The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Hateful, hateful, hateful!

But very effectively, actually, because in the Wacky New Year's drawing, I saw that hole in the ground, down in the bottom right hand corner, and immediately thought to myself, "Could that represent The Abyss?" So you actually did fool me.

Shame, shame, shame on you! As penance, I think you need to put your bubble gum on the end of your nose and go stand in the corner for ten minutes.

I'm glad you appreciated my little prank there. With Criterion, sometimes you never know what you're getting...as sometimes they come up with a release out of left field... and that's why they're the best video distribution company on the planet. Never say never!

Rather than gum, I stuck 2 Reed's Ginger Chews up both of my nostrils and rolled on the carpet for 3 minutes for my penance.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

It is lol, in Eastenders you watch him grow over 30 years in front of you, it is exactly the same as Boyhood in that aspect, only they didn't use it as a gimmick to sell the program.

Yes they are different stories and in Boyhood the focus is on Mason as his family, but Eastenders has still done the using the same character for years on end.

Im not saying they are the exact same thing, I'm just saying the idea of having someone grow in front of you on film ha been done...

I don't know why you are trying to argue the point, if you don't believe that then fine, but you can't force me to like the film and believe something that I don't.

In Eastenders and Boyhood they have filmed and used the same actors and watch them both grow infant of you, you can not argue that lol.

If you cant see my point then fine, it doesn't bother me... I don't like the film and it is flawed, I will give it a rewatch some day but I am in no rush and when I left the cinema it had no effect on me like most films.

The thing that sets Eastenders and Boyhood apart from each other, for me, is that to watch Ian Beale age 30 years, I've had to age 30 years! Long running TV shows are an accident, they're not conceptualised and designed to focus on a character growing, that's a byproduct of people happening to keep watching the show and the actor having no better offers. And you have to age along with the people you're watching. The interesting thing about Boyhood was that it hid all that from you and hit you with it at once at the end, without you knowing it had been going on for a huge part of your life until it was done.
Other films just cast a bunch of different people to represent different time periods, other TV shows watch kids age at a rate that doesn't match the time span depicted in the show (Walking Dead and Lost spring to mind) both of these happen because time is an awkward inconvenience to the storytelling.
The Up series is the closest comparator, but even with that it's a documentary and a scientific study, making it fascinating for very different reasons than a fiction but still something that could never have been done in a different way.
Boyhood takes the perspective of time as a tool, not an inconvenience, and explores what that means for creating a fiction. Linklater made a choice to make the film this way, in the face of many other more traditional options. I don't know of another film or TV show that has done the same.

[pedromvu]

About Boyhood, i think that the 12 year filming doesn't add much, yeah it was cool that they were able to do that and that it probably wasn't used in the same way before, but there are a lot of films were the passing of time is a factor and we see glimpses of their lives, why does it matter if it is done with CGI like in Benjamin Button, makeup or change of actors? technically it may be more challenging but i would prefer better acting vs more convincing aging (in this case, real aging).

Outside that i do get that the film has it's merits, but also has problems others already have pointed out, and since it was somehow universally praised by critics i understand why even people that liked it but not loved it would be inclined to criticize it.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by joie

Do you like Patricia Arquette? Coming of age movies? Try True Romance -- coming of age, criminally. It was written by Quentin Tarantino, too.

edit: It's got Brad Pitt, too

Love True Romance.

[Aladinsane]

Watched The Kid with a bike and Kes back to back last night and really loved both.

I was wondering if someone could recommend me any more similar films that are coming of age stories of troubled young boys shot with a style grounded in realism. Off the top of my head, i can think of Truffaut's the 400 blows and Pialat's L'enfance nue. I've been meaning to watch Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher (since i loved Morvern Callar so much), and from the synopsis it seems to fit in with the others.

This also got me thinking, are there any movies where its the same thing only with a girl instead of a boy as the lead? Pan's Labyrinth is the only one i can think of, off the top of my head, but there are more fantasy elements in that one obviously.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Aladinsane

I was wondering if someone could recommend me any more similar films that are coming of age stories of troubled young boys shot with a style grounded in realism.

