The Criterion Collection

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thanks all for the help. I originally asked for help in picking out 5 blind buys from a list. I ended up picking out 6:

charade
breathless
diabolique
m
8 1/2
the seventh seal

After reading a bit in this thread, these titles popped up a lot and I'm curious if any of these should replace any of the above picks?

on the water front
paris, texas
black narcisus
blow out
the ice storm
howards end
videodrome

More good choices! All also worth getting, but make them your second batch after the group above!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Movie Nut

I'm not even sure I want to know what that meant.

Just making sure that folks are paying attention.

[bingtau]

Originally Posted by Figster

Most of my Criterions are blind buys except for Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.

Will not watch again: Fish Tank

Wow, I love this film. The fresh performance by the young Katie Jarvis and as always Michael Fassbender is a master actor. I'm very happy I added this blind buy to my collection...

[paulgeneacepeter]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thanks all for the help. I originally asked for help in picking out 5 blind buys from a list. I ended up picking out 6:

charade
breathless
diabolique
m
8 1/2
the seventh seal

After reading a bit in this thread, these titles popped up a lot and I'm curious if any of these should replace any of the above picks?

on the water front
paris, texas
black narcisus
blow out
the ice storm
howards end
videodrome

I haven't seen 8 1/2 but I believe On The Waterfront is a must buy so if you don't plan on buying anymore, get On The Waterfront instead of 8 1/2.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by shamus

After reading a bit in this thread, these titles popped up a lot and I'm curious if any of these should replace any of the above picks?

on the water front
paris, texas
black narcisus
blow out
the ice storm
howards end
videodrome

Howard's End is out of print. There are still copies floating around and if you see one you should absolutely grab it now.

Even if you decide you're not interested later it will be attractive trade-bait.

[Scottie]

Adding to the Brian De Palma discussion, I've only seen a handful of his films and I have mixed feelings about them.

• I hated The Black Dahlia (2006). It was one of the most forgettable films that I've ever seen. I honestly can't really think of one redeeming quality about it - everything was a mess.
• Blow Out (1981) is the most memorable of his films, for me at least. Despite seeing the same style time and time again in newer suspense films, I think this one is the best executed. I have not seen the second film included with the Criterion release, Murder a la Mod (1968). I heard that it sucked, though.
• I haven't seen Body Double (1984), but I will pick up the Blu-ray via Twilight Time. It seems like one of his films that I'd enjoy the most.
• I'm probably one of the only people who dislikes Carlito's Way (1993). Maybe this stems from me disliking the film's conclusion. I should probably give it another chance, but I doubt I will.
• I have not seen Carrie (1976), but I will be getting the Blu-ray in soon and I look forward to checking it out.
• Dressed To Kill (1980) was a great thriller. I pretty much called it from the beginning, but it was played out nicely and I even doubted my own theories several times when watching it.
• I've seen a small portion of Femme Fatale (2002) and I liked what I saw. The intro, while very provocative, seemed well-done. It was a rather unique way for a jewel heist to go down. I ended up shutting it off because I wasn't in the mood to continue watching it nor did I like the direction it was going in. Not a very fair assessment until I actually see the film, but if it should come out on Blu-ray, I'll pick it up, despite still owning the DVD.
• The Fury (1978) was the basis for Psycho Mantis in Hideo Kojima's video game, Metal Gear Solid. Therefore, when the Blu-ray came out last year, I was really excited to see how it was going to be played out. While I enjoyed it a bit, I was let down.
• I recall not enjoying the original Mission: Impossible (1996), as much as the sequels. Believe it or not, Mission: Impossible 2 is my favorite of the series. It was still highly entertaining, despite being very dark and conspiracy-ish.
• I own the UK release of Obsession (1976) and while I have not seen it yet, it sounds rather good and something that I would enjoy.
• I started watching Raising Cain (1992), and like Femme Fatale, I didn't feel like watching it anymore, so I turned it off and haven't gone back to it since.
• I own the DVD of Sisters (1973), and it seems to be the film that I would enjoy the most from De Palma's history. I should really get around to watching it.
• If I recall correctly, I generally enjoyed The Untouchables (1987). It was pretty cool, especially when somebody got turned into swiss cheese with a tommy gun in some shady alley. I'll have to rewatch it to definitely confirm that I liked it as much as I did.
• Criticize me if you must, but I don't see the big hype surrounding Scarface (1983). It was an interesting one-time watch, but not something I'd probably go back to. It's just another mobster film, in my opinion - nothing more, nothing less.

Besides Passion, I could careless about the other films he made.

Originally Posted by shamus

[Show spoiler]Thanks all for the help. I originally asked for help in picking out 5 blind buys from a list. I ended up picking out 6:

charade
breathless
diabolique
m
8 1/2
the seventh seal

After reading a bit in this thread, these titles popped up a lot and I'm curious if any of these should replace any of the above picks?

on the water front
paris, texas
black narcisus
blow out
the ice storm
howards end
videodrome

I personally would pick the following six:
1. Blow Out
2. Breathless
3. Charade
4. Diabolique
5. On The Waterfront
6. Paris, Texas

[mallomar]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

All good, but Cage's best performances: LEAVING LAS VEGAS and ADAPTATION.

