The Criterion Collection

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by SidneyFalco

The BFI is region-free, and a nice disc.

Ah, thanks! Might have to be my first import.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by lordmorpheus72

So this was my birthday present from the wife today... she's the best!!

[Show spoiler]

Can't wait to watch The Thin Red Line. And I haven't seen The Last Emperor since I was teenager. What a great set of discs! My weekend is set!

You're in for a big treat with those Criterions.

I'm convinced that about a third of the movies released since Stagecoach have followed the same basic blueprint of that film. It's so remarkably influential even to this day.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

I'm not sure if I could sit through it again.

I couldn't get through it the first time.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I couldn't get through it the first time.

Heh. It's not my least favorite Fincher. I don't hate it like I do, say, The Game or Panic Room, but it's probably his most forgettable film - for me, at least.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Heh. It's not my least favorite Fincher. I don't hate it like I do, say, The Game or Panic Room, but it's probably his most forgettable film - for me, at least.

The only notable things about that film are Jared Harris, Claudio Miranda's cinematography and Alexandre Desplat's score. Everything else is pretty much forgettable.

I just couldn't believe they took such a short story and stretched it out to about 2 and 3/4 hours.

[Abdrewes]

The extras alone are easily worth more than $5:

[Show spoiler]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button debuts on Blu-ray with plenty of bonus features, most of which may be found on a second disc. Inside the case is a small insert with technical notes on the video and audio transfer, supplemental video credits, key cast and crew listings, and the essay The Man Who Watched the World Go By by Kent Jones. Disc one of the set begins with a commentary track featuring Director David Fincher. Fincher offers a solid track that flows well and proves entertaining and informative. His information is pertinent and insightful, discussing the small tidbits of the film and lines of dialogue that lend to the film it's overall feel, casting, the performances, effects, and plenty more. Also included is a timeline where viewers may select a scene based on the segment of the film or the themes of the commentary.

Disc two features The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (1080i, 2:55:24), a documentary lengthier than the film itself. The piece is divided into four sections (First, Second, and Third Trimester and Birth) with some segments not included in the "play all" option. First Trimester begins with Preface (3:08), a short piece featuring Director David Fincher discussing life, death, and briefly touching on the overreaching theme of the film. Development and Pre-Production (28:56) examines the history of the project more than 20 years in the making, featuring a series of interviews with most of the primary cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage, focusing on, among other things, the casting, the proposed use of technology in the film, and the shooting locations. Next up in First Trimester are three features not included in the "play all" option: Tech Scouts (12:23), a piece featuring the crew discussing shooting locations and how they will be incorporated into the film, Storyboard Gallery, and Art Direction Gallery.

Second Trimester begins with Production: Part 1 (26:15) and Production: Part 2, a pair of segments that look at the making of various scenes and a discussion of the breadth of the production, populated by raw behind-the-scenes footage, plenty of interview clips with cast and crew, a look at the construction of props, sets, and special effects, the challenge of assembling some shots and creating specific looks for each location, the importance of precise acting to the film, and more. Also included are two features not included in the "play all" option, the self-describing Costume Design (7:38) and Costume Gallery.

Third Trimester focuses on effects and music. Visual Effects: Performance Capture (7:43) looks at the role that advanced, computer-based effects techniques played in bringing the movie to life. Visual Effects: Benjamin (16:55) takes a highly fascinating look at the complexities of bringing Benjamin's character to life, showing the lengthy physical and digital processes necessary to get the look and performance just right. Visual Effects: Youthenization (6:21) looks at the technology behind "digital facelifts." Visual Effects: 'The Chelsea' (8:48) examines the process of bringing the ship and the environments around it to realistic life. Visual Effects: The Simulated World (12:52) features an examination of bringing historical locations to the screen. Sound Design (16:06) takes an interesting look at adding to and editing the film's sound effects and dialogue. Finally, Desplat's Instrumentarium (14:53) takes an in-depth look at the film's score.

Birth features two segments. First up is Premiere (4:20), a short but entertaining piece showcasing the film's New Orleans premiere on December 1, 2008, accompanied by reflections from the cast and crew. Also included is a segment not available via the "play all" option, Production Stills. Rounding out the supplements are a pair of theatrical trailers (1080p, 1:49 & 2:42).

[Scottie]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is fantastic. I understand that it's a tad slow paced and a bit unrealistic, but it's a great story and Fincher did a phenomenal job with it.

I'd probably rank Fincher's catalogue as:

01. Se7en
02. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
03. Zodiac
04. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
05. Fight Club
06. The Game
07. Panic Room
08. Alien 3
09. The Social Network

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is fantastic. I understand that it's a tad slow paced and a bit unrealistic, but it's a great story and Fincher did a phenomenal job with it.

