The Criterion Collection

[spanky87]

The blu ray for Chinatown is a must own for every collection. Since Polanski has so many great films I'll just say my top 3 are Rosemary's Baby, Tess, and Chinatown. I like how varied his resume is.

What do you guys think of The Ninth Gate? I've seen it once when it played in theaters when I was 13 years old, but I can't really remember much about it.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by retablo

Agreed. The other way, the roller skate scene would take up one whole night!

But on the good side if you break it up you can treat the commencement as a really boring supplement.

Originally Posted by spanky87

What do you guys think of The Ninth Gate? I've seen it once when it played in theaters when I was 13 years old, but I can't really remember much about it.

Terrible. I should absolutely love this but it's just terrible. I love Polanski and Johnny Depp and Frank Langela and supernatural mysteries but this is just...what's the word...terrible.

Now, to be fair, I've watched it at least three times so it's obviously not unbearable but to date my attempts to let it grow on me have borne very little fruit. And the BD doesn't bring a lot to the table either. It's not completely awful but it's far from impressive.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

He is a man who understands music. This film convincingly proves it



Pro-B

I was expecting my copy of this to have shown up last week, but I'm still waiting. I'm also very keen on checking out demonlover, if only for the Sonic Youth score/soundtrack.

[brandon_260]

I watched Rene Clair's I Married A Witch tonight. I went in with fairly muted expectations after a middling review on here and a general lack of excitement surrounding the release. I ended up coming out of the film quite pleased. By no means a masterwork like many other Criterion titles, it's still a brisk and fun watch. It obviously followed many 1940's Hollywood tropes, but that was something I expected going in. Cecil Kellaway's performance is a comedic highlight. The artwork Criterion put together for this release is also some of my favorite this year.

I've set up a horror themed line up for the next two days. Island of Lost Souls, The Uninvited, and Rosemary's Baby. Eager to give the first two a shot and finally revisit the third.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

Some are pretty cheesy, but the one for Eyes Without A Face was really cool.

That one was cool, but yeah.. most of them just make me

[octagon]

Originally Posted by brandon_260

What are your thoughts on Assayas' music choices? The use of The Feelies' Loveless Love is one of my favorite uses of music in any film ever.

Very, very good. They set the perfect 'time and place' tone without going too far in either the too obvious 'oh look, 70s/80s music' or self-consciously hip and obscure directions. I love the way say Scorsese uses music but sometimes it feels like he's trying a little too hard. I never got that feeling during Carlos.

[brandon_260]

Originally Posted by octagon

Very, very good. They set the perfect 'time and place' tone without going too far in either the too obvious 'oh look, 70s/80s music' or self-consciously hip and obscure directions. I love the way say Scorsese uses music but sometimes it feels like he's trying a little too hard. I never got that feeling during Carlos.

At the moment, I am hard pressed to think of a director who uses music in a better way. At least a director that uses existing music to such a flawless extent.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by retablo

Agreed. The other way, the roller skate scene would take up one whole night!

Breaking it up into three parts would probably just make people more aware of such indulgences.

Come on guys, it's only 3.5 hours. You wouldn't break up Carlos or The Samurai Trilogy or Once Upon a Time in America, why break up Heaven's Gate? ONly do so if you think it's truly terrible.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Breaking it up into three parts would probably just make people more aware of such indulgences.

Come on guys, it's only 3.5 hours. You wouldn't break up Carlos or The Samurai Trilogy or Once Upon a Time in America, why break up Heaven's Gate? ONly do so if you think it's truly terrible.

I watched it in one sitting and found it thoroughly enjoyable but then again I have no problem with epic length films in one session. Might have to draw the line with something like Shoah but if a film draws you in like Heaven's Gate did to me....time flies. On the other hand, if you're checking your watch or pushing your Blu-ray player display for time remaining....might be the wrong film for you.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Chinatown is amazing. I snagged the Steelbook for about $11 (I think) when Wal-Mart had their rows of Steelbooks a few months back. The sequel is pretty good too, but it's a shame they never made the 3rd movie.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Chinatown is on its way to my doorstep, and I'm hoping that it will be here by the time I get back from an out-of-town trip this weekend.

After I found out that it was 50% off, I checked and found that no copies were available in the stores, so I placed an order. Free shipping for B&N members is a nice touch.

Originally Posted by the sordid sentinel

Chinatown is incredible, no doubt. One of my all time faves. Hopefully the ending wasn't spoiled for you beforehand. That absolutely stunned me way back when. Very bleak to put it mildly. Polanski's cameo may be the best ever. The price you paid is a steal.

Originally Posted by spanky87

The blu ray for Chinatown is a must own for every collection. Since Polanski has so many great films I'll just say my top 3 are Rosemary's Baby, Tess, and Chinatown. I like how varied his resume is.

What do you guys think of The Ninth Gate? I've seen it once when it played in theaters when I was 13 years old, but I can't really remember much about it.

Lovin' the Chinatown feedback! I watched the whole movie and had no idea how it was going to end, so no spoilers for me! And I immediately recognized Polanski playing the guy with the knife! I thought I was seeing things but then I knew that was him with his face. What a great cameo of him doing that "thing" to Nicholson (sorry, can't give away spoilers). The only thing I didn't like about Chinatown was Jack Nicholson's "lethargic" acting. His voice was so monotonous in the film I felt.

