Criterion Collection: Spartacus or The Rock?
01-29-04 | 07:51 PM
#30
I have over 150 Criterions. Some are real stinkers. The only one I regret buying is The Rock. (I still shudder when I think of it.)
There is no comparison between those two. I highly recommend Spartacus.
There is no comparison between those two. I highly recommend Spartacus.
01-30-04 | 03:27 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: San Jose, California
Speaking of disapointing Criterions.... The Seven Samurai was on my must get list for the longest time. I finnaly got it and what gives no extras.
Don't get me wrong, there's a great transfer-- this black and white looks better than some color discs-- and a great commentary track but nothing else. Not even an essay booklet! This is considered a milestone in the history of film and not one retrospective or documentary or anything to help put it's significance in perspective.
A bitter disapointment.
Later
Don't get me wrong, there's a great transfer-- this black and white looks better than some color discs-- and a great commentary track but nothing else. Not even an essay booklet! This is considered a milestone in the history of film and not one retrospective or documentary or anything to help put it's significance in perspective.
A bitter disapointment.
Later
01-30-04 | 03:15 PM
#32
DVD Talk Legend
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: |-|@><0r L@n|)
The Seven Samurai was the second disc that Criterion made, so I think they were still pouring all of their resources into a fantastic transfer. They achieved that with unbelievable skill: the film looks cleaner than some films from 2003.
It's also one of the best movies of all time.
- David Stein
It's also one of the best movies of all time.
- David Stein
02-03-04 | 10:01 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Cape Cod Mass.
Went and grabbed Seven Samurai and the rock at the local store, but my rock was defective (freeze problem at chapter 18) so hoping to get the other copy they had there.
02-04-04 | 08:48 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Lawrenceville, GA
Gotta go with Spartacus, for its grand spectacle, and the highly insightful commentary by Kirk Douglas and the other talents involved. The best info comes from Howard Fast, who tells of writing the novel while in prison, and hating the movie for the big-budget affair it became - the first time I've heard someone on a commentary track say they hated the movie they're discussing, and yet Criterion had the stones to not edit it out.
It's got some slow spots, but the performances are brilliant, and you don't get the typical happy Hollywood ending, which makes it a notch above in my book.
It's got some slow spots, but the performances are brilliant, and you don't get the typical happy Hollywood ending, which makes it a notch above in my book.