I'd probably rank Fincher's catalogue as:

01. Se7en
02. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
03. Zodiac
04. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
05. Fight Club
06. The Game
07. Panic Room
08. Alien 3
09. The Social Network

I'd rank 'em...

1. The Game
2. Fight Club
3. Se7en
4. Zodiac
5. The Social Network
6. Alien 3
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
8. Panic Room

I still have not seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I love The Game, and it stands way above the rest for me. It makes me think of North by Northwest, Saboteur, and other such Hitchcock movies where somebody is thrust into a situation beyond his comprehension and is left to piece the puzzle together.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'd rank 'em...

1. The Game
2. Fight Club
3. Se7en
4. Zodiac
5. The Social Network
6. Alien 3
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
8. Panic Room

I still have not seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I love The Game, and it stands way above the rest for me. It makes me think of North by Northwest, Saboteur, and other such Hitchcock movies where somebody is thrust into a situation beyond his comprehension and is left to piece the puzzle together.

I can definitely pick out some Hitchcock things in that film. Good point.

At $5, you should purchase Benjamin Button.

[Abdrewes]

(The Ranking Game)

[JJJ225]

I really think Benjamin Button gets a bad rap. It's very un-Fincher, but I think it's quite a good movie.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

At $5, you should purchase Benjamin Button.

I've just never been particularly enthused to see the film for some reason, although many people have recommended it. Whenever I see it in a store, my eyes just sort of glaze over it, although I always see it on the $5 cheap used rack.

Sometimes, I'll get it in my head that I want to see a movie, and no rain, sleet, snow, or hail will keep me from getting my hands on that movie to watch it. It's an impulse thing. I've never had any impulse to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, though.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've just never been particularly enthused to see the film for some reason, although many people have recommended it. Whenever I see it in a store, my eyes just sort of glaze over it, although I always see it on the $5 cheap used rack.

Sometimes, I'll get it in my head that I want to see a movie, and no rain, sleet, snow, or hail will keep me from getting my hands on that movie to watch it. It's an impulse thing. I've never had any impulse to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, though.

You gotta take a chance every once in a while. Your viewing habits are still too measured.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

You gotta take a chance every once in a while. Your viewing habits are still too measured.

In my middle age, I have a better sixth sense about what movies will be right up my alley. I'm still surprised sometimes, but I rarely venture to see something if the premise does not quicken my pulse.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Hi, I am looking for 2 more $29 titles for the B2GO sale from B&N and was wondering if anyone has seen and could recommend Charulata and Big City? The only other Ray film i have seen is The Music Room and i loved that one, too bad Big City still doesn't have a review here.

Haven't seen either Charulata or The Big City, but hope to pick them up this weekend in the sale. I also loved The Music Room.As for other Ray films...

If you can scrounge them up, find his "Apu Trilogy" (Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and The World of Apu). They are terrific films.

[mrjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

In my middle age, I have a better sixth sense about what movies will be right up my alley. I'm still surprised sometimes, but I rarely venture to see something if the premise does not quicken my pulse.

I have to agree with Abdrewes. While The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is not Fincher's best film (I prefer Se7en, Fight Club, and Zodiac) it is still a really interesting story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It also stars Cate Blanchett, who I consider to be one of the greatest actors of our time.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I had never heard of Resurrection before, but it looks really good!

It's a gem. I'm not sure how you are about spoilers, but don't ever, ever get tempted to read any regarding this film. The ending of the film needs to be experienced without knowing about it in advance.

[goette]

Originally Posted by jw007

I look forward to watching this in 1:85 next. The 1:66 aspect ratio was good though, but I believe The Great Owl mentioned that the 1:85 ratio was the best. I can't wait.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The 1.85:1 is my favorite aspect ratio, but I think it's a good idea to see the 1.66:1 first. With the 1.85:1, the information takes up the whole screen, and it's easier for me to lose myself in the experience, so that makes for a beautiful second viewing.

Don't you think is a funny thing they have three aspect ratio versions?

I've read the movie was shot in 1.37:1. Than, anything different from that actually cuts the cinematographer's original work.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by goette

Don't you think is a funny thing they have three aspect ratio versions?

I've read the movie was shot in 1.37:1. Than, anything different from that actually cuts the cinematographer's original work.

The site review for On the Waterfront gives a sound explanation for the package, as does the Criterion Collection supplementary material. It's sort of like ice cream flavors. They're all good, and none of them are incorrect.

[The Great Owl]

People have been busting on ranking lists today, so I'm going so strike back.

Lubitsch’s To Be or Not To Be made #34 on this list that was posted yesterday...

50 Funniest Movies Ever Made


I personally would have ranked Planes, Trains and Automobiles at #1 instead of Airplane!, but I guess there's a good reason why I'm not a professional critic or a reviewer. I also would have ranked Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein much higher.