The Criterion Collection

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Blob Blu-ray REVIEW

Oh, wow. That is stunning.

[ravenus]

Saw my copy of In The Mood For Love last night. I just love the look and tone of this film and the lead pair (Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung) is so captivating .
I do have one question: why exactly is it that they can't get together? Is it because they do not want to go back on their own words of not wanting to be like their spouses or is the social stigma so great that they prefer to be pine separately than get together? Or is it simply that the director wants an elegiac ending as opposed to in a Tom Hanks - Meg Ryan movie?

I can understand the points raised in the BD review here. The image does look lesser in terms of resolution and detail than even some of the older films released on BD by Criterion, and strong reds seem more orange than red. But it is better than what I had been fearing and in the absence of a better alternative, pleasing enough. The music sounded lovely although I can't comment on the immersion factor since I only have a stereo system. Will look into the extras a little later.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Saw my copy of In The Mood For Love last night. I just love the look and tone of this film and the lead pair (Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung) is so captivating .
I do have one question:

[Show spoiler]why exactly is it that they can't get together? Is it because they do not want to go back on their own words of not wanting to be like their spouses or is the social stigma so great that they prefer to be pine separately than get together? Or is it simply that the director wants an elegiac ending as opposed to in a Tom Hanks - Meg Ryan movie?

I can understand the points raised in the BD review here. The image does look lesser in terms of resolution and detail than even some of the older films released on BD by Criterion, and strong reds seem more orange than red. But it is better than what I had been fearing and in the absence of a better alternative, pleasing enough. The music sounded lovely although I can't comment on the immersion factor since I only have a stereo system. Will look into the extras a little later.

You might want to use spoiler tags...no need to get anyone upset.

I think the main reason is:

[Show spoiler]the Tony Leung character does fall in love with Maggie Cheung, but she is still holding a shred of devotion, not only to her husband, but to the sanctity of the marriage itself. It still feels like cheating to her and she still doesn't want to sink to the same level as her cheating husband.

Just my two cents...hope it helped.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by rkish

You might want to use spoiler tags...no need to get anyone upset.

I think the main reason is:

[Show spoiler]the Tony Leung character does fall in love with Maggie Cheung, but she is still holding a shred of devotion, not only to her husband, but to the sanctity of the marriage itself. It still feels like cheating to her and she still doesn't want to sink to the same level as her cheating husband.

Just my two cents...hope it helped.

It's been ages since I last saw the film, and I can't afford to part with 2¢, but

[Show spoiler]I think that thematically the film is much about personal sacrifice and -- as rkish points out -- devotion as well as the personal, moral and even cultural trade-offs of freeing yourself from personal commitments in favor of unexpected opportunity and genuine feeling. There is great tension between repressing feeling and pursuing desire that would be undercut by a Hollywood ending, yet I don't see this as a rejection of the mold associated with Hanks/Ryan so much as a film with a different thought in mind.

Sidenote: referencing Meg Ryan reminds me of City of Angels, Hollywood's remake of Wenders's Wings of Desire. A remake I need to see less than the rumored Hanks remake of Ikiru.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by Sukuri

It appears Jacques Tati films have gone OOP.

Yep, this has been coming for a while now, which is one of the reasons I finally picked up a copy of Playtime last November. The discs will probably take a while to disappear from stores if anyone wants to get them.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

It's been ages since I last saw the film, and I can't afford to part with 2¢, but

[Show spoiler]I think that thematically the film is much about personal sacrifice and -- as rkish points out -- devotion as well as the personal, moral and even cultural trade-offs. There is great tension between feeling and pursuing desire that would be undercut by a Hollywood ending, yet I don't see this as a rejection of the mold associated with Hanks/Ryan so much as a film with a different thought in mind.

Sidenote: referencing Meg Ryan reminds me of City of Angels, Hollywood's remake of Wenders's Wings of Desire. A remake I need to see less than the rumored Hanks remake of Ikiru.

Thanks for your insight! Ironically, the director's original plot

[Show spoiler]was to have them have a wild affair, but he reconsidered and went with the "devotion" scenario. What a different film it would have been.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by rkish

Thanks for your insight! Ironically, the director's original plot

[Show spoiler]was to have them have a wild affair, but he reconsidered and went with the "devotion" scenario. What a different film it would have been.

Now that WOULD be crazily different! I've only seen 2046, the film's loosely related follow-up once. I remember it being much bolder and I wonder if a bit of that original concept found its way there.

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by rkish

You might want to use spoiler tags...no need to get anyone upset.

I think the main reason is:

[Show spoiler]the Tony Leung character does fall in love with Maggie Cheung, but she is still holding a shred of devotion, not only to her husband, but to the sanctity of the marriage itself. It still feels like cheating to her and she still doesn't want to sink to the same level as her cheating husband.

Just my two cents...hope it helped.

Yup, I think you've nailed it here.

[Show spoiler]There's a scene before Mr Chow leaves for Singapore when Mrs Chan says she didn't realise he would fall in love with her and he apologises.

Damn it! It's the middle of the night and I'm thinking of putting it on now!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Blob Blu-ray REVIEW

Outstanding! I am really looking forward to this release.

[JHas]

Wishlist for announcements for the 15:

Andrei Rublev
Samurai Rebellion
The Red Tent
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
A Matter of Life and Death
Mahler

[rkish]

Pro-B...just curious. I assume you alerted Criterion about the stuttering issue on The Balld of Narayama. What did they tell you, if anything?

[Monty70]

I really enjoyed Criterion's blu-ray of Quadrophenia. As a musician (bass), I have always been impressed with John Entwhistle's playing. It was fascinating to see the visual representation of a recording that I've listened to for years.

[nekromantik]

Added another Criterion to my lackluster collection!
Ordered Weekend (gay one) lol

[ravenus]

Thanks all for the replies to my In The Mood For Love question and sorry for the unintended spoiler

[Thebunk]

I know it is likely too soon since The Kid with a Bike is getting released this month, but I really hope Criterion releases Le Fils/The Son by the Dardennes brothers. This tied with The Kid with a Bike as my favorite film by them (still need to see Lorna's Silence though). Here is to hoping though.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

Not that Criterion ever gets into theme spine-numbering, but

Backbone = Spine
Devil = 666

Come on, Criterion.

It would likely be a July or August release.

Yeah, it's very fitting haha

[Abdrewes]

After reading bits of J Rosenbaums essay on Suzuki's Pistol Opera I ordered it from amazon used for 3.50 shipped (eligible for free shipping on 25 order) this will be my 4th Suzuki. Also picked up Princess Raccoon for $4.00

[joie]

The Reagans (former President) bought a house at 666 St. Cloud in Bel-Air after he left office. They went to some trouble to have the number changed to 668. Daily dose of trivia.

[dsman71]

The Blob has been reviewed already and its a month early...March cant come quick enough

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by dsman71

The Blob has been reviewed already and its a month early...March cant come quick enough

Not often a criterion gets two audio commentaries. They might be the only note worthy extras but to be honest it felt just right while reading that section. Less can indeed be more. Of course there are some titles that deserve an abundance of special features. Top notch picture and audio quality and just enough bonus features to tell me what I need to know and not stretch my time out over a ridiculous amount of time? Perfect.