I think the double dip will not be a Criterion edition if there is a double dip.

Maybe Criterion took out about 30 mins of this very long film....we can hope

GreyFox787 wrote: Very excited about this release.
agreed. excellent to see Criterion releasing this. Can`t wait for it to hit the shelves

a masterpiece no doubt, dunno why people especially the academy favoured Slamdog against this film, that was a bit harsh, still in my calculation the best movie of 2008 and maybe 09
 

So will there be 2 versions on blu? A Paramount and a Criterion?

Am I the only one that believes there will be a double dip?

Odd that they mention the 3 Academy Awards on the cover considering they were in such minor categories as Art Direction, Makeup and Visual Effects. So glad this didn't beat Slumdog Millionaire, I love Fincher as much as anyone but this was Forrest Gump 2, hard to believe it's a Criterion title.

Normally this is the kind of movie that I would just buy the 1-disc for when the price goes down, but I want the criterion.

I thought The Wrestler was better, and IMO was also more deserving of a Criterion release.



And I also didnt like that BB won over Hellboy 2 for best make up.

I just want to say I didn't hate the movie, I actually really liked it. But Criterion worthy? No.

I enjoyed the movie. It does rate low in Fincher's filmography, but I will still pick up the Criterion release sometime.

While quite a few people say that Fincher's best is Zodiac or Seven, I still feel that Fight Club is the most enjoyable of his movies. I watched Fight Club more number of times than I watched Zodiac and Seven put together... in fact, more than all his other movies put together!

mc_serenity wrote: But Michael Bay, a visionary director? Excuse while I clean up water from my computer monitor from laughing so hard.Not what I said. I said he was a singular cinematic vision. Like him or hate him, I know when I'm watching a Michael Bay film. Who he is defines the films he makes, and his bombastic, hyperactive, gloss-dripping-off-the-screen style is unique to his own indulgent brand of moviemaking. You may think it's c**p, but it's c**p with his fingerprints on every blown-out, oversaturated frame.

You people are ridiculous, this film barely got the praise it deserved, if anything it's underrated.  It had a few flaws but so did Slumdog & now that was overrated.

Oh and I wish they used the coverart with Ben's mom holding him as a baby instead.  And no director's cut or deleted scenes?  I'm disappointed.

This is a great film. Fincher's best, no. But good enough for me to enjoy. So the 2-Disc BD will be done by Criterion then?

Jesus christ there's a lot of b***hing going around here. The movie was far from perfect, but it was damn entertaining to see Button's progression through life.

And as for the Criterion issue everyone seems to have, are you kidding me? "Why is this movie getting the Criterion treatment? THIS movie should get it!" How about we all just agree Criterion does an awesome job all the time, and every move should be done my them? I mean s**t, I'm sure there are people that hate some of the flicks they've put out besides this, the Wes Andersons and Bays. So why all the hostility? Grow up.

Criterion doing the two disc?!   wow.

Sometimes Criterion's gotta pay the bills, and owning a stake in a 2-disc DVD that will sell like Benjamin Button is what you gotta do. I dunno what kind of defense could be made for the so-so film, other than the groundbreaking effects, but there's no arguing that Michael Bay and David Fincher are singular cinematic voices, and that Armageddon is a pop-cultural landmark. These are probably the reasons why Criterion is doing the release.

GRJR721 wrote: The lesson here is never to aim to make a great movie before locking in the framework for a good one. To aim for greatness otherwise invites all kinds of risks - the possibility of reaching high and crashing, of mistaking the somber for the serious, of creating the form of greatness without the content. In short, there's the danger of making something as pretty and vacant as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Visually, the film, from director David Fincher, is flawless. The story begins in 1918 and extends into present day, and, at every point, the art direction and clothing meticulously re-create the respective eras. The digital cinematography subtly evokes earlier photography. The stars are major and Oscar ready. In every way, the movie looks like somebody's idea of a great movie, just as its length - 167 minutes - proclaims its importance. But the proclamation is untrue, and all the trappings are in the service of a story that's emotionally false and fundamentally unimportant.


I mostly agree. This is a fantastic techinical achievenment, and there are moments of magic, but overall, it left me a bit cold.

