The Criterion Channel - Page 13 - Blu-ray Forum

DaBargainHunta · 02-26-2020, 06:06 PM

I've somehow never seen John Carpenter's Escape from New York - until last night. I know, I know...

In a word: BADASS! As you all probably know, a whispering, sullen, beyond cool Kurt Russell with an eye patch - Snake Plissken - has to save the President inside a "future" NY that has become a giant prison. A wrestling match with the great Ox Baker breaks out in the middle of the movie because...why wouldn't it?

Adrienne Barbeau and her GIGANTIC "Barbs" show up too.

Awesome action, sets, art design, effects, and cast - Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, and Adrienne Barbeau! It's plain-as-day how many other movies and games this one influenced.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I'm not sure what took me so long to watch it, but I'm glad I finally did.

monorail91 · 02-27-2020, 05:20 PM

Hi - I just posted a new essay on Lina Wertmüller’s ALL SCREWED UP - some spoilers but more of an analysis than a review.

https://cinemaitalianopodcast.com/20...rewed-up-1974/

Thanks!

monorail91 · 02-28-2020, 11:16 PM

Hi, I just posted a new essay on Lina Wertmüller‘s SUMMER NIGHT!

DaBargainHunta · 02-29-2020, 09:49 PM

Front Page Woman

I needed a shorter selection, so I settled on this early Bette Davis film. It sounded like it would be good fun, and it was! Even though it's probably not one of Davis's better known pictures, it has likely directly and indirectly inspired dozens of movies that came after (off the top of my head, Adam's Rib and He Said, She Said).

Front Page Woman is about a plucky female reporter (Davis) whose boyfriend (George Brent) works at a different paper. Despite being madly in love, they engage in a no-holds-barred competition to break the story first and out-scoop each other by any means necessary. Some of their actions would be considered unethical journalism, to say the least, but this is a light comedy that's better to be enjoyed than questioned.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: 99% of the time, even the "lesser" movies on The Criterion Channel are at least good. This is good, but probably not better than good. Still, it's enjoyable and relaxing - a nice change of pace from the more serious fare the Channel usually offers up.

Oliver!

Full disclosure: I hate musicals, musical numbers, and music. Despite that, I really enjoyed Oliver! - even if I did think it would have been better without everyone breaking into song and dance every five or ten minutes.

It's hard to believe this was directed by the same person as The Third Man, Carol Reed, but it was. His expertise is on display here. There's a reason this won five Academy Awards and was nominated for many more (though I assume there are articles and lists written by curmudgeons bemoaning the Oscars this movie received).

This is pure sheer entertainment from beginning to end. It helps, of course, that there's a great Charles Dickens story driving it. But it has a million other things going for it as well: great acting (even if some of young Mark Lester's facial expressions were a bit over-the-top), directing (Carol Reed), set design, costumes, and fast pacing despite its 2 hour and 30 minute running time. It's a cliche to say, but it didn't feel nearly that long.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I hate musicals and loved this. But I was shocked to find out that Jack Wild (Artful Dodger) was actually 15 during filming - six years older than Mark Lester (Oliver). They both looked and sounded like babies!

I probably only have time for one more tonight! Should I go with Get Carter or Alfie?

fdm · 03-01-2020, 04:56 PM

Between TCM and CC I've been slowly making my way through the Bette Davis films. This time around I only got to Marked Woman on CC. (Front Page Woman was a pretty recent watch.)

The others I haven't seen yet usually show up on TCM sooner or later, so no hurry. Plus at this point they're the ones I've started once or twice and never quite got back to finishing them (before they got tossed from my dvr when I ran out of room again). Usually worth it when I finally do watch them.

regeyer · 03-01-2020, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

I've somehow never seen John Carpenter's Escape from New York - until last night. I know, I know...

In a word: BADASS! As you all probably know, a whispering, sullen, beyond cool Kurt Russell with an eye patch - Snake Plissken - has to save the President inside a "future" NY that has become a giant prison. A wrestling match with the great Ox Baker breaks out in the middle of the movie because...why wouldn't it?

