Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > DVD Discussions > DVD Reviews and Recommendations
Reload this Page >

How's "Carnival of Souls: Criterion"?

Community
Search
DVD Reviews and Recommendations Read, Post and Request DVD Reviews.

How's "Carnival of Souls: Criterion"?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-01-04 | 05:29 PM
  #1  
OldBoy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TOTY Winner 2018 and Inane Thread Master
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 54,191
Received 1,735 Likes on 1,422 Posts
From: "Are any of us really anywhere?"
How's "Carnival of Souls: Criterion"?

How's the movie itself? Can it be compared to any more recent movies?
I know it is atmospheric, rather than horror/gore, but what exactly does that mean and is it at all slow or dragging?
How is the rest of the DVD with transfer and extras and all?
Thanks for all the help.
Old 03-01-04 | 05:30 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 0
Received 51 Likes on 40 Posts
From: Hail to the Redskins!
You should try the DVD Talk Reviews search engine.
Old 03-01-04 | 05:32 PM
  #3  
OldBoy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TOTY Winner 2018 and Inane Thread Master
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 54,191
Received 1,735 Likes on 1,422 Posts
From: "Are any of us really anywhere?"
i did, thanks..i was looking for other/many viewers opinions...
Old 03-01-04 | 05:54 PM
  #4  
sracer's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 15,380
Received 60 Likes on 38 Posts
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
"Carnival of Souls" is creepy and atmospheric. There is virtually no "action" in the MTV-sense. It just builds up to the climax.... a predictable one by today's jaded standards.

It's a great film, but not for everyone.
Old 03-01-04 | 06:24 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: chicago
for most people i would recommend avoiding this movie.
its very slow- has no real "shocks" or jump scares ( and the big one there is you can see coming a mile off).
the long takes, the milieu, the beautiful B&W cimematography, the organ score, and the characters dilemna all have a dream-like quality.
i love the film myself, and the Criterion disc is one of the prides of my collection, but i suspect most people weaned on 80s , 90's, and '00 cinema are going to find it dull as dishwater
Old 03-01-04 | 06:26 PM
  #6  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Salt Lake City, Utah - USA
...what ckolchak said...!...

. . . . . .
Old 03-01-04 | 06:39 PM
  #7  
TomOpus's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 41,618
Received 1,813 Likes on 1,299 Posts
From: Kansas City, MO
Re: How's "Carnival of Souls: Criterion"?

Originally posted by scott1598
How is the rest of the DVD with transfer and extras and all?
Thanks for all the help.
This set is a great example of how Criterion can take a cult movie and dig up some great extras.

There are 2 cuts of the movie. The original Theatrical Cut has been digitally transfered and looks great good considering the age and the budget of the film. The Director's Cut is 5 mins longer and looks pretty good itself.

For a cult movie, there's a ton of extras. One that I found interesting is where they went back to the various locations to see how they look nowadays.

There's 45 mins of rare outtakes.

This movie was made by a company that produced industrial movies, so there's an hour of excerpts from these. They're fun to watch.

There's a documentary that was made for the 1989 reunion.

Plus there are the usual trailer, essays and interviews.
Old 03-01-04 | 07:50 PM
  #8  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 11,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Texas! Damn right.
Fine movie, great dvd.

I love the movie, but as said, it won't be up to everyone's standard. It has atmosphere to spare, and to me, it feels like a well done Twilight Zone feature film.
Old 03-01-04 | 08:12 PM
  #9  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: on a river in a kayak..where else?
Old 03-01-04 | 08:28 PM
  #10  
inri222's Avatar
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 50,673
Received 186 Likes on 122 Posts
Originally posted by gutwrencher
I Agree
Old 03-01-04 | 08:41 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Mouthweathercity, IL.
I liked it... very creppy...
Old 03-01-04 | 08:56 PM
  #12  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
It's ok, I suppose. Some strange imagery. Some of it made me laugh...
Old 03-01-04 | 11:18 PM
  #13  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fantastic movie. Great atmosphere.
Old 03-02-04 | 11:36 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's one of the few true horror movies made in the US.

Absolutely wonderful.

If you enjoy watching MTV and you think Matrix is the greatest movie ever, your milage may vary.

My son walked out on it about 3 minutes in saying "BOOOOOOORRRRRRRRIIIINNNGGGG." He's pressuring me to let him watch EXORCIST now.....
Old 03-02-04 | 11:04 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Right behind you.
It's good, but you really need to be in the mood for it. It is kinda slow and atmospheric, and --while it makes the very most out of low production values and borderline amateur actors -- at times the brushstrokes show a bit too much and pull you out of the story.

The DVD, on the otherhand, is absolutely fantastic. TomOpus points out its strengths, and I agree: a great set for Criterion.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.