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I didn't talk him up much in the original review, but I think James Stewart is a national treasure. He can do no wrong in my eyes.
Some Like It Hot is on 4K... pretty sure at leastNope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
Yeah and perhaps that is why Lubitsch cast her? He wanted a tough woman for the role to really sell the idea that her and Steward didn't care for each other.That's interesting about Sullavan. You are saying maybe it was a bit of her natural personality bubbling up, maybe making the meanness of the interactions stick out even more? I struggled with her character after the pivotal diner scene. Like I was mentally telling Jimmy to stay away. I was thinking about what I remember of Meg Ryan's role in the remake and was imagining her instead and how that would work with Jimmy in this movie.Agreed, Margaret Sullavan rubs me the wrong way for some reason. Not just in this movie but in general. She was reportedly very mean in real life. A bully who frightened a lot of people in Hollywood. She's fine in the movie and many people love her performance here but it's the weak spot for me. What I do love is the cast of supporting characters. That's something I think Wilder really took from Lubistch. No wasted parts, no wasted roles. No matter how small.The Shop Around the Corner
This was the movie hinted at that covered all the categories for "influences". I just loved this movie. Yeah, I've seen the Hanks/Ryan remake before knowing about this movie which is a reason I was dragging my feet a little watching this. My enjoyment of the movie had a lot to do with it's ability to still surprise me with the plot and humor. One thing that strikes me is how dark many of the classics I see get (Mr. Matuschek's subplot). It makes perfect sense, considering what the world was going through in 1940. As far as the funny, what really got me was the running gags - Pirovtch ducking out and the cigarette box. On top of that were the barbs back and forth and the looks from Jimmy. I'm trying to be vague so not to spoil it for anybody else who might to a first time watch.
The slight negatives were that I didn't fully love the female lead. Not sure who would have been better at that time, and I am sure some of it is my love of Jimmy Stewart and part was how she was written. I thought she was just a little too mean. I think that eroded a little at my desire for them to get together at the end. I thought the ending felt slightly abrupt and ended on a weird call back. Again, nitpicks - I really loved this movie. At least an 8.5/10 rating.
I see why it's on Wilder's list of all-timers and it was a slam dunk case for how he is connected to Lubitsch. All the things that come to mind when I think of most of the Wilder movies I've seen so far were front and center here: great laughs, great side characters, an undercurrent of darkness, and heart. I'm so glad I decided to squeeze this one in last night as I wait for tonight's movie to get shipped.
Nope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
Ah, I see it farther down the list here. Looks like it is, but it's not the Criterion. Then I also see 4k of The Apartment and Stalag 17.Some Like It Hot is on 4K... pretty sure at leastNope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
Nope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
I guess that's the tough balance to strike - that they don't like each other, but needing a spark there for the audience to want them together at the end.Yeah and perhaps that is why Lubitsch cast her? He wanted a tough woman for the role to really sell the idea that her and Steward didn't care for each other.That's interesting about Sullavan. You are saying maybe it was a bit of her natural personality bubbling up, maybe making the meanness of the interactions stick out even more? I struggled with her character after the pivotal diner scene. Like I was mentally telling Jimmy to stay away. I was thinking about what I remember of Meg Ryan's role in the remake and was imagining her instead and how that would work with Jimmy in this movie.Agreed, Margaret Sullavan rubs me the wrong way for some reason. Not just in this movie but in general. She was reportedly very mean in real life. A bully who frightened a lot of people in Hollywood. She's fine in the movie and many people love her performance here but it's the weak spot for me. What I do love is the cast of supporting characters. That's something I think Wilder really took from Lubistch. No wasted parts, no wasted roles. No matter how small.The Shop Around the Corner
This was the movie hinted at that covered all the categories for "influences". I just loved this movie. Yeah, I've seen the Hanks/Ryan remake before knowing about this movie which is a reason I was dragging my feet a little watching this. My enjoyment of the movie had a lot to do with it's ability to still surprise me with the plot and humor. One thing that strikes me is how dark many of the classics I see get (Mr. Matuschek's subplot). It makes perfect sense, considering what the world was going through in 1940. As far as the funny, what really got me was the running gags - Pirovtch ducking out and the cigarette box. On top of that were the barbs back and forth and the looks from Jimmy. I'm trying to be vague so not to spoil it for anybody else who might to a first time watch.
