The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Wait a second...hmmm? It seems as if you prefer character studies centered around attractive girls. Would have you cared for Rosetta if she wasn't so homely? I feel that that film gives you a comparable sense of realism and intelligence, it's just, you know, less aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry, the thought occurred to me while reading the last few pages, and I had to ask. It's just that, there seems to be a good number of people that give a film a pass because of the pretty faces involved.

I didn't find Mia attractive.

Like Coop said, Rosetta wasn't very sympathetic. While she helped out her mother the best she can, she seemed very pissed off at the world and she only ended up thinking about herself in the end.

I understand that Fish Tank parallels Rosetta by the hard upbringing, but it seemed a lot more personable and relatable. She didn't have many friends and she was was trying to find her place in the world. When she met Connor, he helped her break out of her shell and see a somewhat brighter side to life. Rosetta just ended up being routine - she didn't try to better her life. She held a grudge with everything and everyone and wouldn't move on with her life.

Originally Posted by Xtempo

About Fish Tank:

[Show spoiler]what do you think about that scene when she's urinating on the carpet?

I seriously have never seen that on film before. That was the only weird thing for me other than that I enjoyed it.

Like Coop said, it was part immaturity and part impulsivity.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I understand that Fish Tank parallels Rosetta by the hard upbringing, but it seemed a lot more personable and relatable. She didn't have many friends and she was was trying to find her place in the world. When she met Connor, he helped her break out of her shell and see a somewhat brighter side to life. Rosetta just ended up being routine - she didn't try to better her life. She held a grudge with everything and everyone and wouldn't move on with her life.

This. It may not be a popular opinion, but I agree. Huge difference between the characters, to me.

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Keeping in mind her age and what she's going through..I felt like it made sense for her to act the irrational ways she did. She was scared/angry and acted impulsive.

Yes, I realize the it fit nicely with her and what she was going through perhaps hormones or something but has there been any other movies like that? I really wasn't expecting to see a girl do that.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Is the girl from Fish Tank attractive?

If we're just talking character-wise for the two films, I thought Rosetta was the less sympathetic of the two.

[Show spoiler]She gave up someone that cared for her...while this girl didn't.

Sure, she's attractive, but that's not the point.

Rosetta is supposed to be that way. I like the Dardennes because unlike say, Tom McCarthy, sympathy and relatability isn't everything. I thought the glimpse into Rosetta's world to be sobering and invaluable, however off putting. And it's not a manufactured offputting (VonTrier's Anti Christ) either.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

About Fish Tank:

[Show spoiler]what do you think about that scene when she's urinating on the carpet?

I seriously have never seen that on film before. That was the only weird thing for me other than that I enjoyed it.

Really??? I haven't seen Fish Tank yet but I definitely seen that before on film...think harder you probably have too.
EDIT**** User above me gave it away!

[Trekkie313]

Criterion needs to get off their butts and do something with After Hours and The King Of Comedy!

I want to watch those damn movies, but I ain't gonna put up with shitty 4:3 DVD transfers.

[pro-bassoonist]

Monsieur Verdoux Blu-ray REVIEW

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

Criterion needs to get off their butts and do something with After Hours and The King Of Comedy!

I want to watch those damn movies, but I ain't gonna put up with shitty 4:3 DVD transfers.

Agreed!

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Monsieur Verdoux Blu-ray REVIEW

I was honestly surprised to see Criterion releasing this one before more renowned works like The Kid, The Circus, or Limelight...but I've always loved Monsieur Verdoux and felt that it was sorely overlooked. So happy to see these beautiful screenshots.

[georgec]

I think Monsieur Verdoux's monologue to the court and jury are my favorite Chaplin scene ever. Yes, his speech at the end of The Great Dictator is his best, but Verdoux's is more cynical, yet sadly more true.

[andsoitgoes]

So my blind buy of On the Waterfront at $10ish over what I could have gotten it on sale was a.... Success! Do I think it might be a TEENY bit overrated and somewhat simple? Yes. But was it compelling and stunningly and amazingly addictive? Oh yes, indeed.

I was glued to the screen from the moment it started. Absolutely excellent and I really want to see it again with commentary.

