The Criterion Collection

[skreemingskulll]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

Oh man I just finished The Thin Red Line; I had recorded it from HBO and finally had the chance to watch it. What a film! I honestly can’t think of another war film that has given me such a reaction, besides a handful of others

Do everything you can to see Burmese Harp and Come and See. Both probably the biggest influences on Malick's wonderful film.

[Jlouisbarrett]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

What? I wasn't trying to be insensitive. I just feel bad that they wouldn't be able to get one of the best aspects of the film, and I hoped that they could still enjoy it.

That’s a pretty weird thing to say to someone who’s deaf though. Like, “Dude you’re missing out on so much!!!!”

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

That’s a pretty weird thing to say to someone who’s deaf though. Like, “Dude you’re missing out on so much!!!!”

The person this was addressed took the remark in good spirit as I am sure was intended. I don't think anyone else need take offense on his/her behalf.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

That’s a pretty weird thing to say to someone who’s deaf though. Like, “Dude you’re missing out on so much!!!!”

In hindsight, I should have phrased it better. I was trying to be empathetic, but it does come off how you say. I'm glad no offense was taken though, as none were intended

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

Oh man I just finished The Thin Red Line; I had recorded it from HBO and finally had the chance to watch it. What a film! I honestly can’t think of another war film that has given me such a reaction, besides a handful of others, two of which are in the Criterion Collection: Wooden Crosses and Paths of Glory. And what a cast too. Each actor, even though it doesn’t revolve solely on one individual, delivers an amazing performance. The interactions between Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas, and John Cusack were some of my favorite scenes—two looking out for the well-being of their squad, the other seeking glory in old age. Truly a phenomenal film.

Yeah, it's easily one of my favorite films. I'm a Malick fanatic, really. But that is just pure genius. It's so immersive, so encompassing. And I don't even like war films, generally.

One story about the film, which I'm not sure if you know or not, concerns Adrien Brody. He thought he was going to be essentially the lead, with all sorts of screen time. Brody was convinced that it was going to be his huge break. By the time the film premiered and he saw it, he quickly realized that his role had been cut down to a few lines and way less scree time than he had been anticipating. He was SO pissed!

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yeah, it's easily one of my favorite films. I'm a Malick fanatic, really. But that is just pure genius. It's so immersive, so encompassing. And I don't even like war films, generally.

One story about the film, which I'm not sure if you know or not, concerns Adrien Brody. He thought he was going to be essentially the lead, with all sorts of screen time. Brody was convinced that it was going to be his huge break. By the time the film premiered and he saw it, he quickly realized that his role had been cut down to a few lines and way less scree time than he had been anticipating. He was SO pissed!

Some actors (Mickey Rourke) got left out entirely, so he should be grateful he's even in the movie.

Besides, he won a completely undeserved Oscar a few years later, so it worked itself out.

[MovieClown]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Besides, he [Adrien Brody] won a completely undeserved Oscar a few years later, so it worked itself out.

What's wrong with Brody's performance in The Pianist?

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Some actors (Mickey Rourke) got left out entirely, so he should be grateful he's even in the movie.

Besides, he won a completely undeserved Oscar a few years later, so it worked itself out.

Good point.

Malick makes his movie in the editing room anyways. I think it was Fassbender who talked in an interview about how you can't ever plan how a Malick movie is going to turn out.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by MovieClown

What's wrong with Brody's performance in The Pianist?

Nothing wrong with it at all, he's quite good there.

...but Daniel Day-Lewis was Bill the Butcher that year, that's what's wrong.

[MovieClown]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Nothing wrong with it at all, he's quite good there.

...but Daniel Day-Lewis was Bill the Butcher that year, that's what's wrong.

I get what you're saying, but The Academy was probably not ready to give any real approbation to a colossal misfire like Gangs of New York.

Then again, they did award the Best Picture Oscar to The Departed.

