Will say, kind of weird that THIN RED LINE, a movie that virtually nobody has regularly rewatched or maybe even seen since theaters, has gotten more ink here in the last four months than anything shy of The Social Network.
I mean, it’s a great movie, just kind of surprising that nearly 12 years on, everyone here is so opinionated about it like it’s totally fresh in your minds, and that its appearance on a Criterion BluRay, when it’s been on SD for a decade, is like some kind of figurative Second Coming.
Ask me on opening day 12/98, I was preaching from the rafters how it was an all-time cinematic classic on par with Apocalypse Now and 2001 and Full Metal Jacket and Blue Velvet.
Funny thing though… I’ve seen those movies dozens, hundreds of times, but have never seen TTRL so much as a second time front to back.
I don’t doubt that it still holds up, but shy of a THEATER SCREEN, it seems like one of those movies where even the biggest TV couldn’t do it justice.
But, hey, if anyone’s adventurous about revisiting semi-forgotten prestige movies of the late 90s, check out CC’s RIDE WITH THE DEVIL BluRay or DVD. Holy shit, who remembered that THAT was some kind of Altman-esque fever dream MASTERPIECE with all kinds of brilliant sequences and a great cast of now-famous people you don’t remember being in it.
Everyone made fun of Jewel and Skeet at the time (Maguire is far worse in it than either)… But get past that and it’s a LOT better than you remember.
Might be one of Ang Lee’s two best movies (along with Brokeback.)
I don’t watch movies about Chinese restaurants, or about food in general.
I like those Criterion Blu-Ray menus… this, KONG, BLACK NARCISSIS, 400 BLOWS… all very simple and school-bookish, and the navigation is zen-like (especially with the right music playing).
Pretty funny Lex. Still, I can’t help but wonder why a guy who spends as much time as you watching movies hasn’t gotten a better setup at home. We’re not talking huge amounts of money either.
A 999$ full 1080p projector in your dark ass living room would be perfect. Throw in a $150 dollars blu-ray player and a Netflix account (which I think you already have if I remember correctly) and you’re rocking a huge, pristine image at home without spending gobs of dough.
The new Criterion Blu-ray has maybe the best soundtrack mix for a home release yet this year. It was almost like watching a completely different movie because the mix was so damn immersive.
I recieved mine yesterday from Amazon a day early and watched it last night. Great stuff.
I love the fact that when you select “movie” from the menu, before you click play, it says something to the effect of – “Terrence Mallick recommends you watch this movie loud.”
I have an HD TV, and love HD. But haven’t bought a blu-ray. I know HD Cable isn’t as good as Blu-Ray, but the thought of buying all the films I have again on Blu Ray… nah. Although, “Thin Red Line” looks like the exception.
Slightly off-topic/slightly related, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that plans may be afoot to finally release Stanley Kubrick’s Fear and Desire on DVD (and possibly even Blu-Ray):
wow
As soon as the NYFF is over I am ordering this a bunch of others.
I have seen the face of God.
JOURNEY TO THE LINE POWER.
This is the music that should play if I ever have a chance to meet Kristen Stewart.
Jesus wept that looks beautiful. I am chartreuse with envy.
Will say, kind of weird that THIN RED LINE, a movie that virtually nobody has regularly rewatched or maybe even seen since theaters, has gotten more ink here in the last four months than anything shy of The Social Network.
I mean, it’s a great movie, just kind of surprising that nearly 12 years on, everyone here is so opinionated about it like it’s totally fresh in your minds, and that its appearance on a Criterion BluRay, when it’s been on SD for a decade, is like some kind of figurative Second Coming.
Ask me on opening day 12/98, I was preaching from the rafters how it was an all-time cinematic classic on par with Apocalypse Now and 2001 and Full Metal Jacket and Blue Velvet.
Funny thing though… I’ve seen those movies dozens, hundreds of times, but have never seen TTRL so much as a second time front to back.
I don’t doubt that it still holds up, but shy of a THEATER SCREEN, it seems like one of those movies where even the biggest TV couldn’t do it justice.
But, hey, if anyone’s adventurous about revisiting semi-forgotten prestige movies of the late 90s, check out CC’s RIDE WITH THE DEVIL BluRay or DVD. Holy shit, who remembered that THAT was some kind of Altman-esque fever dream MASTERPIECE with all kinds of brilliant sequences and a great cast of now-famous people you don’t remember being in it.
Everyone made fun of Jewel and Skeet at the time (Maguire is far worse in it than either)… But get past that and it’s a LOT better than you remember.
Might be one of Ang Lee’s two best movies (along with Brokeback.)
I don’t watch movies about Chinese restaurants, or about food in general.
You lucky bastard…
Amazon just shipped my copy an hour ago… a copy that I actually paid money for.
I like those Criterion Blu-Ray menus… this, KONG, BLACK NARCISSIS, 400 BLOWS… all very simple and school-bookish, and the navigation is zen-like (especially with the right music playing).
Oh yeah and Malick says to play it loud, so if anyone in Hollywood hears a booming 5.1 system on wednesday night, it’s probably me.
Oh, yeah, Wells??? Pretty sweet HT setup and all, but let the Lexman show you the proper way to enjoy THIN RED LINE on BluRay.
State of the art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnO3-cgud0w
Pretty funny Lex. Still, I can’t help but wonder why a guy who spends as much time as you watching movies hasn’t gotten a better setup at home. We’re not talking huge amounts of money either.
For instance: http://www.projectorcentral.com/optoma_hd20_home_theater_review.htm
A 999$ full 1080p projector in your dark ass living room would be perfect. Throw in a $150 dollars blu-ray player and a Netflix account (which I think you already have if I remember correctly) and you’re rocking a huge, pristine image at home without spending gobs of dough.
The new Criterion Blu-ray has maybe the best soundtrack mix for a home release yet this year. It was almost like watching a completely different movie because the mix was so damn immersive.
I recieved mine yesterday from Amazon a day early and watched it last night. Great stuff.
I love the fact that when you select “movie” from the menu, before you click play, it says something to the effect of – “Terrence Mallick recommends you watch this movie loud.”
I have an HD TV, and love HD. But haven’t bought a blu-ray. I know HD Cable isn’t as good as Blu-Ray, but the thought of buying all the films I have again on Blu Ray… nah. Although, “Thin Red Line” looks like the exception.
Slightly off-topic/slightly related, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that plans may be afoot to finally release Stanley Kubrick’s Fear and Desire on DVD (and possibly even Blu-Ray):
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/09/20/stanley-kubricks-fear-and-desire-to-finally-be-released-on-dvd/