The Criterion Collection

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I believe Jon Rosenbam hailed Brightness as the greatest African film he had ever seen. The only issue now is finding a way to see it. :/

This one? Yeelen

[fdm]

Originally Posted by flyry

So Filmstruck finally adds Chromecast support, but does not support the first gen stick.. which is the only app I've ever seen do that. It connects and has the logo but when you play a movie you get a pink screen.

It's like they don't want us to use this service.

I shouldn't have to buy a new chromecast or a firestick just for one app.

They better not pull this with Roku and say Roku 4 only.

Ridiculous

Yeah, I had the same feeling about Roku, when I heard Apple TV support is for current model only (I have the previous Apple TV and a Roku 3).

I do have an itch for a new toy, but not sure I really have the time for one (I hardly ever even turn on the Apple TV; and Roku is every once in a while for something or other on Prime, and I suspect Filmstruck would be like that too).

I guess it won't be long before they we finally know what their Roku intentions are.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Probably not the most popular opinion, but anybody else agrees with Svet review of Blood Simple?

I recently rewatched it, and while I think a lot of the Coen's works are good, I never felt the urge to own any of their films.

I think that may have changed with Blood Simple, the new restoration simply makes it look like a totally new film, except for the quality of some of the dialog which is odd because the sound effects quality is very very good.

So yeah right now I can't think of any better Coen's film even though it was their first one, maybe Barton Fink would be my close second.

Have you seen The Man Who Wasn't There? It's probably the one Coen (well, Joel Coen) that has struck me the hardest. The themes of the film are practically distilled in every shot and edit. It also has one of the most brilliant pieces of narration where Ed Crane drolly describes how he me his wife, [pauses for the climax of the film], then resumes his droll narration.

Originally Posted by fdm

This one? Yeelen

"Conceivably the greatest African film ever made, this wondrous work provides an ideal introduction to a filmmaker who, next to Ousmane Sembene, is probably Africa’s greatest director."

Oh man, I misremembered the capsule. Thanks for spotting that.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Have you seen The Man Who Wasn't There? It's probably the one Coen (well, Joel Coen) that has struck me the hardest. The themes of the film are practically distilled in every shot and edit. It also has one of the most brilliant pieces of narration where Ed Crane drolly describes how he me his wife, [pauses for the climax of the film], then resumes his droll narration.

I agree with you, even though I didn't like it at first. It has such a bleak sense of fatalism to it that comes through the shots and use or music (Beethoven). The only other Coens film that I get that kind of strong feeling of despair and resignation from is Inside Llewyn Davis.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Probably not the most popular opinion, but anybody else agrees with Svet review of Blood Simple?

I recently rewatched it, and while I think a lot of the Coen's works are good, I never felt the urge to own any of their films.

I think that may have changed with Blood Simple, the new restoration simply makes it look like a totally new film, except for the quality of some of the dialog which is odd because the sound effects quality is very very good.

So yeah right now I can't think of any better Coen's film even though it was their first one, maybe Barton Fink would be my close second.

My two favorite Coen Brothers films are Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men, with The Man Who Wasn't There bringing up third place.

I enjoy how the Coen Brothers handle noir storylines. They lose me a bit when it comes to comedies and such, though.

That said, I did purchase The Big Lebowski on Blu-ray from the five-dollar rack at Target not too long ago. I didn't really "get" this movie when I saw it at the theater upon its release, although many of my friends raved about it. I want to give it another chance, though.

[Scottie]

The only Coen Brothers film I've loved has been No Country for Old Men.

They have a lot of good films in their catalogue, but I'm fine with never watching most of them again.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My two favorite Coen Brothers films are Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men, with The Man Who Wasn't There bringing up third place.

I enjoy how the Coen Brothers handle noir storylines. They lose me a bit when it comes to comedies and such, though.

That said, I did purchase The Big Lebowski on Blu-ray from the five-dollar rack at Target not too long ago. I didn't really "get" this movie when I saw it at the theater upon its release, although many of my friends raved about it. I want to give it another chance, though.

To quote another Coen Brothers movie: "You have to accept the mystery". The Big Lebowski, like for instance, Inherent Vice, features an extremely convoluted crime that seems like it needs to be solved. When you accept that the plot doesn't matter though, you will hopefully start enjoying the movie for what it is: a man just riding the waves of his time.

It's one of my all-time favourite movies, so I felt like I needed to give it a shout out. If you don't like the Coen Brothers' comedic style though, it might just not be your thing. I think they are some of the funniest writers/directors working today, who really know how to do visual comedy.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

To quote another Coen Brothers movie: "You have to accept the mystery". The Big Lebowski, like for instance, Inherent Vice, features an extremely convoluted crime that seems like it needs to be solved. When you accept that the plot doesn't matter though, you will hopefully start enjoying the movie for what it is: a man just riding the waves of his time.

It's one of my all-time favourite movies, so I felt like I needed to give it a shout out. If you don't like the Coen Brothers' comedic style though, it might just not be your thing. I think they are some of the funniest writers/directors working today, who really know how to do visual comedy.

I think that's a perfect description of The Big Lebowski. I think it's absolutely hilarious, and it doesn't matter how many times I've seen it. And it's filled with excellent performances from the top down. Lovely film.

[The Great Owl]

A lot of people prefer the 2010 Coen Brothers remake of True Grit over the original 1969 film. This astounds me, because my own preferences are strong for the original film and for John Wayne's iconic role in that film.

The remake is entertaining, but it's so...it's so...Coen Brothers. It's almost like Coen Brothers on steroids.

I always wince a bit when I'm reading a movie list of top westerns, and I see the Coen Brothers remake listed over the original film.

