The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Watching The Third Man now

Aaah you really need space to breathe. You're downing great films at such an alarming rate that there's not gonna be any more left to discover....I lied there's always something excellent to discover.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

An extensive featurette on Scarlett Johannson as well.

Really now

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Aaah you really need space to breathe. You're downing great films at such an alarming rate that there's not gonna be any more left to discover....I lied there's always something excellent to discover.

I figured I spent $170 on it over the summer so I should probably watch it sooner than later.

[Hawkguy]

I watched Following just now (it was sitting unwatched for a while). I went into it kind of biased (haven't liked any of Nolan's work)... but I found this really well made and often entertaining. Although I can't help but think that without the non-linear structure of the film, it's very straightforward... making it feel kind of 'gimmicky' to me. Anyone else have opinions?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Love The Tarkovsky classic, and really like the Soderbergh version (just saw Side Effects so I'm on a Soderbergh high, the first must see of 2013)

I think I'd like to see it after reading about it, even though I wasn't interested at all earlier. It's just that I find his films so inconsistent when it comes to what to expect from them, I wouldn't say I'm a fan but in this case the inconsistent quality each time might get me to like this one.

[Scottie]

Turned off The Third Man - I'm falling asleep and don't really want to miss anything.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I watched Following just now (it was sitting unwatched for a while). I went into it kind of biased (haven't liked any of Nolan's work)... but I found this really well made and often entertaining. Although I can't help but think that without the non-linear structure of the film, it's very straightforward... making it feel kind of 'gimmicky' to me. Anyone else have opinions?

I personally feel that the structure and some of the themes explored in Following were shaped better and explored further with Memento. You can tell it was the first film by Nolan and that he was still a new director. However, I found it entertaining for such a short film.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I think I'd like to see it after reading about it, even though I wasn't interested at all earlier. It's just that I find his films so inconsistent when it comes to what to expect from them, I wouldn't say I'm a fan but in this case the inconsistent quality each time might get me to like this one.

The only Soderbergh film I truly liked was Traffic. The Oceans films and Magic Mike were decent, but they weren't anything significantly impressive, in my opinion (although Magic Mike surprised me and was better than I expected). I was very disappointed with The Girlfriend Experience. Part of me liked it even though I think it was terrible. That's about all I've seen from him, though. I try to steer clear from his newer movies, especially, as I've heard a lot of terrible things about them, especially Haywire. Side Effects does look decent, though, and it has a pretty good cast, too.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I watched Following just now (it was sitting unwatched for a while). I went into it kind of biased (haven't liked any of Nolan's work)... but I found this really well made and often entertaining. Although I can't help but think that without the non-linear structure of the film, it's very straightforward... making it feel kind of 'gimmicky' to me. Anyone else have opinions?

Its been a while since ive seen it, but, It's certainly gimmicky and like his best work it's non linear and has a poor conveyance of time. The more linear his films are, the easier it is to notice the poor direction. You notice a myriad of issues: continuity errors, poor sense of geography & undisciplined montage among others. And yes your right, the pleasures of this film are strictly aesthetic, (ie the construction). He makes us work twice as hard for a pretty stock payoff.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Its been a while since ive seen it, but, It's certainly gimmicky and like his best work it's non linear and has a poor conveyance of time. The more linear his films are, the easier it is to notice the poor direction. You notice a myriad of issues: continuity errors, poor sense of geography & undisciplined montage among others. And yes your right, the pleasures of this film are strictly aesthetic, (ie the construction). He makes us work twice as hard for a pretty stock payoff.

Right. I meant well-made as in how it looks..... his storylines or direction never appeal to, or inspire me. I thought the exact same thing about Memento: the awfully straightforward-yet-gimmicy trick that makes it feel less enjoyable the more I think about it. I was worried nobody was going to agree or have any idea what I was talking about

Originally Posted by iScottie

I try to steer clear from his newer movies, especially, as I've heard a lot of terrible things about them, especially Haywire.

I've seen the newer ones, but have been really disappointed with them. Staying away from Haywire isn't such a bad idea, I saw it only because of the cast, but it just stayed on that same 'decent' level for me (the stylish-action-scenes were the decent part, to me)

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Turned off The Third Man - I'm falling asleep and don't really want to miss anything.



I personally feel that the structure and some of the themes explored in Following were shaped better and explored further with Memento. You can tell it was the first film by Nolan and that he was still a new director. However, I found it entertaining for such a short film.



The only Soderbergh film I truly liked was Traffic. The Oceans films and Magic Mike were decent, but they weren't anything significantly impressive, in my opinion (although Magic Mike surprised me and was better than I expected). I was very disappointed with The Girlfriend Experience. Part of me liked it even though I think it was terrible. That's about all I've seen from him, though. I try to steer clear from his newer movies, especially, as I've heard a lot of terrible things about them, especially Haywire. Side Effects does look decent, though, and it has a pretty good cast, too.

