The Criterion Collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bdmartin134

I felt that the metro never went to Turner Stadium. You had to then hop on a bus from the train.. I always paid for the parking. New stadium in Cobb or Marietta? Haven't lived there in 4 years but my traffic experience wasn't too bad as I had off rush hour work transit times.... to keep this Criterion related, I cant wait to watch Mildred Pierce tomorrow.... it's still in the wrapping

The new Atlanta Braves stadium is just north of 285 at the intersection of I-75 and 285. It's bordering the Smyrna area just north of Cumberland Mall. Traffic is already insane there on most days, so the Braves traffic is going to be a doozy. Thankfully, I live and work north of there, but it still may affect my commutes going home.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Traffic is at its worst in Atlanta right now, because of the I-85 bridge collapse that only happened less than a week ago. Thankfully, I live on the other end of metro Atlanta from all of that foolishness (I'm in Kennesaw, GA.).

Really crazy how that highway collapsed: A man smoking crack accidentally started a fire, Hell if my vice was powerful enough to bring down a concrete structure like that I'd seriously would have to start reevaluating my life's choices thus far and choose a less destructive one.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I know that this movie is being discussed at detail on about a million other threads here on this site right now, but I'm going to pitch a recommendation for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story based on the fact that it combines the essence of three Criterion titles in its narrative.

There's a lot of Army of Shadows here, especially with the darker parallels of the Rebellion to the French Resistance during World War II.

There's a major character who is quite obviously based on Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman.

Finally, the whole setup has a distinct Seven Samurai vibe to it.

I'll leave it at that, since this is all of the Criterion-related goodness that I have to share, but, if you have not seen this one, then you may find a lot to appreciate, even if you are not a Star Wars fan.

I love it when popular contemporary films take cues from classic foreign cinema, and then run the ball into the end zone.

It's always got the Hidden Fortress looming in the background too.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I know that this movie is being discussed at detail on about a million other threads here on this site right now, but I'm going to pitch a recommendation for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story based on the fact that it combines the essence of three Criterion titles in its narrative.

There's a lot of Army of Shadows here, especially with the darker parallels of the Rebellion to the French Resistance during World War II.

There's a major character who is quite obviously based on Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman.

Finally, the whole setup has a distinct Seven Samurai vibe to it.

I'll leave it at that, since this is all of the Criterion-related goodness that I have to share, but, if you have not seen this one, then you may find a lot to appreciate, even if you are not a Star Wars fan.

I love it when popular contemporary films take cues from classic foreign cinema, and then run the ball into the end zone.

It definitely plucks bits from here and there. Personally, I didn't think it was a good movie, let alone a good Star Wars movie. The characters are paper thin and the story seems like it was put together by a committee. I wasn't surprised to hear they rewrote and reshot the third act of the movie afterwards.

I'd rather make a case for the silent version of Mad Max: Fury Road!

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Does anyone subscribe to the Criterion network?

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by SkyAntoine

The wife and girls are away this week so I'm watching all non-Criterion Lynch blind spots. So far I've caught Lost Highway, The Elephant Man and Inland Empire is in the works. I may have to throw Dune in the queue, too.
Does Inland grow on you? 30 minutes in and I'm not sure what the heck I'm witnessing.

And, To keep it Criterion related...is there a consensus on most likely to be added? With all the Lynch postings something as to be on the horizon.

No. Inland Empire does NOT grow on you, but it does come together at the end. THE VERY END. Until then it's a slog & a chore, for me not so much because of the feeling of disorientation but because of the crappy picture. IE was Lynch's excitement at (what he thought at the time) not having to use lighting set ups because of digital (SD digital, mind you). You'll notice he's gone back to using film (and lighting set ups) for Twin Peaks...

EDIT: I see some folks actually like IE. I would myself if the picture wasn't so shitty. There's no artistic merit/reason to that IMO. Lynch was happy to be free from the time consuming lighting set ups. Ruined a great piece because of it. Again, IMO.

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by GentleGiant

One of my random Criterion wishes would be to see them release at least some Eric Rohmer on Bluray (Six Moral Tales would be great).

Just rewatched Le Rayon Vert, and wow, what a beautiful film! It would make a perfect Criterion release - not sure if that's possible, though.

I will not settle for anything less than that 22 disc box set!

