The Criterion Collection

[MifuneFan]

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[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by BTSMGL

Man, I might be in the minority here, but I'm disappointed by "Sixteen Candles" being included. I saw that movie for the first time this year and it was single-handedly one of the most racist, misogynistic, disgusting, and immoral movies I'd seen in a long time. Absolutely repulsive. And I'm definitely not a guy prone to knee-jerk reactions AT ALL, but this movie just left me aghast.

I have to agree. It is not worthy of being in the Criterion library. Even though the cast is wonderful, it is basically everything you said.

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Feel good up there on your pedestal? Is it nice and warm? Don't give people shit for liking what they like. Sorry that you wince every time someone says a word you don't like. Sorry that not every movie has a perfect example of humanity.

I didn't find anything self righteous in their post, and it was well articulated. I've not seen the film in question so I can't comment on that, but discussing social tones within a film and how they make you feel is legitimate.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I stil think it's a double clue, and they're doing Hail Caesar too . The Universal release is pretty light on extras

I think you are right. The Caesar has its hand raised like that for a reason.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Caseyscott

I didn't find anything self righteous in their post, and it was well articulated. I've not seen the film in question so I can't comment on that, but discussing social tones within a film and how they make you feel is legitimate.

If anything, people are giving him hell and calling him names for having a differing opinion from others

[BTSMGL]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Feel good up there on your pedestal? Is it nice and warm? Don't give people shit for liking what they like. Sorry that you wince every time someone says a word you don't like. Sorry that not every movie has a perfect example of humanity.

Speaking of straw men...!

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

Anthology Archives screened this in NYC a year or two ago. And both film courses and philosophy courses in some colleges discuss this film both for technique and content.

Yes, I'm aware of both. I saw it in film school myself. It's a propaganda masterpiece and a historical peek into the Nazi machine that has nearly no equal nor precedent.

That being said, it would be hilarious for Criterion to announce it and then sit back and watch you guys try to convince outraged descendants of Holocaust survivors why they're wrong, hahah

You teetering close to being the kind of person who would protest Spain tearing down a Francisco Franco statue because "it's SO well-sculpted!" or something.

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I wonder if a lot of these people think Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's wasn't that big of a deal?

They'd be like "Linda Hunt TOTALLY deserved that Oscar!"

[BTSMGL]

Originally Posted by Caseyscott

I didn't find anything self righteous in their post, and it was well articulated. I've not seen the film in question so I can't comment on that, but discussing social tones within a film and how they make you feel is legitimate.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

If anything, people are giving him hell and calling him names for having a differing opinion from others

Thanks! Granted I'm biased, but I do think I've been pretty chill and measured throughout this whole mini-debate. Hell, I even changed the subject like 2 pages ago! Ah well.

I'm more than happy to (again) drop it and continue talking about the other subjects at hand.

[llj]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

I wonder if a lot of these people think Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's wasn't that big of a deal?

Mickey Rooney was definitely one of the worst cases of an "Asian" character in a mainstream Hollywood film, but that said, I don't get outraged when watching it either. Mainly because it happened so long ago, partly because I've seen worse, and partly because at the end of the day, the only real lasting harm the movie really did was to itself in having the Rooney character.

[DaBargainHunta]

Sixteen Candles is easily the weakest of Hughes's '80s output (IMO), but if it leads to other Hughes films getting the Criterion treatment - or better yet, a box set - I'm all for it.

[llj]

The odd thing about Sixteen Candles, aside it being probably one of the least "important" films from the Brat Pack era, is that Sixteen Candles is basically Kindergarten Cop territory, and Kindergarten Cop is something Criterion joked about a few years back as if they would never release it. In fact Kindergarten Cop is probably a better film than Sixteen Candles. So it's just an odd choice to Criterion.

Granted, Criterion has released some fluff films before in the past, but this one just feels 'off' in a way even an Armageddon or Benjamin Button didn't.

Are we SURE it's Sixteen Candles? Are there no other more obscure movies out there that a picture of Sixteen Candles might also represent?

[BTSMGL]

Originally Posted by llj

Granted, Criterion has released some fluff films before in the past, but this one just feels 'off' in a way even an Armageddon or Benjamin Button didn't.

