The Criterion Collection

[lordmorpheus72]

So this weekend I watched The Last Emperor for the first time in about 20 years. My wife also watched the movie with me, which is a big step for her since anything over about 88 minutes is a stretch (big Disney fan), and she really enjoyed it.

For me, I realized how much I missed not watching this film. I'm saying I'm going to watch it a couple of times a month, but now that I own it, I'll watch it again and again. The most striking thing for me was how I kept changing how I felt about Pu Yi. As a child, I felt bad for him, being taken away, and locked/trapped in the city. But as he aged those feelings changed... then changed, and changed again. As he becomes trapped in his city once again, I tended to feel sorry for him. And even as he made the deals, and ignored his wives, opium addicted or not, I almost grew to hate him... even though he was trying to regain his country, or rather his power.

While the story is riviting, the beautiful of the film is doubly amazing. That is what I remembered most from my intial viewings of the film. The Forbidden City is one of the great wonders of world, and the attention to detail and ornateness takes my breath away. The beauty laid out on screen is something to behold. It is technically an astonishing piece of film.

In other "news," today is my first full day of vacation so I am starting to catch up on the un-watched purchases of the year. First up is The Big Chill. This will be my first viewing, so I'm naturally excited to watch. Hoping it'll be as good as everyone says... it seems like a very relatable film.

After that, I think Brazil may be the next on the list.

[PowellPressburger]

Brazil is perfect, I keep forgetting it takes place around Christmas.

The Big Chill I have a 50/50 thing for lol. I will explain after you watch it. But it is a good film.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Brazil is perfect, I keep forgetting it takes place around Christmas.

The Big Chill I have a 50/50 thing for lol. I will explain after you watch it. But it is a good film.

Sounds good, I'll post when I've finished the film. Looking forward to what you have to say.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Sounds good, I'll post when I've finished the film. Looking forward to what you have to say.

It is just how I've always felt about the film. Just a funny comment. Just don't want to mention it until you've seen it.

[AaronJ]

I think that The Big Chill will play completely differently to those of us who were around at the time the film came out, as opposed to a younger audience. I think it's very much a film of its time.

Then again, it's been a while since I've seen it.

[adamhopelies]

I'm not a fan of 3D, but enough films that I love were made in the format to justify it's existence for me. Godard's Adieu au langage 3D made me look at cinema in a new and exciting way, and a lot of that has to do with the use of 3D. There's one sequence in particular that had my audience gasping in unison, and it quite literally does not work in 2D (he uses the 2 lenses of 3D to project 2 different images. If mashed up to play in 2D this simply coms across as a collage-type image, which is completely different from the intended effect).

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Back to Heaven's Gate, I'm thinking of giving it a blind buy, it sounds like it is worth it... any thoughts or suggestions?

Blind is the best way to watch that film. Don't let any opinions colour your attitude, dive right in!

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

I'm not a fan of 3D, but enough films that I love were made in the format to justify it's existence for me. Godard's Adieu au langage 3D made me look at cinema in a new and exciting way, and a lot of that has to do with the use of 3D. There's one sequence in particular that had my audience gasping in unison, and it quite literally does not work in 2D (he uses the 2 lenses of 3D to project 2 different images. If mashed up to play in 2D this simply coms across as a collage-type image, which is completely different from the intended effect).

That is actually the only film that I'm bummed about not being able to see in 3D. I mean, there are others that I would have probably watched in 3D if able to. But those are no big deal.

But this one ... *sigh*

[oildude]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

We've seriously gotten to a point where we're linking human evolution to adapting to 3D movies

It appears so. And taking it seriously.

Note to the tinfoil hat crowd.....please adjust your headgear. The Space Aliens are beaming silly thoughts directly to your brains. Next thing you will be arguing that you actually want to see a six hour version of a Terrence Malick movie.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by oildude

It appears so. And taking it seriously.

Note to the tinfoil hat crowd.....please adjust your headgear. The Space Aliens are beaming silly thoughts directly to your brains. Next thing you will be arguing that you actually want to see a six hour version of a Terrance Malick movie.

But ... but ... I DO want to see a 6 hour version of a Terrance Malick movie.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

You gotta rock your groove, man.

As to Heaven's Gate, I wish I could help. But alas, I've never managed to see it.

Heaven's Gate is among the Criterion titles I've purchased but never watched. I'll watch Jeff Bridges in just about anything; despite all the awards he's won, I still consider him to be vastly underrated. Even in his worst films, like 8 Million Ways to Die and Somebody Killed Her Husband, he still manages to hold my interest. I'm particularly fond of his superb work in The Last Picture Show, Starman, The Morning After, American Heart, White Squall ... oh, heck, if I keep going I'll list his whole filmography!

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

That is actually the only film that I'm bummed about not being able to see in 3D. I mean, there are others that I would have probably watched in 3D if able to. But those are no big deal.

