The Criterion Collection

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by jmclick

Did you watch the alternate British version of Night and the City? It's longer, and Gene Tierney appears in some additional scenes and alternate takes that really make her character (and her performance) shine. The downside is that the alternate score by composer Benjamin Frankel doesn't hold a candle to the musical brilliance that Franz Waxman brought to the American cut.

I didn't, but I ended up watching the comparison documentary, which certainly peaked my interest (and filled in some gaps that were questionable in the American cut.)

[llj]

Re-watched Night of the Hunter yesterday. No matter how many times I see it, it continues to be one of the strangest films of all time, with its weird shifts in tone and Mitchum's incredibly broad yet sophisticated performance. What struck me this time, though, is that even for a 3-4 year old, Pearl really is a pretty dumb kid. Even after she sees how incredibly SCARY Powell is in the middle of the film, she willingly goes to welcome him when he eventually shows up at Lillian Gish's house.

[Wooden Lens]

I love laughing at the screen when Pearl is on. But, as far as 'dumb' kid performances go... it's pretty great.

What a masterpiece.

[silverlakephil]

Originally Posted by llj

Re-watched Night of the Hunter yesterday. No matter how many times I see it, it continues to be one of the strangest films of all time, with its weird shifts in tone and Mitchum's incredibly broad yet sophisticated performance. What struck me this time, though, is that even for a 3-4 year old, Pearl really is a pretty dumb kid. Even after she sees how incredibly SCARY Powell is in the middle of the film, she willingly goes to welcome him when he eventually shows up at Lillian Gish's house.

That "escape down the river" scene is one of the most surrealist moments in cinematic history.

[Fury Road]

how long does it usually take them to respond? (politely) asked them for a slip cover replacement for moonrise kingdom - 2 weeks later - still no reply!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by Fury Road

how long does it usually take them to respond? (politely) asked them for a slip cover replacement for moonrise kingdom - 2 weeks later - still no reply!

I would just PayPal them $5 and they'd send it out quickly. If that doesn't work then ask Ray Rogers. He knows Mulvaney.

[Polaroid]

Yah I suggest send the money with all details of what you need and its pretty quick

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by silverlakephil

That "escape down the river" scene is one of the most surrealist moments in cinematic history.

I'd also include the scene of

[Show spoiler]the discovery of Shelly Winters body in the lake. The way it's film she looks like a mermaid or siren.

Very eerie but also very beautiful if that makes sense.

[moviebuffed]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

I'd also include the scene of

[Show spoiler]the discovery of Shelly Winters body in the lake. The way it's film she looks like a mermaid or siren.

Very eerie but also very beautiful if that makes sense.

Ohhh, all this talk of "Night Of The Hunter" makes me happy. Definitely one of my favorite films. Let's give a shout out to the wonderful direction by the inimitable Charles Laughton. What a film!

[Scottie]

I should get around to rewatching The Night of the Hunter. It's been a few years since I've seen it, but I remember loving it.

One of the final scenes on the porch is great.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I just finished watching The Kid for the first time, and immediately fell in love with it, not surprisingly. There is this genuine joy to Chaplin, even in scenes where the slapstick is somewhat subdued, or nonexistent. When there are moments of melancholy, like the mother coming back looking for her baby, it's...beautiful. I was struck by how much I was smiling, and laughing, during the film. And Jackie Coogan was the perfect comedic foil for Chaplin. I love watching his little legs churning as he's running down the street, and around the corner out of view after breaking a window. It's such a great comedic counterpoint to The Tramp's trademark waddle.

The last scene was completely unexpected. "Sin coming to town", I believe was the title card, with the devils, more mischievous than frightening, popping in and out of camera, Chaplin flying around with his little angel wings flapping in the breeze, flowers everywhere, children and adults frolicking together in the streets. Wonderful! The Kid is richly deserving of its place in the pantheon of great silent films, and this is one I'll be coming back to again and again.

This is a real gem of a release, guys, and though I can't comment as to how much the print quality may have been improved by the restoration, as this is my first time seeing the film, I can say that the picture itself is magnificent. And while I was cautiously optimistic upon reading that Chaplin redid the score in 1972, it perfectly suits the action, and the underlying character of the movie.

