The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Would Duel be a controversial shout as favourite Spielberg film?

You reminded me... Munich is my fab Spielberg.
Oh, and I thought Sam Fuller's Forty Guns was great, although I haven't decided that its better than Pickup on South Street.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I'm struggling to think of any for myself, but Barry Lyndon is also my favorite Kubrick.

It's just an incredible film. I rewatched it about a month ago and it gets better each time.

Another one would be "Melvin and Howard" by Jonathan Demme, although it's held in fairly high regard.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Mildred Pierce was waiting for me in my mailbox when I arrived home just now. Here's looking forward to taking it for a spin this weekend.

Really hope you enjoy it more than I did. But don't take that to mean anything. I've just never been a big Joan Crawford fan and this is one of her most Joan Crawfordiest outings.

When you have enjoyed it, and if you haven't already, look up the five-part HBO (2011) version with Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood. Wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed with an incredible attention to detail that makes the depression era come spectacularly to life, and with a character-driven storyline that is completely engaging it provides quite a compliment to the 1945 version. If I had one criticism to make it would be over the fact that Winslet's character was so strongly-drawn during the first four episodes that her indecisiveness and lack of judgment in the last just didn't seem convincing or plausible. But again, that's just opinion.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Really hope you enjoy it more than I did. But don't take that to mean anything. I've just never been a big Joan Crawford fan and this is one of her most Joan Crawfordiest outings.

When you have enjoyed it, and if you haven't already, look up the five-part HBO (2011) version with Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood. Wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed with an incredible attention to detail that makes the depression era come spectacularly to life, and with a character-driven storyline that is completely engaging it provides quite a compliment to the 1945 version. If I had one criticism to make it would be over the fact that Winslet's character was so strongly-drawn during the first four episodes that her indecisiveness and lack of judgment in the last just didn't seem convincing or plausible. But again, that's just opinion.

Thanks for the heads-up on the 2011 version.

I've seen the 1945 Mildred Pierce, because I bought it on DVD a few years ago with a bunch of other films noir that I assumed wouldn't make it to Blu-ray anytime soon. I think that it's great, even if it's not Out of the Past great or Double Indemnity great. It's a different and quite melodramatic sort of noir.

Joan Crawford is particularly impressive to me in Sudden Fear and Johnny Guitar.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

You reminded me... Munich is my fab Spielberg.
Oh, and I thought Sam Fuller's Forty Guns was great, although I haven't decided that its better than Pickup on South Street.

Pickup On south Street is Fuller's best by a mile.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

Would Duel be a controversial shout as favourite Spielberg film?

I'd say it'd be weird as being your absolute favorite, but I love it as well.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Really hope you enjoy it more than I did. But don't take that to mean anything. I've just never been a big Joan Crawford fan and this is one of her most Joan Crawfordiest outings.

When you have enjoyed it, and if you haven't already, look up the five-part HBO (2011) version with Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood. Wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed with an incredible attention to detail that makes the depression era come spectacularly to life, and with a character-driven storyline that is completely engaging it provides quite a compliment to the 1945 version. If I had one criticism to make it would be over the fact that Winslet's character was so strongly-drawn during the first four episodes that her indecisiveness and lack of judgment in the last just didn't seem convincing or plausible. But again, that's just opinion.

Not a big Joan fan either. I liked some of her earlier MGM films. If I had to pick one from her WB pictures it would be Humoresque. That said, I'll be getting MP mainly for the supporting cast. Eve Arden is one of the great character actors and it's nice to see Jack Carson in a dramatic role.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

You, sir, are off your rocker!
I thought it was his best in a long time (even though I love Hugo and Wolf Of Wall Street), also found it to be the most satisfying movie I saw all year.

Different strokes for different folks.

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Silence is Scorsese's best since Goodfellas. The only film that comes close to its status in that period for me is Hugo, but something tells me a rewatch will cement the film's position as top tier Scorsese. I'm still astonished that it was even made.

EDIT: But then again, I'd place Knight of Cups over any Criterion Malick, save for The Thin Red Line.

Wow, well I guess I was under the influence of the group I went with to see the movie. I sure admired the acting in this film, but there were a lot of issues with pacing and flow and story. For me it was very ponderous...but I'm sure many will praise this as one of his greatest movies of all time. But I'm not so sure of that...we shall see if it will hold up over time, but I still think Black Robe and The Mission are absolutely superior films to this... Silence is simply an unnecessary film. It's demanding and dull.

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

I wouldn't recommend going into a movie about two Jesuit priests entering a country where Christianity is outlawed looking for their former mentor who apostatized expecting something enjoyable. But maybe that's just me.

The screenplay was weak...great premise but just not such a good execution. Again, that's my opinion. Movies are entertainment and ultimately we are here to be entertained and at the very least educated. I got the latter part but not the former part.