But this one ... *sigh*

I suffer from terrible migraines so was wary about approaching this. I was fine tho (even saw it a second time on the biggest IMAX screen in the UK too).

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

It is just how I've always felt about the film. Just a funny comment. Just don't want to mention it until you've seen it.

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I think that The Big Chill will play completely differently to those of us who were around at the time the film came out, as opposed to a younger audience. I think it's very much a film of its time.

Then again, it's been a while since I've seen it.

Just finished the film... what an outstanding piece of film!

The first thing that stirkes me is the music, a classic soundtrack that really meshes perfectly with the film. Secondly, the friendship. I had a group of friends much the same in, and just after college. I see so many of my friends on the screen, and see myself in so many of the characters.

I do think that a younger audience would have a tough time with the film, not because of the age of the film, or the music, but because I don't think they have these kinds of relationships anymore. I know that makes me sound old, and for some part I am, but it's what it seems to be today. We don't have that relationship style culture any more, or again so it seems. So much is done via email, forums like these, and even more so via texting.

Overall, one my most favorite blind buys of late. Very excited to watch the film again soon.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Blind is the best way to watch that film. Don't let any opinions colour your attitude, dive right in!

I think that's what I'll do then.

Originally Posted by jmclick

Heaven's Gate is among the Criterion titles I've purchased but never watched. I'll watch Jeff Bridges in just about anything; despite all the awards he's won, I still consider him to be vastly underrated. Even in his worst films, like 8 Million Ways to Die and Somebody Killed Her Husband, he still manages to hold my interest. I'm particularly fond of his superb work in The Last Picture Show, Starman, The Morning After, American Heart, White Squall ... oh, heck, if I keep going I'll list his whole filmography!

Yeah, I love Jeff Bridges... he's simply amazing at his craft and shows so much feeling in his expressions and actions. And I love Starman!

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Yeah it's amazing deal. Though I was looking for Heaven's Gate on their and they don't have it. I was relistening to Jeff Bridge's interview on Howard today and he was talking about how great a film it was, and how much fun they had making it. It was a really great interview actually, he talked about many of his films, and his father's. And he talked about The Fabulous Baker Boys as well, which I'd love to see a Criterion release of. It was great interview and he talked a lot about his films. Listen to it if you can find it.

Back to Heaven's Gate, I'm thinking of giving it a blind buy, it sounds like it is worth it... any thoughts or suggestions?

I've only seen clips of Heaven's Gate, but what I've seen, I've liked. I also liked parts of Deer Hunter a lot and I love Westerns, so I'll pick it up one of these days. Mostly, I've been put off by the $49.99 MSRP. Even at 50% off, that's still $5 more than many other worthy Criterions.

As for The Fabulous Baker Boys, Twilight Time has it, I think.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jayembee

So, are you suggesting that people who don't get motion sickness traveling in cars are mutants?

Also, we've only had automobiles for about 100 years. True enough. We've also only had movies for the same amount of time. And we've had recorded music for less than that. And television for less than that. Shall we give up on those things until our DNA "adjusts" to them? And if we give up on them, how will our DNA learn to "adjust"?

Originally Posted by AaronJ

To be fair, recorded music, films, and TV are highly unlikely to lead to one's death.

Originally Posted by Vinyl

Yet it is cited to cause many deaths due to people listening to or watching media.

Originally Posted by jayembee

But are they? One might say the same thing about cell phones, and yet there are people who believe that holding up a radio-frequency device to the side of your head will slowly cook your brain like a microwave oven. There's no evidence that it will, but as the saying goes, "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".

Extrapolating from jw007's premise, if these things have only existed for 0.2% of mankind's existence, then exposing ourselves to them is "unnatural", and we can't be sure of the long-term effects on our brains as they try to process the input.

Besides, it's not necessarily a question of death. There is, for example, plenty of data that supports the idea that listening to recordings of thrash metal at high volume (and what's the point of listening to thrash metal if it's not at high volume?) can destroy your hearing. Granted, one's hearing can be just as damaged listening to it at a live performance, so it's not necessarily the recorded medium that's the issue, but recorded music makes it easier for more people to be exposed to destructive sounds.

Originally Posted by jayembee

Exactly the point when one starts bringing in the argument that our DNA hasn't adjusted to processing certain types of sensory input, and that therefore exposing ourselves to this input is bad until our DNA has adjusted. It's already too late for those of us who have problems watching a 3D movie or reading a book while riding in a car.

If evolution decides that watching 3D movies is a beneficial trait for the species as a whole, the best that those of us who can watch them without ill effect can do is to pass that trait on to our offspring and hope that a few thousand generations later, everyone will be able to do it.

A lot of squirrels had to fall to their death in order to help create flying squirrels.

