The Criterion Collection

[javy]

The Uninvited isn't terrifying but what it is, at least imo, is enchanting, beautiful, atmospheric, spooky, and engaging. The first time I watched it I was captivated and immediately watched it again. It's not The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the Exorcist, but if you enjoy beautifully shot black and white cinematography and chilling shadows, give it a try. For me it was the perfect blind buy. And Gail Russell is very pleasing to the eyes as well.

[Show spoiler]31248_1_large.jpg

That's not an actual shot from the film, but it does capture the tone and feel of it very well imo. The Innocents is great, and I own it as well, but The Uninvited I love.

[diskspinner]

Got The Breaking Point yesterday.
My next title will be 200th criterion...wanted a special title but cannot wait till 11/14...May be one of the WCP boxes??? There must be some future favorite title I did not consider buying yet...

[bwdowiak]

I enjoyed The Uninvited more than The Innocents. It is lighter fare, though, so if you're looking for something that is potentially scary, The Uninvited certainly isn't it.

[Rory]

I've owned The Uninvited on video for years, and now, of course, have the Criterion Blu-ray. It's a very well-done atmospheric ghost story, but it is 1944 Hollywood entertainment, too, very tame by today's standards, but not without its charm. If you like 1947's The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, you'll probably also like The Uninvited, plus it's got someone in it just as stunningly beautiful as Gene Tierney in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, the 19-year-old Gail Russell before she became a tragic alcoholic that died at only 36. For me, that's the most haunting thing about The Uninvited.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is definitely a "descendant" of Zen.

A Touch of Zen is a great, great film--one of those three-hour epics that feels like it's half as long--but if you aren't really a fan of CT, HD it might not be to your taste. For what it's worth, I think Zen is the better of the two films, and it tells a different, "pulpier" story.

(There were also some concerns about the look of the Criterion disc, which I don't happen to share, but, you know, full disclosure.)

Jackie Chan is also an extra in "touch of zen" Zen is one of the Grandfathers of Wuxia film.

[PowellPressburger]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death... but does anyone think Criterion is going to release Twin Peaks the original series?

Really shocked that the previous 2 BLU sets are both OOP.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I'm sure this has been discussed to death... but does anyone think Criterion is going to release Twin Peaks the original series?

Really shocked that the previous 2 BLU sets are both OOP.

I doubt Criterion would pass on the chance to, but the more likely scenario is that CBS is just waiting until the event series is released to reissue the previous sets with new wording on the cover (or covers, should they opt for two releases...which seems like an odd way to do things.)

Realistically speaking, it seems unlikely. The Twin Peaks brand is the hottest it's been since the '90s, which likely means CBS would want to do everything possible to profit off of it, and given Criterion's approach to FWWM I'm not convinced anything of substance would be added to a potential release to justify as new or even competing version.

[Ray Jackson]

Breaking The Waves...your thoughts?

I think most of you know my own personal view of the one they call Von Trier.

But this film doesn't appear to have the kind of shock value that some of his later work was known for...the genital mutilation and on-camera fellatio and other things of this nature.

Also seems slow and depressing.

A risky blind buy for sure.

But as Bhodi, the preeminent surfing, bank-robbing philosopher of our time would say...if you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price.

...talk me out of it/into to my beloved droogs.

[mja345]

"Breaking the Waves" is ludicrously depressing. Great film, but definitely not one I'd recommend blind buying because it doesn't have a lot of replay value. Emily Watson is incredible in it though.

[Feiereisel]

Breaking the Waves is plenty intense, Ray.

Originally Posted by mja345

"Breaking the Waves" is ludicrously depressing. Great film, but definitely not one I'd recommend blind buying because it doesn't have a lot of replay value. Emily Watson is incredible in it though.

Indeed. Someone once told me it's a movie that, like Herzog's Strozek, they can only watch about once a decade, which is a pretty fair description.

[thatguamguy]

Yeah, as a film, it's so good that people let Lars von Trier get away with all the stuff you're talking about. I remember in college that I watched it on what probably otherwise would've been a date.

[Rory]

You know a good idea if you're going to blind buy movies?

Go on YouTube and look for trailers, clips, or reviews.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Feiereisel

Breaking the Waves is plenty intense, Ray.



Indeed. Someone once told me it's a movie that, like Herzog's Strozek, they can only watch about once a decade, which is a pretty fair description.

It's been a lot more than ten years for me and I ain't ready yet. Watching Breaking the Waves is like watching a snuff film. With puppies.

[mja345]

I've always though blind buying was the act of literally putting on a blindfold and going into a store and picking out blu rays. Wait, it's actual meaning is buying movies you've never seen? Wow, you learn something new every day.

[Feiereisel]

Originally Posted by belcherman

It's been a lot more than ten years for me and I ain't ready yet. Watching Breaking the Waves is like watching a snuff film. With puppies.

Originally Posted by Rory

You know a good idea if you're going to blind buy movies?

Go on YouTube and look for trailers, clips, or reviews.

Originally Posted by muchogris

Wait, that is blind buying?! Oh woaw. I will never do that.

Originally Posted by mja345

I've always though blind buying was the act of literally putting on a blindfold and going into a store and picking out blu rays. Wait, it's actual meaning is buying movies you've never seen? Wow, you learn something new every day.

Thank you for subtly reminding everybody that the Zatoichi set is still available, folks.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Breaking the Waves" is ludicrously depressing. Great film, but definitely not one I'd recommend blind buying because it doesn't have a lot of replay value. Emily Watson is incredible in it though.

Interesting. I don't find it depressing, and it is one of the few Criterions that I make a point to watch at least once a year.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Breaking the Waves" is ludicrously depressing. Great film, but definitely not one I'd recommend blind buying because it doesn't have a lot of replay value. Emily Watson is incredible in it though.

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Interesting. I don't find it depressing, and it is one of the few Criterions that I make a point to watch at least once a year.

I think both views are completely valid but I have to admit, I lean more toward mja. It's a fantastic film with some of the best acting I've ever seen. Just not sure how many times I could get through it.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

Interesting. I don't find it depressing, and it is one of the few Criterions that I make a point to watch at least once a year.

You're the only person I've heard who doesn't find that film depressing. Hats off, as you clearly have a strong constitution.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by mja345

You're the only person I've heard who doesn't find that film depressing. Hats off, as you clearly have a strong constitution.

I'm pretty sure everything I've every scene by Von Trier is Depressing, well... at least the films of his I thought were brilliant. Breaking the Waves falls under that category.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

I'm pretty sure everything I've every scene by Von Trier is Depressing, well... at least the films of his I thought were brilliant. Breaking the Waves falls under that category.

Exactly. Von Trier sets out to make his films deliberately depressing. He wallows in that shit. "Breaking the Waves" is his most depressing film IMO. As great as von Trier's films are, I never go, "Man, I just want to go back and experience that again as soon as possible." His films are usually great, but they require a long respite from the intensity and oppressive bleakness.