301 An Angel at My Table
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- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:53 pm
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301 An Angel at My Table
An Angel at My Table
With An Angel at My Table, Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jane Campion brought to the screen the harrowing autobiography of Janet Frame, New Zealand's most distinguished author. Three actors in turn take on the lead role (including Kerry Fox in a marvelous performance as the adult Frame), as the film describes a journey from an impoverished childhood marked by tragedy to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia resulting in electroshock therapy and a narrowly escaped lobotomy to, finally, international literary fame. Unobtrusively capturing the beauty and power of the New Zealand landscape while maintaining the film's focus on the figure at its center, Campion broke new ground for female filmmakers everywhere and earned a sweep of her country's film awards, along with the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentary featuring Campion, Dryburgh, and actor Kerry Fox
• Short documentary from 2002 about the making of the film
• Six deleted scenes
• Audio interview with author Janet Frame from 1983
• Trailer
• Stills gallery
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Amy Taubin and excerpts from Frame’s autobiography, on which Campion based her film
Criterionforum.org user rating averages
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With An Angel at My Table, Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jane Campion brought to the screen the harrowing autobiography of Janet Frame, New Zealand's most distinguished author. Three actors in turn take on the lead role (including Kerry Fox in a marvelous performance as the adult Frame), as the film describes a journey from an impoverished childhood marked by tragedy to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia resulting in electroshock therapy and a narrowly escaped lobotomy to, finally, international literary fame. Unobtrusively capturing the beauty and power of the New Zealand landscape while maintaining the film's focus on the figure at its center, Campion broke new ground for female filmmakers everywhere and earned a sweep of her country's film awards, along with the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentary featuring Campion, Dryburgh, and actor Kerry Fox
• Short documentary from 2002 about the making of the film
• Six deleted scenes
• Audio interview with author Janet Frame from 1983
• Trailer
• Stills gallery
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Amy Taubin and excerpts from Frame’s autobiography, on which Campion based her film
Criterionforum.org user rating averages
Feature currently disabled
Last edited by Martha on Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- zedz
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:24 pm
At last, a drop in the bucket to redress Criterion's gender imbalance.
This great trilogy was sort of trampled in the rush to acclaim The Piano, but I find it easily superior (though my favourite Campion film is probably still her wonderful 1984 short A Girl's Own Story - her first feature Two Friends is superb as well).
Unless this is a double-disc, the length (whether it's the theatrical or TV version) won't leave a lot of room for extras, but it would be nice to see some documentary material on Janet Frame, and terrific to squeeze in some of Campion's shorts (though they're more in line with the tone and look of Sweetie). They'd make for one hell of a bonus disc. . .
This great trilogy was sort of trampled in the rush to acclaim The Piano, but I find it easily superior (though my favourite Campion film is probably still her wonderful 1984 short A Girl's Own Story - her first feature Two Friends is superb as well).
Unless this is a double-disc, the length (whether it's the theatrical or TV version) won't leave a lot of room for extras, but it would be nice to see some documentary material on Janet Frame, and terrific to squeeze in some of Campion's shorts (though they're more in line with the tone and look of Sweetie). They'd make for one hell of a bonus disc. . .
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
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- ben d banana
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:53 pm
- Location: Oh Where, Oh Where?
While I'm all for the inclusion of more female directors in the collection, and grasp that this is part of the New Line deal, but Jane Campion? Ugh. It's been so long I can't remember if I've seen this and Sweetie or both or just the latter. I do know I saw some shorts which I was even less impressed by, and not only because I don't think I've ever seen so much boom in a shot. And this was in the midst of a love affair w/ many things NZ.
So, can anyone explain how wrongheaded I am for being excited about the re-release of Mary Harron's American Psycho, but find Campion trite, bland, and obviously manipulative?*
*Sorry I can't elaborate on these feelings further, 10+ years of disinterest hasn't exactly burned her work into my mind.
So, can anyone explain how wrongheaded I am for being excited about the re-release of Mary Harron's American Psycho, but find Campion trite, bland, and obviously manipulative?*
*Sorry I can't elaborate on these feelings further, 10+ years of disinterest hasn't exactly burned her work into my mind.
- King of Kong
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 7:32 pm
- Location: New Zealand
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- exte
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:27 pm
- Location: NJ
- ben d banana
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:53 pm
- Location: Oh Where, Oh Where?
Wow, way to be a martyr.