I'll spend much of tomorrow exploring the veritable treasure trove of extras included with the film, but this is one Criterion release that merits inclusion in every movie collection. It's funny, poignant, and at times, even elegant.

Just imagine how you'd feel if you'd seen the full version and not the drastically reduced 1972 cut. The current version is ~52minutes, down from ~68 minutes. That's a reduction of roughly 25%.

I can't imagine that would be accepted for any other movie. For that reason alone it has to be one of the most disappointing Criterion releases ever.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

Just imagine how you'd feel if you'd seen the full version and not the drastically reduced 1972 cut. The current version is ~52minutes, down from ~68 minutes. That's a reduction of roughly 25%.

I can't imagine that would be accepted for any other movie. For that reason alone it has to be one of the most disappointing Criterion releases ever.

Were they not able to get their hands on the original cut?

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Were they not able to get their hands on the original cut?

Those parts come as supplements, apparently they were restored too, but there isn't a full score for the original cut, since Chaplin added it when he made the cuts.

I love this movie and have never seen the original version either, didn't knew it even existed until this release was announced.

[Rich Pure Doom]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

Just imagine how you'd feel if you'd seen the full version and not the drastically reduced 1972 cut. The current version is ~52minutes, down from ~68 minutes. That's a reduction of roughly 25%.

I can't imagine that would be accepted for any other movie. For that reason alone it has to be one of the most disappointing Criterion releases ever.

Just because it's longer doesn't mean for sure someone would like it more.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Just because it's longer doesn't mean for sure someone would like it more.

Good point. I mean, I dislike Apocalypse Now, but I dislike Apocalypse Now: Redux much more.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Good point. I mean, I dislike Apocalypse Now

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I know, I know. Heaven forbid that I dislike one of the most critically acclaimed, award-winning war movies ever made.

No matter how many times I watch it, I'll never be engrossed in the story and I'll never fully understand what Coppola was trying to get at. Surely it has to be about much more than the horrors of war, no?

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I know, I know. Heaven forbid that I dislike one of the most critically acclaimed, award-winning war movies ever made.

No matter how many times I watch it, I'll never be engrossed in the story and I'll never fully understand what Coppola was trying to get at. Surely it has to be about much more than the horrors of war, no?

I'm sure we all have films like that. Personally, I've hit the wall with repeated viewings of films like Rio Bravo, The Sacrifice, and Jules and Jim. I've tried to like them and look at them trying to see what others see that causes them to be so revered but it just escapes me.

[zakzak]

Originally Posted by Saucerful

Well, Panic Room was rumoured to be with Twilight Time. I don't know where that all ended up or if it's been confirmed.

As for the other ones, I really don't understand why you'd want them. Since we're all posting here, I assume we're mostly Criterion fans. I'd consider myself a pretty big fan. That said, consider the current Social Network release from Sony. It's two discs and you get a great transfer, two commentaries: one from Fincher, one from Sorkin and friends (which are both excellent, by the way, if you haven't listened to them yet), a making of documentary, various featurettes and special features including a great one with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross about the score.

Dragon Tattoo is a similar sort of situation, although it only has one commentary. And forget trying to top the special features on Se7en (four commentaries plus a boatload of other stuff).

So I ask what else would you like to see them add? I mean, other than a nice big C and spine number...

IMO, Criterion would be better off directing their efforts toward films that really do need an upgrade, let alone the ones that haven't been released on Blu-ray at all.

You are right, my bad: The Social Network is a great disc put put by Sony.
No need for Criterion treatment. However I do wish they (Criterion) would take a swing at it, if not for the change in the cover art, lol/ It's just the current BluRay cover art is so ridiculously out of sync with the movie.



Make it look like the movie is some RomCom with Eisenberg smirking as some kind of GenX nerd-hero whereas the original poster paints him as a more complex character



I don't have the Sony set but it would be interesting how Criterion would approach this project.

[Nuck Horris]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I know, I know. Heaven forbid that I dislike one of the most critically acclaimed, award-winning war movies ever made.

No matter how many times I watch it, I'll never be engrossed in the story and I'll never fully understand what Coppola was trying to get at. Surely it has to be about much more than the horrors of war, no?

Yes... I hate that movie. It's lifeless to me and makes me feel sort of dumb after watching it. It's almost like staring at a cardboard box for 2-3 hours.