The Criterion Collection

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I picked up The Tree of Life from the library yesterday and began watching it last night. I got 59 minutes in and a bowl of peanut butter Cheerios was calling me from the kitchen upstairs… when I came back down, I was too tired to continue.

I’ll have a more thought out opinion early next week as I’ll finish the film either tonight or on Sunday. So far, my appreciation for the film is growing, but I still think it is an extremely generic story. It did grab and hold me for the hour that I saw, but at the same time, when I pressed pause, I was certain that at least an hour and a half had passed.

It's interesting. The last time I had a hankering to watch some of this it was late and I was super tired so I was going to watch the beginning until the end of the

[Show spoiler]creation sequence

, and then skip to the end. Next thing I knew I had watched the entire thing.

Full disclosure though, I'm one of the people who fall into the "this film is amazing" camp, so maybe that's part of it.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by GenPion

On the subject of The Tree of Life, if something like that ever happened (where it joins the collection) maybe some of the countless hours of deleted footage could show up in either an alternate extended cut or simply as deleted sequences. That's enough material right there (if they can get it) for an edition.

I just watched the Criterion release of Godzilla. I had never seen the original before and I must say the film took me by surprise. It's a shockingly different movie than I had been expecting, even knowing that the film had an element to it about the Hydrogen bombs. I thought it was incredibly powerful filmmaking. This is very clearly a masterpiece, with an incredibly story, great performances, and fantastic direction. I loved it.

I had just recently seen the new Hollywood version of Godzilla, which I had been very much hoping would be a fun thriller of sorts, but was let down by how poor the story, characters, and even the over-the-top CGI was. By comparison, the classic Godzilla used a costume and stop-motion animation to great effect and was technically far more impressive despite it 's age. I was much more enthralled by these more traditional effects. Even after all these years they have held up remarkably well.

I guess I was just surprised how much I loved the film, especially after being so let down by the latest attempt by Hollywood to reboot the franchise. There's no real comparison in quality between the two; the original stands as the clear victor of the two.

The original 1954 Godzilla is a masterpiece, in my opinion, and I've taken my Criterion Blu-ray through quite a few spins. I was fortunate to see this original Japanese version at a theater here in Atlanta a few years ago as well.

The 2014 reboot of Godzilla is nowhere near the same league as the 1954 original, but I personally think that it's the best Godzilla film since that original movie. I was really impressed at how Gareth Edwards held back for most of the so that we would still have a genuine sense of awe during the final showdown scenes. I do not like computer effects, as I've pointed out several times on this forum, but the 2014 Godzilla is one of the few flicks that uses them with a great result.

I just checked, and my User Review of the 2014 Godzilla has been napalmed on the review rating, so I guess that most others do not share my opinion. That's cool, though.

[The Great Owl]

Over the past few months, I've been preoccupied with revisiting several horror films from the 1980s, and recapturing the offbeat joy of renting those movies during my teenage years, when I was a full-tilt enthusiast of the Friday the 13th series and similar slasher flicks. As a result, my Blu-ray collection is starting to look like the grimy back room of a 1980s video rental store.

I bring up the above anecdote in this review of George Sluizer's 1988 thriller masterpiece, The Vanishing (Spoorloos), to illustrate the point that there is a big difference between those fun "roller coaster ride" horror flicks and the more subtle dark cinema that really gets under the skin to stay with the viewer long after the credits roll. When I first saw The Vanishing late at night on a cable channel during my college years in the early 1990s, I was struck with the realization that, although I considered myself a jaded viewer, there were still movies that had the ability to shock and disturb me. I purchased the Fox Lorber DVD edition of The Vanishing when it was first released, subsequently double-dipped for the 2001 Criterion DVD, and, finally, upgraded to this new Criterion Blu-ray edition a couple of days ago because I cannot get enough of this movie and because I love appreciating how Sluizer utilizes non-linear storytelling to unveil the true discomforting terrors of the story.