The slight negatives were that I didn't fully love the female lead. Not sure who would have been better at that time, and I am sure some of it is my love of Jimmy Stewart and part was how she was written. I thought she was just a little too mean. I think that eroded a little at my desire for them to get together at the end. I thought the ending felt slightly abrupt and ended on a weird call back. Again, nitpicks - I really loved this movie. At least an 8.5/10 rating.
I see why it's on Wilder's list of all-timers and it was a slam dunk case for how he is connected to Lubitsch. All the things that come to mind when I think of most of the Wilder movies I've seen so far were front and center here: great laughs, great side characters, an undercurrent of darkness, and heart. I'm so glad I decided to squeeze this one in last night as I wait for tonight's movie to get shipped.
Kino Lorber does a great job with their releases...oh and I am dumb ofcourse Stalag 17 is on 4K. I literally just watched it.Ah, I see it farther down the list here. Looks like it is, but it's not the Criterion. Then I also see 4k of The Apartment and Stalag 17.Some Like It Hot is on 4K... pretty sure at leastNope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
Ah, that's what it's like to read one of my posts.Kino Lorber does a great job with their releases...oh and I am dumb ofcourse Stalag 17 is on 4K. I literally just watched it.Ah, I see it farther down the list here. Looks like it is, but it's not the Criterion. Then I also see 4k of The Apartment and Stalag 17.Some Like It Hot is on 4K... pretty sure at leastNope, I have also noticed my bluray buying gaining steam. On rewatches I will poke at some special features, so I still prefer this mode over streaming, plus I don't have to risk our dumb internet flaking out. What I had planned on starting is buying 1 movie each month from the director of the month. I counted Schindler's for my month 1 even though it was a Christmas gift. The main reason for that is I noticed I only had Double Indemnity from Wilder (the Criterion 4K) and thought I'd like to get 2-3 from him instead. Not sure what else I will get - it looks like The Apartment is the only other 4k at the moment.Ok good, now I'm not the only member of dork city lolWell, now we both own it. That's the movie that was getting shipped since I saw it was on sale for $15. I got Ninotchka from the library today as well, so the plan is to watch that first tonight and maybe do a true double feature with A Foreign Affair. If not, I will watch it on my day off tomorrow.Yeah, my blu ray collection has gotten a little crazy. I love Billy Wilder so any time I see a movie of his on sale, I buy it.
@Andy Dufresne or others - can you recommend a website that might show upcoming 4k releases? One reason I don't buy more is I get annoyed when I get something and the 4k comes out a few months later.
4K will always have better resolution and clarity but yes there are some 4K transfers that some people like less than the bluray. Often it's because they changed the color tinting or totally erased all the film grain to make it look like it was filmed digitally. A bunch of people are complaining about all the Jim Cameron 4Ks that are coming out. They are saying he's made them look too perfect and it doesn't look right. American Graffiti 4K got a similar review and it supposedly looks kind of plastic now when that was very much on film and kind of low budget.One of the many areas in movies and tech that I am behind on is what to look for with the 4Ks. What I mean is I assume there are good and bad transfers, but is that the correct assumption - are there bad 4k versions that make a bluray version still a better purchase? Or are 4Ks always going to look better than the bluray version? How do the Criterion discs factor in and how are their versions better than a standard bluray or 4k?
If you dive into the BluRay/4k message boards you'll get a taste of what the dark web must me like.4K will always have better resolution and clarity but yes there are some 4K transfers that some people like less than the bluray. Often it's because they changed the color tinting or totally erased all the film grain to make it look like it was filmed digitally. A bunch of people are complaining about all the Jim Cameron 4Ks that are coming out. They are saying he's made them look too perfect and it doesn't look right. American Graffiti 4K got a similar review and it supposedly looks kind of plastic now when that was very much on film and kind of low budget.One of the many areas in movies and tech that I am behind on is what to look for with the 4Ks. What I mean is I assume there are good and bad transfers, but is that the correct assumption - are there bad 4k versions that make a bluray version still a better purchase? Or are 4Ks always going to look better than the bluray version? How do the Criterion discs factor in and how are their versions better than a standard bluray or 4k?
I rely on reading reviews, I just search the movie and 4k review to see what a couple sites think. Also I sometimes search on Twitter if it's a newer release to see if people are talking about it. Youtube has reviews as well.
What I do love is the cast of supporting characters. That's something I think Wilder really took from Lubistch. No wasted parts, no wasted roles. No matter how small.
