The Criterion Collection

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Rope - I didn't really enjoy this film. I've never been a big fan of one location films for the entire movie and I went into this film with high expectations. I understood the general plot of the film, but I thought it would have expanded far beyond the apartment building. It was a lot of dialogue and somebody like myself who wasn't really looking forward to that, especially tonight, it dragged on for me. I think the storyline was decent, with James Stewart getting into the minds of these two amateurs looking to pull off the perfect murder, but I wish there would have been more to it. From what I've read, there are a lot of homosexual undertones in the film, specifically between Brandon and Philip. They seemed a lot closer than friends, in my opinion, throughout the entire film. I also learned that both actors were gay in real life, as well as the composer and screenplay writing, if I recall correctly. I think it's neat that they touched on such a prominent topic nowadays in the 1940s.

I highly recommend watching it again when you are in a more receptive mood and know what you are getting into. It's one of his greatest films, IMO.

Also, as the movie is all a single shot (cheated a few times, but essentially a single shot) I'm surprised you thought it would go far beyond the apartment.

[spanky87]

Richard Linklater's TAPE is my favorite 'one location/real time' film. I think the film itself is worthy of the Criterion label, but it was shot on DV so the HD upgrade isn't that important. But they can make up for it in the supplements department.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

I highly recommend watching it again when you are in a more receptive mood and know what you are getting into. It's one of his greatest films, IMO.

Also, as the movie is all a single shot (cheated a few times, but essentially a single shot) I'm surprised you thought it would go far beyond the apartment.

Every time I watch Rope I just can't get over that fake cityscape out the window...I get completely distracted by it and I find myself staring at it rather than watching what's going on in the foreground. Hopefully it's not just me who does this

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Rope - I didn't really enjoy this film. I've never been a big fan of one location films for the entire movie and I went into this film with high expectations. I understood the general plot of the film, but I thought it would have expanded far beyond the apartment building. It was a lot of dialogue and somebody like myself who wasn't really looking forward to that, especially tonight, it dragged on for me. I think the storyline was decent, with James Stewart getting into the minds of these two amateurs looking to pull off the perfect murder, but I wish there would have been more to it. From what I've read, there are a lot of homosexual undertones in the film, specifically between Brandon and Philip. They seemed a lot closer than friends, in my opinion, throughout the entire film. I also learned that both actors were gay in real life, as well as the composer and screenplay writing, if I recall correctly. I think it's neat that they touched on such a prominent topic nowadays in the 1940s.

And was suspected of the real-life Leopold & Loeb, as well.
It's not a perfect play in its original source, and rather silly and corny in spots, but the whole show, like Dial M 3D, is watching Hitch push the tech boundaries in seeing how far he can put you "onstage" into the original Broadway play. That's about all it's got going for it, but with Stewart, it's enough.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Every time I watch Rope I just can't get over that fake cityscape out the window...I get completely distracted by it and I find myself staring at it rather than watching what's going on in the foreground. Hopefully it's not just me who does this

I actually find Hitchcock's stages very endearing.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Rope - I didn't really enjoy this film. I've never been a big fan of one location films for the entire movie and I went into this film with high expectations. I understood the general plot of the film, but I thought it would have expanded far beyond the apartment building. It was a lot of dialogue and somebody like myself who wasn't really looking forward to that, especially tonight, it dragged on for me. I think the storyline was decent, with James Stewart getting into the minds of these two amateurs looking to pull off the perfect murder, but I wish there would have been more to it. From what I've read, there are a lot of homosexual undertones in the film, specifically between Brandon and Philip. They seemed a lot closer than friends, in my opinion, throughout the entire film. I also learned that both actors were gay in real life, as well as the composer and screenplay writing, if I recall correctly. I think it's neat that they touched on such a prominent topic nowadays in the 1940s.

It's based on the real-life Leopold/Loeb case. That's why the homosexual undertones are there. Another top film based on the case is Compulsion with Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman as the murderers. It's a more traditional film culminating with their trial and being defended by Orson Welles. Great film but no Blu-ray. TCM shows it from time to time. Well worth catching.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

It's based on the real-life Leopold/Loeb case. That's why the homosexual undertones are there. Another top film based on the case is Compulsion with Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman as the murderers. It's a more traditional film culminating with their trial and being defended by Orson Welles. Great film but no Blu-ray. TCM shows it from time to time. Well worth catching.

Leopold and Loeb were a bunch of clowns who misread Nietzsche, and committed a horrendous murder. End of story.

I never understood the fascination with this crime.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by sc1957

There are too many films missing from your list. How about Laila, The Italian Straw Hat, The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Seven Chances, Spies, Woman in the Moon, Miss Mend, The Docks of New York, and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, just to name a few that are on my shelves...