Renier is a little older than the boys in those films you mentioned but still worth a viewing or three.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Regarding David Lean Directs Noël Coward, I liked the set. Some of the films exceeded all of my wildest expectations while others disappointed me. Although I truly admire This Happy Breed, I can only see myself ever watching Brief Encounter again (and I know others have voiced their opinions on this issue, as well). Regarding America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, I only find Easy Rider and The Last Picture Show worthy of owning as they speak the greatest to me about the change in the direction of the world and the death of generations before it.

I agree. They should release stand alones, but my hunch is that they will be few and far between for the business standpoint reasons I have mentioned here before.

re: David Lean set

I liked This Happy Breed quite a bit, too. I had started w/ In Which We Serve and was greatly disappointed with it. The film kinda beats you over the head with British military propaganda. I can't remember if I watched Brief Encounter second or third, but when I did see THB, I had very low expectations because of IWWS (nominated for Best Picture that year, btw.) THB slowly won me over and there are a few great scenes

[Show spoiler](the father's conversation w/ his buddy while drunk 2/3 of the way into the film is wonderful.)

Plus, the transfer looks remarkable, so I can see myself returning to it. I have yet to watch Blithe Spirit. I plan to watch that w/ my wife who likes anything w/ a 'ghost' angle, if you will.

I actually sold off my copy of IWWS following some of the logic you imparted in your post. I am quite certain that I NEVER will feel inclined to watch it again. So, I broke up my set. Oh, well.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

As for classics i am not really sure how a movie becomes one, all are classics considered masterpieces? or can they become classics by popularity alone? seems to me a lot of popular movies that aren't masterpieces are called Cult films.

This is an interesting thought. I'd say 'no' to your first question and 'yes' to your second question.

I just watched a movie the other night for which I think it is fair to call it a "classic," but I'm pretty certain it is not a masterpiece. That film is John Huston's The Misfits. It is flawed, but also chock full of good to great performances by legendary actors (Gable, Clift, Monroe, Thelma Ritter.) There is a palpable sadness to the proceedings - not just because all 4 of those actors were dead within 10 years of the film's release, but because of the themes of the film. I won't give anything away and don't want to go off on too much of a tangent, this being the CC thread, but this film surprised me. Not a masterpiece by any means, but there is something wonderful about it. Check it out.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Aladinsane

Watched The Kid with a bike and Kes back to back last night and really loved both.

I was wondering if someone could recommend me any more similar films that are coming of age stories of troubled young boys shot with a style grounded in realism. Off the top of my head, i can think of Truffaut's the 400 blows and Pialat's L'enfance nue. I've been meaning to watch Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher (since i loved Morvern Callar so much), and from the synopsis it seems to fit in with the others.

This also got me thinking, are there any movies where its the same thing only with a girl instead of a boy as the lead? Pan's Labyrinth is the only one i can think of, off the top of my head, but there are more fantasy elements in that one obviously.

Morvern Callar

Ratcatcher needs a upgrade and they need to add MC to collection with her new short SWIMMER.

[Namuhana]

She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I do like Lana Del Rey and so I would be rather excited to see a video collection of hers if that rumor is true. I prefer her first album as Lana Del Rey (Born to Die) to her other three, especially the title track, Off to the Races (I mean, c'mon, it's Lolita; which, funny enough, I'm not a big fan of her Lolita song), and Summertime Sadness. I think her music is very Americana; it portrays, or I guess reveals, the situations Americans like to hide or flaunt (take Ultraviolence, Money Power Glory, and F*cked My Way to the Top for example). I mean, the song Brooklyn Baby is basically about hipsters. I don't know. I can see how she isn't for everyone, but I quite like her music.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I do like Lana Del Rey and so I would be rather excited to see a video collection of hers if that rumor is true. I prefer her first album as Lana Del Rey (Born to Die) to her other three, especially the title track, Off to the Races (I mean, c'mon, it's Lolita; which, funny enough, I'm not a big fan of her Lolita song), and Summertime Sadness. I think her music is very Americana; it portrays, or I guess reveals, the situations Americans like to hide or flaunt (take Ultraviolence, Money Power Glory, and F*cked My Way to the Top for example). I mean, the song Brooklyn Baby is basically about hipsters. I don't know. I can see how she isn't for everyone, but I quite like her music.

As do I. I see her in concert in West Palm Beach in two months.

