The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

And thanks to all who have replied to my post about review sites. I have a few to go at but I will always trust my guts instincts too. Everyone knows what they like and more importantly, what they don't. All help is welcome when I'm spending my money

I also enjoy the hell out of Harry's Picks and Peeks on the Ain't It Cool News site, and I always look forward to reading each week's entry.

Harry's brief reviews there should be taken with a grain of salt, or, actually, a bucketful of salt, because the Picks and Peeks section is linked with Amazon to generate revenue for Ain't It Cool News, and because Harry has an uncanny knack for making even the most abysmal low-budget drive-in movies seem like quintessential classics. His enthusiasm about cinema is quite contagious, though, and I'm always smiling when I read those short takes on each week's Blu-ray releases because I can imagine his voice while reading them.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I also enjoy the hell out of Harry's Picks and Peeks on the Ain't It Cool News site, and I always look forward to reading each week's entry.

Harry's brief reviews there should be taken with a grain of salt, or, actually, a bucketful of salt, because the Picks and Peeks section is linked with Amazon to generate revenue for Ain't It Cool News, and because Harry has an uncanny knack for making even the most abysmal low-budget drive-in movies seem like quintessential classics. His enthusiasm about cinema is quite contagious, though, and I'm always smiling when I read those short takes on each week's Blu-ray releases because I can imagine his voice while reading them.

I will be sure to check out Harry, sounds like a laugh. I guess that is something else that can't come across in print, a reviewers personality.

I only hope the "duds" I buy are infrequent. I'm not doing too bad with my Criterion's.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I will be sure to check out Harry, sounds like a laugh. I guess that is something else that can't come across in print, a reviewers personality.

I only hope the "duds" I buy are infrequent. I'm not doing too bad with my Criterion's.

I did a quick count, I've acquired about 50 CC releases this year. There were only 2-3 tops that I'd consider getting rid of, in fact only 1 for sure. I'd say their ratio of bombs to "the bomb" (If I can get by using that dated reference) is pretty damn nice!

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I did a quick count, I've acquired about 50 CC releases this year. There were only 2-3 tops that I'd consider getting rid of, in fact only 1 for sure. I'd say their ratio of bombs to "the bomb" (If I can get by using that dated reference) is pretty damn nice!

Alright, I'll bite. What is the 1 for sure you'd consider getting rid of?

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Alright, I'll bite. What is the 1 for sure you'd consider getting rid of?

Breathless... hated it. Watched it twice just to be sure and it's not any better IMO the 2nd time around. Have no desire to even watch it again.

Didn't care for Seconds either, but I need to watch it again before making a final decision.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I did a quick count, I've acquired about 50 CC releases this year. There were only 2-3 tops that I'd consider getting rid of, in fact only 1 for sure. I'd say their ratio of bombs to "the bomb" (If I can get by using that dated reference) is pretty damn nice!

I thought the correct quote was "da bomb"

For me only The Ruling Class has been a surprise let down.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Clare2904

I thought the correct quote was "da bomb"

For me only The Ruling Class has been a surprise let down.

Have you seen A SAFE PLACE yet?

The Ruling Class is one of those films you gotta be in the right mood for it. The humor is....odd. O'Toole is always enjoyable. It seems some of the films he's in he's just head and shoulders above the other actors (eg. Stunt Man).

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I did a quick count, I've acquired about 50 CC releases this year. There were only 2-3 tops that I'd consider getting rid of, in fact only 1 for sure. I'd say their ratio of bombs to "the bomb" (If I can get by using that dated reference) is pretty damn nice!

I'm at approximately ten months (We started buying Criterions right around the time our son was born. Has become our main entertainment)

We just ordered #52.

Of that lot I have a few I think we'll get rid of:

Certainly Something Wild, which didn't work for us at all.
Likely World on a Wire, which we lost interest in and didn't finish. (Might try again. Maybe)
Probably The Great Dictator, not because we didn't like it, but that it wasn't one we'd want to watch again. It's a weird mix of fun and too real.

That's an EXCELLENT success rate in my opinion, especially as all but five were blind-buys.

[The Keeper]

3:10 to Yuma started 15 minutes ago on TCM. I've seen the dvd, but still haven't gotten the blu. Maybe I need to watch again...

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

In actuality, you really have that backwards as far as the ratings go.

The ratings on IMDB are just ratings from site users - normal, everyday folks. Amateur movie watchers. Rotten Tomatoes' main ratings come from combining critic's reviews. They also have user ratings, but those aren't the main ones used to rate films.

So, it depends on where you put more stock - the average of what professional critics have to say or votes by average joes. Personally, I've always found the main ratings on Rotten Tomatoes to be far more indicative of how good a movie is or isn't than IMDB. Metacritic is also a pretty good ratings site that performs a similar function as Rotten Tomatoes, but it uses different (and some would say more accurate) ways of coming up with the average scores.

