The Criterion Collection

[SlickDamian]

So sad about Robin Williams.

He was fantastic in Insomnia, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings, etc. But my favorite role of his was in One Hour Photo. That is a great film, anchored by a brilliant performance by Williams.
I have yet to see Dead Poet's Society or The Fisher King, but I will see them soon in honor of him.
He was also brilliant in Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, Jumanji, The Birdcage, Good Morning Vietnam,...

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Notice something? These were all serious roles for him.

I just keep thinking about how my brother and I used to annoy our parents by trying to sit upside down on the sofa like Robin Williams did in Mork & Mindy.

I've been meaning to pick up Dead Poets Society on Blu-ray, because that's still my favorite Robin Williams flick. The movie seems so old hat these days, but it was quite amazing when I saw it at the theater the summer before my senior year of high school back in 1989.

[SammyJankis]

I'm not sure if it's his best performance, but his work in Awakenings deserves to be mentioned. There isn't a trace of his schtick, and he manages to come out on top in a film where De Niro was still trying. It's good stuff and it hits hard.

RIP

[jw007]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I'm not sure if it's his best performance, but his work in Awakenings deserves to be mentioned. There isn't a trace of his schtick, and he manages to come out on top in a film where De Niro was still trying. It's good stuff and it hits hard.

RIP

Awakenings is still my favorite film starring Robin Williams. His character was oozing moral goodness and its a rare movie in general. I wish this was in the Criterion Collection, because its a wonderful, wonderful film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I'm not sure if it's his best performance, but his work in Awakenings deserves to be mentioned. There isn't a trace of his schtick, and he manages to come out on top in a film where De Niro was still trying. It's good stuff and it hits hard.

Awakenings really packed an emotional gut punch when I saw it at the theater during my freshman year of college.


Of course, as a runner, I think of the positive stuff that Robin Williams did with the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

[Show spoiler]

[starman15317]

I haven't seen all of his big films, but I loved him in Good Will Hunting. I've been thinking of picking this up recently too.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Non-Criterion related, but R.I.P. Robin Williams.

He was such a great actor and I am absolutely sick to my stomach.

http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/11/robin-...mmits-suicide/

For the record, it isn't completely non-Criterion related. They released The Fisher King on laserdisc.

I was in shock when my wife called out from the other room to tell me. We still have the finale of The Crazy Ones sitting on our DVR, and it's going to be hard to watch now.

[aes3728]

Only thing I could think about Robin Williams' passing was this line from Watchmen:

"But doctor I am Pagliacci."

RIP

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

And it was my post, last week, regarding Insomnia where I mentioned just how good Robin Williams is in the remake of Insomnia, compared to the villain in the original Insomnia. I guess now we should all go back and watch that movie again to appreciate just how good Williams was.

My favorite films starring Robin Williams were in this order:

1. Awakenings
2. Good Will Hunting
3. Dead Poets Society
4. One Hour Photo
5. The Fisher King
6. Good Morning Vietnam
7. Insomnia

Notice something? These were all serious roles for him.

He also did a terrific turn in the second season premiere episode of Homicide: Life in the Streets as the husband of a shooting victim. I also loved his brief appearance in the thriller Dead Again.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Non-Criterion related, but R.I.P. Robin Williams.

He was such a great actor and I am absolutely sick to my stomach.

http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/11/robin-...mmits-suicide/

OMG! This is the first I've heard of this. So, so sad. I'm shocked.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

Me too. I really love that film and it makes me sad that it gets such a bad wrap.
Might even watch it today.

Popeye is one of the great examples of how to channel Williams' ad-libs for an actual purpose--
The whole point was getting Williams to imitate Jack Mercer's Robin-Williams-like ad-libs from the 30's cartoons, and it was perfect synergy.

(Can't recall whether it was planned or not, but the scene where Popeye's reading the note left with baby Swee'pea, and the baby unexpectedly babbles "Ba-ba", Williams ad-libs "Yeah, you're a 'baby', says right here...", in Mercer's own delivery.
It was one of those great tailored castings you could never hope to duplicate.)

