The Criterion Collection

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by iScottie

It just feels SO BLAND and nothing in particular makes it interesting, in my opinion.

You are missing the point. It's purposefully detached at the beginning because its about how their line of work robs them of their humanity (for a lack of a better word). There is drastic contrast when coupled with the scenes of Sonny and Isabella's affair (the thing he is losing if he continues down the same path).

The IMAGES are very interesting, you are fundamentally off on that part. Not just because they look very nice, but because they align with what the film is about. Look at the opening shot of either the DC (submerged shot of boat race) it the TC (nightclub dancers) for proof

The way he plays with negative space, again, places it more align the works if Antonioni... not whatever gangster, noir, thriller auteur. This is an art film through and through.

Again, watch it all the way through, do so during the daytime.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

If you try to watch a film once and you fell asleep, that's okay, and you should give it another chance. But if you watch a film [enter a number here] times, and every single time with the same result, I'd say it is safe to assume you just don't like the film.

I am just trying to argue he is going in with the wrong expectations. It's not an action thriller, it's an art film first and foremost. It's about crafting meaning through images, not plot. It's a film you have to meet half way, not unlike the more nonlinear works of Terrence Malick...and of course, Antonioni.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

The Blob?

It's a fun movie to be sure, but an essential?

The Blob is not only an essential title in The Criterion Collection, but it is also a quintessential work of 1950s cinema. It's a great example of how suspense can be generated at a bare minimum of expense by way of creativity and adventure. The DVD was one of the first Criterion titles that I ever purchased, and the Blu-ray takes it to a new level altogether.

[brandon_260]

Bumming hard that my copy of Marketa still hasn't shipped from Amazon. Never had a problem like this with Criterion pre-orders on Amazon.

Originally Posted by Judex

What are your opinions of this?


Seriously considering picking it up during the B&N sale.

I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it. Far from an essential release, but still highly enjoyable.

[The Great Owl]

I just got back from seeing Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds at Fox Theatre here in Atlanta. This was a beautiful theatrical showing for the 50th Anniversary of The Birds, and I am happy to have one of my cinematic bucket list items under my belt (seeing a Hitchcock film on the big screen).

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds uses bird sounds in lieu of a music score, and these birds sounds were incredibly loud on the venue sound system. During the film's climax, when birds have surrounded the house, one could almost believe that the birds had surrounded Fox Theatre as well.

This experience was a hundred different kinds of awesome.

Not entirely Criterion-related, except by a degree of separation from one of the Criterion Collection prominent directors, but still worth a mention.

[FrankBlue]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

Watched Slacker today. I enjoyed it at first but after the first 40 min or so the shtick got old. IMO this should had been a short film not a 1hr 40min feature film. This is definitely a no for me.

I have some suspicion Slacker wasn't a top movie from the reviews I read from other web outlets, although not the context you specifically described. And, it seems Slacker doesn't have a solid replay value (i.e., watching it for the second time, third time, etc.). However, the biggest attraction, I supposed, is the gigantic supplements and extras.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The Blob is not only an essential title in The Criterion Collection, but it is also a quintessential work of 1950s cinema. It's a great example of how suspense can be generated at a bare minimum of expense by way of creativity and adventure. The DVD was one of the first Criterion titles that I ever purchased, and the Blu-ray takes it to a new level altogether.

Are you sure you are not talking about The Birds

Have you heard both commentaries? Worth listening to?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

I have some suspicion Slacker wasn't a top movie from the reviews I read from other web outlets, although not the context you specifically described. And, it seems Slacker doesn't have a solid replay value (i.e., watching it for the second time, third time, etc.). However, the biggest attraction, I supposed, is the gigantic supplements and extras.

The value of Slacker for me is simple nostalgia, since I was a college student when the movie was released. I feel the same way about Dazed and Confused and Before Sunrise. Slacker is the least watchable of all those films, of course, but it's still an adventure to add to my time capsule of memories.

