The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Omg me to!!!!!! I am so excited for A Voyage Of Time.

I loved the documentary A Brief History of Time, need to rewatch, it focuses more on Hawkins than the book theories though which was a bit disappointing but its was brilliant, really need to watch... might watch tonight actually

I really loved it though

Oh its on youtube if you want to watch:

A Brief History of Time - YouTube

OH and its scored by Philip Glass!!!!! I forgot !!!!

This documentary actually made me buy the book - have yet to read lol :P

Nice, thanks for that... is "A Voyage of Time" a new book by Hawking? I tried to do a Google search and found nothing...maybe you meant "Arrow of Time"?

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by Stig-Helmer

Haha yeah it will be interesting to watch it again, maybe I will feel the same thing too. BTW what do you think about other Godard movies like Breathless and Band of Outsiders?

I have mixed feelings about them. I remember liking Breathless but found Band of Outsiders to be pretty boring. However, I loved A Woman is a Woman and watched it a bunch of times, and I don't really like musicals. When I watched Pierrot le Fou I really enjoyed it, and felt that it was my favorite Godard movie. I recently rewatched it and it left me kind of cold. I'm not sure why, I was digging it up to a point where I just had no idea what was going on. When

[Show spoiler]Belmondo gets kidnapped and thrown into a bathtub I was just completely lost, like 'wtf is going on?'

I think my confusion bothered me more during my second viewing while the first time I was just going with the flow. I have been meaning to watch more Godard movies, but I think it's something you have to be in the mood for.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Nice, thanks for that... is "A Voyage of Time" a new book by Hawking? I tried to do a Google search and found nothing...maybe you meant "Arrow of Time"?

Nooo - It's Terrance Malick's new documentry/film - been years in making and will be close to his original idea 'Q'.

Meant to have been released this year but played till 2016 I think, its basically an exploration of the birth and death of the universe. If it is anything like the creation sequence from TTOL I will be extremely happy haha.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Interesting that TCM has included Fritz Lang's MINISTRY OF FEAR as one of the titles in their new "Dark Crimes, Volume 2" Vault Collection, which just began shipping. The Criterion edition was released just last year.

I've never seen it, and would be interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on the film itself, and Criterion's blu-ray edition ...

One of my first Criterion purchases and I watch it on a regular basis. It fits in quite well with CC releases like The 39 Steps, The Man Who Knew Too Much or Kiss Me Deadly.

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

whoa... easy, Scottie!

I think it's an amazing movie considering it's almost entirely contained on a small boat. No chance for any chases, crowd scenes or other intrigue like other Hitch films. I'd love to get a US BD release but it probably will be a while before that happens.

[dtyner92]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

Awesome right on just bought on my lunch break! Can't wait!! I love Malick style of film making... So much so I even thought there was something redeeming with Spring Breakers, The "I watched too many Malick movies, MTV and tmz so I'm gonna make a movie about nothing." Film lol

The film is a really treat. Enjoy! Let us know what you think of it, when you finish it. I happen to like Spring Breakers as well. A brilliant social commentary, in my opinion.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Nooo - It's Terrance Malick's new documentry/film - been years in making and will be close to his original idea 'Q'.

Meant to have been released this year but played till 2016 I think, its basically an exploration of the birth and death of the universe. If it is anything like the creation sequence from TTOL I will be extremely happy haha.

Wow, I am apparently not keeping up with Terrence Malick's latest ventures. He is sort of a "late bloomer" in terms of filmmaking I guess one can say. He waited until the time was right to make all these ambitious epic films, and the man is 70 years old now.

This has got to be the most ambitious project I've ever seen by any filmmaker, charting the creation and death of the universe. I mean, one just can't get any more ambitious than that. And Malick isn't pretentious, because, hell, the man is a senior citizen!