Just to catch up on everyone's deep, existential, philosophical thoughts.... (by the way, I love discussing things like this).... I have to point out an amazing book for people if they haven't read it yet.. its called The Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television. This book was written in 1978 and was ahead of its time (well before the internet age). Though I'm hypocritical and do watch TV, I try to avoid commercials at all costs (via "On Demand" programming and skipping or muting advertisements). I don't include films as "TV" persay, because I consider movies as "Art" (as opposed to TV advertisements as art, even though some can be interpreted that way, esp. those 10 million dollar Superbowl commercials).

In any case, I seriously think the human race is going to be stunned, shocked and find themselves in a pre-industrial age era again someday and though I don't wish to call this a "correction" to the balance of Planet Earth, I envision some hideous catastrophes that will change the whole way of life for modern society, as its all really a house of cards that can be toppled at any time (in terms of our human socio-economic arbitrary systems)... and in terms of how media can lead to one's death, its how its used. If used in operating a moving vehicle, oh for sure it can cause an accident (maybe blasting music or texting or glancing at a smartphone screen to see a movie clip). I think humans are evolving at a rapid pace right now technologically speaking but the long term consequences are not yet known. Those who "sense" or use intuition about harmful technologies cannot be relied upon and their intuitions are merely interpreted as anecdotal evidence, however, its something I keep in mind and personally don't need to wait until an industry-hired scientist uses propaganda to relay through news/social media to help calm down and "reassure the masses" of "sheeple" I'd call them. No, I'm kind of a Luddite I suppose.... Yes, a Luddite who trusts his instincts and not anyone else's.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by belcherman

I've only seen clips of Heaven's Gate, but what I've seen, I've liked. I also liked parts of Deer Hunter a lot and I love Westerns, so I'll pick it up one of these days. Mostly, I've been put off by the $49.99 MSRP. Even at 50% off, that's still $5 more than many other worthy Criterions.

As for The Fabulous Baker Boys, Twilight Time has it, I think.

I need to pick up The Deer Hunter as well. Too many films, not enough cash.

And thanks, I'll have to check out the Twilight release.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Just finished the film... what an outstanding piece of film!

The first thing that stirkes me is the music, a classic soundtrack that really meshes perfectly with the film. Secondly, the friendship. I had a group of friends much the same in, and just after college. .....

I do think that a younger audience would have a tough time with the film, not because of the age of the film, or the music, but because I don't think they have these kinds of relationships anymore. ......
Overall, one my most favorite blind buys of late. Very excited to watch the film again soon.

I really liked Big Chill, too, and partly for the same, strictly personal reason. I have a weak spot for movies about groups of people coming together to form a caring community. I'm sure it's psychological, but even the worst piece of cinema drivel can catch me with that theme. Have you seen Latter Days? It's an awful film about a subject I have no interest in, and yet I sucked up the community element in it. I even liked Hobbit III, especially the last half, for that same reason. And the list of war films on the topic goes on and on.

But Big Chill is good for more reasons than that, and I suspect it's actually the people who grew up in its era that will have the most trouble seeing beyond the hair styles and clothes designs. I think the film has legs because Kasdan's dealing with broad truths and experiences that aren't limited to the 80s.....love, death, friendship, fear, worry about the future. The 80s cultural trappings might mask that more universal vision from people who so identify with the setting, but it seems to me there's more going on than what those who lived that era might see.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by RojD

I really liked Big Chill, too, and partly for the same, strictly personal reason. I have a weak spot for movies about groups of people coming together to form a caring community. I'm sure it's psychological, but even the worst piece of cinema drivel can catch me with that theme. Have you seen Latter Days? It's an awful film about a subject I have no interest in, and yet I sucked up the community element in it. I even liked Hobbit III, especially the last half, for that same reason. And the list of war films on the topic goes on and on.

But Big Chill is good for more reasons than that, and I suspect it's actually the people who grew up in its era that will have the most trouble seeing beyond the hair styles and clothes designs. I think the film has legs because Kasdan's dealing with broad truths and experiences that aren't limited to the 80s.....love, death, friendship, fear, worry about the future. The 80s cultural trappings might mask that more universal vision from people who so identify with the setting, but it seems to me there's more going on than what those who lived that era might see.

I see what you're saying there and some of the themes and truths are generation crossing, but I still think some of the younger generation may not be able to fully appreciate the relationships in the film. But then again, with all the bullying, and all the suicides becuase of that, they might well grasp it too well.

[Roninblues]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, I can't. I get a bad headache with 3D. Which really sucks for something like Godard's most recent film.



Yeah, arguing with crazy people is pretty much a fruitless endeavor. Someone who believes something that whacked out is never going to change his or her mind based a rational argument -- since they are irrational to begin with.

But yeah, I had my share of those infuriating arguments, until I just said 'eff it.

If they are irrational, you might give some thought as to why you would argue with them to start with. Rational vs Belief. The rational ones told the believers man wouldn't fly, could never land on the moon, couldn't build certain buildings or bridges, etc.