[Abdrewes]

(Forgot to mention this)

My first review for the college paper (one more semester...) will be about Frances Ha, hopefully a future Criterion title.

AP style is Super annoying. It breaks up many of my paragraphs, and they require a 20-40 word lead. Hopefully mu editor doesn't further tamper with the review

[SammyJankis]

Man, I really didn't like Frances Ha. I was really hoping I would, too.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Are you sure you are not talking about The Birds

Have you heard both commentaries? Worth listening to?

Both commentaries are fun. I prefer the director's commentary by small margin, but they're both informative, especially in terms of talking about a younger Steve McQueen.

I usually get so wrapped up in the movie all over again, though, that I get distracted from the commentaries.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SammyJankis

Man, I really didn't like Frances Ha. I was really hoping I would, too.

I wasn't expecting to be floored, but alas, I was. Baumbach is 3 and 1 with me

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Both commentaries are fun. *I prefer the director's commentary by small margin, but they're both informative, especially in terms of talking about a younger Steve McQueen.




I usually get so wrapped up in the movie all over again, though, that I get distracted from the commentaries.

Sweet. I'll give them a try one of these days (after I listen to Tarantino's True Romance commentary and Favid Fincher's for Chinatown)

[Edward J Grug III]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I wasn't expecting to be floored, but alas, I was. Baumbach is 3 and 1 with me

Which is the one?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

"If it's a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of what was going on."-Alfred Hitchcock

True that.

I was reminded today, however, that the bird noises in Hitchcock's The Birds are quite instrumental in the effectiveness of the film.

The gunshots in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) are equally significant.

Hitchcock needs more Criterion titles.

[FrankBlue]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

The value of Slacker for me is simple nostalgia, since I was a college student when the movie was released. I feel the same way about Dazed and Confused and Before Sunrise. Slacker is the least watchable of all those films, of course, but it's still an adventure to add to my time capsule of memories.

It's probably so. Personally, I liked watching movies, especially with Criterion Collection movies, for which you have the story, whether it's enjoyable or otherwise, is in the flow from beginning to end without being stale between these periods. For Slacker, unfortunately, the film quality came well short of being an excellent movie. DrStrangelove fairly suggested it should be shortened, potentially improve the quality, and I tend to agree based on the assessment.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

True that.

I was reminded today, however, that the bird noises in Hitchcock's The Birds are quite instrumental in the effectiveness of the film.

The gunshots in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) are equally significant.

Hitchcock needs more Criterion titles.

If Criterion released Shadow of a Doubt or Psycho I would probably die.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

If Criterion released Shadow of a Doubt or Psycho I would probably die.

Definitely! If North by Northwest is ever released on Criterion, then you can just stick a fork in me, because things won't get better than that.

(Actually, the current Blu-ray release of North by Northwest is probably unbeatable, but I'd be curious to see what Criterion could do.)

EDIT: In truth, I'm probably going to retire from buying Blu-rays when Melville's Le Samouraï is released in the format, because that will be the crowning achievement of Criterion Blu-ray if a proper restoration is used.

[Lordy]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

In two days, the 550-minute movie Shoah comes out in stores and online. Is anyone considering to purchase it?

It will be mine on day 1 of the B&N 50% off sale.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Definitely! If North by Northwest is ever released on Criterion, then you can just stick a fork in me, because things won't get better than that.

(Actually, the current Blu-ray release of North by Northwest is probably unbeatable, but I'd be curious to see what Criterion could do.)

I would primary be interested in things like the cover art of the titles and all of the unique aspects of a release that Criterion is specialized in.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by FrankBlue

In two days, the 550-minute movie Shoah comes out in stores and online. Is anyone considering to purchase it?

I honestly don't know.

I'm sure that I would hold Shoah in high regard, but I'm not so sure if I'd watch it multiple times. That's a long movie for repeat viewings, and I tend to go for the Criterion titles that have infinite rewatchability value.