I actually like The Ninth Gate quite a bit. It's strangely re-watchable for me. The only problem is, the blu-ray that exists has horrendous video quality from what I read, so I'm not going near that thing anytime soon. I'm really into films regarding the occult and Polanski seems to be into that whole thing too, so that all fascinates me. I think Frank Langella was really spooky in that movie. I like the locations in the film too. It's also a bit of a mystery story of Depp playing a detective, so I like mysteries. The ending was pretty stupid though but I'm not going to go there now.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by octagon

forget about critiquing the covers. Let's critique the pictures of the covers.

Now we're freaking talking

lol

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by jw007

So I watched Chinatown last night for the first time in my life!

Is anyone here amazed besides me?

I mean, one of the greatest films of all time and I hadn't seen it until last night. But wow, WHAT A MOVIE! I bought it at Barnes & Noble for $8 + tax (using a 25% coupon + it was 40% off!). Not a bad deal for a brand new blu-ray copy of Chinatown!

Greatest movie ever made. But that's just me.

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by jw007

Lovin' the Chinatown feedback! I watched the whole movie and had no idea how it was going to end, so no spoilers for me! And I immediately recognized Polanski playing the guy with the knife! I thought I was seeing things but then I knew that was him with his face. What a great cameo of him doing that "thing" to Nicholson (sorry, can't give away spoilers). The only thing I didn't like about Chinatown was Jack Nicholson's "lethargic" acting. His voice was so monotonous in the film I felt.

I actually like The Ninth Gate quite a bit. It's strangely re-watchable for me. The only problem is, the blu-ray that exists has horrendous video quality from what I read, so I'm not going near that thing anytime soon. I'm really into films regarding the occult and Polanski seems to be into that whole thing too, so that all fascinates me. I think Frank Langella was really spooky in that movie. I like the locations in the film too. It's also a bit of a mystery story of Depp playing a detective, so I like mysteries. The ending was pretty stupid though but I'm not going to go there now.

Whoa!! Couldn't disagree more with your opinion about Nicholson's acting being "lethargic" in Chinatown. Au contraire!! It may, in fact, be his best performance ever! Remember, this isn't Batman, The Shining, or even Cuckoo's Nest. Personally, I think Nicholson's best acting has been in his more "understated" roles: Jake Gittes - (Chinatown), Eugene O'Neill - (Reds), Warren Schmidt - (About Schmidt), Bobby Dupea - (Five Easy Pieces), Frank Chambers - (The Postman Always Rings Twice), Charlie Smith - (The Border), Freddy Gale - (The Crossing Guard), David Locke - (The Passenger). You'll need to watch Chinatown several more times in order to fully appreciate what he accomplished in that film.

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by spanky87

The blu ray for Chinatown is a must own for every collection. Since Polanski has so many great films I'll just say my top 3 are Rosemary's Baby, Tess, and Chinatown. I like how varied his resume is.

What do you guys think of The Ninth Gate? I've seen it once when it played in theaters when I was 13 years old, but I can't really remember much about it.

...and a superb Oliver Twist!!

[jetthead]

Chinatown is a masterpiece and in my Top 10 of Favorite Films.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by Lordy

Personally, I think Nicholson's best acting has been in his more "understated" roles: Jake Gittes - (Chinatown), Eugene O'Neill - (Reds), Warren Schmidt - (About Schmidt), Bobby Dupea - (Five Easy Pieces), Frank Chambers - (The Postman Always Rings Twice), Charlie Smith - (The Border), Freddy Gale - (The Crossing Guard), David Locke - (The Passenger). You'll need to watch Chinatown several more times in order to fully appreciate what he accomplished in that film.

He's also terrific in The Pledge, another understated role.

[lemonski]

Originally Posted by jw007

I actually like The Ninth Gate quite a bit. It's strangely re-watchable for me. The only problem is, the blu-ray that exists has horrendous video quality from what I read, so I'm not going near that thing anytime soon. I'm really into films regarding the occult and Polanski seems to be into that whole thing too, so that all fascinates me. I think Frank Langella was really spooky in that movie. I like the locations in the film too. It's also a bit of a mytery story of Depp playing a detective, so I like mysteries. The ending was pretty stupid though but I'm not going to go there now.

I'm with you, I like The Ninth Gate despite it's obvious flaws, mainly because of the mystery/detective aspect. For the same reason, I'm a big fan of The Ghost Writer, which I think is a far better film than The Ninth Gate. Are there any other Polanski films in the same sort of vein that anyone might recommend?

[jw007]

Originally Posted by lemonski

I'm with you, I like The Ninth Gate despite it's obvious flaws, mainly because of the mystery/detective aspect. For the same reason, I'm a big fan of The Ghost Writer, which I think is a far better film than The Ninth Gate. Are there any other Polanski films in the same sort of vein that anyone might recommend?

I think The Ghost Writer is a really superb film too.

Have you seen Death and the Maiden? It's a really interesting little film Polanski directed. Criterion needs to release this one!

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by jetthead

Chinatown is a masterpiece and in my Top 10 of Favorite Films.

I preferred the sequel...

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by jetthead

Chinatown is a masterpiece and in my Top 10 of Favorite Films.

That setting is just awesome, 1920-1950s California. Chinatown, The 2 Jakes, LA Confidential etc, some great stuff in that period.