The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

Just watched Revanche for the second time. What a great film! Makes me want to chop some wood!

I just saw this movie again last week for the 2nd time and I also found it fulfilling. The only thing I guess I can't agree with, on Gotz Spielmann, is his style. I do like intellectual movies and though i appreciate his influence from Antonioni, I do disagree with him on the use of music in films. I think music can definitely "enhance" the experience. He sees it as "manipulating" the story. Well, isn't filmmaking all about manipulation anyway? If a person wants to watch reality, just watch raw footage that's been unedited for a documentary film!

[villadelrefugio]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Any real benefits from a B&N membership for online shopping ONLY? Nearest B&N is about 3 hours from me.

free expedited shipping is all, unfortunately

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by zkirkland

I'm killing my wallet for this sale. Probably going to go with ten films. Maybe towards the end of the month I'll splurge and get some more as a personal Christmas present.

M
Badlands
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Thin Red Line
Blow Out
The Last Temptation of Christ
Repo Man
Rushmore
Videodrome
Sweet Smell of Success

M is definitely an essential film, and Criterion's extras are nice...but I have to ask if you're aware of the German release from Universum. It's undergone further restoration, and makes for a much more satisfying presentation, in my book. And it's Region-free. Even the DVD that houses the extras is Region 0. And it comes in a beautiful Digibook (mostly images), to boot. If you don't own M on BD, the Universum disc is the best one.

I still have my Criterion BD (it was actually the first Criterion BD I ever bought), but the Universum release wins in terms of PQ/AQ, hands down.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

It's worth the purchase if you can get it for 50% off plus a $5/50 B&N coupon! I think Cimino is an underrated director and should be talked about more in the pantheon of world's greatest directors (like Kubrick, Scorcese and Spielberg).

Let's not get carried away. Even if - and it's an awfully big if - Heaven's Gate is a Misunderstood Masterpiece® that brings his total to what? Two?

Granted, that's two more than most directors but I'm not sure it puts him the world's greatest conversation.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by octagon

Let's not get carried away. Even if - and it's an awfully big if - Heaven's Gate is a Misunderstood Masterpiece® that brings his total to what? Two?
Granted, that's two more than most directors but I'm not sure it puts him the world's greatest conversation.

One, actually, unless you want to lump "Overpraised past classic" Deer Hunter up there in the category.
After which he pretty well fell off the face of the earth (Mickey Rourke? Christopher Lambert), and most are willing to put the "Masterpiece" aside to say that it's still only one hit that makes a One Hit Wonder.
(Heck, even Oliver Stone had, what, two?)

[jw007]

Alright, I admit I got carried away just a bit.

He's really not and should never be classified in any discussion regarding "world's greatest...". It's possible that Cimino was so distraught after the negative feedback after Heaven's Gate, that he gave up on trying to make another ambitious picture. He still had a few good movies left in him though, just nothing great such as The Deer Hunter.

Let's not forget that George Lucas only directed 2 great films and that was it (American Graffiti and Star Wars (1977) - unless you want to also include THX 1138). Sometime it only takes a couple of movies for a director to be satisfied with his work. Cimino directed far more feature films than Lucas (as he turned into the successful producer that he became), but yes, okay, putting Cimino in the same sentence as Lucas is probably blasphemy. I'll stop.

[mrjohnnyb]

For those of you who are planning a big purchase, you should strongly consider the current Barnes and Noble offer. Right now at barnesandnoble.com (and in stores) you will receive a $10 gift card with the purchase of a $75 gift card. The $10 card does not become activated until December 26th. This offer is a "no brainer" for every customer planning on purchasing four Criterion Collection products or more.

[Hintermann]

My final shortlist from the Criterion sale:

Ordered to date (all BD)

Charade
Blow out
Something Wild
Richard III
World on a Wire
Solaris
Sweet Smell of Success
Brazil

Will order soon:

Seconds
The Thin Red Line
Still Walking
On The Waterfront
Heaven's Gate

Pre-ordered

Rififi
IAMMMMW

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by jw007

Alright, I admit I got carried away just a bit.

He's really not and should never be classified in any discussion regarding "world's greatest...". It's possible that Cimino was so distraught after the negative feedback after Heaven's Gate, that he gave up on trying to make another ambitious picture. He still had a few good movies left in him though, just nothing great such as The Deer Hunter.

Let's not forget that George Lucas only directed 2 great films and that was it (American Graffiti and Star Wars (1977) - unless you want to also include THX 1138). Sometime it only takes a couple of movies for a director to be satisfied with his work. Cimino directed far more feature films than Lucas (as he turned into the successful producer that he became), but yes, okay, putting Cimino in the same sentence as Lucas is probably blasphemy. I'll stop.

Don't forget that Lucas also directed The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.

And I for one do not consider that you went overboard in your assessment of Michael Cimino as a world class director on the level with George Lucas.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Don't forget that Lucas also directed The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.

Well to be fair, he said 2 great films....

[joie]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Don't forget that Lucas also directed The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.

And I for one do not consider that you went overboard in your assessment of Michael Cimino as a world class director on the level with George Lucas.

Damned with faint praise -- excellent!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jw007

...but yes, okay, putting Cimino in the same sentence as Lucas is probably blasphemy. I'll stop.

Putting Lucas and Cimino in the same sentence is fine. Provided the words 'world's greatest' aren't in there too

And I'm not knocking Lucas (or Cimino, for that matter). He made two legitimately great movies and his writing, directing and producing were huge parts of that. I'm not going to call him a flash in the pan or minimize his accomplishments but I'm not sure two films - no matter how impressive - put him on a plane with directors with truly impressive bodies of work produced over decades.

[JJJ225]

Directing one or two great films does not qualify someone as a truly great director. A truly great director has a breadth of work.

[Carletty]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

Directing one or two great films does not qualify someone as a truly great director. A truly great director has a breadth of work.

Monsieur Vigo and Mrs. Shepitko would like to have a word with you.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Any real benefits from a B&N membership for online shopping ONLY? Nearest B&N is about 3 hours from me.

nope.

The $10 card does not become activated until December 26th. This offer is a "no brainer" for every customer planning on purchasing four Criterion Collection products or more

but the sale does end way before the 26th of december. what do i want with a giftcard that is not activated ?

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Carletty

Monsieur Vigo and Mrs. Shepitko would like to have a word with you.

I'm sorry I'm afraid I can't see them right now. Or, you know, ever.

And that creepy neighbor lady who can see and hear them gets her hair done on Mondays so she won't be able to do that medium thing until the chemicals wear off (apparenlty they block her phantastmic receptors or some such thing...I think she just wants the full day off instead of just the couple hours for the hair appointment).

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

but the sale does end way before the 26th of december. what do i want with a giftcard that is not activated ?

Wait, you think this sale will be the only time you're buying Criterions at B&N?

That's just too adorable

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

but the sale does end way before the 26th of december. what do i want with a giftcard that is not activated ?

July will be here before you know it.

[JJJ225]

Originally Posted by Carletty

Monsieur Vigo and Mrs. Shepitko would like to have a word with you.

*special exceptions for people who die early.

No special exceptions for George Lucas. Who obviously never made a film as great as L'Atalante.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by JJJ225

July will be here before you know it.

yeah sure, but spending 75$ on something i cant use for the next half year only to get 10$ for free?