Adrienne Barbeau and her GIGANTIC "Barbs" show up too.

Awesome action, sets, art design, effects, and cast - Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, and Adrienne Barbeau! It's plain-as-day how many other movies and games this one influenced.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I'm not sure what took me so long to watch it, but I'm glad I finally did.

Based upon your recommendation I watched it last night. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. Unrealistic? Sure. Academy Award material? Hardly. But it was still a fun movie.

DaBargainHunta · 03-01-2020, 11:05 PM

I watched Get Carter last night before it expired. I won't post a mini-review like I did for the others because it's gone from the service now and there's no point in tempting people with something they can't watch. I'll just say this: What an interesting, very violent, totally bleak and uncompromising crime film, with a cool as cucumber main character in Michael Caine's Carter. I'm glad I watched it. If it ever comes back to The Criterion Channel or another streaming service, it's worth seeing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by regeyer

Based upon your recommendation I watched it last night. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. Unrealistic? Sure. Academy Award material? Hardly. But it was still a fun movie.

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I didn't think there was anyone else left who hadn't seen it.

John Carpenter is a really underrated director IMO. Yeah, he gets acclaim in genre circles, but the Criterion crowd or general film buffs don't really praise him in the same breath they reserve for others.

jasonmiles2014 · 03-09-2020, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokes

Is anyone here still seeing frame skip issues while using the Apple TV?
Any update on a fix?

Yes, happens with every title I watch. I've just taken to using the Roku app, although I don't like it as much.

monorail91 · 03-16-2020, 07:58 AM

For Alice Rohrwacher fans - I just published an episode of my Cinema Italiano podcast, covering her debut fiction feature Corpo celeste (Heavenly Body), currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.

https://link.chtbl.com/CorpoCeleste?sid=BluRayForum

DaBargainHunta · 03-24-2020, 09:32 PM

There are surely much better movies I could have watched than Desperately Seeking Susan (and I'm surprised this is even on the service at all), but I was tired and wanted to turn my brain off. Plus, as one of the few '80s movies I've never seen, I thought it was about time.

Well, even though the movie is generally fun, Rosanna Arquette is super cute, and Madonna displays screen presence (in what was a much smaller and more limited role than I was expecting), there's probably a reason it took me this long to see it...

It's good, don't get me wrong, but I've already halfway forgotten it. With that said, it is beautifully shot - with amazing location work, use of colors, etc.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: Fun enough, but not something to desperately seek out.

DaBargainHunta · 03-28-2020, 12:03 PM

Starring my girl Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster, Sorry, Wrong Number is about a housewife and drugstore heiress who is accidentally connected to a wrong number and overhears a murder plot.

The rest of the film unfolds with a series of phone calls, which lead to flashbacks giving us more information about the characters and mystery. It's hard to say more without spoiling it.

Stanwyck is mostly confined to bed and the phone but still manages to deliver a larger-than-life performance. She was deservedly nominated for an Oscar.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I enjoyed Baby Face, Night Nurse, and the legendary Double Indemnity more, but this is still a nice little gem worth seeking out.

DaBargainHunta · 03-30-2020, 05:17 PM

Even though I don't watch sports, I love a good sports movie - especially baseball! I don't know why, but I do. That made the original 1951 version of Angels in the Outfield an easy viewing choice.

Everyone knows the premise: After a particularly bad game, the foul-tempered team manager, Guffy McGovern (what a name!) - played wonderfully by Paul Douglas - suddenly hears the voice of an angel. As it turns out, a little orphan girl prayed for her favorite baseball team - the Pittsburgh Pirates, in this movie - to reverse their losing streak. While Guffy only hears from the angels, she can actually see them helping the other players.

