The Criterion Collection

[joie]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Late reply was swamped this weekend... Thanks to the members who helped Afew pages back on the Godard Contept discussion to pick the CC version over the Canal blu. I guess ill bite the bullet and buy the more expensive one. Ill take expensive over crap picture quality anyday.

Crap, crappier, crappiest. Not saying which you bought.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Yami

It was only after his death that I discovered Ruiz was a Professor of Film and Modern Thought at my local university. I gather he only taught part-time but it would have been nice to attend one of his talks.

WOW! I am really sorry that you didn't find out sooner. I'm sure the man was a genius, and hence, a great resource.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Thanks for sharing that! Your review pretty much confirms what my spider sense was telling me about this flick.

Owl, it's worth seeing for sure, but I would wager that a perceptive viewer such as yourself would be consistently rolling his eyes during the second half. It's a big mixed bag.

[Snicket]

I started watching The Ice Storm today, its a rainy day out so I figured it was fitting.

I am surprised by how many name actors Lee was able to get at such a young age, almost everyone went on to have a respectable career.

I love the 70s grime that is persistent throughout, the god awful act deco, ugly sweaters (seriously, the sweater budget had to have been through the roof) and the taboo sexual awakening by both the young and old.

It has a very American Beauty vibe thus far, excited to finish it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't think that all hope is lost, but I definitely get what you're saying above.

The trailer for the new movie, Prisoners, looked right up my alley. Most of the reviews for the film are favorable, but several trusted review sites indicate that the film drops the ball pretty badly in the last half. It's too bad, because this sort of thing is par for course now. There are so many 2013 movies that look incredible at first, but my spider sense is triggered by a few red flags when I do a little bit of research online. I was thinking of checking Prisoners out this weekend, but I'm more fired up about watching Blu-rays here.

Not all hope is lost but for the majority of major Hollywood blockbusters, 95% of them are not all that substantial. Every now and then there is a really well-scripted blockbuster film but seriously, its rare. Name a few off the top of your head in the last 5 years that are blockbusters with GREAT scripts?

It's true that big isn't always better.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by CriterionJunkie

Yes, I'm completely on the same page as you regarding the state of the movies made today as compared to then. As I was watching High and Low, the way Kurosawa composed, shot and edited his shots it was his understanding of the craft that made the end result of that movie very dramatic and thrilling. It's not even an action movie but, yet, you continually watch the characters go from one event to the next. It kept me on the edge of my seat! And that is something I don't really feel when I watch a overblown, CG fest of a movie today.

As you said, movies today are so over saturated with CG on each frame that the audiences have become so accustomed to it they already know and become so disconnected from it. We're not as immersed into movies as we used to because of that. In fact, sometimes when I watch movies with no CG and it's just a straight, by-the-numbers script, it's sad to see/hear audiences react like it's never been done before. I hate to sound like I'm a snob about it, I'm not. I just think after watching so much movies, I'd like to know that I'd like films to stimulate and draw me in where I forget I'm watching a movie.

I also love Malick! I know he's been criticized of late for his last two films, but I really enjoyed them and I can see where he was going with them. It's a different approach to filmmaking and I love that. It's not as straight forward as most movies sure, but (for me anyway) it adds to the repeated viewing because I've always got a different interpretation of his film or I'll pick up something I didn't catch before.

I agree with everything you wrote here.

It's okay to be a snob. Actually we shouldn't call ourselves snobs, but rather scholars or intellectuals, because we've been exposed to some very superior and advanced films compared to the masses who just go to see a movie for entertainment. Is it not okay to want cinema to also be a transcending experience as opposed to just popcorn thrills? I sure believe in the power of cinema, because as a filmmaker, I've experienced firsthand some short films and trailers I made myself that "moved me". A lot of people want eye candy but I want brain candy, and brain candy can be just as addictive as eye candy (if you just want to keep learning and learning). There just are people who are not on the level of others, as snobby as that sounds, its true. It's even more true if those people are close-minded to experiencing "advanced cinema" if all they seek is style over substance. The great thing is, anyone can make a movie, and that allows some people with great minds to fulfill their passions with all this technology we have today.

