The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

It's one of my favorite movies, in my top twenty or thirty. I'd pay whatever they want to charge for it. Well, not really . . . as much as an Andrew Weil magazine, so around $29.99.

Robocop rocks so hard. I just love the total 80s sci-fi aesthetic and the ways that it's so action packed, and works at meta levels, commenting on the decade in ways that are (perhaps loosely) similar to Repo Man - I'm thinking of the sets involving urban decay, the role of vehicles, themes of rampant consumerism, technology-related paranoia, and a humorous but serious commentary on democracy and social conflict in American cities in the eighties.

I've got the Criterion DVD, and the BD - not the trilogy, not fond of the others. For me, Starship Troopers is the real sequel to Robocop. (And the Startship sequels are also dead to me.)

Considering I paid $5 for the current BluRay, I'm happy with it, but boy is there ever room for improvement.

By the way, while we are on thetopic if Paul Verhoeven, I was shocked to read Rosenbaums "must see" review of Hollow Man. I'm tempted to buy that $5 double feature at WMart.

[thismightbezach]

RIP Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives, King Rat).

Here's to hoping Criterion finally releases his best film Séance on a Wet Afternoon. It's part of their Hulu catalogue so they must have it.

The Whisperers is also vastly underrated. It's very Repulsion-esque

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by EricJ

There are a lot more "pre-80's films" () than Badlands, or any other Criterion cult-fanboy title, and even with Hulu, you could start literally just about anywhere--Kurosawa, Bergman, Fellini, Powell/Pressburger, Polanski, OR the giant space-chicken in "The X From Outer Space".

It's the problem of a "cult thread" that "C'mon, you have to buy six titles a month, or you're not in the club! I bought twelve this month, betcha can't!"
This isn't marbles, at least marbles didn't cost $30 each last time I checked. There's a lot of love for the act of supporting Criterion disks and learning about cool new classic movies from them, but is it the love for discovering movies, or the, ahem, love for the act? (If-ya know what I mean... )
Back when the Story Of Film was on Netflix, I was surprised to discover that 3/4 of the "curriculum", no matter how Eastern European or obscure, was on the Criterion/Janus catalog. Browsing Criterion films is a home-study course in film history, it's just up to you what you want to learn.
And don't let anyone (ahemfinchermalickfanboy) tell you different.

Yeah, there's lots of places to start. I was thinking at the time that Badlands would be a good place for that individual poster given what he stated about various kinds of technical and artistic aspects that he wants, and others had responded with, among other films, Badlands, and I 'seconded' the notion.

I love Badlands not because I'm a fanboy but because it's a great movie and I happened to be thinking at the moment that it would be a good starting place for someone who is only recently moving pre-80s, wanted color, contrast, and so on. But, yes, of course, obviously, you are stating facts that are indisputable. He could start anywhere. As Sartre said, we are condemned to be free.

I am a fan of the Criterion collection, period. I own the entire collection on blu or DVD, excluding probably thirty. I've been collecting from the beginning of the DVDs. I have never once on this forum even mentioned which Criterions I've bought . . . but I don't mind when people do. I actually like it. I talk about the movies I like, engage with others, and I enjoy reading the forum discussions and posts. I don't dislike any of the posts. I'm a fan of the forum, and of the Criterion collection, so if that makes me a fanboy . As you've said, the movies top to bottom are fantastic and that's what matters to me.

Fincher and Malick aren't anywhere close to my favorite directors. Maybe I'll raise some eyebrows . . . but the only movie between the two of them that I consider to be absolutely essential for me, in my desert island list, is Badlands. Maybe that's part of why I recommended it to the poster. I was trying to be helpful, and it's a movie I rank very highly. But that's just my opinion and that's why the poster found it helpful to have gained insights from a number of other angles.

Just because someone recommends Badlands doesn't mean fanboy. Apologies to Freud, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And a fine cigar at that.

(I hope I read your post correctly - that you were implying that I'm a fanboy or that recommending that someone watch Badlands is symptomatic of a pathological form of worship or cult behavior.)

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Considering I paid $5 for the current BluRay, I'm happy with it, but boy is there ever room for improvement.

By the way, while we are on thetopic if Paul Verhoeven, I was shocked to read Rosenbaums "must see" review of Hollow Man. I'm tempted to buy that $5 double feature at WMart.

As much as I like Paul Verhoeven I haven't seen it and I've also read many negative reviews of it so I remain skeptical. I really like Spetters and Basic Instinct and I've been planning on watching/getting Soldier of Orange.

[joie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I've only seen the Theatrical Cut myself. But yes, there's nothing more beautiful than a transfer that does a good job of keeping the grain intact....which is why Criterion needs to release RoboCop

They have fake grain at their disposal, now, too.

[Scottie]

Halfway done with 2001: A Space Odyssey...Dear God...please put me out of my misery.

It's probably the best film visually that I've seen to date. It's also very, very, very advanced for its time, and that's why I'm still watching it, but I can't take this anymore. It's so boring lol.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Halfway done with 2001: A Space Odyssey...Dear God...please put me out of my misery.

It's probably the best film visually that I've seen to date. It's also very, very, very advanced for its time, and that's why I'm still watching it, but I can't take this anymore. It's so boring lol.

The worst is over. It doesn't get faster but it gets a lot more engaging.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Halfway done with 2001: A Space Odyssey...Dear God...please put me out of my misery.

It's probably the best film visually that I've seen to date. It's also very, very, very advanced for its time, and that's why I'm still watching it, but I can't take this anymore. It's so boring lol.

