The Criterion Collection

[Zoltar]

Originally Posted by StLouisRibs

Yes, surely you must order either Shoah or Berlin Alexanderplatz?

Berlin Alexanderplatz was actually the first thing that popped into my head

[nondiatonic]

I can completely understand all the von Trier hate.

However, I have yet to be disappointed with my experiences with him (Antichrist, Europa, and The Element of Crime). I plan to blind buy Breaking The Waves and Melancholia (although I think the latter is on Netflix streaming). Based on others sentiments this may seem like a high risk decision, but given my enjoyment of his films so far I think I'll be fine.

'Pretentious' seems like an easy word to throw around. Perhaps it is warranted here (for those who dislike his films). But, it seems to be used like a catch-all term when someone doesn't like an art house movie (I mean this in a general sense, not just as it has been applied in this thread).

[The Great Owl]

I watched Otto Preminger's Angel Face after work. Jean Simmons had such an amazing acting range, and it's hard to believe that she played both the dancing girl in Black Narcissus and Diane in this film noir.

Simmons also played Ophelia in the Laurence Olivier version of Hamlet, which is available on Criterion DVD (and which needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray as soon as possible).

I cannot say anything about Angel Face without ruining the whole movie for y'all, but the DVD really is worth seeking out.

[Zoltar]

Originally Posted by jw007

Zoltar, lucky you, congrats on that golden ticket. Please take a pic and upload it on here for all to see!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I can completely understand all the von Trier hate.

However, I have yet to be disappointed with my experiences with him (Antichrist, Europa, and The Element of Crime).

I haven't yet seen Antichrist or Melancholia (they've both been in my Netflix queue for ages, but something else always seems to take precedence), and there are a couple of others that haven't been released here on DVD, but I've yet to be disappointed in any of Trier's works that I have seen. Some (like Dogville, and even The Kingdom II) are not up to the level of others, but I've always found something to like in all of them.

[Scottie]

I started watching The Long Day Closes before I decided to take a dinner break and didn't feel like watching anymore afterwards.

From what I saw, it was very magical and enchanting. I really loved the soundtrack, the filming style, and the editing. The film has some of the nicest usages of lighting and match-on-action that I've seen in quite a while.

I'll rewatch the parts I saw and eventually finish it sometime later this week, but I personally think it deserves some acknowledgment.

[Clare2904]

Originally Posted by Zoltar

Where did the photo you took of your Golden Ticket go ?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

I watched Night Train to Munich last night for the first time. It was excellent! I didn't realize its almost a companion piece to The Lady Vanishes as there are 2 male actors who reprise their roles in this film (I forget their names). I thought the movie really kicked into high gear in the 2nd half. It was very engaging. Although I didn't think the locations and acting were all that realistic (esp. in the gun fight). I can see how people compare this film to a Hitchcock film now, but I still don't think it looks anything like a Hitchcock film. The comedy and humor is so understated in that British sort of way. It's extremely funny!

I'm glad that you enjoyed Night Train to Munich. The set pieces are a lot of fun, especially at the end. It's been so long since I watched my old DVD that I need to give it another go.

By the way, I finished reading Michel Faber's Under the Skin last night, and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. Such a weird and wonderful story!

[natureboy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched Otto Preminger's Angel Face after work. Jean Simmons had such an amazing acting range, and it's hard to believe that she played both the dancing girl in Black Narcissus and Diane in this film noir.

Simmons also played Ophelia in the Laurence Olivier version of Hamlet, which is available on Criterion DVD (and which needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray as soon as possible).

I cannot say anything about Angel Face without ruining the whole movie for y'all, but the DVD really is worth seeking out.

Man, how do you get off work so early.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by natureboy

Man, how do you get off work so early.

I work flex hours and arrive at work as early as possible in the morning so that I can leave as early as possible in the afternoon. It does not always work out this way, but it usually does.

My philosophy:
Go to work before everyone else or after everyone else, and then leave work before everyone else or after everyone else. Do not waste your life waiting in traffic.

It's also worth noting that Angel Face is only a 90-minute film.

[blu-bry]

Well, I broke down and ordered the Zatoichi set today. I've watched the first 5 movies on Hulu Plus and love them! My set is due next Wednesday, can't wait.
I've wanted this set since it came out, and was very tempted during the flash sale, but we just got a bonus at work and that made it possible.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I work flex hours and arrive at work as early as possible in the morning so that I can leave as early as possible in the afternoon. It does not always work out this way, but it usually does.

