The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching John Frankenheimer's Seconds for the first time.
Mind = blown.

Being the devotee of The Twilight Zone that I am, I predicted the conclusion early on in the film, but the roller coaster ride was no less harrowing for me.

I'll write a longer review soon, but I want to go through these extras, watch the commentary track, and take another day or two to live inside the movie. (Now that I'm caught up watching my Blu-rays, I like the idea of taking the time to live with movies for a while.)

For now, Seconds strikes a nerve with me on a personal level. At the end of 2004, I weighed 400 pounds, I was morbidly obese, and I lost my breath just walking up apartment stairs. In 2005, I changed my food habits, started working out with a trainer, and lost 185 pounds. Since then, I've taken to long-distance running, and done several things that I never dreamed possible in my "former life." Through it all, though, I still struggle to this day with the residue and the mental imprint from those years of obesity, my body is always fighting to go back to that heavy weight if I'm not careful, and it has not been easy to maintain that weight loss, because I'm still uncomfortable in my own skin a lot of the time. I relate to Rock Hudson's mannerisms in Seconds all the more because of my own story. The fact that actress Salome Jens, whose character befriends the lead character in his new life, looks a lot like a woman in my local running community who befriended me as I made my way into my new life throws this movie into even more of a total mind warp. *shudders* Haha.

Hey, all of this personal stuff is Criterion-related in this instance.

This is one crazy and cool flick. God bless the Criterion Collection.

Thank you for sharing this personal information. I should admit that I lost 75 pounds of weight in 2002 and started running at the track. I weighed around 265 lb but I'm also 6'4" (pretty tall). I was around 190 lb after all that weight loss. Now, over 10 years later, I'm about 215 lb, so not as thin but not too overweight either. It is indeed a constant struggle to say the least, and though I can't say any Criterion film inspired me to lose weight, I do tend to think of that great British film Chariots of Fire, whenever I'm at the track running. I can't wait to purchase Seconds and watch it myself now.

[mrjohnnyb]

So tonight I walk into Barnes and Noble to get a Lego set for my son's birthday. I decide to stop by the blu-ray section and I see a copy of The Man Who Knew Too Much with a 50 % off sticker attached. Since I did not have this film in my collection and 20 bucks burning a hole in my pocket, I picked it up and brought it to the register. When the cashier told me it was 36 dollars and change (I have a membership card, too) I replied "Oh. So it isn't 50% off?" The cashier looks at the sticker, looks at the price, and decides to call a manager by phone. She explains the situation and I was able to extend the 50% off sale for one more purchase. The end.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

I love Vapor Trail! I love that album by Ride too (Nowhere). Shoegaze!!! That's the other thing about you I forgot almost...that you dig this style of music.

Must ask you, are you also in love with the soundtrack Lost in Translation? I really think its one of the best soundtracks in my music collection.

Come on now...that film has a perfect soundtrack. Of course I love it! My Bloody Valentine and The Pretenders...that is awesome on so many levels. The only thing that can sweeten the song list is, you've guessed it, more Aimee!

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Come on now...that film has a perfect soundtrack. Of course I love it! My Bloody Valentine and The Pretenders...that is awesome on so many levels. The only thing that can sweeten the song list is, you've guessed it, more Aimee!

Wait a sec, The Pretenders as far as I remember, are not on that soundtrack! But man, I love Kevin Shields' stuff on there.

My top tracks:

1. Girls - Death in Vegas
2. Goodbye - Kevin Shields
3. Sometimes - My Bloody Valentine
4. Tommib - Squarepusher
5. Shibuya - Brian Reitzell
6. Are You Awake? - Kevin Shields
7. Ikebana - Kevin Shields
8. Just like Honey - Jesus and Mary Chain
9. On the Subway - Brian Reitzell

I want a whole ambient album by Kevin Shields based on that song "Goodbye". Beautiful.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

Wait a sec, The Pretenders as far as I remember, are not on that soundtrack! But man, I love Kevin Shields' stuff on there.