This reminds me very much of the classic Miracle on 34th Street, but with baseball and angels instead of Santa. I wonder if that was the pitch (no pun intended) made to studio executives. Unlike a lot of movies on The Criterion Channel, there's nothing heavy about this one at all - it's just plain fun and joyous.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I have no idea how this 1951 film compares to the 1990s remake or the remake's (probably unnecessary) sequel, but I suspect it's is the far superior of the three. I'll certainly take Janet Leigh over the overrated Danny Glover any day of the week!

regeyer · 03-30-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Even though I don't watch sports, I love a good sports movie - especially baseball! I don't know why, but I do. That made the original 1951 version of Angels in the Outfield an easy viewing choice.

Everyone knows the premise: After a particularly bad game, the foul-tempered team manager, Guffy McGovern (what a name!) - played wonderfully by Paul Douglas - suddenly hears the voice of an angel. As it turns out, a little orphan girl prayed for her favorite baseball team - the Pittsburgh Pirates, in this movie - to reverse their losing streak. While Guffy only hears from the angels, she can actually see them helping the other players.

This reminds me very much of the classic Miracle on 34th Street, but with baseball and angels instead of Santa. I wonder if that was the pitch (no pun intended) made to studio executives. Unlike a lot of movies on The Criterion Channel, there's nothing heavy about this one at all - it's just plain fun and joyous.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: I have no idea how this 1951 film compares to the 1990s remake or the remake's (probably unnecessary) sequel, but I suspect it's is the far superior of the three. I'll certainly take Janet Leigh over the overrated Danny Glover any day of the week!

Thanks for the review. I really like Disney's remake, with Danny Glover and Tony Danza. I'm a little skeptical to watch the original, as I've heard the special effects are really poor. But after reading your review I'll give it a go.

BTW, I love watching baseball games, but I also love Baseball movies. My favorite is Field of Dreams which, ironically, really isn't about baseball, but is about fathers and sons.

DaBargainHunta · 03-30-2020, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regeyer

Thanks for the review. I really like Disney's remake, with Danny Glover and Tony Danza. I'm a little skeptical to watch the original, as I've heard the special effects are really poor. But after reading your review I'll give it a go.

BTW, I love watching baseball games, but I also love Baseball movies. My favorite is Field of Dreams which, ironically, really isn't about baseball, but is about fathers and sons.

There are no special effects whatsoever that I can recall.

Can you elaborate on what you mean? Either way, I think you should be safe. It's a terrific film.

regeyer · 03-30-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

There are no special effects whatsoever that I can recall.

Can you elaborate on what you mean? Either way, I think you should be safe. It's a terrific film.

I remember my Dad telling me, years ago, that he said seen the original and that the "special effects" were lacking. There may not have been any. I never saw it, so . . .

DaBargainHunta · 03-30-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regeyer

I remember my Dad telling me, years ago, that he said seen the original and that the "special effects" were lacking. There may not have been any. I never saw it, so . . .

Yeah, I don't remember anything like that. There is the occasional burst of thunder and lightning, but that seemed realistic enough to me.

regeyer · 03-30-2020, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

Yeah, I don't remember anything like that. There is the occasional burst of thunder and lightning, but that seemed realistic enough to me.

I think my Dad may have been saying that the special effects were lacking because they were nonexistent.

DaBargainHunta · 03-30-2020, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regeyer

I think my Dad may have been saying that the special effects were lacking because they were nonexistent.

That's possible. You never actually see the angels. But I think the movie is better off for it.

regeyer · 03-30-2020, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBargainHunta

That's possible. You never actually see the angels. But I think the movie is better off for it.

I think the movie probably is better. Watching a bunch of angels running around with sheets on probably wouldn't look very realistic.

DaBargainHunta · 03-31-2020, 05:47 PM

I've wanted to watch Paul Schrader's Patty Hearst ever since I was young. I've always been fascinated by the case, but I didn't really know much about it - other than the broad strokes - until I watched this movie. Both the situation and the film were very different from what I was expecting.

The movie starts with a bang - with a house break-in, gunfire, and Hearst's capture. From there, Schrader smartly uses very weird, tightly, off-kilter camera angles to capture the claustrophobia and tension of being kidnapped. Eventually, of course, Hearst comes around to her kidnappers' way of thinking (I really don't think that's a spoiler).