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I think it's an amazing movie considering it's almost entirely contained on a small boat. No chance for any chases, crowd scenes or other intrigue like other Hitch films. I'd love to get a US BD release but it probably will be a while before that happens.

in that regard, yes, I agree - the film is some kind of accomplishment, but "one of Hitchcock's masterpieces" is a bit of hyperbole, no?

truth be told, I need to see it again as my evaluation of some of Hitch's films have changed over the years. I really liked Rope the first time around, but found the whole gimmick of the unbroken shot to be well.... gimmicky. I'm very fond of Rear Window, but the single set concept is perhaps not something that I am a fan of, as I'd probably rank 5 Hitch films above Rear Window.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

I had my 3rd haul from B&N yesterday and bought 4 new Criterions:

Il Sorpasso
The Great Beauty
A Brief History of Time
Black Narcissus

I'll be interested to see what you think of Il Sorpasso. It's my second favorite Criterion title of the year so far, behind Ace in the Hole.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

Wow, I am apparently not keeping up with Terrence Malick's latest ventures. He is sort of a "late bloomer" in terms of filmmaking I guess one can say. He waited until the time was right to make all these ambitious epic films, and the man is 70 years old now.

This has got to be the most ambitious project I've ever seen by any filmmaker, charting the creation and death of the universe. I mean, one just can't get any more ambitious than that. And Malick isn't pretentious, because, hell, the man is a senior citizen!

He may be slow, but what he creates is incredible - he's not of everyone, and i get that but I don't understand how people call me pretensious?

I think he's been working on this long before The Tree of Life started, I think Tree of Life was a form of 'Q' but he continued to work on A Voyage of Time. Ah I can't wait haha.

I just find his films so tender and beautiful - there is so much emotion and power behind them and it just works so well, I also admire how he doesn't care what others think and doesn't read reviews - he makes the film HE wants and I really admire that.

But seriously, Lacrimosa put against those space images was just mind-blowing.

The screened a few minutes at Cannes to get buyers:

When he showed a few minutes of footage from “Voyage of Time” to a couple of dozen buyers, no press were allowed, and one person at the session says that even cellphones were confiscated before Malick showed up or the footage was shown.

Malick introduced the clips himself, surprising those who'd been invited by the Wild Bunch sales agents. The film purports to cover the history of the universe, and a buyer reported that the footage shown consisted of dazzling effects work and gorgeous shots of natural wonders ranging from landscapes to the human eyeball. Cate Blanchett supplied the narration.

Malick has reportedly been working on the film since the 1970s, and it sounds as if it might be the inspiration for the creation-of-the-universe sequence in “Tree of Life.”

So did he wow the crowd and land a deal? According to the buyer who was present, the footage was spectacular, but there probably wasn't enough of it to tempt anyone into making a substantial offer.

[SammyJankis]

Just watched Kiarostami's first feature, The Traveler (didn't realize this was an extra on Close-Up until earlier today.) It's really good for a debut picture. Scope is about what you'd expect and the portrayal of this selfish child hits the expected notes.

Makes me want more of his earlier work to be released by Criterion.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

in that regard, yes, I agree - the film is some kind of accomplishment, but "one of Hitchcock's masterpieces" is a bit of hyperbole, no?

truth be told, I need to see it again as my evaluation of some of Hitch's films have changed over the years. I really liked Rope the first time around, but found the whole gimmick of the unbroken shot to be well.... gimmicky. I'm very fond of Rear Window, but the single set concept is perhaps not something that I am a fan of, as I'd probably rank 5 Hitch films above Rear Window.

Rope has cuts in it, I think at the time it was made, they could only do takes of 10 minutes before they ran out of film. With a close eye you can see them but they're pretty subtle.

I love minimalist set movies, and by that I mean movies filmed in almost a single location. It really puts more emphasis on the plot and dialog vs scenery. If a film maker can make an engrossing film w/actual conflict in a single room? He's done something incredible.

Exam is a fantastic example of this and I've heard Carnage is amazing as well but I haven't checked it out yet. All Night Long from the Basil Dearden Eclipse set is in the same vein, while most of the action takes place in 1 place, it's a small warehouse type building where the bulk of the action takes place in 2 rooms.

