The Criterion Collection

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

While it does go off on a few too many dead-end tangents in the middle of its second and final season (after Lynch and Frost were forced by the network to reveal the identity of Laura Palmer's killer), the series is MOSTLY fantastic. And the arc of episodes that actually reveal Laura's killer...well, I don't think network television has ever given us anything as genuinely horrific. And Lynch's return for the finale made it stand out as something that would have been worth continuing. Unfortunately, ratings dropped during the lull following the Laura Palmer case's resolution. It would've been nice to see what ultimately happened with Dale.

I can see how this all ties together now though. Watching it in sequence was fantastic and I'm so glad I had this experience. After seeing the final episode in Season 1, I finally realized just how crazy this show is/was. And the suspense was held very nicely from episode to episode. I don't mind that the story went off different tangents in Season 2. It helped build up the characters and give the viewers more of a familiarity with them. 30 episodes was just perfect in fact. Lynch really delivered and it prob. was the best thing he ever made.

The one thing about David Lynch's style of directing that I have never seen anywhere else is how frightening he makes an otherwise ordinary scene into something truly terrifying. Case in point are the shots where you see a character walk into frame from far away and slowly he/she walks towards the camera and then you begin to see how wrong everything is, how the face of the character is crazy-looking and then walks directly into the lens, like a truly disturbing nightmare. Stuff like that just freaks me out.

Originally Posted by Ausjdm

JW!...

[Show spoiler]so JW How's Annie?? How's Annie?? Lol!

Oh man, that really creeped me out, but for some crazy reason I had

[Show spoiler]a feeling that was going to happen to Cooper! I just knew he was going to become BOB (aka the bad guy). I can accept the ending even though its somewhat unbearable.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Coen

Also, and perhaps more importantly, as someone with a weak stomach, which LVT films should I avoid?

Antichrist...definitely. Pretty brutal imagery.

I think Breaking the Waves is his most friendly, least bitter film. You could try Melancholia and Europa also.

[SammyJankis]

Somewhat Criterion related. Terence Davies is shooting his next on 65mm.

Pretty awesome. Hopefully I'll get the chance to see a print.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

it's 3 am and i finally finished watching all 30 episodes of twin peaks tonight (over a span of 2+ weeks)...wow, what a f#cked up ending ... so disturbing, this will never leave my mind prob. til i'm gone from this planetoid.... let's see if i have nightmares now... usually i don't but who knows... i can see how this tv show changed people's lives though.

Have you seen the film Fire Walk with Me yet?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Might be a spoiler question:

[Show spoiler]Can someone clear up who maddy is in TV show for me? (starting the series again now and bit confused as Sheryl Lee played Laura in film? so why is she a different character in TV series? Is there a reason or something?

[Show spoiler]They are identical cousins. Sheryl Lee played Laura in early episodes of the show (as a dead body, and in flashbacks). Maddy shows up a few episodes down the road. The original intent was her being a reference to a particular film. I won't say which, because it might be a spoiler for the film.

There are a number of film references in the series. The most obvious ones are to Laura and Vertigo.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Ah great thanks wish Criterion did a release of the complete series and film :P

CBS/Paramount is currently working with David Lynch on an HD "restoration" of the series for Blu-ray release. I don't know if it'll include the film as well. I've heard that CBS acquired the film rights from New Line, but I don't know if that's just a rumor or a done deal.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

[Show spoiler]They are identical cousins. Sheryl Lee played Laura in early episodes of the show (as a dead body, and in flashbacks). Maddy shows up a few episodes down the road. The original intent was her being a reference to a particular film. I won't say which, because it might be a spoiler for the film.

There are a number of film references in the series. The most obvious ones are to Laura and Vertigo.

Ah right thanks - started watching Series and its so good - not sure why I kept putting it off, probably just effort lol

I LOVE the film so much so its nice actually being able to revisit this world I miss Laura though :'(

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by jayembee

[Show spoiler]They are identical cousins. Sheryl Lee played Laura in early episodes of the show (as a dead body, and in flashbacks). Maddy shows up a few episodes down the road. The original intent was her being a reference to a particular film. I won't say which, because it might be a spoiler for the film.

There are a number of film references in the series. The most obvious ones are to Laura and Vertigo.

Sheryl Lee was only supposed to have a brief part as Laura, but Lynch liked her so much he created Maddy for her.

I really loved Fire Walk with Me. Its different in tone and style, but it was so bitter sweet and sad. I found it moving.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Coen

Also, and perhaps more importantly, as someone with a weak stomach, which LVT films should I avoid?

