The Criterion Collection

[ShellOilJunior]

Criterion BINGO. For entertainment purposes only.

[Show spoiler]

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by nitin

Lean is normally known for his epic period (and his output there speaks for itself) but he made some incredible films in the 40s too. Brief Encoutner is the best from the amazing period but his two Dickens adaptations are also great films (and badly need new restored blu rays).

As well as the Dickensian Hobson's Choice.

[theater dreamer]

65680C95-7446-498B-8BA4-2BBD37B01701.jpg
”Over the bridge and turn right.”

Ok, so I promise I’m not going to comment on every Cary Grant film I watch this week, but I was kind of expecting Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House to be a lesser entrant in his filmography. Boy, was I wrong. I’m laughing an awful lot, and enjoying myself immensely. He’s so good at playing the befuddled Everyman, and this is a perfect vehicle for he and Myrna Loy.

The film is now over 70 years old, but I think even now, anyone who has ever built a home can both empathize with the couple, and find humor in their plight. Everything that can go wrong seemingly does. I don’t think that’s giving anything away. It’s pretty much implied from the synopsis that the quaint old home in Connecticut is going to lead to a money pit. The couple adjusting the proposed blueprint is too funny. “Now, in the study. If we can just push out this wall a little and put in a built in bar...”

That’s right, Cary was constructing his own man cave seven decades before the term entered into our vernacular.

“And bathrooms, Mr. Sims. Each bedroom must have at least one bathroom,” Loy opines as the architect looks on helplessly. She’s clearly as crazy as her husband.

When Criterion does their Cary Grant box (fingers crossed), this might not be one of the main selling points, but it’s got to be included. All these films are just fun to watch. See it with Arsenic and Old Lace and Charade, and you’ll get three movies that are about as far apart stylistically and thematically as possible. What better testament to the man’s talent and enduring popularity?

[captveg]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

When Criterion does their Cary Grant box (fingers crossed), this might not be one of the main selling points, but it’s got to be included. All these films are just fun to watch. See it with Arsenic and Old Lace and Charade, and you’ll get three movies that are about as far apart stylistically and thematically as possible. What better testament to the man’s talent and enduring popularity?

Maybe they'll throw in I Was a Make War Bride for good measure.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Attachment 214882
”Over the bridge and turn right.”

Ok, so I promise I’m not going to comment on every Cary Grant film I watch this week, but I was kind of expecting Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House to be a lesser entrant in his filmography. Boy, was I wrong. I’m laughing an awful lot, and enjoying myself immensely. He’s so good at playing the befuddled Everyman, and this is a perfect vehicle for he and Myrna Loy.

The film is now over 70 years old, but I think even now, anyone who has ever built a home can both empathize with the couple, and find humor in their plight. Everything that can go wrong seemingly does. I don’t think that’s giving anything away. It’s pretty much implied from the synopsis that the quaint old home in Connecticut is going to lead to a money pit. The couple adjusting the proposed blueprint is too funny. “Now, in the study. If we can just push out this wall a little and put in a built in bar...”

That’s right, Cary was constructing his own man cave seven decades before the term entered into our vernacular.

“And bathrooms, Mr. Sims. Each bedroom must have at least one bathroom,” Loy opines as the architect looks on helplessly. She’s clearly as crazy as her husband.

When Criterion does their Cary Grant box (fingers crossed), this might not be one of the main selling points, but it’s got to be included. All these films are just fun to watch. See it with Arsenic and Old Lace and Charade, and you’ll get three movies that are about as far apart stylistically and thematically as possible. What better testament to the man’s talent and enduring popularity?

Don't forget action-adventure -- Gunga Din!

Grant could do a lot, but he was especially good at contrasting his suave image with. as you say, the befuddled characters, beset by eccentrics, lunatics and oddballs (Bringing Up Baby is just one example) which he portrayed so adeptly. He had great comic timing and some of his "takes" were worthy of Jack Benny. I think audiences of the day knew that he wasn't really an Everyman, and that was part of his appeal. He always came across as a good sport tolerating fools with grace.

Today, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House would find a receptive audience with the HGTV crowd, although, these days, Mrs. Blandings would want a seven-piece bath for every bedroom.

[Blu2u]

Probably mentioned already, but the pic in the yearly clue of the figure 8 in the game could possibly be a "hard eight". PTA is said to be working on it.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Blu2u

Probably mentioned already, but the pic in the yearly clue of the figure 8 in the game could possibly be a "hard eight". PTA is said to be working on it.

I hope that might be the case. It's one of the last I need for my PTA collection (Still need to get Phantom Thread).

[fantasticstar]

I'd love to see some of Peter Greenaway's films given the Criterion experience. Does anyone know what the chances would be?