The late Natasha Richardson carries the movie with an incredible performance as Hearst, but Bill Forsythe and Ving Rhames are strong standouts as well.

DaBargainHunta's Decree: Ultimately, there are no easy answers about Hearst's thought process or motivations. How could there be?

02-26-2020, 06:06 PM	#241
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! I've somehow never seen John Carpenter's Escape from New York - until last night. I know, I know... In a word: BADASS! As you all probably know, a whispering, sullen, beyond cool Kurt Russell with an eye patch - Snake Plissken - has to save the President inside a "future" NY that has become a giant prison. A wrestling match with the great Ox Baker breaks out in the middle of the movie because...why wouldn't it? Adrienne Barbeau and her GIGANTIC "Barbs" show up too. Awesome action, sets, art design, effects, and cast - Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, and Adrienne Barbeau! It's plain-as-day how many other movies and games this one influenced. DaBargainHunta's Decree: I'm not sure what took me so long to watch it, but I'm glad I finally did. Last edited by DaBargainHunta; 02-26-2020 at 06:21 PM.

02-29-2020, 09:49 PM	#244
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! Front Page Woman I needed a shorter selection, so I settled on this early Bette Davis film. It sounded like it would be good fun, and it was! Even though it's probably not one of Davis's better known pictures, it has likely directly and indirectly inspired dozens of movies that came after (off the top of my head, Adam's Rib and He Said, She Said). Front Page Woman is about a plucky female reporter (Davis) whose boyfriend (George Brent) works at a different paper. Despite being madly in love, they engage in a no-holds-barred competition to break the story first and out-scoop each other by any means necessary. Some of their actions would be considered unethical journalism, to say the least, but this is a light comedy that's better to be enjoyed than questioned. DaBargainHunta's Decree: 99% of the time, even the "lesser" movies on The Criterion Channel are at least good. This is good, but probably not better than good. Still, it's enjoyable and relaxing - a nice change of pace from the more serious fare the Channel usually offers up. Oliver! Full disclosure: I hate musicals, musical numbers, and music. Despite that, I really enjoyed Oliver! - even if I did think it would have been better without everyone breaking into song and dance every five or ten minutes. It's hard to believe this was directed by the same person as The Third Man, Carol Reed, but it was. His expertise is on display here. There's a reason this won five Academy Awards and was nominated for many more (though I assume there are articles and lists written by curmudgeons bemoaning the Oscars this movie received). This is pure sheer entertainment from beginning to end. It helps, of course, that there's a great Charles Dickens story driving it. But it has a million other things going for it as well: great acting (even if some of young Mark Lester's facial expressions were a bit over-the-top), directing (Carol Reed), set design, costumes, and fast pacing despite its 2 hour and 30 minute running time. It's a cliche to say, but it didn't feel nearly that long. DaBargainHunta's Decree: I hate musicals and loved this. But I was shocked to find out that Jack Wild (Artful Dodger) was actually 15 during filming - six years older than Mark Lester (Oliver). They both looked and sounded like babies! I probably only have time for one more tonight! Should I go with Get Carter or Alfie?

03-24-2020, 09:32 PM	#250
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! There are surely much better movies I could have watched than Desperately Seeking Susan (and I'm surprised this is even on the service at all), but I was tired and wanted to turn my brain off. Plus, as one of the few '80s movies I've never seen, I thought it was about time. Well, even though the movie is generally fun, Rosanna Arquette is super cute, and Madonna displays screen presence (in what was a much smaller and more limited role than I was expecting), there's probably a reason it took me this long to see it... It's good, don't get me wrong, but I've already halfway forgotten it. With that said, it is beautifully shot - with amazing location work, use of colors, etc. DaBargainHunta's Decree: Fun enough, but not something to desperately seek out.

