The Criterion Collection

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Paddie

Anyone know what day the next announcements will be made?

Most likely tomorrow the 15th.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

If somebody held a gun to my head, my favorite De Palma films, in order, might go something like this:

Carlito's Way
The Untouchables
Blow Out
Scarface
Carrie
Mission: Impossible
Body Double
Mission to Mars

Those are the ones I've seen.

[Show spoiler]
Who da man? You da man!

Don't get me wrong-Carrie is a classic, and I f'ing love it. I'm ashamed to admit I don't own it yet (hell, I only have Carlito's Way on DVD and Ultraviolet), but the Shout Factory release is on my Christmas list. That it's fifth on my list should in no way be viewed as impugning the film. It's just the ones ahead of it could all make compelling arguments to rank among my favorite 100 domestic releases of all-time. They're that good in their own way. I still get the willies whenever I watch Sissy Spacek in....anything. Hell, I loaded up JFK about a week ago, and when Costner comes into the bedroom, and wakes his wife up, I flashed back to Carrie, and "they're all going to laugh at you" started ringing in my ears. I half expected the damned door to the bedroom to slam shut on its own, and the ceiling fan to come crashing down on Costner like the backboard.

Carlito's Way is brilliant film making.

[Show spoiler]Even though the viewer knows that Carlito is a dead man from the very beginning, the film is no less riveting. It's like Apollo 13 in that sense. The narrative denouement is a foregone conclusion. But you're still on the edge of your seat, and emotionally invested until the credits roll.

Pacino wasn't as over-the-top as he was in Scarface, but I love both performances equally; to be honest, I don't think I could pick between the two. I'm the rare guy that likes it when he goes balls out. In Heat...the "great ass" lines? I die laughing every time, even though I've seen the film at least ten times. Nobody does cool with a dash of bat sh## crazy mixed together quite like Pacino. And The Untouchables? Love love love it! I thought De Niro's performance as Capone was only very slightly off. Far be it for me to question anything Bobby D did before about the year 2000. But that's one film I will never tire of. Such an interesting, and dynamic, relationship between Costner and Connery's characters. Mission: Impossible I very much enjoyed (always like Jon Voight films, and, Cruise, of course). I do think, however, that the last few MI films have elevated the series to new heights. Body Double I've only seen once, and it was so long ago I can't correctly place it. And Mission to Mars, while not a great film, certainly doesn't deserve the rating it gets on imdb. I think it's a stronger film than many give it credit for. It's realistic science fiction, and beautiful to lbehold, though Gary Sinese looks incredibly disturbing in that film, like a cross-dresser version of Lieutenant Dan. Seriously, was he wearing eye liner???

I've got to see the De Palma documentary. Looks like it's streaming on Amazon, and i get it for free as a Prime member. I'm watching that after I finish Stagecoach.

My afternoon and evening are now planned.

So you haven't seen Dressed To Kill yet? It seems like you've missed a good chunk of his thrillers. They may not be your cup of tea, but Obsession, Sisters, Dressed To Kill, Raising Cain and Snake Eyes are a blast!

The only De Palma film I've seen that I truly didn't like was Home Movies, probably because it was primarily made by his film students so it really didn't work for me.

[dancerslegs]

Hi Mom! is the only De Palma I care for, although Blow Out has its moments.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

So you haven't seen Dressed To Kill yet? It seems like you've missed a good chunk of his thrillers. They may not be your cup of tea, but Obsession, Sisters, Dressed To Kill, Raising Cain and Snake Eyes are a blast!

The only De Palma film I've seen that I truly didn't like was Home Movies, probably because it was primarily made by his film students so it really didn't work for me.

"Wise Guys" is truly awful. It's one of those films that you think will be far better than it's critical reputation, but it seriously sucks. And "The Bonfire of the Vanities" never stood a chance because the book is so phenomenal, but the miscasting didn't help.

De Palma's career is clearly not on the level of Scorsese's, but I think De Palma and Coppola is an interesting comparison.