Definitely stay away from The Kingdom and The Kingdom II. Which is unfortunate, because those are among his best work. Well, at least the first one is.

Element of Crime and Europa -- both on DVD from Criterion -- shouldn't be too bad a watch. It's been a while since I've watched either, but I can't recall anything egregiously awful in either one.

[Mansinthe]

LVT eclipse set for the movies that are likely not gonna get a bluray would be nice

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by CHEЯNOБLY!

Sheryl Lee was only supposed to have a brief part as Laura, but Lynch liked her so much he created Maddy for her.

I really loved Fire Walk with Me. Its different in tone and style, but it was so bitter sweet and sad. I found it moving.

I can see why he liked her In FWWM she was so conflicted and her performance was incredible.

The film was so haunting, I loved her transformation throughout the film, and the scene where she goes 'Your Laura disappeared. It’s just me now.' was so powerful and emotional, it was like after all her struggle something within has taken over and the innocent girl was gone.

God I can talk about FWWM for ages its so amazing, I haven't watched in ages and I NEED to watch now remembering so many amazing things... Laura was such a typical Lynch woman though, conflicted, blonde with red lipstick and duality.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

LVT eclipse set for the movies that are likely not gonna get a bluray would be nice

Im not keen on Eclipse sets, they feel cheap and meh (but like idea o faking the films accessible and easy to find)

LVT's films need full releases :P Epidemic, Dancer in the Dark, Idiots... etc etc - just give them all bluray releases criterion lol :P

But seriously after all this talk about LVT and Lynch - How has Lynch not got into the CC? and why haven't they touched ay Dogme films :S?

Lynch needs a decent box set release, the current ones lack films, or they have made sets with odd films that don't go together as a set.

[The Great Owl]

With respect to the Coen discussion, I'm now listening to the "Kenneth Loring" commentary track and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, after watching the film itself with undivided attention last night.

Blood Simple really is pretty amazing. I like the moody music that sets this movie apart from a lot of the other Coen Brothers films, and I like how the Coens nailed the film noir aesthetic with the story.

Although I bought Il Sorpasso yesterday, I'm shuffling it back a few places on my still-unwatched Blu-ray queue. Not long ago, I found a perfect condition used copy of the Superman Anthology Blu-ray set for $40, and I've decided that I will dedicate this weekend to revisiting all four of the Christopher Reeve movies to see how they look in high definition. I'm excited about this a lot more than I should probably admit here. I'll be outdoors a lot this weekend as well, but, if I have time, I'll even revisit the snoozefest that is Superman Returns, which is officially the lamest movie in my entire Blu-ray collection, but a necessary evil since I want to own all versions of the earlier Christopher Reeve films and the complete box set is the only way to go.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Im not keen on Eclipse sets, they feel cheap and meh (but like idea o faking the films accessible and easy to find)

I'm not keen on the idea of an "Early Lars von Trier" set, either. Like you, I appreciate making these films available, but it feels like writing off the possibility of a Blu-ray release for them.

LVT's films need full releases :P Epidemic, Dancer in the Dark, Idiots... etc etc - just give them all bluray releases criterion lol :P

Well, Dancer in the Dark is an unlikely candidate for Criterion to get its hands on, though I don't know how secure New Line's rights to it are: they weren't an actual production partner on it as far as I know. Certainly Criterion still owns the rights to Element of Crime and Europa. And possibly Epidemic (which was released on DVD by Home Vision).

Personally, the one I'd most like to see from Criterion is Medea, which was based on an unused script by Carl Theodor Dreyer. They could kill two birds with one stone. I don't know if Facets still has the rights to it -- they released it on DVD, which I haven't seen, but more often than not, Facets' DVDs are awful (Kieslowski's Decalogue being a notable exception).

But seriously after all this talk about LVT and Lynch - How has Lynch not got into the CC? and why haven't they touched ay Dogme films :S?

Lynch's films tend to be owned by major studios unlikely to license them. Word has it, though, that Criterion are working on Blu-rays of Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Not long ago, I found a perfect condition used copy of the Superman Anthology Blu-ray set for $40, and I've decided that I will dedicate this weekend to revisiting all four of the Christopher Reeve movies to see how they look in high definition. I'm excited about this a lot more than I should probably admit here. I'll be outdoors a lot this weekend as well, but, if I have time, I'll even watch the snoozefest that is Superman Returns, which is officially the lamest movie in my entire Blu-ray collection, but a necessary evil since I want to own all versions of the earlier Christopher Reeve films and the entire box set is the only way to go.

Superman Returns has its problems but it's far more watchable than either Superman III or Superman IV. Even Supergirl is more watchable than the latter two.

