The Criterion Collection

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

So if Time Bandits is re-entering the collection, could titles from the same distributor Withnail & I, How to Get Ahead in Advertising, The Long Good Friday, or Mona Lisa re-enter as well?

That would explain how most of Handmade Films ended up in the Criterion catalog, but looks like Life of Brian is still staying safely at Sony.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

He does a lot of mainstream studio movies, which gives him greater opportunity to make more independent, personal projects. Which makes his body of work a very interesting an diverse mix, to say the least.

He's kinda like today's version of John Sayles, who would write-for-hire on movies like Alligator and Battle Beyond the Stars in order to fund his own indie movies.

Which reminds me...we need us some John Sayles in the Collection...

[aes3728]

I plan on picking up Scanners during the sale. I've never seen it, but have heard it talked about enough by people to give it a blind buy. I was wondering if I should pick up any more Cronenberg or not. I have seen The Brood, The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises. Didnt know if Videodrome or Naked Lunch were worth a pickup during the sale or not.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by aes3728

I plan on picking up Scanners during the sale. I've never seen it, but have heard it talked about enough by people to give it a blind buy. I was wondering if I should pick up any more Cronenberg or not. I have seen The Brood, The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises. Didnt know if Videodrome or Naked Lunch were worth a pickup during the sale or not.

I love Videodrome, I haven't watched in a while but I think I prefer it to Scanners - Scanners is a good film to sit back and watch - it has some really strong parts but also has some weak parts.

I love the concept behind it and the story, I don't regret buying and you get a nice package - also you get Cronenberg's first film on Scanners as a supplement

[Polaroid]

A Hard Days Night is on TV in UK, just catching the end... going to watch and see who it is and see if I like it...

The Black and White is gorgeous though.

I do like the focus on audiences reaction, how obsessed and crazy they are going - I find that stuff fascinating, and do love films that revolve around obsession...

Really loving and digging the camera angles and the way its filmed so much energy - really tempted to buy this now just from this last 10 minutes, just not keen on The Beatles side of it :/ but I am sold on the cinematography and the themes I caught at end.

[StLouisRibs]

The last ten minutes aren't really representative of the rest of the film - it turns into a pretty regular concert-style film where they reprise most of the musical numbers from earlier in the film...

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

The last ten minutes aren't really representative of the rest of the film - it turns into a pretty regular concert-style film where they reprise most of the musical numbers from earlier in the film...

Ah really? Whats the rest of the film like? Does it use the same camera angles and such throughout and focus on the audiences reaction to them etc? Wish I knew it was cause i'd have watched from start >.<

[StLouisRibs]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Ah really? Whats the res of the film like? Does it use the same camera angles and such throughout and focus on the audiences reaction to them etc? Wish I knew it was cause i'd have watched from start >.<

Truth be told I was surprised how little music there was in it when I watched it last week; it's mostly an amusing comedy with maybe a musical number (a few of which much like the end concert) every ten-fifteen minutes or so, climaxing with a big concert moment. I was expecting it to be like Mamma Mia or that ilk where it's clearly the music first and a hackneyed story later but it's generally much more responsibly and rationally embedded into the plot. I'd be hard to believe anybody wouldn't enjoy the film but no, it's not exactly Citizen Kane.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Truth be told I was surprised how little music there was in it when I watched it last week; it's mostly an amusing comedy with maybe a musical number (a few of which much like the end concert) every ten-fifteen minutes or so, climaxing with a big concert moment. I was expecting it to be like Mamma Mia or that ilk where it's clearly the music first and a hackneyed story later but it's generally much more responsibly and rationally embedded into the plot. I'd be hard to believe anybody wouldn't enjoy the film but no, it's not exactly Citizen Kane.

Thanks - feel better the music isn't in your face, think ill try watch online and see =] I did love the final 10 mins though.

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I get free shipping as a member. However as a member you get an extra 10% in stores only. The Barnes and Noble by me is always very well stocked. I've never not found what I was looking for in terms of Criterions in 6 years.

Actually I am surprised they no longer give a discount for online. I used to be a member but dropped it when I started being a NOOK Book users. I was not getting a discount on books and it was no longer getting enough of a discount to justify the membership. I have only been to B&N BM once in the last 20 years.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

The last ten minutes aren't really representative of the rest of the film - it turns into a pretty regular concert-style film where they reprise most of the musical numbers from earlier in the film...

The climactic "She Loves You", which decade-captured, for nice, content, mainstream 60's grownup audiences at the time, just how much frenzied, teary-eyed, screaming MANIA was in Beatlemania, was sort of the movie's point--about how the four just wanted to have fun but kept trying to escape their fame--which is why Lester saved it for last.
Americans wouldn't get their first look until Ed Sullivan, and even then, that didn't have the movie's quick-cutting, in-the-audience sense of youthful frenzy.

The fact that it was mostly filmed with real London concert-fan teenagers as extras makes it that much more startling. (And no, I can't spot which one was Phil Collins.)

Besides, everything in the early 60's was B/W.
We can be glad Ted Turner never got his hands on the movie:

[Show spoiler]

Beatles movie "A Hard Day's Night" COLOURIZATION - "Tell Me Why" now in COLOR! - YouTube

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by EricJ

The climactic "She Loves You", which decade-captured, for nice, content, mainstream 60's grownup audiences at the time, just how much frenzied, teary-eyed, screaming MANIA was in Beatlemania, was sort of the movie's point--about how the four just wanted to have fun but kept trying to escape their fame--which is why Lester saved it for last.
Americans wouldn't get their first look until Ed Sullivan, and even then, that didn't have the movie's quick-cutting, in-the-audience sense of youthful frenzy.

