The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
#26
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
the special features on the laserdisc suck, with the only noteworthy feature being the commentary.
I've watched my DVD maybe 2 times in the last 13 years. Waited too long. Pass. Will pick up if I find it sub 10-12 bucks.
My grandmother rented this while I was at the beach with her. She creams for MD. I was eleven, and I loved the movie, introduced me to Fincher. My grandmother's affections for Mr. Douglas were never the same. This and Casino are the only movies she says she thinks are "disgusting" films. What a prude.
I've watched my DVD maybe 2 times in the last 13 years. Waited too long. Pass. Will pick up if I find it sub 10-12 bucks.
My grandmother rented this while I was at the beach with her. She creams for MD. I was eleven, and I loved the movie, introduced me to Fincher. My grandmother's affections for Mr. Douglas were never the same. This and Casino are the only movies she says she thinks are "disgusting" films. What a prude.
#27
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
note: my grandmother is a prude, and there's not a nicer way to put it. She has good taste, but she enjoyed The Talented Mr. Ripley immensly although completely oblivious to the sub plot involving homosexuality. I hope she doesn't rig up her mid-90s Macintosh to browse DVDtalk. Would that even be possible?
#28
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
Man, it feels like we've been waiting for this one for years right?
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#31
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
Sweet! Going to upgrade from my HD-DVD copy.
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
This ranks towards the bottom of Fincher's filmography but I'll take Fincher's B-list over the A-list of most other directors.
I can't help but feel that there will be a lot of people hyping this up and then being somewhat disappointed since this edition has been rumored for years.
On the other hand, it's relative obscurity compared to his other films plus the big C on the cover will probably cement it's status as "Fincher's lost masterpiece" no matter how undeserving the film itself is.
Now bring on "Panic Room" (which I'd say is arguably a more-effective thriller than "The Game") so his filmography will be complete on Blu.
I can't help but feel that there will be a lot of people hyping this up and then being somewhat disappointed since this edition has been rumored for years.
On the other hand, it's relative obscurity compared to his other films plus the big C on the cover will probably cement it's status as "Fincher's lost masterpiece" no matter how undeserving the film itself is.
Now bring on "Panic Room" (which I'd say is arguably a more-effective thriller than "The Game") so his filmography will be complete on Blu.
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
This film was my first foray into "mindfuck thrillers" as a kid, and I remember loving every second of it. I don't think I have rewatched it since, but I am looking forward to revisiting it in what will undoubtedly be its 'definitive' edition.
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
This ranks towards the bottom of Fincher's filmography but I'll take Fincher's B-list over the A-list of most other directors.
I can't help but feel that there will be a lot of people hyping this up and then being somewhat disappointed since this edition has been rumored for years.
On the other hand, it's relative obscurity compared to his other films plus the big C on the cover will probably cement it's status as "Fincher's lost masterpiece" no matter how undeserving the film itself is.
Now bring on "Panic Room" (which I'd say is arguably a more-effective thriller than "The Game") so his filmography will be complete on Blu.
I can't help but feel that there will be a lot of people hyping this up and then being somewhat disappointed since this edition has been rumored for years.
On the other hand, it's relative obscurity compared to his other films plus the big C on the cover will probably cement it's status as "Fincher's lost masterpiece" no matter how undeserving the film itself is.
Now bring on "Panic Room" (which I'd say is arguably a more-effective thriller than "The Game") so his filmography will be complete on Blu.
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
I mean, I've wanted this for years too but if there's a movie in his filmography that is just kinda unremarkable and deserves to get lost in the shuffle it's this one. It's not like I'm some Panic Room-loving The Game hater. I've read every Criterion announcement for months upon months waiting for this and now I'm like "how excited can I get about The Game?" I can actually kinda understand why approving the transfer was low on Fincher's priority list.
Between Se7en, The Game and Fight Club Fincher was walking dangerously-close to Shyamalon levels of using mindfuckery as a crutch and Panic Room luckily broke that cycle and I feel he's a better filmmaker because of it, and I don't think you can look at The Game and see it as a huge misstep but all these years later it doesn't hold up to the previous and subsequent films in his filmography.
But yeah I'm glad the people at Criterion made this happen and now it's just a matter of time before the computer program at Sony that decides what Blu-rays to release gets a Google alert about a new Kristen Stewart movie and slaps the HD Panic Room transfer the undoubtedly have onto a Blu-ray disc with all the extras from the 3-disc DVD.
#37
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#38
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
Skipping past the arguments of the films merits to say, Ohmygodyes! This was my very first Fincher movie. Way back when it came out I had started my first job at a movie theater. I knew nothing about the film, but it was playing at another theater in town where I was able to see movies free. I don't remember if I had even seen a trailer, so I went in knowing nothing- and boy was it a fun ride. I've had this on DVD for years, and have heard about the Criterion edition for nearly as long. I'm so happy! I'd even welcome the Panic Room on Criterion- which I actually like a lot too. But won't hold my breath.
#39
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
I probably need to give The Game another chance. I saw it about 12 years ago and my vague recollection is that I mostly liked it up until the ending, which I thought was incredibly annoying and ruined the movie for me. Since then I've always wondered why people seem to think it's great. Maybe I'd have a different reaction now.
#40
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
I own the original DVD but I won't buy the Criterion.
Once you know the ending it loses some of its appeal.
Once you know the ending it loses some of its appeal.
#41
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
The ending MADE the movie for me....it's a redemptive story. Depressing films are good for a one-time viewing, but I prefer to re-visit the more positive, encouraging ones.
#42
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
I've actually never seen this movie. I saw parts of it on TV but never all the way through. I'll check it out when it goes on sale.
#43
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
Panic Room is better than The Game. Though certainly not Fincher's best work, Panic Room at least has an ending that makes coherent sense and doesn't rely on an absurdly convoluted string of coincidences and improbabilities.
#45
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
While I know this is a joke, it got me thinking. I got double DVD sets of Spike Jonez and Mark Romanek music video compilations and I really enjoyed them both. Too bad they didn't make one for Fincher (I have to assume they tried and were turned down). It would have been an interesting look at the formative years of a soon-to-be visionary director. I was aware of his brilliant Madonna videos, but until I checked his Wiki page, I had no idea he directed "Freedom '90", which is my favorite video of all time.
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
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Re: The Game: Criterion Collection -- September 25th, 2012
Regardless of whether you rank The Game above or below Panic Room the fact that they tend to fall pretty close to one another in most rankings of Fincher films is pretty telling. You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who would put it towards the top of his filmography among his best films.