The Criterion Collection

[monorail91]

Watching A Night to Remember and not really feeling it; it's cool to see how influential it's been on James Cameron's Titanic (many moments/shots from Night make it into Titanic), but the narrative feels so unfocused to me - the newer Titanic better connects with me, on an emotional level, by focusing on one central love story.

[octagon]

The Phantom Carriage isn't something I'm likely to revisit anytime soon but it's very good and it has one of the hands-down coolest ghost effects I've ever seen. Setting aside the excellent effects work itself, that particular image of Death harvesting a soul was extremely effective.

1:17ish in the trailer

https://www.criterion.com/films/2763...antom-carriage

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jw007

I think I might have to expand my worst chosen blind-buys to F for Fake. I watched it last night and did not enjoy it too much. Has anyone else seen this film by Orson Welles? It was an impulse purchase a few weeks ago during the sale, but I knew I shouldn't have done that.

Not my favourite film from Welles, but I did enjoy it, and I just find him fascinating.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by monorail91

Watching A Night to Remember and not really feeling it; it's cool to see how influential it's been on James Cameron's Titanic (many moments/shots from Night make it into Titanic), but the narrative feels so unfocused to me - the newer Titanic better connects with me, on an emotional level, by focusing on one central love story.

When I watched it the first time I was pretty impressed with how suspenseful it was given that I obviously had a pretty good idea how it all ended.

And I was very impressed with how gripping it was on the second watch a year or so later.

By way of contrast, after a couple attempts I haven't been able to get more than 45 minutes or so into Titanic. That's not a knock - I try not to be too critical of films I haven't watched - but my reactions were definitely different.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by monorail91

Watching A Night to Remember and not really feeling it; it's cool to see how influential it's been on James Cameron's Titanic (many moments/shots from Night make it into Titanic), but the narrative feels so unfocused to me - the newer Titanic better connects with me, on an emotional level, by focusing on one central love story.

I sort of had the opposite reaction. I think the weakest part of James Cameron's Titanic was the love triangle between DiCaprio, Winslet and Zane. To me, the characters were too anachronistic; about the time well-bred, sheltered Rose flipped the bird at David Warner's character, I started guffawing right in the theatre (I saw it opening night, December 19, 1997). I've always found it interesting that the 1953 version of Titanic won the Oscar for Best Screenplay (it featured a sizzling emotional conflict between married passengers Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb), while Cameron's version wasn't even nominated in that category ... one of the few categories in which it was shut out.

A Night to Remember is based on a fascinating book of the same name by Walter Lord; it's still considered one of the best-researched accounts of the ship's sinking. I've read it four or five times, and the film's script follows the book's narrative pretty faithfully.

My ideal Titanic film would blend aspects of all three versions: the documentary style of A Night to Remember; the personal drama of the 1953 version; and the incredible production values and special effects of Cameron's 1997 retelling.

[SlickDamian]

Originally Posted by octagon

When I watched it the first time I was pretty impressed with how suspenseful it was given that I obviously had a pretty good idea how it all ended.

And I was very impressed with how gripping it was on the second watch a year or so later.

By way of contrast, after a couple attempts I haven't been able to get more than 45 minutes or so into Titanic. That's not a knock - I try not to be too critical of films I haven't watched - but my reactions were definitely different.

You've never seen Titanic? Wow.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

You've never seen Titanic? Wow.

I've definitely tried. Who knows, maybe I'll totally love the second and third hours.

If I ever get that far

[jmclick]

Tonight I browsed through my "unwatched pile" and, based on how much I enjoyed re-watching Luchino Visconti's Ossessione a week or so ago, decided to give the director's Senso a look-see. In a word, WOW! I had read about how much work went into restoring this film, and all I can say is that it was well worth the effort. This was the first production shot in Italy in 3-strip Technicolor, and overall, the cinematography was gorgeous. Add to that the opulent set decorations and art direction, the lavish costumes, and magnificent performances by Alida Valli, Farley Granger and the under-utilized Massimo Girotti, and you have a film that more than deserves its place in the Criterion Collection.

The supplements, too, were absorbing. I especially enjoyed the perceptive and entertaining visual essay by Peter Cowie; for my money, and I say this after careful thought, its one of the best bonus features on any Criterion disc I've yet viewed. This one's definitely a winner. I'm so happy I took a chance and picked it up as a blind buy.

[applemac]

Originally Posted by octagon

I've definitely tried. Who knows, maybe I'll totally love the second and third hours.

If I ever get that far

It took me a few tries to get through 2001 (years ago, in high school), but thats a different deal altogether. Now I can watch that anytime.

Once you get to the ship crashing, the movie picks up a bit if you're more into the action.

[filmmusic]

Watched yesterday All that Heaven Allows for the 3rd time.
What a visual and aural masterpiece!
The colors, the light, the matte paintings..
If only it was longer..

How I would wish for a Sirk boxset!

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Watched yesterday All that Heaven Allows for the 3rd time.
What a visual and aural masterpiece!
The colors, the light, the matte paintings..
If only it was longer..

How I would wish for a Sirk boxset!

It's the only Sirk I've seen, and ever since I've been dying to get my hands on more melodramatic technicolor goodness. Hoping we see some soon.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

You've never seen Titanic? Wow.

I follow the Cleveland Browns. Does that count?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I follow the Cleveland Browns. Does that count?

Yes. Sorry.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

It's the only Sirk I've seen, and ever since I've been dying to get my hands on more melodramatic technicolor goodness. Hoping we see some soon.

Hope for an upgrade of Magnificent Obsession and Written on the wind son!

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by SlickDamian

You've never seen Titanic? Wow.

I worked in music retail when that film was out, which means that soundtrack played in our store open to close, everyday, for at least 6 months.

So add me to the list of people who've never seen it.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I follow the Cleveland Browns. Does that count?

Talk about going into three hours knowing exactly how everything is going to end

[Dr_Bedlo]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I follow the Cleveland Browns. Does that count?

+1

I've seen both. So,yes...yes it does. I actually think Browns games are sadder!

[joie]

Enter promotional code HAPPY at Criterion's store for 20% off.

[pedromvu]

Holiday sale at Criterion? I don't remember that happening previous years, I guess it is a good time to order anything other than movies, like posters, apparel, etc.

[SkyAntoine]

At a little over $25 each, I'm going to pre-order the rest of the releases. I need to get closer to my $50 gift certificate by the next flash sale. I'm also tempted to do the Rock and Hitch box sets to get the slipcover.