The Criterion Collection

[mja345]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Bad Boys was a 19 million dollar buddy cop movie, Independence Day was a giant (75 million) effects blockbuster. One had a long history of casting black men in lead roles, the other didn't at all. One was marketed primarily towards black people, the other was not at all. Etc. I think it definitely became a more mainstream success, and I'm sure Bad Boys led to Will Smith being viewed as commercially viable for ID though.

I forgot all about the ID4 acronym until I started seeing it again last week. That is kind of annoying, I guess it just looked cooler on toy packaging. Is the sequel ID2, or ID5?

Valid points, but it's a little unfair to call Bay a racist when he started his career out making a film with two black men in the leading roles. "Bad Boys" made a ton of money at the box office (~140 million), which really launched the film careers of both Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

But, let's be honest, very few white filmmakers have made many films with two black leads. Just doesn't happen that often unfortunately. Bay, despite having some very annoying tendencies as a filmmaker, actually has a lot of directors beat in that capacity. I will agree that odd stereotypes do pop up in a lot of his movies. To be honest, in listening to a few interviews with Bay, I think he's a very unaware dude. He has a specific talent in understanding how to film big blockbusters and how to make the studio a shitload of money, but I think the guy is very unaware of the history of film or history in general. When "Pain and Gain" is considered his "artistic" film, then that speaks volumes about his personality.

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Whatever you do, make sure The Red Shoes is one of your purchases. Also, if you don't have The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp I'd buy that also as it is unbelievably good.

The Red Shoes was my first Criterion BD and it remains one of my favorite films. Colonel Blimp is amazing as well. I wonder when will Criterion release more Archers films since Colonel Blimp was released in 2013 and that was the last one they upgraded.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

The Red Shoes was my first Criterion BD and it remains one of my favorite films. Colonel Blimp is amazing as well. I wonder when will Criterion release more Archers films since Colonel Blimp was released in 2013 and that was the last one they upgraded.

I didn't like Red Shoes nearly as much as I thought I would, but Colonel Blimp is on a short list of the best films I've ever seen. I think both are must-buys. Despite not really liking the Red Shoes that much, the central ballet scene is incredible and makes it a must-watch.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

Apparently Criterion thought more highly of Bay than Emmerich to include 2 of his films in the Collection (Armageddon, The Rock).

Back when those came out on laserdisc, it was largely rumored (but not confirmed) that Bay went to Criterion and offered to work with them on creating a passel of extras. Criterion's comments about why they did the two Bay films are vague at best.

Nevertheless, Criterion can only release what they can get the rights to. That they have done two Bay films and no Emmerich films doesn't mean that they think Bay is better than Emmerich. They also haven't released any titles by King Vidor or Frank Borzage. Does that mean they think more highly of Bay than either of those two?

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by mja345

"The 400 Blows" would be one film that I would have a hard time imagining somebody disliking. I just can't imagine watching that story, with that ending, and going, "Well, that sucked". It's a film that would appeal to someone with more mainstream tastes as well as someone with far less mainstream tastes.

Well first time I watched I was like, what did I just miss? why is this considered so great?, same with Breathless

[mja345]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Well first time I watched I was like, what did I just miss? why is this considered so great?, same with Breathless

Haha, see every film has its detractors.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by jayembee

And that's what makes horse races.

I don't find either one a particularly good filmmaker, but I'd rather watch an Emmerich film than a Bay film any day of the week. I find three of Emmerich's films at least watchable (Stargate, Independence Day, and The Day After Tomorrow). Not good, but watchable. ID4 is actually a Guilty Pleasure; it's as dumb as dirt, but I love its earnestness.

That's a lot more than I can say for Bay.

I was going to say something similar, of the two I think Bay has a better movie with The Rock, but overall I feel Emmerich is a bit more consistent doing average but entertaining films, maybe if Bay hadn't made any of the Transformers movies my opinion would be different.

Edit: I forgot he did 10,000 BC, maybe they are even in my book then.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Back when those came out on laserdisc, it was largely rumored (but not confirmed) that Bay went to Criterion and offered to work with them on creating a passel of extras. Criterion's comments about why they did the two Bay films are vague at best.

Nevertheless, Criterion can only release what they can get the rights to. That they have done two Bay films and no Emmerich films doesn't mean that they think Bay is better than Emmerich. They also haven't released any titles by King Vidor or Frank Borzage. Does that mean they think more highly of Bay than either of those two?

It sounds like more of a case of "catching lightning in a bottle" for Criterion at the time. They cashed in with Mr. Bay at the right time. It's too bad those titles on DVD went out of print, but for blockbusters that big, the original parent company (Walt Disney/Buena Vista Pictures) has the edge on smaller distributors like Criterion. If what you say might be true regarding Bay's visit to Criterion, then that's pretty interesting. Bay was pushing to have those films distributed through Criterion. I'm guessing if Emmerich wanted the same thing, he would have been as lucrative as Bay too. It seems like today though, the producers and studios have far more power than directors (but that was the Laserdisc years, so back then it was different I suppose).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

While we're on the Roland Emmerich bandwagon, I gotta say I saw the new Independence Day: Resurgence film on opening night (Friday) and there were only 15 people in the big theater for the 10:15pm show.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the film a lot, despite it being full of unnecessary subplots and silly sequences. It was a solid summer blockbuster film and perfect for those people who suffer from ADHD. Not saying I'm one of those. Lol.

I went to see Independence Day: Resurgence yesterday, because I had a free ticket. Here is the review that I wrote in the dedicated thread...

