The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bayoozen

I watched this today. It is a blatant New World Order propaganda film which is what you can expect from HG Wells. Science and technology is what is bringing our society to the brink of disaster and eventually the one world government (which is shown to be a good thing in this film) will have total and complete control of our lives. We will have absolutely no freedom.

Sir, I kept thinking about the future one world government while watching this film. Yes, in Things to Come, the one world government appeared to be "good" as opposed to evil and totalitarian.

[Show spoiler]Although the "space gun" in the film could be comparable to the NASA rocket program that was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the film brings up so many philosophical questions about "progress" and human technology.

This film surely can be a dire warning of true things to come as long as International Law grows and eventually controls all nations, thus eliminating nationalism. I would never trust any one world government as such a powerful "corporation" (I feel it will be more corporate than governmental) is surely prone to deep corruption. This is a movie that comes released at a perfect time in current history, as the possibilities of one government (or corporate govt., maybe Monsanto/Monsatan) controlling the world is more realistic than ever. The only freedom we will have will be death itself.

[Xtempo]

Originally Posted by Kevin Ridge

So, In the Realm of the Senses....

[Show spoiler]I knew enough going in that it would be graphic but I was still surprised with the end result especially since Japan is very strict is the showing of genitalia. They were sneaky is shooting in Japan but having it being edited in France. You can call it art but it still felt like a porno to me. The ending was really tough to watch as I was squirming big time.

strangely or maybe not I have yet to finish this film. a lot of the time I was trying to figure out the story and whatever it was wasn't really compelling me to finish watching it as of yet. I do hope to watch and finish all my Criterions on LaserDisc, DVD and BD.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Kevin Ridge

Wow, I haven't seen this in ages and it's cool to see that Max von Sydow was Blowfeld. Don't remember that. I only have the DVD version so I'll have to watch it again at some point. As far as the battle of Bonds for 83, I still think Octopussy was better.

I agree about Octopussy being better. Never Say Never Again is a lot of fun, but it does not work for me as a Bond film, and I keep it separate from my extensive Bond collection. It is a good movie on its own terms, just not as a Bond title.

I love Max von Sydow's work during the 1980s. Flash Gordon and Dreamscape are both worth seeing as well for his roles.

[bayoozen]

Originally Posted by jw007

Sir, I kept thinking about the future one world government while watching this film. Yes, in Things to Come, the one world government appeared to be "good" as opposed to evil and totalitarian.

[Show spoiler]Although the "space gun" in the film could be comparable to the NASA rocket program that was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the film brings up so many philosophical questions about "progress" and human technology.

This film surely can be a dire warning of true things to come as long as International Law grows and eventually controls all nations, thus eliminating nationalism. I would never trust any one world government as such a powerful "corporation" (I feel it will be more corporate than governmental) is surely prone to deep corruption. This is a movie that comes released at a perfect time in current history, as the possibilities of one government (or corporate govt., maybe Monsanto/Monsatan) controlling the world is more realistic than ever. The only freedom we will have will be death itself.

Yes. And what you just said has already happened. Corporations already own our government. Corporations rule the world by producing the food (Monsanto, etc) and they own what goes into the mind (tv, movies, education system, the news). It's scary but true.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I agree about Octopussy being better. Never Say Never Again is a lot of fun, but it does not work for me as a Bond film, and I keep it separate from my extensive Bond collection. It is a good movie on its own terms, just not as a Bond title.

I don't think either of them is particularly good, but I prefer Never Say Never Again, even if it is just a remake of Thunderball.

I love Max von Sydow's work during the 1980s. Flash Gordon and Dreamscape are both worth seeing as well for his roles.

What? No Strange Brew?

Personally, my favorite performances of his from the 80s are in Bertrand Tavernier's Death Watch (1980) and Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). He's possibly my favorite actor of all time. He just makes his performances look effortless.

[PocosuTheCamel]

Paris, Texas has just earned its way into my favorite films of all time list.

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by PocosuTheCamel

Paris, Texas has just earned its way into my favorite films of all time list.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm inclined to agree. That might be a little too much cerebral exercise for one night, though. I like the idea of doubling either of those movies with lighter fare. Same reason why I never watch more than one Terrence Malick film on the same day.

