The Criterion Collection

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by retablo

I'm not a huge Fellini fan... maybe you should try La Strada, which is more "straightforward"? That's his best film IMO, before he went off the rails into his self-indulgences (just like Godard). I find both of their earlier works more rewarding because they are actually "about" something.

Wasn't La Strada rumored to come out this year in Blu via the newsletter?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

I can't remember if I read the book but I always found it odd they changed the name. I ordered it Have you seen the sequal?

I never did see the sequel. I've just always gone with the first movie. I owned it on DVD, and it was the only animated film that I prioritized getting on Blu-ray.

[metaridley]

Originally Posted by retablo

I'm not a huge Fellini fan... maybe you should try La Strada, which is more "straightforward"? That's his best film IMO, before he went off the rails into his self-indulgences (just like Godard). I find both of their earlier works more rewarding because they are actually "about" something.

Yeah I've only seen Amarcord and didn't like it much at all. His earlier works are probably better, like you said, but I'm still not eager to check them out anytime soon.

On another topic, my Criterion shipment arrived today, safe and sound.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

The problem is not Wes Anderson. The problem is your sense of humor, it doesn't exist.

Yes, clearly the Anderson critics are the ones who need to lighten up and take things less seriously.

[The Great Owl]

The day went by just as I planned. I went for a 10-mile run with my training group in below-freezing weather first thing in the morning, then bundled up in my man cave to spend the afternoon and early evening watching the 322-minute television version of Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander.

This was my third time watching this television version of the film, but my first time seeing it on Blu-ray.

I really believe that anybody who watches the 322-minute television version of Fanny and Alexander in one sitting deserves the Expert Level 10 Criterion Ranking, a black belt in Criterion, or a Master Class Criterion title. At the very least, a badge that you can sew onto a jacket, sort of like the "Pitfall Harry Explorer's Club" badge that you could get for scoring 20 on the Atari 2600 Pitfall game during the days of my childhood. Don't get me wrong... This uncut version of Fanny and Alexander flies by at lightning pace, it does not feel "homeworky" at all, and it's a pleasure to watch and revisit, but watching the whole thing in one day is still an achievement.

Anyway, here's my Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray review...



Having watched both the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the 322-minute television version on Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander, my first observation is that the Blu-ray edition is the most notable improvement over the DVD counterpart in my entire collection. The picture quality of the Blu-ray transfer soars above and beyond the standard definition movie without any overt digital handiwork. The grain level of the source material is noticeably preserved, especially in this film where many of the settings are illuminated by candlelight or flames, the facial close-ups are striking in their detail, and the sprawling plethora of colors and objects jumps out at the viewer, especially during the elaborate Christmas celebration setting of the first third of the film.

Fanny and Alexander showcases Bergman's trademark style of cinema that illuminates the big questions and fundamental frailties of human life while still requiring us to leave our sense of realism at the door. This coming-of-age story mostly seen through the eyes of Alexander, can be interpreted either as the character's memory of childhood where the supernatural events fill in the forgotten gaps in the same way that unreliable witnesses can fill in the gaps of memory when reporting an accident to a police officer, or as a straightforward storyline from the world of the year, 1907, where superstition and science still went hand-in-hand when the answers to society's questions reached limitations from both standpoints. The film can be seen as Bergman's ode to childhood, as Bergman's observations on the different "roles" that we are forced to act at various stages of our lives, or as Bergman's love letter to filmmakers, actors, and theater. However one prefers to approach Fanny and Alexander, the film works, and it works wondrously well.

The full television version spans over five hours without a single wasted second, and many a viewer will take even longer to go through the film because virtually every still frame begs for the pause button so that one can be mesmerized by the sheer amount of attention to detail.

The supplements disc takes us through a feature-length making-of, and a lovingly-crafted look back on the movie from many of the principle actors and crew.

[MitchA17]

Just thought I'd post the movies I chose for winning Film Comment's Reader's Poll contest, along with the nice handwritten note, that arrived in the mail yesterday. Not trying to brag, just thought I'd post a picture of a "haul" of sorts .