The Vanishing is a mystery film where the "mystery" is revealed to us from the onset. Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna ter Steege) are enjoying a holiday trip in rural France when a potentially dangerous vehicle situation puts their pleasant interactions to the test and sheds light on some intriguing character nuances. We see them pull into a crowded gas station just as we see a third character, Raymond Lemorne (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu), putting a fake cast on his right hand while sitting in his parked car before he emerges at the gas station to scope the customers. The interactions between Rex and Saskia during their few minutes at the gas station, as they relax and play mind games with each other, are crucial in setting the stage for Rex's later obsession with finding out the details behind Saskia's disappearance.

Raymond Lemorne is one of cinema's most unsettling villains, but the viewer is compelled to relate to him as the movie observes him developing strategies for a kidnapping and going through occasionally comedic trial-and-error situations. I am always reminded of a key moment in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, where we relate to Norman Bates as we see his look of dismay when a car pauses while sinking into a swamp.

The Vanishing is not a whodunnit tale, but rather an icy examination of our universal desire for closure when it comes to the outcome of those close to us. Would we rather have an eternal lingering uncertainty in our minds than face an uncomfortable truth where we cannot unsee what we have seen and we cannot undo a decision? The truth hurts, and, sometimes, the truth kills.

This Criterion Blu-ray of The Vanishing is a revelation in terms of picture quality and audio quality, and it joins another recent Criterion upgrade, Insomnia (1997) as a shining example of how an impressive restoration can accentuate the uneasy crooked angles and twisted lines of the story that a movie has to tell. The daylight scenes are crystal clear, the night scenes have an added menace, and Henny Vrienten's score provides even more of a dark undercurrent.

I would love to have seen an edition of The Vanishing with many more supplementary features, but the interviews with director George Sluizer and actress Johanna ter Steege are both informative and engaging.

One of my top 10 Criterion releases of all time is now even better thanks to this outstanding high definition presentation, and The Vanishing (Spoorloos) has my highest recommendation. This is my second favorite Blu-ray release of 2014 behind the Warner Archive Blu-ray of Out of the Past.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I didn't dislike the recent Godzilla, but I was disappointed in it. I always liked the original, but never cared for most of the sequels because of the way Godzilla was turned from being the monster destroying human civilization to the hero defending mankind from other horrors. If you look at Godzilla as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, the sequels seem to be twisting the message to say "Nuclear weapons can be helpful".

Gareth Edwards' film (aside: I loved his previous films Monsters) makes Godzilla out, again, to be a helpful weapon. Sure, he helped lay waste to San Francisco, but, you know, collateral damage, friendly fire, you have to destroy the village in order to save it.

Anyway, this is why I preferred Pacific Rim, as it was a straight up "the monsters are out to kill us, and we have to kill them first" story.

I was actually disappointed by Pacific Rim compared to Del Toro's usual standards but watching the new Godzilla made me feel like (comparison wise) Pacific Rim was some kind of masterpiece of monster movies (not that I really felt it reached those levels)... the filmmaking was actually much more fun and the story was reasonable by comparison. Still not as good as some people claim, IMO, but it actually entertained and didn't seem like as much of a Hollywood vehicle as this Godzilla. I may have to re-watch it soon.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It appears as if The Night of the Hunter replacement case is no longer being offered as it has been removed from criterion.com.

Guess that means I'm rebuying it.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

...and a bowl of peanut butter Cheerios was calling me from the kitchen upstairs…

I didn't even know there was such a thing as "peanut butter Cheerios"...when I first read this, I thought you topped actual peanut butter on your bowl of Cheerios and ate it...

Ahh, what are the genetically modified-minded corporations going to think up next?

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by jw007

I didn't even know there was such a thing as "peanut butter Cheerios"...when I first read this, I thought you topped actual peanut butter on your bowl of Cheerios and ate it...

Ahh, what are the genetically modified-minded corporations going to think up next?

here's a link. they fall under the 'multi-grain' umbrella. sugar is probably high, but it's all good. I avoid nearly everything else that is supposed to be bad for you.

https://www.cheerios.com/Products/Mu...-Peanut-Butter

[jw007]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

here's a link. they fall under the 'multi-grain' umbrella. sugar is probably high, but it's all good. I avoid nearly everything else that is supposed to be bad for you.

https://www.cheerios.com/Products/Mu...-Peanut-Butter

Ha... I remember back when I was a teenager I was eating every mainstream cereal on the planet including Froot Loops, Trix, Count Chocula, Fruity Pebbles, Corn Pops, Honeycomb and that cereal with the golden bear on the front. Nasty!!!!

