The Criterion Collection

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've heard that it differs quite a bit from the source novel, which I read a few weeks ago, and that it's almost more like a series of visually-unnerving vignettes than a cohesive story. I go for that sort of thing, though. After seeing Tarkovsky's Solaris on the big screen recently, I'm all the more eager to see Under the Skin at a theater.

Scarlett Johansson has really been putting the rest of the world to shame lately. She was excellent in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which I quickly decided is my favorite comic book adaptation that I have ever seen, and it's great that they gave her character a lot more to do.

It goes without saying that Criterion ought to tackle Ghost World and Lost in Translation.

Lost in translation is a superb film, I always get lost in it (pun not intended) - so far thats my favourite performance from her, so honest and real.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by jw007

Has everyone posted their top 5 most re-watchable Criterions? I have collected 35 posts that people posted on this forum in the last few days and have put together a final tally of the most re-watched films.

I will post the final results later today or tomorrow, but if anyone has yet to submit their top 5 most re-watchable Criterions, please do so now, so you can be included in the final results! Thanks!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Third Man
M
Seconds
Brazil

[blkhrt]

I have probably watched these the most:

The Passion of Joan of Arc
Dazed and Confused
Chungking Express
Fat Girl
Written on the Wind

If we are limiting ourselves to blu releases, I would probably go with

Chungking Express
Fat Girl
Days of Heaven
The Ice Storm
Hausu

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by manunited1

Top 5 re-watchable titles
1. La Haine
2. Samurai Seven
3. Fear and loathing in Las Vegas
4. Life aquatic with Steve Zissou
5. Dazed and confused

Decent anime, but not a Criterion release

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by jw007

I actually saw Under the Skin last week in a movie theater near Union Square in NYC. I hate to say this, but I didn't really "get" the film. It's the kind of movie you need to surrender yourself to. It can be quite meditative, hypnotic and entrancing. There is hardly much dialogue spoken in the movie. At first I felt it was going to be a snoozefest and that was after I thought it was already slightly pretentious (I know, this is a word I shouldn't use since its abused, but still). In the end, its a film that needs to be seen multiple times to be understood. I started to make sense of what little story there was after I left the theater, but it definitely is a creepy and unnerving film, leaning on horror. Scarlett is stunning and quite naked throughout the film which I appreciated. Nevertheless, I'm not sure I can recommend this film when its released on Blu-ray as I think it should be rented/viewed before purchasing. That's just my opinion though.

I'm actually surprised that you did not know this going into the film. What was your initial feeling when the film came on your radar for wanting to see it including pimping it as your avatar?

The film was well publicized as being very cerebral and esoteric when it premiered last year at film festivals.

[DeyoreW]

My top five re-watches...

Time Bandits
The 400 Blows
Seven Samurai
Notorious
Charade

[jw007]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've heard that it differs quite a bit from the source novel, which I read a few weeks ago, and that it's almost more like a series of visually-unnerving vignettes than a cohesive story. I go for that sort of thing, though. After seeing Tarkovsky's Solaris on the big screen recently, I'm all the more eager to see Under the Skin at a theater.

Scarlett Johansson has really been putting the rest of the world to shame lately. She was excellent in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which I quickly decided is my favorite comic book adaptation that I have ever seen, and it's great that they gave her character a lot more to do.

It goes without saying that Criterion ought to tackle Ghost World and Lost in Translation.

i'd be curious to hear your thoughts about this film after you see it and whether or not you liked it. Lost in Translation is one of my favorite films of all time, so a Criterion release of this would probably rock my head off.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

I'm actually surprised that you did not know this going into the film. What was your initial feeling when the film came on your radar for wanting to see it including pimping it as your avatar?

The film was well publicized as being very cerebral and esoteric when it premiered last year at film festivals.

Yes, but maybe I saw this coming off the heels of a double feature I had seen an hour earlier at a different theater (Jodorowsky's Dune - which was a GREAT documentary). So I came out of that movie with some rational questions in my head and I go into a completely irrational film experience such as Under the Skin and have to digest the abstractness and esoteric nature of the movie.

I pimped my avatar of Scarlett because I'm a huge fan of hers. This movie, however, I'm definitely not a huge fan of.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jw007

i'd be curious to hear your thoughts about this film after you see it and whether or not you liked it. Lost in Translation is one of my favorite films of all time, so a Criterion release of this would probably rock my head off.

My head would explode too - such a superb film, I know it got a lot of criticism and know many who hate it but can't see why - such a beautiful and powerful film and powerful performances would also LOVE The Virgin Suicides, another great film from Sofia Coppola ^^

[szyzk]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

DYING to see Under The Skin, but not being shown anywhere near me - wish it was VOD

+1 for VOD

I'll be traveling about 90 minutes (each way) this weekend to see it at the closest theater.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

I actually saw Under the Skin last week in a movie theater near Union Square in NYC. I hate to say this, but I didn't really "get" the film. It's the kind of movie you need to surrender yourself to. It can be quite meditative, hypnotic and entrancing. There is hardly much dialogue spoken in the movie. At first I felt it was going to be a snoozefest and that was after I thought it was already slightly pretentious (I know, this is a word I shouldn't use since its abused, but still). In the end, its a film that needs to be seen multiple times to be understood.

