.

Overall a very good film.

[llj]

I don't think Technicolor's appeal is to look natural.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by llj

I don't think Technicolor's appeal is to look natural.

Whatever the appeal is, it's always been lost on me.

...to each his own.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by llj

re: Affleck

I generally dislike him, but I did like him in Gone Girl. Then again, he was probably playing himself there anyway. Or maybe the Fincher Power managed to conquer the Affleck Stink in that film.

to bad the Fincher power couldn't overcome a screenplay that has more holes than Charlie Brown's friend's potato sack costume

[llj]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

to bad the Fincher power couldn't overcome a screenplay that has more holes than Charlie Brown's friend's potato sack costume

Ehh, Gone Girl is paperback pulp, not Chinatown. Touch of Evil and Lady from Shanghai are full of holes too, but that doesn't stop them from being good--or even great-- films.

[llj]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Whatever the appeal is, it's always been lost on me.

...to each his own.

What do you find wrong with bright primary colors in a live action film? Philosophically, what is it that hinders your enjoyment of a Technicolor film? Is it lack of realism? Do you think films ought to always strive to feel and look realistic, or is it Technicolor in supposedly 'realistic' films that bug you most?

What about Technicolor fantasy films then? Do you feel the same about them?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by llj

Ehh, Gone Girl is paperback pulp, not Chinatown. Touch of Evil and Lady from Shanghai are full of holes too, but that doesn't stop them from being good--or even great-- films.

It takes itself too deadly serious to be considered pulp, IMO. There are films where you get the feeling that the director does not - not even for a second, think that his/her audience believes the plausibility of the story. I can go along with those. I wish I can think of an example. Right now I can not.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by llj

What do you find wrong with bright primary colors in a live action film? Philosophically, what is it that hinders your enjoyment of a Technicolor film? Is it lack of realism? Do you think films ought to always strive to feel and look realistic, or is it Technicolor in supposedly 'realistic' films that bug you most?

What about Technicolor fantasy films then? Do you feel the same about them?

Generally speaking, it just doesn't look very good to my eyes...it's that simple.

I can't imagine a film like Seven Samurai being shot in technicolor.

I can't tell you why orange is my least favorite color.

...it just is.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

It takes itself too deadly serious to be considered pulp, IMO. There are films where you get the feeling that the director does not - not even for a second, think that his/her audience believes the plausibility of the story. I can go along with those. I wish I can think of an example. Right now I can not.

To me, it felt like watching a very polished ID channel murder story. Fincher really bores when the script isn't all that interesting, and the adaptation was very straight forward.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I watched Breaker Morant last night ...I was very blown away by the film.

One of my all-time faves.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

To me, it felt like watching a very polished ID channel murder story. Fincher really bores when the script isn't all that interesting, and the adaptation was very straight forward.

you mean the ones where they present the story like it is a true story, but you know with 1000% certainty that these "real life" people telling their story are really actors?

anyone ever seen My Haunted House?

no wonder I thought it was crap.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Generally speaking, it just doesn't look very good to my eyes...it's that simple.

I can't imagine a film like Seven Samurai being shot in technicolor.

I can't tell you why orange is my least favorite color.

...it just is.

did you see the Kwaidan trailer in b&w? I thought that was really interesting as that particular film would lose so much if not in color.

shot in TohoScope, I noticed in the opening credits...

I don't know if that was the Japanese equivalent to Technicolor or Cinemascope. ? not sure.

[diskspinner]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

It takes itself too deadly serious to be considered pulp, IMO. There are films where you get the feeling that the director does not - not even for a second, think that his/her audience believes the plausibility of the story. I can go along with those. I wish I can think of an example. Right now I can not.

To me, Gone Girl disguises it as trashy thriller, but (to me) it is really about the media...if you miss that you probably won't like the movie...

[llj]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

It takes itself too deadly serious to be considered pulp, IMO. There are films where you get the feeling that the director does not - not even for a second, think that his/her audience believes the plausibility of the story. I can go along with those. I wish I can think of an example. Right now I can not.

Hm, I don't feel that way, and nothing I've read from Fincher interviews leads me to believe that he took it seriously either, especially considering the rather flippant and exaggerated nature of the second half. He certainly takes his craft of filmmaking seriously, but not necessarily the content that drives the craft. As such, it's easy to mistake technical polish for pretention.

Yes, Gone Girl is too long and Fincher gets too cute sometimes with his juxtapositions, but I never for a minute thought he was taking the actual story seriously and that feeling only strengthened as the film went on.