[Show spoiler]I had a free ticket to Independence Day: Resurgence, and this seemed like a good way to cool down after a hot morning run. The critics have been giving a beatdown to this sequel, but the original Independence Day was pretty idiotic as well, so it's not like the filmmakers are defacing the Sistine Chapel here. Although nothing in this sequel matches the awesome headrush of the skyscraper destructions in the first movie, there's still some fun to be had by way of explosions and decent special effects. I also enjoyed seeing several characters from the first film, even if some of the actors seem to be phoning it in to a greater degree this time around. The beautiful Maika Monroe, who starred in one of my favorite movies of last year, It Follows, shows up as one of the younger generation of Earthlings who are recruited to save the world.

When the first Independence Day was released during the summer of 1996, I was 24 years old, I had an empty bank account, and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Now, in the summer of 2016, I'm 44 years old, I have an empty bank account, and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. In that sense, it was oddly pleasing to sit down to this sequel and enjoy the assurance of sameness.

If you have a free ticket to this movie, like I did, then you'll definitely get your money's worth! Otherwise, I'd recommend a rental.

Regarding Michael Bay, I think that The Island is a pretty great flick. It was one of my early Blu-ray purchases, in fact.

The Transformers movies are missed opportunities, in my opinion. The special effects are spectacular, but there are so many stupid plot elements, racial stereotype characters, and such that have no place in such films. It's irritating, because a lot of people grew up watching the cartoons, and I don't like that Michael Bay and the scriptwriters messed with so many people's dreams. The first two movies are pretty ridiculous. Interestingly enough, the third movie was a notable improvement, but it's too little too late.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I'm looking at one, maybe two others from Insomnia, Day For Night, Late Spring, The Red Shoes, Safety Last, or The Wages of Fear.

My recommendation: Late Spring, The Red Shoes and The Wages of Fear. Can't go wrong with those.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I'm looking at one, maybe two others from Insomnia, Day For Night, Late Spring, The Red Shoes, Safety Last, or The Wages of Fear.

The Wages of Fear for the win. It's one of the best Criterion titles, and it's still the most white-knuckle intense adventure film out there. You will be on the edge of your seat once this film gets going.

Insomnia would be my second choice. It's a brilliant neo-noir of the first order.

[diskspinner]

Although I plan to get at least 15, more likely around 20 this sale...

These are the single titles I have more or less decided for now...4 of these are blind buys.

Bicycle Thieves
Black Narcissus
The Freshman (blind)
The Graduate
The Kid
Phoenix (blind)
The Player (blind)
Secret Sunshine (blind, Any recommendation on this one? Good, Bad, so so?)

For box sets, I will decide between...

Wender's The Road Trilogy
Pierre Etaix
Scorsese World Cinema Project
Jacques Demy

[oildude]

Originally Posted by mja345

"The 400 Blows" would be one film that I would have a hard time imagining somebody disliking. I just can't imagine watching that story, with that ending, and going, "Well, that sucked". It's a film that would appeal to someone with more mainstream tastes as well as someone with far less mainstream tastes.

Maybe saying

[Show spoiler]The 400 Blows sucked doesn't mean what you think it means.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

It's totally fine, it's just not very interesting. It's like Pulp Fiction or Shawshank Redemption or Star Wars or whatever - sure to be on a favorite movies list of anyone that has barely seen any movies.

So, according to your reasoning, if someone has those movies in their favorites, they haven't seen a lot of movies? I just want to know what you mean by this comment, because it comes off as a very condescending thing to say.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

Secret Sunshine (blind, Any recommendation on this one? Good, Bad, so so?)

Terrific. Jeon Do-yeon is a revelation. The PQ/AQ is excellent, too (Some have said reference quality).

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Fabs

So, according to your reasoning, if someone has those movies in their favorites, they haven't seen a lot of movies? I just want to know what you mean by this comment, because it comes off as a very condescending thing to say.

Nope, not at all. If you willfully misinterpreted it so you could get self-righteous, I can't really have a discussion in good faith.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Examples?

Friendship - Au Revoir Les Enfants, Y Tu Mama Tambien
Prison - A Man Escaped
Wrongly accused men - North By Northwest... Several other Hitchcock films with the same theme

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Well first time I watched I was like, what did I just miss? why is this considered so great?, same with Breathless

I don't dislike 400 blows- I actually do like it- I just don't think it is one of the "greats".

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Nope, not at all. If you willfully misinterpreted it so you could get self-righteous, I can't really have a discussion in good faith.

How can I misinterpret that comment? You don't say anything beyond "sure to be on a favorite movies list of anyone that has barely seen any movies." You end it right there. How am I supposed to interpret that comment? If you would have explained it or added a reasoning why, then it would be a different story.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Fabs

How can I misinterpret that comment? You don't say anything beyond "sure to be on a favorite movies list of anyone that has barely seen any movies." You end it right there. How am I supposed to interpret that comment? If you would have explained it or added a reasoning why, then it would be a different story.

If you hadn't responded in a way that was scolding and sounded like trying to start a fight, I would have clarified. Basically, the favorite movie list of people that haven't seen many movies are very likely to include those movies. It makes no statement whatsoever about the favorite movie lists of people that HAVE seen a lot of movies. They're all good movies, and Pulp Fiction and Silence of the Lambs (another movie like that) might end up somewhere on mine. They're just incredibly widely-seen films that appeal to a very, VERY wide group of people. They don't come up often on a thread like this which is about primarily "specialty films" that Criterion has to curate because studios don't find them marketable and general audiences aren't interested by. The more films someone sees, especially the more films in the Criterion direction, the less likely they are to want to talk about ultra-mainstream flicks like those since they have all been discussed to death, and you can talk about them with practically anyone.