The Criterion Collection

[bwdowiak]

RE: Fanny and Alexander

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I believe the first Christmas episode alone stands on its own, and I will make it a Christmas staple to watch every year, if I can't (or aren't in the mood to) watch the whole series.

Yeah, nothing like a sad Christmas in which people just go through with the motions of the holiday with little plot development and a wild alcoholic who caps of X-mas with a good old-fashioned wife berating.

F&A? keep it.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The only one I was neutral towards was Summer with Monika, but having read some information on the film, particularly in it being an homage to femininity, makes me appreciate it more.

whoa, what? don't mean to have a negative post for two Bergman films in a row because I actually enjoyed this one...

but,

[Show spoiler]she's kind of a tramp and he's left as a single dad at the end of the film...

how is that an homage to femininity?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Slightly off-topic, but has anyone who ordered Throne of Blood (Dual-Format) from Amazon during the sale last month received their copy yet? Is it completely OOP now? I received the following message from Amazon: "We need a little more time to provide you with a good estimate. We'll notify you via e-mail as soon as we have an estimated delivery date." I placed my order on June 20.

I bought mine on June 14th, it shipped on the 19th, and I got it the 20th. Amazon likely ran out of stock soon after mine shipped, and since Criterion isn't printing anymore, it's possible they might not be able to fulfill your order. Eventually most dual format releases will likely be replaced by BD-only editions, but we'll know months in advance.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

She was watching, too.

I was a little let down by 3 Women last night. I went into it as an inspired film of Persona looking for similarities between the two. Persona is a masterpiece and I thought 3 Women was just ok. Maybe I need to watch it again to appreciate it more.

You do need to watch it twice. You will love it next time. Trust me.

[oildude]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

I was a little let down by 3 Women last night....

Next time try Viagra.

[Show spoiler]Sorry. I cannot let a 3 Women joke pass me by in the Criterion thread.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

whoa, what? don't mean to have a negative post for two Bergman films in a row because I actually enjoyed this one...

but,

[Show spoiler]she's kind of a tramp and he's left as a single dad at the end of the film...

how is that an homage to femininity?

[Show spoiler]I think because it's an empowering story on female sexuality and awakening.

[Ray Jackson]

Watched Insomnia last night and was a little disappointed.

I expected it to be significantly better than the American remake, considering the fact it got the Criterion treatment. But I actually think the Nolan version is better in almost every way. Better production, better photography and WAY BETTER acting.

The original is kind of bland imo.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Fabs

It's odd. House looks so beautiful. It's very dreamy or fantasy-like in its visuals. Really vivid colors and the people all have a glow to them. Then you have the plot and it's like the complete opposite. It's so out there to say the least. The effects are fairly crude as well.

Is there any other film you could even remotely compare it to?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

RE: Fanny and Alexander


Yeah, nothing like a sad Christmas in which people just go through with the motions of the holiday with little plot development and a wild alcoholic who caps of X-mas with a good old-fashioned wife berating.

F&A? keep it.

There doesn't have to be a plot development to appreciate a film.
have you seen A Child's Christmas in Whales?
It's just a composition of Christmas memories, but it's a very beautiful film.
I love the Christmas atmosphere in F&A first episode, the sets, the colors, the costumes, the whole thing.
Let alone that I disagree with you. There's VERY MUCH going on in that first episode and character development.

as for the other element you said:
I don't mind.
Everything comes out of life.
I can watch cheesy happy holiday films, but I can enjoy this too.
I would like to watch other sad Christmas films too, because that's life.
(Unfortunately) it's sad, unfair and ugly.

[MifuneFan]

Just received a copy of The River in the mail that I won from filmo70's giveaway. I've never seen the film, so I'm very excited to check it out

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Is there any other film you could even remotely compare it to?

Not really much out there to compare it with. Think of the craziest stuff you've seen in music videos and commercials and you will have an idea of some of the stuff used in the movie. I'd say it's a corny girls in haunted house movie with some really weird stuff going on. Most of the tricks used were things the director got from doing commercials for years and the music is all japanese pop. The album was even released ahead of the movie. There is nothing really scary in the film and its very lighthearted and bouncy in its presentation. The film is just plain strange.

