The Criterion Collection

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

People here in the Blu-ray subforum tend to boast that they're more mature and more civilized than the folks who prefer to post in the Movies subforum. Yet it is here that I find people dismissing an acclaimed and well-liked classic like The Untouchables as "trash" and as an example of "how not to make a movie" without significant explanation. For the sake of fairness, that must mean I can claim that generally disparaged stuff like Alien: Covenant or Lady in the Water are "great movies" without meeting much protest.

De Palma's movie, as someone else stated, is a very traditional thriller with action and even western undertones. It's a fun romp that doesn't seek to add depth or deconstruct the crime genre. It's worlds apart from something like Goodfellas, or even more subversive outings from De Palma himself. And I say: so what? I'm always skeptical of those who disparage something due to its very nature or due to the fact that it isn't what they wanted. And to reduce a piece of work so obviously competent in basic terms like staging, lensing, editing and production values to "trash" and imply it's precisely how a movie should not be done is just hysterical hyperboyle. Can't really take that kind of criticism seriously.

Next time I post an opinion, I'll make sure to check in with you and others in the "movies" forum just to double check that my opinions aren't too "mature and civilized" for you guys, and then I will adjust them accordingly. Thanks Hitler.

[malakaheso]

^^The guy has Spielberg as his avator who is as conventional and mainstream as cinema gets, so I don't think that's where he is coming from.

He is surely exaggerating his position though. The Untouchables isn't Citizen Kane or Ordet. Our sense of reality can surely withstand criticism against it, even of the superficial variety.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

People here in the Blu-ray subforum tend to boast that they're more mature and more civilized than the folks who prefer to post in the Movies subforum. Yet it is here that I find people dismissing an acclaimed and well-liked classic like The Untouchables as "trash" and as an example of "how not to make a movie" without significant explanation.

I'm no longer questioning the aesthetic taste of some here. Now I question abilities in reading comprehension.

I think everyone with beef of the film put up some salient points: tonal inconsistencies, acting, the look of the film, miscastings, mismatched music, etc. Hell, even fans of the film discussed discrepancies between what was written and the execution of dialogue.

If you didn't get a sense, please go back and re-read.

[octagon]

Alien: Covenant was pretty awesome.

[alien2010]

Night of The Living Dead and Silence of the Lambs for me. Three Criterion titles for 2018, The Breakfast Club in January, and it's only February.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

The opposite.

well, French film doesn't begin and end w/ Jean-Luc Godard. you should give Elevator to the Gallows a try.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

Shit. Just blind bought this.

Then you made a great purchase. Cinema Paradiso is a phenomenal film.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

well, French film doesn't begin and end w/ Jean-Luc Godard. you should give Elevator to the Gallows a try.

Wait, it doesn't?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

To all the Ray and Kurosawa fans: does the release of new titles in their filmography bode well for their rights to previously released titles? I'm seriously behind on trying to collect all their Criterion releases. Been waiting for a really slow couple of months on one-off releases.

I'm not sure what you're asking here, but if you clarify I'll try and take a stab at it.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

well, French film doesn't begin and end w/ Jean-Luc Godard..

Thank god for that.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm just going to assume Tom Jones isn't as popular in comparison for us to be discussing how fugly its cover art is

Yeah, that cover is atrocious. One of the worst in the entire collection IMO.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

Have always wanted to see this. Is it in right hell or what?

Nah, "Talk Radio" is still with Universal. As far as I'm aware, it's available to any label that has a deal with Universal. Hopefully, either Shout Factory or Indicator in the UK releases it.

[Namuhana]

I'm actually interested in all of these titles. The Silence of the Lambs and Elevator to the Gallows are definite purchases, though.

[flyry]

Very excited about Elevators to the Gallows.

It's been on Filmstruck for a minute and I almost bought it on Amazon,but I told my wife literally two nights ago they will probably release it next year due Jeanne Moreau's death and I was right.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by flyry

Very excited about Elevators to the Gallows.

It's been on Filmstruck for a minute and I almost bought it on Amazon,but I told my wife literally two nights ago they will probably release it next year due to her death and I was right.

How did your wife take that news?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by lemonski

How did your wife take that news?

She was unresponsive.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by flyry

Very excited about Elevators to the Gallows.

It's been on Filmstruck for a minute and I almost bought it on Amazon,but I told my wife literally two nights ago they will probably release it next year due to her death and I was right.

My condolences on your wife.

[Show spoiler]Or were you the one who did her in? We all love Criterion noirs, but come on, man!

[theater dreamer]

/Giggles like a school girl

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

People here in the Blu-ray subforum tend to boast that they're more mature and more civilized than the folks who prefer to post in the Movies subforum. Yet it is here that I find people dismissing an acclaimed and well-liked classic like The Untouchables as "trash" and as an example of "how not to make a movie" without significant explanation. For the sake of fairness, that must mean I can claim that generally disparaged stuff like Alien: Covenant or Lady in the Water are "great movies" without meeting much protest.

De Palma's movie, as someone else stated, is a very traditional thriller with action and even western undertones. It's a fun romp that doesn't seek to add depth or deconstruct the crime genre. It's worlds apart from something like Goodfellas, or even more subversive outings from De Palma himself. And I say: so what? I'm always skeptical of those who disparage something due to its very nature or due to the fact that it isn't what they wanted. And to reduce a piece of work so obviously competent in basic terms like staging, lensing, editing and production values to "trash" and imply it's precisely how a movie should not be done is just hysterical hyperboyle. Can't really take that kind of criticism seriously.

Whoa! It was competently put together, what a feat! That totally means I have to think its a wonderful, glorious movie and totally not garbage at all! And it was a buddies teacher who taught that class, not me so you can unbunch your panties on that point.

As stated before we've all given perfectly valid reasons as to why we think the movie blows, my biggest gripe once again being Kevin Costners terrible performance and a lot of really goofy shit that made me cringe. That scene when he finds Sean Connery and gives him his necklace is a laugh riot!

And public reception doesnt mean anything either, may I remind you that Crash was also very well received and even won best picture at the Oscars?

Out of a 10 star rating I would give the Untouchables a 3. Its a shitty movie with decent production values, thats really about it. Same rating I would give to Kids (although I might raise that to a 4).

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

And public reception doesnt mean anything either, may I remind you that Crash was also very well received and even won best picture at the Oscars?

Agree. Cinephiles need to be more critical when it comes to middlebrow 'critics films'. The claims made for their greatness are often completely unjustified. The King's Speech to me is another example of a passable but terribly overrated film that is essentially The Karate Kid with British royalty. It's well acted, but as cinema it's pish.