Disappointing Criterions - Page 2

Pizza · 12-06-07, 05:35 PM

I guess I could steal another poster's bit of wit and say the only Criterion that ever disappointed me was "Good Burger."

Brent L · 12-06-07, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

I just watched Jubilee as well and i found it very disapointing as well. The plot synopsis on the back cover makes it certainly sound cool but I found it didn't really decribe the actual movie that well.
ALso i found Ace In The Hole, Ivan's Childhood, La Jetee / Sans Soleil, Under The Volcano, to be rather dissapointing as well.

I know that everyone has different opinions, but would you mind explaining what you have against this one? I can understand someone not liking Jubilee and stuff like In the Mood For Love, but I don't get why someone wouldn't enjoy Ace.

Jasko · 12-06-07, 06:08 PM

i didn't like Branded to Kill

g · 12-06-07, 07:30 PM

I didnt like ace in the hole either. And Wilder is one of my all time favorite directors. I loved 39 steps though.

dom56 · 12-06-07, 07:41 PM

I didn't like The Royal Tenebaums.

aintnosin · 12-06-07, 07:44 PM

I may not agree with all of Criterion's tastes, but I would only be "disappointed" in one of their editions if the DVD itself wasn't up to their usual standards (extras, etc.)

droidguy1119 · 12-06-07, 08:00 PM

I agree that I am always disappointed when a Criterion disc contains only the theatrical trailer -- not that it's any different from a normal DVD containing only the trailer, but normal DVDs are only ten bucks.

Add me to the club who didn't like Withnail & I. I found How to Get Ahead in Advertising in a pawn shop for $3, bought it and thought it was hilarious and awesome, and eagerly bought Withnail & I, expecting more awesomeness but just found it pretentious and unfunny.

GoldenJCJ · 12-06-07, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aintnosin

I may not agree with all of Criterion's tastes, but I would only be "disappointed" in one of their editions if the DVD itself wasn't up to their usual standards (extras, etc.)

That was one of my beefs with The Night Porter. If I remember correctly it was nonanamorphic, the transfer looked like crap, and it contained no features, not even a trailer.

KillerCannibal · 12-06-07, 08:35 PM

I was a bit underwhelmed by Jigoku. I still liked it, but I was expecting a bit more from a film about Japanese Hell. Plus, my friend hyped it up BIG TIME which didn't help matters. Other than that I really haven't bought a Criterion that I didn't like.

tonyjg · 12-06-07, 08:52 PM

Armageddon

What a waste of opportunity not to have released this original anamorphically.

I want the 'internal release notes' on this DVD - stating whom at Criterion thought that they should not release this in the 16x9 format. I wonder if that person still works there ???

zombeaner · 12-06-07, 09:21 PM

Most of the early Criterions (like Armageddon) were not anamorphic. Apparently it wasn't till later that they thought it would be critical to have every release anamorphic.

chris_sc77 · 12-06-07, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent L

I know that everyone has different opinions, but would you mind explaining what you have against this one? I can understand someone not liking Jubilee and stuff like In the Mood For Love, but I don't get why someone wouldn't enjoy Ace.

Ace in the Hole just never really got me involved. It's not a film I hate but i just felt that it was boring for me. Again it's not that I would call it a bad movie it's just something I didn't connect to for some reason.

Arpeggi · 12-06-07, 09:48 PM

Chasing Amy, duh. Garbage Kevin Smith film did not deserve the Criterion treatment!

Mr Pixies · 12-06-07, 10:40 PM

Armageddon came out before they released anamorphic titles though, right? I can see it and the Rock being re-released.....

Jubilee is cool, but it's like Border Radio, the synopsis Criterion provides hint at them being movies most won't appreciate and try to provide historical context for their importance...I like both, but I think their marketing is a little misleading.

DeltaSigChi4 · 12-06-07, 10:44 PM

Anything by Michael Bay.

