The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath.

It astounds me that Ford directed Stagecoach (a Criterion title and my favorite Ford film), Young Mr. Lincoln (another Criterion title), Drums Along the Mohawk, and The Grapes of Wrath all in a row. The movie alters Steinbeck's devastating literary ending, but to good effect with an iconic and stirring screen conclusion. The movie adaptation is still quite tragic in its own right, especially when one takes into account the fact that the events that inspired both the novel and the movie took place only a mere 75 years ago.

The Grapes of Wrath was a good choice for me to follow up last night's viewing of Roman Polanski's Tess. Both films are masterful interpretations of their source material, and both films are reminders that many of us today have never been truly acquainted with difficult circumstances. I mean, many of us have been affected by economy and perhaps even laid off from employment, but nothing in most of our lives, at least here in America, compares with the day-to-day trials of the characters in these stories. Polanski's Tess includes a couple of scenes that effectively convey what it must have been like to work the fields in bitterly cold temperatures. I'd like to think that the world progresses as a whole, but I also worry about history repeating itself so that people are introduced to hard times like those in old days and given a wake-up call.

Interestingly enough, John Carradine (Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath) was the voice of....(drumroll, please)....The Great Owl from The Secret of NIMH (1982).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Night Train to Munich

I like Night Train to Munich a lot. The movie is directed by Carol Reed, who helmed The Third Man, but it seems to have more in common with Hitchcock thrillers like The 39 Steps or The Lady Vanishes.

[rock_soldier]

Got my flash sale order in today...
Black Moon
Naked Lunch
Paths of Glory

[TylerScruggs]

I could sure use a blu-ray upgrade of My Dinner with Andre in the near future

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

The last Criterion film I can remember hating was A Safe Place which has no place in the collection, imo. It's terrible.

I'll agree with this but go a step further and say virtually the entire BBS Story box set is probably the worst Criterion I own. The only one that came close to me liking was King of Marvin Gardens but still weak in every way. Nothing really jived with me, unfortunately.

[jasonjl]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

I could sure use a blu-ray upgrade of My Dinner with Andre in the near future

I think you're fine. Isn't it just two people having a conversation and eating dinner? Would a Blu-ray be necessary?

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath.

It astounds me that Ford directed Stagecoach (a Criterion title and my favorite Ford film), Young Mr. Lincoln (another Criterion title), Drums Along the Mohawk, and The Grapes of Wrath all in a row. The movie alters Steinbeck's devastating literary ending, but to good effect with an iconic and stirring screen conclusion. The movie adaptation is still quite tragic in its own right, especially when one takes into account the fact that the events that inspired both the novel and the movie took place only a mere 75 years ago.

The Grapes of Wrath was a good choice for me to follow up last night's viewing of Roman Polanski's Tess. Both films are masterful interpretations of their source material, and both films are reminders that many of us today have never been truly acquainted with difficult circumstances. I mean, many of us have been affected by economy and perhaps even laid off from employment, but nothing in most of our lives, at least here in America, compares with the day-to-day trials of the characters in these stories. Polanski's Tess includes a couple of scenes that effectively convey what it must have been like to work the fields in bitterly cold temperatures. I'd like to think that the world progresses as a whole, but I also worry about history repeating itself so that people are introduced to hard times like those in old days and given a wake-up call.

Interestingly enough, John Carradine (Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath) was the voice of....(drumroll, please)....The Great Owl from The Secret of NIMH (1982).

I remember The Grapes of Wrath being the only required reading book in High School that I enjoyed. So much so that I read every Steinbeck book I could find. The film adaptions have been good, for the most part, even though as much as I like East of Eden it covers only a portion of the novel.
A good documentary on the events depicted in TGoW would be Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl. I had no idea of the size and duration of the dust storms until I saw it. Fascinating viewing.

[swaseem]

Any prospect of eisenstein's alexander nevsky making it to blu ray? I noticed there was a criterion dvd release some years back. Would love to see this if it comes out.

[TylerScruggs]

Originally Posted by jasonjl

I think you're fine. Isn't it just two people having a conversation and eating dinner? Would a Blu-ray be necessary?

Blu-ray is always necessary in all things how dare u

[Quinni]

So, I've gotten to watch Blue Is The Warmest Color. I have to say, I walked away a touch disappointed.