By pointing out my appreciation of Mary Harron's movie, which isn't to my knowledge worshipped as high film art, I was hardly positioning myself as an overlord of "good taste," rather I was hoping for some thoughtful comments on what makes people give a shit about "the bitch."
By pointing out my appreciation of Mary Harron's movie, which isn't to my knowledge worshipped as high film art, I was hardly positioning myself as an overlord of "good taste," rather I was hoping for some thoughtful comments on what makes people give a shit about "the bitch."
- devlinnn
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:23 am
- Location: three miles from space
According to the scan of upcoming titles the price will be $39.95 - a two-disc set looks likely. I'd suspect the complete television mini-series (possibly the first time seen in the US?) with a cast/director commentary (?), original background material on Janet Frame etc. I agree the shorts are more in line with Sweetie, which also deserves a spot in the CC, but would love to see at least a couple (Passionless Moments so perfect I decided to never bother with the medium).Unless this is a double-disc, the length (whether it's the theatrical or TV version) won't leave a lot of room for extras, but it would be nice to see some documentary material on Janet Frame, and terrific to squeeze in some of Campion's shorts (though they're more in line with the tone and look of Sweetie). They'd make for one hell of a bonus disc. . .
Each to their own, but Campion, right from the start of her work in film, has always had her own eye and visual language, a very rare gift. I've only needed to see The Piano once, so strong the images and soundscape plays in the mind. Her constant exploration of passion, sex, family and female identity may not play cool (the critical hostility to In the Cut an eye-opener), but long may she create her worlds.So, can anyone explain how wrongheaded I am for being excited about the re-release of Mary Harron's American Psycho, but find Campion trite, bland, and obviously manipulative?*
- oldsheperd
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:18 pm
- Location: Rio Rancho/Albuquerque
- colinr0380
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK
An article about Janet Frame, and this is a link to an obituary after her death in January 2004.
- Cinephrenic
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:58 pm
- Location: Paris, Texas
- CSM126
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 8:22 am
- Location: The Room
- Contact:
Isn't anyone used to Criterion's pricing system by now? Films like this- foreign and lesser known in the States, that is- are always more expensive. Criterion do need to turn a profit you know. Besides, if the price is a huge issue you can get it cheaper by pre-ordering. My copy only set me back twenty-eight bucks.Narshty wrote:Criterion obviously realised they were losing money, hence the price hike once again. It was nice while it lasted for all four releases.
- CSM126
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 8:22 am
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I guess I was mistaken. I looked again, and I noticed that those films I referred to had commentaries...which is, I guess, the price-raiser.
I am right in a few cases...
High & Low
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist
Very few, I admit. Still, no features on them, and high prices. What's the reason?
Anyway, chalk it up to stupidity on my part. I'll look a little harder next time. Maybe I'm just paying too much for some of these at some store that jacks up the price...
I am right in a few cases...
High & Low
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist
Very few, I admit. Still, no features on them, and high prices. What's the reason?
Anyway, chalk it up to stupidity on my part. I'll look a little harder next time. Maybe I'm just paying too much for some of these at some store that jacks up the price...
- Cinephrenic
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:58 pm
- Location: Paris, Texas
When those films you've listed were released, there was a different market. DVD was new and there wasn't as many expectations for studios releasing titles with many features as they do today. If you ask me why they haven't knocked down the price, it's probably because they are selling at the given price and they don't see no reason to adjust it from a business perspective.
- ellipsis7
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:56 pm
- Location: Dublin
These titles also hit the Christmas market on pre-order discounts... Although premium prices would not deter discerning gift buyers. Autumn has a very strong and varied lineup.. KAGEMUSHA appears to have done exceptionally well earlier in the year so RAN should perform similarly, and the other titles such as ANGEL AT MY TABLE, UGETSU & TALES OF HOFFMANN are all mouth watering...
- ben d banana
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:53 pm
- Location: Oh Where, Oh Where?
Maybe this discussion should be moved to the Image buys HVE thread. Criterion prices have gone up about a buck recently from the one stop from which I order for work and it's feasible to believe that as Criterion's exclusive distributor they have some input into their pricing strategy.
EDIT: They have since returned to their earlier, lower prices.
EDIT: They have since returned to their earlier, lower prices.
Last edited by ben d banana on Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- criterionsnob
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:23 am
- Location: Canada
First review I've seen is up: http://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/dvd_review.asp?ID=758
- oldsheperd
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:18 pm
- Location: Rio Rancho/Albuquerque
- lord_clyde
- Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:22 am
- Location: Ogden, UT