That said, looking back over the last week where I've seen this, The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke and Paths of Glory, I find it very interesting that On the Waterfront, the

[Show spoiler]only movie with a happy ending

is the one that stands above the others. If we are talking compelling characters, I feel a bit more draw and magnetism from the likes of Eddie versus Terry. I couldn't take my eyes off of Newman through the entire movie. The same with Luke. While I know there's no doubt Brando is the better actor, Newman drew me in more. Not a LOT more, but more. And honestly I believe this is like being upset that you got 2nd place in the Olympics. It's the effing Olympics for farts sake!!! I think I will have more to say about it over the coming years as I give it more watches.

I think this is one of the most "popular" films that Criterion has gotten their hands on. I know the Chaplin films, Anatomy and 12 Angry Men might be held higher in regard, but in terms of public perception and how the world has deemed the films, OTW is really monumental, and I say GOOD. Criterion was the right group to do this and, honestly, them pricing it the way they did probably has more to do with the extra cost to get the rights, and knowing that people would be really drawn to it above and beyond the normal somewhat obscure titles.

ANYWAY, I am wondering if anyone can help me figure out the differences in the Three Colors Trilogy... Never mind. I see the Alliance edition at $23 bucks seems to have more, at least from the commentary standpoint. And for me, Commentaries > almost any feature. To me, a commentary track has massive replay value if done well. Game of Thrones anyone?

Today though, I'm very much hating living in Canada. We pay an absolute FORTUNE for shipping, get no tracking and we get our stuff slightly delayed in shipping, mine still hasn't shipped. But I've come to realize that I have a serious problem. In the last 3 months I have purchased 30 criterion movies. 30. Holy fart.

Okay, I'm making a pact right now that I will not purchase any other movies for at least 3 months.

Just after I buy Three Colors....

[The Great Owl]

Fish Tank is one of those Criterion titles that my eyes have always just glazed over in the store, and it's never occurred to me to check out the movie. It's always good to read reviews here of such films that might have otherwise escaped my attention.

From watching the preview, it seems like this is a good choice of a recent movie for Criterion.

(Speaking of recent movies, I need to upgrade my Revanche DVD soon. I'm feeling the need to watch that movie again.)

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Wait a second...hmmm? It seems as if you prefer character studies centered around attractive girls. Would have you cared for Rosetta if she wasn't so homely? I feel that that film gives you a comparable sense of realism and intelligence, it's just, you know, less aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry, the thought occurred to me while reading the last few pages, and I had to ask. It's just that, there seems to be a good number of people that give a film a pass because of the pretty faces involved.

While I don't think this applies that much in this situation, this is something I see all over this forum and it bugs me to no end. It's awful how many posts there are saying "can't wait to blind buy, ___________ is cute/hot/sexy/whatever."

[MitchA17]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Congratulations on winning!

Those are some keen selections. I've always thought of the Beastie Boys Video Anthology as one of the real wild cards in the Criterion queue, but I'd love to own it someday to relive some great high school and college memories through the music. (Check Your Head is my favorite album from the band, and it was a big part of the soundtrack to my college days.)

Thanks! I'm a senior in high school, and I've been getting into their music lately. I've thought it's interesting that the Anthology is in the Collection as well, but you can tell their videos have craft to them. I've been in a phase where I've been learning about the early days of music videos, and they were kind of at the forefront of the music video as an art form.

And the way the videos are arranged on the disc is actually pretty thematic. Moving from the video for "Gratitude" to "Something's Got to Give" was an out-of-nowhere breathtaking moment for me.

It might actually be the best Criterion release to demonstrate the power of editing as well, given the alternate angles for almost all the videos, as well as the remixes.

(From a product standpoint, I also wanted to pick up a DVD that seemed unlikely to get a BD upgrade and one that might go out of print in the future, both due to Oscilloscope Laboratories owning the Beastie Boys collection. The prize was $200 in films, and the $30 price helped even out the $50 for Seven Samurai. And getting a cool poster of the cover is great, too .)

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

While I don't think this applies that much in this situation, this is something I see all over this forum and it bugs me to no end. It's awful how many posts there are saying "can't wait to blind buy, ___________ is cute/hot/sexy/whatever."