You're going to think I'm crazy but I think Girlfriend Experience is a total success. Its pretty genius in the ways Soderbergh relates his story of the call girl to the economic downturn, the substance is there, you just have to dig because he doesn't hold your hand. As a matter of fact, I think it's one of his more "heady" films.

Critics generally liked Haywire. If you understand it's an irreverent B movie that's in on the fun, you'll certainly like it.

You're really missing out as The Limey, Out of Sight, Sex Lies& Videotape, Che Pt. 1 are pretty accessible if you ask me.

I don't think I've ever seen an ill judged, witless Soderbergh film, well Full Frontal comes close but that's another story.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You're going to think I'm crazy but I think Girlfriend Experience is a total success. Its pretty genius in the ways Soderbergh relates his story of the call girl to the economic downturn, the substance is there, you just have to dig because he doesn't hold your hand. As a matter of fact, I think it's one of his more "heady" films.

Critics generally liked Haywire. If you understand it's an irreverent B movie that's in on the fun, you'll certainly like it.

You're really missing out as The Limey, Out of Sight, Sex Lies& Videotape, Che Pt. 1 are pretty accessible if you ask me.

I don't think I've ever seen an ill judged, witless Soderbergh film, well Full Frontal comes close but that's another story.

I definitely have a lot of mixed feelings about The Girlfriend Experience. I guess its biggest downfall is waiting for something to happen when nothing really does. If you get past that "where is it?" mentality, then I guess it's tolerable.

Speaking of Out Of Sight, I forgot about that film. It was one of the first films I saw when I started collecting DVDs and I really liked it. I need to watch Che when I have a lot of downtime, so hopefully some time in the near future. A lot of people rave about The Limey, but I've yet to see it.

I do have Sex, Lies, and Videotape so I may throw that in tomorrow. I'm trying to watch a lot of my blind buys to see if they're worth keeping or not (minus the Criterions), so I should probably start catching up on that.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Right. I meant well-made as in how it looks..... his storylines or direction never appeal to, or inspire me. I'm glad you feel the same way about some of that. I thought the exact same thing about Memento: the awfully straightforward-yet-gimmicy trick that makes it feel less enjoyable the more I think about it. I was worried nobody was going to agree or have any idea what I was talking about



I've seen the newer ones, but have been really disappointed with them. Staying away from Haywire isn't such a bad idea, I saw it only because of the cast, but it just stayed on that same 'decent' level for me (the stylish-action-scenes were the decent part, to me)

I've seen Memento only the once because the conclusion was way too "gimmicky." Actually, Memento is probably the first film as a young movie lover that I was able to see through the hollowness of the intriguing artifice.

I though Carano was electric. Its all about showcasing her physicality and Haywire did that in spades. Haywire had me laughing and wincing in all the right places whereas the Dark Kinght Rises only had me rolling my eyes at it's portentousness. It's as if his self seriousness is tethered to an exponential growth function.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I definitely have a lot of mixed feelings about The Girlfriend Experience. I guess its biggest downfall is waiting for something to happen when nothing really does. If you get past that "where is it?" mentality, then I guess it's tolerable.

Speaking of Out Of Sight, I forgot about that film. It was one of the first films I saw when I started collecting DVDs and I really liked it. I need to watch Che when I have a lot of downtime, so hopefully some time in the near future. A lot of people rave about The Limey, but I've yet to see it.

I do have Sex, Lies, and Videotape so I may throw that in tomorrow. I'm trying to watch a lot of my blind buys to see if they're worth keeping or not (minus the Criterions), so I should probably start catching up on that.

Girlfriend Experience is certainly not about plot at all nor did it ever claim to be. It was made in the early days of Digital Cinematography which allowed it to reveal the cold hard truth of Wall Street environs, weasly executives, and commerce.

The film is all about currency, the volatilty & dehumanizing nature of late capitalism. Everything is a commodity including sex. Saha Grey's cold matter of fact relationship to her business reveals what we don't want to see. It's not "entertaining" nor shoul it be, Soderbergh was working on the level of metaphor which only further reveals our soullessness during the time period

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've seen Memento only the once because the conclusion was way too "gimmicky." Actually, Memento is probably the first film as a young movie lover that I was able to see through the hollowness of the intriguing artifice.

I though Carano was electric. Its all about showcasing her physicality and Haywire did that in spades. Haywire had me laughing and wincing in all the right places whereas the Dark Kinght Rises only had me rolling my eyes at it's portentousness. It's as if his self seriousness is tethered to an exponential growth function.

I first saw it in school, where everyone else loved it. The more I've thought about it over the years, the more I've grown to dislike it.

Carano most certainly was--I may not have cared much about what was happening in the film, but she was a pleasure to watch, and such a surprise as well. I see so many complaints about her acting, but I find her acting totally appropriate for the type of film. I only blind-bought/saw the film for Fassbender (I knew his role was small, so that's not what disappointed me ), but it was worthwhile enough, while non-essential (to me).

