The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Soderbergh's Solaris remake did not improve on the Tarkovsky version (I haven't read the book yet, so I can't compare the book to the film yet) but it's a hell of a film. I'm still baffled how it got an F-Cinemascore (which ultimately means nothing), why does "slow" have to be a dealbreaker with modern audiences?

I've never seen Soderbergh's Solaris. I should give it a try someday.

[Fellini912]

Again, I have not seen the remake of Solaris, but Roger Ebert made a good argument for the movie in his essay of Tarkovsky's Solaris in his book Great Movies. Here is the last two paragraphs:

(Quote)
The 2002 Soderbergh version was a good film, attentive to the vision and ideas of Tarkovsky, but much shorter (99 minutes to 165 minutes). Its shorter running time did not prevent audiences from rejecting it decisively; there was an enormous gap between the overwhelmingly favorable reviews and audience members who said in exit surveys that they hated it. The problem obviously was that the film attracted the wrong audience, drawing people who were seeking a George Clooney science fiction film, not a philosophical meditation, and had no knowledge or interest in Tarkovsky. If they thought Soderbergh's smart, seductive rhythms were boring, they would have been catatonic after the Tarkovsky version.

It may be, indeed, that Tarkovsky's work could have benefited from trimming. A producer with the scissors of a Harvey Weinstein could have deleted hours from his oeuvre, sometimes no doubt for the better. No director makes greater demands on our patience. Yet his admirers are passionate and they have reason for their feelings: Tarkovsky consciously tried to create art that was great and deep. He held to a romantic view of the individual able to transform reality through his own spiritual and philosophical strength. Consider the remarkable sequence in "Andrei Rublev" (1966)

[Show spoiler] set in medieval times, when a young boy claims he knows the secret of recasting a broken bell, and commands a team of workers in a process about which, in fact, he knows nothing. When the bell peals, what we are hearing is the sound of Tarkovsky's faith.

(End Quote)

[ElasticJimbo]

I just read that The Playlist recently chatted with Terrence Malick's longtime editor, Billy Weber, and he had two interesting pieces of Malick news.

First, his documentary "Voyage of Time" supposedly will have an IMAX release next year. Second, Malick is in the process of editing a director's cut of "The Tree of Life" for a future home video release.

Not that it ties to a specific Criterion film, but Malick has been featured enough in the collection to warrant me posting this in this discussion section. It would be awesome if Criterion picks up the director's cut of Tree of Life for release.

Here's the link to the article: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplayli...-2014-20130501

[amoergosum]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've never seen Soderbergh's Solaris. I should give it a try someday.

I love Soderbergh's Solaris.
By the way...the soundtrack is incredible >>>

Solaris - First Sleep (Cliff Martinez) [HD] Original Soundtrack - YouTube

Solaris - Is That What Everybody Wants (Cliff Martinez) [HD] Original Soundtrack - YouTube

Cliff Martinez - Wear your seat belt. HQ - YouTube

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I read every word of this last night, but was too sleepy to write any comments. Soderbergh makes some good points, but it's tough to tell whether or not he's showing excessive bitterness about the reception to his latest film, Side Effects.

I like several of Soderbergh's films, but I do not particularly love any of his films. He has a strangely clinical and detached manner of storytelling that has never reverberated with me. Still, I like the way that Soderbergh has always endorsed creativity for the sake of creativity, and his enthusiasm for cinema as an art has always been appreciated.

I feel exactly the same way about Soderbergh. Word for word.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Visco.

3:10 to Yuma is one of my favorite westerns, too. I thought Ben Foster did a fantastic job in that movie.

I'm equally excited to check out the original version. It's my most anticipated Criterion release.

All characters did great, in my opinion. Ben Wade was certainly a fast shot haha.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by ElasticJimbo

I just read that The Playlist recently chatted with Terrence Malick's longtime editor, Billy Weber, and he had two interesting pieces of Malick news.

First, his documentary "Voyage of Time" supposedly will have an IMAX release next year. Second, Malick is in the process of editing a director's cut of "The Tree of Life" for a future home video release.

Not that it ties to a specific Criterion film, but Malick has been featured enough in the collection to warrant me posting this in this discussion section. It would be awesome if Criterion picks up the director's cut of Tree of Life for release.

