The Criterion Collection

[pro-bassoonist]

State of Siege Blu-ray REVIEW



The film is absolutely phenomenal, but I am not too enthusiastic about the new 4K restoration. Nevertheless, this is a must-own release as it is virtually guaranteed that a better one isn't coming up.

The conversation with Costa-Gavras is outstanding. It was filmed shortly after the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris and allows one to see/evaluate State of Siege in an entirely new way.


Hopefully, Z isn't too far behind.



Pro-B

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Maybe i am the odd one, but i loved The Red Shoes (on a second viewing though), Black Narcissus, Colonel Blimp and Peeping Tom, and can't wait to see A Matter of Life and Death, hopefully on blu by Criterion.

A Mattee of Life and Death is probably my favorite of theirs. It really is something special. One day it'll probably be on Criterion, but I don't believe it is restored yet. Probably either A Canterbury Tale or Tales of Hoffman next, the latter depending on the rights issues.

[Moj]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

The Naked Island is the best i have seen from Shindo, clearly better than both Kuroneko and Onibaba although quite different, more like a silent film, so i see no reason why they would not release it on blu.

I think Naked Island is easier to understand culturally, but Shindo's translation of Kabuki Theatre tropes to a horror-film setting in Onibaba is phenomenal.

[mrjohnnyb]

The following excerpt is from Carlotta Films US Newsletter:


Finally, we are absolutely thrilled to announce a huge event from Carlotta Films US with the release of Jacques RIVETTE'S French New Wave masterpiece: OUT 1. For the first time ever, on DCP and in a glorious new 2K restoration. A cinematic adventure and journey will take place at the end of this year for the first time in the US on such a grand scale... Stay tuned for more...

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I love love love love love The Red Shoes, but I was generally neutral towards Black Narcissus. Furthermore, I didn't particularly care for Colonel Blimp and I hated Peeping Tom, so?

I'm pretty much exactly the opposite. I love Black Narcissus, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, and Peeping Tom.

On the other hand, I'm rather neutral towards The Red Shoes. As I've mentioned before, I admire the hell out of its craft, but ballet bores me to tears, so it doesn't grab me.

[Scottie]

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

[tallrichard]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

I'm amazed you didn't like The Killers, it is one of my favorites...

My question for you would be, what was your frame of mind were you in while watching it? I have had movies in my past that I didn't care for but on re-watching them I loved...and the reverse too. I have loved movies which upon re-watching, I have thought WTF was I thinking??? LOL

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

That's interesting. Because when I saw The Killers for the first time while I was in high school (or maybe it was middle school), I kind of scratched my head and wondered what all the fuss was about. But then in one of my college film courses, I had to write a paper about it, and I enjoyed it so much more the second time around ... I'm not sure if that's because I was older, or if perhaps I was watching it more analytically the second time. At any rate, I've probably seen it four times now, and would consider myself a fan; I'm hoping the upcoming Criterion blu-ray will really make it "pop" for me.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by tallrichard

I'm amazed you didn't like The Killers, it is one of my favorites...

My question for you would be, what was your frame of mind were you in while watching it? I have had movies in my past that I didn't care for but on re-watching them I loved...and the reverse too. I have loved movies which upon re-watching, I have thought WTF was I thinking??? LOL

I was a little tired, but I don't think anything too extreme.

Originally Posted by jmclick

That's interesting. Because when I saw The Killers for the first time while I was in high school (or maybe it was middle school), I kind of scratched my head and wondered what all the fuss was about. But then in one of my college film courses, I had to write a paper about it, and I enjoyed it so much more the second time around ... I'm not sure if that's because I was older, or if perhaps I was watching it more analytically the second time. At any rate, I've probably seen it four times now, and would consider myself a fan; I'm hoping the upcoming Criterion blu-ray will really make it "pop" for me.

I'm going to read a bit more about it before definitely declaring that I'm not a fan. Sure, I thought it was okay, but I just didn't see the big deal about it.

