The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'll own The Caine Mutiny at some point. It's a great film, although not quite on the level of the above-mentioned Bogart offerings.

Years ago, back in the early 1990s, I was raving to my brother about how A Few Good Men, starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, was one of the best movies that I had ever seen. My brother just laughed and told me to rent The Caine Mutiny. After I saw The Caine Mutiny, I pretty much forgot all about A Few Good Men.

Did he tell you "You want the truth...Caine Mutiny is a better film."

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Did he tell you "You want the truth...Caine Mutiny is a better film."

No. He asked me nicely.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

High Sierra is very underrated too!

Those scenes with Willie Best destroyed whatever enthusiasm I could have for this picture. Time to take a shower!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

Those scenes with Willie Best destroyed whatever enthusiasm I could have for this picture. Time to take a shower!

Which scenes?

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by octagon

It has competition this week...

[Show spoiler]

Not to mention the NBA playoffs....I pray for a Kings/Ducks freeway series.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Which scenes?

His scenes were a splinter in my eye.

The High Sierra experience is somewhat lessened by the inclusion of an awfully racist stereotype of a black man, Algernon (he was all but eating watermelon.) Even though it's not cut from the same masterpiece fabric that Casablanca and Treasure were, High Sierra is still highly entertaining cinema.

If that doesn't ring any bells, it may be that it has been a while since you watched it.

[Kyle15]

I'm still bummed that I didn't grab The Third Man back when I could at Barnes & Noble. Didn't know it would leap THAT high in price. Well, I learned my lesson; while I can I need to hop on an OOP Criterion if I really want it just in case!

One of two local B&N stores claimed to have Last Year at Marienbad. So I finally decided to bite the bullet before it was too late. SUCCESS! The online inventory was right. And apparently this one has been sitting in the store since '09. Probably the same one I'd pick-up and look at every now and then debating whether to buy during a 50% off sale or not.

Best pick-up in a LONG time to say the least!

(And of course, sorry for the bad cell pic. Best I could do.)

[Scottie]

Wim Wenders' 1987 fantasy film, Wings of Desire, follows the story of two angels experiencing the world from the outside. Damiel (portrayed by Bruno Ganz) longs to be mortal so that he can finally experience the world for himself, and not through the mortals' shoes. Cassiel (portrayed by Otto Sanders), while still intrigued by what it would be like to experience the world as a mortal, seems more hesitant to give up his wings so easily. Everything changes for Damiel when he meets Marion, a circus performer, and his desire to become human is greater than ever.

What I enjoyed the most about this film was the use of colors. The angels, who have existed before Berlin was even a city, view the world in black and white. This could be due to them not experiencing any emotion or feelings and not knowing what anything stands for. On the other hand, the mortals view the world in color. I thought the film was also a good example of Berlin's history. We see how it started off as nothing and became something.

Am I the only one who felt as if the old man wandering around and trying to figure out what the world has become was a fallen angel, as well?

Overall, there was great acting and a memorable performance by Peter Falk. While not my favorite film by any means, it was still interesting and very unique.

[The Great Owl]

Good thoughts on Wings of Desire, iScottie!

I finished revisiting Hitchcock's Notorious, and it's quite amazing on Blu-ray, even if Criterion is no longer at the helm. Instead of going straight to Rebecca and Spellbound, though, I'm going to save those for this weekend.

Right now, I'm watching Videodrome. I cannot get over how much better this Blu-ray looks than my old DVD, although some things are more painful to see in high definition. Needles, ear piercings, argh.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

I'm still bummed that I didn't grab The Third Man back when I could at Barnes & Noble. Didn't know it would leap THAT high in price. Well, I learned my lesson; while I can I need to hop on an OOP Criterion if I really want it just in case!

One of two local B&N stores claimed to have Last Year at Marienbad. So I finally decided to bite the bullet before it was too late. SUCCESS! The online inventory was right. And apparently this one has been sitting in the store since '09. Probably the same one I'd pick-up and look at every now and then debating whether to buy during a 50% off sale or not.

Best pick-up in a LONG time to say the least!

(And of course, sorry for the bad cell pic. Best I could do.)

That copy hasn't been in stock since 09. B&N lists the release date of an item on their sale tag, in this case June 2009 when the Marienbad Blu was released.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Good thoughts on Wings of Desire, iScottie!

I finished revisiting Hitchcock's Notorious, and it's quite amazing on Blu-ray, even if Criterion is no longer at the helm. Instead of going straight to Rebecca and Spellbound, though, I'm going to save those for this weekend.

Right now, I'm watching Videodrome. I cannot get over how much better this Blu-ray looks than my old DVD, although some things are more painful to see in high definition. Needles, ear piercings, argh.

Thanks! I'm excited to dig into my Notorious, Rebecca, and Spellbound films soon.

Also, Videodrome was quite an interesting experience. The Blu-ray is phenomenal.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

His scenes were a splinter in my eye.



If that doesn't ring any bells, it may be that it has been a while since you watched it.

