The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by vader4

I'll check it out. I thought you might like to know that I'll be watching Thin Red Line tonight and I'm pretty excited!

Very nice. Thin Red Line is one of those films that never looses its power to move me.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I really want to see The Iceman. I enjoy Michael Shannon's performances - I think he's great in Boardwalk Empire and I liked him in Take Shelter.

I am surprised that he has been appearing in movies since 1993. He appeared in Groundhog Day, which again is a surprise. Since Take Shelter, I've been trying to see any movie he is in.

[COLD_COBRA_]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am surprised that he has been appearing in movies since 1993. He appeared in Groundhog Day, which again is a surprise. Since Take Shelter, I've been trying to see any movie he is in.

First time I noticed him was In Boardwalk Empire. (HBO)

[COLD_COBRA_]

Came today, yes it sticks out a little bit unless pushed in. But oh well. I just place it next to the other box set Criterion's. Now I'm done until July. This time I mean it.

[Visco.]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I really want to see The Iceman. I enjoy Michael Shannon's performances - I think he's great in Boardwalk Empire and I liked him in Take Shelter.

Have you seen The Runaways or Revolutionary Road? His 2 best performances IMO. He's one of my top 3 favorite actors.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by vader4

Already? I thought Upstream Color was still spreading to theaters? I can't wait to check it out. Primer was really great and this looks very good as well.

Michael Shannon is also in great in Boardwalk Empire (and 8 mile, but I've found very few on this site who like that). I'm intrigued by this movie purely for that performance!

I found out about the release when I was looking for a copy of Primer, it is a pleasant surprise.

Michael Shannon does a great acting job with character driven films. Part of the success of Take Shelter is due to Shannon's superb acting.

I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending?

If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Michael Shannon does a great acting job with character driven films. Part of the success of Take Shelter is due to Shannon superb acting.

I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending?

If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

I saw Take Shelter at the theater and loved it to death, but I have not seen it since.

The ending had a real Twilight Zone feel to it, and, since I am a massive fan of that original show, this did not bother me in the slightest. A lot of people disliked the last few minutes, though, and I can see where they are coming from. It does put a totally different spin on the movie.

It was a very "un-Criterion" ending, if that makes any sense. It seemed to cater more to a conventional story mentality.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I saw Take Shelter at the theater and loved it to death, but I have not seen it since.

The ending had a real Twilight Zone feel to it, and, since I am a massive fan of that original show, this did not bother me in the slightest. A lot of people disliked the last few minutes, though, and I can see where they are coming from. It does put a totally different spin on the movie.

It was a very "un-Criterion" ending, if that makes any sense. It seemed to cater more to a conventional story mentality.

Yes, well said.

[Show spoiler]My favorite part of the movie is where his wife persuades him to open the basement door. He does it with such reluctance, man I can not believe he did not win the academy award for this performance.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I've only become a fan of him in the last couple years, like many others...and now I actually find myself looking forward to what he does.

He's definitely been picking more diverse roles over the last few years (none of which I've seen yet), so I'm interested in seeing if I take more of a liking to him now.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Yes, well said.

[Show spoiler]My favorite part of the movie is where his wife persuades him to open the basement door. He does it with such reluctance, man I can not believe he did not when the academy award for this performance.

There were so many tense moments in that movie.

[Show spoiler]The community dinner scene was unsettling to watch, because I've been at so many of those types of gatherings and can understand how a meltdown like that would not go over well.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending?

If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

Short answer: I'm not sure.

My immediate reaction was that it might have been a little too on the nose or a little forced and manipulative but that feeling faded pretty quickly.

The end of Contact really bothered me. I thought they did a fantastic job of drawing interesting, thoughtful parallels between religious faith and faith in science that they essentially gutted with the throwaway

[Show spoiler] 'gap in the recording'

bit at the very end.

I don't think that was the case here. I don't think the end took anything away from the uncertainty and ambiguity of the body of the film. If anything, it made everything that led up to it more interesting and thought-provoking.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I found out about the release when I was looking for a copy of Primer, it is a pleasant surprise.

Michael Shannon does a great acting job with character driven films. Part of the success of Take Shelter is due to Shannon's superb acting.

I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending?

If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

I've always felt the ending was really

[Show spoiler]about his family coming to terms with his schizophrenia and is probably one of my favourite parts of the film.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by octagon

Short answer: I'm not sure.

My immediate reaction was that it might have been a little too on the nose or a little forced and manipulative but that feeling faded pretty quickly.

The end of Contact really bothered me. I thought they did a fantastic job of drawing interesting, thoughtful parallels between religious faith and faith in science that they essentially gutted with the throwaway

[Show spoiler] 'gap in the recording'

bit at the very end.

I don't think that was the case here. I don't think the end took anything away from the uncertainty and ambiguity of the body of the film. If anything, it made everything that led up to it more interesting and thought-provoking.

Agreed about Contact.

Contact was a brilliant film, though. I hope that I don't sound arrogant in saying this, but I was the only person in my circle of friends who "got" that movie.

