The Criterion Collection

[RandomThought31]

I'd like everybody's opinion on The Game. I had it in my hands at best buy (which was 23 miles away) this afternoon, but I saw 12 Angry men, and I already was there to pick up John Malkovich.

So, the question, How is The Game in your opinion?
Also, How is the Seventh Seal in your opinion?


I ask these questions because I want more than just the review of them, I want to know what others think too.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by RandomThought31

I'd like everybody's opinion on The Game. I had it in my hands at best buy (which was 23 miles away) this afternoon, but I saw 12 Angry men, and I already was there to pick up John Malkovich.

So, the question, How is The Game in your opinion?
Also, How is the Seventh Seal in your opinion?


I ask these questions because I want more than just the review of them, I want to know what others think too.

The Game is not a "timeless masterpiece" like many other Criterion titles (12 Angry Men and The Seventh Seal, for instance), but it is my favorite David Fincher movie, and it is a rather terrific "popcorn movie" in the Criterion queue. You'll know what I mean when you watch it.
The Game is also one of the best-looking Blu-rays out there as far as picture quality.

The Seventh Seal gets A+ grades across the board. It's a wonderful film that deserves all its acclaim.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

You're not the only one. I voiced my opinions on the thread too, but that discussion goes nowhere.

True. I was asked politely to stop "bickering" or I would be suspended.

I figured mentioning indirect profiteering and boycotting in the same thread caused the reprimanding.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The Game is not a "timeless masterpiece" like many other Criterion titles (12 Angry Men and The Seventh Seal, for instance), but it is my favorite David Fincher movie, and it is a rather terrific "popcorn movie" in the Criterion queue. You'll know what I mean when you watch it.
The Game is also one of the best-looking Blu-rays out there as far as picture quality.

The Game is very entertaining to watch, but it's very hard for me to recommend because I just don't think it's a rewarding film at all. It relies on fooling the viewer and ultimately feels rather laughable and beyond ridiculous. I just couldn't help but feel it fell apart completely at the end.

I myself wouldn't recommend it..

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by RandomThought31

I'd like everybody's opinion on The Game. I had it in my hands at best buy (which was 23 miles away) this afternoon, but I saw 12 Angry men, and I already was there to pick up John Malkovich.

So, the question, How is The Game in your opinion?
Also, How is the Seventh Seal in your opinion?


I ask these questions because I want more than just the review of them, I want to know what others think too.

The Game is my second favorite Fincher, after Zodiac. Pretty fantastic, unpredictable thriller.

I enjoy the Seventh Seal, but I'm much more partial to Bergman's films that don't revolve around religion as strongly (Persona, The Silence).

[Blu Titan]

About to watch Purple Noon with my wife, sister in law, and mother in law .

[ultlife2013]

How is badlands? I walked into a store today and saw it for 36 dollars I believe. I might pick it up.

[MrFilmFanatic]

Awhile ago I had to sell all my Criterion blu's and I'm now in the process of rebuilding my collection back. I'd like to focus on any that might be going OOP soon first like Playtime and Chungking Express did awhile back so I won't have to pay obscene prices to resellers. I know that there isn't a an easy way to know which might be going OOP but I know that there are a lot of knowledgeable people in this forum and would love to hear what you would recommend getting first. One that I'm thinking could would be Last Year At Marienbad because it is also a StudioCanal release.

Here's what I have already:

The 400 Blows
America Lost and Found: The BBS Story
Chungking Express
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Game
The Last Emperor
Pierrot le fou
Play Time
Rosemary's Baby
The Royal Tenenbaums
Rushmore
Seven Samurai
The Thin Red Line

[Fellini912]

My son is watching Peter Pan, I still can share some films with my son without it being 3000 limited release.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by advdfreak

Awhile ago I had to sell all my Criterion blu's and I'm now in the process of rebuilding my collection back. I'd like to focus on any that might be going OOP soon first like Playtime and Chungking Express did awhile back so I won't have to pay obscene prices to resellers. I know that there isn't a an easy way to know which might be going OOP but I know that there are a lot of knowledgeable people in this forum and would love to hear what you would recommend getting first. One that I'm thinking could would be Last Year At Marienbad because it is also a StudioCanal release.

[Show spoiler]
Here's what I have already:

The 400 Blows
America Lost and Found: The BBS Story
Chungking Express
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Game
The Last Emperor
Pierrot le fou
Play Time
Rosemary's Baby
The Royal Tenenbaums
Rushmore
Seven Samurai
The Thin Red Line

Considering your avatar, I think that you would enjoy Breathless and Leon Morin, Priest.

Long live Belmondo!

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

The Game is very entertaining to watch, but it's very hard for me to recommend because I just don't think it's a rewarding film at all. It relies on fooling the viewer and ultimately feels rather laughable and beyond ridiculous. I just couldn't help but feel it fell apart completely at the end.

I myself wouldn't recommend it..

I love the hell out of Fincher but I feel much the same way about The Game. It just didn't pull me in like his other films tend to do. I'm in no hurry to pick up the Blu.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

My son is watching Peter Pan, I still can share some films with my son without it being 3000 limited release.

Ha!

I just finished watching the first Resident Evil movie and am about to watch the second.