There are many better noirs out there, in my opinion.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Maybe i am the odd one, but i loved The Red Shoes (on a second viewing though), Black Narcissus, Colonel Blimp and Peeping Tom, and can't wait to see A Matter of Life and Death, hopefully on blu by Criterion.

I had the same experience. I enjoyed "The Red Shoes" on the first viewing, but then really enjoyed it on the second viewing. Both 'Red Shoes' and "Black Narcissis" have excellent re-playability value and both are high on my top fifty list. "The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp", not so much.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I was a little tired, but I don't think anything too extreme.

I'm going to read a bit more about it before definitely declaring that I'm not a fan. Sure, I thought it was okay, but I just didn't see the big deal about it.

There are many better noirs out there, in my opinion.

You should watch it again if, for nothing else, Ava Gardner.

When it comes to film noir movies starring Burt Lancaster, my top pick goes to Criss Cross. It's such a dark flick that you won't be the same after you see it. I really wish that Criterion would pick that one up as a title.

The Killers is pretty amazing, though. I had read the Hemingway story long before I saw the movie, so I appreciated it more from that angle.

Edmund O'Brien, who co-starred in The Killers, has quite a noir pedigree. He starred in D.O.A., which was an inspiration for Blade Runner. He's also in The Hitch-Hiker, which is a fantastic underrated Kino Blu-ray, and in White Heat with James Cagney.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

I had the same experience. I enjoyed "The Red Shoes" on the first viewing, but then really enjoyed it on the second viewing. Both 'Red Shoes' and "Black Narcissis" have excellent re-playability value and both are high on my top fifty list. "The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp", not so much.

Colonel Blimp is definitely a movie that started to grow on me with time as i was watching it and even on the next few days, as opposed to Black Narcissus which grabbed me from the start, so i can see how someone can be bored a bit by the first half or so hour and never completely recuperate, for me it started working from around the sword duel on-wards, and knowing what to expect from the beginning i am sure i will enjoy it even more on my next watch.

[The Great Owl]

I actually prefer The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp to Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes, although I love all three movies.

The plot element of two adversaries-turned-friends growing older and staying in touch drew me in.

[CriterionBlues]

The one issue with The Killers is that opening scene is tonally so much different than the rest of the movie. From what I understand, it was more like the Hemingway novel. That makes sense since Siegel was a more direct adaptation, just not as well done, and it focused on the actual killers. I'd say Siodmak's version was groundbreaking with its use of flashbacks, but I won't disagree that it went overboard.

I like the film quite a bit, but wouldn't say I love it.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Fabs

The Naked Island is really an incredible film. On Hulu, there are so many gems that need a release. I sadly don't think they will though. Just a feeling.

The Naked Island is a beautiful film...few words said but not a word more is needed. Just an awesome film. Highly recommend pro-b's review of the MOC release.

[Edward J Grug III]

The correct answer is all of the P&P films in the Criterion Collection are amazing and you love them all.

If you got anything other than that, please rescreen the movie or movies until you are fixed.

If symptoms persist, please see a doctor.

(Peeping Tom didn't blow me away, but I liked it pretty well. I did love Powell's Edge of the World, available on blu ray from BFI)

[fdm]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

You should watch it again if, for nothing else, Ava Gardner.

I think this was the first film I ever saw with Ava Gardner in it. Looking forward to watching it again (on blu-ray this next time), as I've since seen several of her films and have grown to appreciate her quite a bit since then. Should be fun to revisit.

[joie]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I watched The Killers tonight and I was disappointed with it.

I am a fan of film-noirs and I love the usage of flashbacks in them, especially when they contribute and assist in the mystery, but there seemed to be too many flashbacks to the point that it was redundant and ultimately detracted from the whole film for me.

I watched "Killers" to see the clips from it that were used in "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid," which is a good parody of film noir. I rate "Killers" a B- movie, something less than a B movie.