03-28-2020, 12:03 PM	#251
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! Starring my girl Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster, Sorry, Wrong Number is about a housewife and drugstore heiress who is accidentally connected to a wrong number and overhears a murder plot. The rest of the film unfolds with a series of phone calls, which lead to flashbacks giving us more information about the characters and mystery. It's hard to say more without spoiling it. Stanwyck is mostly confined to bed and the phone but still manages to deliver a larger-than-life performance. She was deservedly nominated for an Oscar. DaBargainHunta's Decree: I enjoyed Baby Face, Night Nurse, and the legendary Double Indemnity more, but this is still a nice little gem worth seeking out.

03-30-2020, 05:17 PM	#252
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! Even though I don't watch sports, I love a good sports movie - especially baseball! I don't know why, but I do. That made the original 1951 version of Angels in the Outfield an easy viewing choice. Everyone knows the premise: After a particularly bad game, the foul-tempered team manager, Guffy McGovern (what a name!) - played wonderfully by Paul Douglas - suddenly hears the voice of an angel. As it turns out, a little orphan girl prayed for her favorite baseball team - the Pittsburgh Pirates, in this movie - to reverse their losing streak. While Guffy only hears from the angels, she can actually see them helping the other players. This reminds me very much of the classic Miracle on 34th Street, but with baseball and angels instead of Santa. I wonder if that was the pitch (no pun intended) made to studio executives. Unlike a lot of movies on The Criterion Channel, there's nothing heavy about this one at all - it's just plain fun and joyous. DaBargainHunta's Decree: I have no idea how this 1951 film compares to the 1990s remake or the remake's (probably unnecessary) sequel, but I suspect it's is the far superior of the three. I'll certainly take Janet Leigh over the overrated Danny Glover any day of the week!

02-27-2020, 05:20 PM	#242
monorail91 Expert Member Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray collection:423 DVD collection:314 iTunes collection:1	Hi - I just posted a new essay on Lina Wertmüller’s ALL SCREWED UP - some spoilers but more of an analysis than a review. https://cinemaitalianopodcast.com/20...rewed-up-1974/ Thanks!

02-28-2020, 11:16 PM	#243
monorail91 Expert Member Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray collection:423 DVD collection:314 iTunes collection:1	Hi, I just posted a new essay on Lina Wertmüller‘s SUMMER NIGHT!

03-01-2020, 04:56 PM	#245
fdm Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Way Out West 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Prime collection:- Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:3	Between TCM and CC I've been slowly making my way through the Bette Davis films. This time around I only got to Marked Woman on CC. (Front Page Woman was a pretty recent watch.) The others I haven't seen yet usually show up on TCM sooner or later, so no hurry. Plus at this point they're the ones I've started once or twice and never quite got back to finishing them (before they got tossed from my dvr when I ran out of room again). Usually worth it when I finally do watch them.

03-16-2020, 07:58 AM	#249
monorail91 Expert Member Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray collection:423 DVD collection:314 iTunes collection:1	For Alice Rohrwacher fans - I just published an episode of my Cinema Italiano podcast, covering her debut fiction feature *Corpo celeste (Heavenly Body)*, currently streaming on the Criterion Channel. https://link.chtbl.com/CorpoCeleste?sid=BluRayForum

03-31-2020, 05:47 PM	#260
DaBargainHunta Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:Parts Unknown - because I blabbed about Mars! Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:30	Expiring! I've wanted to watch Paul Schrader's Patty Hearst ever since I was young. I've always been fascinated by the case, but I didn't really know much about it - other than the broad strokes - until I watched this movie. Both the situation and the film were very different from what I was expecting. The movie starts with a bang - with a house break-in, gunfire, and Hearst's capture. From there, Schrader smartly uses very weird, tightly, off-kilter camera angles to capture the claustrophobia and tension of being kidnapped. Eventually, of course, Hearst comes around to her kidnappers' way of thinking (I really don't think that's a spoiler). The late Natasha Richardson carries the movie with an incredible performance as Hearst, but Bill Forsythe and Ving Rhames are strong standouts as well. DaBargainHunta's Decree: Ultimately, there are no easy answers about Hearst's thought process or motivations. How could there be? Last edited by DaBargainHunta; 03-31-2020 at 08:16 PM.

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