The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by oildude

You just got four outstanding films. I am glad you pulled the trigger on Rapture. The "best never-heard-of-it" blind buy I ever made (or semi-blind buy - I watched just enough of it on youtube to know I wanted it).

Here my thoughts about it that I wrote awhile back. It would have made an outstanding entry in the Criterion Collection.

[Show spoiler]Rapture is a fantastic film. Except for occasional brief visits to network TV over the years, it has been relegated to vault status since its release in 1965. Such a shame, because the film is a real gem and deserves to be seen. It is emotionally compelling, fantastically acted, well written, with absolutely beautiful music and cinematography. I have never seen rocky beaches and coastlines look so stunning in black and white. The film is a showcase for Cinemascope in all its glory. Fox has finally given it the home video treatment it deserves, and for me it is the standout film among all of Twilight Time's releases.

The story is as brooding and ominous as the storm shrouded Breton coast, almost neo-gothic in tone, building suspense because the viewer is never quite sure what is going to happen. There is redemption and sacrifice like in many great films, and scenes that are truly memorable for their tender and moving portrayal of loneliness and despair. And yet, in its heart of darkness, there is a love of life in Rapture that beats joyously loud. The actors are all superb; Patricia Gozzi shows a range of ability rarely seen in a young star. This is an unforgettable film, and it will stay with you after watching it. I can see why the director John Guillermin considers this to be his finest work.

While watching Rapture, I thought about some of the taboo elements in the movie that would make it impossible to be made today with the same level of honesty and intensity (at least in the US). The emotionally fragile teenage girl becoming aware of her sexuality, combined with the uncertainty of whether she is mentally disturbed or merely developmentally delayed and emotionally immature due to being ill-used by callous adults, makes Rapture both a dark fairy tale and a gently uplifting coming of age story.

I don’t know quite what to compare it to, it is a unique film. I think if someone likes Hitchcock and Bergman, they will like Rapture. It also reminded me of elements of early Polanski, specifically Repulsion.

And good-luck on your marathon.

Thanks! Your review was actually one of the factors in my decision to pull the trigger on Rapture. I went back and read the earlier thread about the movie's release, and all of that.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Randyman94

How is The Seventh Seal? Looks very dark and eerie, just the way I like.

I wrote a couple of words about The Seventh Seal the other day in this post, after I revisited the movie (and saw it on Blu-ray for the first time at long last).

My reaction is probably a bit different than most, due to the circumstances described in my post.

It's an outstanding Criterion title, though, and a truly mystical film.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Thanks! Your review was actually one of the factors in my decision to pull the trigger on Rapture. I went back and read the earlier thread about the movie's release, and all of that.

I really want to see Rapture, but lately I'm feeling too anti-TT to want to give it a chance.

[RandyK]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I wrote a couple of words about The Seventh Seal the other day in this post, after I revisited the movie (and saw it on Blu-ray for the first time at long last).

My reaction is probably a bit different than most, due to the circumstances described in my post.

It's an outstanding Criterion title, though, and a truly mystical film.

Nice little review Owl.

There are just so many titles that look interesting to me that I want to buy and see for the first time. (All of my Criterions are blind buys.)

I'm going to Frys tomorrow since they have the BOGO 50% off and I know I want The Blob and I'm having trouble picking out just one other title. I wish I could buy them all!

[pro-bassoonist]

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[pro-bassoonist]

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[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I really want to see Rapture, but lately I'm feeling too anti-TT to want to give it a chance.

I understand.

I've been bristling a little bit lately while I've been reading about the recent purchases in this forum over the past couple of weeks. I wish that Twilight Time would suddenly announce unlimited pressings of Christine, just so everyone who purchased multiple copies can get burned. I have no desire to purchase that particular movie myself, but it's just general principle.

This is not necessarily an anti-Twilight Time sentiment, but their marketing system is conducive to scalpers.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

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Pro-B

Thanks! Looking forward to A Man Escaped.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I understand.

I've been bristling a little bit lately while I've been reading about the recent purchases in this forum over the past couple of weeks. I wish that Twilight Time would suddenly announce unlimited pressings of Christine, just so everyone who purchased multiple copies can get burned. I have no desire to purchase that particular movie myself, but it's just general principle.

This is not necessarily an anti-Twilight Time sentiment, but their marketing system is conducive to scalpers.

It's just a lot of things that I won't get too into-- it's that, plus their treatment of customers (calling customers spoiled, threatening to remove the item limit...)...just not making me want to buy from them again.

I actually did get a copy of Christine... I ordered it during the rush. Never seen the whole film, actually....only seen the first half before, which I did like. Haven't even opened it, as I don't think I want to keep it any more after being really turned off by it from everything recently.

[Scottie]

Finally finished Gomorrah.

I really enjoyed it. It was a great look at the crime in Italy from various walks of life.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It's just a lot of things that I won't get too into-- it's that, plus their treatment of customers (calling customers spoiled, threatening to remove the item limit...)...just not making me want to buy from them again.