Both would be worth getting Criterion treatment!

I'm not a big fan, but I do remember really liking him in Red Rock West. I wonder if Cage fans liked that one, or am I remembering it as better than it was?

[DarkRyder]

I've been reading about how Berlin Alexanderplatz is supposed to run at 25fps, rather than Criterion's 24fps. Does this mean the Second Sight version of the film is the correct version?

[Snicket]

Can I get any thoughts on the upcoming "A Woman under the Influence?"

As some of you may know I love interesting portrayals of women in film, so naturally this peaks my interest, but I fear the subject matter may hit close to home and be a devastating watch. I'm not asking you how I should feel, but for those who have seen it how did you react to it? (Naturally no spoilers...)

-Thanks

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by mallomar

I'm not a big fan, but I do remember really liking him in Red Rock West. I wonder if Cage fans liked that one, or am I remembering it as better than it was?

I remember liking it reasonably well, but it's been a decade or more since I've seen it so I'd have to watch it again to be sure what it was I liked best and least about it.

[Pantsflakes]

They should do Sunrise.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Pantsflakes

They should do Sunrise.

Just putting it out there: I have an extra copy of the UK Region Free release.

[Figster]

Hi all,

I was just wondering, what's a good and fair price to buy a sealed Pierrot Le Fou?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Movie Nut]

Originally Posted by Figster

Hi all,

I was just wondering, what's a good and fair price to buy a sealed Pierrot Le Fou?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Most all on both E-bay and Amazon are hovering right around $70-$75 for new Blu-ray versions. That being said, like anything else it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Were you planning on viewing and then re-selling, viewing and keeping or just adding it to your collection and keeping it sealed?

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

All good, but Cage's best performances: LEAVING LAS VEGAS and ADAPTATION.

Both would be worth getting Criterion treatment!

Ah, I forgot about Adaptation. Charlie Kaufman is a genius. I've not seen Leaving Las Vegas though.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by shamus

Thanks all for the help. I originally asked for help in picking out 5 blind buys from a list. I ended up picking out 6:

charade
breathless
diabolique
m
8 1/2
the seventh seal

After reading a bit in this thread, these titles popped up a lot and I'm curious if any of these should replace any of the above picks?

on the water front
paris, texas
black narcisus
blow out
the ice storm
howards end
videodrome

The Seventh Seal
8 1/2
Videodrome
M
Black Narcissus
On The Waterfront

Those would be the 6 I'd get. Lots of variety.

[Figster]

Reg Pierrot Le Fou.

Originally Posted by Movie Nut

Most all on both E-bay and Amazon are hovering right around $70-$75 for new Blu-ray versions. That being said, like anything else it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Were you planning on viewing and then re-selling, viewing and keeping or just adding it to your collection and keeping it sealed?

Hi movienut,

Watching and keeping.

Thanks



Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Ah, I forgot about Adaptation. Charlie Kaufman is a genius. I've not seen Leaving Las Vegas though.

The current release is very good. Try to grab it!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Figster

Hi all,

I was just wondering, what's a good and fair price to buy a sealed Pierrot Le Fou?

I paid $60 for a mint condition used copy, and I've never been happier. I'm thinking that most sellers might be asking $70 or $80 for a sealed copy, but it's a marvelous movie even for those prices.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Adding to the Brian De Palma discussion
If I recall correctly, I generally enjoyed The Untouchables (1987). It was pretty cool, especially when somebody got turned into swiss cheese with a tommy gun in some shady alley. I'll have to rewatch it to definitely confirm that I liked it as much as I did.
Criticize me if you must, but I don't see the big hype surrounding Scarface (1983). It was an interesting one-time watch, but not something I'd probably go back to. It's just another mobster film, in my opinion - nothing more, nothing less.

My high school friends and I saw The Untouchables at the theater upon its release, and, as a 15 year-old, I thought that the movie was phenomenal. My friends and I quoted that movie all of the time when we were getting ready for football games and such.
"He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of your men to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue."
"Somebody messes with me, I'm gonna mess with him."
Etc. etc.

I owned a VHS tape of The Untouchables in college, when I had more movie appreciation years under my belt, and, although I found Kevin Costner's acting to be wooden, I still loved the movie.

I have not seen The Untouchables in almost 20 years, and, for some reason, I really have no urge to revisit it. I'm thinking that I burned myself out in repeat viewings at a younger age to the extent that the movie no longer reverberates with me. I've viewed it far more than I've viewed any other De Palma film, though.

Scarface always seemed too cartoonish to me, even when I saw it back in the 1980s. I do, however, love the fact that many of the Cuban or Latino actors who starred in the film each played multiple villain roles in the Miami Vice episodes years later.