The Criterion Collection

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by jw007

Count me in too, for preferring Soderbergh's version of Solaris to Tarkovsky's. I appreciate a tightly-directed/scripted sci-fi movie if it brings up existential questions and haunting imagery, especially if its a remake of an original film. There are not many remakes I know of that I prefer over the original, but Solaris is one of them.

Not a remake. Both films are adaptations of a Stanislav Tem novel, and apparently he wasn't happy with either of them, but then I wasn't as happy with his novel

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

It's not in the same league as those films but was I the only one that liked Sunshine by Danny Boyle?? He was influenced by 2001 and Solaris he said.

I absolutely love that film Sunshine. There are some amazing special effects in that film and even more impressive its not Hollywood/ILM but an entire British production handling the CGI. Of course the ending turns into horror which I didn't like, but it could have been worse.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Not a remake. Both films are adaptations of a Stanislav Tem novel, and apparently he wasn't happy with either of them, but then I wasn't as happy with his novel

Okay, I need to be careful with terms such as "remake" in the future. It's true, its just a different interpretation of the Stanislaw Lem book, and its one I greatly prefer (if only for entertainment value).

[Nighteyes]

Originally Posted by ravenus

. Both films are adaptations of a Stanislav Tem novel,

Lem. The man's name was Stanislav Lem.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by jw007

I absolutely love that film Sunshine. There are some amazing special effects in that film and even more impressive its not Hollywood/ILM but an entire British production handling the CGI. Of course the ending turns into horror which I didn't like, but it could have been worse.

I've read that a lot of people not liking the final act, but I really enjoyed the jarring nature of the change. It's genuinely eerie and interesting.

The first half is an emotional rollercoaster and then you are hit with this even more horrific nightmare.

It reminds me of The Descent where you have the cave diving aspect and then you're hit with the horror aspect.

And what puts Sunshine over the top is that wonderful score. Such amazing compositions.

[andyk69]

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

I've read that a lot of people not liking the final act, but I really enjoyed the jarring nature of the change. It's genuinely eerie and interesting.

The first half is an emotional rollercoaster and then you are hit with this even more horrific nightmare.

It reminds me of The Descent where you have the cave diving aspect and then you're hit with the horror aspect.

And what puts Sunshine over the top is that wonderful score. Such amazing compositions.

Sunshine is an amazing and one of the best last science-fiction films I've seen, the whole movie is perfect, the philosophical aspect of it, the nature of choice in humans, and the final act is creepy as schaisse! I just watched this weekend with my family and the where all pretty impressed by it, one my Boyle's favorites. Come on Criterion, give us some juicy fun for January.

BTW, for the experience ones here, I always buy my blu's at amazon, I want to get 2 Criterions soon: 8 1/2 and Eating Raoul ( hilarious , this movie should get more love around here ) I know the BN 50sales is coming , but I have buy Criterions on Amazon during black friday sales they all mostly come to the 17-18bucks mark, is this a trade that happens every year?

[Robinh]

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Robinh

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

It's one of those "hate it or love it" type cult films.

If it intrigues you, I'd say go for it.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It's one of those "hate it or love it" type cult films.

If it intrigues you, I'd say go for it.

Have you seen it, Scott? It's a film that is impossible to hate, I'd say.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Have you seen it, Scott? It's a film that is impossible to hate, I'd say.

Nope ;/

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Robinh

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

I would say that the general consensus around here is that people really like it, some even love it. I just recently saw it for the first time and I am in the “really liked it” camp. I agree with Abdrewes… I can’t imagine anyone hating the film. There’s nothing polarizing about it at all. I would classify it as sci-fi lite, along the lines of (as many will tell you) The Twilight Zone. It also reminded me of “Gattaca” in the way it uses the sci-fi to tell a poignant story. And it’s a film that will merit multiple viewings, so if you’re looking for advice on a blind buy, my vote would be to go for it.

[smoss469]

I was extremely disappointed with Seconds

With regards to Eating Raoul was great!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Robinh

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

I cannot recommend Seconds enough. It's a true gem of 2013 Criterion titles, and I love how it caters to my love of The Twilight Zone stories. The cinematography is out of this world, and the insidious buildup has a great payoff.

...and I just had a big "Duh" moment...

When I revisited Anatomy of a Murder this weekend, I instantly remembered Murray Hamilton from his role as Mr. Death in the 'One for the Angels' episode of The Twilight Zone. I had totally forgotten that he has a minor role in Seconds as well.

[The Bronx Bull]

Originally Posted by Robinh

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

I watched Seconds for the first time last week and loved it. Ever since reading the synopsis on the Criterion release notes, I've been intrigued and have wanted to view the film. The Criterion flash sale made that possible.

Seconds, I believe, can be compared to The Game - also a Criterion title. I think they're both great films. One thing that was particularly interesting about Frankenheimer's film is that Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was deeply affected by it, causing a wave of depression and ultimately contributing to his abandonement of the now legendary "Smile" album.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by Robinh

I've heard a lot about John Frankenheimer's Seconds what's the general consensus of this film? Looks very intriguing and a film I am likely to pick up.

One of my favorite Criterion titles with an ending worth the wait. By far my favorite release this year by them.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by The Bronx Bull

One thing that was particularly interesting about Frankenheimer's film is that Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was deeply affected by it, causing a wave of depression and ultimately contributing to his abandonement of the now legendary "Smile" album.

This is true. I read that, after Brian Wilson saw Seconds, he did not return to a movie theater until he saw E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial during the early 1980s.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

I absolutely love that film Sunshine. There are some amazing special effects in that film and even more impressive its not Hollywood/ILM but an entire British production handling the CGI. Of course the ending turns into horror which I didn't like, but it could have been worse.

Pretty much my opinion. The first two-thirds were so good, it's a shame that devolved into a Cape Fear-like mess for the last third.

(That's the bad Cape Fear -- Scorcese's -- not the original.)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Not a remake. Both films are adaptations of a Stanislav Tem novel, and apparently he wasn't happy with either of them, but then I wasn't as happy with his novel

Originally Posted by jw007

Okay, I need to be careful with terms such as "remake" in the future. It's true, its just a different interpretation of the Stanislaw Lem book, and its one I greatly prefer (if only for entertainment value).

Yeah, technically, it's not a remake, but "remake" has become short-hand for "another version of the same story". It's a remake in the same sense that Carpenter's The Thing is a remake of the Hawks/Nyby The Thing from Another World, or that Mangold's 3:10 to Yuma is a remake of Daves', or that Huston's The Maltese Falcon is a remake of Del Ruth's. I think the only reason Hooper's Les Misérables got away with not being called a remake was because the previous versions weren't musicals.

Being a "technical" sort of fellow, I should care about this differentiation, but it doesn't really bother me.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

I purchased it for Michelle Yeoh & Hiroyuki Sanada and enjoyed the story.

Michelle Yeoh. Yeah. (pun not intended)

I was initially captivated by her martial arts and stunt skills in Supercop¹ and other such films -- and she's by far my favorite "Bond Girl" -- but I've really come to appreciate her acting in straight dramas like Sunshine and The Soong Sisters. I need to pick up a copy of Cohen's Blu-ray of The Lady one of these days.

¹ Obligatory Criterion comment: Criterion released Supercop on LD.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I was extremely disappointed with Seconds

With regards to Eating Raoul was great!

Yup. After reading a lot of negative reviews on Eating Raoul, I saw it expecting not to like it, but I had a blast with it.