My top tracks:

1. Girls - Death in Vegas
2. Goodbye - Kevin Shields
3. Sometimes - My Bloody Valentine
4. Tommib - Squarepusher
5. Shibuya - Brian Reitzell
6. Are You Awake? - Kevin Shields
7. Ikebana - Kevin Shields
8. Just like Honey - Jesus and Mary Chain
9. On the Subway - Brian Reitzell

I want a whole ambient album by Kevin Shields based on that song "Goodbye". Beautiful.

I just had to mention The Pretenders as they karaoke cover "Brass in Pocket", remember? I own the two Pretenders 2 Disc Deluxe Editions...they're pretty beautiful...also got the Joy Division ones, Eric Clapton, The Who, maybe a few others. Now, those are the CD versions of Criterion.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I just had to mention The Pretenders as they karaoke cover "Brass in Pocket", remember? I own the two Pretenders 2 Disc Deluxe Editions...they're pretty beautiful...also got the Joy Division ones, Eric Clapton, The Who, maybe a few others. Now, those are the CD versions of Criterion.

Well if you're going to mention The Pretenders, I must give a shout out to Roxy Music (remember "More Than This?"), cause I love that band too! Man, Sophia Coppola sure has great taste in music. I love her for that alone.

And oh, check my new avatar in about 5 minutes!

[jw007]

Yes, Abdrewes, your wish has finally come true.

Being so re-inspired by Lost in Translation has compelled me to change my avatar!

Now it went from ugly as can be to sexy and beautiful as can be!

Whatcha think, AB?

[Clodius]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Since Le Samourai is my all-time favorite movie, I have gone against the advice of several people here on this site by ordering an existing French Blu-ray. The 2012 Pathe Blu-ray of Le Samourai is an improvement over the first printing in 2011, judging from screen capture comparisons, but it is still a scrubbed-to-death affair. I'm curious about how it will fare on my smaller television, though, and I'm interested to see the darker color scheme that reportedly reflects the cameraman's intent.
My order is just a placeholder, though, and that's all that I'm expecting.

EDIT: Sherlock beat me to it with a more articulate response.

Gotta say, it's not gonna be worth it. I've seen those caps for Samourai and they are atrocious. I had a similar experience in picking up The Killer, because I absolutely ADORE Hardboiled, and found the Dragon BD to at least be serviceable, I figured I'd pick up The Killer when I found it at an agreeable price. Only when I popped it in (after getting it for $12) did I realize the effect that the 1080i mastering had on the film (basically its a motion smoothed BD). It's been the single biggest BD regret I've had so far in my 200 BD collection. Completely unwatchable and just ruins the movie.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

My movie room had an "Accident"

Sparing you the details, I find myself less one 135" Screen

Ouch. No wait...OUCH!!! Totally feel for you dude

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by Clodius

Gotta say, it's not gonna be worth it. I've seen those caps for Samourai and they are atrocious. I had a similar experience in picking up The Killer, because I absolutely ADORE Hardboiled, and found the Dragon BD to at least be serviceable, I figured I'd pick up The Killer when I found it at an agreeable price. Only when I popped it in (after getting it for $12) did I realize the effect that the 1080i mastering had on the film (basically its a motion smoothed BD). It's been the single biggest BD regret I've had so far in my 200 BD collection. Completely unwatchable and just ruins the movie.

I really do hope Criterion releases Le Samourai soon, if not them then Masters of Cinema could hopefully do the honours.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, Abdrewes, your wish has finally come true.

Being so re-inspired by Lost in Translation has compelled me to change my avatar!

Now it went from ugly as can be to sexy and beautiful as can be!

Whatcha think, AB?

It's crazy, you and PopcornBandit's avatars are flipped ( his has Charlotte looking out her hotel window in the day...)

(So tempted to go all Coppola too...but Bling Ring has me down a bit)

BTW, Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry are great...as is 10,000 Maniacs' cover of that song...