Have you seen Solaris yet? I'm anticipating you're not going to like that film I'm also anticipating everyone gasping when they read that. Like, *gasp*.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

As much as I like Paul Verhoeven I haven't seen it and I've also read many negative reviews of it so I remain skeptical. I really like Spetters and Basic Instinct and I've been planning on watching/getting Soldier of Orange.

Please for the love of Christ SEE TURKISH DELIGHT!

[Archedamian]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Halfway done with 2001: A Space Odyssey...Dear God...please put me out of my misery.

It's probably the best film visually that I've seen to date. It's also very, very, very advanced for its time, and that's why I'm still watching it, but I can't take this anymore. It's so boring lol.

Roger Ebert says in his book THE GREAT MOVIES that at the first Los Angeles premiere of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Rock Hudson walked out of the Pantages Theatre complaining "Will somebody tell me what the hell this movie is about?" That always cracked me up.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by octagon

The worst is over. It doesn't get faster but it gets a lot more engaging.

Yes, love the last hour or so (hour...40 minutes?).

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Halfway done with 2001: A Space Odyssey...Dear God...please put me out of my misery.

It's probably the best film visually that I've seen to date. It's also very, very, very advanced for its time, and that's why I'm still watching it, but I can't take this anymore. It's so boring lol.

Let all the pieces come together at the end. 2001 is not a film you write off after one act, much less one viewing. It has staying power!

(I will give you a couple hours before I send another Trade related PM, so don't feel pressured to respond during the movie)

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by octagon

The worst is over. It doesn't get faster but it gets a lot more engaging.

I fast forward watched the last hour. I honestly couldn't take it anymore. Maybe another time, but tonight is definitely not the right time.

I was really into it the first half hour. I thought it was neat at the beginning and then @________@.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Have you seen Solaris yet? I'm anticipating you're not going to like that film I'm also anticipating everyone gasping when they read that. Like, *gasp*.

I haven't seen it yet lol.

Originally Posted by Archedamian

Roger Ebert says in his book THE GREAT MOVIES that at the first Los Angeles premiere of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Rock Hudson walked out of the Pantages Theatre complaining "Will somebody tell me what the hell this movie is about?" That always cracked me up.

All I know is that the black pillar thing is messing everything up. I can understand his position, though.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Let all the pieces come together at the end. 2001 is not a film you write off after one act, much less one viewing. It has staying power!

I think I would have rather watched 8 1/2, to be honest. I'm in an annoyed mood though and this movie is way too long for me to sit through and watch them talk over and over.

I wouldn't have minded a film showing the beginning of time to this futuristic time, not this story that it's about.

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Please for the love of Christ SEE TURKISH DELIGHT!

Yeah? It's that amazing? I'm wary about the Starz/Anchor Bay treatment. Or is there an import I don't know about?

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I fast forward watched the last hour. I honestly couldn't take it anymore. Maybe another time, but tonight is definitely not the right time.

Maybe next time you should skip the first half instead of sitting through it all again, I guarantee you'll be much more interested during that last hour.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by shortmartin

Yeah? It's that amazing? I'm wary about the Starz/Anchor Bay treatment. Or is there an import I don't know about?

Okay I love Verhoeven: Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Showgirls, The Black Book, you name it. But Turkish Delight is by far my favorite. It would probably rank among my top Romantic films. It's harsh, beautiful, textured and always captivating. Also, Rutger Hauer delivers an iconic performance.

I acquired it ummmm...through a torrent, but whaddayagonnado? I will gladly buy it day 1 if it is ever released here in the states (esp. BluRay).

[shortmartin]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Okay I love Verhoeven: Basic Instinct, RoboCop, Showgirls, The Black Book, you name it. But Turkish Delight is by far my favorite. It would probably rank among my top Romantic films. It's harsh, beautiful, textured and always captivating. Also, Rutger Hauer delivers an iconic performance.

I acquired it ummmm...through a torrent, but whaddayagonnado? I will gladly buy it day 1 if it is ever released here in the states (esp. BluRay).

That's cool, I'll definitely check out Turkish. Sounds good.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Maybe next time you should skip the first half instead of sitting through it all again, I guarantee you'll be much more interested during that last hour.

I found it interesting up until the conference meeting, and then I found it interesting again when they went on the moon to the monolith.

However, when Jupiter came around...it was just torturous, for me.

I never shut off movies either or fast forward them, but I just couldn't handle this one.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I found it interesting up until the conference meeting, and then I found it interesting again when they went on the moon to the monolith.

However, when Jupiter came around...it was just torturous, for me.

I never shut off movies either or fast forward them, but I just couldn't handle this one.

We'll give you the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to "Finals Stress." 2001 is a film that demands you meet it halfway. So I say, neutralize all sources of light and sound in your house; make sure you are very comfortable; and be ready to do a lot of interpreting on your own.

Maybe I've seen too many art films, but i dont find 2001 all that slow. I bet you more than a couple films on my top 20 of last year were even slower

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

We'll give you the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to "Finals Stress." 2001 is a film that demands you meet it halfway. So I say, neutralize all sources of light and sound in your house; make sure you are very comfortable; and be ready to do a lot of interpreting on your own.

Maybe I've seen too many art films, but i dont find 2001 all that slow. I bet you more than a couple films on my top 20 of last year were even slower

A lot of films from last year weren't very good. I won't give up on it and I'll watch it down the road again, but I just can't any time soon.