The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Wait Until Dark is great, although my favorite Hepburn film is undoubtedly Roman Holiday, which will probably never see the light on Blu-ray because Warner Bros. is stupid and more interested in re-releasing the same films over and over than releasing the backlog of their own and Paramount's catalogues.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Forget it, Jake. It's Warner Brothers.

Badlands?

I figure with studios becoming less and less invested in discs, licensing to Criterion may be a more desirable (possible) option.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Oh, yeah? Have you ever seen Bloodline?

(a.k.a. Sidney Sheldon's Bloodline)

I was referring to photographs.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Wait Until Dark is great, although my favorite Hepburn film is undoubtedly Roman Holiday, which will probably never see the light on Blu-ray because Warner Bros. is stupid and more interested in re-releasing the same films over and over than releasing the backlog of their own and Paramount's catalogues.

I think it'll eventually get a blu-ray release. Maybe later this year?

WB will probably re-issue Full Metal Jacket 2 more times before then.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think it'll eventually get a blu-ray release. Maybe later this year?

WB will probably re-issue Full Metal Jacket 2 more times before then.

Should be later this year as it just got a new restoration that premiered at TCM this year.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I was referring to photographs.

Oh, sorry! I just read your quote and made an assumption. My bad!

[Scottie]

I just came back from seeing Olivier Assayas's new film, Clouds of Sils Maria, and I figure that I would post my rough opinions on it in this thread.

I surprisingly went into the film rather optimistic despite not liking Kristen Stewart and not enjoying Assayas's 2008 film, Summer Hours.

In his new film, Olivier Assayas offers a harsh contrast between the old and the new. After Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) reluctantly agrees to perform in a revival of the play, Majola Snake, which jumpstarted her career approximately 20 years ago and brought her international success, she is forced to confront herself, her relevancy and status, and the changing world around her.

Kristen Stewart hands down steals the show. Her character, Valentine, is perhaps the only character who is optimistic and tries to see the positive in others. In fact, Valentine is the only character who gives Maria Enders any resistance. As I left the theater and began reflecting on the film, I can truly say that every scene without Stewart lacks some power and energy that is critical to the heart of the film.

The cinematography is gorgeous and some of the best that we'll probably see all year. I'm even going to go out on a limb here and say that several of the shots could have easily been mistaken for something that the late, great Sven Nykvist captured. While on the topic of Nykvist, there is an aura of Ingmar Bergman that presides over the entire film. From the whole role reversal and shifts in personality between Maria Enders, her play counterpart, and the supporting characters, to the reflexivity and drama that immerses itself into the dialogue, Clouds of Sils Maria is a sure winner.

The film has been rumored to come out by The Criterion Collection and I will happily revisit it as there is a lot that a repeat viewing could assist with, especially in the contrast between the old generation (Juliette Binoche) and the new (Chloë Grace Moretz).

[jw007]

Audrey Hepburn was a Taurus too. I didn't know that.

Leo here... what are your signs?

[Wolverinejmc]

Not to disrupt any conversation,just had no idea where else to post this but does anyone know what kind of release Valerie and her Week of Wonders is getting? The scanavo cases are great and all,but i love their digibooks,and this release is by far my most anticipated (outside Mulholland Drive as i never thought that would happen) when was the last time they even did a digibook?Eraserhead is the last i bought.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The film has been rumored to come out by The Criterion Collection and I will happily revisit it as there is a lot that a repeat viewing could assist with, especially in the contrast between the old generation (Juliette Binoche) and the new (Chloë Grace Moretz).

I saw Clouds of Sils Maria over the weekend and agree with just about everything you said in your review. There are many layers in plot that I think will be revealed with further viewings. I thought of it as a mixture of Birdman and Certified Copy, self-reflexive of the industry with an artistic and abstract method of storytelling.

Agreed about the cinematography. Of course the Swiss Alps are expected to be gorgeous and they deliver, but some of the basic shot selections were impressive. I liked the way that they shot character scenes inside a car, far more stylistic than most films. My favorite sequence was when Kristen Stewart's character drives up the mountain at night.

Really looking forward to delving deeper when (or if?) the Criterion version is released.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I saw Clouds of Sils Maria over the weekend and agree with just about everything you said in your review. There are many layers in plot that I think will be revealed with further viewings. I thought of it as a mixture of Birdman and Certified Copy, self-reflexive of the industry with an artistic and abstract method of storytelling.

Agreed about the cinematography. Of course the Swiss Alps are expected to be gorgeous and they deliver, but some of the basic shot selections were impressive. I liked the way that they shot character scenes inside a car, far more stylistic than most films. My favorite sequence was when Kristen Stewart's character drives up the mountain at night.

Really looking forward to delving deeper when (or if?) the Criterion version is released.

