The Criterion Collection

[BluMonday]

Originally Posted by cferreiro

New newsletter...??

Kind of looks more like an opossum to me, ha.

[The Great Owl]

If the hint is for Midnight Cowboy, then I'm excited. It's one of those iconic films that I've wanted to see for ages, but have somehow not yet got around to seeing.

Obviously, I'd be thrilled with The Secret Of NIMH, since that's where my username comes from, but I do not see that happening, and the sickness/injury in the hint does not make sense in context to that movie.

[14728]

Originally Posted by cferreiro

New newsletter...??

I'm hearing two main films being mentioned: Secret of NIMH, and Midnight Cowboy. I'd be happy with either one. But then again, maybe it's just pushing our buttons

[lordmorpheus72]

So off for the next few days, which means catch up on many of my recent Criterion purchases. Started the morning out with Salo, probably not the best one to start with. However, I did get it at the 50% sale, with coupons, so I thought why not... I can always trade if I don't like it. I made it about an hour through the movie before I stopped. Didn't hate it, I understand what the director is going for, but just not in the mood to watch it, so going to try it again later.

I've just started 12 Angry Men and of course it's amazing! Hoping to fit 2 or 3 more in before the end of the day, or rather when the wife gets home. I'll post thoughts on all later. But can anyone else tell me their thoughts on Salo?? I've seen some of the opinions in previous monts, just wondering if anyone who hated it on first watch, gave it another chance and changed thier mind?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by cferreiro

New newsletter...??

There is also a Brazilian film called Rat Fever.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2200908/

Seems to be pretty unknown, however, with only 310 imdb votes, so it is doubtful.

wait... check this link. it played at the Chicago Film Festival just this year, so maybe this is it.

http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/f...show=rat_fever

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by JHas

I loved it. Great early epic film that is quite true to the source material. I remember some people on this forum griping about the outdated views on colonilism expressed in the film. I don't think that should be an issue given the time period it was made in...

Good to hear, it was selling well. Within the first 60 seconds almost 30% of the stock was snatched up, so I decided to jump on it.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by smoss469

What's everyone think of The Four Feathers? It's a lightning deal in about 8 minutes, probably for $17.99.

I enjoyed it. Doesn't hurt that I actually like the critically savaged Heath Ledger remake. Don't know if it has high rewatchability for me though.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I've just started 12 Angry Men and of course it's amazing! Hoping to fit 2 or 3 more in before the end of the day, or rather when the wife gets home. I'll post thoughts on all later. But can anyone else tell me their thoughts on Salo?? I've seen some of the opinions in previous monts, just wondering if anyone who hated it on first watch, gave it another chance and changed thier mind?

Just finished 12 Angry Men, and I must say, it was better than I thought it could've ever been. I've always been a fan of court room typ dramas, and being someone who originally went to college to a lawyer, these movies end up being some of my favorites. That being said, Sidney Lumet is one of my favorite directors (I love Network, Dog Day Afternoon, & Serpico), but yet somehow I had yet to see this masterpiece. The way he frames every shot, and uses the one small space, is just amazing. It plays so well into the feeling of being trapped in the room until a verdict is resolved.

As for the actors, so many greats here, Klugman, Warden, Cobb, and of course Fonda. Some just at the beginning of their careers, some in the middle, but all giving amazing performances. For me, it was a real edge of the seat film... one I will enjoy watching over and over again.

Next up is Stagecoach. Looking forward to this Ford/Wayne classic.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by BluMonday

Kind of looks more like an opossum to me, ha.

I agree...that doesn't look like a rat to me either. You are right, it definitely has more of a possum look to it.

If it is a rat though...it is probably Of Unknown Origin.



And Yes Peter Weller beats the crap out of that rat throughout the whole movie

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Just finished 12 Angry Men, and I must say, it was better than I thought it could've ever been. I've always been a fan of court room typ dramas, and being someone who originally went to college to a lawyer, these movies end up being some of my favorites. That being said, Sidney Lumet is one of my favorite directors (I love Network, Dog Day Afternoon, & Serpico), but yet somehow I had yet to see this masterpiece. The way he frames every shot, and uses the one small space, is just amazing. It plays so well into the feeling of being trapped in the room until a verdict is resolved.

As for the actors, so many greats here, Klugman, Warden, Cobb, and of course Fonda. Some just at the beginning of their careers, some in the middle, but all giving amazing performances. For me, it was a real edge of the seat film... one I will enjoy watching over and over again.

Next up is Stagecoach. Looking forward to this Ford/Wayne classic.