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Helikaon

Personally, I didn't think it was a good movie, let alone a good Star Wars movie. The characters are paper thin and the story seems like it was put together by a committee.

No offence intended but a good Star Wars movie usually has lower standards of story and character than what in general is considered a good movie. And how much depth of character can one expect in a film that leads up to A New Hope, a film which is a benchmark for paper thin characters and barely existent story? It's a great example of a kid-like adult fulfilling his childhood dream of fairy princesses and ray guns, and admirable for that but let's not diss the new film for not having what its famed predecessors never had.

[mande2013]

So I received my transAtlantic shipment of Blow-Up from Amazon in a bubble wrap lined manila envelope, and amazingly enough, no dinging!

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by ravenus

No offence intended but a good Star Wars movie usually has lower standards of story and character than what in general is considered a good movie. And how much depth of character can one expect in a film that leads up to A New Hope, a film which is a benchmark for paper thin characters and barely existent story? It's a great example of a kid-like adult fulfilling his childhood dream of fairy princesses and ray guns, and admirable for that but let's not diss the new film for not having what its famed predecessors never had.

I wouldn't say it was because of that. It might have a little to do with that but honestly I thought Rogue One was a complete drag to sit through and frankly one of the worst films I've ever seen. It's like the film had no pulse whatsoever. I for one have never seen a movie where I was so disinterested in what was going on that my mind drifted throughout the entire film. There wasn't one character that interested me. I also found the samurai as some type of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character or something but it was awkward. I was very welcoming for something different in a Star Wars film but this wasn't it. I thought Rogue One sucked royally.

[Helikaon]

Originally Posted by ravenus

No offence intended but a good Star Wars movie usually has lower standards of story and character than what in general is considered a good movie. And how much depth of character can one expect in a film that leads up to A New Hope, a film which is a benchmark for paper thin characters and barely existent story? It's a great example of a kid-like adult fulfilling his childhood dream of fairy princesses and ray guns, and admirable for that but let's not diss the new film for not having what its famed predecessors never had.

Don't worry, no offence taken. In fact, I mostly agree with you. However, there are rudiments to storytelling, creating characters and their motivation, that A New Hope for the more part gets right. It's not a P.T. Anderson character study, but we understand immediately, intuitively, what Luke Skywalker or Han Solo are about through their first scenes. The introduction to the lead character in Rogue One: she wakes up, stands up, looks out her jail cell, end scene. In five years, who will even remember her name?

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The new Atlanta Braves stadium is just north of 285 at the intersection of I-75 and 285. It's bordering the Smyrna area just north of Cumberland Mall. Traffic is already insane there on most days, so the Braves traffic is going to be a doozy. Thankfully, I live and work north of there, but it still may affect my commutes going home.

I think most people that frequent this thread are older than Turner Field. It's amazing how quickly teams are getting new stadiums.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by MassiveMovieBuff

I wouldn't say it was because of that. It might have a little to do with that but honestly I thought Rogue One was a complete drag to sit through and frankly one of the worst films I've ever seen. It's like the film had no pulse whatsoever. I for one have never seen a movie where I was so disinterested in what was going on that my mind drifted throughout the entire film. There wasn't one character that interested me. I also found the samurai as some type of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character or something but it was awkward. I was very welcoming for something different in a Star Wars film but this wasn't it. I thought Rogue One sucked royally.

Worst film ever? Hyperbole much?

I recall hearing all the turmoil they had with this one, and expected it to suck. But I felt the end-result worked as well or better than TFA. I was pleasantly surprised in the theater - and rewatching the blu ray only reinforced that (I do need to see TFA a second time to figure out which I actually like better).

I do agree with someone's comment about it being "focus grouped" or somewhat lacking in soul. There is very little "original" here, rather they are clearly trying to emulate the vibe of the original trilogy, checking off boxes whilst weaving new tales or filling in gaps. It is basically fan-service. Big budget and globally marketed fan service. I'm ok with that. Could have been worse, much worse, just look at the horrible prequel trilogy. I do expect it will grow tired at some point, but then again look at the Marvel movies. They never seem to die (and I have absolutely loathed some of those, but lately I"ve come around to some of these films as well just for their sheer fun - esp Ant-Man, Gaurdians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange, etc).

