The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Excellent view! Since The Cure is my all-time favorite band, I'm a big fan of the deep cut album tracks and obscure B-sides along with the hits. Last night's setlist had some obscure songs ("Stop Dead", a B-side, for example.) that the band had not played in decades. It's fun to see Robert Smith keeping things interesting by resurrecting unlikely songs, because most longtime bands stick to the same 15-20 "greatest hits" songs during every tour.

All time Favorite Band? I hope you don't hate me for questioning the writing talents of Robert Smith It's been a while since I've trekked outside their mid to late 80s oeuvre, but I now feel obligated to give the material that lies outside this period (especially the stuff the made after Wish) another shot. I too like the "deep cuts" more and I kind of detest Robert Smith's quirks in those up tempo songs--the funky off-kilter arrangements and shrieks really put me off. They're at their best doing extended atmospheric songs (that is why I love Disintegration more than any other album of theirs). I mean, songs like Pictures of You could go on for another twenty minutes and I wouldn't be the wiser--it always puts me in a trance.

Do you own the Trilogy Concert BluRay? It's pretty terrific!

To bring this back to Criterion, I ADORE all of their music related releases and secretly hope for the announcement of more every 15th. My personal favorite is Quadrophenia!

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My corrected copy of White has "Second Printing" on the disc by the run time.

Thanks for the info Great Owl!! I'll check it out when I get home.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by sc1957

How dusty was the box? The thickness of the dust layer is a clue to its age.

Wasn't too bad.. but had it shipped so Best Buy could've wiped it down first.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

All time Favorite Band? I hope you don't hate me for questioning the writing talents of Robert Smith It's been a while since I've trekked outside their mid to late 80s oeuvre, but I now feel obligated to give the material that lies outside this period (especially the stuff the made after Wish) another shot. I too like the "deep cuts" more and I kind of detest Robert Smith's quirks in those up tempo songs--the funky off-kilter arrangements and shrieks really put me off. They're at their best doing extended atmospheric songs (that is why I love Disintegration more than any other album of theirs). I mean, songs like Pictures of You could go on for another twenty minutes and I wouldn't be the wiser--it always puts me in a trance.

Do you own the Trilogy Concert BluRay? It's pretty terrific!

I am a music-first/lyrics-second type of guy, and I always have been. This is why I prefer bands like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Joy Division, or New Order over artists like Bob Dylan or Paul Simon. It's all about the overall sound for me, and I love the fascinating textures that Robert Smith's songs bring into the fold.

My all-time favorite song is The Cure's "A Forest", although the lyrics are simple and non-revelatory, because the minimalist textures of the song convey a wonderful mood.

Robert Smith's "injured puppy dog" voice throws a lot of people off, but the vocals are conducive to the overall effect in a way that I like.

I used to own the Trilogy DVD, in addition to a few other Cure concert DVDs. I eventually sold them, because I found that I rarely revisit concerts on my television. Trilogy is pretty awesome, though.

[repulsed]

just had my first viewing of The Red Shoes
so glad i am so weak when it comes to blind buys
or i wouldn't have picked it up this last B&N sale
that cover just wouldn't leave me alone

and i must say i am very much looking forward to Black Narcissus
and Colonel Blimp. The Red Shoes was unbelievable

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by repulsed

just had my first viewing of The Red Shoes
so glad i am so weak when it comes to blind buys
or i wouldn't have picked it up this last B&N sale
that cover just wouldn't leave me alone

and i must say i am very much looking forward to Black Narcissus
and Colonel Blimp. The Red Shoes was unbelievable

I'm glad that you enjoyed The Red Shoes.

Of the three Powell/Pressburger films that I own (The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes), The Red Shoes is my least favorite of the three by small margin. All three films get five-star ratings from me, though, and it just goes to show the brilliance of this filmmaking team.

