A.J. Reviews Criterion Movies

[A.J. Bauer]

a.j. my friend, do you have an ebay account? i get used criterion movies there at very good prices. if you don't have an account, i'd be happy to help you get set up! :)

I have an account. I mostly use Amazon though. Criterion Blu-rays on Amazon are basically $20 year round.

[chefzombie]

ah, that's right, i forgot that you like the blu-rays. 

[Rev. Powell]

Criterions are 50% off at Barnes and Noble in November. They have 50% off sales twice per year. That's when I usually buy mine.

[A.J. Bauer]

Criterions are 50% off at Barnes and Noble in November. They have 50% off sales twice per year. That's when I usually buy mine.

That's where I got my two most recent films.

I went to pick up a copy of Funny Games but I just saw Bowling for Columbine on a shelf and thought "Y'know, I've never seen a Moore documentary... Eh, f**k it why not?".

[chefzombie]

well shoot, i wish i'd known you wanted that a year ago, i had 4 copies in my ebay inventory that i sold off when we moved. 

[A.J. Bauer]

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

An enjoyable film, but it didn't exactly blow me away as I expected. I appreciated the creativity and found the visual effects to be very appealing for the time.
However, I found myself getting annoyed when the mystical elements were being interrupted by the side-plot with the villain.

The plot follows a Spanish girl named Pan who finds a mysterious labyrinth. Inside the labyrinth is a strange creature that claims she is a dead princess that had been reincarnated.
She must complete three tasks within three nights if she desires to return to her kingdom and become immortal.

Maybe I need to watch it more than once, but I just found myself to not be super invested in it.

7/10

[Rev. Powell]

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

An enjoyable film, but it didn't exactly blow me away as I expected. I appreciated the creativity and found the visual effects to be very appealing for the time.
However, I found myself getting annoyed when the mystical elements were being interrupted by the side-plot with the villain.

I think that the mystical elements more qualify as the "side plot." I read the plot as the girl's fairy tale fantasies are her escape from her awful reality. Fantastic movie, you should give it another go someday. Listen to del Toro's commentary, too, it's impressive.

[A.J. Bauer]

Just bought a bunch of 'em on sale.

The Piano Teacher

The Lonely Place

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Dr. Strangelove

Code Unknown

I, Daniel Blake

Seven Samurai

Watership Down

Brazil

A Portrait of a Lady on Fire