The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

La Notte Blu-ray REVIEW

Thank you, Pro-B. You have no idea how pleased I am with your AV verdict.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

La Notte Blu-ray REVIEW

There is Notte a chance I am missing out on getting this!

As my wife would say you're such a dork sometimes.

[Joe Dalek]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Gravity

Excellent
Very intense
Best Sandra Bullock performance I've seen
Go see it

Criterion's collection includes Alfonso Cuarón's Sólo con tu pareja asa.

They posted a video of him "in the closet" today so maybe Y Tu Mama Tambien is imminent.

Criterion needs to start putting golden tickets in their releases. The lucky ticketholders would get a tour of the offices and a tote bag to fill up in the closet.

[pro-bassoonist]

Hey guys,

I hope you all enjoy the upcoming La Notte release. And like so many of you have written here, let's hope that in 2014 we will also see the other two films in the Trilogy come to Blu-ray.

Zatoichi - We will probably have to do a group review(s) as I don't think we can afford to run individual reviews, but we will see what will work best.

Have a wonderful weekend, guys

Pro-B

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by sc1957

Gravity

Excellent
Very intense
Best Sandra Bullock performance I've seen
Go see it

Criterion's collection includes Alfonso Cuarón's Sólo con tu pareja asa.

Agreed.

Here is my review of Gravity from the Movies forum.

[hoytereden]

This being October, TCM has Friday night horror with a couple of Criterion titles to boot. Carnival of Souls-I sure hope this will be upgraded sometime soon. Beautiful film. Seeing that Night Tide is getting the Blu-ray treatment from Kino this would be a great double bill with that title.
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse -another upgrade (aren't they all?) hopeful. I just pray, if they do, that the cover art isn't changed. One of my favorite covers, absolutely hypnotic, as, I'm sure, Criterion intended.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Agreed.

Here is my review of Gravity from the Movies forum.

Great review, although I disagree with your criticism.

[Show spoiler]Her characterization reinforces the narrative circle the film is aiming for. It goes from an age of human accomplishments to a woman making her "first step" on land. In order for this to be successful, she needs to lack motive. She has nothing. No emotional desire for her to get back to land. It's not until she has an epiphany - a philosophical one - that she feels the need to truly be back - or not. She goes through a rebirth of sorts; the imagery of her floating in space towards the end resembles a fetus in a womb. She's reborn, so to speak. She's finally alive.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Great review, although I disagree with your criticism.

[Show spoiler]Her characterization reinforces the narrative circle the film is aiming for. It goes from an age of human accomplishments to a woman making her "first step" on land. In order for this to be successful, she needs to lack motive. She has nothing. No emotional desire for her to get back to land. It's not until she has an epiphany - a philosophical one - that she feels the need to truly be back - or not. She goes through a rebirth of sorts; the imagery of her floating in space towards the end resembles a fetus in a womb. She's reborn, so to speak. She's finally alive.

I like your analysis, and

[Show spoiler]I also thought of the rebirth angle during the womb scene.

Still, the back story with the daughter was too "Hollywood emo" for my tastes, although it did not harm the movie to any detrimental extent. In my opinion, we knew enough about Bullock's and Clooney's characters after the first extended opening shot to stay on the edge of our seats following their story. I think that emotional arc of Bullock's character could have been handled in more subtle way.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I like your analysis, and

[Show spoiler]I also thought of the rebirth angle during the womb scene.

Still, the back story with the daughter was too "Hollywood emo" for my tastes, although it did not harm the movie to any detrimental extent. In my opinion, we knew enough about Bullock's and Clooney's characters after the first extended opening shot to stay on the edge of our seats following their story. I think that emotional arc of Bullock's character could have been handled in more subtle way.

[Show spoiler]I agree on the subtlety aspect. My major gripe with the film is Clooney's characterization, who is characterized as, well, Clooney: that suave, cool man who is always in control. This is not someone that is lost in space.

This year is just getting better and better. Hell, this month alone seems great.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

[Show spoiler]I agree on the subtlety aspect. My major gripe with the film is Clooney's characterization, who is characterized as, well, Clooney: that suave, cool man who is always in control. This is not someone that is lost in space.

This year is just getting better and better. Hell, this month alone seems great.

I think that Clooney's contribution to Gravity

[Show spoiler]was evident during his voice transmissions when he was offscreen. We needed a charismatic and reassuring voice during these sequences, and Clooney was the perfect choice for that. His "been there done that" approach to outer space missions wore a little thin, but the sort of charisma that he lends to his roles was instrumental for most of the sequences where he was featured.

It's funny that the trailers and the premise of Gravity raised endless red flags for me. A lot of computer-generated effects, two actors with an extreme capacity for heavy-handed melodramatic film roles, the "Cast Away" survival story that has overstayed its welcome, etc. I had some trepidation about seeing this, to say the least, but the glowing reviews compelled me to act and see this big-event film before the spoilers started pouring through and before the theaters became too crowded over the following week. As it turns out, this is a solid four-star effort that impressed me beyond any expectation.

Bringing this boat back into Criterion waters, it would be interesting to see a Criterion release for this particular film, given the director. I doubt it, but I can enjoy the thought for a little while.

[Scottie]

They still need to release Y Tu Mama Tambien!

Maybe now that this is out, they'll announce it for January.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Bringing this boat back into Criterion waters, it would be interesting to see a Criterion release for this particular film, given the director. I doubt it, but I can enjoy the thought for a little while.

That thought is gone. I'm sure it'll have a great release.

Now Criterion just needs to release the other Lubezki/Cuaron collaborations: Y tu Mama Tambien (!) and The Little Princess.

[Carletty]

Lol. Just changed the shipping speed on Zatoichi on Amazon and now I am supposed to pay $18.30 for Standard Shipping. It was $6.48 before.
And Expedit is only $3 more, but then again it is over 150€ and even more taxes are coming. Goodbye Zatoichi.

Edit: Amazon reduced the shipping charges again. Thank god!

[Mansinthe]

i have high hopes for more Kurosawa / wong kar wai / tarkovsky movies for next year.

[UncleBuckWild]

I know new releases do not get a Criterion treatment... but i wish and hope they consider Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine... a truly wonderful film.

[andyk69]

one can only dream , I will love a Peter Weir set that include: Picnic at hanging rock, Witness and yes ... Green Card!

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by andyk69

[Show spoiler]one can only dream, I will love a Peter Weir set that include: Picnic at hanging rock, Witness and yes ... Green Card!

They should at least release Picnic at Hanging Rock, it's been out in Europe since ages.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

[/SPOILER]
They should at least release Picnic at Hanging Rock, it's been out in Europe since ages.

I'm inclined to think that it's just a matter of time. There's been a lot of talk around the campfire about this one being upgrade to Blu-ray.

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

[Show spoiler]I'm inclined to think that it's just a matter of time. There's been a lot of talk around the campfire about this one being upgrade to Blu-ray.

Criterion releases are a bit unpredictable, they usually have something special every now and then and most of them are true cinematic gems... However, I think they should ask for opinions/suggestions... like a poll where we can vote for something that is long due.

Hopefully this and some David Lynch stuff next year.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by UncleBuckWild

However, I think they should ask for opinions/suggestions... like a poll where we can vote for something that is long due.

Go to

http://www.criterion.com/

Create an account.

Answer the following:

Film I Most Want Added to the Criterion Collection

Good Luck!