The Criterion Collection - Page 5153 - Blu-ray Forum

jhiggy23 · 06-21-2014, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Soderbergh's King of the Hall is a minor masterpiece; I saw this several times over the years, but didn't really appreciate this until I saw the Criterion Blu version this year (which was also packaged with another great '90's Soderbergh feature, The Underneath). KOTH is a great coming of age story, and I found all of the performances stellar. Look for a young K. Heigl (Gray's Anatomy) & Adrien Brody (The Pianist).

Also liked La Vie Boheme - very interesting depiction of a laid-back/artistic lifestyle in Paris. What I found fascinating about this film was that it was filmed & released in the '90's, and seemed to take place during that time period as well. But, it brought to mind a much earlier era - it could almost have been a film from the 1950's/early 1960's - the b&w cinematography added to this feeling.

I also enjoyed Kaurismaki's Le Havre; very uplifting film that took place in the modern era (21st century), but brought to mind an older, more nostalgic time period.

Thanks for the feedback and I agree about Le Havre invoking an older time period.

AnamorphicWidescreen · 06-21-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iScottie

I thought King of the Hill was a pretty enjoyable film overall. Sure, it definitely downplays the hardships of The Great Depression, but I thought all of the characters were, for the most part, charming and interesting.

Well..by "downyplays" if you're talking about the:

[Show spoiler]

However, there were several scenes showing the main protagonist (the kid) having serious hunger pangs due to not having enough food to eat. Granted, it didn't get to the point where you saw him as skin & bones, but I found those scenes quite disturbing...

Plus, there was another character who

[Show spoiler]

And, there were scenes of people living in shanty towns, sick kids (the child who had Epilepsy), etc. So, I don't really think the film "downplayed" the effects of the depression, but that's just me...

zoodermin · 06-21-2014, 08:27 PM

So what's the deal with the "Three Reasons" videos? We haven't had any since Persona...

Scottie · 06-21-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Well..by "downyplays" if you're talking about the:

[Show spoiler]

However, there were several scenes showing the main protagonist (the kid) having serious hunger pangs due to not having enough food to eat. Granted, it didn't get to the point where you saw him as skin & bones, but I found those scenes quite disturbing...

Plus, there was another character who

[Show spoiler]

And, there were scenes of people living in shanty towns, sick kids (the child who had Epilepsy), etc. So, I don't really think the film "downplayed" the effects of the depression, but that's just me...

I understand what you're saying. Clearly the demeanor of everyone else was not the same as the boy and his family.

That being said, I think the overall mood of the film was very happy, somber, and adventuresome rather than dark and depressing. Of course, I don't want to sit for almost two hours watching something incredibly heartbreaking, but the lighting, color grading, and score choices made no effort in portraying The Depression as it actually was. That's just me, though.

zoodermin · 06-21-2014, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iScottie

Certified Copy and Persona should be definite buys, in my opinion.

I'd say if you could get another three, you should make it All That Heaven Allows, The Hidden Fortress, and Red River.

I can buy four! Persona is a must but I need to decide three more. I'm a huge Kurosawa fan so I was going to get both Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress but I haven't seen them. And I'm very interested in All that Heaven Allows.

Scottie · 06-21-2014, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoodermin

I can buy four! Persona is a must but I need to decide three more. I'm a huge Kurosawa fan so I was going to get both Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress but I haven't seen them. And I'm very interested in All that Heaven Allows.

If you're a fan of Macbeth, then Throne of Blood should be right up your alley. It's a really good adaptation.

Polaroid · 06-21-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iScottie

If you're a fan of Macbeth, then Throne of Blood should be right up your alley. It's a really good adaptation.

Damn it, I'm trying to save up! Made me buy it haha >.<

hendersd · 06-21-2014, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I finally got around to watching Koyaanisqatsi from the Qatsi Trilogy set which I blind bought during the November B&N sale. Wow. This is pure cinema. It's a film absent of actors, dialogue, plot, and is stripped down to the bare essentials: visuals and music. Ron Fricke's cinematography is stunning and there are so many incredible, awesome, memorable shots. The manipulation of speed and editing are brilliant, not to mention fairly entertaining. The score by Philip Glass is one of the best I've ever heard and elevates the hypnotic imagery. I was apparently a fan of Glass before I even knew it, as I had previously heard the excerpt used by Zack Snyder from this movie in Watchmen and loved listening to that track "Pruit Igoe & Prophecies" over and over. Koyaanisqatsi does have an experimental documentary feel but to call it that feels wrong and doesn't quite do the film justice. There is a definite message there, but since there is no dialogue (ie talking heads, narration) and the organization of the images is such that the meaning can be slightly different to every person (no hitting over the head with trite editing), the film is more of an experience, and an important one at that. It's so strange to see our life from an almost alien angle, and director Godfrey Reggio really captured something about humanity and our daily existence in my opinion, and it stuck with me. This is one of those films I feel everyone should see before they die. It is a masterpiece, and I don't pull that word from my film vocabulary regularly.

