The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

What are your thoughts on Assayas' music choices? The use of The Feelies' Loveless Love is one of my favorite uses of music in any film ever.

I wasn't familiar with the song prior to seeing the movie and I could not recall it when I saw that you mentioned it here. I just listened on youtube and was reminded..... Yes! that IS a good tune. It's got kind of an 'international' (if you will) sound and suited the proceedings perfectly. I do remember in Carlos that every time he got naked, Assayas cued the New Order song "Dreams Never End" which I thought was funny.

Originally Posted by octagon

I love the way say Scorsese uses music but sometimes it feels like he's trying a little too hard. I never got that feeling during Carlos.

Bringing Out the Dead is the biggest offender here. ...and I think he should retire "Gimme Shelter" from use in any future films. I feel like he's used it 20 times.

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Breaking it up into three parts would probably just make people more aware of such indulgences.

Come on guys, it's only 3.5 hours. You wouldn't break up Carlos or The Samurai Trilogy or Once Upon a Time in America, why break up Heaven's Gate? ONly do so if you think it's truly terrible.

It may just be cause I'm a fidgety person, but I've broken up Once Upon a Time in America and definitely, definitely, I broke up Carlos into 3 nights. For me, it was a testament to how good the film is that I came back to it on 3 consecutive evenings.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

It may just be cause I'm a fidgety person, but I've broken up Once Upon a Time in America and definitely, definitely, I broke up Carlos into 3 nights. For me, it was a testament to how good the film is that I came back to it on 3 consecutive evenings.

I watched Once Upon a Time in America in one sitting many years ago when I rented the movie. The Blu-ray is on its way to me from Amazon, so I'll probably reserve a cold early November Sunday afternoon to watch it in its entirety again. I'm looking forward to revisiting the film, because a lot of the details have escaped my memory.

I did the same thing for the television version of Fanny and Alexander. It's over five hours long, but I was never restless.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by ravenus

On the other hand you may have people saying "Hey Eureka, where's Stagecoach? Where's The Man Who Knew Too Much? Where's frikkin' Godzilla?!" Every studio has a limit on how much they can do, and for me as a movie collector (as opposed to spine number connoisseur ) , it's awesome that different studios are doing different things rather than have multiple editions of the same. Like I always say, any dedicated movie buff MUST do what's necessary to be equipped for all-region play.

No you are right...it works nicely that studios are doing different titles, we get variety that way. It works great for folks like you and I would have region free capabilities. For the folks that don't though it kind of stinks but then again you make a good point in that a serious movie collector really needs to try and go region free(totally worth it).

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Breaking it up into three parts would probably just make people more aware of such indulgences.

Come on guys, it's only 3.5 hours. You wouldn't break up Carlos or The Samurai Trilogy or Once Upon a Time in America, why break up Heaven's Gate? ONly do so if you think it's truly terrible.

I sat straight through 5+ hours of Novecento a few years back...pretty proud of that.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched Once Upon a Time in America in one sitting many years ago when I rented the movie. The Blu-ray is on its way to me from Amazon, so I'll probably reserve a cold early November Sunday afternoon to watch it in its entirety again. I'm looking forward to revisiting the film, because a lot of the details have escaped my memory.

Ah I so love Once Upon A Time In America....definitely in my Top 5 of all time.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I did the same thing for the television version of Fanny and Alexander. It's over five hours long, but I was never restless.

I did break up Fanny & Alex though...four nights...an episode a night.

[Banned User]

I'm actually a fan of The Ninth Gate. Very re watchable IMO though definitely not one of Polanski's best films.

Finally got around to watching Marketa Lazarová last night. All I can say is amazing. You couldn't get more authentic looking if you had a camera and actually filmed medieval times. Exceptional movie.

[Scottie]

I just watched L'Avventura and I absolutely loved it.

I really hate watching films off of my laptop, but it seems a lot more convenient than spending $30 for the DVD and having them announce the Blu-ray for next month.

All I can say is that Antonioni is a brilliant director and should I ever decide to take up directing down the road (I have no interests in it, per say), I would not be able to touch him. I do like how Michael Mann shot Colin Farrell on the balcony of the hotel almost identically to Antonioni shooting Monica Vitti.

While I did find myself checking the time left frequently, there is no denying the level of suspense and enjoyment out of it.

I really hope Criterion decides to upgrade L'Avventura and L'Eclisse for February!

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched L'Avventura and I absolutely loved it.

I really hate watching films off of my laptop, but it seems a lot more convenient than spending $30 for the DVD and having them announce the Blu-ray for next month.

All I can say is that Antonioni is a brilliant director and should I ever decide to take up directing down the road (I have no interests in it, per say), I would not be able to touch him. I do like how Michael Mann shot Colin Farrell on the balcony of the hotel almost identically to Antonioni shooting Monica Vitti.

While I did find myself checking the time left frequently, there is no denying the level of suspense and enjoyment out of it.

I really hope Criterion decides to upgrade L'Avventura and L'Eclisse for February!

How 'bout that Monica Vitti?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Found a DVD copy of it a few months back and loved it. One of Sigourney Weaver's best performances. Add it to the list of great 'one-setting' movies as mostly all of it is 3 characters in a house. A very thoughtful script with the way it deals with the idea of revenge.