Stalag 17
I didn't realize this would be such a good pairing with A Foreign Affair. Now it's certainly not for the romance. I don't think Stalag 17 has a single speaking role for a woman the closest we get to romance is an obsession with Betty Grable. Where they do connect is the World War 2 element. How do we take something deathly serious and make it funny? That's the Wilder specialty. Stalag 17 is maybe 80% successful for me. It certainly establishes the stakes: life or death. Yet, it also plays like a sitcom with goofy Cary Grant impressions, a doofy German officer and a guy named Animal who feels like he felt out of Delta Tau Chi in Animal House. I don't think it all totally works. William Holden is good but not sure why he got the Oscar for Best Actor. Using director Otto Preminger as the NAZI Colonel in charge is a genies stroke though. I liked Stalag 17 a lot more the first time I saw it. I think I was really into the mystery of who the rat is and the ingenuity of the Americans to hide their plotting the first time through. On re-watches, those elements aren't as intriguing and the characters seem a little too silly in spots.
Silver Linings Playbook comes to mind.Not sure if anybody was planning on watching any newer ones, but what are some post 00s romantic comedies that people have really liked? Especially any that they think might have Wilder hallmarks.
4K will always have better resolution and clarity but yes there are some 4K transfers that some people like less than the bluray. Often it's because they changed the color tinting or totally erased all the film grain to make it look like it was filmed digitally. A bunch of people are complaining about all the Jim Cameron 4Ks that are coming out. They are saying he's made them look too perfect and it doesn't look right. American Graffiti 4K got a similar review and it supposedly looks kind of plastic now when that was very much on film and kind of low budget.
Cameron Crowe is a name I see mentioned several times when I search for directors influenced by Wilder as a starting point.
I should have been more clear- I was specifically talking rom coms there (in my head I was at least). Even there I don't see Cameron Crowe, but that could be my Jerry Maguire hatred talking.Cameron Crowe is a name I see mentioned several times when I search for directors influenced by Wilder as a starting point.
Crowe did a series of interviews with Wilder and published them as a book in 1999.
Wilder's style is subtle and doesn't lend itself to homage/parody. He's kind of a chameleon who changes his technique to suit his material. That's a throwback to when he got his start when you worked on whatever ou were assigned by the studio. With popularity he was able to get more power and control over his projects.
I enjoy Cameron Crowe's work but I couldn't see him envisioning and executing something like Sunset Boulevard.
I should have been more clear- I was specifically talking rom coms there (in my head I was at least). Even there I don't see Cameron Crowe, but that could be my Jerry Maguire hatred talking.
That also got me watching another output from Nicole Holofcener (who wrote and directed Enough Said) this morning - You Hurt My Feelings.
You can call him "Jimmy".James Stewart
Big Jimmy from what I’ve heardYou can call him "Jimmy".James Stewart
Irma La Douce
This was another I had DVRed off of TCM months ago but hadn't watched. This is a witty, unconventional romance even for today; I imagine it was pretty cutting edge in 1963. Quite clearly based on a play, which I have a slight bias against unless the transition from stage to film is seamless (the best example of this being done right I can think of is A Few Good Men). This is from the "romantic" category, which usually isn't my wheelhouse. So I did like this movie and would recommend but for my tastes, this was a step behind Wilder's other film I saw this month, Witness for the Prosecution.
Looking at the two films together, the traits I can ascribe to Wilder's films begin with quick, witty dialogue. He is able to make that a staple regardless of setting. Another thing that stood out after the fact was the economical use of set design. These do not look like expensive movies to film, but that did not affect the quality. The final commonality is having a loaded third act. I'll check out some more films of his later on and hope they all have these traits.
My wife and I are going to watch Enough Said tonight while we eat dinner and have some wine- I've never seen a Nicole Holofcener movie but I think it was mentioned upthread that she might fall into a Wilder archetype of funny sentimental romantic comedy.
Nice! I think you will enjoy this one.My wife and I are going to watch Enough Said tonight while we eat dinner and have some wine- I've never seen a Nicole Holofcener movie but I think it was mentioned upthread that she might fall into a Wilder archetype of funny sentimental romantic comedy.
Weds are Hump day rewatches, so I think I will ask the Mrs. what her favorite romantic comedy is and watch. She hates me asking that stuff usually, so I might have to figure out what my favorites are instead..