The Criterion Collection

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by Volume11

I will. What a whiny mess of a movie. Outside of a few bits it was almost boring to watch. I felt like I was watching a film made by and for emo girls except it was about a male lead who should have had more self respect.

I'd quote Guru of Gang Starr but the ladies in this thread would get mad at me. Also, RIP Guru.

Guess I'm on the outside on this one. I connected so much with the JGL character because that whole clash of expectations vs. reality is pretty much the story of my love life from high school through college until I met my fiance'. So call me crazy, but the film spoke to me.

[Juiceboxjerry]

I'm a fan of Christopher Nolan, and I think it's refreshing that a director of his stature (post Dark Knight) decided to make an interesting film like Inception that challenges movie goers, while still being entertaining. Like someone else in this thread said, hopefully it makes the studios think think twice before just throwing another sequel or remake on the screen.

People want to see things that are new and exciting, which is why I think Nolan is experiencing his current success. He makes a thinking man's blockbuster, and people are drawn to them because they are such a departure form the normal mindless Hollywood crap that comes out this time of year (at least in recent years).

That being said, I don't know how people can call The Dark Knight a masterpiece. It's incredibly entertaining, and buoyed by some great, fun performances, which elevate the film, but I can't get over how silly the last part of the movie was. The whole boat sequence was laughably bad, with Nolan basically slapping you in the face with some of his themes.

Someone else mentioned the first Batman having this problem as well, and I agree. It's almost like he directs the first half of the movie like an indy, character driven film, but once the end comes, he chickens out and tries to wrap things up in traditional Hollywood fashion. It makes his films feel disjointed. The endings to both Batman films felt tacked on, and not organic to the rest of the story.

The only movie he has made that felt fully realized from start to finish imo was Memento , and to this day it's probably his best work (Although I haven't seen Inception, but am really looking forward to it). All in all, I think Nolan is an interesting filmmaker, that is good for Hollywood because of his desire to think outside the box, and challenge his audience, but he has yet to do anything that really blows me away.

[Juiceboxjerry]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Guess I'm on the outside on this one. I connected so much with the JGL character because that whole clash of expectations vs. reality is pretty much the story of my love life from high school through college until I met my fiance'. So call me crazy, but the film spoke to me.

You're not alone. I really enjoyed it too. I felt it had a sort of whimsical charm to it that was a lot of fun. Although I can understand how it would get on peoples nerves a bit.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by Juiceboxjerry

I'm a fan of Christopher Nolan, and I think it's refreshing that a director of his stature (post Dark Knight) decided to make an interesting film like Inception that challenges movie goers, while still being entertaining. Like someone else in this thread said, hopefully it makes the studios think think twice before just throwing another sequel or remake on the screen.

People want to see things that are new and exciting, which is why I think Nolan is experiencing his current success. He makes a thinking man's blockbuster, and people are drawn to them because they are such a departure form the normal mindless Hollywood crap that comes out this time of year (at least in recent years).

That being said, I don't know how people can call The Dark Knight a masterpiece. It's incredibly entertaining, and buoyed by some great, fun performances, which elevate the film, but I can't get over how silly the last part of the movie was. The whole boat sequence was laughably bad, with Nolan basically slapping you in the face with some of his themes.

Someone else mentioned the first Batman having this problem as well, and I agree. It's almost like he directs the first half of the movie like an indy, character driven film, but once the end comes, he chickens out and tries to wrap things up in traditional Hollywood fashion. It makes his films feel disjointed. The endings to both Batman films felt tacked on, and not organic to the rest of the story.

The only movie he has made that felt fully realized from start to finish imo was Memento , and to this day it's probably his best work (Although I haven't seen Inception, but am really looking forward to it). All in all, I think Nolan is an interesting filmmaker, that is good for Hollywood because of his desire to think outside the box, and challenge his audience, but he has yet to do anything that really blows me away.

Conversely, I actually feel like The Dark Knight's best moments lie in it's second half. After the bank robbery, the film has a few pacing issues, but once Batman brings Lao back to Gotham the film really hits it's stride. The ending always blows me away. The ferry scene, and the big climax as a whole seem to divide people. On one hand, a lot of people, myself included, think it's stunning, others seem to think it's the weak link of the film. Very interesting indeed...

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

CG-

IDK if we can post cursing but you should search "How to make a Michael Cera move"--- very funny stuff.


BTW- Mr. Wiseau debuts his new film in 3 days

Are you saying I was cursing? I put $ for s.

Also where do I search for this "How to make a Michael Cera move"? Sadly, I tried.

[SpiderBaby]

The only part of Dark Knight I have a problem with is Gordon's son talking in the film. It was like "Wow. Finally watching something goo...uh wait, turned into a Disney movie!". "Daddy why is Batman running away? Why is the sky blue? Why I am I talking like this, when we just saw a great, close to rated R Joker for 2 hours then I have to ruin it with my acting?".