Yes, its such a great one-setting film. I think Polanski's Carnage is similar in that it uses mostly one setting as well. The mise-en-scene is so effective in Death and the Maiden though.

Originally Posted by jayembee

I can't agree. It played into Gittes' "been there, done that" approach to his work. You get the feeling that at this point in his career, he'd seen it all, and nothing would surprise him. Well...surprise!

You're probably right. Obviously, that was the first time I watched Chinatown. I am going to be looking forward to repeated viewings and I will soon accept Nicholson's acting. The film does lack melodrama and goes for the flat characters but the script is brilliant.

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Digging all the Chinatown love. What a damn fine movie that holds up so well upon repeat viewings.

As for The Ninth Gate... I actually like it. Its fun entertainment but I have no real emotional investment in anything to do with it. It's probably as bad as they say but I saw it young so I appreciate it in the same way that I like JC's Ghosts of Mars. They're not good but they're fun.

I share the same sentiment as you regarding that film. I find it a "guilty pleasure". Even if it is one of his weaker films, its still more entertaining than 90% of the other films out there.

Originally Posted by Banned User

I'm actually a fan of The Ninth Gate. Very re watchable IMO though definitely not one of Polanski's best films.

Yes.

How about Frantic? Now that is an insanely entertaining film! Harrison Ford is awesome in that one.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

How 'bout that Monica Vitti?

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by jw007

How about Frantic? Now that is an insanely entertaining film! Harrison Ford is awesome in that one.

I had forgotten about that film. Need to revisit it.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by jw007

You're probably right. Obviously, that was the first time I watched Chinatown. I am going to be looking forward to repeated viewings and I will soon accept Nicholson's acting. The film does lack melodrama and goes for the flat characters but the script is brilliant.
How about Frantic? Now that is an insanely entertaining film! Harrison Ford is awesome in that one.

I actually showed Frantic to a friend who had never seen Chinatown, or most any other Polanski before, and even then, they picked up immediately on "It's getting more unsettling as it goes on, isn't it? "
(Yep, now you're gettin' it...)

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Banned User

I had forgotten about that film. Need to revisit it.

Originally Posted by EricJ

I actually showed Frantic to a friend who had never seen Chinatown, or most any other Polanski before, and even then, they picked up immediately on "It's getting more unsettling as it goes on, isn't it? "
(Yep, now you're gettin' it...)

[benbess]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Okay, so, my love for Ridley Scott's latest has me pondering why he isn't in the Criterion Collection. Maybe good ol' CC can release 1492 as one of those spiffy $29.99 MSRP releases. I have t seen it yet, but the film sounds pretty incredible.

Just saw 1492 for the first time, and I really liked it. I was a 20-something when it first came out, but was scared away by the bad reviews. I regret that! It's a very good film imho. Sure the history is iffy in place, but it's an epic, beautifully photographed film with fine performances all around. It also has a great score by Vangelis. In fact, it may be that composer's best. Anyway, second vote here for CC doing this film. It is available for streaming in HD from Netflix, and most of it looks great. There are just a couple of white flecks in a couple of scenes that I assume would be pretty easy to remove.

Flashforward to today, and I've also kept away from Ridley Scott's latest, The Counselor, because of the terrible reviews. But you say you liked it? Tell me more, and I might go see it before it leaves the theaters.

[Ausjdm]

Originally Posted by benbess

Just saw 1492 for the first time, and I really liked it. I was a 20-something when it first came out, but was scared away by the bad reviews. I regret that! It's a very good film imho. Sure the history is iffy in place, but it's an epic, beautifully photographed film with fine performances all around. It also has a great score by Vangelis. In fact, it may be that composer's best. Anyway, second vote here for CC doing this film. It is available for streaming in HD from Netflix, and most of it looks great. There are just a couple of white flecks in a couple of scenes that I assume would be pretty easy to remove.

Flashforward to today, and I've also kept away from Ridley Scott's latest, The Counselor, because of the terrible reviews. But you say you liked it? Tell me more, and I might go see it before it leaves the theaters.

I saw the counselor on Saturday I liked it a lot but I think you gotta be a fan of cormac's writing style and his novels. (I've read 4 of his works) its very wordy at times. It's kinda like breaking bad meets Shakespearian dialogue. Cameron Diaz is awesome in the movie also.

[Rhylliam]

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

I saw the counselor on Saturday I liked it a lot but I think you gotta be a fan of cormac's writing style and his novels. (I've read 4 of his works) its very wordy at times. It's kinda like breaking bad meets Shakespearian dialogue. Cameron Diaz is awesome in the movie also.

I'm a Ridley fan, but hated The Counselor (and Robin Hood, ugh). Fassbender was horribly mis-cast & wow was the dialogue poor. Diaz I agree suited the role rather well. Ridley's film's aren't known for their good wordiness anyhow. I recall him saying in a commentary, as a retort to someone who criticised a film of his for being poorly written. His reply was "Well, we are talking pictures here mate" since obviously he's more concerned about the image over anything else. Too each their own though!

[Snicket]

I got my Criterion newsletter just now but the body of the message was empty.

Anyone know what the doodle was?

[Scottie]

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I got my Criterion newsletter just now but the body of the message was empty.

Anyone know what the doodle was?

It's referencing Harold Lloyd in The Freshman.