My philosophy:
Go to work before everyone else or after everyone else, and then leave work before everyone else or after everyone else. Do not waste your life waiting in traffic.

It's also worth noting that Angel Face is only a 90-minute film.

You can say that again. I try to get to work an hour or 2 before anyone else. I get a lot of stuff done when I'm flying solo. That way, whenever the inevitable "emergency" or something equally time consuming comes up, I don't fall behind.

[mattrobin90]

I usually work from 8-5, but that varies depending on how many patients I have. If it's a slow day, I'll let the young doc take over for the rest of the day (got to love eager youngsters haha). I can usually squeeze in a film on these days, and it looks like tomorrow will be one of those days, so I think I'm going to finally get around to watching Brazil (it's been on my to watch list for months now).

[StLouisRibs]

Interesting to see announcements by Cohen Media for two of Costa-Gavras' films (Amen and Capital) - hope this doesn't indicate that Costa-Gavras' titles may not be released by Criterion in future...

[hustlermane]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched Otto Preminger's Angel Face after work. Jean Simmons had such an amazing acting range, and it's hard to believe that she played both the dancing girl in Black Narcissus and Diane in this film noir.

Simmons also played Ophelia in the Laurence Olivier version of Hamlet, which is available on Criterion DVD (and which needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray as soon as possible).

I cannot say anything about Angel Face without ruining the whole movie for y'all, but the DVD really is worth seeking out.

Simmons won an Oscar for her role in Elmer Gantry, although its not her best work (but she is good). Which reminds me, I hope that film gets a blu-ray release soon, incredible film with one of Lancaster's best performances, truly one of those "great actors playing great actors" type roles.

And yeah, Angel Face was the film where she really impressed me, and I absolutely +1 Owl's suggestion. Great film. Preminger was a master of noir; Angel Face, Where The Sidewalk Ends and Laura are all top 10 in the genre for me.

[blu-bry]

Originally Posted by hustlermane

Simmons won an Oscar for her role in Elmer Gantry, although its not her best work (but she is good). Which reminds me, I hope that film gets a blu-ray release soon, incredible film with one of Lancaster's best performances, truly one of those "great actors playing great actors" type roles.

And yeah, Angel Face was the film where she really impressed me, and I absolutely +1 Owl's suggestion. Great film. Preminger was a master of noir; Angel Face, Where The Sidewalk Ends and Laura are all top 10 in the genre for me.

Jean Simmons was great in "Great Expectations" (which I have on Criterion DVD) also. She played Estella, the young girl who tormented Pip.

[Scottie]

I just watched Solaris and my head feels like it is going to explode.

I don't really know what to say except that I absolutely LOVED it despite not being certain on most of the things thrown my way.

I have a feeling that after rewatching it a few more times and doing some reading up on it, it will be in my nonexistent Top 25 favorite films of all time.

Just a beautiful and unique movie. Wow.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I just watched Solaris and my head feels like it is going to explode.

I don't really know what to say except that I absolutely LOVED it despite not being certain on most of the things thrown my way.

I have a feeling that after rewatching it a few more times and doing some reading up on it, it will be in my nonexistent Top 25 favorite films of all time.

Just a beautiful and unique movie. Wow.

I wasn't crazy about that one. It was one of those movies I felt dragged along for about 30-40 minutes too long. Plus the unexplained ending kind of killed what enjoyment I did have for it

[Bruisermoore]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I wasn't crazy about that one. It was one of those movies I felt dragged along for about 30-40 minutes too long. Plus the unexplained ending kind of killed what enjoyment I did have for it

I feel the same way. I blind bought it a few years back and didn't care for it much at all, for basically the same reasons you didn't. It's one of the few Criterion blus i've sold and never replaced again at some point.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by smoss469

I wasn't crazy about that one. It was one of those movies I felt dragged along for about 30-40 minutes too long. Plus the unexplained ending kind of killed what enjoyment I did have for it

The ambiguous ending may be the best thing about out, in my opinion.

I believe it's a film that explores the concepts of life, love, relationships, and second chances. By Kris having another chance with his wife, he is able to let her know exactly how much she meant to him.

There's no denying how philosophically ground the film is and it asks such simple every day questions that are so difficult to answer, such as the meaning of life.

I personally think it's difficult to give one specific explanation for the film, but after one viewing, I think its purpose is to explore how extremely difficult, ambiguous, and convoluted life truly is and can be.