The fact that it was mostly filmed with real London concert-fan teenagers as extras makes it that much more startling. (And no, I can't spot which one was Phil Collins.)

It is a repeat with 1D though - I watched a documentary about it and the girls are really scary, what they think and what they actually do - its shocking how a boyband can have that effect on people.

It's nice to be passionate but obsessive and creepy :/.. no.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by aes3728

I plan on picking up Scanners during the sale. I've never seen it, but have heard it talked about enough by people to give it a blind buy. I was wondering if I should pick up any more Cronenberg or not. I have seen The Brood, The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises. Didnt know if Videodrome or Naked Lunch were worth a pickup during the sale or not.

Videodrome is a pretty safe blind buy, it's quite a hypnotic film, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Naked Lunch is a bit more bizarre, but certainly interesting, I would recommend a rental to make sure you like it first.

[bluesparrow]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Which reminds me...we need us some John Sayles in the Collection...

Definitely. Lone Star would make a great addition, especially with the resurgence of Matthew McConaughey as a serious actor. He was very good in the smallish role he had in this. Men With Guns was another minor classic from Sayles around that time.

Originally Posted by aes3728

I plan on picking up Scanners during the sale. I've never seen it, but have heard it talked about enough by people to give it a blind buy. I was wondering if I should pick up any more Cronenberg or not. I have seen The Brood, The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises. Didnt know if Videodrome or Naked Lunch were worth a pickup during the sale or not.

I love Scanners but it has a big stumbling block in the monotone performance of the lead actor. Videodrome and Naked Lunch are easily stranger in terms of storyline and visuals but they're home runs as far as I'm concerned. Two of my three favorite Cronenberg films, along with The Dead Zone(which I would LOVE to see from Criterion).

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bluesparrow

Definitely. Lone Star would make a great addition, especially with the resurgence of Matthew McConaughey as a serious actor. He was very good in the smallish role he had in this. Men With Guns was another minor classic from Sayles around that time.



I love Scanners but it has a big stumbling block in the monotone performance of the lead actor. Videodrome and Naked Lunch are easily stranger in terms of storyline and visuals but they're home runs as far as I'm concerned. Two of my three favorite Cronenberg films, along with The Dead Zone(which I would LOVE to see from Criterion).

I didn't feel that about the lead but I did read he wasn't an actor so makes sense if he wasn't perfect

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by bluesparrow

I love Scanners but it has a big stumbling block in the monotone performance of the lead actor. Videodrome and Naked Lunch are easily stranger in terms of storyline and visuals but they're home runs as far as I'm concerned. Two of my three favorite Cronenberg films, along with The Dead Zone(which I would LOVE to see from Criterion).

This bothered me when I first watched it, but considering the character and his powers, it kind of makes sense that he'd be devoid of any personality.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Monty70

I was wondering what Criterion BD's that have purchased as blind buys have turned out to be your favorites.

Mine would be the following...

Pale Flower
Emberto D.
White Material
Vengeance is Mine
Revanche
and
Marketa Lazarova

I wanted to watch more Japanese noir-ish stuff after the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse set, and I picked up Pale Flower as a blind buy. Pretty blown away by so much in the film--the beauty of it, the acting, the script, the cinematography. And there's a bedrock existentialism in the film that feels right out of Antonioni. I've plugged it to most everyone I know who'll listen and even given it as a birthday present (lol....Happy Birthday,

[Show spoiler]give up and die

!). Guess I'm such a fan because I completely didn't expect it. It's one of my favorite Criterions.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by aes3728

I plan on picking up Scanners during the sale. I've never seen it, but have heard it talked about enough by people to give it a blind buy. I was wondering if I should pick up any more Cronenberg or not. I have seen The Brood, The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises. Didnt know if Videodrome or Naked Lunch were worth a pickup during the sale or not.

The Brood is my favorite wacky Cronenberg film, followed by Scanners and eXistenZ. I actually rewatched Scanners a month or so ago to see if I liked it as much as I did on my first watch, and unfortunately I didn't.

If you're a fan of The Brood and The Fly, then I don't see why you shouldn't pick up Scanners. The same goes for the rest (which I'm honestly not crazy about either).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by RojD

I wanted to watch more Japanese noir-ish stuff after the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse set, and I picked up Pale Flower as a blind buy. Pretty blown away by so much in the film--the beauty of it, the acting, the script, the cinematography. And there's a bedrock existentialism in the film that feels right out of Antonioni. I've plugged it to most everyone I know who'll listen and even given it as a birthday present (lol....Happy Birthday,

[Show spoiler]give up and die

!). Guess I'm such a fan because I completely didn't expect it. It's one of my favorite Criterions.

A film that was like that for me was Twilight Samurai, which I'd caught on Netflix. I expected to like it, as Netflix is scarily accurate in how they think I'll like a given film, but I also expected it to be a fairly typical samurai film. It was anything but.

[jhiggy23]

Just watched Mulholland Drive for the first time. Good film. I subscribe to the

[Show spoiler]theory that the majority of the film is Diane's "dream," which seems to be the most widely held view. I think it makes the most sense factually and thematically. However, I also agree with most critics' belief that there is not a definitive interpretation because there are a lot of loose ends, likely due in part to it being an abandoned tv show.

That being said, I don't understand the effusive praise. While a very good and interesting film, I certainly don't think it's an all-time great.