My preference for the other two films is mainly due to the subject matter, because I liked the stories better with those two, but I do love how The Red Shoes is beautiful and haunting in equal measures. It's one that I'll be revisiting frequently by way of the Criterion Blu-rays.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I am a music-first/lyrics-second type of guy, and I always have been. This is why I prefer bands like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Joy Division, or New Order over artists like Bob Dylan or Paul Simon. It's all about the overall sound for me, and I love the fascinating textures that Robert Smith's songs bring into the fold.

My all-time favorite song is The Cure's "A Forest", although the lyrics are simple and non-revelatory, because the minimalist textures of the song convey a wonderful mood.

Robert Smith's "injured puppy dog" voice throws a lot of people off, but the vocals are conducive to the overall effect in a way that I like.

I used to own the Trilogy DVD, in addition to a few other Cure concert DVDs. I eventually sold them, because I found that I rarely revisit concerts on my television. Trilogy is pretty awesome, though.

Before I respond let me just tell you about something I found hilarious. It was evident that some young gentlemen just used the concert as an excuse to scam on the cute emo (still a term?) chicks. First, they pester those girls with their overbearing presence, then they start waving their nachos in the air as if they were shooing away flies. I was scared that one particular girl would get cheese dropped on her black outfit. They were way, way too into some of those songs in a real phony way.

I too prefer the overall package generally, but eventually I do make my way past it and I start internalizing/making sense of the lyrics. This is why Aimee Mann's Bachelor No. 2 is my favorite album of all time: the surface is very easy to get into, but after several dozen listens, the meanings to the lyrics bubble to the surface, and I am only in more adoration of her heart-on-a-sleeve, witty style.

I guess you could say I am the same with my my movies too. For example, I love Antonioni dearly, but I must admit the surfaces are the main draw for me. Identification of a Woman may be a terribly shallow movie, but I am still a viewing or two away from figuring that out. I am under too deep a trance to fully analyze the work.

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I decided to revisit my Blu-ray of The Night of the Hunter earlier tonight. I love this movie, and I never seem to tire of it. It's such an odd slice of Americana with powerful and symbolic visuals all the way through.

A lot of these older noir-edged films are not Halloween movies, per se, but the visuals are eternally haunting.

I feel exactly the same about this one. Night of the Hunter is one of my favorite Criterion titles. There is just something about it that keeps me coming back.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I too prefer the overall package generally, but eventually I do make my way past it and I start internalizing/making sense of the lyrics. This is why Aimee Mann's Bachelor No. 2 is my favorite album of all time: the surface is very easy to get into, but after several dozen listens, the meanings to the lyrics bubble to the surface, and I am only in more adoration of her heart-on-a-sleeve, witty style.

I guess you could say I am the same with my my movies too. For example, I love Antonioni dearly, but I must admit the surfaces are the main draw for me. Identification of a Woman may be a terribly shallow movie, but I am still a viewing or two away from figuring that out. I am under too deep a trance to fully analyze the work.

Aimee Mann is quite incredible. Her music is my favorite aspect of Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, and that effect carried over well when I saw the movie at the theater many years ago. I prefer her work with 'Til Tuesday over her solo stuff, but only by slim margin.

Many of my movies are generous on atmosphere and light on story, and Le Samouraï is a fine example.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I feel exactly the same about this one. Night of the Hunter is one of my favorite Criterion titles. There is just something about it that keeps me coming back.

I like the way that The Night of the Hunter combines film noir story elements with a surreal fairy tale imagery and even a Mark Twain Huckleberry Finn aspect to a certain degree. The religious symbolism in many of the images is incredible as well (the crucifix of the basement boards, etc.). I always have a big smile on my face after the movie is over.

[SammyJankis]

What is your avatar from, Owl?

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Aimee Mann is quite incredible. Her music is my favorite aspect of Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, and that effect carried over well when I saw the movie at the theater many years ago. I prefer her work with 'Til Tuesday over her solo stuff, but only by slim margin.