I loved the original book for being a very heartfelt and well-made lesbian coming of age story, and much of that is retained in the film (aside from some odd changes). However, the comical sex scenes and the presence of the male gaze within a story that's meant to focus on women, alongside it's own themes, hurt it severely. Aside from this, the cast was very enjoyable, and despite its length, the film was fairly engaging. As it stands, it's a very solid film, but not the one that I've been hoping for. Maybe the upcoming extended edition will help improve things, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Quinni

So, I've gotten to watch Blue Is The Warmest Color. I have to say, I walked away a touch disappointed.

I loved the original book for being a very heartfelt and well-made lesbian coming of age story, and much of that is retained in the film (aside from some odd changes). However, the comical sex scenes and the presence of the male gaze within a story that's meant to focus on women, alongside it's own themes, hurt it severely. Aside from this, the cast was very enjoyable, and despite its length, the film was fairly engaging. As it stands, it's a very solid film, but not the one that I've been hoping for. Maybe the upcoming extended edition will help improve things, but I'm not holding my breath.

Without giving spoilers, can you be a little more specific? Your post is making me even more curious to read the graphic novel.

I just watched the film last night for the first time since I saw it theatrically and I fell in love with it again. I have a few very minor complaints, but the acting was some of the best I have seen in a long time, as was the filmmaking. I am curious as to why you thought the sex scenes were comical? If you really think about it, sex IS comical when you are just looking at it from an observers perspective. The fact that the director showed the scenes without any tricks that filmmakers usually use, like mood lighting, fancy angles or music, just heightened the raw intensity that I felt was necessary for that aspect of Adele and Emma's relationship (which, in my opinion, was really what their relationship was based on).

Can't wait for the special edition later this year!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I really need to revisit Black Narcissus because I remember it looking beautiful, but I didn't find myself really into the story so much. Hopefully that will change!

I think the film gets better with each viewing. The visuals and art direction can be very distracting the first viewing because they're so beautiful. Bogdanovich said something similar about his first viewing of Touch of Evil. It took him two viewings to take it all in.

[Quinni]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

Without giving spoilers, can you be a little more specific? Your post is making me even more curious to read the graphic novel.

I just watched the film last night for the first time since I saw it theatrically and I fell in love with it again. I have a few very minor complaints, but the acting was some of the best I have seen in a long time, as was the filmmaking. I am curious as to why you thought the sex scenes were comical? If you really think about it, sex IS comical when you are just looking at it from an observers perspective. The fact that the director showed the scenes without any tricks that filmmakers usually use, like mood lighting, fancy angles or music, just heightened the raw intensity that I felt was necessary for that aspect of Adele and Emma's relationship (which, in my opinion, was really what their relationship was based on).

Can't wait for the special edition later this year!

Well, I will have to echo what other critics have said and say that the scenes basically played out like porn, and the lack of editing in those scenes make it even more obvious. The depictions of sex in the graphic novel weren't nearly as prolonged or elaborate, but it still brought the point across. I can certainly see where Kechiche is coming from for providing a raw experience to the sexuality of the film, but it fell apart quickly for me.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Quinni

Well, I will have to echo what other critics have said and say that the scenes basically played out like porn, and the lack of editing in those scenes make it even more obvious. The depictions of sex in the graphic novel weren't nearly as prolonged or elaborate, but it still brought the point across. I can certainly see where Kechiche is coming from for providing a raw experience to the sexuality of the film, but it fell apart quickly for me.

I think that comes from the fact Kechiche encouraged improvisation rather than mechanically-choreographed sex. I do agree that the film doesn't necessarily need the extensive scenes but I did enjoy the film. I thought it was well scripted, directed and acted.

As of now I still prefer Kechiche's Secret of the Grain which I think is absolutely masterful. One of my recent favorites.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by JeffTheMovieGuy

I'm looking forward to getting Hausu, for a movie that spent years on the shelf its up there as my favorite.

I keep trying to show my friends the movie but they never set long enough for all the magic to start happening. While I understand it might be hard for people to set through a Japanese film they really haven't given it a fair shake or they can't keep their faces out of their phones.

I learned of Hausu from Bill Hader when he visited the Criterion closet on their youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=348qOuXOAXo and when I watched it I had such a big grin on my face.

Love the theme that is played ad nauseum and hum it often as I clean the house

Ok, now that's just funny. Bill Hader gets funnier everytime I see him.

Now, if we can just see what else is in that closet and all get a shopping spree...

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by natureboy

The fact that you gave Robocop 2014 a 3.5 out of 5 makes me uncomfortable.

one of the funniest things I've heard today.

But seriously, I dug the original RoboCop, but couldn't make it past the trailer for this version. It may be good, and I'll probably get it via Netflix, but I'm just tired of all the crappy remakes Hollywood is doing. And I'm not really a Arthouse snob, I just like good movies.