I actually did get a copy of Christine... I ordered it during the rush. Never seen the whole film, actually....only seen the first half before, which I did like. Haven't even opened it, as I don't think I want to keep it any more after being really turned off by it from everything recently.

Funnily enough, I did not order The Big Heat and Rapture directly from Screen Archives Entertainment. Instead, I ordered from Amazon.com with SAE as the third-party provider. The total prices, including shipping, were slightly cheaper than ordering from the SAE website, and they arrived three days after I ordered them. It was painless to order that way, since Amazon already has my card, and I wanted a way of recourse just in case something went wrong.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Finally finished Gomorrah.

I really enjoyed it. It was a great look at the crime in Italy from various walks of life.

This is one, like Carlos, is a movie that intrigues me, but it'll be a while before I get around to purchasing a copy. I'll probably go through that "recently-produced epic crime/underworld movie" frame of mind at some point in the future and grab those flicks, though.

[Snicket]

I also watched The New World today, I am pretty sure this was my first ever Malick film that I saw, but it's hard to say as I don't quite remember.

This time around the score really struck me, it's really powerful and very moving. I do agree with Great Owl that this is probably my least favorite Malick but it's still an A+. I still don't own this on blu because I have the vain hope Criterion will get to it.

Very excited for To The Wonder now. As a big Malick fan I am ashamed to admit I have never seen one of his films on the theatre, (although I only had the opportunity to see Tree of Life, I was much too young for Thin Red Line) To The Wonder will definitely be my first.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Very excited for To The Wonder now. As a big Malick fan I am ashamed to admit I have never seen one of his films on the theatre, (although I only had the opportunity to see Tree of Life, I was much too young for Thin Red Line) To The Wonder will definitely be my first.

I am really looking forward to To the Wonder, and it will be the first 2013 movie that I go to the theater to see. I know nothing whatsoever about the premise of the movie, except that it stars my favorite current actress (Olga Kurylenko) and that it was directed by Malick. That's probably the best way to approach a Malick film.

I saw The Thin Red Line at the theater in 1999, and loved it, although my friends who went with me all hated it. Everyone was big on Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, since it came out months earlier, so The Thin Red Line did not reverberate with a lot of people. The movie really blew me away, though, and I was a Malick fan for life right off the bat.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I also watched The New World today, I am pretty sure this was my first ever Malick film that I saw, but it's hard to say as I don't quite remember.

This time around the score really struck me, it's really powerful and very moving. I do agree with Great Owl that this is probably my least favorite Malick but it's still an A+. I still don't own this on blu because I have the vain hope Criterion will get to it.

Very excited for To The Wonder now. As a big Malick fan I am ashamed to admit I have never seen one of his films on the theatre, (although I only had the opportunity to see Tree of Life, I was much too young for Thin Red Line) To The Wonder will definitely be my first.

I still have to watch The New World. It's the only Malick film besides Badlands that I haven't seen. Maybe a double feature session will be in order this Tuesday.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I still have to watch The New World. It's the only Malick film besides Badlands that I haven't seen. Maybe a double feature session will be in order this Tuesday.

Two first-time viewings of Terrence Malick films in one day is a tall order.

I would have to sit down to one Malick film without the computer, the iPhone, or any other distraction, and then savor the flavor for a day or so before watching the next one.

I've seen The New World about a dozen times before, but I still wanted absolute commitment to the movie last night.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

It's just a lot of things that I won't get too into-- it's that, plus their treatment of customers (calling customers spoiled, threatening to remove the item limit...)...just not making me want to buy from them again.

I actually did get a copy of Christine... I ordered it during the rush. Never seen the whole film, actually....only seen the first half before, which I did like. Haven't even opened it, as I don't think I want to keep it any more after being really turned off by it from everything recently.

I am glad that I am not the only one with the same sentiment. I cancelled my Big Heat order due to this debacle with TT/SA. I stated my position, in a polite way, in The Christine tread till the point where my posts were deleted by the moderator.

This new marketing scheme of limited release will only hinder the accessibility of obscure films, I have hopes that it will fade away. It will only cause grief to the film aficionado and make the scalpers happy.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Two first-time viewings of Terrence Malick films in one day is a tall order.

I would have to sit down to one Malick film without the computer, the iPhone, or any other distraction, and then savor the flavor for a day or so before watching the next one.

I've seen The New World about a dozen times before, but I still wanted absolute commitment to the movie last night.

I watched The Thin Red Line followed by The Tree Of Life a couple months ago.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Two first-time viewings of Terrence Malick films in one day is a tall order.

I think Eric Roberts said it best in The Dark Knight: Have you met this guy???

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am glad that I am not the only one with the same sentiment. I cancelled my Big Heat order due to this debacle with TT/SA. I stated my position, in a polite way, in The Christine tread till the point where my posts were deleted by the moderator.

This new marketing scheme of limited release will only hinder the accessibility of obscure films, I have hopes that it will fade away. It will only cause grief to the film aficionado and make the scalpers happy.

You're not the only one. I voiced my opinions on the thread too, but that discussion goes nowhere.