[JJJ225]

GREAT news! Persona is available for pre-order in HD from iTunes from Criterion. Hope this means a physical release in the future. One of my all time favorites!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/pe...ign-mpt=uo%3D4

[Judex]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

GREAT news! Persona is available for pre-order in HD from iTunes from Criterion. Hope this means a physical release in the future. One of my all time favorites!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/pe...ign-mpt=uo%3D4

49th Parallel is also available from September 10th


Hopefully they'll announce Persona blu for December.

[14728]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I just had to mention The Pretenders as they karaoke cover "Brass in Pocket", remember? I own the two Pretenders 2 Disc Deluxe Editions...they're pretty beautiful...also got the Joy Division ones, Eric Clapton, The Who, maybe a few others. Now, those are the CD versions of Criterion.

I own the Deluxe Edition of the Who: Live at Leeds, which comes with a complete live version of Tommy on the 2nd disc. Pretty great

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

I do tend to think of that great British film Chariots of Fire, whenever I'm at the track running. I can't wait to purchase Seconds and watch it myself now.

Chariots of Fire is one of my favorite movies, and it looks perfect on Blu-ray. I bought the digibook several months ago at some big Barnes & Noble sale.

I'll write an actual review of Seconds in another day or two, probably minus the personal back story, but the movie really did strike a chord with me on that level. On its own terms, Seconds is pretty amazing.

Abdrewes is right about Seconds making a decent double feature with Being John Malkovich, although I think that Seconds is the vastly superior film.

[14728]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

GREAT news! Persona is available for pre-order in HD from iTunes from Criterion. Hope this means a physical release in the future. One of my all time favorites!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/pe...ign-mpt=uo%3D4

I agree with Judex that it will probably get a december release, since it's available on iTunes, but not BD or DVD. I've only seen one Bergman film, and now I'm in love with this director. If it comes out, I'll definitely pick it up.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Chariots of Fire is one of my favorite movies, and it looks perfect on Blu-ray. I bought the digibook several months ago at some big Barnes & Noble sale.

I'll write an actual review of Seconds in another day or two, probably minus the personal back story, but the movie really did strike a chord with me on that level. On its own terms, Seconds is pretty amazing.

Abdrewes is right about Seconds making a decent double feature with Being John Malkovich, although I think that Seconds is the vastly superior film.

I love Seconds, but I think Being John Malkovich (again, one of my very favorite films) is vastly superior...now I don't wanna read your write up which will inevitably stomp on that Spike Jonze masterpiece. There's soooo much to Being John Malkovich, which Roger Ebert, I believe, hailed it as the best film of 1999.

[14728]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I love Seconds, but I think Being John Malkovich (again, one of my very favorite films) is vastly superior...now I don't wanna read your write up which will inevitably stomp on that Spike Jonze masterpiece. There's soooo much to Being John Malkovich, which Roger Ebert, I believe, hailed it as the best film of 1999.

I've never seen the film, but Roger Ebert did hail it as the best film of 1999

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I love Seconds, but I think Being John Malkovich (again, one of my very favorite films) is vastly superior...now I don't wanna read your write up which will inevitably stomp on that Spike Jonze masterpiece. There's soooo much to Being John Malkovich, which Roger Ebert, I believe, hailed it as the best film of 1999.

Oh, I won't rail on Being John Malkovich in my review of Seconds. There are many other films from the same era as Seconds that invite fair comparisons to a greater degree, and there's no point in bringing up the Spike Jonze film.

I did love Being John Malkovich when I had it on DVD many years ago, but the movie got really old really fast for some reason.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by 14728

I've never seen the film, but Roger Ebert did hail it as the best film of 1999

...And with good reason.

He's totally on the money with his introductory paragraph:

What an endlessly inventive movie this is! Charlie Kaufman, the writer of "Being John Malkovich," supplies a stream of dazzling inventions, twists and wicked paradoxes. And the director, Spike Jonze, doesn't pounce on each one like fresh prey, but unveils it slyly, as if there's more where that came from. Rare is the movie where the last half hour surprises you just as much as the first, and in ways you're not expecting. The movie has ideas enough for half a dozen films, but Jonze and his cast handle them so surely that we never feel hard-pressed; we're enchanted by one development after the next.