The Criterion Collection

[Dvd Aficionado]

I'm very selective when buying Criterion films since they are often not for the mainstream audience and pricey

I haven't watched John Frankenheimer's Seconds but I'm thinking of buying it. I've read the review and here are my thoughts:

What I like:
1. John Frankenheimer is the director. I'm a fan
2. Seconds is a one-of-a-kind thriller.

What I rather dislike:
1. Black and white cinematography.
2. The 1960's looks
3. Rock Hudson.

Some Criterion fans must have watched this.

Does it have a high replay value? Hold up to repeat viewings?

Your comments/opinions will help me decide. Thanks a lot

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Dvd Aficionado

I'm very selective when buying Criterion films since they are often not for the mainstream audience and they are pricey

I haven't watched John Frankenheimer's Seconds but I'm thinking of buying it. I've read the review and here are my thoughts:

What I like:
1. John Frankenheimer is the director. I'm a fan
2. Seconds is a one-of-a-kind thriller.

What I rather dislike:
1. Black and white cinematography.
2. The 1960's looks
3. Rock Hudson.

Some Criterion fans must have watched this.

Does it have a high replay value? Hold up to repeat viewings?

Your comments/opinions will help me decide. Thanks a lot

To be honest, I didn't think it was all that thrilling. It was well made and interesting enough but it was no The Manchurian Candidate or Seven Days in May.

I'm sure I'll revisit it at some point and I don't regret buying it but I wouldn't put it on any 'omg, you gotta check this out' lists either.

[Scottie]

I just finished Secret Sunshine. I definitely liked the film, but I wouldn't necessarily say that I enjoyed it, if that makes any sense.

I think it started off brilliantly, but as the film progressed, I noticed my interest and investment levels gradually diminishing. I personally felt that the plot point where

[Show spoiler]Jun is randomly abducted and murdered was very forced. I think the story would have benefited a lot more should he have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or another serious crisis. The subsequent turn to faith and inevitable mixed emotions regarding it would have fit better, in my opinion, especially if Jun's outcome did not look very positive. I honestly thought it was a bit silly how her breaking point was reached when the convicted murderer explained that God "forgave him", even though nothing was certain.

I don't think anyone will argue that Jeon Do-Yeon gave a great performance and I also don't think that anyone will argue that Lee Chang-Dong is an excellent director. It's not a bad film, but it's something that does not resonate well with everybody.

By the way, regarding the ending, is it safe to assume that

[Show spoiler]Shin-Ae will never be the same again? Sure she's changing her hairstyle and letting go, but she will still hold that grief until the day she dies.

[Blu-Velvet]

A few comments about various films recently mentioned...

I like SECRET SUNSHINE quite a bit, but felt POETRY was far more moving and involving. Perhaps it was because I saw it with some Korean college students who found it emotionally devastating, and perhaps it was because my father had Alzheimer's the last few years of his life. I should watch both again soon one of these days.

STILL WALKING is a very strong and beautiful-looking family drama. Those who like this and TOKYO STORY should check out TOKYO SONATA, which I actually like better than either of them and is on a lovely region-free Blu-ray from Eureka Masters of Cinema. (And don't forget the outstanding THE MAKIOKA SISTERS.)

I enjoyed JUBAL, and it certainly looks very nice, but I liked 3:10 TO YUMA (both versions) much better.

Likewise, LOLA MONTES is a beautiful-looking film with its expertly composed color CinemaScope cinematography and rich mise en scene, but the story is something of a drag, the acting is uninspired, and the title character is badly miscast.

THE FOUR FEATHERS (1939) is a flat-out all-around classic, the best of all versions of the story. The disc's supplements help put it into historical perspective and explain its paradoxical contradictions in tone (is it pro-colonialism or anti-colonialism? -- well, it's both, very much as is the later film ZULU, and like that film is also a rip-roaring action adventure with strong characters!).

SECONDS is a well-done sci-fi parable that is sometimes a bit heavy-handed as it goes on, and eventually comes off like an extended "Twilight Zone" episode. Once you see the ending (which may or may not seem predictable, depending on the kinds of movies and TV you typically watch), the film's overall sense of suspense can never be recaptured. The best things about SECONDS that really make it worth revisiting on a regular basis are the beautiful black-and-white cinematography, the vivid 1960s looks, and what is quite possibly Rock Hudson's best performance of his career.

[Dvd Aficionado]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

A few comments about various films recently mentioned...

SECONDS is a well-done sci-fi parable that is sometimes a bit heavy-handed as it goes on, and eventually comes off like an extended "Twilight Zone" episode. Once you see the ending (which may or may not seem predictable, depending on the kinds of movies and TV you typically watch), the film's overall sense of suspense can never be recaptured. The best things about SECONDS that really make it worth revisiting on a regular basis are the beautiful black-and-white cinematography, the vivid 1960s looks, and what is quite possibly Rock Hudson's best performance of his career.