Sounds much like The Man Who Fell to Earth.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Sounds much like The Man Who Fell to Earth.

Im on edge with buying this on Criterion, Blu is like £150 O,o

Not seen but I like sound of it, would rather see on Criteiron as first viewing than some dodgy dvd lol XD

[alien2010]

Saw Under The Skin a few weeks ago, and I absolutely loved it. Haunting, surreal, Scarlett Johanson, mesmerizing set pieces, unforgettable soundtrack. However I too vote that this film should have had a VOD release. I live in the UK and the screen where I saw this was small and claustrophobic. However I did not mind that, what I did mind is that in last half hour of this film more then 10 people stood up to go to the bathroom due to the fact that they were serving wine in the bar. I mean who drinks wine at 10:30 in the morning? The viewing experience was ruined for me, but at least the film was brilliant.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by alien2010

Saw Under The Skin a few weeks ago, and I absolutely loved it. Haunting, surreal, Scarlett Johanson, mesmerizing set pieces, unforgettable soundtrack. However I too vote that this film should have had a VOD release. I live in the UK and the screen where I saw this was small and claustrophobic. However I did not mind that, what I did mind is that in last half hour of this film more then 10 people stood up to go to the bathroom due to the fact that they were serving wine in the bar. I mean who drinks wine at 10:30 in the morning? The viewing experience was ruined for me, but at least the film was brilliant.

Im a MASSIVE film fan and yes filsm should been seen in cinemas, huge screen, amazing sound - however I avoid at ALL costs, other film goers ruin it for me, they are noisy, get up loads or make rude comments - I just end up not enjoying film and leaving angry, I want to be immersed in the films universe, but people always draw you out.

Saw Nympho in cinema and they had interval (didn't need it) and the amount of people late in for second part, just distracting and annoying.

Its a shame people are so inconsiderate to others, even in an indy/specialist cinema, Odeon is worst though - but they rarely show anything decent though

[bhampton]

Stopped in a small "VideoStop" store here and found a sealed new copy of Criterion Le Beau Serge for $6.99.

Blind bought it ... Hope it's at least interesting.

[Polaroid]

off topic but for you Cronenberg fans:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2014/wat...-to-the-stars/

Not sure what to think of it, great actors in it (cheesey music! lol), seems quite clean looking for Cronenberg though lol

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by jw007

[Show spoiler]I actually saw Under the Skin last week in a movie theater near Union Square in NYC. I hate to say this, but I didn't really "get" the film. It's the kind of movie you need to surrender yourself to. It can be quite meditative, hypnotic and entrancing. There is hardly much dialogue spoken in the movie. At first I felt it was going to be a snoozefest and that was after I thought it was already slightly pretentious (I know, this is a word I shouldn't use since its abused, but still). In the end, its a film that needs to be seen multiple times to be understood. I started to make sense of what little story there was after I left the theater, but it definitely is a creepy and unnerving film, leaning on horror. Scarlett is stunning and quite naked throughout the film which I appreciated. Nevertheless, I'm not sure I can recommend this film when its released on Blu-ray as I think it should be rented/viewed before purchasing. That's just my opinion though

.

Totally agree. I was having a debate in my head while watching it as to whether it was symbolic, metaphorical, visually/aurally masterful art or dull, pretentious garbage. I kept going back and forth, and I can see why the film would be so divisive among audiences, though I must say I'm surprised at the incredible praise it's getting on Rotten Tomatoes. There were many aspects I enjoyed about it such as the visuals and haunting score, and some scenes including the very beginning,

[Show spoiler]the scene on the beach, the moment with the floating blue male victims, Scarlett checking herself out naked , the interaction between Scarlett and a disfigured man was poignant, and the ending was chilling and creepy.

Under the Skin was a very anticipated movie for me, but the end result is mixed to positive for me. It was

[Show spoiler]totally lacking in any plot, it was boring here and there and felt repetitive in the beginning (it felt like a dragged out music video or short film which makes sense given the director's background). I know not all films need to have plot but they should still be executed better than this.

I do agree that it is something that'll necessitate repeat viewings to understand more, because I didn't know what was going on for much of the movie. Not recommended as a blind buy unless you're really into arthouse. Oh, I will say Scarlett was great in the role. As of now, it's sitting at a 3.5/5, which I feel is being a tad generous. These are just my first impressions.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by jw007

Has everyone posted their top 5 most re-watchable Criterions? I have collected 35 posts that people posted on this forum in the last few days and have put together a final tally of the most re-watched films.

I will post the final results later today or tomorrow, but if anyone has yet to submit their top 5 most re-watchable Criterions, please do so now, so you can be included in the final results! Thanks!

I'd like to contribute, but I don't think I've watched any of my Criterions a second time yet. I'll be happy if/when I can get through them all even one time. I can say that I haven't disliked any of them yet.

[skylog]

i suppose my top 5, to this point, would have to be:

seven samurai
yojimbo
la haine
chungking express
revanche

[alien2010]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

off topic but for you Cronenberg fans:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2014/wat...-to-the-stars/

Not sure what to think of it, great actors in it (cheesey music! lol), seems quite clean looking for Cronenberg though lol

Looks very interesting and I cannot wait. I really do hope this doesn't turn into a stinker like Cosmopolis.