Yea, it's a great one. I also enjoy the second film in the trilogy, but the third is a much lesser effort IMO. The "low tech" CGI and manipulated footage (much of it simply in negative) really makes the film seem dated. Maybe in a few years it will seem *so* dated that it will be "interesting". For me it's pretty much of a wash. But as far as Koyaanisqatsi, wow, I didn't expect it to look this good on BD. I think it's the best pairing of Glass' music to a film. Dracula was simply annoying...IMO, of course.

Oh, and Bronx Bull...Thanks for posting those shots re: Kiss Me Deadly. That was awesome!

Polaroid · 06-21-2014, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hendersd

Yea, it's a great one. I also enjoy the second film in the trilogy, but the third is a much lesser effort IMO. The "low tech" CGI and manipulated footage (much of it simply in negative) really makes the film seem dated. Maybe in a few years it will seem *so* dated that it will be "interesting". For me it's pretty much of a wash. But as far as Koyaanisqatsi, wow, I didn't expect it to look this good on BD. I think it's the best pairing of Glass' music to a film. Dracula was simply annoying...IMO, of course.

Oh, and Bronx Bull...Thanks for posting those shots re: Kiss Me Deadly. That was awesome!

It almost feels VISTORS is replacing NAQOQATSI, in terms of themes they are pretty close.

Clare2904 · 06-21-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polaroid

It almost feels VISTORS is replacing NAQOQATSI, in terms of themes they are pretty close.

Where did you view Visitors in the UK?

dtyner92 · 06-21-2014, 10:14 PM

The first four Criterion I want to pick up from the sale are:
1. Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Throne of Blood
3. Hidden Fortress
4. Ace in the Hole/Fanny and Alexander?
I noticed that there is quite a few Criterion dvds I want as well. Everyone including myself runs into that problem of, will they be upgraded this year?

Polaroid · 06-21-2014, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Where did you view Visitors in the UK?

Got the American Bluray/DVD combo off DVDWorldUSA

Clare2904 · 06-21-2014, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtyner92

The first four Criterion I want to pick up from the sale are:
1. Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Throne of Blood
3. Hidden Fortress
4. Ace in the Hole/Fanny and Alexander?
I noticed that there is quite a few Criterion dads I want as well. Everyone including myself runs into that problem of, will they be upgraded this year?

Never knew Criterion had parents.

hoytereden · 06-21-2014, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtyner92

The first four Criterion I want to pick up from the sale are:
1. Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Throne of Blood
3. Hidden Fortress
4. Ace in the Hole/Fanny and Alexander?
I noticed that there is quite a few Criterion dads I want as well. Everyone including myself runs into that problem of, will they be upgraded this year?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Never knew Criterion had parents.

I'm one of these. My daughter buys them and sends them to me.

Clare2904 · 06-21-2014, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I'm one of these. My daughter buys them and sends them to me.

May I borrow your Daughter for a few days in July?

octagon · 06-21-2014, 10:48 PM

SammyJankis · 06-21-2014, 10:49 PM

Just had a random thought of Criterion announcing Mulholland Dr. Pretty sure I'll actually cry tears of joy when it happens.

hoytereden · 06-21-2014, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clare2904

May I borrow your Daughter for a few days in July?

I'll be needing her then.

I have no B&N here and she's a member so that 60% off is sweet plus she can hand pick the digipaks.

Clare2904 · 06-21-2014, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I'll be needing her then.

I have no B&N here and she's a member so that 60% off is sweet plus she can hand pick the digipaks.

dtyner92 · 06-21-2014, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clare2904

Never knew Criterion had parents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I'm one of these. My daughter buys them and sends them to me.

haha! damn auto correct. DVDs*

06-21-2014, 10:14 PM	#103051
dtyner92 Active Member Member since:Aug 2012 Location:California Blu-ray collection:360 DVD collection:27	The first four Criterion I want to pick up from the sale are: 1. Picnic at Hanging Rock 2. Throne of Blood 3. Hidden Fortress 4. Ace in the Hole/Fanny and Alexander? I noticed that there is quite a few Criterion dvds I want as well. Everyone including myself runs into that problem of, will they be upgraded this year? Last edited by dtyner92; 06-21-2014 at 11:24 PM.

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06-21-2014, 08:27 PM	#103043
zoodermin Power Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2010 Location:New York, NY Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:106 Blu-ray collection:740 Blu-ray reviews: 63 Trading Score:1	So what's the deal with the "Three Reasons" videos? We haven't had any since Persona...

06-21-2014, 10:49 PM	#103057
SammyJankis Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Austin Blu-ray collection:664	Just had a random thought of Criterion announcing Mulholland Dr. Pretty sure I'll actually cry tears of joy when it happens.

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