Perfect comparison between Birdman and Certified Copy.

Birdman is an in-depth exploration of trying to be relevant and feel important within the entertainment industry, which Binoche's character perfectly exemplifies. Certified Copy, on the other hand, unravels like your ordinary film but it becomes that of a mystery.

When Binoche and Stewart's were reading some of the lines, I felt as if they were saying more than words on a page. In fact, some of the fade-out dissolves felt as if there was something more that was hidden from the public's eye.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Perfect comparison between Birdman and Certified Copy.

Birdman is an in-depth exploration of trying to be relevant and feel important within the entertainment industry, which Binoche's character perfectly exemplifies. Certified Copy, on the other hand, unravels like your ordinary film but it becomes that of a mystery.

When Binoche and Stewart's were reading some of the lines, I felt as if they were saying more than words on a page. In fact, some of the fade-out dissolves felt as if there was something more that was hidden from the public's eye.

Yes, the dialog scenes touched on several levels: the characters, the play within the movie, modern culture, and generational differences. The film language contributed to the confusion, whether through dissolves, strange lighting, or shaky cam.

[Snicket]

I can't wait to see everyone flip the hell out when Kirsten Stewart comes into the collection. Completely ignoring the fact the film is great and she is great in it.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Badlands?

I figure with studios becoming less and less invested in discs, licensing to Criterion may be a more desirable (possible) option.

Badlands was a special case, with Malick twisting WB's arm to let Criterion release it. Just as Oliver Stone twisted their other arm to let Twilight Time release Heaven & Earth.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Badlands was a special case, with Malick twisting WB's arm to let Criterion release it. Just as Oliver Stone twisted their other arm to let Twilight Time release Heaven & Earth.

Eh, do we really know that Malick pressured them though? Seems like the kind of thing he could care less about honestly. Isin't New World also a WB title? Seems like Criterion is just being more aggressive.

[SlickDamian]

I'm currently watching Cloud Atlas. Taking a break now and will finish tomorrow night, what with working offshore right now I just done have the energy for the whole thing. Anyways, this would be a fantastic Criterion title. The current blu has a good transfer and audio, but Criterion would take it to a another level with regards to supplements, and they would definitely kill the cover art and the packaging. This is such an intelligent, philosophical film, it would fit right in. And personally, I love pretty much anything with Tom Hanks. The best actor of his generation and one of the best ever. He should be in the collection as far as I'm concerned.

[shadedpain4]

I left work early today to catch a showing of Clouds Of Sils Maria, and then when I got home I had a craving to watch Certified Copy. While the disc was loading I figured I stop here and see what was new since earlier this afternoon.

Now I kind of feel like you people are spying on me.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

I'm currently watching Cloud Atlas. Taking a break now and will finish tomorrow night, what with working offshore right now I just done have the energy for the whole thing. Anyways, this would be a fantastic Criterion title. The current blu has a good transfer and audio, but Criterion would take it to a another level with regards to supplements, and they would definitely kill the cover art and the packaging. This is such an intelligent, philosophical film, it would fit right in. And personally, I love pretty much anything with Tom Hanks. The best actor of his generation and one of the best ever. He should be in the collection as far as I'm concerned.

Big fan of that one as well. Incredibly moving at certain junctures. Visuals are off the charts. Not pressing for a Criterion release since the current Blu is so solid, but I would definitely gobble it up if it happened.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Perfect comparison between Birdman and Certified Copy.

Birdman is an in-depth exploration of trying to be relevant and feel important within the entertainment industry, which Binoche's character perfectly exemplifies. Certified Copy, on the other hand, unravels like your ordinary film but it becomes that of a mystery.

When Binoche and Stewart's were reading some of the lines, I felt as if they were saying more than words on a page. In fact, some of the fade-out dissolves felt as if there was something more that was hidden from the public's eye.

Can't wait to see it, even though I didn't care for Birdman and hated Certified Copy.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

I'm currently watching Cloud Atlas. Taking a break now and will finish tomorrow night, what with working offshore right now I just done have the energy for the whole thing. Anyways, this would be a fantastic Criterion title. The current blu has a good transfer and audio, but Criterion would take it to a another level with regards to supplements, and they would definitely kill the cover art and the packaging. This is such an intelligent, philosophical film, it would fit right in. And personally, I love pretty much anything with Tom Hanks. The best actor of his generation and one of the best ever. He should be in the collection as far as I'm concerned.

I absolutely adore this film and would definitely purchase a Criterion release of it (even though I already have the current version). It's much better than what the majority of the reviews say, in my opinion. It's not only a beautiful looking and well-acted film, but the soundtrack is one of my favorites. The Sextet is gorgeous, and I particularly love All Boundaries Are Conventions, Death is Only a Door, and the Finale. I definitely wouldn't mind the film in the Collection.