The Criterion Collection

[Smegma]

Since I could get 'Jabberwocky' cheaper with the 50% off B&N sale than the current price on the Amazon pre-order price guarantee, I cancelled with Amazon and snapped it up for $19.99.

To get free shipping I had to add another title, so I decided to upgrade for 'The Blob'. It's from a 4k scan, so I think this title is worth upgrading from DVD.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Jonathan,

In the immortal words of Jeff Spicoli....



Why don't I ever get to meet any cool celebrities like that? The closest I've ever come was a chance encounter with Dirk Benedict, way back in 1979 when I was seven years old, and Battlestar Galactica was on tv. My Father and Uncle had to restrain me as my little lungs belted out, "Starbuck!!!!!!!" I tell ya, for such a little twerp, I had some strong legs. I almost got away. I remember him turning my direction, giving me a thumbs up, and disappearing into a restaurant with a gorgeous brunette than looked exactly like Anne Lockhart. She was my first crush. Maybe it was my little hormones giving me extra strength, lol. I was a hornball at a very early age.

I did talk with with Ray Liota on the phone one time, however. He called into my brokerage firm overnight, and I helped him place a few trades for his portfolio. I felt like a boob, but I had to tell him what a big fan I was, especially of his performances in Goodfellas, Field of Dreams and Heartbreakers. He was fantastic to talk to, and seemed like just a regular guy. He did the best impression of Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito.

"Alright, I'll tell ya something. Go F your mother. Bing, pow!"

Without even thinking, I said, "Ray (he told me to call him by his first name), you should do more comedy work. You're really funny. You got Pesci down cold."

And, without missing a beat, he asked me, "what do you mean, the way I talk?" I had to mute my phone after a few seconds of his nailing Pesci's lines. I was busting my ass laughing. I always hoped he'd call back in, and I'd get him. I was one of only two brokers that worked overnight, and handled the top tier clients. But looking back at his account in an account review, he only called a few times, and during market hours. Shoot.

The call was recorded, and after I told my supervisor, we listened to it, and laughed our asses off!

I have to say, I'm jealous of Jarmusch's mane of thick hair. He's nearly 65 years old, for God's sake. I'm 20 years his junior, and have to shave my head, lol. I've never seen any of his films, but the plan is to rent Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai after I've bought Le Samourai on November 14th. I'll have to rent it, as it's not available domestically on blu-ray, yet. But if I like it, and all signs point to that being a foregone conclusion (I love Forrest Whitaker, too), I'll probably import the three film collection of his from Amazon France; it's got Ghost Dog, Broken Flowers and Dead Man. Whitaker, Johnny Depp and Bill Murray are all among my favorite actors, and I need to see these movies. Down by Law and Mystery Train also both intrigue me.

I just need more hours in the day, lol. Too many great directors I'm being introduced to right now. It's a massive feeding frenzy. I'm going back to finish The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which I just got in the mail. Andrew Dominik's work is new to me; I'll watch Killing Them Softly tonight.

It's such a great time to be a movie lover!

Thanks!

But...

Whaaaaat? You've never seen a Jarmusch movie? We all need to lock you up in a home theater and make you watch all his films one weekend (don't worry, it won't be like the movie watching brainwashing torture scene in A Clockwork Orange. Ha). I would recommend beginning with his first films, Stranger Than Paradise and Down by Law. Both totally dry as it comes. Start with his early films and work your way until his most recent. Luckily, the Criterion Collection has 4 of his films and counting, with hopefully more to soon come.

Great story about Ray Liotta too! Timeless story. Back in the early years of the internet when I was using America Online (aka AOL), I once found myself in a chat room talking to the actor Ethan Hawke (either there were more celebrities back then doing this or a whole lot more of imposters I guess). I once received an email from Thom Yorke from Radiohead who liked my U2 fan website too. The best ways to meet celebs are the most unexpected and spontaneous, free ways as opposed to spending $ to meet someone at a Comic Con (such as William Shatner who I paid $80 for a photo op back in 2015).

I took some photos of Jarmusch last night playing the guitar while the old films from Dada and Man Ray were being projected on the screen behind him. It was super cool.

Has anyone seen these films?

L'Étoile de mer (1928)
Emak Bakia (1926)
Le Retour à la Raison (1923)
Les Mystères du Château de Dé (1929)

Here was the event I attended if anyone reading this is curious: https://www.warhol.org/event/sound-s...ms-by-man-ray/

Here's the best shot I took last night (Jarmusch was poorly lit, with just the light from the movie screen bouncing off of him other than the little desktop light next to his synthesizer):

[Ray Jackson]

I watched The Trial last night on TCM.

I tell yah man...Orson Welles really was a genius.

I mean talk about profoundly mind-blowing deep focus black and white photography. I've never seen it done any better in a film. Some of the shots are insane.

This needs a Criterion release and it needs it badly.

I might even set up a new dummy email account for this very reason.

...Mulvaney already blocked my old one.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I watched The Trial last night on TCM.

I tell yah man...Orson Welles really was a genius.

