Films/DVD Asylum

"Days of Heaven" (new Criterion transfer just out)

76.118.60.166

rico

Here we get multi-channel 5.1 (6.1 in my case) sound and a better picture transfer, although the previous DVD was pretty good in that department. A typically well done Criterion effort, with lots of written and oral information from the film makers and from actors Gere and Shepard, the former recorded by Criterion just this year. Many point out how at odds Director Malick was (is) with many Hollywood traditions and procedures and how resistant many in the crew were to his desires and techniques. The film of course was shot in 70 mm and is arguably the most beautiful movie ever made, much of it shot during the brief "Magic Hour" time, which presented difficulties in terms of continuity. Still enjoyable if you're in a relaxed mood.

Follow Ups:

Malick is THE director in Hollywood making "art piece" films.... - TWB 18:59:20 11/02/07 (0)
unfortunately for the paying public....he works seldom....
That voice over by the girl with speech - tinear 13:10:12 11/02/07 (6)
impediment, and even more serious ugly-impediment, sank that film. The scenes at the end running along the river, also.
Richard "Brooklyn" Gere as a farmhand. Sam Shepard also is no good actor.
What next?
Sylvester Stallone as FDR?
- RE: That voice over by the girl with speech - rico 13:26:25 11/02/07 (5)
  Never let it be said that you didn't have strong opinions. We might disagree on Gere but I think it is generally agreed that Shepard is extremely talented.
  - your criticism of a child actor is that she isn't pretty enough? - dave c 12:28:15 11/03/07 (0)
    As always straight to the heart of things!
    And I think you will find, if you watch the film, that Gere was working in a foundry before moving to the country.
  - As an actor? Nah. Shephard is considered a first-rate playwright - tinear 05:45:50 11/03/07 (3)
    but nowhere near that as an actor.
    His wife, now....
    - RE: As an actor? Nah. Shephard is considered a first-rate playwright - rico 10:06:29 11/03/07 (2)
      1. For his portrayal of test pilot Chuck Yeager in the film The Right Stuff, Shepard was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1983.
      
      2. Various roles:
      
      1965 Rusakai
      1970 Brand X
      1978 Renaldo and Clara - Rodeo
      1978 Days of Heaven - The Farmer
      1980 Resurrection - Cal Carpenter
      1982 Frances - Harry York
      1983 The Right Stuff - Chuck Yeager
      1984 Paris, Texas
      1986 Crimes of the Heart - Doc Porter
      1987 Baby Boom - Dr. Jeff Cooper
      1989 Steel Magnolias - Spud Jones
      1991 The Voyager - Walter Faber
      1992 Thunderheart - Frank Coutelle
      1993 The Pelican Brief - Professor Thomas Callahan
      1999 Snow Falling on Cedars - Arthur Chambers
      1999 Purgatory - Sheriff Forrest/Wild Bill Hickock
      2000 Hamlet - The Ghost
      2001 Black Hawk Down - Maj. Gen. William F. Garrison
      2001 Kurosawa - Narrator
      2001 Shot in the Heart - Frank Gilmore
      2001 Swordfish - Senator James Reisman
      2001 The Pledge - Eric Pollack
      2004 The Notebook - Frank Calhoun
      2005 Don't Come Knocking - Howard
      2005 Bandidas
      2005 Stealth - Capt. George Cummings
      2006 Walker Payne
      2006 The Return
      2006 Charlotte's Web (Narrator)
      2007 The Accidental Husband - Wilder
      2007 Ruffian - Frank Whiteley
      2007 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
      
      3.From Wikpedia: "Sam Shepard is not only a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, bit an accomplished actor and a rock musician.
      - Thanks for the reminder. Not a particularly - tinear 06:23:29 11/04/07 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: As an actor? Nah. Shephard is considered a first-rate playwright posted by rico on November 03, 2007 at 10:06:29
        
        great resume, in my opinion.
        I saw his performance as an astronaut but, outside of his closely resembling Shephard, I didn't find it memorable.
        I do have strong opinions but that doesn't mean I don't understand they're mine and mine alone and as worthless as anyone else's...
        
        RE: Thanks for the reminder. Not a particularly - rico 06:34:57 11/05/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Thanks for the reminder. Not a particularly posted by tinear on November 04, 2007 at 06:23:29
        
        Thank you for your candor but IMHO there are some truly fine films he appeared in.
Thanks, good to know. (Is it high-def? HEY! See my new post on high-def in General.) nt - clarkjohnsen 08:46:22 11/02/07 (2)
x
- RE: Thanks, good to know. (Is it high-def? HEY! See my new post on high-def in General.) nt - rico 11:11:16 11/02/07 (1)
  I mhave a hi def display and hi def cable but no DVD-HD or Blue Ray capability yet (waiting for those jerks to win the stupid race, one of many involving lp speeds, competing color TV systems, VHS versus Beta, and the almost identical situation on standard DVDs before Microsoft stepped in). So the version I have is the standard issue.
  
  Where is your post on Hi Def? Thank uou.
  - "Where is your post on Hi Def?" Right here... - clarkjohnsen 11:21:13 11/02/07 (0)
    .
    - http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/49/499292.html (Open in New Window)

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