Comments on: Criterion’s Bottle Rocket: The Best and Worst Version Ever http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/ Daily coverage of what is truly interesting in the film world Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:44:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Ryan M. http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119648 Ryan M. Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:41:13 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119648 The important thing about having a really good commentary track is being honest and candid which something Wilson & Anderson delivered. I didn't think the few pauses in the commentary were too frequent or insufferable. Owen Wilson was obviously not full of energy (and possibly stoned) but I still enjoyed his presence. I'd suggest this entire package to all the videophiles out there. The Criterion treatment on a Blu-ray turned a film I wouldn't have bought for $5 into something I slammed $30 on while browsing. The transfer, menus, special features & booklet all came together with a rewatchable film (as opposed to a boring foreign "classic"). This is easily one of the best BD experiences I've had! The important thing about having a really good commentary track is being honest and candid which something Wilson & Anderson delivered. I didn’t think the few pauses in the commentary were too frequent or insufferable. Owen Wilson was obviously not full of energy (and possibly stoned) but I still enjoyed his presence.

I’d suggest this entire package to all the videophiles out there. The Criterion treatment on a Blu-ray turned a film I wouldn’t have bought for $5 into something I slammed $30 on while browsing. The transfer, menus, special features & booklet all came together with a rewatchable film (as opposed to a boring foreign “classic”). This is easily one of the best BD experiences I’ve had!

]]> By: James McNally http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119414 James McNally Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:48:39 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119414 I was just happy to get a better-looking version of the film. Weirdly enough, after watching the making-of, it was Luke Wilson who I was worried about. He doesn't look too well in this. Puffy and a bit disoriented at times. Odd. I was just happy to get a better-looking version of the film. Weirdly enough, after watching the making-of, it was Luke Wilson who I was worried about. He doesn’t look too well in this. Puffy and a bit disoriented at times. Odd.

]]> By: Glenn Kenny http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119244 Glenn Kenny Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:49:22 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119244 @William Goss: Ooops. @William Goss: Ooops.

]]> By: Allison http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119238 Allison Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:54:14 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119238 Thank you, Kevin! As a huge Anderson fan, I also was quite disappointed in the commentary - particularly when compared to the one on "Rushmore", which was witty, engaging and bright. I think what might have happened is that this edition was in the works for a while but maybe it wasn't quite ready. Then it was officially announced in September 2007 - about a month after Wilson's suicide attempt. (Maybe the announcement was pushed up as positive press for Owen?) Anyway, they must have realized they needed a commentary. They probably didn't want to push Wilson on it (considering his state of mind at the time), so they let him relax and waited until he was on-set again. (Wilson's end of the commentary was recorded in Miami while he was filming "Marley and Me" in March - April 2008). I thought right away that Owen Wilson didn't sound like himself, that he might be still fighting his depression. He sounded sleepy, like you said and somewhat disinterested in some parts and wistful and downright defeated in others. It made me sad to hear him like that but I suppose Wilson needed to be included or people would wonder why he hadn't been. The "making-of" documentary WAS way too short and seemed hastily put together as well. Laura Wilson's photographs were the best part of the edition. I'm very sympathetic to Wilson's ongoing condition but this was the worst Criterion edition of an Anderson movie so far, IMO. The movie deserved better treatment than this - as did all the people involved with the creation of the film and all the loyal Anderson fans as well. Thank you, Kevin!

As a huge Anderson fan, I also was quite disappointed in the commentary - particularly when compared to the one on “Rushmore”, which was witty, engaging and bright.

I think what might have happened is that this edition was in the works for a while but maybe it wasn’t quite ready. Then it was officially announced in September 2007 - about a month after Wilson’s suicide attempt. (Maybe the announcement was pushed up as positive press for Owen?) Anyway, they must have realized they needed a commentary. They probably didn’t want to push Wilson on it (considering his state of mind at the time), so they let him relax and waited until he was on-set again. (Wilson’s end of the commentary was recorded in Miami while he was filming “Marley and Me” in March - April 2008).

I thought right away that Owen Wilson didn’t sound like himself, that he might be still fighting his depression. He sounded sleepy, like you said and somewhat disinterested in some parts and wistful and downright defeated in others. It made me sad to hear him like that but I suppose Wilson needed to be included or people would wonder why he hadn’t been.