Speaking of, finally saw Gravity last night, really loved it. And Owl I agree somewhat with this,

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I have mixed feelings about Gravity winning the Cinematography award, because my personal concept of innovative cinematography revolves around a cinematographer's ability to create beauty out of tangible settings. I do have a sincere appreciation of what was done for Gravity in cinematographic terms, though, after watching the supplementary features of the Blu-ray last week.

It was amazing what he did, but I thought that Capt Phillips should have gotten a nomination as well. Editingp played a mjor role in the tempo of that film, but I thought it was still a beautiful movie... even with it being stuck on a boat. With both it and the majority of Gravity, cramped settings always show the DP's true talent. Hmmm. maybe I just made the case for Gravity. Kudos Academy.

[edcresdee]

Originally Posted by TylerScruggs

I could sure use a blu-ray upgrade of My Dinner with Andre in the near future

There's a HD version available from Criterion on iTunes if that's any help

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by natureboy

New Horror Trailer - SNL Highlight - YouTube

Thanks for this share! I don't watch SNL that much anymore so I missed this. My question is, "When does this come out?!" I admit I do love Wes Anderson, but this is really funny. Nice little morning chuckle. And wow, Ed does a great Owen Wilson!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

Speaking of, finally saw Gravity last night, really loved it. And Owl I agree somewhat with this,

It was amazing what he did, but I thought that Capt Phillips should have gotten a nomination as well. Editing played a major role in the tempo of that film, but I thought it was still a beautiful movie... even with it being stuck on a boat. With both it and the majority of Gravity, cramped settings always show the DP's true talent. Hmmm. maybe I just made the case for Gravity. Kudos Academy.

My favorite movie of 2013, All Is Lost, owns it as far as cinematography in a limited setting. I keep returning to this Blu-ray over and over again, although I've got a backlog of unwatched Blu-rays in my stack.

I love Gravity, though. It's the first time that I've watched a movie that relies heavily on digital effects, and did not even once think about the fact that I was watching digital effects.

Here's my review of Gravity that I posted in another thread a few months ago after I saw the theatrical release...

[Show spoiler]I am hesitant to embrace hyperbole when reviewing movies, but I think that Gravity is a visually spectacular film, and I have never seen such a seamless blend of digital technology, live-action choreography, and traditional lensing techniques in all of my years as a moviegoer. Director Alfonso Cuarón demonstrated a flair for long camera takes in his previous film, Children of Men, but he outdoes himself here with a 13-minute unbroken opening shot that introduces the two characters, played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, floating above the vast panorama of Earth on a shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Telescope. Cuarón's camera works with a stunning fluidity to depict the disorientation of outer space, where up, down, left, or right have no meaning. Unlike the Star Wars and Star Trek films that we have seen for the past several decades, Gravity gives us a true idea of the isolation of space, where sound does not carry and where normal physical maneuvers for locomotion do not apply. Aside from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, no other film has succeeded so well in showing the terrifying prospects of danger in a space environment. When satellite debris flies across the screen to destroy the shuttle and leave the two characters alone in the elements, the destruction and explosions are accompanied by haunting silence. The subsequent efforts of these characters to survive offers some truly riveting moments that made my heart skip a few beats.

Gravity is not without its flaws. Astute space enthusiasts may point out the logical shortcomings of the transport between objects in different orbits that is outlined in the film. A back story about the daughter of Sandra Bullock's character is superfluous and unnecessarily melodramatic, because we already relate to her peril without such histrionics. I cannot help wondering if Gravity would have been an even better film if unfamiliar actors had been cast in lieu of Clooney and Bullock, but I concede that the use of easily-identifiable personalities is crucial in this story where the presence of these characters is only perceived through voice transmissions in many scenes. My above observations are minor nitpicks, though, and Gravity succeeds admirably and awesomely with its simple mission to sell us on both the majesty and horror of its setting.

This movie has my highest recommendation.

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

I agree with Belle de jour for sure. I read a lot about it, especially Ebert's praise, but I was just turned off completely. I totally understood the premise and the surreality of it, but the dude Marcel was just horrendous.. With the clarity of the Criterion blu, you can see the dirt in his long finger nails. I dunno, kinda rambling, but this film is one I would not mind selling back. Been there, seen it, don't care for it.

I liked the film, I did, it's just not one I can see myself watching over and over. It's a good film, I thnk the way it's shot, the story, the undertones, but it just didn't "speak" to me. I know that's cliche, but I really hoped for more. That being said, it's well worth the time spent watching.