You have positive opinions on the three things I rather dislike about the film. Thanks for the review

[FilmCafe]

Does anyone know what day in June does the Barnes and Noble sale begin?

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by FilmCafe

Does anyone know what day in June does the Barnes and Noble sale begin?

Usually in the second week of July.

[Polaroid]

Managed to get myself a copy of AK 100 - like new as well :-) - bit disappointed it's DVDs and not Blurays but still very excited :-)

[pro-bassoonist]

A Hard Day's Night Blu-ray REVIEW



The new 4K restoration is outstanding

Pro-B

p.s. I am very sorry for the delay. A powerful rainstorm left us without internet access during the last 48 hours . All is back to normal now and there will be more reviews in the next 24 hours.

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

A Hard Day's Night Blu-ray REVIEW



The new 4K restoration is outstanding

Pro-B

p.s. I am very sorry for the delay. A powerful rainstorm left us without internet access during the last 48 hours . All is back to normal now and there will be more reviews in the next 24 hours.

Thanks Pro-b! Can't wait to see your review of ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Thanks Pro-b! Can't wait to see your review of ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS.

No problem, this review will be up today as I've gone through all of the supplemental features already

The film looks absolutely fantastic. Incredible colors

Pro-B

[fdm]

Originally Posted by FilmCafe

Does anyone know what day in June does the Barnes and Noble sale begin?

Supposed to be from July 1 to July 28.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by iScottie

[Show spoiler]Jun is randomly abducted and murdered was very forced. I think the story would have benefited a lot more should he have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or another serious crisis. The subsequent turn to faith and inevitable mixed emotions regarding it would have fit better, in my opinion, especially if Jun's outcome did not look very positive. I honestly thought it was a bit silly how her breaking point was reached when the convicted murderer explained that God "forgave him", even though nothing was certain.

[Show spoiler]I thought that was done very well. What I took from it was she was using religion not only to find peace in life but to make herself a better person than the murderer. She tried to take the moral "high ground" but he stunned her by turning to god. She clearly didn't think he had any right to do this.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

A Hard Day's Night Blu-ray REVIEW



The new 4K restoration is outstanding

Pro-B

p.s. I am very sorry for the delay. A powerful rainstorm left us without internet access during the last 48 hours . All is back to normal now and there will be more reviews in the next 24 hours.

You still beat Beaver and others to the punch. Many thanks for the review. I cannot wait for this release!

[The Great Owl]

I watched John Huston's The Misfits last night. For Montgomery Clift fans, this 1961 movie is a buzzkill of sorts after watching his work in the new Criterion title, Red River. The sheer star power in this movie makes it a great viewing, though, even most of the cast had seen better times.

I thought about Dino Risi's Il Sorpasso several times while I was watching The Misfits. Il Sorpasso is the better movie, and it's a more buoyant affair in general terms, but it also has a forlorn undertone that conjures comparisons with the Huston film.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched John Huston's The Misfits last night. For Montgomery Clift fans, this 1961 movie is a buzzkill of sorts after watching his work in the new Criterion title, Red River. The sheer star power in this movie makes it a great viewing, though, even most of the cast had seen better times.

I thought about Dino Risi's Il Sorpasso several times while I was watching The Misfits. Il Sorpasso is the better movie, and it's a more buoyant affair in general terms, but it also has a forlorn undertone that conjures comparisons with the Huston film.

The Misfits was made a few years after Clift's road accident. I haven't seen The Misfits in several years but I remember Clift not looking the same.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The Misfits was made a few years after Clift's road accident. I haven't seen The Misfits in several years but I remember Clift not looking the same.

Yes, his appearance is not quite the same as it was during the earlier films. Montgomery Clift's face also looks different in his previous film, Elia Kazan's Wild River, which is one of my favorite hidden treasures on Blu-ray so far.

The Misfits was the final film for both Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. Clift acted in a few more films before his untimely death.

I think that it's a great film, but it's not exactly a cheery film. As I wrote in the main dedicated thread...
The best way that I can describe The Misfits is to say that the experience of watching it is almost like hanging out with a crowd of argumentative drunk people while you are sober.

[hustlermane]

I think The Misfits is a wonderful film, a really dream-like and elegiacal movie that for me is pretty special. It's hard to divorce it of course from the horrible personal lives of its three principal actors, however.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

[Show spoiler]I thought that was done very well. What I took from it was she was using religion not only to find peace in life but to make herself a better person than the murderer. She tried to take the moral "high ground" but he stunned her by turning to god. She clearly didn't think he had any right to do this.

Thank you for the explanation.

The film is incredibly deep and I honestly found it difficult to comprehend everything being thrown at the audience in one viewing. This is one of the only films in recent memory that I feel requires a rewatch or two.

[arbitrarymadness]

Quick head's up: there's a sale over at deep discount that includes Criterion stuff.