It's ringing a few bells, does he help him in the final extravagant shoot out? Or do they just buddy up on the road? (Yes, it's been awhile)

I remember having a few minor quibbles with it, but overall it was a highly entertaining genrebending noir.

[tonylopez]

I finally watched THE TREE OF LIFE today.
Wow. I had to let this film settle. I do love Malick's films and I've read a lot of everyone's comments on this forum on the movie. As it started, the disc suggests to turn up the volume and I did. A lot. The film began and I was not ready to be so emotionally pulled into this. This moving poem of life, love, loss and the moments of simplicity in all our lives that are burned into our very brain. The scene of the birth of the universe, life begins, and I had a feeling of euphoria I felt years ago when I first experienced 2001: A Space Odyssey (my personal favorite film). The film is just visually stunning as is expected from Malick, but my personal being was changed by this film. By the end, the final moments of wandering, searching for ones self, endings, what does this life all mean, I found myself walking with them. I felt lost, wondering lifes big questions. Missing my lost loved ones. Granted, I brought my own personal baggage to the film but I was crying and truly moved by the ending.
THE TREE OF LIFE is a fantastic, moving film that I will return to frequently with new eyes and for that I am truly greatful to Mr. Terence Malick for.

[Kyle15]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

That copy hasn't been in stock since 09. B&N lists the release date of an item on their sale tag, in this case June 2009 when the Marienbad Blu was released.

Ahhhhhhh, okay then. Either way no one bought it before me and that's what counts!

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by tonylopez

I finally watched THE TREE OF LIFE today.
Wow. I had to let this film settle. I do love Malick's films and I've read a lot of everyone's comments on this forum on the movie. As it started, the disc suggests to turn up the volume and I did. A lot. The film began and I was not ready to be so emotionally pulled into this. This moving poem of life, love, loss and the moments of simplicity in all our lives that are burned into our very brain. The scene of the birth of the universe, life begins, and I had a feeling of euphoria I felt years ago when I first experienced 2001: A Space Odyssey (my personal favorite film). The film is just visually stunning as is expected from Malick, but my personal being was changed by this film. By the end, the final moments of wandering, searching for ones self, endings, what does this life all mean, I found myself walking with them. I felt lost, wondering lifes big questions. Missing my lost loved ones. Granted, I brought my own personal baggage to the film but I was crying and truly moved by the ending.
THE TREE OF LIFE is a fantastic, moving film that I will return to frequently with new eyes and for that I am truly greatful to Mr. Terence Malick for.

Nice thoughts! It has been playing on cable a lot recently and I find myself getting pulled back in every time.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

High Sierra is very underrated too!

I say Warner or whoever releases a nice Bogey set like that of Marilyn Monroe.

Apropos of nothing, I watched Colorado Territory the other night, essentially a (pretty good) western remake of High Sierra, with Joel McCrea and Virginia Mayo. Excuse the terrible pun, but Virginia Mayo is delicious!! mmmm

[LUX43]

Something to maybe check out --

Just found The Darjeeling Limited blu-ray at walmart for $3 clearance. The back paper info card was all wrinkled and the "Director Approved" sticker was half ripped off. Once I took the plastic wrap off and re-aligned the artwork it looks about mint. Couldn't believe the price.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by LUX43

Something to maybe check out --

Just found The Darjeeling Limited blu-ray at walmart for $3 clearance. The back paper info card was all wrinkled and the "Director Approved" sticker was half ripped off. Once I took the plastic wrap off and re-aligned the artwork it looks about mint. Couldn't believe the price.

That...may be the luckiest find ever, it has to be some kind of bizarre fluke as I do not believe Wal-Mart ever carried Criterions.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Snicket

That...may be the luckiest find ever, it has to be some kind of bizarre fluke as I do not believe Wal-Mart ever carried Criterions.

Ours carries The Makioka Sisters (DVD only). It's in a section labeled Asian Cinema next to one called Local (Hawaiian) Interest. It's the only one I've seen.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by tonylopez

I finally watched THE TREE OF LIFE today.
Wow. I had to let this film settle. I do love Malick's films and I've read a lot of everyone's comments on this forum on the movie. As it started, the disc suggests to turn up the volume and I did. A lot. The film began and I was not ready to be so emotionally pulled into this. This moving poem of life, love, loss and the moments of simplicity in all our lives that are burned into our very brain. The scene of the birth of the universe, life begins, and I had a feeling of euphoria I felt years ago when I first experienced 2001: A Space Odyssey (my personal favorite film). The film is just visually stunning as is expected from Malick, but my personal being was changed by this film. By the end, the final moments of wandering, searching for ones self, endings, what does this life all mean, I found myself walking with them. I felt lost, wondering lifes big questions. Missing my lost loved ones. Granted, I brought my own personal baggage to the film but I was crying and truly moved by the ending.
THE TREE OF LIFE is a fantastic, moving film that I will return to frequently with new eyes and for that I am truly greatful to Mr. Terence Malick for.

Great post. I also thought of 2001: A Space Odyssey when I saw The Tree of Life for the first time. Like Kubrick, Terrence Malick took a swing for the fences with an all-encompassing film, and he admirably succeeded.