Oh and another thing, enough with love interest in comic book movies. Hey, we all love the ladies, but come on! People just want to watch Batman beat the Joker's *** and Joker beat Batman's *** for 2 hours. Really!

P.S., I know it was a big part of the story to include a love interest (3-way!).


And I love Criterion. There, no need to delete these posts now from the Criterion thread.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

The only part of Dark Knight I have a problem with is Gordon's son talking in the film. It was like "Wow. Finally watching something goo...uh wait, turned into a Disney movie!". "Daddy why is Batman running away? Why is the sky blue? Why I am I talking like this, when we just saw a great, close to rated R Joker for 2 hours then I have to ruin it with my acting?".

LOLZ can't argue with that.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

LOLZ can't argue with that.

I added more to my post. Sorry, had to keep going.

[painted_klown]

Hey Criterion lovers. I have, for some reason, decided that I am going to try to collect the entire Criterion library.

I am guessing that some of you probably already have done just that.



Are there some important films I should look for first? Ones that stand out above the rest of the pack?

I assumed the best place to start the collection would be with the oop DVDs.

I also have a question about Criterion edition DVD vs. non-Criterion BD. It seems to me that the BD would probably be the better version of the two, but then it wouldn't be part of the "Criterion collection" when sitting on the shelf. Any thoughts or opinions regarding the best way to go?

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I added more to my post. Sorry, had to keep going.

I think Nolan handled the love interest issue in TDK better than just about any comic book film, since while Bruce is still in love with Rachel, it's the love between Harvey and Rachel that drives Harvey to madness ultimately. A very interesting direction to go in. But yeah, there tends to be an obligatory love interest in just about everything these days, not just comic book films. There were people criticizing Inception for not being sexy enough or not having enough sexual tension/whatever between Cobb and Mal. It's like there's this perception that sex, or the act of making love, is the only way to express emotion, particularly vulnerability, for characters anymore. Clearly they completely missed the point of the film and the character, as it's hard to make

[Show spoiler]a character who is not really who we think she is, but rather the manifestation of the guilt Cobb was directing inwards the whole time

a sexy love interest.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Hey Criterion lovers. I have, for some reason, decided that I am going to try to collect the entire Criterion library.

I am guessing that some of you probably already have done just that.



Are there some important films I should look for first? Ones that stand out above the rest of the pack?

I assumed the best place to start the collection would be with the oop DVDs.

I also have a question about Criterion edition DVD vs. non-Criterion BD. It seems to me that the BD would probably be the better version of the two, but then it wouldn't be part of the "Criterion collection" when sitting on the shelf. Any thoughts or opinions regarding the best way to go?

That's a lofty aspiration. My best advice is to simply use a checklist. First go for all the stuff that's currently still in print and easier to find. Then look for the harder to obtain ones. Personally, I feel like obtaining the entire library isn't the way to go. There's no way you will like every single one of the films Criterion has distributed, it's just not possible.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I think Nolan handled the love interest issue in TDK better than just about any comic book film, since while Bruce is still in love with Rachel, it's the love between Harvey and Rachel that drives Harvey to madness ultimately. A very interesting direction to go in. But yeah, there tends to be an obligatory love interest in just about everything these days, not just comic book films. There were people criticizing Inception for not being sexy enough or not having enough sexual tension/whatever between Cobb and Mal. It's like there's this perception that sex, or the act of making love, is the only way to express emotion, particularly vulnerability, for characters anymore. Clearly they completely missed the point of the film and the character, as it's hard to make

[Show spoiler]a character who is not really who we think she is, but rather the manifestation of the guilt Cobb was directing inwards the whole time

Yeah, I believe the relationship between Cobb and Mal was done as good as it could be IMO. So no need to add sex scenes or extra "love" scenes.

I just thought about comic book movies, that hey, not everything has to be something that can bring everyone's interests together. Comic book films are for, you guessed it America, comic book lovers (or people that grew up on these characters). So about 98% of people that wants to see a comic book movie is for the Hero vs the awesome Villain. That's it. No need for Oscar moments on these. Just my 2 cents. But yes, the Dark Knight needed it for the story to move and the main character (Batman) to continue, but I thought I used this time to say that.

[SpiderBaby]

I don't even think I would want half of the movies in the Collection even if they handed it to me. Well, I wouldn't go that far. If they would give me it for free, then yes, I will take those movies.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Hey Criterion lovers. I have, for some reason, decided that I am going to try to collect the entire Criterion library.

I am guessing that some of you probably already have done just that.

Surely this is taking label loyalty to rather absurd extremes!

I agree with an earlier poster - the Criterion catalog is so wide-ranging and varied that no single person's taste could possibly encompass all of it. You would simply end up with a number of titles gathering dust on your shelves.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Yeah, I believe the relationship between Cobb and Mal was done as good as it could be IMO. So no need to add sex scenes or extra "love" scenes.