[jw007]

Well, I used my 20% coupon today and bought Slacker! I also was given the "99 reasons" DVD along with it (though initially they forgot to give me a copy (and I forgot too), and then 2 min. later I went back into the store and asked for it).

Came out to $30 or so with member discount and 20% coupon.

I don't mind paying more because this is one of my favorite films and I will be watching this many more times in the future.

Great Owl, it is truly funny and ironic that we both bought Slacker in the store with our 20% coupons (mainly for the quality of the condition of the digipack).

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I love the 70s grime that is persistent throughout...ugly sweaters (seriously, the sweater budget had to have been through the roof)

The macrame sweater dresses were a smile. I don't recall if they made a big deal about platform footwear for men/boys, may have been a bit early for that. The mid-70's were a trip, nowhere near a craptastic as what followed, unfortunately, except for fashions which generally improved.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't think that all hope is lost, but I definitely get what you're saying above.

The trailer for the new movie, Prisoners, looked right up my alley. Most of the reviews for the film are favorable, but several trusted review sites indicate that the film drops the ball pretty badly in the last half. It's too bad, because this sort of thing is par for course now. There are so many 2013 movies that look incredible at first, but my spider sense is triggered by a few red flags when I do a little bit of research online. I was thinking of checking Prisoners out this weekend, but I'm more fired up about watching Blu-rays here.

See Prisoners ASAP, it's the greatest achievement in film that I have seen this year so far.

On a Criterion note, I am looking into picking up Seconds pretty soon, the premise and imagery that I have seen are extremely haunting.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

I agree with everything you wrote here.

It's okay to be a snob. Actually we shouldn't call ourselves snobs, but rather scholars or intellectuals, because we've been exposed to some very superior and advanced films compared to the masses who just go to see a movie for entertainment.

The Great Unwashed like good movies too., you know.

The masses lined up to see Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity. They loved The Godfather and Jaws and Goodfellas. And while a lot of intellectuals might look a little sideways at something like Rocky, the masses had that one dead right.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by Yami

It was only after his death that I discovered Ruiz was a Professor of Film and Modern Thought at my local university. I gather he only taught part-time but it would have been nice to attend one of his talks.

That's incredible, I had no idea. I was actually planning to go to Aberdeen as well for an Undergrad Film course. I've only seen two of his films so far, City of Pirates and The Territory, but they've both had a fair impact on me, so much so that I have an unopened copy of Night Across the Street staring me down as I type this.

[smoss469]

Why buy from BN when the Criterion sale should be here shortly? Could probably get it for $20 that way.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Why buy from BN when the Criterion sale should be here shortly? Could probably get it for $20 that way.

Coupon + sale at B&N is always cheaper than Criterion's sale. If you're a member, even more savings to be had.

[Abdrewes]

Couldn't help but think of this thread when I read this tweet:

@Glenn__Kenny: Aw look, Lena Dunham, seems like only yesterday I was chiding her about Nick Ray now she's at the Emmys and I'm still a complete loser

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Coupon + sale at B&N is always cheaper than Criterion's sale. If you're a member, even more savings to be had.

$30 after coupons and member discount? That's barely cheaper than the price on their site now though. Am I missing something? If there's some trick to get this stuff cheaper... clue me in please!

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Couldn't help but think of this thread when I read this tweet:

And now cue the flood of Dunham opinions...

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Snicket

And now cue the flood of Dunham opinions...

Forgive me Snicket, for I know not what I do

[morg999]

Originally Posted by smoss469

$30 after coupons and member discount? That's barely cheaper than the price on their site now though. Am I missing something? If there's some trick to get this stuff cheaper... clue me in please!

BN sale is 50% OFF + 10% OFF member discount in store.....$39.99 MSRP Criterions are $17.99. Got It now..?

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by smoss469

$30 after coupons and member discount? That's barely cheaper than the price on their site now though. Am I missing something? If there's some trick to get this stuff cheaper... clue me in please!

Sorry, I thought you meant during the B&N 50% off sales.

[brandon_260]

Does anyone know if Criterion has the rights to any of the other films in the MGM Bergman set? We know Persona is likely right around the corner, but I'm making my way through the other films right now. I would love to see Shame getting a nice HD release, it's one of Bergman's most visually satisfying works.