I have to agree wholeheartedly here that I trust the professional film critic over the general public for film reviews. I used to use IMDB but now I only use Rotten Tomatoes for ratings/reviews and IMDB for director/actor filmography and such. Though maybe critics are paid to write, at least I know someone who I can trust while an anonymous reviewer on IMDB might be a 13 year old who I could never take seriously when it comes to a review about a movie in the Criterion Collection. I doubt many (or any) 13 year olds are even watching Criterion films, much less even know about it. Still, just because something is popular with the masses doesn't mean I'm going to like it. For reviews based on popularity, then YES, IMDB is the site to go to. For serious assessments, I like to choose from 30-50 professional critics employed by various media organizations. I mean, if you're drowning in a pool, who are you going to trust? A trained lifeguard or just any person? Lifeguards are paid to save and assist people while critics are paid to help assess a movie.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My copy of the StudioCanal Blu-ray of The Third Man arrived today. Woo hoo!

I'm keeping my 2008 Criterion DVD digipack of The Third Man so that I'll have the extras for both editions, and, of course, the thrill of the hunt will continue for a somewhat reasonable-expense copy of the Criterion Blu-ray.

And how inexpensive are we talking about? I was lucky to buy this on ebay less than a year ago from someone who had both the original digipack in great condition plus the replacement case and the disc was immaculate (never played purportedly) for $125.

[genericusername23]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Alright, I'll bite. What is the 1 for sure you'd consider getting rid of?

I sold Dazed and Confused earlier this week. Its empty spot on my shelf was quickly replaced by Belle de jour, courtesy of BN's 50% off sale. I regret nothing.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Didn't care for Seconds either, but I need to watch it again before making a final decision.

I was really disappointed by Seconds after finally seeing it, as well.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

And how inexpensive are we talking about? I was lucky to buy this on ebay less than a year ago from someone who had both the original digipack in great condition plus the replacement case and the disc was immaculate (never played purportedly) for $125.

I'd prefer the plastic case edition, since my DVD copy is a digipak. I'd probably pay up to $100 for a valid edition, although I have not put any real effort into doing so yet.

I love The Third Man immensely, but not >$100 immensely.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by Hawkguy

I was really disappointed by Seconds after finally seeing it, as well.

Frankenheimer films take a bit of getting used to and his 'Paranoia Trilogy' of The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May and Seconds need more viewer seasoning than most. I love all three and Seconds is probably the best of the lot (no, not because of the 'grape orgy').

Of some of the other 'rejects' mentioned in recent posts, Something Wild might not be a great film but the crazy storyline and matching script combined with great performances making it memorable in an odd sort of way. World On A Wire on the other hand, is a brilliant film without question but like a lot of non-Hollywood sci-fi, it is based more on thoughtful conjecture and analysis rather than action.

[FaceInTheLeaves]

The only Criterion release I detest is Things To Come. It bored me to tears.

And in other news, this week I've watched Frances Ha (charming) and The Uninvited (brilliant).

[Meek12345]

I watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou last night and then realized I have now seen every feature film that Wes Anderson has directed.

So, I don't know if anyone is game, but I would like to know how you all would rank his films. This is how I rank his films:

1. Rushmore
2. Moonrise Kingdom
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
5. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
6. The Darjeeling Limited
7. Bottle Rocket

From what I have read on this forum, most members would rank The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenenbaums above my top 2. I guess Wes Anderson's style (quirkiness, deadpan delivery, etc.) just work more for me in Rushmore and Moonrise Kingdom. I also think the characters are more likeable in those two films. I plan to rewatch my top 5 sometime soon, so my opinions may change.

I know this video has been posted on here before, but maybe someone hasn't seen it yet. The SNL skit for The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders makes me wish that film really existed. Although, I guess it partially exists because it is mostly a parody of Anderson's films.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSEzGDzZ1dY&feature=player_detailpage

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Meek12345

but I would like to know how you all would rank his films. This is how I rank his films:

1.) Rushmore
1.) The Royal Tenenbaums
3.) Moonrise Kingdom
4.) Bottle Rocket
5.) The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
6.) The Darjeeling Limited
7.) The Fantastic Mr. Fox

[Dumbhuman]

Personal preference here, of course, not a statement of objective cinematic quality:

1. Bottle Rocket
2. Rushmore
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. The Life Aquatic / Moonrise Kingdom (about equal)
5. The Darjeeling Limited

I just like to pretend that The Fantastic Mr. Fox doesn't exist. So, that extreme aberration aside, I've greatly enjoyed every Wes Anderson film, but until Moonrise Kingdom I loved each successive film just a tiny bit less than the previous one.

[Refused]

1) Royal Tenenbaums
2) Darjeeling Limited
3) Moonrise Kingdom
4) Bottle Rocket
5) Life Aquatic
6) Rushmore

I've tried so hard to like Rushmore, but I think I just don't "get it". I don't relate to it in the slightest, and despite my man crush on Jason Schwartzman I just find his character an annoying little git.