I actually like the 2-disc art better; well, at least the picture. I don't like that the 2-disc has more "Criterion Collection" stamped on it than it does the film's title. Especially on the front, that's just odd, and looks like it ought to be a sticker that you peel off.

2-Disc cover art is miles better than the s**ttacular one-disc.

Cate Blanchett = living goddess!

This movie was very overrated. It was an enjoyable experience, but if you already see it once, it's not as enticing and it just becomes boring because you already know everything about Button's life story. I'm not saying the film is terrible, it's just overrated. The 1-disc artwork is okay but if they stuck with just the two floating heads and the title.

Vipper wrote: Aside from perhaps Michael Bay, I'm not sure many people felt Armageddon or The Rock were classic/important.

Simple. They are examples of big-budget, popcorn-munching, Hollywood blockbuster entertainment. This has been mentioned before. Also, to a lesser extent, I guess because Michael Bay films have a certain look.

1-disc artwork added

YES. Great cover art. Definitely definitely buying the criterion.

I can't help but think of the Assasination of Jesse James cover when I see this one, minus some facial hair of course.

I really enjoyed Benjamin Button. I agree with mc_serenity feeling a sense of magic watching it, reminiscent of a film Spielberg might make. I'm not ashamed to admit I welled up on occasion during it. I will definitely get this at some point.

Does anyone expect a Zodiac like double dip with this? From the looks of the features I don't think so myself.

slapshot63 wrote: I must be one of the few people who absolutely loved this movie. Huh.

You're not the only one. It does require time and patience to sit through, but I thought Fincher really imbued this movie with a sense of magic. His previous works were good (I think "Fight Club" is a tremendously overrated piece of s**t though), but I really enjoyed this one.

I was absolutely floored that Criterion is releasing a 2-disc edition -- I was initially considering buying the single-disc edition if it was a regular Paramount/Warners/Fox "more money" tactic. The 2-disc edition is so mine come May 5th.

I must be one of the few people who absolutely loved this movie. Huh.

I didnt catch this in theaters and think it sounds very interesting. 2-Disc blind buy for me

Awesome that this flick is getting a Criterion release, but they need to step it up on that box art.  If that is released like that, then it'll be the worst Criterion cover art.

GRJR721 wrote: The lesson here is never to aim to make a great movie before locking in the framework for a good one. To aim for greatness otherwise invites all kinds of risks - the possibility of reaching high and crashing, of mistaking the somber for the serious, of creating the form of greatness without the content. In short, there's the danger of making something as pretty and vacant as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Visually, the film, from director David Fincher, is flawless. The story begins in 1918 and extends into present day, and, at every point, the art direction and clothing meticulously re-create the respective eras. The digital cinematography subtly evokes earlier photography. The stars are major and Oscar ready. In every way, the movie looks like somebody's idea of a great movie, just as its length - 167 minutes - proclaims its importance. But the proclamation is untrue, and all the trappings are in the service of a story that's emotionally false and fundamentally unimportant.


GRJR721, my sentiments exactly.

I love that artwork. Great film, count me in for the 2-disc Criterion DVD.

The lesson here is never to aim to make a great movie before locking in the framework for a good one. To aim for greatness otherwise invites all kinds of risks - the possibility of reaching high and crashing, of mistaking the somber for the serious, of creating the form of greatness without the content. In short, there's the danger of making something as pretty and vacant as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Visually, the film, from director David Fincher, is flawless. The story begins in 1918 and extends into present day, and, at every point, the art direction and clothing meticulously re-create the respective eras. The digital cinematography subtly evokes earlier photography. The stars are major and Oscar ready. In every way, the movie looks like somebody's idea of a great movie, just as its length - 167 minutes - proclaims its importance. But the proclamation is untrue, and all the trappings are in the service of a story that's emotionally false and fundamentally unimportant.

Very excited about this release. Fincher has gone two years in a row getting shafted (with Zodiac receiving ZERO Oscar nominations, and Benjamin Button not receiving the wins it deserved). Glad to see Criterion has some sense.

Cannot believe this will be a Criterion release.  It was WAY overrated.  

The Criterion Collections is really releasing this? I thought they only bought the rights to classic and important films? While this movie was good, it was neither classic nor important.