The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I watched my Blu-ray of Fast Times at Ridgemont High two nights ago, and am going through the extras and commentary track now. It's cliche for me to say this, but I had forgotten how much I used to love this film. Cameron Crowe's writing is so sharp here. I came of age when this film was hitting video rentals and cable, so it reverberates as such.

I happen to be posting this here because I believe that this film would make an unstoppable double feature with Dazed and Confused. Fast Times at Ridgemont High gets thrown in with the John Hughes comedies and such from a few years later, but it has more of a rough-around-the-edges feel in the same way that the Linklater film does, and the mindsets of the characters are similar in both films.

[JJJ225]

Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and The Last Picture Show alone make the BBS set well worth the purchase. iScottie, you are crazy. Easy Rider is fantastic.

As for what we're going to see Monday, I'd like Persona but I'm thinking that might be early 2014. I've been dying for Criterion to give us some Sirk and von Sternberg on Blu Ray, so maybe some of that.

Mulholland Drive would be awesome too, but I still don't think it's coming. Everyone seems to think it's on its way, but we haven't any evidence or hint from Criterion, so it would still be a surprise to me.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I understand that Easy Rider was one of the first road movies, but I'm struggling to figure out what made it so spectacular. Almost the entire movie consisted of bullshitting with one another and getting high.

"We blew it."

Even if you don't think it's fantastic filmmaking, I can't imagine not being entertained by Easy Rider. It's immensely enjoyable.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

"We blew it."

Even if you don't think it's fantastic filmmaking, I can't imagine not being entertained by Easy Rider. It's immensely enjoyable.

Easy Rider is such a brilliant film simply by way of the low-key discussions. I could have easily watched the campfire conversation between Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper for hours.

[The Great Owl]

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a dream come true as far as the Blu-ray picture quality is concerned. File under: Brilliant-looking black-and-white 1960s cinema...a lot like Seconds.
I've always loved the subtle approach to espionage demonstrated in this film, and it's great to have it in a transfer that is a thing of beauty.

More later, because I'm taking a dinner break now...

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a dream come true as far as the Blu-ray picture quality is concerned. File under: Brilliant-looking black-and-white 1960s cinema...a lot like Seconds.
I've always loved the subtle approach to espionage demonstrated in this film, and it's great to have it in a transfer that is a thing of beauty.

More later, because I'm taking a dinner break now...

Directed by the under-appreciated Martin Ritt.

[Visco.]

I watched 8 1/2 last night and I was surprised by how much I liked it. There were some scenes that I didn't care for whatsoever but the beautiful imagery and characters kept me satisfied.

I'm not good at writing these reviews but I found it beautiful seeing a man lose his motivation to make the film after his commitment was already promised.

Can someone explain

[Show spoiler]the part where he dodges the press conference by going under the table with a gun. I thought he was trying to kill himself but that didn't happen. Also the ending could use some clarification.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Visco.

I watched 8 1/2 last night and I was surprised by how much I liked it. There were some scenes that I didn't care for whatsoever but the beautiful imagery and characters kept me satisfied.

I'm not good at writing these reviews but I found it beautiful seeing a man lose his motivation to make the film after his commitment was already promised.

Can someone explain

[Show spoiler]the part where he dodges the press conference by going under the table with a gun. I thought he was trying to kill himself but that didn't happen. Also the ending could use some clarification.

It's definitely one of my favorite movies, and one of Fellini's best and most autobiographical. It's been a while since I've seen it, but

[Show spoiler] I believe the scene with the gun is just in his imagination, like what he's like to do to escape it. The ending of the movie was a bit of a compromise for Fellini from what I've read. He had a different one in mind but it was more somber, so it was suggested that he go with something upbeat and "happy", and he did. The included documentary "The Last Sequence" is all about this, though I've yet to watch it yet.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

If anyone is looking to get The Decalogue on DVD (I know it's popular in these parts), there is an Amazon seller with Amazon fufillment selling the 6 disc Korean version for $23.99. It doesn't include A Short Film About Killing or Love, but it does include a documentary about Kieslowski. Does anyone own this edition?