Put it this way. If you had to sit down and watch a director's entire filmography, would you choose De Palma or Coppola? I think I would choose De Palma, even though the highs of Coppola's filmography are clearly higher than De Palma's.

[theater dreamer]

Oops, I've seen it. I forgot to include it. I mentioned earlier I liked Blow Out better.

Raising Cain intrigues me because I love Lithgow. Fantastic actor. His work in season four of Dexter ranks among my all-time favorite tv bad guys, and Third Rock From the Sun was utter hilarity. And, of course, the film career. The man can do anything; he's equally adept at comedy and drama. Not many in Hollywood outside of the late Robin Williams, or somebody like Bill Murray can make that claim.

Originally Posted by RCRochester

So you haven't seen Dressed To Kill yet? It seems like you've missed a good chunk of his thrillers. They may not be your cup of tea, but Obsession, Sisters, Dressed To Kill, Raising Cain and Snake Eyes are a blast!

The only De Palma film I've seen that I truly didn't like was Home Movies, probably because it was primarily made by his film students so it really didn't work for me.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

Most likely tomorrow the 15th.

Well, in theory at least.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, in theory at least.

yes.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Wise Guys" is truly awful. It's one of those films that you think will be far better than it's critical reputation, but it seriously sucks. And "The Bonfire of the Vanities" never stood a chance because the book is so phenomenal, but the miscasting didn't help.

De Palma's career is clearly not on the level of Scorsese's, but I think De Palma and Coppola is an interesting comparison.

Put it this way. If you had to sit down and watch a director's entire filmography, would you choose De Palma or Coppola? I think I would choose De Palma, even though the highs of Coppola's filmography are clearly higher than De Palma's.

I haven't seen Wise Guys since it first came out on VHS in '87 or '88 so I can't make any informed commentary on its quality. Despite its flaws, I sort of liked Bonfire of the Vanities. I haven't read the book so that probably helps its cause for me, and I'm not saying I love it. But I didn't hate it.

I think you're right about the De Palma / Coppola comparison. 70s Coppola is a maestro, but since then he's had a lot of stinkers and lots of films that aren't even enjoyable in a so bad they're good way (*cough* Jack *cough*). I recently watched Tetro for the first time (which I own by default as part of a set) and while not bad, I couldn't believe it was made by one of the most successful filmmakers of all time and not some novice mumblecore director.

Brian De Palma is a director who makes entertaining movies and he doesn't apologize for it. Like Hitchcock, he makes it obvious when he's pulling out items from his cinematic bag of tricks, and he doesn't shy away from lurid subject matter, so it makes for a much more interesting viewing experience.

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Wise Guys" is truly awful. It's one of those films that you think will be far better than it's critical reputation, but it seriously sucks.

Aw, come on... Wise Guys isn't that bad. Mediocre, yes... but still pretty fun. DeVito and Keitel are great, and "thank YOU, Mr. Acavano" still gets me.

[theater dreamer]

That would make for one hell of a project: viewing the major works of Scorsese and De Palma, and then doing a comparison.

I don't know whose films I'd rather watch. My top five from each?

Carlito's Way
The Untouchables
Blow Out
Scarface
Carrie

vs

Goodfellas
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
Casino
The Aviator


I'd have to give the edge to Scorsese. His top three are obviously superior films to Casino, but of the top three, I would only pick Goodfellas over Casino from a sheer enjoyment standpoint.

After that, hot on The Aviator's heels, you've got The Departed, Gangs of New York, The Last Temptation of Christ, Mean Streets, The Color of Money, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and the other works I've not seen, or have not seen in a really long time. He's made an insane number of really fantastic films.

Originally Posted by mja345

"Wise Guys" is truly awful. It's one of those films that you think will be far better than it's critical reputation, but it seriously sucks. And "The Bonfire of the Vanities" never stood a chance because the book is so phenomenal, but the miscasting didn't help.

De Palma's career is clearly not on the level of Scorsese's, but I think De Palma and Coppola is an interesting comparison.

