The Criterion Collection

[pedromvu]

Finally ended the Gregory/Shawn boxset with A Master Builder and while it is no My Dinner With Andre or Vanya on 42nd Street it is still a good companion to those, a major problem was the beginning like 20 minutes which is in a different style with a very digital look and handheld camera, also some cringe worthy acting, I just don't understand those choices, after that it is more traditionally filmed with occasional questionable acting by some of the newcomers (Ragnar and Kaia).

All in all if you like the other 2 movies just make sure you go past those first 20 minutes before giving up

[bsend]

When are the Barnes & Noble 50% off Criterion sales usually held? July and November?

[scottpcusa]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I had never heard about this film until the two of you mentioning it just now. I did some light research and I need this in my collection like... yesterday.

that's why this is a good place to be. thanks guys!

The Scent of Green Papaya is an absolutely beautiful film. I watch it at least once a year.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

The Scent of Green Papaya is an absolutely beautiful film. I watch it at least once a year.

Yes, I agree it's very beautiful but it left me cold on first viewing.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jayembee

That seriously rocks my world.

(I'm assuming this is one of the titles that's part of Criterion new...ah...understanding with Warner.)

Hopefully this is the last nail in the coffin of the "not gonna happen, WB owns it" comments?

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Yes, I agree it's very beautiful but it left me cold on first viewing.

I have one of those heated electric blankets, so I should be fine.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I have one of those heated electric blankets, so I should be fine.

you need one in Buffalo, I'm sure.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by bsend

When are the Barnes & Noble 50% off Criterion sales usually held? July and November?

Yes. The July sale is designed to coincide with my birthday, and the November sale is held so that I can buy myself affordable Christmas presents.

[ajburke]

I'm a day late to the Gone Girl conversation--sorry. Just wanted to chime in that I didn't think the film was serious at all. Being married, I thought it was one of the funniest (and best) films of 2014. My wife felt similar to me about it. I heard many opinions from unmarried friends, acquaintances, etc., and they tended to think it was terrifying or they just didn't like it. Did anyone else notice a divide in opinion on this film along the lines of being married or unmarried?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ajburke

I'm a day late to the Gone Girl conversation--sorry. Just wanted to chime in that I didn't think the film was serious at all. Being married, I thought it was one of the funniest (and best) films of 2014. My wife felt similar to me about it. I heard many opinions from unmarried friends, acquaintances, etc., and they tended to think it was terrifying or they just didn't like it. Did anyone else notice a divide in opinion on this film along the lines of being married or unmarried?

I'm married, just for the record. ...and my wife had pretty much the same opinion about it.

I can't imagine what was funny about it, but to each his own. Fincher is pretty unrelenting in his portrayal of on screen murder.

I said that I was done, but I would be curious to know one thing from those who liked the film - how

[Show spoiler]do you explain / accept / rationalize Ben Affleck's character staying with her at the end of the film?

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

The Scent of Green Papaya is an absolutely beautiful film. I watch it at least once a year.

I remember starting to watch it many years ago. I found it slow going, so I stopped midway (something I rarely did back then). I probably should give it another spin.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by scottpcusa

The Scent of Green Papaya is an absolutely beautiful film. I watch it at least once a year.

This is the film I mentioned in the past I wished Criterion got hold of the rights before Kino Lorber did. It's a great release by them nonetheless. Maybe Criterion can release Cyclo?

[ajburke]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I would be curious to know one thing from those who liked the film - how

[Show spoiler]do you explain / accept / rationalize Ben Affleck's character staying with her at the end of the film?

Well there goes my idea, haha.

As for the ending, it works for me as the icing on the slyly comedic cake that was the rest of the film. Amy and Nick are both majorly flawed human beings. They are perfect for one another. That they would stay together is improbable in real life, but these two in particular are sick enough to accept that staying together benefits them ever so slightly more than splitting up. They are calculating, and since the numbers add up, they can simply put the murder plot behind them. It pays off the recurring satire/theme that marriage and/or love is more or less just a death trap or that it screws people up. I do not personally believe this, I just thought it was a unifying force in the film.

Also, I don't look at the whole film as a straight-up comedy, but I found the darkness and pulp to be handled with a sense of comedy. I found Amy's parents to be very funny. They were extremely awkward after Amy's disappearance. In them, I saw two parents who didn't seem to have a natural reaction to their daughter disappearing, possibly because they had treated their daughter as a cash cow for her whole life. They seemed to be substituting guilt and regret for what might be considered a more normal reaction to a kidnapping (as I see it, of course). And as stated, the ending, which was a bit shocking, paid off the over-the-top anti-marriage message (which I found humorous) dare I say perfectly.

If the time has come to bring this to the Gone Girl thread, I understand.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ajburke

Well there goes my idea, haha.