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I was underwhelmed overall, but it sure had some moments. Kundun was a much better film.

I need to see Kundun again but from what I recall, that is a good film.

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

You're right. But I don't think "not being enjoyable" should be the chief complaint as to why someone didn't like a film with a heavy subject matter.

Movies are entertainment, no? Are we supposed to sit there and be brutalized by a film? I realize some directors can be sadistic...Scorsese included...and damn, I love his films (and he's one of my favorite directors), but this one just didn't work...I didn't feel the magic. I'm a film scholar and don't rank movies based on "enjoyability" but on effectiveness. I love a challenge but this movie didn't challenge me so much. The Last Temptation of Christ is his magnum opus and will always be that...its one of my favorite movies of all time...a glorious work of boldness that dares go where no other films go. Silence is no Last Temptation of Christ. Martin Scorsese failed with Silence, but its a failure of an attempted masterpiece. No great director is always on his A game with every project....perhaps he's starting to lose the magic. Go ahead and patronize me, but its just my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

[Gerby]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Pickup On south Street is Fuller's best by a mile.

Except for Underworld USA, Shock Corridor & Park Row.

[latehong]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

You reminded me... Munich is my fab Spielberg.
Oh, and I thought Sam Fuller's Forty Guns was great, although I haven't decided that its better than Pickup on South Street.

Pickup on South Street is a great noir, but in my book, Forty Guns is up there in the category of pure cinematic absurdity along with Seijun Suzuki films. Definitely a great & unique achievement, even among other Sam Fuller classics.

[Kaiju]

Criterion is finally stepping it up.

[Abdrewes]

Seijun Suzuki has passed away. I'm definitely going to pop in one of his mad, mad movies in his honor.

If anyone has some awesome drink suggestions, pass em my way. I think my preferred Cranberry Juice, Vodka, and lime just isn't wacky enough for the occasion.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Seijun Suzuki has passed away. I'm definitely going to pop in one of his mad, mad movies in his honor.

If anyone has some awesome drink suggestions, pass em my way. I think my preferred Cranberry Juice, Vodka, and lime just isn't wacky enough for the occasion.

I upgraded my old DVDs of Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill to Blu-ray a year or so ago, but I still have not watched the Blu-rays. Now would be a good time, I guess.

[MifuneFan]

It's a shame more of his films didn't reach us in the states. I've only seen a handful, but I've enjoyed them all, and his influence on future films clearly shows. I already own the UK release of Youth of the Beast, but would like for Criterion to upgrade their release too, along with Fighting Elegy, Gate of Flesh, and Story of a Prostitute among others.

I also hope someone like Arrow could get the rights to Detective Bureau 2-3: Go to Hell, Bastards!, which is another solid Suzuki movie I've seen.

[Fabs]

That's sad to hear about Seijun Suzuki. He was one of the few remaining people of his generation of Japanese filmmaking.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by Gerby

Except for Underworld USA, Shock Corridor & Park Row.

And White Dog.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Pickup On south Street is Fuller's best by a mile.

Speaking of which, when is Criterion going to upgrade Pickup on South Street? The U.K. release has been out for a year and a half now. Get it done, Mulvaney!

[drat]

The Before Trilogy set is now listed as in-stock at the Criterion website.

Could this mean the flash sale will start today? Probably. But probably not. But, of course, it could. Possibly. And then again, not so much. But it is definitely a hint. Unless it isn't. But then again most likely it is. Or isn't it?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by drat

The Before Trilogy set is now listed as in-stock at the Criterion website.

Could this mean the flash sale will start today? Probably. But probably not. But, of course, it could. Possibly. And then again, not so much. But it is definitely a hint. Unless it isn't. But then again most likely it is. Or isn't it?

IIRC, Criterion always lists their releases for the upcoming week as in-stock on Thursdays/Fridays.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by latehong

Pickup on South Street is a great noir, but in my book, Forty Guns is up there in the category of pure cinematic absurdity along with Seijun Suzuki films. Definitely a great & unique achievement, even among other Sam Fuller classics.

I'm with you. People can choose whichever films they want as their favorites or as a "director's best," but it seems everyone wants to christen a director's effort in the film noir genre as their best - just like Louis Malle. The man made such a wide variety of great films. Elevator to the Gallows is a good film, but he made films with such greater depth and originality than that one.

re: Forty Guns - it is pure entertainment. the last scene is absolute perfection. you've got Barbara Stanwyck in a great performance, AND... the film contains the absolute best and funniest line of sexual double entendre I've ever heard in a film. I can't find a script online, but it is the line where

[Show spoiler]BS asks to hold Griff's gun. I can't remember what is said in the middle, but he warns her "it might blow up in your face."