E

Sex Fiend · 12-06-07, 11:29 PM

I fell asleep during Green for Danger so I guess that would be most disappointing recent Criterion purchase. Not that it was a bad film, but I certainly didn't become engrossed in it the way some reviews insisted I would.

Mr. Hulot's Holiday was a bit underwhelming, too, now that I think about it. Also Down by Law disappointed, considering I'm a great fan of both Jim Jarmusch and Tom Waits. Le Samourai was only so-so. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was quite a bore.

Conversely, Criterions that surprised me by how much I ended up liking them included Picnic at Hanging Rock, Onibaba, Knife in the Water, and Forbidden Games.

CloudVader · 12-06-07, 11:32 PM

Hopscotch. It certainly wasn't a terrible movie, but I have a hard time seeing why Criterion would justify this as an "important" or "influential" film. It's certainly watchable, but I found it underwhelming considering it had such a great cast involved. The Bay movies at least were released so Criterion could get at some other choice titles, but what was the excuse for this one, other than the fact that the OOP VHS tape used to cost a small fortune?

canaryfarmer · 12-06-07, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pixies

Armageddon came out before they released anamorphic titles though, right? I can see it and the Rock being re-released.....

The Rock is anamorphic, at least.

GoldenJCJ · 12-07-07, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaSigChi4

Anything by Michael Bay.

E

I know Michael Bay doesn't necessarily fit the Criterion mold, but The Rock is one of my top 3 DVDs ever.

g · 12-07-07, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CloudVader

Hopscotch. It certainly wasn't a terrible movie, but I have a hard time seeing why Criterion would justify this as an "important" or "influential" film. It's certainly watchable, but I found it underwhelming considering it had such a great cast involved. The Bay movies at least were released so Criterion could get at some other choice titles, but what was the excuse for this one, other than the fact that the OOP VHS tape used to cost a small fortune?

They had the director available after his other director approved titles.

Lemdog · 12-07-07, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdpatri

Hmm. In The Mood for Love might be one of my TOP 5 Criterions.

I consider it one of the TOP 5 movies ever made.

Neeb · 12-07-07, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giles

I didn't quite "get" The Earrings of Madame De... (future Criterion release)

I'm an admirer of Max Opuls but I understand your position.
Lola Montes or Letter from an Unknown Woman are better.
And I'd kill to get either of them on Criterion.

So... who do you want me to kill?

PopcornTreeCt · 12-07-07, 02:49 AM

I can't say I've ever been disappointed. Days of Heaven didn't quite live up to the monumental expectations I had but the Criterion is a magnificent set.

Giles · 12-07-07, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizza

I guess I could steal another poster's bit of wit and say the only Criterion that ever disappointed me was "Good Burger."

post #26 - we're slipping here folks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arpeggi

Chasing Amy, duh. Garbage Kevin Smith film did not deserve the Criterion treatment!

AGameWithStones · 12-07-07, 09:54 AM

The only real dissapointments for me were both Jane Campion films. They did absolutely nothing for me.

The rest of the Criterion purchases I've made were quite satisfying; though I was underwhelmed by the presentation of The Pornographers (fine film, throwaway barebones DVD).

12-06-07, 07:44 PM	#31
aintnosin DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,201	I may not agree with all of Criterion's tastes, but I would only be "disappointed" in one of their editions if the DVD itself wasn't up to their usual standards (extras, etc.) __________________ "It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine This sig should be attacked by bloodsucking monkeys. My Collection

12-06-07, 08:35 PM	#34
KillerCannibal DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 7,515	I was a bit underwhelmed by Jigoku. I still liked it, but I was expecting a bit more from a film about Japanese Hell. Plus, my friend hyped it up BIG TIME which didn't help matters. Other than that I really haven't bought a Criterion that I didn't like. __________________ Top 10 most-wanted BD titles:Blue Velvet/Once Upon A Time in the West/Jaws/Boogie Nights/Prince of Darkness/Videodrome/Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla ('74)/Beyond the Valley of the Dolls/Phantasm/Death Wish October Horror Movie Challenge 2009

12-06-07, 09:21 PM	#36
zombeaner DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,365	Most of the early Criterions (like Armageddon) were not anamorphic. Apparently it wasn't till later that they thought it would be critical to have every release anamorphic. __________________ My Movies So Far...