I've been tempted to get the first two Reeve films on Blu-ray, but I have the mondo Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD set, which includes -- in addition to the four Reeve films (with two different cuts of the first two) and Returns -- the George Reeves feature Superman and the Mole Men and the entire run of the Fleischer/Famous Superman cartoons.

Anyway, I've realized that even the first two Reeve films don't work for me quite like they used to. My not being inclined to revisit them much means that the DVD set works well enough for me.

[Polaroid]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I'm not keen on the idea of an "Early Lars von Trier" set, either. Like you, I appreciate making these films available, but it feels like writing off the possibility of a Blu-ray release for them.




Well, Dancer in the Dark is an unlikely candidate for Criterion to get its hands on, though I don't know how secure New Line's rights to it are: they weren't an actual production partner on it as far as I know. Certainly Criterion still owns the rights to Element of Crime and Europa. And possibly Epidemic (which was released on DVD by Home Vision).

Personally, the one I'd most like to see from Criterion is Medea, which was based on an unused script by Carl Theodor Dreyer. They could kill two birds with one stone. I don't know if Facets still has the rights to it -- they released it on DVD, which I haven't seen, but more often than not, Facets' DVDs are awful (Kieslowski's Decalogue being a notable exception).



Lynch's films tend to be owned by major studios unlikely to license them. Word has it, though, that Criterion are working on Blu-rays of Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive.

Yah thats great about Eraserhead and I love it, but we already have a pretty amazing version of it, cleaned by Lynch himself, Mulholland Dr would be ace, but still, Lost Highway, Twin Peaks, Elephant Man etc, so many amazing films that need to be made best they can. Shame companies are so stingy .

How did I not know about Medea ???? Thought I saw everything he's done >.<

Wish studios would just team up with Criterion or something and do whats best for the film not just for profits

Dancer NEEDS a decent copy released though :/ such a shame a film as incredible as this doesn't have a better release... I never imagines Breaking the Waves would look as incredible as what Criterion had done.

Criterion does miracles with cinema lol

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Yah thats great about Eraserhead and I love it, but we already have a pretty amazing version of it, cleaned by Lynch himself, Mulholland Dr would be ace, but still, Lost Highway, Twin Peaks, Elephant Man etc, so many amazing films that need to be made best they can. Shame companies are so stingy .

Well, as I said before, CBS/Paramount is working with Lynch on Twin Peaks, so that's one off the list.

[Polaroid]

OMG Medea looks incredible!

Originally Posted by jayembee

Well, as I said before, CBS/Paramount is working with Lynch on Twin Peaks, so that's one off the list.

AH if he's working with them, I guess thats a good sign

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Superman Returns has its problems but it's far more watchable than either Superman III or Superman IV. Even Supergirl is more watchable than the latter two.

I've been tempted to get the first two Reeve films on Blu-ray, but I have the mondo Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD set, which includes -- in addition to the four Reeve films (with two different cuts of the first two) and Returns -- the George Reeves feature Superman and the Mole Men and the entire run of the Fleischer/Famous Superman cartoons.

Anyway, I've realized that even the first two Reeve films don't work for me quite like they used to. My not being inclined to revisit them much means that the DVD set works well enough for me.

My biggest reason for buying this Blu-ray set was to have the original theatrical version of Superman II, which is still my favorite superhero movie of all time.
The Richard Donner Cut is pretty cool, and I'll be revisiting it as well, but the original theatrical Superman II owns it.

I also like having both versions, theatrical and expanded, of Superman: The Movie. The Superman: The Movie discs include the above extras that you've mentioned.

Superman III and Superman IV are definitely nowhere in the same league as the first two, but the 1980s kid in me still loves owning them, and I chuckle every time I see them.

I don't hate Superman Returns outright, but it's my least favorite of the bunch, and I'd never own it if not for its inclusion on this complete set. The bottom line is that Christopher Reeve can be replaced as Superman, but Gene Hackman can never be replaced as Lex Luthor.

Merging this somewhat with Criterion topics, I love that Glenn Ford, who played the murderous Ben Wade in 3:10 to Yuma, also played Clark Kent's father in Superman: The Movie. It's also great that another classic western/classic film noir figure, Phyllis Thaxter, played Clark Kent's mother. I'd like to think that Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter had a blast appearing together in those Superman scenes.

[Dragun]

Originally Posted by Polaroid

LVT's films need full releases :P Epidemic, Dancer in the Dark, Idiots... etc etc - just give them all bluray releases criterion lol :P

Wasn't Dancer in the Dark shot on SD video? A Blu-Ray would certainly have lossless audio and better compression than the DVD, so it might be worth an upgrade.