Cult Labs

Go Back   Cult Labs > Cult Labels > Other Labels > Arrow Video > Arrow Archives

Like Tree1Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2nd April 2011, 08:09 PM
Nosferatu@Cult Labs's Avatar
Cult Don
Cult Labs Radio Contributor
Good Trader
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Land of the Prince Bishops
Blog Entries: 4
Default Obsession – The Film Debate

What do you think about Obsession and where you think it relates amongst the best films Brian De Palma has made?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3rd April 2011, 07:51 PM
Paul@TheOverlook's Avatar
Cult Acolyte
Good Trader
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tavistock, Devon
Default

This is definitely one of De Palma's weaker Hitchcockian thrillers but that's not to say it's a bad film at all. Far from it. It just pales by comparison to the excellent DRESSED TO KILL and BLOW OUT. It's still a stylish thriller and if anyone's not seen it and is already a giallo convert they should definitely check it out.

Anyway, my point was I'm really stoked about this release and am definitely going to be picking it up on the strength of the fact that it has the De Palma shorts included as extras. An absolute no-brainer as far as I'm concerned and this release has gone from "I'll pick it up if I see it cheap" to an immediate must-buy.

I was also chuffed to see the the forthcoming Criterion DVD and Blu-ray releases are to include De Palma's early feature MURDER A LA MODE.

A great time to be a fan of De Palma it seems

Last edited by Nosferatu@Cult Labs; 3rd April 2011 at 08:20 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3rd April 2011, 08:06 PM
Nosferatu@Cult Labs's Avatar
Cult Don
Cult Labs Radio Contributor
Good Trader
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Land of the Prince Bishops
Blog Entries: 4
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul@Lovelockandload View Post
This is definitely one of De Palma's weaker Hitchcockian thrillers but that's not to say it's a bad film at all. Far from it. It just pales by comparison to the excellent DRESSED TO KILL and BLOW OUT. It's still a stylish thriller and if anyone's not seen it and is already a giallo convert they should definitely check it out.
I'm a massive fan of Dressed to Kill and Blow Out (which I should really buy on DVD or BD) and, as someone who can't get enough of gialli, I should really enjoy this.

For a full list of the specifications and extra features, go to:
http://www.cult-labs.com/forums/obse...-bd-specs.html
__________________

Last edited by Nosferatu@Cult Labs; 3rd April 2011 at 08:23 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6th April 2011, 05:56 PM
Seasoned Cultist
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Blog Entries: 1
Default

Let it be known, I am NOT a Brian DePalma fan. That being said, PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE and SISTERS are really great freakouts. I remember liking THE UNTOUCHABLES, but haven't seen it in over 10 years (at least). I've seen bits of BLOW OUT, but was not overly impressed (I will rent the Criterion disc if it becomes available at Netflix). CARRIE doesn't really do it for me at all and most of his 80s-onwards output is totally uninteresting to me (though I've been told I should see RAISING CAIN because it's really far out there).

So, can any fans of OBSESSION tell me why I should consider spending the time and money on it? I'm willing to give it a shot if I can be lured.
__________________
Kundun Rat Terrier: 8/16/02-3/26/11. RIP, Ku...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7th April 2011, 05:41 PM
Seasoned Cultist
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Blog Entries: 1
Default

That good, huh?
__________________
Kundun Rat Terrier: 8/16/02-3/26/11. RIP, Ku...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21st April 2011, 07:49 PM
Yikes!'s Avatar
Cult Rookie
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgart13 View Post
Let it be known, I am NOT a Brian DePalma fan. That being said, PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE and SISTERS are really great freakouts. I remember liking THE UNTOUCHABLES, but haven't seen it in over 10 years (at least). I've seen bits of BLOW OUT, but was not overly impressed (I will rent the Criterion disc if it becomes available at Netflix). CARRIE doesn't really do it for me at all and most of his 80s-onwards output is totally uninteresting to me (though I've been told I should see RAISING CAIN because it's really far out there).

So, can any fans of OBSESSION tell me why I should consider spending the time and money on it? I'm willing to give it a shot if I can be lured.
I like it because it's an ott melodrama with great actors, director, writer and composer all playing to the gallery. Of course, I've yet to see a De Palma film that I didn't like, or at least appreciate. But I think any Giallo or thriller fans should get a kick out of it. I personally can't wait to see it on Blu-ray.

Plot-wise... lt's best to go in cold and just let the film unfold. The less you know, the more you'll enjoy it.
__________________
Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?
http://crawford-hazle.deviantart.com/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21st April 2011, 08:00 PM
The Reaper Man@Cult Labs's Avatar
Cult Don
Cult Labs Radio Contributor
Good Trader
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Glasgow
Default

I'm not gonna read much of this thread,as it's a film I've yet to sit through,and will give it the once over once the Arrow release appears.
__________________

Teddy, I'm a Scotch drinker - you know that. I just have the occasional brandy when I'm not drinking.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21st April 2011, 09:30 PM
Nosferatu@Cult Labs's Avatar
Cult Don
Cult Labs Radio Contributor
Good Trader
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Land of the Prince Bishops
Blog Entries: 4
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reaper@Cult Labs View Post
I'm not gonna read much of this thread,as it's a film I've yet to sit through,and will give it the once over once the Arrow release appears.
Although it's not my responsibility to read this thread (along with every other in this section), I'm going to try and stay away from details so I can watch it with an open mind.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3rd August 2011, 06:35 PM
PaulD's Avatar
Cult Addict
Good Trader
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Newcastle, UK
Default

Surprised there hasn't been more talk about this release really. I've just watched it and thought it was great. By no means the best De Palma/Hitchcocky thriller but still a thoroughly engrossing film. Excellent transfer and extras too (not watched the short films yet). Really looking forward to reading the original script with the third act later tonight.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3rd August 2011, 06:59 PM
Nosferatu@Cult Labs's Avatar
Cult Don
Cult Labs Radio Contributor
Good Trader
Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Land of the Prince Bishops
Blog Entries: 4
Default

I should really have given my two cents ages ago, so here goes:

knowing nothing about Obsession (apart from it was a homage to Vertigo) was quite good as I was able to watch the film with an almost open mind. The opening is very clever in establishing place, characters and relationships -- you almost know John Lithgow is up to no good from the get go as he's so wonderfully slimy! The daughter/wife transformation must have been a huge influence on Park Chan-wook when writing Oldboy except he took the relationship a few steps further than DePalma did!

It's strange how it develops without feeling particularly creepy or sleazy and the final scene with the repeated 360° movement is both extremely moving and technically brilliant.
__________________
Reply With Quote
Reply  

Like this? Share it using the links below!

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Our goal is to keep Cult Labs friendly. If you feel discouraged from posting by certain members' behaviour then you can e-mail us in complete confidence.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2
All forum posts are contributed by members of the site; Cult Labs cannot take responsibility for all content posted on the site. If you have an issue with content posted on the site please click the 'report post' button.
Copyright © 2014 Cult Laboratories Ltd. All rights reserved.