You should take a look at the list of Top 100 Silent Films on the Silent Era website, which actually lists the top 300, voted on by site visitors. This list covers the entire era, from the 1890s into the 1930s.

Naturally, I couldn't fit them all, only 20 spots. I need to find a spot for Phantom and Caligari though.

You should post yours.

[Scottie]

What films out there are identical to Revanche?

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by iScottie

What films out there are identical to Revanche?

In terms of the minimalistic style and structure: The Return and Elena, both by the same director. The build-up is gradual, but they pack a hefty punch, and they stay with you long after the final frame.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

What films out there are identical to Revanche?

John Ford's The Quiet Man touches on similar themes. It's one of the best BluRay offerings by Olive Films.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

In terms of the minimalistic style and structure: The Return and Elena, both by the same director. The build-up is gradual, but they pack a hefty punch, and they stay with you long after the final frame.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

John Ford's The Quiet Man touches on similar themes. It's one of the best BluRay offerings by Olive Films.

Thanks, guys.

I think Revanche is one of the best films from the past decade or two and to this day, I still remember it. It packed a powerful punch for such minimal dialogue, but a very strong atmosphere.

I think I will watch it again this week.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Richard Linklater's TAPE is my favorite 'one location/real time' film. I think the film itself is worthy of the Criterion label, but it was shot on DV so the HD upgrade isn't that important. But they can make up for it in the supplements department.

I find myself in love with these sort of films. Obviously there's 12 Angry Men, Lifeboat, and if you stretch it, there's Dial M for Murder and Arsenic and Old Lace.

One of my recent favorites is Sunset Limited, based on the play by Cormac McCarthy. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

After that film, I will now watch anything McCarthy is even remotely involved in, and everything Tommy Lee Jones directs. Of course it helps that McCarthy wrote two of my favorite books (The Road and Blood Meridian), and Jones directed 3 Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about The Counselor and The Homesman.

[pro-bassoonist]

Medium Cool Blu-ray REVIEW

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Medium Cool Blu-ray REVIEW

...On the contrary, like John the viewer is pushed right in the middle of the chaos and then left alone to make sense of it. Something similar happens in Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days, but eventually all of the scattered pieces there are properly aligned.

You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention. This goes at the very top of my Criterion wish list.

Thanks for the review

[Jughead]

I just found out Last Year at Marienbad and Le Cercle Rouge went out of print When did that happen? Is there an easy way to stay on top of what has or is going out of print?

Also, any suggestions on places I can snag this locally in store? I check B&N's inventory but had no luck. I don't know why I didn't already own Le Cercle Rouge.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Jughead

I just found out Last Year at Marienbad and Le Cercle Rouge went out of print When did that happen? Is there an easy way to stay on top of what has or is going out of print?

Also, any suggestions on places I can snag this locally in store? I check B&N's inventory but had no luck. I don't know why I didn't already own Le Cercle Rouge.

"Like" the Criterion Collection page on Facebook if you are on Facebook. They send out frequent updates this way. The Criterion Collection site and the CriterionCast site are both good ways to keep updated as well.

This forum thread is great for finding out the latest news as soon as possible, even if things move pretty fast here from day to day.

I hope that you can find yourself a copy of Le Cercle Rouge, because it is a wonderful film.

[UNCMT9]

I'm a newbie on the Criterion forum, but I recently signed up for a 3 free month trial of Hulu Plus. I've been checking out a movie a day and just finished The 400 Blows. Incredible film. I'll check out Revanche a bit later tonight. Thanks to all those who make recommendations on this site.

[The Great Owl]

I watched Experiment in Terror last night, and I am quite impressed.

Seeing Glenn Ford in two movies over the past two days (The Big Heat and Experiment in Terror) makes me want to revisit 3:10 to Yuma sooner rather than later. Lee Remick is quite stunning in Experiment in Terror, and, if you liked her in the Criterion title, Anatomy of a Murder, then you'll like her even more in this film.

After I watch the Criterion Blu-ray of Sweet Smell of Success and my Blu-ray of the John Hughes film, Sixteen Candles, tonight, I'll be completely caught up. I cannot wait to see Sweet Smell of Success at long last, because everyone here has recommended it so much.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

After I watch the Criterion Blu-ray of Sweet Smell of Success and my Blu-ray of the John Hughes film, Sixteen Candles, tonight, I'll be completely caught up. I cannot wait to see Sweet Smell of Success at long last, because everyone here has recommended it so much.

I'm eager to hear your thoughts on Sweet Smell of Success.