[Show spoiler]

Also, the copies of Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire I ordered during the Flash Sale should be here early next week!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by MitchA17

Just thought I'd post the movies I chose for winning Film Comment's Reader's Poll contest, along with the nice handwritten note, that arrived in the mail yesterday. Not trying to brag, just thought I'd post a picture of a "haul" of sorts .

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

Also, the copies of Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire I ordered during the Flash Sale should be here early next week!

Congratulations on winning!

Those are some keen selections. I've always thought of the Beastie Boys Video Anthology as one of the real wild cards in the Criterion queue, but I'd love to own it someday to relive some great high school and college memories through the music. (Check Your Head is my favorite album from the band, and it was a big part of the soundtrack to my college days.)

[ZooTv]

Tempted to place an order for Godard's Contempt, would have been nice if Criterion still had the rights to this film.

[Scottie]

Fish Tank = love it, love it, love it!

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Fish Tank = love it, love it, love it!

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Fish Tank = love it, love it, love it!

[Show spoiler]The mother/daughter dance sequence was so casually depicted and yet such a moving, if fleeting, moment of genuine though low-key unity between them - I only wish more films took such a naturalistic, subtle approach to portraying human relationships.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Nothing like great character acting

I love disappearing in movies and forgetting that I'm watching a film. Easily in my Top 5 Criterions that I've seen.

Originally Posted by NoirFan

[Show spoiler]The mother/daughter dance sequence was so casually depicted and yet such a moving, if fleeting, moment of genuine, if low-key unity between them - I only wish more films took such a naturalistic, subtle approach to portraying human relationships.

Yes it was!

[Show spoiler]They were so bitter with one another the entire film and in that little, minor instance, they bonded like a family and were able to connect.

[Scottie]

This was my favorite scene from the entire film:

[Show spoiler]

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Nothing like great character acting

I love disappearing in movies and forgetting that I'm watching a film. Easily in my Top 5 Criterions that I've seen.

I'd give my highest recommendation to her previous film, Red Road. I personally find it superior and extremely underrated...one of the best of the past decade.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I'd give my highest recommendation to her previous film, Red Road. I personally find it superior and extremely underrated...one of the best of the past decade.

Region B Locked - damn

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Region B Locked - damn

Yeahhhh, it's out on DVD too.

At least make sure to watch the short films included on the disc, they're very good.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Fish Tank = love it, love it, love it!

Wait a second...hmmm? It seems as if you prefer character studies centered around attractive girls. Would have you cared for Rosetta if she wasn't so homely? I feel that that film gives you a comparable sense of realism and intelligence, it's just, you know, less aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry, the thought occurred to me while reading the last few pages, and I had to ask. It's just that, there seems to be a good number of people that give a film a pass because of the pretty faces involved.

[Xtempo]

About Fish Tank:

[Show spoiler]what do you think about that scene when she's urinating on the carpet?

I seriously have never seen that on film before. That was the only weird thing for me other than that I enjoyed it.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Wait a second...hmmm? It seems as if you prefer character studies centered around attractive girls. Would have you cared for Rosetta if she wasn't so homely? I feel that that film gives you a comparable sense of realism and intelligence, it's just, you know, less aesthetically pleasing.

Sorry, the thought occurred to me while reading the last few pages, and I had to ask. It's just that, there seems to be a good number of people that give a film a pass because of the pretty faces involved.

Is the girl from Fish Tank attractive?

If we're just talking character-wise for the two films, I thought Rosetta was the less sympathetic of the two.

[Show spoiler]She gave up someone that cared for her...while this girl didn't.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

About Fish Tank:

[Show spoiler]what do you think about that scene when she's urinating on the carpet?

I seriously have never seen that on film before. That was the only weird thing for me other than that I enjoyed it.

Keeping in mind her age and what she's going through..I felt like it made sense for her to act the irrational ways she did. She was scared/angry and acted impulsive.