The Criterion Collection

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Superted

Snap.
Same here, watched Seconds last night, again blind buy. Fantastic film

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by mja345

I think the dude who played Ali and Fassbinder were actually lovers. If I remember correctly, they had quite a tumultuous relationship. I think the actor who played Ali committed suicide after he and Fassbinder broke up and Fassbinder didn't know about it for several years.

You're correct, after Fassbinder broke it off Salem stabbed 3 people and took off. He was later caught and arrested and hung himself in prison.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Watched Seconds last night after the blind buy and, quite frankly, was blown away by it.

Freak man...what a movie.

Has to rank right up there with Picnic At Hanging Rock, Hiroshima Mon Amour and Sans Soleil as my greatest Criterion blind buy to date.

...big thanks to anyone here who recommended it!

Did you love all those grapes getting squished?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Did you love all those grapes getting squished?

I hope it didn't have that scene.
That scene disgusts me!

[PowellPressburger]

I really hate that grape scene in SECONDS also. Honestly it pulls me out of the movie and seems so out of place. It the main reason I don't re-watch it much. The one time I did I scanned thru the scene.

[I KEEL YOU]

What's so bad about some grapes getting squished? Personally, I find the operation scene way more disturbing.

[SkyAntoine]

Seconds is one of the few movies my wife just couldn't stand while I watched and she graded papers. She rarely says anything, but thought it was way too weird.
I need to revisit soon.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

What's so bad about some grapes getting squished? Personally, I find the operation scene way more disturbing.

Oenophobia?

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

What's so bad about some grapes getting squished? Personally, I find the operation scene way more disturbing.

It would be fine with me in a different film, say one about a fun family tradition, or, I don't know, grape squishing techniques for the young at heart. In this film though, the pacing, length and juxtaposition make it bad. It's one of the rare instances I've fantasized about being a film's editor while watching it.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I really hate that grape scene in SECONDS also. Honestly it pulls me out of the movie and seems so out of place. It the main reason I don't re-watch it much. The one time I did I scanned thru the scene.

I'm generally in agreement, it spoils an otherwise perfect movie for me, but in the essay that accompanies the recent Masters Of Cinema edition of the film the author makes a great case for the necessity of it that makes me appreciate it a little more.

[joie]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Oenophobia?

Maybe fear of e. coli. There may not be enough alcohol in wine to kill it.
Seriously, that scene looked like an outtake from some other movie.

[pedromvu]

Surprised to see all the negative comments about the grape scene, I thought all the scene when he meets the woman including the grape scene was great, and thought the point was very clear, she was trying to make him enjoy his life to the fullest and free of inhibitions, maybe the problem is with the nakedness? but I don't have a problem with that.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Surprised to see all the negative comments about the grape scene, I thought all the scene when he meets the woman including the grape scene was great, and thought the point was very clear, she was trying to make him enjoy his life to the fullest and free of inhibitions, maybe the problem is with the nakedness? but I don't have a problem with that.

No problem with nudity (and tbh I'd forgotten there was any until I read your post). For me it's that the film kind of grinds to a halt with that sequence. I understand why it's there but I think it's poorly executed. From what I gather this is a common complaint.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

No problem with nudity (and tbh I'd forgotten there was any until I read your post). For me it's that the film kind of grinds to a halt with that sequence. I understand why it's there but I think it's poorly executed. From what I gather this is a common complaint.

Ok, I guess I can understand since it does feel different than everything else in the movie, but I somehow found that refreshing and didn't think it was particularly poorly executed, so I am in the minority.

[Rhettroactive]

Argh. Damn you, B&N. Just went double dipping and snagged:

Fanny & Alexander
The Double Life of Veronique

Both blinds and yes, I am actually excited to dig into both. Should I do the extended TV cut of Fanny or the theatrical cut the first time? Leaning towards the longer cut...

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Rhettroactive

Should I do the extended TV cut of Fanny or the theatrical cut the first time? Leaning towards the longer cut...

have seen only the TV version and can't bring myself watching the severely cut film version. (although the film version has much better quality! )
http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...2=5730&i=0&l=0

If I can't watch the complete one regularly, at least the first Christmas episode is a yearly staple for me, and it stands on its own as a complete film!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Rhettroactive

Argh. Damn you, B&N. Just went double dipping and snagged:

Fanny & Alexander
The Double Life of Veronique

Both blinds and yes, I am actually excited to dig into both. Should I do the extended TV cut of Fanny or the theatrical cut the first time? Leaning towards the longer cut...

I liked this post, removed my like, and liked it again because your selections are phenomenal.

Definitely watch the extended cut of Fanny and Alexander. It's magical.

[oildude]

In my view, the grape stomping scene in Seconds fits perfectly into the narrative as an on-screen metaphor for lost inhibitions and self-doubt. The Hudson character is involved with a free-spirit who is attempting to pry him out of his reserved "elder" man shell. She takes him to a bacchanalia as part of her attempt to show him how she views the world. It works to a point, but he is also internally conflicted and somewhat repulsed by the flower-power mayhem the event unleashes. This was the latter 1960s after all, the dawn of the age of Aquarius. Hudson is exhilarated and frightened by this event. Despite his physical appearance, he is still mentally a middle-aged husband and may not be ready for immersion into the youth culture of the times. I think the scene is brilliant.

[PowellPressburger]

I get the grape scene I do... I wish they did something a little less nauseating to convey that message.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by oildude

In my view, the grape stomping scene in Seconds fits perfectly into the narrative as an on-screen metaphor for lost inhibitions and self-doubt. The Hudson character is involved with a free-spirit who is attempting to pry him out of his reserved "elder" man shell. She takes him to a bacchanalia as part of her attempt to show him how she views the world. It works to a point, but he is also internally conflicted and somewhat repulsed by the flower-power mayhem the event unleashes. This was the latter 1960s after all, the dawn of the age of Aquarius. Hudson is exhilarated and frightened by this event. Despite his physical appearance, he is still mentally a middle-aged husband and may not be ready for immersion into the youth culture of the times. I think the scene is brilliant.

I just wanted to say,that as far as i am concerned, it isn't that I thought it brings you out of the film or whatever else, but i don't like it because I'm disgusted by the thought of feet stomping on grapes or playing with them (or generally bare skin touching raw food that you're gonna eat uncooked)
That's why many times I can't eat eg. a fruit if someone else has cut it or touched it or salad etc.