I bet that if The Academy knew that Brody would go on to star in junk like The Jacket and Giallo they might not have given him that statue.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by MovieClown

I get what you're saying, but The Academy was probably not ready to give any real approbation to a colossal misfire like Gangs of New York.

There's some missed potential there, but Gangs of New York is still a damn fine film and the Academy lavished it with 10 nominations.

But regardless how one feels about the quality of their respective films, Day-Lewis stomps all over Brody that year.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by seanjoyce

there's some missed potential there, but gangs of new york is still a damn fine film and the academy lavished it with 10 nominations.

But regardless how one feels about the quality of their respective films, day-lewis stomps all over anyone any year.

ftfy

[MovieClown]

Speaking of Scorsese, while in the Criterion thread, does anyone else think it's extremely strange that so much of his Warner stuff has yet to surface on BD? It makes no sense that Who's That Knocking At My Door, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and After Hours are still absent from the format. Meanwhile, you won't find any difficulty putting your Van Damme BD collection together, as all of his stuff is out there and is probably at your local 7-11 for five bucks a pop. What a world.

[Chris Hagen]

Originally Posted by MovieClown

Speaking of Scorsese, while in the Criterion thread, does anyone else think it's extremely strange that so much of his Warner stuff has yet to surface on BD?

I don't think it's Scorsese so much as it is Warner. Many fine directors' works that Warner has the rights to have yet to surface on Blu.

[MovieClown]

Originally Posted by Chris Hagen

I don't think it's Scorsese so much as it is Warner. Many fine directors' works that Warner has the rights to have yet to surface on Blu.

Hopefully this is something Criterion is looking into now that they're dealing with Warner. I know the subject has been discussed to death on this thread (and that dozens of Warner "want" lists have been submitted) but it's true that Warner hasn't been diligent enough about getting their older titles out, especially their '70s content. In fact, it seems that most major studios have been reluctant to get their '70s titles out on BD, aside from the obvious stuff (award winners, box office successes, etc.).

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

What aspect ratio did you watch it in? I've only watched it in the ratio that's on the first disc I think, maybe 1:66.1? Just curious if there's a compelling argument for the other ARs (maybe I should watch the extras in this set )

I don't have the Criterion BD (or any for that matter) for this film, but I did rent the film from my local library on DVD not too long ago. That was in 1.33:1, and while the quality wasn't great, I didn't feel like I was missing anything- simply due to how it was framed.

Having seen screencaps and comparisons, the 1.66:1 aspect ratio is the best, as it has the height of the 4:3 image and the width of the 1.85:1 image.

[javy]

Originally Posted by MovieClown

I get what you're saying, but The Academy was probably not ready to give any real approbation to a colossal misfire like Gangs of New York.

Then again, they did award the Best Picture Oscar to The Departed.

[Show spoiler]

[ewsjr]

Originally Posted by SuperFlyHighGuy

What aspect ratio did you watch it in? I've only watched it in the ratio that's on the first disc I think, maybe 1:66.1? Just curious if there's a compelling argument for the other ARs (maybe I should watch the extras in this set )

In other news, my posters got delivered from Criterion today! Three days after ordering, now that's service. And they came in thick tubes, inside a box, the posters handled with care and wrapped in paper (Shout Factory could take some lessons here). Can't wait to hang them.

Watched the 1:66 version. Check out the extras. There is an interesting one about the aspect ratios used with examples and great explanations on how and why they were used. An excellent extra.

[Hellspawn28]

It would be nice if Criterion picks up more animated movies. Walking Life feels like something up their alley.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by Chris Hagen

I don't think it's Scorsese so much as it is Warner. Many fine directors' works that Warner has the rights to have yet to surface on Blu.

I think it all comes down to their bottom line. If Warner Bros. isn't making profits from sales of blu-rays, most likely they're not going to want to dig into their back catalog, spend a lot of $ and release them only to hardly generate profits. Sadly, it all comes down to money in the end. It is notable that that this company created "Warner Archive Collection", so I guess they tried to make an attempt to release more obscure, older films in that offshoot series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Archive_Collection