I really wanted to bring up this issue because it bugs me too! If sex appeal is what you want, stick with Cult Epics.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I really wanted to bring up this issue because it bugs me too! If sex appeal is what you want, stick with Cult Epics.

I 100% understand finding women attractive, I know there are tons of women in films that I find beautiful, but if that is your only inspiration behind watching a movie, you're really doing it for the wrong reason.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I 100% understand finding women attractive, I know there are tons of women in films that I find beautiful, but if that is your only inspiration behind watching a movie, you're really doing it for the wrong reason.

Nicely put sir.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The day went by just as I planned. I went for a 10-mile run with my training group in below-freezing weather first thing in the morning, then bundled up in my man cave to spend the afternoon and early evening watching the 322-minute television version of Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander.

This was my third time watching this television version of the film, but my first time seeing it on Blu-ray.

I really believe that anybody who watches the 322-minute television version of Fanny and Alexander in one sitting deserves the Expert Level 10 Criterion Ranking, a black belt in Criterion, or a Master Class Criterion title. At the very least, a badge that you can sew onto a jacket, sort of like the "Pitfall Harry Explorer's Club" badge that you could get for scoring 20 on the Atari 2600 Pitfall game during the days of my childhood. Don't get me wrong... This uncut version of Fanny and Alexander flies by at lightning pace, it does not feel "homeworky" at all, and it's a pleasure to watch and revisit, but watching the whole thing in one day is still an achievement.

Anyway, here's my Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray review...



Having watched both the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the 322-minute television version on Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander, my first observation is that the Blu-ray edition is the most notable improvement over the DVD counterpart in my entire collection. The picture quality of the Blu-ray transfer soars above and beyond the standard definition movie without any overt digital handiwork. The grain level of the source material is noticeably preserved, especially in this film where many of the settings are illuminated by candlelight or flames, the facial close-ups are striking in their detail, and the sprawling plethora of colors and objects jumps out at the viewer, especially during the elaborate Christmas celebration setting of the first third of the film.

Fanny and Alexander showcases Bergman's trademark style of cinema that illuminates the big questions and fundamental frailties of human life while still requiring us to leave our sense of realism at the door. This coming-of-age story mostly seen through the eyes of Alexander, can be interpreted either as the character's memory of childhood where the supernatural events fill in the forgotten gaps in the same way that unreliable witnesses can fill in the gaps of memory when reporting an accident to a police officer, or as a straightforward storyline from the world of the year, 1907, where superstition and science still went hand-in-hand when the answers to society's questions reached limitations from both standpoints. The film can be seen as Bergman's ode to childhood, as Bergman's observations on the different "roles" that we are forced to act at various stages of our lives, or as Bergman's love letter to filmmakers, actors, and theater. However one prefers to approach Fanny and Alexander, the film works, and it works wondrously well.

The full television version spans over five hours without a single wasted second, and many a viewer will take even longer to go through the film because virtually every still frame begs for the pause button so that one can be mesmerized by the sheer amount of attention to detail.

The supplements disc takes us through a feature-length making-of, and a lovingly-crafted look back on the movie from many of the principle actors and crew.

Thanks for posting this! It's a great read. Back into the queue goes my SD copy on my shelf (I'll just pretend I'm not wearing my glasses and it'll look GREAT!)

Originally Posted by brandon_260

I 100% understand finding women attractive, I know there are tons of women in films that I find beautiful, but if that is your only inspiration behind watching a movie, you're really doing it for the wrong reason.

Many men are pigs. Many of those are stupid pigs. The Internet is lots of bacon bits, pink slime and horse meat. At least online people frequently reveal their true nature through pseudonymous rambles and you don't have to care who washes their hands after using the bathroom.

Sincerely,
Pretentious Misanthrope

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Monsieur Verdoux Blu-ray REVIEW

Thanks Pro-B!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Many men are pigs. Many of those are stupid pigs. The Internet is lots of bacon bits, pink slime and horse meat. At least online people frequently reveal their true nature through pseudonymous rambles and you don't have to care who washes their hands after using the bathroom.

Sincerely,
Pretentious Misanthrope

I think the most ridiculous example of this on the site was someone commenting on Rooney Mara's "hotness" in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.: