The Criterion Collection

[Alienfreaks04]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Is there anyone here who thinks that Ace in The Hole is anything less than completely brilliant?

...given serious consideration to the blind buy.

I liked it. I would definitely recommend watching it. My personal opinion was that it was not brilliant.

[llj]

I think Ace in the Hole is pretty brilliant. I don't have any personal attachment towards it, though. But objectively, it is a brilliant film, even moreso when you consider the time period it came out of. But Wilder was always ahead of his time.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Alienfreaks04

I liked it. I would definitely recommend watching it. My personal opinion was that it was not brilliant.

Why did you not think it was brilliant?

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by llj

I think Ace in the Hole is pretty brilliant. I don't have any personal attachment towards it, though. But objectively, it is a brilliant film, even moreso when you consider the time period it came out of. But Wilder was always ahead of his time.

As good as Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard?

...better?

[joie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

As good as Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard?
...

No way!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

As good as Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard?

...better?

For me it is. It's a day time noir in a sun-baked Siberia devoid of any sentimentality. Chuck Tatum is a SOB but he is fun to watch.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Paul.R.S

The Weekend and Eating Raoul are available for $5 each as part of the Entertainment AIDS Alliance's Annual Home Entertainment Sale. Just ordered both.

Per their Facebook page, I used Twilight Time as "My Company" and "twilight" as the password.

http://www.entertainmentaidsalliance.net

Sale ends December 4.

Just when I thought I was done, this sale pulled me back in! And for a good cause to boot!

[llj]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

As good as Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard?

...better?

I would say it could be on the same level. Now I admit I do like Double Indemnity "better", but purely for nostalgic reasons than on any objective level. It was one of the first real black and white "film noirs" I ever saw so it was a special experience. But I wouldn't really have much of a problem with anybody who rated Ace in the Hole as high as those films or even higher.

I really think Sunset Boulevard is fantastic but I find it difficult to re-watch at times due to its general harshness. ALL of Wilder's films are pretty harsh, but this one seems a bit more cruel than others for me.

For the record, my most-watched Wilder film is The Apartment. I'm sure it's not Wilder's best or even top 3 (you could more realistically argue top 5-10 though) but I just find it the most enjoyable Wilder to re-watch.

So that's my brief perspective on Wilder.

[MifuneFan]

You can get the Criterion Designs book for $56 at Amazon with the code HOLIDAY30

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Ray Jackson]

Just got back from Barnes and Noble.

I can now officially say that I'm the proud owner of a brand new copy of Ikiru on Criterion blu-ray.

And it only cost me $13.99.

...I'm a little emotional right now.

Thinking about heading back out there later this evening to try to see if I can use another BF coupon with a different cashier.

There's a copy of Ace In The Hole with my name on it.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by joie

No way!

Why not?

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Firecrackker

Question for everyone: what is your favorite Criterion release?

Can I give a top five?

PlayTime, Brazil, Red (Three Colors), Thin Red Line, Five Easy Pieces.

Sorry, but to narrow it down to just one is too difficult for me.

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Is there anyone here who thinks that Ace in The Hole is anything less than completely brilliant?

...given serious consideration to the blind buy.

"Ace In The Hole" is fantastic. Way ahead of its time in my opinion. I say pull the trigger and get it. You won't be sorry.

[llj]

If you're expecting nothing less than your world getting rocked whenever you're blind buying, you will be disappointed more often than not. The thing is, practically every film ever made has its fans, so naturally if you ask about a film on this board, the majority of the responses will be from fans of the film, so it's no real litmus test for how it goes with your own preferences. Sometimes it's just a matter of looking at the plot summary and the director and taking a wild stab at it. There are a metric ton of "great" films I don't own (and never will) because they are just not my thing.

If you like Wilder and the plot summary for Ace in the Hole sounds interesting, go for it. If not, then pass it up and rent it instead.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by llj

If you're expecting nothing less than your world getting rocked whenever you're blind buying, you will be disappointed more often than not. The thing is, practically every film ever made has its fans, so naturally if you ask about a film on this board, the majority of the responses will be from fans of the film, so it's no real litmus test for how it goes with your own preferences. Sometimes it's just a matter of looking at the plot summary and the director and taking a wild stab at it. There are a metric ton of "great" films I don't own (and never will) because they are just not my thing.

If you like Wilder and the plot summary for Ace in the Hole sounds interesting, go for it. If not, then pass it up and rent it instead.

I don't expect to be knocked on my back with my legs up in the air with every film I buy.

I do enjoy hearing what ordinary film geeks have to say before I make a blind buy.

It may influence my decision...it may not.

That's just my process.

...as little sense as it might make to normal functioning adults.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I don't expect to be knocked on my back with my legs up in the air with every film I buy.

I do enjoy hearing what ordinary film geeks have to say before I make a blind buy.

It may influence my decision...it may not.

That's just my process.

...as little sense as it might make to normal functioning adults.

You really cant go wrong with it, its a terrific movie.
If you like film noir with nasty characters you'll love Ace In the Hole. Still really relevant too.

Also managed to get my order in, I guess they already replenished their stock of the Apu Trilogy so I ordered that as well as The Sword Of Doom
The rest of my black friday shopping went to 88 Films and I managed to FINALLY order my copy of Zombi Holocaust and the Toxic Avenger steelbook.
No hordes of violent dumbasses for me today

[joie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Why not?

Kirk Douglas. Is he acting or just being his arrogant self?

[Markpsf]

Sils of Santa Maria

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by joie

Kirk Douglas. Is he acting or just being his arrogant self?

The fact that you don't know the answer to that question leads me to believe that it's a great performance.

[joie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

The fact that you don't know the answer to that question leads me to believe that it's a great performance.

It is a great display of arrogance, I suppose.