[Show spoiler]At the time, some friends who attended the movie with me kept talking about how they liked that Jodi Foster's character seemed to be coming around to share Matthew McConaughey's belief in God. I just sort of sat there and shook my head.

[Edward J Grug III]

Haven't seen Take Shelter yet, but was just talking to my wife about it yesterday. Have it on my to-watch list (which is a mile long).

When I found out recently that Barnes and Noble would actually ship to Australia (A surprisingly rare thing for a US business) I signed up for their emails in anticipation of the Criterion sale. Just got a 15% off voucher, and Fanny and Alexander was 30% off already, so I've now ordered my first Bergman film, and am getting a test run of B&N while I'm at it.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Michael Shannon does a great acting job with character driven films. Part of the success of Take Shelter is due to Shannon's superb acting.

I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending?

If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

I like the ending a lot. To me, the ending is a sign that..

[Show spoiler]sure, this condition isn't fixed...but now that he has let other people in and has support...it's ok. What's happening isn't real, but it's not something to fear any more. He feels safe.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Not exactly Criterion related, but it belongs in the art-house realm: Is anyone looking forward to Jeff Nichols' Mud? It opens this weekend and I'm really anxious to see it.

Can't wait. Haven't seen anywhere local post a date that they might be opening it, but I'm looking out. His last two films are brilliant, with Take Shelter being my favorite of the decade, so far.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by octagon

I usually burn through previews when loading a disc but that one caught my eye.

I haven't seen Shotgun Stories yet but Take Shelter definitely put Nichols in the 'keep an eye on this guy' category.

I've even taken something of a liking to Matthew McConaughey over the past couple years. In fact, if this keeps up I might even learn to spell his name one of these days.

So yeah, I'm not exactly anxious to see it but it's definitely on my radar.

You've got to see Shotgun Stories. Tonally, it reminds me a lot of David Gordon Green's George Washington, one of my favorite Criterion titles.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Upstream Color is being released on blu ray next month. Primer was a great, intelligent film. According reviews, Carruth's sophomore film looks very promising.

Now that we are talking about Nichols, Michael Shannon will be in The Iceman film next week. He was great in Take Shelter.

Upstream and The Iceman are also two I am very much looking forward to. I tried to catch the latter at TIFF, but I was unsuccessful in securing a ticket for a screening time that worked for me.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by AverageAtBest

Just got my copy Leon Morin, Priest and it's a perfect copy. Clean disc, perfect case/artwork, has the booklet. Well worth the 20 bucks.

[Show spoiler] The seller was skybooks4u so if you see that name they are very accurate with descriptions.

Also went to my local Saturday Matinee and got a used(but very much like new) copy of Kiss Me Deadly.

It was an epic odyssey, filled with suspense and high-drama, but my copy of Léon arrived an hour ago, along with Two-Lane Blacktop, intact and pristine. I've been sitting here quietly clutching it to my bosom ever since.

[Show spoiler](yes, Octagon, I said 'bosom')

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I found out about the release when I was looking for a copy of Primer, it is a pleasant surprise.

Michael Shannon does a great acting job with character driven films. Part of the success of Take Shelter is due to Shannon's superb acting. I know this is not criterion related, but how did everybody feel about the ending? If Nichols could have left the last 15 mins on the editing floor, it would of been a classic. The whole movie was a roller coaster, the ending seem to "cheapen" the film a bit, in my opinion.

Surprising to see this little flic get some well-deserved attention. Saw Take Shelter through my local cable provider two or three months ago and it really does stand out in memory apart from the raft of straight-to-video offerings that are usually available. Very intriguing premise, very well-acted, and nicely drawn-out, with all kinds of time and opportunity for the viewer to mentally preview his own ending. The actual ending unfortunately is escaping me for the moment so I'm unable to recall whether the character was prescient or just bat-crud crazy. Perhaps I'm just blocking the ending in the belief that the question should have remained nebulous in any case.

Surprising, also, to hear from so many bold blu-label nay-sayers. Until fairly recently I've just jettisoned them but lately have found myself peeling them off and placing them on the few black-and-white covers I have, for a dash of color. I've attributed this to a long, slow descent into Criterion cult-thinking.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by octagon

I don't think the end took anything away from the uncertainty and ambiguity of the body of the film. If anything, it made everything that led up to it more interesting and thought-provoking.

Originally Posted by SimBelm

I've always felt the ending was really

[Show spoiler]about his family coming to terms with his schizophrenia and is probably one of my favourite parts of the film.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I like the ending a lot. To me, the ending is a sign that..

[Show spoiler]sure, this condition isn't fixed...but now that he has let other people in and has support...it's ok. What's happening isn't real, but it's not something to fear any more. He feels safe.

Thanks for the responses. A very interesting ending to say the least.

[Show spoiler]The movie is a textbook example of schizophrenia, I love how the movie draws you in his hallucinations and delusions. His family takes a big blow because of his illness.

As mentioned by octagon, the ending is ambiguous:
-Is he a deteriorating schizophrenic, where he can not return to reality (the ending is not real but a hallucination)
-Is he a prophet and his schizophrenic event is truly a prophecy (the ending is real)?