As for the ending, it works for me as the icing on the slyly comedic cake that was the rest of the film. Amy and Nick are both majorly flawed human beings. They are perfect for one another. That they would stay together is improbable in real life, but these two in particular are sick enough to accept that staying together benefits them ever so slightly more than splitting up. They are calculating, and since the numbers add up, they can simply put the murder plot behind them. It pays off the recurring satire/theme that marriage and/or love is more or less just a death trap or that it screws people up. I do not personally believe this, I just thought it was a unifying force in the film.

Also, I don't look at the whole film as a straight-up comedy, but I found the darkness and pulp to be handled with a sense of comedy. I found Amy's parents to be very funny. They were extremely awkward after Amy's disappearance. In them, I saw two parents who didn't seem to have a natural reaction to their daughter disappearing, possibly because they had treated their daughter as a cash cow for her whole life. They seemed to be substituting guilt and regret for what might be considered a more normal reaction to a kidnapping (as I see it, of course). And as stated, the ending, which was a bit shocking, paid off the over-the-top anti-marriage message (which I found humorous) dare I say perfectly.

If the time has come to bring this to the Gone Girl thread, I understand.

good post. needless to say, I didn't get those vibes, but well thought out.

[The Great Owl]

Marginally Criterion-related...

The new David Bowie album, which was just released today, is really really outstanding.

[DaBargainHunta]

Originally Posted by ajburke

I'm a day late to the Gone Girl conversation--sorry. Just wanted to chime in that I didn't think the film was serious at all. Being married, I thought it was one of the funniest (and best) films of 2014. My wife felt similar to me about it. I heard many opinions from unmarried friends, acquaintances, etc., and they tended to think it was terrifying or they just didn't like it. Did anyone else notice a divide in opinion on this film along the lines of being married or unmarried?

Not sure about the married or unmarried question, but it's impossible to take the movie seriously IMO. Everyone in my theater was laughing throughout the second half. Anyone who actually thinks this is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the perils of marriage is over-inflating the film because it's by "the great auteur" David Fincher. To me, Gone Girl is a b-movie elevated by a-list acting, direction, etc. I loved it, but no, I can't say I took it at all seriously.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by ajburke

I'm a day late to the Gone Girl conversation--sorry. Just wanted to chime in that I didn't think the film was serious at all. Being married, I thought it was one of the funniest (and best) films of 2014. My wife felt similar to me about it. I heard many opinions from unmarried friends, acquaintances, etc., and they tended to think it was terrifying or they just didn't like it. Did anyone else notice a divide in opinion on this film along the lines of being married or unmarried?

It felt tongue-in-cheek to me, not serious at all. Just because it looks serious and is acted serious, doesn't mean the theme is serious.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Marginally Criterion-related...

The new David Bowie album, which was just released today, is really really outstanding.

I'm listening to it right now and I'm really digging it.

Somewhat on the subject of Bowie, I rewatched Wings of Desire today. The first time I watched it was several years ago and I was largely underwhelmed by it, but this time I absolutely LOVED it.

I think my initial reaction to it stemmed from its unusual narrative style, where the story and emotions are conveyed through the thoughts of ordinary citizens rather than through traditional dialogue. Regardless, I found this go around to be much more powerful and thought-provoking.

There is a scene about halfway through the film where Cassiel and Damiel are discussing the history of the city and Wenders has a shot of a wall where the phrase "we can be heroes" is spray painted. Of course I thought of Bowie as "Heroes" is my favorite song by him and the album makes up his "Berlin Trilogy."

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm listening to it right now and I'm really digging it.

Somewhat on the subject of Bowie, I rewatched Wings of Desire today. The first time I watched it was several years ago and I was largely underwhelmed by it, but this time I absolutely LOVED it.

I think my initial reaction to it stemmed from its unusual narrative style, where the story and emotions are conveyed through the thoughts of ordinary citizens rather than through traditional dialogue. Regardless, I found this go around to be much more powerful and thought-provoking.

There is a scene about halfway through the film where Cassiel and Damiel are discussing the history of the city and Wenders has a shot of a wall where the phrase "we can be heroes" is spray painted. Of course I thought of Bowie as "Heroes" is my favorite song by him and the album makes up his "Berlin Trilogy."

Wings of Desire really is something special. I love the aura of the film, and I also love the music. Nick Cave's "From Her to Eternity" for the win.

[joie]

Recently, I read "Fat Man My Love."

"Pippi" -- narrating -- describes Hitchcock's movies:

"Elaborate plots like a maze of guts. Chase scenes, suspense scenes, shock-surprise scenes, deliriously-circling-camera scenes, vertiginous scenes, aerial scenes, bloody-stabbing scenes, horror scenes, strangulation scenes, sly orgasm scenes, the minuet-orchestrated ecstasy of revenge."

At the end of the story, its author states:

' "Fat Man My Love" is purely fiction containing, in transmogrified form, factual material from The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock by Donald Spoto and The Encyclopedia of Alfred Hitchcock by Gene D. Phillips and Thomas M. Leitch.'

"Pippi" is a fictionalized Tippi Hedren. Her Wikipedia entry is interesting.