The Criterion Collection

[Marlow27]

I thought Silence was fantastic. Stunningly made with theological and philosophical depth, and very fine performances. I didn't find it a slog at all, in fact I found it consistently compelling and resonant.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Marlow27

I thought Silence was fantastic. Stunningly made with theological and philosophical depth, and very fine performances. I didn't find it a slog at all, in fact I found it consistently compelling and resonant.

Every single review I read of it, and every trailer I saw, made me think it was going to be a chore to watch. Everything I saw in the marketing for the movie looking as washed out and gray as a Zach Snyder Superman movie didn't help at all. I guess they should have tried to market it differently. I'll get around to watching it one of these days, but it seemed like the movie equivalent of a spoonful of castor oil.

[MifuneFan]

For me, the last half or third of it is more of a chore, but it starts off fairly strong. I was ultimately let down by the movie, and thought it could be trimmed by at least 30 mins and make for a better film.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by drat

The Before Trilogy set is now listed as in-stock at the Criterion website.

Could this mean the flash sale will start today? Probably. But probably not. But, of course, it could. Possibly. And then again, not so much. But it is definitely a hint. Unless it isn't. But then again most likely it is. Or isn't it?

You know, I don't think I like you very much.

[Show spoiler]

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For me, the last half or third of it is more of a chore, but it starts off fairly strong. I was ultimately let down by the movie, and thought it could be trimmed by at least 30 mins and make for a better film.

"Silence" has a big problem in common with "Wolf of Wall Street"; both films, to me, felt like the same scene over and over and over and over. And over and over. And over. But there are aspects of it that stuck with me. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a slog, but it was a disappointment, and a lot of that was down to issues with pacing.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Every single review I read of it, and every trailer I saw, made me think it was going to be a chore to watch. Everything I saw in the marketing for the movie looking as washed out and gray as a Zach Snyder Superman movie didn't help at all. I guess they should have tried to market it differently. I'll get around to watching it one of these days, but it seemed like the movie equivalent of a spoonful of castor oil.

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

"Silence" has a big problem in common with "Wolf of Wall Street"; both films, to me, felt like the same scene over and over and over and over. And over and over. And over. But there are aspects of it that stuck with me. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a slog, but it was a disappointment, and a lot of that was down to issues with pacing.

Yes, pacing! You were spot on...I said the same thing in an earlier post in response to people who loved the film. I've just seen better executed Martin Scorsese films than this one. There were a lot of redundant scenes in this film.

It was indeed a chore to watch too, cakefactory. Check it out though and you might have a different reaction. I think there's a reason why it took over 25 years for this to be made, because it was such a difficult project...and sometimes difficult projects don't turn out to be critically acclaimed successes. I'll watch this one again on my own time... another friend of mine who saw this film said that it appeared Scorsese treated the Christian characters as dirty, unkempt peasants and that perhaps Scorsese was more pro-Buddhist than Christian in his depiction of the characters. Unlike, The Last Temptation of Christ which explored "Christ as a universal consciousness" as opposed to a character, this film seems to criticize Christianity through a warped lens of disheveled characters.

[ShellOilJunior]

Does anyone know who did the artwork for The Before Trilogy? I don't see it mentioned on Criterion's page.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Does anyone know who did the artwork for The Before Trilogy? I don't see it mentioned on Criterion's page.

Alan Smithee

[Jr7936]

I saw silence for free in the movies and it didn't seem as long of a movie as it was. I enjoyed it immensely but the one thing is i don't know about rewatchablity

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Marlow27

I thought Silence was fantastic. Stunningly made with theological and philosophical depth, and very fine performances. I didn't find it a slog at all, in fact I found it consistently compelling and resonant.

I absolutely agree. I found Silence to be one of the best films in Scorsese's entire career. It's a thoughtful meditation on religion, faith, and spirituality.

It is certainly one of his most personal films. I hope it gets more recognition over time.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I upgraded my old DVDs of Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill to Blu-ray a year or so ago, but I still have not watched the Blu-rays. Now would be a good time, I guess.

Same here. Don't off-hand recall if it was during last year's July or November B&N sale that I finally picked them up on Blu, but yeah, I've got to watch them to. The trouble is finding the free time for them. Real Life is still keeping me from watching much in the way of movies.

While I'm at it, there are some of his films on Criterion DVD to watch as well, including two of my favorite films of his -- Gate of Flesh and Story of a Prostitute -- as well as the film of his in the Eclipse Nikkatsu Noir set. Not to mention Voice Without a Shadow in Arrow's first Nikkatsu Diamond Guys set.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by jshaide

Filled a cart just in case there's a sale today. Hate wrestling with the website when they start.

Unfortunately they don't let you keep items in your cart. (I had filled mine this morning with the same idea, figuring I'd just leave the titles I wanted in there until whatever date/time the sale began, and just discovered it had been emptied.)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's a shame more of his films didn't reach us in the states. I've only seen a handful, but I've enjoyed them all, and his influence on future films clearly shows. I already own the UK release of Youth of the Beast, but would like for Criterion to upgrade their release too, along with Fighting Elegy, Gate of Flesh, and Story of a Prostitute among others.

After seeing Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill on Criterion LD back in the day, I was captivated. Fortunately, not long afterward, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts Film Program presented a Suzuki program that had been making the rounds, and I got to see several others of his films.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

I just blind bought Mildred Pierce and I can't wait to watch it.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

I just blind bought Mildred Pierce and I can't wait to watch it.

I'm looking forward to revisiting mine and seeing how it compares with the old DVD.

I'll probably wait until Monday, on my flex day off from work. This weekend, I'm going to be getting geared up for next week's theatrical release of Logan by revisiting the first five X-Men movies on Blu-ray and by watching X-Men: Apocalypse for the first time.

Mildred Pierce will be a good cerebral way to chase those flicks down.

I'm also itching to watch my new Kino Lorber Blu-ray of Deluge, so that'll come right after Mildred Pierce.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm looking forward to revisiting mine and seeing how it compares with the old DVD.

I'll probably wait until Monday, on my flex day off from work. This weekend, I'm going to be getting geared up for next week's theatrical release of Logan by revisiting the first five X-Men movies on Blu-ray and by watching X-Men: Apocalypse for the first time.

Mildred Pierce will be a good cerebral way to chase those flicks down.

I'm also itching to watch my new Kino Lorber Blu-ray of Deluge, so that'll come right after Mildred Pierce.

I just looked up Deluge and that looks like something I'd be interested as well. I'll definitely have to check that one out.

[MifuneFan]

Speaking of Mildred Pierce, I just bought this TCM DVD set from Amazon which is on sale for $9.96 (matching WM). I bought it primarily for The Magnificent Ambersons, so you all know who to thank if/when Criterion announces it for June

[jshaide]

Huh, just noticed GRADUATION is due out in April through Sundance Selects.

Perhaps a three film set with 4 MONTHS, HILLS, and this in the fall?

[mariachi507]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Alan Smithee

This post is under appreciated.

[glennstl]

I also just watched Mildred Pierce yesterday. I was very impressed by the PQ. It also contains some great interviews and also an entire 88 minute documentary on Joan Crawford. Super release.