The Criterion Collection

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by olivianewtonyawn

Any thoughts on John Frankenheimer's Seconds? Going to B&N tonight for yet another spree and I noticed this one last time. Sounds interesting and like a great performance from Rock Hudson, but I was wondering about how rewatchable this one is.

Highly recommended.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

[Show spoiler]

You picked up HOUSE, that is a great Midnite Movie IMO. It is great fun to watch.

[Polaroid]

Semi-Criterion related:

Recent discussion of Liv Ullmann and Jessica Chastain, well here is her new film

Miss Julie - International Trailer | HD | Colin Farrell, Jessica Chastain - YouTube

Looks incredible

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

You picked up HOUSE, that is a great Midnite Movie IMO. It is great fun to watch.

House sure enough freaked me out when I bought the Criterion DVD a few years back. It's like a Scooby-Doo episode where everything goes wrong. Everything.

I tend to view it more as a whacked-out Japanese girl group music video than as an outright horror film.

I'm sure that the colors in this movie will look so much better on the Blu-ray.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Liv Ullmann's face kind of gets on my nerves 🙀🙀 lol but I love Ingrid Bergman. Can't wait to check them out.

I agree with this.. kinda.

I am inclined to think (and I'm sure Bergman enthusiasts will quickly prove me wrong if I am indeed incorrect) that she was partially chosen for her part in Persona because of her extremely fair appearance. There is a ton of black and white contrast going on in the film and her flesh tones seem to suit that purpose.

[Art_Vandelay]

I know I'll probably get killed for this on here, but I saw Night of the Hunter last night and didn't really like it that much. Maybe it's because I went into it with such high expectations after everything I've read about it on here, but I was a little disappointed. Robert Mitchum was fantastic and Lillian Gish was good too but I didn't really like the movie as a whole. I'm glad I watched i dvr'd it off of TCM before buying it although I'm sure the special features would add to the experience.

[ultlife2013]

We need a thumbs down button now.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Art_Vandelay

I know I'll probably get killed for this on here, but I saw Night of the Hunter last night and didn't really like it that much. Maybe it's because I went into it with such high expectations after everything I've read about it on here, but I was a little disappointed. Robert Mitchum was fantastic and Lillian Gish was good too but I didn't really like the movie as a whole. I'm glad I watched i dvr'd it off of TCM before buying it although I'm sure the special features would add to the experience.

I can see that. I liked the film but I can see why one couldn't get into it. And yeah, the extras are fantastic. No hyperbole here, but the behind the scenes documentary showing all of the footage that ran through the camera, all of the unused takes, is one of the greatest extras I have ever seen for an old film. It feels like you're actually there on set, and it made me appreciate the film more. Also, the movie shines on Criterion's Blu-ray. Really an excellent package.

[Jakamarak]

Originally Posted by Art_Vandelay

I know I'll probably get killed for this on here, but I saw Night of the Hunter last night and didn't really like it that much. Maybe it's because I went into it with such high expectations after everything I've read about it on here, but I was a little disappointed. Robert Mitchum was fantastic and Lillian Gish was good too but I didn't really like the movie as a whole. I'm glad I watched i dvr'd it off of TCM before buying it although I'm sure the special features would add to the experience.

The Charles Laughton Directs "Night of the Hunter" documentary is fantastic. They edited it from hours of outtakes. You see very little of Laughton, but hear his comments to actors on set. It's amazing to witness how he treats each actor differently -- really pushing Winters, staying out of the way of Mitchum, and coaching the little boy.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by Coen

I hope the B&N is close by because you are going to want to pick up Wild Strawberries and Fanny & Alexander before the 28th.

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

[zoodermin]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

Yes it is! It's one of my favorite films and the Criterion set is splendid. I think you won't regret that purchase.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

I hope no one starts throwing stones...

I watched an hour and a half of the 5 hour version and had to turn it off. It actually felt very much like the other Bergman films I have seen, but seemed like a 2 hour film that may have been stretched out for TV mini-series length. When

[Show spoiler]the drunk guy started berating his German wife, I told myself "I'm not going to sit through this."

Opening sequence is absolutely fantastic, though.

Maybe I should have watched the shorter version.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

I didn't see the theatrical version but the TV one.
And I really LOVED it!!
(at least the first Christmas episode has become a yearly Christmas tradition for me).
I'm not sure if I could watch the theatrical version though, because there would be so much deleted!!

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

We need a thumbs down button now.

Or at the very least, a "torches & pitchforks" emoticon.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I hope no one starts throwing stones...

I watched an hour and a half of the 5 hour version and had to turn it off. It actually felt very much like the other Bergman films I have seen, but seemed like a 2 hour film that may have been stretched out for TV mini-series length. When

[Show spoiler]the drunk guy started berating his German wife, I told myself "I'm not going to sit through this."

Opening sequence is absolutely fantastic, though.

Maybe I should have watched the shorter version.

Now im afraid to buy it since youre the only one who agreed with me on Ulmann's face lol the mini-series is something I prob wouldnt watch either but the movie sounds pretty interesting.

[SammyJankis]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

Yes. It's warm, funny, nostalgic - qualities one doesn't often think of when they hear Bergman. There are moments of sorrow, faith, and regret, certainly, but when it's all said and done, I'm left with a life affirming feeling that's different from his more renowned pictures.

And bwdowiak, I'd recommend getting past that section. I found it rather difficult to get into the first time during that first hour, but once a crucial event happens, the picture changes and becomes something magical (I hate to use that word, but it fits.)

EDIT: And I cannot stress this enough: the mini-series version is the version to see.

[tisdivine]

Originally Posted by zoodermin

Yes it is! It's one of my favorite films and the Criterion set is splendid. I think you won't regret that purchase.

Just checked since its only $30 at B&N ill go ahead and take the chance. Im not usually one for mini-series but the movie should be good. The story sounds very interesting.

[bstv69]

Are there any criterion blu-ray releases that do not have picture quality that is far superior to Hulu plus. I do not care about extras, the reason I purchase blu-ray is for the picture quality of the film. I am perfectly content watching a movie on Hulu plus and saving myself some money if the picture quality is not significantly better. Thank you in advances for the responses.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Just checked since its only $30 at B&N ill go ahead and take the chance. Im not usually one for mini-series but the movie should be good. The story sounds very interesting.

It will be next for me, on the November sale!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by tisdivine

Is Fanny & Alexander really that good?

Ohhhh, yeahhhhh.

The long television version of Fanny and Alexander is my favorite Bergman film.

Persona is slowly working its magic on me, though.

Originally Posted by Art_Vandelay

I know I'll probably get killed for this on here, but I saw Night of the Hunter last night and didn't really like it that much. Maybe it's because I went into it with such high expectations after everything I've read about it on here, but I was a little disappointed. Robert Mitchum was fantastic and Lillian Gish was good too but I didn't really like the movie as a whole. I'm glad I watched i dvr'd it off of TCM before buying it although I'm sure the special features would add to the experience.

If it will make you feel any better, audiences reportedly did not like the film all that much in 1955. As a result, Charles Laughton did not direct another film.

I personally hold The Night of the Hunter in high esteem, because it appeals to the part of me that grew up in rural Georgia, and because it's a visually spectacular "not quite noir" film noir.