I would totally take it over any Dark Knight film, though. I love that you mention the seriousness, because that's one of my main complaints about those films. There's no way I can take them seriously/realistically when they're...well...not.. I mean, c'mon...the general premise is just plain silly.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I first saw it in school, where everyone else loved it. The more I've thought about it over the years, the more I've grown to dislike it.

Carano most certainly was--I may not have cared much about what was happening in the film, but she was a pleasure to watch, and such a surprise as well. I see so many complaints about her acting, but I find her acting totally appropriate for the type of film. I only blind-bought/saw the film for Fassbender (I knew his role was small, so that's not what disappointed me ), but it was worthwhile enough, while non-essential (to me).

I would totally take it over any Dark Knight film, though. I love that you mention the seriousness, because that's one of my main complaints about those films. There's no way I can take them seriously/realistically when they're...well...not.. I mean, c'mon...the general premise is just plain silly.

I mean for Christ's sake it's a superhero flick, there can be no suspense because it has a predetermined outcome. All the moping is Zero-sum. Lighten up Bale, take a note from Adam West.

That's why I love (CC's very own) Guillermo Del Toro's Hellboy series. There's not a shred of selfseriousness and to the very least they are competently staged.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Re-watched the Soderbergh adaptation of Solaris on DVD last night and it's still an engrossing experience, one of the most ambitious Soderbergh projects and my favorite George Clooney performance till date. I do wish Criterion could have had a double-bill blu-ray set with this and the Tarkovsky film, since Fox themselves seem wholly uninterested in releasing this. Hell, I'd gladly fork up for a limited edition Twilight Time release of this (assuming they include the commentary track, didn't care for the other extras).

I love Soderbergh's version and actually prefer it to Tarkovsky's. Would love a Blu-ray!

[Snicket]

I just got home from seeing Side Effects...

If you love classic films I think you will really appreciate it, it's has a very familiar thoughtfulness in that respect. Very well made with excellent performances.

It's definitely worthy of attention.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I want Les Vampires. That series looks right up my alley.

You'll love On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Of all the Bond films, that is one that I could actually imagine getting Criterion treatment one day. It's a beautiful Fleming-faithful story that gets better with age. It also has one of the very best Bond girls. George Lazenby was so much better as Bond than most people give him credit for.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service has always been my favourite Bond film. I've been waiting awhile to see it in 1080p
Fighting words - my top three Bond films:
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Thunderball
Quantum of Solace

[metaridley]

Seven Samurai was great! Not sure if I'd watch it again anytime soon but definitely the best Kurosawa film I've seen yet. Toshiro Mifune was hilarious. Next up: High and Low.

Secret Sunshine was a typical Krazy Korean film. I find the histrionic acting and ridiculously over-the-top behavior/plot (though the latter was pretty straightforward here) of Korean cinema enjoyable, despite the fact that it leaves very little I'd sit through more than once. Don't get me wrong, it was a decent flick (although the ending was a little "meh") but I find myself laughing when I should be feeling the pain of the characters onscreen. Certainly an issue I have with most films from that country, although they still deliver roller coaster rides like no one else.

I've seen several more Criterion films lately (mostly but not exclusively Asian cinema) but I doubt I'll need to share my thoughts on every single one. Unless you guys want me too.

Originally Posted by drbikeshorts

On Her Majesty's Secret Service has always been my favourite Bond film. I've been waiting awhile to see it in 1080p
Fighting words - my top three Bond films:
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Thunderball
Quantum of Solace

Bah! Out of those three, I only enjoy OHMSS.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I also found The Island on Blu-ray today. This is, by far, my favorite Michael Bay movie. (Actually, it's the only Bay film that I would bother to own.)

It's too bad that Criterion released The Rock and Armageddon, but neglected Michael Bay's one remotely cerebral film by failing to pick up The Island as a title.
Criterion could do a superb job with this film. A two-disc, with The Island on disc one, and the 1970s film, The Clonus Horror, from which The Island was based. An extensive featurette on Scarlett Johannson as well.

EDIT: Of course, I know that this will never happen, but it's a fun thought.

The Rock is the only Michael Bay movie I'd give the time of day to. The one-two-three punch of Nic Cage, Sean Connery and Ed Harris simply can't be beat. I only saw The Island once, way back when it was still in theatres so it's not really fresh in my mind.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by octagon

You guys know it's not about vampires, right? I learned that the hard way.

It's still pretty good. Just no vampires.

Of course. It's the prequel to Olivier Assayas' Irma Vep
There's a film that desperately needs to be upgraded to blu-ray and definitely belongs in the Criterion Collection.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by metaridley

Secret Sunshine was a typical Krazy Korean film. I find the histrionic acting and ridiculously over-the-top behavior/plot (though the latter was pretty straightforward here) of Korean cinema enjoyable, despite the fact that it leaves very little I'd sit through more than once. Don't get me wrong, it was a decent flick (although the ending was a little "meh") but I find myself laughing when I should be feeling the pain of the characters onscreen. Certainly an issue I have with most films from that country, although they still deliver roller coaster rides like no one else.

I was really impressed with her acting--it was my favorite aspect of the film and the thing that made it memorable.