Heh. I like to balance thought provoking films with genre fodder too. Elysium and Cairo Station (which is quite easy to like, so my point doesn't really stand) being the latest.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by Kevin Ridge

So, In the Realm of the Senses....

[Show spoiler]I knew enough going in that it would be graphic but I was still surprised with the end result especially since Japan is very strict in the showing of genitalia. They were sneaky is shooting in Japan but having it being edited in France. You can call it art but it still felt like a porno to me. The ending was really tough to watch as I was squirming big time.

I appreciate what the film was trying convey to the audience, but I would agree with you. It's just frankly too much.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

If I planned a Malick marathon, it would go like this:

Days of Heaven
Lanton Mills
The Tree of Life
The New World
The Thin Blue Line
To the Wonder
Badlands

while patiently waiting for Knight of Cups.

You might may want to watch The Thin Red Line as well.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by vader4

I appreciate what the film was trying convey to the audience, but I would agree with you. It's just frankly too much.

I remember being surprised at just how well done it looked.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

I remember being surprised at just how well done it looked.

Yeah, it's an incredibly well made film (especially considering what's going on) and it's a film with something to say it was just that for me personally it didn't really prove to be compelling. I would compare it to the painting "Black Square" by Kazimir Malevich in the fact that you have to respect the intention of the work, but there's not really much to look at. Also both pieces were intended to sort of get a rise out of people so then there's that. The thing that's in the painting's favor, but not the film's is that you don't have to watch the painting for two hours. I respect the film, but I don't really like it.

[Figster]

Hi,

This probably has been asked before but what are the chances of the Kurosawa Eclipse boxed sets to be released on blu ray? Same for his other films like Drunken Angel, Hidden Fortress? I'm a recent convert and itching to get these.

I also hope Criterion decides to release Matsu The Rickshaw Man on bd.

Thanks!

[dizzy4111]

Originally Posted by PocosuTheCamel

Paris, Texas has just earned its way into my favorite films of all time list.

Right on, man. It absolutely blew me away when I first saw it last month.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by Figster

Hi,

This probably has been asked before but what are the chances of the Kurosawa Eclipse boxed sets to be released on blu ray? Same for his other films like Drunken Angel, Hidden Fortress? I'm a recent convert and itching to get these.

I also hope Criterion decides to release Matsu The Rickshaw Man on bd.

Thanks!

I don't see the eclipse sets coming out on blu anytime soon, however another Kurosawa movie is announced every once in a while (He has the most films in the collection I believe) so Hidden Fortress, Drunken Angel, etc. are bound to come out sooner or later. I for one would be pleased with any Kurosawa release after a few lackluster months. Hope this helps!

[Abdrewes]

Vader's got it. Movies contained in Eclipse sets simply will probably not get region A releases. If you want to own the films, just buy the set.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by vader4

however another Kurosawa movie is announced every once in a while (He has the most films in the collection I believe)

No, Ingmar Bergman is in first place, with seven films: The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Smiles of a Summer Night, Fanny and Alexander, The Magician, Summer Interlude, and Summer with Monika. Eight if you count the forthcoming Autumn Sonata.

Kurosawa's in second place, with six films: Seven Samurai, High and Low, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Rashōmon, and Kagemusha.

Jean-Luc Godard is in third place, with five films, but John Cassavettes will soon join him.

There are a bunch of directors with four films.

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jayembee

No, Ingmar Bergman is in first place, with seven films: The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Smiles of a Summer Night, Fanny and Alexander, The Magician, Summer Interlude, and Summer with Monika. Eight if you count the forthcoming Autumn Sonata.

Kurosawa's in second place, with six films: Seven Samurai, High and Low, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Rashōmon, and Kagemusha.

Jean-Luc Godard is in third place, with five films, but John Cassavettes will soon join him.

There are a bunch of directors with four films.

You're only counting Blu-Rays.

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Edward J Grug III

You're only counting Blu-Rays.

Well, this IS "Blu-ray.com"

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Blu-Velvet

Well, this IS "Blu-ray.com"

It is, but if you go back and read the post it says, 'however another Kurosawa movie is announced every once in a while (He has the most films in the collection I believe).'

Meaning, there are the most in the collection to be upgraded to Blu-Ray from DVD.