Here's the link to the article: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplayli...-2014-20130501

Thank you for the update, I remember posting the interview of Lubezki about The Tree of Life and a longer cut on this thread awhile back. I am very glad it is happening. It is sad to her that Michael Shannon was cut from To The Wonder.

By the way, The Playlist is one of my favorite websites for movies, very informative and intelligent review. I love their retrospectives of great directors.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by amoergosum

I love Soderbergh's Solaris.
By the way...the soundtrack is incredible >>>

I glad there is someone else on this thread that appreciates Martinez's film score. I believe he will be the next Vangelis.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by amoergosum

I love Soderbergh's Solaris.
By the way...the soundtrack is incredible >>>

Those tracks are great. This cements my decision to give this movie a chance someday.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by ElasticJimbo

I just read that The Playlist recently chatted with Terrence Malick's longtime editor, Billy Weber, and he had two interesting pieces of Malick news.

First, his documentary "Voyage of Time" supposedly will have an IMAX release next year. Second, Malick is in the process of editing a director's cut of "The Tree of Life" for a future home video release.

Not that it ties to a specific Criterion film, but Malick has been featured enough in the collection to warrant me posting this in this discussion section. It would be awesome if Criterion picks up the director's cut of Tree of Life for release.

Here's the link to the article: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplayli...-2014-20130501

HYPE TRAIN!!

Those updates are so very un-Malick like,

1. A doc releasing next year, supposedly the same year his next project lands, in fact IMDB lists 2 films releasing this year (probs not happening). He said it already has a date and a distributor? Who? Why would there not be a press release?

2. Malick doing a director's cut to put things BACK into a film? That sounds crazy. If this does land on Criterion I would go so completely crazy it will be a sight to behold. Brace yourselves.

If any of this turns out to be true I would be ecstatic.

[gates70]

Help! I'm ordering "12 Angry Men", "Paths of Glory" and one of these two; "The Night of the Hunter" or "Badlands", but which one of the last two is the question!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by gates70

Help! I'm ordering "12 Angry Men", "Paths of Glory" and one of these two; "The Night of the Hunter" or "Badlands", but which one of the last two is the question!

Oh man, The Night of the Hunter and Badlands are both top-notch A+ Criterion offerings, so that's a tough call. A coin toss might be in order.

I'd personally delete Paths of Glory (although it's a fine film) and then order 12 Angry Men, Night of the Hunter, and Badlands.

The Night of the Hunter might be the best choice, since Badlands just came available as a Criterion and, as such, should be in print for a long while.

[sethdlh]

Hunter.

[AverageAtBest]

Originally Posted by gates70

Help! I'm ordering "12 Angry Men", "Paths of Glory" and one of these two; "The Night of the Hunter" or "Badlands", but which one of the last two is the question!

Haven't seen The Night of the Hunter yet but I love Badlands. Really good movie worth a purchase.

[gates70]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Oh man, The Night of the Hunter and Badlands are both top-notch A+ Criterion offerings, so that's a tough call. A coin toss might be in order.

I'd personally delete Paths of Glory (although it's a fine film) and then order 12 Angry Men, Night of the Hunter, and Badlands.

The Night of the Hunter might be the best choice, since Badlands just came available as a Criterion and, as such, should be in print for a long while.

Thank you sir! I'm not against waiting for Paths of Glory.

[gates70]

Originally Posted by sethdlh

Hunter.

Originally Posted by AverageAtBest

Haven't seen The Night of the Hunter yet but I love Badlands. Really good movie worth a purchase.

Thanks guys!

[Scottie]

Both

[gates70]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Both

I've got too much stuff coming in between movies and collectibles! I need to go broke slowly not all at once

[AverageAtBest]

Originally Posted by gates70

I've got too much stuff coming in between movies and collectibles! I need to go broke slowly not all at once

hahaha same here, When I have to pick between movies I remember I will probably end up getting the one I don't pick in July anyway.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Woody seems to be having film ideas based on where he wants to vacation next

"And honestly, people, come back to NY, it's the greatest city in the world, and the greatest place for filming movies...Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the Italian wine country."

(I've always thought it's because we wouldn't LET him make movies here anymore.)