Neither of the US editions had either of the "Short Film" versions, so that's not really a surprise. The two "Short Film"s were released on DVD by Kino, though, in "The Krzysztof Kieslowski Collection" boxed set.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I keep thinking of picking up the BBS set as well, but so far I've only seen Easy Rider. But not sure I wanna blind buy that much.

That's why God invented B&N 50%-off-Criterion sales.

Yeah, I haven't got it yet, but it's at the top of the list (along with The Complete Monterey Pop and The Samurai Trilogy) for the next sale.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I predict that you're really going to enjoy The Last Picture Show.

Although my favorite film in the set is Five Easy Pieces, which I consider to be Jack Nicholson's best acting of his career, I think that The Last Picture Show has an "old soul" in comparison to the other films in the set, and that it has a lot in common with forlorn older films. Ben Johnson's reminiscing scene by the lake is so tragically majestic and beautiful. On a lighter note, Ellen Burstyn's character is...well...a MILF.

...and Cybill Shepherd was breathtakingly gorgeous!

[Blu Titan]

The Hidden Fortress...please .

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

...and Cybill Shepherd was breathtakingly gorgeous!

Indeed. Ellen Burstyn and Cybill Shepherd make a great mother-daughter tag team in that movie.

I might have to revisit The Last Picture Show myself soon, although it's only been a couple months since I last saw it.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

The Hidden Fortress...please .

plus a billion!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Indeed. Ellen Burstyn and Cybill Shepherd make a great mother-daughter tag team in that movie.

I might have to revisit The Last Picture Show myself soon, although it's only been a couple months since I last saw it.

I just love everything about the film. It also has sentimental value because I took a special young lady to see it back in '71 and so the scene you mentioned with Sam the Lion kinda' rings true with me, also.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I can't stand the guy, so.. yeah, it's not for me. Breaking the Waves was long enough.

I'm curious what company is going to distribute this five hour NC-17 picture. On Demand would probably be their best bet.

Magnolia is distributing it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I can't stand the guy, so.. yeah, it's not for me. Breaking the Waves was long enough.

I'm curious what company is going to distribute this five hour NC-17 picture. On Demand would probably be their best bet.

I can't stand the guy either.

The Playboy Channel should distribute it.

Actually, I secretly wish nobody would.

I have no love for Lars.

[jw007]

I watched Medium Cool last night for the first time and wow, what a strange and interesting little film. With all this talk about Easy Rider lately (and I love that film), watching this film (which came out the same year) reminds me of that movie. I still don't know what to make of Medium Cool, but I think its truly a hybrid film that plays like a documentary but also uses actors (Robert Forster, wow).

Has anyone else seen this film? If so, tell me your thoughts about Medium Cool! Cool?

[jw007]

Okay, many of you might laugh, but these are the films I most want to see released on Criterion for December (or any upcoming month):

(and yes, I know, these are all contemporary/recent films, and most/all made after the 1960s)

Mulholland Drive
Eraserhead
Hard Eight
After Hours
Any Peter Weir film
Any John Sayles film
Any Michael Winterbottom film
Any David Lynch film
Any Woody Allen film


Upgrades:
Fishing with John
House of Games
Short Cuts
The Naked Prey
Grey Gardens

That's it for now

[Archedamian]

Originally Posted by jw007

Okay, many of you might laugh, but these are the films I most want to see released on Criterion for December (or any upcoming month):

(and yes, I know, these are all contemporary/recent films, and most/all made after the 1960s)

Mulholland Drive
Eraserhead
Hard Eight
After Hours
Any Peter Weir film
Any John Sayles film
Any Michael Winterbottom film
Any David Lynch film
Any Woody Allen film

Yes, please.