[bwdowiak]

is there something else I would know outside of Summertime Sadness?

edit: is the original version of SS slow? because my buddy here at work just put it on and it is having the Aloe Blacc Wake Me Up effect on me a bit... and that is: I despise the up tempo radio version that everyone seems to know, but like the slower cut.

[Polaroid]

I love her version of Once Upon a Dream for Maleficiant (appauling film though):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waJ...ature=youtu.be

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by excalibunny

Take it as you will guys but of the recent rumors oddly enough I've heard the Lana Del Rey set and Daisies are 100 percent happening.

Where did these rumors come from? This is the first I'm hearing of them.

I love Lana Del Rey, but I have never really been into music videos. I'd be intrigued though.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Where did these rumors come from? This is the first I'm hearing of them.

I love Lana Del Rey, but I have never really been into music videos. I'd be intrigued though.

Yeah most can be quite tacky lol I adore Sia's videos especially her most recent.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Namuhana

She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I do like Lana Del Rey and so I would be rather excited to see a video collection of hers if that rumor is true. I prefer her first album as Lana Del Rey (Born to Die) to her other three, especially the title track, Off to the Races (I mean, c'mon, it's Lolita; which, funny enough, I'm not a big fan of her Lolita song), and Summertime Sadness. I think her music is very Americana; it portrays, or I guess reveals, the situations Americans like to hide or flaunt (take Ultraviolence, Money Power Glory, and F*cked My Way to the Top for example). I mean, the song Brooklyn Baby is basically about hipsters. I don't know. I can see how she isn't for everyone, but I quite like her music.

She really bugs me cause she's such a corporate product and very directly ripped off the style (both the smoky vocals and the retro 50s sound) of one of my favorite singers, Nicole Atkins (who's still languishing in obscurity). She released a poppy album that no one cared about, then her dad paid for plastic surgery and a new image and she released an album that was like Nicole Atkins singing about videogames. There are some good songs on the album, but Nicole Atkins - Neptune City is a much better alternative. It has lyrics which aren't directed at high schoolers, a singer who can function in all ranges without electronic manipulation, and the music was all written by herself instead of a bunch of big producers! RE: Sia, she is a fantastic songwriter and has written hits for a bunch of other artists too. I'm glad she's finally getting some attention. "Colour the Small One" was such a great album and never got the attention it deserved (though "Breathe Me" was used very well in the finale of Six Feet Under).

Lana Del Rey doesn't even write her own music, she absolutely doesn't deserve a criterion collection compilation, it would be like giving one to Britney Spears or something. Well, not nearly that bad, at least her music is pretty good and she co-writes some of it. The Beastie Boys was a great compilation cause they have all the artistic integrity in the world plus their videos were iconic and spanned many years. I don't think anyone else would really pass both of those tests today besides maybe like...Bjork.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

This is an interesting thought. I'd say 'no' to your first question and 'yes' to your second question.

I just watched a movie the other night for which I think it is fair to call it a "classic," but I'm pretty certain it is not a masterpiece. That film is John Huston's The Misfits. It is flawed, but also chock full of good to great performances by legendary actors (Gable, Clift, Monroe, Thelma Ritter.) There is a palpable sadness to the proceedings - not just because all 4 of those actors were dead within 10 years of the film's release, but because of the themes of the film. I won't give anything away and don't want to go off on too much of a tangent, this being the CC thread, but this film surprised me. Not a masterpiece by any means, but there is something wonderful about it. Check it out.

pedromvu's original question was indeed interesting, and your answer ... as well as the example you provided ... was perfect.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jmclick

pedromvu's original question was indeed interesting, and your answer ... as well as the example you provided ... was perfect.

thanks, JMC!

[demonknight]

The Criterion Bingefest begins again!

1.) Crumb- Fantastic documentary on an interesting topic. Not much for me to say other than I liked it. 3/5
2.) Something Wild- Where do I begin? It starts off as an excellent shenanigans movie and turns into a thriller out of nowhere. The performances are top notch and the writing is superb. My only complaint? This poster-

-in no way prepares you for a climax involving

[Show spoiler]someone being stabbed in a bathroom

. 5/5

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Aladinsane

This also got me thinking, are there any movies where its the same thing only with a girl instead of a boy as the lead? [

Check Fish Tank and Margaret, although the latter is about a lot of other things too and filmed in more traditional style, but it's great.