Of course, there are several John Wayne roles that I vastly prefer over his role in True Grit, but the original film is still the winner in my book.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Does anyone here think that Dekalog is slightly overrated?

Personally I think all three films in the Three Colors Trilogy are significantly better than any of the individual episodes of Dekalog.

Am I alone in thinking this?

Is there no one out there who will stand with me?

...or must I once again walk the road of contrarian solitude to the bitter end?

To quote from Blazing Saddles:

"Son, you're on your own!"

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My two favorite Coen Brothers films are Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men, with The Man Who Wasn't There bringing up third place.

I enjoy how the Coen Brothers handle noir storylines. They lose me a bit when it comes to comedies and such, though.

That said, I did purchase The Big Lebowski on Blu-ray from the five-dollar rack at Target not too long ago. I didn't really "get" this movie when I saw it at the theater upon its release, although many of my friends raved about it. I want to give it another chance, though.

But The Big Lebowski is their best noir

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

But The Big Lebowski is their best noir

There are, indeed, several parallels to classic film noir in that movie. I'd shy away from calling it a neo-noir in a strict sense, though.

[biglou114]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

A lot of people prefer the 2010 Coen Brothers remake of True Grit over the original 1969 film. This astounds me, because my own preferences are strong for the original film and for John Wayne's iconic role in that film.

The remake is entertaining, but it's so...it's so...Coen Brothers. It's almost like Coen Brothers on steroids.

I always wince a bit when I'm reading a movie list of top westerns, and I see the Coen Brothers remake listed over the original film.

Of course, there are several John Wayne roles that I vastly prefer over his role in True Grit, but the original film is still the winner in my book.

When it comes to the original True Grit, John Wayne is great, but I find everything else about it to be terrible, especially Kim Darby and Glen Campbell. In thr '69 version, so much of it is "we're going on an adventure, la-de-da." The Coens have a better handle on the material.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

I agree with you, even though I didn't like it at first. It has such a bleak sense of fatalism to it that comes through the shots and use or music (Beethoven). The only other Coens film that I get that kind of strong feeling of despair and resignation from is Inside Llewyn Davis.

The Inside Llewyn Davis comparison is an apt one, even if Ed's character is a much more passive and lost character. I've been meaning to give that more recent film another shot. The slightly anachronistic music bugged me to the point of not fully appreciating what is otherwise a fine film.

Speaking of love triangles, I recently blind bought Preminger's Daisy Kenyon and I couldn't be happier. It's as mature and entertaining as these films get. Hopefully it's still on sale on Amazon for all of you who are intrigued by it but haven't bought it yet.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

There are, indeed, several parallels to classic film noir in that movie. I'd shy away from calling it a neo-noir in a strict sense, though.

Pardon me if I chuckled at "neo-noir in a strict sense." It's like saying "Revisionist Western in a strict sense" or, carried more loosely, calling something "post post"

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by biglou114

When it comes to the original True Grit, John Wayne is great, but I find everything else about it to be terrible, especially Kim Darby and Glen Campbell. In thr '69 version, so much of it is "we're going on an adventure, la-de-da." The Coens have a better handle on the material.

I can see your point with Darby and Campbell, but I think that Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin, and John Fiedler in excellent supporting roles make up the deficit.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I didn't really "get" this movie when I saw it at the theater upon its release, although many of my friends raved about it. I want to give it another chance, though.

I didn't like the movie when I first saw it either, but I guess it grows on you.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by biglou114

When it comes to the original True Grit, John Wayne is great, but I find everything else about it to be terrible, especially Kim Darby and Glen Campbell. In thr '69 version, so much of it is "we're going on an adventure, la-de-da." The Coens have a better handle on the material.

I've seen both versions of True Grit and would be hard-pressed to choose between them. They are both great. I also think that Kim Darby was very good in the original, even if if she was old for the part. Her character is supposed to be annoying. Glen Campbell's character, the Texas Ranger, was supposed to be a bit of a goody two-shoes, and I thought he handled the role capably. It's a Henry Hathaway western, what's not to love?

The Coen Brothers' remake is great, too. I read where they did the remake because they loved the language of the novel and wanted to capture it in the film. I've read the novel and I don't think that the original was that far off, but the remake does hew more closely to the novel's language. Once again, Bridges gives a terrific performance.

Whether you choose the Duke or the Dude, you can't go wrong with True Grit.

My three favorite Coen films, in order.

Fargo
Miller's Crossing
Raising Arizona

Yes, I favor their earlier films.

[MifuneFan]

I thought most preferred the original True Grit out there from what I've read.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

A lot of people prefer the 2010 Coen Brothers remake of True Grit over the original 1969 film. This astounds me, because my own preferences are strong for the original film and for John Wayne's iconic role in that film.

The remake is entertaining, but it's so...it's so...Coen Brothers. It's almost like Coen Brothers on steroids.

I always wince a bit when I'm reading a movie list of top westerns, and I see the Coen Brothers remake listed over the original film.

Of course, there are several John Wayne roles that I vastly prefer over his role in True Grit, but the original film is still the winner in my book.

I definitely prefer the remake, as the main character of the plot is Mattie, and she's not good at all in the original, especially in comparison. Hailee Steinfield is so good that I could have easily watched a movie about her character that didn't even have Rooster Cogburn in it. In the original she feels like an empty plot device for the other characters to build the movie around, despite any plot summary suggesting she's the main character.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I've seen both versions of True Grit and would be hard-pressed to choose between them. They are both great.

It's like trying to decide between the original and the remake of 3:10 to Yuma. I seem to waffle between the two as to which one I prefer.