The Criterion Collection

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by diskspinner

My small order is expected to be delivered tomorrow...Cannot wait to start watching Dekalog...

Those who have watched it, since I have heard it has 10 different but themed stories that are probably not continuous, how important is the order? I am planning to watch in order but want to know this...

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Not important at all.

What he said. More to the point, Kieślowski didn't make them in order (by which I mean the order that the Commandments are usually presented).

The feature-length versions of Commandments 5 & 6 were the first things he filmed, and were released in 1988. The next to appear was #10, which aired on Polish TV in June 1989, followed by #1 in December, with #2-9 airing in May & June 1990.

Aside from the obvious thematic links, the only thing that "connects" the individual episodes is the occasional character "crossover". That is, a character who is the major character of one episode, might appear as a background character in another episode. There is one minor character -- it's been a while since I've watched these, but I don't think he ever speaks -- who appears in most, if not all, of the episodes (many people believe that he's

[Show spoiler]God

). But there's no obvious sequence to any of these appearances.

[ravenus]

Visited Inside Llewyn Davis on the Sony blu-ray. Not a film I'll ever watch again so unlikely I'll be getting the Criterion blu, but another decent (not GREAT) film from the Coens. It's surprisingly muted vis-a-vis the early 60's period setting (usually the Coens are a little more aggressive with production design), and the brothers have taken nicely to digital photography [*whoa* apparently I'm wrong, it was done on 35mm] (not working with Roger Deakins in this one). Oscar Isaac walks a fine line between tortured soul and major a-hole, and he can sing too...well, at least folk songs (sorry, I'm more of a metal fan).

[hYPE]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Visited Inside Llewyn Davis on the Sony blu-ray. Not a film I'll ever watch again so unlikely I'll be getting the Criterion blu, but another decent (not GREAT) film from the Coens. It's surprisingly muted vis-a-vis the early 60's period setting (usually the Coens are a little more aggressive with production design), and the brothers have taken nicely to digital photography (not working with Roger Deakins in this one). Oscar Isaac walks a fine line between tortured soul and major a-hole, and he can sing too...well, at least folk songs (sorry, I'm more of a metal fan).

I agree, not a bad movie but not one I would ever go back and visit again so I wouldn't waste my money buying it unless it was given to me or on sale for dirt cheap.

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by jw007

I love Tom Waits too. Any film starring him I have to own, including even Ironweed (which is possibly the most depressing film I've ever seen).

I have Ironweed on my DVR waiting for me...but I just haven't had that moment that felt right to watch it...if that makes any sense.

Coppola's One From the Heart I find quite enjoyable mainly for Waits' soundtrack alone. I do not own that one though. The set it is in didn't seem worth it, but maybe one day especially since there are a few Special Features pertaining to his soundtrack.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by hYPE

I agree, not a bad movie but not one I would ever go back and visit again so I wouldn't waste my money buying it unless it was given to me or on sale for dirt cheap.

Funny how people's tastes differ. It's the ONLY Coen brothers film since Barton Fink/Hudsucker I have revisited several times. Most of their work is one and done for me, since they never know how to end a story.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by postmodel

I have Ironweed on my DVR waiting for me...but I just haven't had that moment that felt right to watch it...if that makes any sense.

Coppola's One From the Heart I find quite enjoyable mainly for Waits' soundtrack alone. I do not own that one though. The set it is in didn't seem worth it, but maybe one day especially since there are a few Special Features pertaining to his soundtrack.

I'm a big fan of "Ironweed". Probably Nicholson's best performance post-"The Shining" IMO. It's depressing, just in the sense that you realize how difficult life can be in certain circumstances. It's an unflinching, very honest film.

[mja345]

I thought "Inside Llewyn Davis" was among the Coens' top 6 or 7 films. It definitely improved on rewatch for me. It was disappointing to see them follow it up with an absolute pile of shit like "Hail, Caesar". I thought "Hail, Caesar" was their worst film by a fair margin, easily eclipsing "The Ladykillers".

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by mja345

I thought "Inside Llewyn Davis" was among the Coens' top 6 or 7 films. It definitely improved on rewatch for me. It was disappointing to see them follow it up with an absolute pile of shit like "Hail, Caesar". I thought "Hail, Caesar" was their worst film by a fair margin, easily eclipsing "The Ladykillers".

I agree Hail, Caesar was disappointing. That said, I'd love Criterion to release possibly their best film, Fargo, with better extras, like a Coen Brothers commentary and an updated documentary. I rewatched it the other night and the film hasn't lost it's impact.