This is what I prefer now...high quality, organic/natural Muesli from Germany, topped on whole milk organic plain yogurt: http://www.seitenbacher.com/Seitenba...uesli_4inc.jpg

[BohemianGraham]

So apparently Hausu and several other Hulu titles are "free" for Halloween! I'm watching my Blu-ray, but I checked for my friends who I want to see this film, with my VPN client.

Go watch Hausu, it's awesome.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

So apparently Hausu and several other Hulu titles are "free" for Halloween! I'm watching my Blu-ray, but I checked for my friends who I want to see this film, with my VPN client.

Go watch Hausu, it's awesome.

I love Hausu. Interestingly enough, I finally upgraded my DVD to Blu-ray a few months back and have not got around to watching it. I'm sure that the movie looks even more psychedelic and insane in high definition.

I'm in the mood for something highbrow tonight, so I'm going to watch Squirm (1976). I've seen this one quite a few times growing up, since it was filmed here in Georgia a few hours south of where I live.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I love Hausu. Interestingly enough, I finally upgraded my DVD to Blu-ray a few months back and have not got around to watching it. I'm sure that the movie looks even more psychedelic and insane in high definition.

I'm in the mood for something highbrow tonight, so I'm going to watch Squirm (1976). I've seen this one quite a few times growing up, since it was filmed here in Georgia a few hours south of where I live.

I borrowed a copy through pirate bay, watched it once and then went and bought a copy from Barnes and Noble, after the 50% off sale had just ended. I've watched it several times and I'm glad it's free for HULU right now. Have a few friends streaming it now.: )

[Scottie]

I will be watching Peeping Tom tonight, as I hear it is on par with Psycho in terms of disturbing.

It will be the fourth Powell / Pressburger film that I will have seen.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I will be watching Peeping Tom tonight, as I hear it is on par with Psycho in terms of disturbing.

It will be the fourth Powell / Pressburger film that I will have seen.

I've always wanted to see Peeping Tom. I wish that Criterion would have the rights again. I understand that there is a Hong Kong region A disc out there, but I'd rather wait until something easier to order comes along.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I've always wanted to see Peeping Tom. I wish that Criterion would have the rights again. I understand that there is a Hong Kong region A disc out there, but I'd rather wait until something easier to order comes along.

Ditto. It's been on my radar for quite some time.

Thankfully TCM recently had a PP marathon, in which I also recorded A Canterbury Tale and The Thief of Baghdad.

[filmmusic]

I hope I don't spoil it for you, but I saw recently Peeping Tom and I expected more.. Much much more..
This is one of a few films that I won't be seeing ever again..

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It will be the fourth Powell / Pressburger film that I will have seen.

nit: no Emeric Pressburger for Peeping Tom

[pedromvu]

I thought Peeping Tom is pretty good, certainly on par with Psycho for me, but it definitely doesn't feel like the previous Powell and Pressburger films, maybe because Pressburger wasn't involved or because the subject matter is much darker.

It is sad seeing on the supplements how it ruined Powell career since a few years before they had such a long streak of successful films.

[adamhopelies]

I caught Nightcrawler earlier tonight, which has shades of Peeping Tom about it. I was lucky enough to see the latter with a Martin Scorsese Q&A a couple of years back; remarkable film.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by TJS_Blu

nit: no Emeric Pressburger for Peeping Tom

Yeah, I realized that after I looked it up on Wikipedia.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I hope I don't spoil it for you, but I saw recently Peeping Tom and I expected more.. Much much more..
This is one of a few films that I won't be seeing ever again..

Jeez, it certainly sounds like you really disliked it.

I found the film to simply be okay. I think it's worth seeing for Karlheinz Böhms performance alone. He has definitely mastered the portrayal of a blank-faced, emotionless sociopath.

I did like the film's direction in exploring the roots of the problem. Mark would not have become the monster that he became if his father did not exploit him like a guinea pig. It's ironic because his father, a psychologist, should have been helping people but instead he did more harm than good.