[jlk5844]

Not to continue to derail the thread, but I was saddened and shocked to hear the news of Mr. Williams' passing. I grew up with Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Flubber, and I saw Robots, RV, Night at the Museum 1 & 2, and later in my teenage years, I witnessed his dramatic work including Insomnia, and as of this year, One Hour Photo. The more family and comedy-oriented material was good fun, but the serious performances of his were a revelation to me. He was a truly great actor, and apparently a smart, kind man. And yes, I still need to see Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society.

I just discovered these today, but here are some wonderful quotes from the guy, some funny, some fascinating:

http://elitedaily.com/entertainment/...quotes/705991/

[jedidarrick]

Hopefully Criterion will release The Fisher King on a special edition Blu-ray in the near future in honor of Robin Williams. Just watched that movie and thought that he was great in it (and I also love Gilliam's films).
Not expecting it right away (the next Gilliam to get a Criterion will be Time Bandits), but I would love to see Criterion give this film the treatment that it deserves. They seem to be on good terms with Sony right now, with The Big Chill recently out and Tootsie on the way.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by aes3728

Only thing I could think about Robin Williams' passing was this line from Watchmen:

"But doctor I am Pagliacci."

RIP

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[ShellOilJunior]

Who could forget Williams in this role?

[Show spoiler]

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by jedidarrick

Hopefully Criterion will release The Fisher King on a special edition Blu-ray in the near future in honor of Robin Williams. Just watched that movie and thought that he was great in it (and I also love Gilliam's films).
Not expecting it right away (the next Gilliam to get a Criterion will be Time Bandits), but I would love to see Criterion give this film the treatment that it deserves. They seem to be on good terms with Sony right now, with The Big Chill recently out and Tootsie on the way.

I love The Fisher King, but I would prefer a Criterion of The World According to Garp.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jedidarrick

Hopefully Criterion will release The Fisher King on a special edition Blu-ray in the near future in honor of Robin Williams. Just watched that movie and thought that he was great in it (and I also love Gilliam's films).
Not expecting it right away (the next Gilliam to get a Criterion will be Time Bandits), but I would love to see Criterion give this film the treatment that it deserves. They seem to be on good terms with Sony right now, with The Big Chill recently out and Tootsie on the way.

Fisher King is already out on Blu, so I don't see Criterion doing Fisher King any time soon. My vote would go to Popeye. While it has its flaws, it also has moments of brilliance and creates a whole world complete with characters and atmosphere. It's a Paramount title, though, so maybe not. I'm still dreaming of McCabe and Mrs. Miller. Maybe both?

[monorail91]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Criterion Blu-ray of Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, and it's a solid step up from my old Criterion DVD in terms of video quality and, especially, audio quality.

Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast does not get a lot of discussion in this thread, but it's a fascinating movie in so many ways. First of all, the movie has some of the best makeup effects that I've ever seen in cinema, probably second only to the work of Jack Pierce with the original Universal Monsters. The visuals of the supernatural effects in the castle of the Beast are spectacular, and I enjoyed particularly enjoyed the sights of the statues come to life. The controversial ending, a special Cocteau touch, gives the movie a bittersweet edge that I've always appreciated.

I'm too lazy to write a second long-winded User Review after doing so for Judex earlier today, but I enthusiastically recommend Beauty and the Beast for anyone on the fence.

It's one of my favorites in the collection! It has a beautiful, magical quality that you very rarely see in live-action film.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by monorail91

It's one of my favorites in the collection! It has a beautiful, magical quality that you very rarely see in live-action film.

Mine too. I listed it in this thread as one of my most rewatched. A wonderful, beautiful film.

[jlk5844]

I know this has come up before, but I kind of want to get a consensus going, what track for Beauty and the Beast would you guys recommend choosing for a first time viewing? The theatrical or the Glass score?