Put it this way. If you had to sit down and watch a director's entire filmography, would you choose De Palma or Coppola? I think I would choose De Palma, even though the highs of Coppola's filmography are clearly higher than De Palma's.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

Aw, come on... Wise Guys isn't that bad. Mediocre, yes... but still pretty fun. DeVito and Keitel are great, and "thank YOU, Mr. Acavano" still gets me.

I watched it recently and, maybe I wasn't in the right mood, but I thought it was absolutely awful. But it does seem to have its supporters.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

That would make for one hell of a project: viewing the major works of Scorsese and De Palma, and then doing a comparison.

I don't know whose films I'd rather watch. My top five from each?

Carlito's Way
The Untouchables
Blow Out
Scarface
Carrie

vs

Goodfellas
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
Casino
The Aviator


I'd have to give the edge to Scorsese. His top three are obviously superior films to Casino, but of the top three, I would only pick Goodfellas over Casino from a sheer enjoyment standpoint.

After that, hot on The Aviator's heels, you've got The Departed, Gangs of New York, The Last Temptation of Christ, Mean Streets, The Color of Money, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and the other works I've not seen, or have not seen in a really long time. He's made an insane number of really fantastic films.

Yeah, what separates Scorsese from some of the other great American filmmakers of the last 50 years (particularly peers like Coppola, De Palma, Altman, Allen, and Lumet) is that his lesser films are far better than the lesser films of the others. All of those filmmakers made genuine masterpieces, but also more stinkers than Scorsese.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

That would make for one hell of a project: viewing the major works of Scorsese and De Palma, and then doing a comparison.

I don't know whose films I'd rather watch. My top five from each?

Carlito's Way
The Untouchables
Blow Out
Scarface
Carrie

vs

Goodfellas
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
Casino
The Aviator

c'mon, really?

[bwdowiak]

I'm with Scottie.. not a fan, although I did really enjoy Femme Fatale when I saw that ages ago.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I I recently watched Tetro for the first time (which I own by default as part of a set) and while not bad, I couldn't believe it was made by one of the most successful filmmakers of all time and not some novice mumblecore director..

Show me a novice mumblecore director (or any mumblecore or novice director) that can shoot in black and white like that and I'll be forced to reconsider. Until then, nah.

Re: Wise Guys. It is popular with a certain generation of Greek and Italian Americans apparently. I grew up with, so for me it was just a dumb comedy rather than a De Palma film.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by malakaheso

Show me a novice mumblecore director (or any mumblecore or novice director) that can shoot in black and white like that and I'll be forced to reconsider. Until then, nah.

Re: Wise Guys. It is popular with a certain generation of Greek and Italian Americans apparently. I grew up with, so for me it was just a dumb comedy rather than a De Palma film.

I wasn't focusing on the cinematography so much as the writing and characterization. I will admit it was a gorgeous looking film.

[The Sovereign]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

That would make for one hell of a project: viewing the major works of Scorsese and De Palma, and then doing a comparison.

I don't know whose films I'd rather watch. My top five from each?

Carlito's Way
The Untouchables
Blow Out
Scarface
Dressed to Kill

vs

Goodfellas
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
Casino
Mean Streets

Good picks. Not that I'd have to, but I'd replace your last selection for each. And regardless, Scorsese would blow De Palma away.

Don't get me wrong, I still love a lot of those De Palma films. And as for the Coppola comparison, I agree that the catalog for De Palma holds up way better than FFC's. But with the first two Godfather films, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation in your bag, not too many guys are beating that. De Palma certainly isn't.

[malakaheso]

Coppola has had a more interesting career overall. Yes it is a career marked by extremes, but that's what's so fascinating about it.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I wasn't focusing on the cinematography so much as the writing and characterization. I will admit it was a gorgeous looking film.

It was a melodrama, like a slightly pretentious telenova. The 3rd act doesn't quite work, but it is more of a sensualist film that is aesthetically coherent. That was enough for me.

Then again, I don't really think film is a writer's medium. No huge fan of De Palma could possibly think that either

[Acer2010]

When is Criterion going to announce their upcoming Blu-ray titles for February?