I mean talk about profoundly mind-blowing deep focus black and white photography. I've never seen it done any better in a film. Some of the shots are insane.

This needs a Criterion release and it needs it badly.

I might even set up a new dummy email account for this very reason.

...Mulvaney already blocked my old one.

Sadly the rights are with....*sigh* Kino
Although I guess since the restoration they received is gorgeous they should do a pretty good job with it, just couldve been better with Criterion.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I've never seen any of his films

[ThisKid]

Originally Posted by Arawn

I haven't seen any films from Jim either, but that's a different case.

[Namuhana]

I've only seen one Jarmusch film, Only Lovers Left Alive, and I really enjoyed it. I've been meaning to see more of his films, but I just haven't gotten around to it.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Sadly the rights are with....*sigh* Kino
Although I guess since the restoration they received is gorgeous they should do a pretty good job with it, just couldve been better with Criterion.

Is this a new restoration? Because I have been contemplating the UK blu for a while.

[Ray Jackson]

Chimes at Midnight or Othello?

After seeing The Trial, I need me some Orson Welles black and white on Criterion.

Not really a big fan of Shakespearean film adaptations, but what the hell.

What do you droogs thinK?

...which one is better?

[funkymonkey]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Chimes at Midnight or Othello?

After seeing The Trial, I need me some Orson Welles black and white on Criterion.

Not really a big fan of Shakespearean film adaptations, but what the hell.

What do you droogs thinK?

...which one is better?

Chimes is a masterpiece... but Othello isn't far behind...

[funkymonkey]

Get over it... it is a great performance. Much better than Olivier in my opinion. Times change..art is art.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Chimes at Midnight or Othello?

After seeing The Trial, I need me some Orson Welles black and white on Criterion.

Not really a big fan of Shakespearean film adaptations, but what the hell.

What do you droogs thinK?

...which one is better?

"Chimes at Midnight" is heavy Shakespeare. Meaning you almost need a translator for the dialogue. I've seen it twice and enjoyed it immensely more the second time around. The first time is really an exercise in trying to figure out what the hell the characters are saying. I could figure out the basic machinations of the plot, but a lot of the nuance was a little bit lost on me. The dialogue comes rapid fire and, at times, it's like listening to a foreign language. But it's a great film.

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Chimes at Midnight" is heavy Shakespeare. Meaning you almost need a translator for the dialogue. I've seen it twice and enjoyed it immensely more the second time around. The first time is really an exercise in trying to figure out what the hell the characters are saying. I could figure out the basic machinations of the plot, but a lot of the nuance was a little bit lost on me. The dialogue comes rapid fire and, at times, it's like listening to a foreign language. But it's a great film.

Switching the subtitles on helps a lot, in my experience.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

Switching the subtitles on helps a lot, in my experience.

Agreed. Watching the first time with the subtitles on gets you acquainted with everything the characters are saying, which makes the second viewing much easier.

Also, reading the actual play before watching the film helps immeasurably, preferably with an annotated text that provides definitions for the words that have fallen into disuse somewhere between 1600 and now. It might sound daunting, but you'll thank yourself later.

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Chimes at Midnight or Othello?

After seeing The Trial, I need me some Orson Welles black and white on Criterion.

Not really a big fan of Shakespearean film adaptations, but what the hell.

What do you droogs thinK?

...which one is better?

The Stranger instead

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Chimes at Midnight or Othello?

After seeing The Trial, I need me some Orson Welles black and white on Criterion.

Not really a big fan of Shakespearean film adaptations, but what the hell.

What do you droogs thinK?

...which one is better?

If you want Criterion Shakespeare, I'd honestly recommend Richard III or Throne of Blood instead.

[jedidarrick]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Sadly the rights are with....*sigh* Kino
Although I guess since the restoration they received is gorgeous they should do a pretty good job with it, just couldve been better with Criterion.

I thought the rights to The Trial were with StudioCanal. If that was the case, we NEVER would get a stateside release! And if we did, it would have problems.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by nitin

Is this a new restoration? Because I have been contemplating the UK blu for a while.

New-ish for sure, it looked gorgeous when I saw it last(?) year.
Not sure of the exact date though.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by jedidarrick

I thought the rights to The Trial were with StudioCanal. If that was the case, we NEVER would get a stateside release! And if we did, it would have problems.

Its definitely studiocanal on the other side of the pond but the page on here says Kino, which I also vaguely remember when seeing it in theatres. Could also be remembering it wrong though, but Im pretty sure its correct.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by mja345

"Chimes at Midnight" is heavy Shakespeare. Meaning you almost need a translator for the dialogue. I've seen it twice and enjoyed it immensely more the second time around. The first time is really an exercise in trying to figure out what the hell the characters are saying. I could figure out the basic machinations of the plot, but a lot of the nuance was a little bit lost on me. The dialogue comes rapid fire and, at times, it's like listening to a foreign language. But it's a great film.

Freaking Shakespeare...poetry-writing sissy face!

Piece of shite, has inappropriate relationship with with his own mother!

[Show spoiler]