Sam Mendes' multi-award-winning movie has become a superb DVD, with upwards of six hours of good viewing for anyone who cares to look beyond the movie itself. The bonus materials run almost twice as long as the feature itself, and give a massive amount of value. The movie elicited all kinds of profound analyses from writers who feel most secure when they're showing off how many big words they know -- in fact, it's well crafted and acted, and beautifully shot by Conrad Hall. This is one of the most beautifully transferred movies to show up yet on DVD, and shows signs of having been painstakingly mastered to the most minute specification. There's not a shot here that isn't a delight to the eye, and the audio is its match, a mix of very carefully mastered realistic onscreen sound coupled with a lyrical score by Thomas Newman. The film is broken up into 28 chapters that break the movie up handily, all accessible through a multi-layered menu. The disc offers a choice of DTS or Dolby 5.1 before a single frame has run, and then the menu set-up pops up. The most rewarding of the special features is the audio commentary track by director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball -- Mendes has a good enough sense of history to acknowledge Sunset Boulevard as part of his inspiration for the film, and he freely acknowledges making major modifications in the content and structure of the movie and the story right up through the final edit. The discussion would be a good jumping-off point for any would-be filmmaker at the high school or college level, and more than a few professionals could learn a thing or two from the director's free-ranging narrative. Alan Ball doesn't do much more than amplify what Mendes is saying most of the time, but his little interjections add enough variety to keep Mendes' remarks from ever even seeming monotonous (which they're not). The 21-minute "American Beauty: Look Closer . . ." incorporates much of the same information contained within the commentary track in a more superficial manner, intercut with remarks by Ball and the various actors. Much more rewarding on its own terms is the hour-long "Storyboard Presentation," in which each sketch is presented with the resulting shot and all are accompanied by Mendes and cinematographer Conrad Hall. In the midst of all of this bonus material, the inclusion of the two trailers seems like an afterthought. The "Cast & Crew" material is an onscreen version of the kind of raw publicity copy that used to go exclusively to editors and feature writers -- it's difficult to imagine too many fans of the movie taking the time to go through it all, especially as it's the only part of the supplement that is awkward to manipulate and the most overtly self-serving in its content.
Customer Rating
5
ONE OF THE GREAT FILMS OF OUR GENERATION
on September 15, 2008
Posted by: Jory
from Seattle, WA
Originally intended for the stage, this award winning film is nothing less than a masterpiece. I have nothing more to say. If you haven't seen this, you either haven't heard of it yet, or you did and that's why.
Jiri Menzel's Oscar-winning drama Closely Watched Trains comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. The Czech soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original U.S. theatrical trailer. Although there are few extras, the high quality of the picture and the sound are everything consumers have come to expect from Criterion. Anyone with an interest in world cinema should certainly check out this fantastic release.
Customer Rating
5
I LOVE THIS FILM
on September 15, 2008
Posted by: Jory
from Seattle, WA
I saw the film before I read the book, they are both up there on my list of all time favorite films. This is one of those films that just works within its simplicity and stays with you forever.
What's great about it: Way Ahead of Itself. A Classic Revolutionary Picture
Marcel Camus' award-winning Black Orpheus comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. Portuguese and English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the French theatrical trailer, a new set of English subtitles, a remastered soundtrack, and footage that has been restored to the original film after being excised years before. As always, Criterion has done a fabulous job with this classic title, allowing it to be seen by a new generation of film enthusiasts.
Customer Rating
5
MY ALL TIME FAVORITE FOREIGN CLASSIC
on September 15, 2008
Posted by: Jory
from Seattle, WA
I have never been so involved in a film. It is so happy and full of life it makes you want to dance and join in on the celebration. I can't even begin to tell you how fantastic this film is. Timeless.
What's great about it: THE MOST FUN I'VE EVER HAD WATCHING A MOVIE
I don't need to say much, most of you have seen the movie. I assume most people can admit it is a fairly good movie. The Blu-ray on the other hand is just so-so.
What's great about it: Enjoyable
What's not so great: Not really an advance from the DVD.
This just goes to show how far special effects have come, if a film like this was made today (even if no other film like it had been made) it would be a straight to video release. I know that the unfortunate children of the 80's loved this film, and as a child I remember thinking it was the most fantastic sci-fi movie I'd ever seen, but that was because at the time I wasn't allowed to see it and the coolest thing was liking Ninja Turtles and Legos. Now in my recent encounter I have found the worst B movie since Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space.
What's great about it: A robot that kills criminals
I liked Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the other films not so much. This, while creative, is boring, sharp toned and forgettable. The only way I would ever watch this again is if I went through the treatment that Alex DeLarge went through in A Clockwork Orange, this film is just as horrifying to me as those ultraviolent shock films were to him. Ahh, I wanted to like this film too. I love Terry Gilliam films: Brazil, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vages, all brilliant original films and adaptations.
What's great about it: The first shot of the film is very nice... then the movie starts.
What's not so great: Terribly unfunny movie with obnoxious british humor and theatrical moans, very choatic.
This film is highly overrated. The original film, Infernal Affairs was honestly not as good, but it was original. I love Scorsese and that might be why this film upset me, he has made so many award worthy films, why is it that this is the film that he finally wins on. We have Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, After Hours, and Mean Streets, why in such a perfect stretch of films is this the one that pays a long deserved debt?
What's great about it: Another good Scorsese Film, great performances, very good remake
This is such a beautifully dead western. The flies cling to every character and not a single head in the town is clean. Dust ridden like an old barn on a widow farm. This is brutal, stunning; the only life that glows is the sunset. A fascinating western with one of the best scores I've heard in recent years.
What's great about it: Nick Cave screenplay and score, blu ray that shines at a even better price
Who doesn't love this film? And if they don't, I blame Winona Ryder, I have to admit I am not a fan of hers. I can't stand her grandma voice or her acting. But I deeply love this movie, therefore I push aside one actress and enjoy Tim Burton's greatest achievement.
What's great about it: Creative, entertaining, cult classic, looks better than DVD