[the one who knocks]

Originally Posted by mja345

I thought "Inside Llewyn Davis" was among the Coens' top 6 or 7 films. It definitely improved on rewatch for me. It was disappointing to see them follow it up with an absolute pile of shit like "Hail, Caesar". I thought "Hail, Caesar" was their worst film by a fair margin, easily eclipsing "The Ladykillers".

Agree about both films. I've been disappointed by them before but "Hail, Caesar" might be their only film I find hardly any redeeming qualities in. The Ladykillers I at least enjoy as a mindless dumb comedy.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by postmodel

I have Ironweed on my DVR waiting for me...but I just haven't had that moment that felt right to watch it...if that makes any sense.

Coppola's One From the Heart I find quite enjoyable mainly for Waits' soundtrack alone. I do not own that one though. The set it is in didn't seem worth it, but maybe one day especially since there are a few Special Features pertaining to his soundtrack.

I totally understand. I feel the same way about certain films in my collection too, mainly Shoah, which I have no idea when I'll get around to watching, since its such an undertaking (being that its 9 hours long).

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by mja345

I thought "Inside Llewyn Davis" was among the Coens' top 6 or 7 films. It definitely improved on rewatch for me. It was disappointing to see them follow it up with an absolute pile of shit like "Hail, Caesar". I thought "Hail, Caesar" was their worst film by a fair margin, easily eclipsing "The Ladykillers".

i actually though Hail Caesar was quite funny.

[Arch Stanton]

I thought it was pretty poor as a comedy tbh, but the Coen bros playing around with classic Hollywood was good, even if they were pretty much on autopilot for the whole thing.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

i actually though Hail Caesar was quite funny.

the big music number in the middle was really clever and well choreographed. Channing Tatum really kills it.

I didn't find it, on the whole, all that memorable, but it had its moments and I'd generally give it a thumbs up.

[jayembee]

Apropos of not much -- other than that these are three films Criterion really should license for release on Blu-ray if they can -- but I was highly amused to note that on the night of the final Presidential debate, Turner Classic Movies scheduled:

8:00 PM

Fail-Safe (1964)

A failure in the U.S. defense system threatens to start World War III.

10:00 PM

Advise & Consent (1962)

A controversial presidential nomination threatens the careers of several prominent politicians.

12:30 AM

Seven Days in May (1964)

An American military officer discovers his superiors are planning a military coup.

[Donnie D]

Near the end of summer streamed Kieślowski's 'The Scar' and 'Camera Buff'. Liked his work ever since I was introduced and saw 'Blue' (way back in the day, right out of college). Heard great things about 'Dekalog' so took advantage of the recent Flash Sale and purchase these (they arrived today):

Criterion Co_2016-10-17 (2).JPG

Will try to stream more of his early work leading up to 'Dekalog'. Been distracted and overwhelmed by so many great films! Which is a good thing!

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

i actually though Hail Caesar was quite funny.

I absolutely hated it, but to each his own. I'm sure I'll give it a rewatch at some point.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by mja345

I absolutely hated it, but to each his own. I'm sure I'll give it a rewatch at some point.

Definitely revisit it. I thought it was a huge misfire at first, too. Having seen it again twice now, it's nowhere near absolute pile of shit. It's definitely better than Intolerable Cruelty and Ladykillers, and actually I think this is the most effective use of George Clooney as the 'comic imbecile' they've had him play in other films.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Definitely revisit it. I thought it was a huge misfire at first, too. Having seen it again twice now, it's nowhere near absolute pile of shit. It's definitely better than Intolerable Cruelty and Ladykillers, and actually I think this is the most effective use of George Clooney as the 'comic imbecile' they've had him play in other films.

I'll definitely check it out again. I just didn't respond to it well at all the first time I watched it for whatever reason.

[Marlow27]

I personally enjoyed Hail, Caesar quite a bit, definitely not one of their top tier movies but I thought it was clever and witty and deeper than people gave it credit for, with some interesting thought put into the ideas and theme of belief and the meaning it gives individuals and so on.

Also, the scene with all the religious figures was perfect. One of my favourite scenes of any film that year.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Definitely revisit it. I thought it was a huge misfire at first, too. Having seen it again twice now, it's nowhere near absolute pile of shit. It's definitely better than Intolerable Cruelty and Ladykillers, and actually I think this is the most effective use of George Clooney as the 'comic imbecile' they've had him play in other films.

IC was one of my biggest disappointments at the theater. My friend and I figured, what could possibly go wrong? Coen Brothers? Check. Clooney? Check. Catherine Zeta-Jones? Check. This is a no-brainer.

*sigh*