1242 The Shape of Water

[nicolas]

This feels like an edition specifically made for the closet for one random celebrity to discover in five years time.

[midnitedave]

I'll come out and say (as someone who frequents monster circles) that I do love this film, however, don't see a need to upgrade my current 4K steelbook. Outside of the two new extras (New conversation between del Toro and filmmaker David Lowery /An essay by film critic Carlos Aguilar) it doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade.

[domino harvey]

Wait, this already has a 4K release too?

[midnitedave]

Wait, this already has a 4K release too?

Has been out for a few years now, my friend

[ryannichols7]

Is this a film that maintains a fanbase? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention it since it won Best Picture, but I don’t run in monster movie circles so perhaps it is continually beloved

as TWBB mentioned, GDT has some seriously diehard fans that defend whatever he does, but in the broader movie world I don't particularly think it has that strong a fanbase. I still can't believe it won best pic, easily one of the worst movies to win that honor by my measure.

so all the extras seem to be pre-existing aside from Criterion's now typical "new conversation between (director/actor) and (person that lobs softball questions)" that seem to be the only extras they create nowadays. and I'm sure they're all on the current 4K release

[Mr Sausage]

I guess I'm one of the few on here who think this is Del Toro's best film. I run hot and cold on him, but this one seemed the strongest expression of his romantic vision of the monster as tragic, misunderstood hero.

[soundchaser]

Wait, this already has a 4K release too?

Not only that, but I suspect it was an early demo disc for a lot of folks, because it was one of those ubiquitous "buy a player and get three free titles!" options.

[dwk]

Bill Hunt reportedly said in his newsletter that more Disney stuff is coming and that this is first title in the deal.

[yoloswegmaster]

Bill Hunt also said that Criterion was going to be releasing Amadeus and Inland Empire on 4K (hell he still claims the latter is coming out soon), so I would take anything he says with a big grain of salt.

That being said, it would great if we could get releases of Noises Off or Dead Presidents.

[mfunk9786]

I guess I'm one of the few on here who think this is Del Toro's best film. I run hot and cold on him, but this one seemed the strongest expression of his romantic vision of the monster as tragic, misunderstood hero.

Could never quite get on board for this interpretation because from the moment we see this 'monster' he is a prisoner with slim if any chance to escape. It's not a King Kong experience of feeling as though he could tear out of his shackles at any moment, either, he's just in a tank. I can see this formula being a very effective one when the viewer themselves is disturbed or intimidated by the monster in question, but in this case it just compounded a certain kind of sad, nauseous, sickly tone that the movie never stops ramping up (especially once eggs arrive on the scene).

Bill Hunt reportedly said in his newsletter that more Disney stuff is coming and that this is first title in the deal.

If there's a 4K of The Color of Money, all will have been worth it.

[dwk]

Bill Hunt also said that Criterion was going to be releasing Amadeus and Inland Empire on 4K (hell he still claims the latter is coming out soon), so I would take anything he says with a big grain of salt.

That being said, it would great if we could get releases of Noises Off or Dead Presidents.

True, but it is, at the very least, a promising rumor.

[knives]

I guess I'm one of the few on here who think this is Del Toro's best film. I run hot and cold on him, but this one seemed the strongest expression of his romantic vision of the monster as tragic, misunderstood hero.

You and John Waters.

I was kind of nonplussed about it at the time, but find myself often thinking about it.

[therewillbeblus]

I liked it the first time (despite an awful theatre experience), and then really disliked it the second time, so my impression is mixed. I haven't experienced such a second-viewing plummet like that in a while, though

[Mr Sausage]

I guess I'm one of the few on here who think this is Del Toro's best film. I run hot and cold on him, but this one seemed the strongest expression of his romantic vision of the monster as tragic, misunderstood hero.

Could never quite get on board for this interpretation because from the moment we see this 'monster' he is a prisoner with slim if any chance to escape. It's not a King Kong experience of feeling as though he could tear out of his shackles at any moment, either, he's just in a tank. I can see this formula being a very effective one when the viewer themselves is disturbed or intimidated by the monster in question, but in this case it just compounded a certain kind of sad, nauseous, sickly tone that the movie never stops ramping up (especially once eggs arrive on the scene).

I really don’t understand your argument. Even if you don’t like the film it’s impossible to deny that Del Toro has taken Creature From the Black Lagoon and said what if instead of a rampaging lovesick monstrosity stalking some woman, he were actually the romantic hero, and the scientists and such were conformist villains. Not sure what not being disturbing or intimidating would undermine about Del Toro’s project. I think we’re supposed to find the gill man pitiable for being trapped in a cage, and analogous to Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer, whom disability, race, and socio-economic status have similarly rendered outsiders. Outsiders are the heroes of so many Del Toro films.

[Maltic]

Add to that Stuhlbarg's Jewish scientist and Jenkins' gay add man, and Del Toro has his whole carnival in place.