When Criterion says the movie is indescribable in their description they are dead on point.

If I had to compare it with something it would be Head without the decent music.

Watch this then come back with the WTF

House (1977) Clip: Bananas! - YouTube

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Not really much out there to compare it with. Think of the craziest stuff you've seen in music videos and commercials and you will have an idea of some of the stuff used in the movie. I'd say it's a corny girls in haunted house movie with some really weird stuff going on. Most of the tricks used were things the director got from doing commercials for years and the music is all japanese pop. The album was even released ahead of the movie. There is nothing really scary in the film and its very lighthearted and bouncy in its presentation. The film is just plain strange.

When Criterion says the movie is indescribable in their description they are dead on point.

Watch this then come back with the WTF

House (1977) Clip: Bananas! - YouTube

The Japanese are an intriguing people.

[adamhopelies]

Criterion just mentioned Jellyfish Eyes over at Facebook. Amidst the philistines in the comments there seems to be one guy who knows his stuff, who seems pretty excited to see it in the collection. Apparently the director is known for his satirical approach. Sounds interesting.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by octagon

I can certainly understand the people who see more Kurosawa on a wishlist and think 'yeah, he's great and all but there's more to world cinema than Kurosawa' but yeah, more Kurosawa - particularly more swordless Kurosawa - would be very welcome.

Well, there isn't a whole lot of swordful Kurosawa left, so any more Kurosawa coming in the future would likely be swordless.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Shout92

Drunken Angel is so good. Watched it through Hulu Plus a couple weeks back cause I'm slowly making my way through Kurosawa's filmography and was surprised at how emotional it was, all while shining a spotlight on a mainstay of the crime genre. (back alley physicians).

Drunken Angel is my favorite Kurosawa film.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Ok I'm sure it's a typo or autocorrect, but I got a chuckle out of this one.
Hausu mets Jonah

Oh, i'm sorry.
Yes, it's a typo.
English is not my native language and I mixed it up.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Watched Insomnia last night and was a little disappointed.

I expected it to be significantly better than the American remake, considering the fact it got the Criterion treatment. But I actually think the Nolan version is better in almost every way. Better production, better photography and WAY BETTER acting.

The original is kind of bland imo.

Completely agree, except I think the remake is boring too.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Vinyl

So, did you end up enjoying The Magician and were you happy with your purchase?

I'm not sure I would say I enjoyed it but yeah, I was happy with the purchase. It wasn't enjoyable in a 'whoa, that was awesome' sort of sense but it was definitely an interesting way to kill a couple hours. The supplements were also interesting and I'll probably wind up going back to it at some point.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Watched Insomnia last night and was a little disappointed.

I expected it to be significantly better than the American remake, considering the fact it got the Criterion treatment. But I actually think the Nolan version is better in almost every way. Better production, better photography and WAY BETTER acting.

The original is kind of bland imo.

The opposite is true of another Criterion release that was later remade here in the US. George Sluizer's original 1988 version of The Vanishing is absolutely phenomenal in every department, while the 1993 remake is lackluster at best, and (in my case, since I have blocked most of it out) completely forgettable.

[Banned User]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Watched Insomnia last night and was a little disappointed.

I expected it to be significantly better than the American remake, considering the fact it got the Criterion treatment. But I actually think the Nolan version is better in almost every way. Better production, better photography and WAY BETTER acting.

The original is kind of bland imo.

I came out of viewing it with the same feelings. However the film did create a unique style that has been used now in countless other films and had you not seen Nolan's film you would have probably walked away with a different feeling about the film. I actually consider Nolan's version his best film. Not a big fan of a lot of his unusual movies, even though I love Terry Gilliams equally weird movies/plots, and the batman movies while enjoyable are not at the top of my lists for best films.

Actually I need to revisit this movie again. Sometimes a movie will grow on you.