12-06-07, 09:48 PM	#38
Arpeggi DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 4,025	Chasing Amy, duh. Garbage Kevin Smith film did not deserve the Criterion treatment! __________________ XBox Live Gametag: ArpeggiBMW PS3: Arpeggi

12-06-07, 11:29 PM	#41
Sex Fiend Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Electric Ladyland Posts: 684	I fell asleep during Green for Danger so I guess that would be most disappointing recent Criterion purchase. Not that it was a bad film, but I certainly didn't become engrossed in it the way some reviews insisted I would. Mr. Hulot's Holiday was a bit underwhelming, too, now that I think about it. Also Down by Law disappointed, considering I'm a great fan of both Jim Jarmusch and Tom Waits. Le Samourai was only so-so. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was quite a bore. Conversely, Criterions that surprised me by how much I ended up liking them included Picnic at Hanging Rock, Onibaba, Knife in the Water, and Forbidden Games. __________________ "Weaseling out of things is what separates us from the animals--except of course the weasel."

12-06-07, 05:35 PM	#26
Pizza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 817	I guess I could steal another poster's bit of wit and say the only Criterion that ever disappointed me was "Good Burger."

12-06-07, 06:08 PM	#28
Jasko Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 108	i didn't like Branded to Kill

12-06-07, 07:30 PM	#29
g DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,997	I didnt like ace in the hole either. And Wilder is one of my all time favorite directors. I loved 39 steps though.

12-06-07, 07:41 PM	#30
dom56 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,859	I didn't like The Royal Tenebaums.

12-06-07, 08:00 PM	#32
droidguy1119 DVD Talk Reviewer Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,870	I agree that I am always disappointed when a Criterion disc contains only the theatrical trailer -- not that it's any different from a normal DVD containing only the trailer, but normal DVDs are only ten bucks. Add me to the club who didn't like Withnail & I. I found How to Get Ahead in Advertising in a pawn shop for $3, bought it and thought it was hilarious and awesome, and eagerly bought Withnail & I, expecting more awesomeness but just found it pretentious and unfunny.

12-06-07, 08:52 PM	#35
tonyjg Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sydney / Australia !!! Posts: 399	Armageddon What a waste of opportunity not to have released this original anamorphically. I want the 'internal release notes' on this DVD - stating whom at Criterion thought that they should not release this in the 16x9 format. I wonder if that person still works there ???

12-06-07, 10:40 PM	#39
Mr Pixies Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 109	Armageddon came out before they released anamorphic titles though, right? I can see it and the Rock being re-released..... Jubilee is cool, but it's like Border Radio, the synopsis Criterion provides hint at them being movies most won't appreciate and try to provide historical context for their importance...I like both, but I think their marketing is a little misleading.

12-06-07, 10:44 PM	#40
DeltaSigChi4 Suspended Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,077	Anything by Michael Bay. E

12-06-07, 11:32 PM	#42
CloudVader Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 379	Hopscotch. It certainly wasn't a terrible movie, but I have a hard time seeing why Criterion would justify this as an "important" or "influential" film. It's certainly watchable, but I found it underwhelming considering it had such a great cast involved. The Bay movies at least were released so Criterion could get at some other choice titles, but what was the excuse for this one, other than the fact that the OOP VHS tape used to cost a small fortune?

12-07-07, 02:49 AM	#48
PopcornTreeCt DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 15,207	I can't say I've ever been disappointed. Days of Heaven didn't quite live up to the monumental expectations I had but the Criterion is a magnificent set. __________________

12-07-07, 09:54 AM	#50
AGameWithStones Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 147	The only real dissapointments for me were both Jane Campion films. They did absolutely nothing for me. The rest of the Criterion purchases I've made were quite satisfying; though I was underwhelmed by the presentation of The Pornographers (fine film, throwaway barebones DVD).