I've always had a guilty pleasure fondness for the Resident Evil movies, and I owned the first three on DVD before buying this Blu-ray box set with all five. After watching this first movie on Blu-ray, though, I really understand why these movies have such an incredible following on this forum. This movie is eye candy heaven in high definition, and the Blu-ray goes so far above and beyond the DVD that it's outrageous. I've heard that four subsequent movies have even better transfers, so I'm going to have a fun day or two ahead of me.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

The Game is very entertaining to watch, but it's very hard for me to recommend because I just don't think it's a rewarding film at all. It relies on fooling the viewer and ultimately feels rather laughable and beyond ridiculous. I just couldn't help but feel it fell apart completely at the end.

Despite my enthusiastic recommendation for The Game, I will be the first to say that it stands apart from any other Criterion in my collection.

Almost every Criterion movie is presented in a way that points out the respective movie's specific significance in the grand scheme of cinema history. When you buy a Criterion and watch the movie with its supplements and essays, you will know why the movie was made, why the movie is relevant to the time and place when it was produced, and why the movie is destined for a prestigious reputation.

The Game, however, is just an entertaining film and flawlessly-executed film. No more and no less. The Criterion presentation gives a rough idea of how the film might go down in today's "Occupy Wall Street" society awareness, but even this seems a stretch. For the most part, The Game simply is what it is.
I love what it is, though.

The ending of Kiss Me Deadly earned a similar "WTF?" reaction from me after my first viewing, but Kiss Me Deadly also has a clear social and political significance with respect to its date of release.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Ha!

I just finished watching the first Resident Evil movie and am about to watch the second.

I've always had a guilty pleasure fondness for the Resident Evil movies, and I owned the first three on DVD before buying this Blu-ray box set with all five. After watching this first movie on Blu-ray, though, I really understand why these movies have such an incredible following on this forum. This movie is eye candy heaven in high definition, and the Blu-ray goes so far above and beyond the DVD that it's outrageous. I've heard that four subsequent movies have even better transfers, so I'm going to have a fun day or two ahead of me.

I watched the first three (yes, it is a guilty pleasure of mine also). Let me know how the fourth and fifth are.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Two first-time viewings of Terrence Malick films in one day is a tall order.

I would have to sit down to one Malick film without the computer, the iPhone, or any other distraction, and then savor the flavor for a day or so before watching the next one.

I've seen The New World about a dozen times before, but I still wanted absolute commitment to the movie last night.

Funnily enough I just did two first-times over two days, To the Wonder last night and then I decided to watch The Thin Red Line today. I loved To the Wonder, it feels like Malick has gotten even closer to the idea of film as a symphony, the camera and characters are constantly moving as if they're dancing. I enjoyed The Thin Red Line a lot, but it's probably his weakest for me so far (still haven't seen The New World), with The Tree of Life remaining my favourite.

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I had been working my way though some of Chaplin's films, but I still haven't seen this one. Can't wait to, though.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The New World may be the weak link in Malick's canon, but it's still an A+ in my book.

I'm with you on the A+. I've watched New World half a dozen times, and I can't get why it's not more appreciated. It's absolutely beautiful (always a good point with me); it's rich, complex and broad (another good point); and it has a decidedly nonstandard narrative (which is, at minimum, refreshing). It's my favorite Malick. I'm moved every single time I watch it.

I actually think Tree of Life might be the weakest one of his films, but I also think it's central. I have this idea that all the "way of grace"/"way of nature" stuff in it is really what all Malick's films are about, starting with Badlands. Which would mean that his is one of the most cohesive bodies of film that I know. I think Tree is more an cinematic essay than a narrative film, and I can't wait to have the time to rewatch Tree and then go through all Malick's films with the ideas from that one in mind. Someday....

[starman15317]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

How is badlands? I walked into a store today and saw it for 36 dollars I believe. I might pick it up.

I liked it a lot. I plan on getting the Blu-Ray at some point, but I'll probably wait until next month for Best Buy's U&S program.

I need to see all of Malick's films. I've seen Badlands (which I liked), Days of Heaven (which was well made but just ok to me) and The Tree of Life (which is interesting but strange and boring at times.)

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Despite my enthusiastic recommendation for The Game, I will be the first to say that it stands apart from any other Criterion in my collection.

Almost every Criterion movie is presented in a way that points out the respective movie's specific significance in the grand scheme of cinema history. When you buy a Criterion and watch the movie with its supplements and essays, you will know why the movie was made, why the movie is relevant to the time and place when it was produced, and why the movie is destined for a prestigious reputation.

The Game, however, is just an entertaining film and flawlessly-executed film. No more and no less. The Criterion presentation gives a rough idea of how the film might go down in today's "Occupy Wall Street" society awareness, but even this seems a stretch. For the most part, The Game simply is what it is.

You could probably say the same thing about Benjamin Button...and if there was the opportunity to have all Fincher's output in the collection, then probably only The Social Network would have significance in the grand history of cinema, the rest are all "just entertaining and flawlessly-executed"

For the record, I'm a big fan of The Game and pretty much all Fincher's work, though strangely enough I loathe The Social Network.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching the first Resident Evil movie and am about to watch the second.

I've always had a guilty pleasure fondness for the Resident Evil movies, and I owned the first three on DVD before buying this Blu-ray box set with all five. After watching this first movie on Blu-ray, though, I really understand why these movies have such an incredible following on this forum. This movie is eye candy heaven in high definition, and the Blu-ray goes so far above and beyond the DVD that it's outrageous. I've heard that four subsequent movies have even better transfers, so I'm going to have a fun day or two ahead of me.

Heh, I love the random non-Criterion watching of Criterion posters. I myself received Tristana today and still have to watch, on blu-ray, Two-Lane Blacktop and The Tree of Life, but opted for continuing my millionth rewatch of Gilmore Girls instead