I really loved 12 Angry Men. I'm a huge fan of films using minimalist settings. Films like Exam or All Night Long where almost 100% of the film takes place in a single setting. Kind of forces the plot to the front and eliminates a lot of background distractions.

[RiFiFi1955]

But Remember, lets not focus too much on the animal...as you recall the Bad Lambs didn't refer to a film that contained actual lambs

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I really loved 12 Angry Men. I'm a huge fan of films using minimalist settings. Films like Exam or All Night Long where almost 100% of the film takes place in a single setting. Kind of forces the plot to the front and eliminates a lot of background distractions.

I like minimalist settings as well... it really makes the director give his best to the project. I watched Carnage not long ago, and the very setting helped fuel the feeling of uncomfortability and awkwardness. So much so my wife, who isn't a huge film fan, said something along the lines of "this movie makes me feel trapped in there with them."

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

I like minimalist settings as well... it really makes the director give his best to the project. I watched Carnage not long ago, and the very setting helped fuel the feeling of uncomfortability and awkwardness. So much so my wife, who isn't a huge film fan, said something along the lines of "this movie makes me feel trapped in there with them."

Which Carnage? The fairly recent John C Reilly one?

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Which Carnage? The fairly recent John C Reilly one?

Yep, directed by... Polanski. *awaiting the arguement to resume*

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I really loved 12 Angry Men. I'm a huge fan of films using minimalist settings.

I love the use of the props in 12 Angry Men. A storm rages outside while the jurors are in heated debate. The temperatures are oppressively high because of a fan that does not work for much of the story. These little aspects of the story work wonders to up the tension level.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Yep, directed by... Polanski. *awaiting the arguement to resume*

Thanks for the tip, I'll check that one out!

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love the use of the props in 12 Angry Men. A storm rages outside while the jurors are in heated debate. The temperatures are oppressively high because of a fan that does not work for much of the story. These little aspects of the story work wonders to up the tension level.

And don't forget how they start out shooting more wide shots and as the debate goes on, the camera just gets closer and closer, more personal and in your face, almost like the room is suddenly much to small for the 12 people inside.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love the use of the props in 12 Angry Men. A storm rages outside while the jurors are in heated debate. The temperatures are oppressively high because of a fan that does not work for much of the story. These little aspects of the story work wonders to up the tension level.

The storm outside was my favorite "prop" in the film. I love that they end up having to close the windows... raising both the physical and emotional temp in the room. I love how Lumet shows the sweat on almost everyone as the movie progresses, and really plays out the tension in the room.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

But Remember, lets not focus too much on the animal...as you recall the Bad Lambs didn't refer to a film that contained actual lambs

Someone on the Criteron Forum was speculating that the 11-13 was an actual clue... as in those are the numbers before and after 12, which is of course midnight. The more I think about it, it could be Midnight Cowboy after all. I had previously been under the impression that Criterion didn't release stuff that was already on blu-ray unless they were offering something new (i.e. different cuts of Brazil or IAMMMW) then I realized that Dazed and Confused and Fear & Loathing were the same cuts of the film already released by the studio.

[bwdowiak]

I saw Jules and Jim yesterday. While I will say that the film met with my approval, it is probably my least favorite of the recent Criterion films I’ve seen. Speaking generally about it… I thought that before seeing it that Jules was a girl. WRONG. And the idea I had in my head about what the film would be like was also wrong - that is because I was not aware that it was based on a novel. And, of course, that means voiceover narration. So much information is given by the narrator that it is difficult to keep up. All of that can be dealt with, however, with the rewind button on the remote control so that wasn’t my biggest grievance with the film. Cohesively adapting a novel that encapsulates several decades into a 1 hour and 45 minute film is/was quite an achievement. However,

[Show spoiler] I felt no sympathy for the Jeanne Moreau character, Catherine, and could only minimally relate to the plight of dear Jules and the doomed Jim. Catherine was shameless and selfish. I can use those adjectives to modify a 5 letter word that starts with ‘B’, but I’ll be nice here on blu-ray.com. The men were fine, but really the story could have been called 'Catherine' as she and her neuroses are the center of these two mens’ universe .

It being so very literal, I could perhaps make more sense of it and appreciate it more upon subsequent viewings. It isn’t likely, however, with so many great films to see, that I will get around to it soon.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

But can anyone else tell me their thoughts on Salo?? I've seen some of the opinions in previous monts, just wondering if anyone who hated it on first watch, gave it another chance and changed thier mind?

Salò is a well-made film, with things to say, and I'm glad that I saw it for that reason. But I also found it an unpleasant viewing experience, and have no compelling desire to ever watch it again. As someone I knew back in the day used to say...

[Show spoiler]It brings new meaning to phrase "eat shït and die"

.