The Criterion Collection

[Snicket]

I sent in an e-mail last night to John asking if there was a chance of a Wendy And Lucy release in the future, got what I think is the usuall "not in the immediate future" response. At least It's on the radar now, the response was very prompt as well.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I think 2011 wasn't all that special. I mean, can you guys list some of your favorite films from that year because I'm not sure if I can even remember what came out.

Sure.

The Tree of Life
Certified Copy
A Separation
Take Shelter
Hugo
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Poetry
Shame

All films I'd consider to be great, and I'd say most of 'em are better than anything released in 2012, save for maybe one film.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I think 2011 wasn't all that special. I mean, can you guys list some of your favorite films from that year because I'm not sure if I can even remember what came out.

Here's a link to my mubi profile with my top 20s

Edit: correct link
http://mubi.com/users/4052242

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I'm with you on the Rings Trilogy. I'm not sure why Jackson is held in such esteem as a director. The films to me are grand spectacle. Linear plot movement, epic-speak, plenty of action and an abundance of medium shots. Jackson does a good job with the material, to be sure. I just won't confuse his direction with that of David Lean any time soon.

That's because Lean is, well, lean. There's enough space in his "epic" work, whether its the dramatic and character beats (helped no doubt by his work on making filmed versions of plays early on) or his less cluttered and more varied shots (helped no doubt by the limitations of the technology of his day) that the viewer (helped with an attention span) can be carried by -- rather than shoved by -- set pieces. But I'm being that get-off-my-lawn guy... again.

Spoilered to make it easier for folks to skip my increasingly non-CC-related Hobbitalk.

[Show spoiler]
I understand the visceral appeal of modern action (hey, I even own The Avengers) but Tolkien's work as I understand it is undercut by these modern tastes. And that's not to say Tolkien is a master writer and these books are Biblical in stature, but that they are well-crafted tales where characters and themes take precedent over action. No matter how many scenes of domestic bliss being disrupted are at the beginning, no matter the three or so shoe-horned moments (not scenes, there's a difference) indicating Baggins is growing as a character there may be, they are both minimized and buried by their perfunctory treatment.

Other than Smigel's scene the only other moment I got a whiff of genuine feeling was when Baggins was in his home and looking at his maps or what-have-you he conveyed without words hat he had the choice of armchair adventure or the real thing. Maybe I read into it too much, but for an instinctive moment I saw him transform from Tolkien writing his stories into Bilbo living them. I liked the moment in the cave where the guy with the Spinal Tap mustache talked with him privately... but it was too quickly usurped by the sliding down a ridiculous slide to their next peril. Another moment undercut.

[Noetic Hatter]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I feel as if I'm the only person who didn't really like Brazil.

I wasn't crazy about it. I appreciated the visual inventiveness and the social satire. But a little goes a long way, and my interest ended long before the movie did.

[ShellOilJunior]

Looking for Band of Outsiders Blu on Amazon?

http://www.amazon.com/Band-Outsiders...siders+blu-ray

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by metaridley

I think 2011 wasn't all that special. I mean, can you guys list some of your favorite films from that year because I'm not sure if I can even remember what came out.

I thought 2011 was about on a par with 2012, although it was the first time in many years I managed to see every Best Picture nominee before the Academy Awards (albeit most of them in early 2012 and two on Blu-ray rather than theatrically). I loved THE ARTIST, TREE OF LIFE, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, and HUGO. The other nominees were all pretty good (I'd rate THE DECENDENTS the least of the nine). SUPER 8 and RANGO were great fun, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, ANONYMOUS, and MELANCHOLIA were interesting, RIO was amusing, and COWBOYS & ALIENS was as entertaining as it needed to be for a popcorn flick. The American remake of GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO wasn't bad.

Overall, I probably liked as many or more 2012 pictures as 2011 pictures. There may never be another year like 1939, however, although 1999 was impressive and 1986 was another year with several outstanding titles.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Sure.

The Tree of Life
Certified Copy
A Separation
Take Shelter
Hugo
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Poetry
Shame

All films I'd consider to be great, and I'd say most of 'em are better than anything released in 2012, save for maybe one film.

I haven't seen Poetry or A Separation yet but yeah, all of those were solid.

I would add these to the very good to excellent list...
Melancholia
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Bellflower
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

And these were very well done and very enjoyable.
Midnight in Paris
Super 8
Hanna

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by octagon

I haven't seen Poetry or A Separation yet but yeah, all of those were solid.

Poetry is excellent (apparently the story is sourced from the same true story this the basis of A Mother).

It's on Netflix Instant, but only for a few more days. Folks who are curious should check it out.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by octagon

I haven't seen Poetry or A Separation yet but yeah, all of those were solid.

Those two were among the very best

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I feel as if I'm the only person who didn't really like Brazil.

Looks like your far from alone iScottie. I think I am like the 5th person to agree with you, just couldn't get into it.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Poetry is excellent (apparently the story is sourced from the same true story this the basis of A Mother).

It's on Netflix Instant, but only for a few more days. Folks who are curious should check it out.

Yes, POETRY is beautiful and touching, extremely powerful. I was lucky enough to get the Blu-ray for only $10 on one of Kino's periodic email sales and it was one of my all-time best blind-buys. I think it's actually a 2010 film, however, and may have premiered in the U.S. in 2011.

I still need to see A SEPARATION and a number of other acclaimed titles (too many classics and obscurities to catch up on with the past year's and ongoing onslaught of Blu-rays from Olive and Twilight Time).

[ShellOilJunior]

Poetry is great. I love Secret Sunshine, too. I hope Crit Co. gives us more from Lee.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Looks like your far from alone iScottie. I think I am like the 5th person to agree with you, just couldn't get into it.

This is crazy talk?!? See Gilliam's latest films ie Parnassus, brothers Bloom.. Now those aren't very good.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

This is crazy talk?!? See Gilliam's latest films ie Parnassus, brothers Bloom.. Now those aren't very good.

Brothers Grimm?

Brothers Bloom is Rian Johnson, isn't it?

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Going off the grid for a couple days for an out-of-town trip. I'm running a 50K race tomorrow on mountain trails with weather predictions of freezing temperatures and constant rain. I'll probably have dreams about Letter Never Sent or The Naked Prey tonight.

Good luck and do us all proud!!!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Yes, POETRY is beautiful and touching, extremely powerful. I was lucky enough to get the Blu-ray for only $10 on one of Kino's periodic email sales and it was one of my all-time best blind-buys. I think it's actually a 2010 film, however, and may have premiered in the U.S. in 2011.

I still need to see A SEPARATION and a number of other acclaimed titles (too many classics and obscurities to catch up on with the past year's and ongoing onslaught of Blu-rays from Olive and Twilight Time).

Release dates are tricky, i generally go with US release dates ir New York/LA/Chicago.

Re: A Separation, out of The hundred or so 2011 releases i saw, its My very favorite. Without a doubt, The very best screenplay of That year.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Brothers Grimm?

Brothers Bloom is Rian Johnson, isn't it?

Correct.

On the Waterfront just landed in my mailbox. I'll give everyone three guesses what I'll be watching this evening.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Brothers Grimm?

Brothers Bloom is Rian Johnson, isn't it?

Ugh, The Phone im uso ing is auto correcting every word, for give me. Yes, brothers griñón@$&@@$&@&$ grima&$@@@$&&GRIMM!!

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Monty70

Correct.

On the Waterfront just landed in my mailbox. I'll give everyone three guesses what I'll be watching this evening.

1) On the Waterfront in academy ratio
2) On the Waterfront in 1.66:1
3) On the Waterfront in 1.85:1