I just thought about comic book movies, that hey, not everything has to be something that can bring everyone's interests together. Comic book films are for, you guessed it America, comic book lovers (or people that grew up on these characters). So about 98% of people that wants to see a comic book movie is for the Hero vs the awesome Villain. That's it. No need for Oscar moments on these. Just my 2 cents. But yes, the Dark Knight needed it for the story to move and the main character (Batman) to continue, but I thought I used this time to say that.

I think Nolan's Bat-films kind of transcend the genre though, cliche as it sounds. On one hand, they're too realistic to be pure comic book films, but on the other hand, too rooted in their graphic origins to be pure crime dramas. They're a bit of both, TDK in particular. I think Raimi's Spider-Man films are what really killed the love interest in comic book films though. God those were awful. I used to love them until Spider-Man 3 came around and make the problems with the first two so obvious.

Come to think of it though, Singer's first two X-Men films didn't really have much of a love interest sub-plot going on. It's a little bit there in X2, but the films are focused on Wolverine, front and center. One more reason to love Singer's X-Men films. We all know the story from there. Brett Ratner and Gavin Hood pretty much murdered puppies with X-Men 3 and Wolverine.

I love how off-topic this thread gets. But in all honesty, is it just me or are the summer releases for Criterion, July in particular, kind of "meh". Pretty much everyone seems to just be waiting for September and October to roll around so Criterion can bring out the big guns.

Breathless
The Thin Red Line
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Charade
Hausu
Seven Samurai
Paths of Glory
The Magician

If only B&N held their 50% sale for those two months, I would be all over it like Truffaut on Hitchcock

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I think Nolan's Bat-films kind of transcend the genre though, cliche as it sounds. On one hand, they're too realistic to be pure comic book films, but on the other hand, too rooted in their graphic origins to be pure crime dramas. They're a bit of both, TDK in particular. I think Raimi's Spider-Man films are what really killed the love interest in comic book films though. God those were awful. I used to love them until Spider-Man 3 came around and make the problems with the first two so obvious.

Come to think of it though, Singer's first two X-Men films didn't really have much of a love interest sub-plot going on. It's a little bit there in X2, but the films are focused on Wolverine, front and center. One more reason to love Singer's X-Men films. We all know the story from there. Brett Ratner and Gavin Hood pretty much murdered puppies with X-Men 3 and Wolverine.

Well that's true about Nolan's bat films, that it kind of gets away from the "comic book" cliche with over the top crap, but also stays true to it.
I think X-Men needs to have that gay-theme to make it work. I'm serious though. It could prob help it from making it less silly that a bunch of grown-ups dressed in leather living in a school(or some type of building) with run away kids. Wait a minute, I just described Warhol's factory.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I love how off-topic this thread gets. But in all honesty, is it just me or are the summer releases for Criterion, July in particular, kind of "meh". Pretty much everyone seems to just be waiting for September and October to roll around so Criterion can bring out the big guns.

Breathless
The Thin Red Line
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Charade
Hausu
Seven Samurai
Paths of Glory
The Magician

If only B&N held their 50% sale for those two months, I would be all over it like Truffaut on Hitchcock

Well, the only release I am getting this summer is the von Sternberg silents and thats it until Sept, so I will agree. Though those silents are a huge release IMO that it evens it out a little.

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

Surely this is taking label loyalty to rather absurd extremes!

I agree with an earlier poster - the Criterion catalog is so wide-ranging and varied that no single person's taste could possibly encompass all of it. You would simply end up with a number of titles gathering dust on your shelves.

Yeah, it's really extreme to be sure. That's why I threw in "attempt" I am not sure this would be a task that is realistically possible without taking YEARS to complete it.

I agree that there will probably be quite a few films that I will simply not like at all, that is the big deterrent to starting something like this. Especially at some of the prices these movies command.

My biggest fear is that either I will get tired of paying high prices for movies I end up not liking, or I will eventually get tired if the cost of building the Criterion library and give up on it. Either way, I will more than likely end up with a BUNCH of movies that are dust collectors on my shelf...

Now I have myself talked out of it...

Oh well, I suppose I could give it a start and see how far I get. I don't want to give up on the dream before I get started.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Yeah, it's really extreme to be sure. That's why I threw in "attempt" I am not sure this would be a task that is realistically possible without taking YEARS to complete it.

I agree that there will probably be quite a few films that I will simply not like at all, that is the big deterrent to starting something like this. Especially at some of the prices these movies command.

My biggest fear is that either I will get tired of paying high prices for movies I end up not liking, or I will eventually get tired if the cost of building the Criterion library and give up on it. Either way, I will more than likely end up with a BUNCH of movies that are dust collectors on my shelf...

Now I have myself talked out of it...

Oh well, I suppose I could give it a start and see how far I get. I don't want to give up on the dream before I get started.

The best advice is to get a netflix membership pronto. You will be so glad you did.

[SpiderBaby]

Just get wasted and buy the whole collection one night. Then just deal with the bill in the morning. Just tell us how much it cost though. We were talking about that the other day.