Are we SURE it's Sixteen Candles? Are there no other more obscure movies out there that a picture of Sixteen Candles might also represent?

Gonna laugh my ass off when someone discovers an obscure-yet-acclaimed Czech film called "Šestnáct Svíček", hahaha

[mrjohnnyb]

Could the two arms waving be A Farewell to Arms?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Could the two arms waving be A Farewell to Arms?

It's a good guess, but I believe Kino has he rights to both film adaptations

[PowellPressburger]

I prefer 16 Candles over Pretty in Pink but probably because I grew up watching it and it's a nostalgic thing. I guess I'd rank some of Hughes films like this

The Breakfast Club
16 Candles
Pretty in Pink
some Kind of wonderful
And weird science (which I really dont like at al.

And as far as 16 Candles as being politically incorrect I say great. Kind of getting sick of never haveing any edgy comedies. Long live the 80's

[xxnomad]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I prefer 16 Candles over Pretty in Pink but probably because I grew up watching it and it's a nostalgic thing. I guess I'd rank some of Hughes films like this

The Breakfast Club
16 Candles
Pretty in Pink
some Kind of wonderful
And weird science (which I really dont like at al.

And as far as 16 Candles as being politically incorrect I say great. Kind of getting sick of never haveing any edgy comedies. Long live the 80's

can't forget planes trains automobiles

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by BTSMGL

Watch the movie and then tell me I had to look hard to find racism and sexism in it.

Also, "in everything"? I'm speaking and have only been speaking about one specific movie.

I love "Monster Squad". I own a poster of it. Made in the 80s, and one of the kids casually calls someone a "f*ggot". Unfortunate, of course. Kinda makes me wince every time. But it was a different decade and unfortunately it wasn't as taboo a word as it is nowadays.

But "Sixteen Candles" is EXTREMELY racist and sexist and rapey. To a nearly indefensible degree.

And it's a viewpoint that's been shared in various circles and publications for a while now. I mentioned it after I first saw it and a bunch of my movie geek friends chimed in with "oh yeah, you didn't know that? That movie is super weird". Thus, either Criterion didn't know of that and really wanted a Hughes flick, or they did know and figured it still wanted to put the movie out. Both options would surprise me, to be honest. I'm curious about what the reaction will be when/if they announce it. Don't be surprised if a few eyebrows are raised online. My reading of the movie isn't as uncommon as you think.

And for the record, I haven't even called for them not to put it out. They can do whatever they want. Well, short of putting out "Triumph of the Will" of course, hahah

What you've said about Sixteen Candles definitely isn't new, but as always you've always got to examine films through the prism of time. Sixteen Candles may seem fairly recent to many people here but it was made over 30 years ago, times HAVE changed and back when it came out, all that happens really wasn't seen as a big deal. There are a LOT of 80s comedies such as Revenge of the Nerds, Police Academy and Fast Times at Ridgemont High that all feature content that would raise eyebrows today. However, Sixteen Candles is still a significant film, it was John Hughes's directorial debut and kicked off an entire cycle of teen dramadies.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by xxnomad

can't forget planes trains automobiles

Yeah I figured I was forgetting some like Ferris also butas far as the teen films I'd place Ferris right next to pretty in Pink possibly below it. but TBC and 16 are my favs.

[llj]

Originally Posted by xxnomad

can't forget planes trains automobiles

Also Ferris Bueller

[tenia]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

What you've said about Sixteen Candles definitely isn't new, but as always you've always got to examine films through the prism of time. Sixteen Candles may seem fairly recent to many people here but it was made over 30 years ago, times HAVE changed and back when it came out, all that happens really wasn't seen as a big deal. There are a LOT of 80s comedies such as Revenge of the Nerds, Police Academy and Fast Times at Ridgemont High that all feature content that would raise eyebrows today. However, Sixteen Candles is still a significant film, it was John Hughes's directorial debut and kicked off an entire cycle of teen dramadies.

Thing is, I watched Sixteen Candles for the first time ever a few months ago with my GF and none of us found that in the movie.
Hence my surprise.

[Mothravka]

Originally Posted by llj

Are there no other more obscure movies out there that a picture of Sixteen Candles might also represent?

Well, you can always hope for 16 Wishes by Peter DeLuise.