The Criterion Collection

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Is it sad that before today I had never heard of the film nor any of the cast and crew?

I have seen La Bella Di Lodi (1963) with Sandrelli!
The thing that made an impression on me on this film is that I didn't like her at all!!
But perhaps it was the role or the directing.
She was moving sometimes somewhat strangely her head!

See an example at 22.38'':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoJp...tu.be&t=22m39s

[Gusto-Guus]

The Apu Trilogy arrived today in the mail, unfortunately I won't have time to watch it until tomorrow.

Anyone else picking it up?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

The Apu Trilogy arrived today in the mail, unfortunately I won't have time to watch it until tomorrow.

Anyone else picking it up?

My copy should be arriving tomorrow along with (finally) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

[sjt]

The real problem with any film that Stefania Sandrelli appears in is that she cannot act, and, depending on the expressive dramatic weight she's supposed to carry in any given narrative, the films tend to stand or fall on the extent of her involvement. So she single-handedly scuppers Bertolucci's Novocento, and seriously undermines Il conformista as well.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by sjt

The real problem with any film that Stefania Sandrelli appears in is that she cannot act

Oh, i'm glad that someone shares the same opinion.
i wanted to say exactly this, but I was embarassed to say.
I too thought that she was a bad actress, from the one film I saw her.
But had to see others too to be sure..

[Page14]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Apparently they've just totally given up on upgrading titles I guess

On the other hand, Criterion is releasing a few films that are already available on blu-ray from other companies. I'm thinking of Don't Look Back, In Cold Blood and now The Graduate. So maybe these new releases will be upgrades, in that respect. (FWIW, I'm anxious to see how the new releases look before upgrading the titles that I already own).

EDIT: Who am I kidding? I'll most likely upgrade all of these, if for no other reason than to have the new special features.

[Scottie]

I watched La Grande Illusion tonight for the first time tonight.

I've never been a fan of war films, but I do appreciate some films as this one and Paths of Glory for their meditations on the ideologies of war. That being said, the only things that I was truly impressed about La Grande Illusion were the last 30 minutes when

[Show spoiler]Maréchal and Rosenthal escape from the fortress.

I particularly enjoyed

[Show spoiler]the hospital scene between Rauffenstein and Boeldieu

and the scenes between

[Show spoiler]Maréchael, Rosenthal, and Elsa.

Furthermore, the

[Show spoiler]final shot of the uncertain future

really gets to you because

[Show spoiler]the audience knows that World War II lies on the horizon but none of the characters do.

I don't really see it as this great masterpiece, but maybe after some rest and reflection, I'll enjoy it more thoroughly.

It's certainly kept me thinking.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

You read my mind! This is why I don't complain when Criterion releases a title already out on Blu-Ray. They always manage to do it justice.

Love this month!

The difference here is that the PQ on all the previous releases, even the Studio Canal, were subpar. When they upgrade stuff like the Wes Andersons or something with almost identical PQ is when it's a waste to me, just for some bonus features.

[pro-bassoonist]

Ikiru Blu-ray REVIEW



Magnificent film





Pro-B

[Polaroid]

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days CONFIRMEDDDDDD

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

[Show spoiler]

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days CONFIRMEDDDDDD

Have you seen that? I assume so. So few have.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Have you seen that? I assume so. So few have.

Yah I loved it so much, its so tense! I only have it on DVD so will now wait for this Bluray

Great performances in it as well, absolutely loved Anamaria Marina

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yah I loved it so much, its so tense! I only have it on DVD so will now wait for this Bluray

Great performances in it as well, absolutely loved Anamaria Marina

I got it from the library. One of the most depressing films I've ever seen. Then again, it's from Romania. Why should I be surprised?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

I got it from the library. One of the most depressing films I've ever seen. Then again, it's from Romania. Why should I be surprised?

Haha yeah it was pretty grim - could have been directed by Haneke

I don't actually remember any moments when watching this film when I felt bored, I really need to watch again, its been a few years.

(off topic have u had a chance to see Macbeth and The Lobster? both in my top 5 films of the year :P)

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Haha yeah it was pretty grim - could have been directed by Haneke

I don't actually remember any moments when watching this film when I felt bored, I really need to watch again, its been a few years.

(off topic have u had a chance to see Macbeth and The Lobster? both in my top 5 films of the year :P)

Hank WISHES he could make films like this.

But yeah, if it came out on BD, I'd pick it up quickly. Why? I'm not sure. But it's a very good film and deserves viewing on repeated occasions. As depressing as it is, it's not like something like Irreversible or whatever.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Hank WISHES he could make films like this.

But yeah, if it came out on BD, I'd pick it up quickly. Why? I'm not sure. But it's a very good film and deserves viewing on repeated occasions. As depressing as it is, it's not like something like Irreversible or whatever.

I don't find Irreversible depressing, just dark - but it does have some moments of hope and happiness, albeit at the wrong time but yeah :P

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

I don't find Irreversible depressing, just dark - but it does have some moments of hope and happiness, albeit at the wrong time but yeah :P

OK, "dark" is the wrong term. It just is really un-watchable. I've seen it, I own it, and I never want to see it again. I should have said that in the first place.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

OK, "dark" is the wrong term. It just is really un-watchable. I've seen it, I own it, and I never want to see it again. I should have said that in the first place.

Ah I disagree I think it is very watchable, I have seen it hundred of times now, I think its a phenomenal piece of work and very impressive cinema - its original and very challenging. The cinematography, acting, music editing is at its best in this film. I agree certain scenes are harder to watch than others in this film but they did such an incredible job of portraying in in a real manner.

Its brutal, but I love it and could watch it a hundred time more :P

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Ah I disagree I think it is very watchable, I have seen it hundred of times now, I think its a phenomenal piece of work and very impressive cinema - its original and very challenging. The cinematography, acting, music editing is at its best in this film. I agree certain scenes are harder to watch than others in this film but they did such an incredible job of portraying in in a real manner.

Its brutal, but I love it and could watch it a hundred time more :P

The

[Show spoiler]extinguisher

scene and the

[Show spoiler]7+ Minute rape

scene I have had enough of. But I don't question for a second that the cinematography and filmmaking are top-notch.

I just don't want to see

[Show spoiler]Monica Bellucci raped for 7+ minutes.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

The

[Show spoiler]extinguisher

scene and the

[Show spoiler]7+ Minute rape

scene I have had enough of. But I don't question for a second that the cinematography and filmmaking are top-notch.

I just don't want to see

[Show spoiler]Monica Bellucci raped for 7+ minutes.

Totally understandable ^_^