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

L'Eclisse. It's apart of the trilogy and it's about as accessible as La Notte. I'd say it's better, and the ending is one of the greatest things of Antonioni's career. Plus, you know, Monica Vitti.

If you want to seek outside of Blu, I'd recommend the other film in the trilogy, L'Avventura. If you want to stick to Blu, go with Red Desert. It's my favorite of his, but it's not something I recommend for people just getting into Antonioni. You really have to be on his wavelength for this one.

Continuing on Antonioni. I'd love if Criterion acquired and restored to blu-ray Blow Up. I love that park sequence so much. It is, after all, the only Antonioni film Ingmar Bergman said was worth watching.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

He may be slow, but what he creates is incredible - he's not of everyone, and i get that but I don't understand how people call me pretensious?
:

really? you don't understand that? if ANY filmmaker could possibly be described as pretentious, you don't think that person could be Malick?

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

really? you don't understand that? if ANY filmmaker could possibly be described as pretentious, you don't think that person could be Malick?

Nope not really

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Rope has cuts in it, I think at the time it was made, they could only do takes of 10 minutes before they ran out of film. With a close eye you can see them but they're pretty subtle.

I love minimalist set movies, and by that I mean movies filmed in almost a single location. It really puts more emphasis on the plot and dialog vs scenery. If a film maker can make an engrossing film w/actual conflict in a single room? He's done something incredible..

again, I agree with your statement here that it is an accomplishment, but idk... it might as well be a stage play.

Hitch had the camera go to the back of a black suit jacket, (as one example) and then cut.. I think that late in the film, there is one regular cut.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'll be interested to see what you think of Il Sorpasso. It's my second favorite Criterion title of the year so far, behind Ace in the Hole.

I was on the fence about buying Il Sorpasso as a blind buy...but I did it anyway. I'm also not sure about Ace in the Hole as it seems like it is non-method acting which I'm not crazy about. The original trailer was a bit too desperate and flamboyant for me.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

really? you don't understand that? if ANY filmmaker could possibly be described as pretentious, you don't think that person could be Malick?

Quite the opposite, actually.

Malick might be a lot of things but insincere doesn't really seem to be one of them. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who lays out a film (or even a shot) thinking 'oh, man, they're going to wet themselves at Cannes over this one'.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

He may be slow, but what he creates is incredible - he's not of everyone, and i get that but I don't understand how people call me pretensious?

I think he's been working on this long before The Tree of Life started, I think Tree of Life was a form of 'Q' but he continued to work on A Voyage of Time. Ah I can't wait haha.

I just find his films so tender and beautiful - there is so much emotion and power behind them and it just works so well, I also admire how he doesn't care what others think and doesn't read reviews - he makes the film HE wants and I really admire that.

But seriously, Lacrimosa put against those space images was just mind-blowing.

The screened a few minutes at Cannes to get buyers:

It sounds almost like Malick is working on his own version of Baraka or Koyannisqatsi except of just beautiful images of the planet and nature and people, there will be a more spiritual message behind this.

Malick is pretty much one of my favorite directors, so anything he makes I consider gold nowadays. The Thin Red Line (and the New World) still stand as my favorite films of his because of their powerful messages.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

It sounds almost like Malick is working on his own version of Baraka or Koyannisqatsi except of just beautiful images of the planet and nature and people, there will be a more spiritual message behind this.

Malick is pretty much one of my favorite directors, so anything he makes I consider gold nowadays. The Thin Red Line (and the New World) still stand as my favorite films of his because of their powerful messages.

God - Malicks version of Koyaanisqatsi. YES PLEASE.

But seriously working on it since 1970's - he much really care about hit project and I bet it will show .

I wish we could get our hands on the extended versions of his films - and would love to buy/own the reels of film he didn't use and cut form he films! would be in heaven haha!

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

again, I agree with your statement here that it is an accomplishment, but idk... it might as well be a stage play.

Except I've never, and I do mean never, been remotely entertained by something I've seen on stage.