Killers Kiss is an amazing movie. It has a so-so plot, and pretty much so-so actors. But none of that matters. Kubrick made the movie on a shoestring, which means he had to function as his own editor, and, even more to the point, his own cinematographer. And the cinematography is worth, many times over, the price of admission. It’s personal, it’s brilliantly observed, it captures a black and white New York in the 1950s that you won’t see anywhere else. It also, in the climactic chase and fight scene, creates a set piece so brilliant that every film school should be studying it. I can’t re-watch it too often.
It's odd to hear of people complaining about this upcoming Kubrick set. I haven't seen any numbers but it sure feels like (from the various movie chat spots I watch) that the acquisition of physical media is increasing. Anecdotally, it seems that people are buying media as a hedge against whatever the streamers are going to do. This set might be spendy, but I have a birthday AND Christmas coming up. I'm dropping obvious hints now.
well it turned out to be so -- supergirl was in future. here's my glib take:
Supergirl takes a "gap year" to gallivant around the galaxy, party and have a good time. She meets up with some naughty Vikings, gets into some fights with them, but saves some Irish girls from their clutches, not to mention a life of toil in Iceland. Along the way she makes a friend and matures in many ways. With her doggy by her side, she heads home to Earth to get a real job in the family business.
Like everyone else, I am surprised people are complaining about this collection. Yes, it costs more, but it's 30 disks!!! 13 feature films. And I'm sure it will be quality work.
People who don't want to buy it - don't have to. There are other ways to get Kubrick movies. And yea for a marketplace that gives us choices! As an example there are people selling Waygu beef (which is awesome); they shouldn't be criticized for that given that there are other ways to buy beef (Ok, right now beef is pricey no matter how you buy it... but the principle holds).
Well, people love to complain. Me, I love to watch films remastered by Criterion....
I really enjoy your essays! Accordingly, you gifted me with a list of films to watch this summer. I’m saving my Pennies for the Kubrick collection ~ what a gem that will be.
We saw the trailer for Pressure and my husband’s reaction was that we had reached the end of the WWII movie era. I have to agree. Very good and entertaining column today, Sonny.
btw after supergirl we took a "palate cleans" by watching fargo. one of the intended target audience for supergirl said after it was over -- "Huh. That was better than Supergirl."
yeah i've actually made an effort to go through "the american art form" with the kiddies starting about 1929? -- maybe with marx bros "cocoanuts" ... and just working up through to our time as they get older. but we're no where near done -- actually i'd say it gets harder once you hit the 80s. but we have seen blazing saddles but not young frankenstein. no annie hall yet. but the blues bros -- now that's a funny movie. and yes just about every piece of ... offering from marvel and star wars ... but hey theyre fun enough.
I had no idea a Kubrick box set was about to be released. My credit card does not thank you for this information, but I certainly do!
Wait for one of the Criterion or Barnes and Noble half-off sales!
Killers Kiss is an amazing movie. It has a so-so plot, and pretty much so-so actors. But none of that matters. Kubrick made the movie on a shoestring, which means he had to function as his own editor, and, even more to the point, his own cinematographer. And the cinematography is worth, many times over, the price of admission. It’s personal, it’s brilliantly observed, it captures a black and white New York in the 1950s that you won’t see anywhere else. It also, in the climactic chase and fight scene, creates a set piece so brilliant that every film school should be studying it. I can’t re-watch it too often.
I like it when you rant about social media nonsense! It keeps me updated!
It's odd to hear of people complaining about this upcoming Kubrick set. I haven't seen any numbers but it sure feels like (from the various movie chat spots I watch) that the acquisition of physical media is increasing. Anecdotally, it seems that people are buying media as a hedge against whatever the streamers are going to do. This set might be spendy, but I have a birthday AND Christmas coming up. I'm dropping obvious hints now.
well it turned out to be so -- supergirl was in future. here's my glib take:
Supergirl takes a "gap year" to gallivant around the galaxy, party and have a good time. She meets up with some naughty Vikings, gets into some fights with them, but saves some Irish girls from their clutches, not to mention a life of toil in Iceland. Along the way she makes a friend and matures in many ways. With her doggy by her side, she heads home to Earth to get a real job in the family business.
But hey honestly i thought it was fun... enough.
Sonny...dunno if you open to requests, but here goes....
I just heard that Apple has rescheduled release of The Savant for this July.
PLLLEEEEAAAASE can we have a Sony Bunch deep dive coverage of this.
(Maybe even a spesh with You & Tom Nichols might be appropriate)
Think your film & programming coverage so relevant politically. And also is just sometime the good time relief we need on here.
Ok that's all 💜
Like everyone else, I am surprised people are complaining about this collection. Yes, it costs more, but it's 30 disks!!! 13 feature films. And I'm sure it will be quality work.
People who don't want to buy it - don't have to. There are other ways to get Kubrick movies. And yea for a marketplace that gives us choices! As an example there are people selling Waygu beef (which is awesome); they shouldn't be criticized for that given that there are other ways to buy beef (Ok, right now beef is pricey no matter how you buy it... but the principle holds).
Well, people love to complain. Me, I love to watch films remastered by Criterion....
Glad for what it says about the state of our relationship to movie viewing that the cineplex is doing better.
And I love that Criterion is offering the Kubrick catalog. Even when I can't afford some things, I like that they are available.
People are COMPLAINING about the Criterion Collection releasing this Kubrick boxed set?
Seriously? Those people are philistines.
Finally! I have been waiting for somebody to point out that the Boxoffice of 2026 is really good!
Also, I have scaled back on social media so I missed all the Kubrick Collection complaining. It would have driven me mad.
I really enjoy your essays! Accordingly, you gifted me with a list of films to watch this summer. I’m saving my Pennies for the Kubrick collection ~ what a gem that will be.
We saw the trailer for Pressure and my husband’s reaction was that we had reached the end of the WWII movie era. I have to agree. Very good and entertaining column today, Sonny.
Maybe James Gunn was good with Guardians of the Galaxy and not superhero movies in general?
Re: Criterion Collection
Sonny, I very much agree with you on that topic
But I also feel like a lot of our social (media) ills can be alleviated by people understanding the notion of "this is not for me."
I think it’s a little closer to “I want this but I can’t afford it and therefore it must be bad/immoral.”
Fair, especially the point of what they don't like being framed as "immoral". They wouldn't be so upset if they didn't desire it.
its likely supergirl is in my future. or as i like to think of it: a bucket of movie house popcorn and a coke with a side of movie.
Well … there are worse ways to spend an afternoon, I guess.
honestly i've got a lower "i found that fun enough" movie bar than ... many -- it'll be fun.
btw after supergirl we took a "palate cleans" by watching fargo. one of the intended target audience for supergirl said after it was over -- "Huh. That was better than Supergirl."
You see it's not all lost... yet.
Nice!
yeah i've actually made an effort to go through "the american art form" with the kiddies starting about 1929? -- maybe with marx bros "cocoanuts" ... and just working up through to our time as they get older. but we're no where near done -- actually i'd say it gets harder once you hit the 80s. but we have seen blazing saddles but not young frankenstein. no annie hall yet. but the blues bros -- now that's a funny movie. and yes just about every piece of ... offering from marvel and star wars ... but hey theyre fun enough.