[MovieClown]

Is anyone else excited for the upcoming MIKEY & NICKY release? I feel like no one is talking about it. There isn't even a dedicated thread for it on the site.

I've loved the film for years, and can't believe it's finally surfacing on BD... From Criterion, no less. The 5/5 review on here almost made my eyes well up with tears, as I practically have the entire film memorized from multiple viewings since early adolescence.

It's a shame that all the unused footage was discarded, as Elaine May intended the film to be three to four hours in length. It was reportedly the first film in history for which more than a million feet of film was shot. As I understand it, the film was taken away from May shortly after shooting stopped, and it took three years to edit the current version. Too bad it's not more known (and more praised) because it deserves a wealth of bonus features, even if only interviews from those who worked on it detailing the production and post-production.

Regardless, I'm over the moon about this one. Cassavetes fans should be too, as he practically co-directed it, without credit... and it shows.

[Gusto-Guus]

Just watched Elia Kazans America America on TCM. Great movie, very touching. I hope it comes to CC. No Blu-ray for it so the rights might be open. Criterion I think only has one Kazan film, On the waterfront.

[javy]

I've never seen Mikey & Nicky but I have been looking forward to watching it. Though I will probably wait for a sale to pick it up.

While on the subject of films starring Peter Falk, I would like to see Murder Inc. get a blu ray release from someone. This is an excellent gangster picture and Falk is menacing as Abe Reles.

[nitin]

Just a shout out to Sullivan’s Travels, The Awful Truth, The Lady Eve, The Gold Rush and Dazed and Confused, all of which I have seen in the last week or so via Criterion blu ray (and DVD for The Lady Eve but which hopefully becomes a blu ray in 2019). Enjoyed all of them with The Lady Eve being my personal pick from that bunch (Barbara Stanwyck again is phenomenal but Henry Fonda also plays dumb really well).

Also saw Dead Man, Two Lane Blacktop and Sex Lies and Videotape which were good films but not sure I was on board with those as much as the ones above. Having said that, Dead Man has an incredible score, Two Lane Blacktop has a clear vision which is artfully executed and Sex Lies and Videotape has some very nuanced acting.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Gusto-Guus

Criterion I think only has one Kazan film, On the waterfront.

"A Face in the Crowd" is forthcoming.

[MJD64]

Speaking of Kazan, I was fortunate enough to come across the last copy of PANIC IN THE STREETS on Blu at my local Dollar Tree recently; I rarely blind-buy titles anymore, but figured this was a no-brainer for only a buck and it turned out to be terrific: an excellent, often intense, noir with strong performances and a heightened sense of reality having been shot on real locations in New Orleans. May be the best dollar investment I've ever made...

[nitin]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Speaking of Kazan, I was fortunate enough to come across the last copy of PANIC IN THE STREETS on Blu at my local Dollar Tree recently; I rarely blind-buy titles anymore, but figured this was a no-brainer for only a buck and it turned out to be terrific: an excellent, often intense, noir with strong performances and a heightened sense of reality having been shot on real locations in New Orleans. May be the best dollar investment I've ever made...

Definitely an underrated Kazan and noir IMHO.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Speaking of Kazan, I was fortunate enough to come across the last copy of PANIC IN THE STREETS on Blu at my local Dollar Tree recently; I rarely blind-buy titles anymore, but figured this was a no-brainer for only a buck and it turned out to be terrific: an excellent, often intense, noir with strong performances and a heightened sense of reality having been shot on real locations in New Orleans. May be the best dollar investment I've ever made...

What a steal! I paid like 3 bucks for mine on eBay awhile back but it was worth it. An excellent hidden gem.

[Abdrewes]

I'm really happy I bought those Kazan at Fox blurays before they went OOP.

Hopefully we get A Face in the Crowd (or Baby Doll, you can do it WAC!) this year

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by fantasticstar

I'd love to see some of Peter Greenaway's films given the Criterion experience. Does anyone know what the chances would be?

I'd say close to zero. Apparently there are some rights issues with a few of his films, that's why they have been treated so badly in the dvd/blu-ray era, especially on blu-ray.

At one point Criterion were thinking of releasing The Cook......, but rumour has it that they weren't happy with the materials they received and weren't prepared to do additional restoration work.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I'm really happy I bought those Kazan at Fox blurays before they went OOP.

Hopefully we get A Face in the Crowd (or Baby Doll, you can do it WAC!) this year

Criterion's newletter clue for November was for A Face in the Crowd, so it should be announced soon I'd imagine.

[SeanJoyce]

Kazan's Wild River really should have been a Criterion release, but I suppose I'm just happy to have it on Blu-ray.