As far as the blind Jedi/samurai, the first thing that came to mind was Zatoichi. I didn't find that character offensive to the Star Wars universe. Actually was kind of cool IMO.

[Member-167298]

I teach a documentary class at a performing arts high school and one of my students, totally unprovoked by me, had "Toshiro Mifune" written down as a potential subject for their final documentary project.

There is hope for the future!

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Worst film ever? Hyperbole much?

I recall hearing all the turmoil they had with this one, and expected it to suck. But I felt the end-result worked as well or better than TFA. I was pleasantly surprised in the theater - and rewatching the blu ray only reinforced that (I do need to see TFA a second time to figure out which I actually like better).

I do agree with someone's comment about it being "focus grouped" or somewhat lacking in soul. There is very little "original" here, rather they are clearly trying to emulate the vibe of the original trilogy, checking off boxes whilst weaving new tales or filling in gaps. It is basically fan-service. Big budget and globally marketed fan service. I'm ok with that. Could have been worse, much worse, just look at the horrible prequel trilogy. I do expect it will grow tired at some point, but then again look at the Marvel movies. They never seem to die (and I have absolutely loathed some of those, but lately I"ve come around to some of these films as well just for their sheer fun - esp Ant-Man, Gaurdians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange, etc).

As far as the blind Jedi/samurai, the first thing that came to mind was Zatoichi. I didn't find that character offensive to the Star Wars universe. Actually was kind of cool IMO.

No I said it's one of the worst. I really enjoyed Force Awakens despite it's faults and when I got out of the theater for Rogue One I was itching to watch Force Awakens. It gave me a whole new appreciation for that film and my brother had the same reaction even though he liked Rogue One better than I did. I can't stand the character of Finn in Force Awakens but Rogue One had me clamoring for Finn because atleast he had some life to him. Its like the humans in Rogue One were monotone robots and the film was on autopilot or something. It was just a really bizarre experience for me.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

I teach a documentary class at a performing arts high school and one of my students, totally unprovoked by me, had "Toshiro Mifune" written down as a potential subject for their final documentary project.

There is hope for the future!

That would be an instant A+ in my book lol

Also Grimes is such a babe

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

While the possibility remains that you're joking about this film, too, I would definitely be down for a Fast Times at Ridgemont High release by Criterion. First of all, the importance of the film as a definitive "coming of age" snapshot for the early 1980s cannot be overstated. I watch it, and feel instantly transported back to 1982. I was only 11, but the era hung around long enough for me to experience the same kind of thing when I was 16/17 in 1987/88. It was a special, more innocent time.

Plus, there's the early glimpse the exercise provides of some really great acting careers in the making: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Forrest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage (albeit a very small role for Mr. Coppola). Eric Stoltz is good, too, and Anthony Edwards. And Vincent Schiavelli is one of my favorite character actors, going back to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

If the New Years clue is correct and we are getting a Criterion release of Sixteen Candles, I would say that Fast Times is far more deserving of a Criterion release than that film. Fast Times is a smart comedy with heart and insight and is frankly far superior to any of the Hughes teen comedies of the 80s.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think most people that frequent this thread are older than Turner Field. It's amazing how quickly teams are getting new stadiums.

That Braves situation is pretty unique. There was a huge wave of ballparks built in the mid 90s to early 2000s that are still pretty damn nice, at least the ones I've been to. Most of them have been touched up here and there. However, asking taxpayers to fund a new stadium when a perfectly good, 19 year old stadium exists is absurd. Very few cities would have the gall to do that. The Braves better get a serious contender in there in 2-3 years or there is going to be a ton of hostility locally toward that franchise, I would predict. (End thread derailment).

[Doc Moonlight]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I'm pretty sure I live in the Dyngus Day capital of America. Everyone's welcome to come down/up/over/however you relate geographically to Buffalo NY.

We can all do dumb shit together that I'll someday be able to look back upon nostalgically, hopefully eventually assisting in a new appreciation of Dazed and Confused.

Can we eat Bocce Club Pizza?

[20th Century Boy]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

If the New Years clue is correct and we are getting a Criterion release of Sixteen Candles, I would say that Fast Times is far more deserving of a Criterion release than that film. Fast Times is a smart comedy with heart and insight and is frankly far superior to any of the Hughes teen comedies of the 80s.

I completely disagree.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by 20th Century Boy

I completely disagree.