Many of my movies are generous on atmosphere and light on story, and Le Samouraï is a fine example.

I think Welcome Home and Everything's Different are close to perfect records. On the topic of Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann called me "crazy for requesting a song that's like ten years old" when I suggested "Rip in Heaven". I nearly had a heart attack!

Speaking of PTA, would you be in favor of a Hard Eight release?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

What is your avatar from, Owl?

My avatar is from The Vanishing (Spoorloos), which can be found on Criterion DVD, and it is the first of many aggressive tactics that I will utilize to inspire them to release a Blu-ray upgrade.





I revisited The Vanishing last week, because it's one of my Top Ten Criterion titles, and because it's the best movie to ring in the Halloween season. If you've never seen it before, then I guarantee that you will like it enough to add to a list of favorites.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My avatar is from The Vanishing (Spoorloos), which can be found on Criterion DVD, and it is the first of many aggressive tactics that I will utilize to inspire them to release a Blu-ray upgrade.



I revisited The Vanishing last week, because it's one of my Top Ten Criterion titles, and because it's the best movie to ring in the Halloween season. If you've never seen it before, then I guarantee that you will like it enough to add to a list of favorites.

Ah, that's right. I should have known. I've seen it before. Tried to find a copy at my library for Halloween but no dice.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Speaking of PTA, would you be in favor of a Hard Eight release?

I have not seen Hard Eight, but the premise gives me the impression that I would warm up to it more than I've warmed up to Paul Thomas Anderson's other movies. I have mixed feelings about Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood, but I do love the director's talent for creating white-knuckle tension at the drop of a hat just by way of sheer camera work and dialogue.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have not seen Hard Eight, but the premise gives me the impression that I would warm up to it more than I've warmed up to Paul Thomas Anderson's other movies. I have mixed feelings about Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood, but I do love the director's talent for creating white-knuckle tension at the drop of a hat just by way of sheer camera work and dialogue.

Yeah, it's a completely different animal compared to those three. I would love to read your take on not only that one, but The Master if chance permits.

[UncleBuckWild]

Originally Posted by Snicket

Hey Criterion fans, I just read that Kumar Pallana (known for his various roles in the films of Wes Anderson) has passed away. Sad news.

"Best play ever man."

That's sad to know... Kumar was brilliant in Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums and most notably The Terminal... i'll miss his comical antics.

[GentleGiant]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My avatar is from The Vanishing (Spoorloos), which can be found on Criterion DVD, and it is the first of many aggressive tactics that I will utilize to inspire them to release a Blu-ray upgrade.





I revisited The Vanishing last week, because it's one of my Top Ten Criterion titles, and because it's the best movie to ring in the Halloween season. If you've never seen it before, then I guarantee that you will like it enough to add to a list of favorites.

I have it, really a great film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Yeah, it's a completely different animal compared to those three. I would love to read your take on not only that one, but The Master if chance permits.

The Master is one that my eyes have always sort of glazed over, but I'll get around to seeing it one of these days.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My avatar is from The Vanishing (Spoorloos), which can be found on Criterion DVD, and it is the first of many aggressive tactics that I will utilize to inspire them to release a Blu-ray upgrade.


I revisited The Vanishing last week, because it's one of my Top Ten Criterion titles, and because it's the best movie to ring in the Halloween season. If you've never seen it before, then I guarantee that you will like it enough to add to a list of favorites.

I'd really like to see this movie.. I know that some on this thread have expressed their dislike for it, but Amazon Instant Video seems to be the only way to go.

I read yesterday that this director recently patched up the remaining 20% of "Dark Blood" which was to be River Phoenix's last movie. Entire scenes that were to include Phoenix were not yet filmed and Sluizer added a voice over narration so that the story would be coherent. I wouldn't guess that this film will be getting a theatrical release although I like cinematic oddities like this one and River Phoenix was an amazing actor.