The “making-of” documentary WAS way too short and seemed hastily put together as well. Laura Wilson’s photographs were the best part of the edition.

I’m very sympathetic to Wilson’s ongoing condition but this was the worst Criterion edition of an Anderson movie so far, IMO. The movie deserved better treatment than this - as did all the people involved with the creation of the film and all the loyal Anderson fans as well.

]]> By: Xu http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119229 Xu Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:18:44 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119229 Totally disagree, I thought the commentary is very down to earth, and the un-preparing randomness just added on the intimacy atmosphere, I enjoyed a lot Totally disagree, I thought the commentary is very down to earth, and the un-preparing randomness just added on the intimacy atmosphere, I enjoyed a lot

]]> By: Jenna http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119223 Jenna Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:46:09 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119223 Not to sound like a troll, Glenn? Don't worry. You just sound like a vindictive asshole. Not to sound like a troll, Glenn? Don’t worry. You just sound like a vindictive asshole.

]]> By: Jen http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119222 Jen Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:15:41 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119222 Glenn, I'm afraid to say that does sound a bit trollish, though I see from your own site that you named Criterion's Bottle Rocket among the year's best Blu-ray releases - so it would appear that you and Kevin are, in the least, in disagreement over this particular title. Perhaps you could go into detail and address the issues that Kevin had with the release and its features, and explain the reasons why you liked it? I thought his reasons for liking and disliking various aspects of the title were clear and specific, and I'd like to hear yours. I know you're capable of rising above what might otherwise be seen as antagonistic posting. Glenn, I’m afraid to say that does sound a bit trollish, though I see from your own site that you named Criterion’s Bottle Rocket among the year’s best Blu-ray releases - so it would appear that you and Kevin are, in the least, in disagreement over this particular title. Perhaps you could go into detail and address the issues that Kevin had with the release and its features, and explain the reasons why you liked it? I thought his reasons for liking and disliking various aspects of the title were clear and specific, and I’d like to hear yours. I know you’re capable of rising above what might otherwise be seen as antagonistic posting.

]]> By: William Goss http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119221 William Goss Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:12:59 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119221 "And I’ve got a New Year’s Resolution too—I’m never gonna hassle the happy idiot Mr. Kelly on this site, or elsewhere in cyberspace, ever again." -Glenn Kenny, 12-22-08 “And I’ve got a New Year’s Resolution too—I’m never gonna hassle the happy idiot Mr. Kelly on this site, or elsewhere in cyberspace, ever again.”

-Glenn Kenny, 12-22-08

]]> By: Glenn Kenny http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119217 Glenn Kenny Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:19:49 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119217 "I don’t know much about the history of DVD authoring..." No, you don't. My question—not to sound like a troll or anything—is, "Is there anything you DO know a lot about?" So the "Bottle Rocket" DVD has a commentary you're not crazy about. And you think that invalidates the entire enterprise, which among other things contains the finest transfer of the movie that one is likely to get on home video. And for this you expect to be taken seriously. You are a very funny man, Mr. Kelly. “I don’t know much about the history of DVD authoring…”

No, you don’t. My question—not to sound like a troll or anything—is, “Is there anything you DO know a lot about?”

So the “Bottle Rocket” DVD has a commentary you’re not crazy about. And you think that invalidates the entire enterprise, which among other things contains the finest transfer of the movie that one is likely to get on home video. And for this you expect to be taken seriously.

You are a very funny man, Mr. Kelly.

]]> By: Mike http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/06/criterions-bottle-rocket-the-best-and-worst-version-ever/#comment-119216 Mike Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:37:12 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=8799#comment-119216 Yeah, I hate commentaries that mainly include the filmmakers watching the movie/show and having absolutely nothing to add beyond stating what is happening on screen: "I'm standing in the doorway." "You're still in the doorway." Sorry, I was listening to one of the commentaries on Sports Night last night, and it was driving me crazy. Yeah, I hate commentaries that mainly include the filmmakers watching the movie/show and having absolutely nothing to add beyond stating what is happening on screen: “I’m standing in the doorway.” “You’re still in the doorway.” Sorry, I was listening to one of the commentaries on Sports Night last night, and it was driving me crazy.

]]>