Naked Lunch, anyone? (1 Viewer)

[David Wilkins]

I've heard not a mumble about Criterion's new 2-disc release of Cronenberg's "Naked Lunch". I found only one thread, an old one, that speculated about a release date. It's TODAY! unless I've been severely misled. Plans for a review around here?

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

My two cents-- it's AMAZING. I got it last week. Great GREAT transfer and the extras -- which I haven't had the time to pore through -- are terrific, including an hour-long BBC documentary on the the film and Burroughs. Really great.

 

[ChrisBEA]

Mine shipped yesterday from Amazon.
Can't wait!

 

[Sergio Angelini]

There's an excellent review of this disc over at DVD Journal.

Incidentally, the documentary is not by the BBC, but is an edition of The South Bank Show on ITV (and a very good one at that).

 

[Jon Robertson]

Indeed - not all UK shows are made by the BBC.

However, I'm really looking forward to Cronenberg's commentary and the South Bank Show documentary, which is one of the best I've ever come across. I posted this in another thread, but it's directed by Chris Rodley, the same man who put together the utterly brilliant A Very British Psycho, which deals with Leo Marks and Peeping Tom (on Criterion's disc).

 

[Scott_Jua]

This was the worst movie I have EVER seen... oh my goodness... please let no one I know buy this.

Seriously... I have painful memories of watching this horrible movie. So painful... however, it might have had alot to do with the timeframe in my life that I watched it. But I doubt it would change much today. Anyone else jsut think "Que?" when watching this movie?

 

[Will K]

I thought Naked Lunch was wonderful. I loved it because it was so different than anything I had ever seen and it got me to read some Burroughs, which is like being on drugs without actually being on drugs!

Obviously, it's not everyone's cup of tea(or Mugwump juice), but what Cronenberg movie is?

I can't wait for Disney to buy the rights and make a big summer animated film. Imagine all those cute, wisecracking Mugwumps!

 

[CraigF]

Should arrive today (along with my "much"-delayed Tokyo Story). Will have more thoughts tomorrow...

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

Sergio, you're right! I just skimmed through the documentary and, as I was in a hurry when I posted, didn't check. From what I can tell, it's still pretty darned good though.

I went to see this with a Burroughs devotee (who loved it) and a friend who didn't know anything about it. As we left the theater, the latter friend turned to me and said "that wasn't the Naked Gun I was expecting."

 

[WillardK]

I can't wait for Disney to buy the rights and make a big summer animated film. Imagine all those cute, wisecracking Mugwumps!

[falls out of chair]

 

[Sean Aaron]

How did this fall off my radar?!? I've been dying to have this since DVD was released to the public! This was one of those DivX only titles as I recall...

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

I love Burroughs. Although heroin is one drug I have never tried - and never will try, but after reading Naked Lunch and seeing the movie, you won't have to anyway.

Can't wait to see it again soon.


Gordy

 

[ZacharyTait]

I can think of two things wrong with that title.

C'mon, someone had to say it. I'm surprised it took this long.

 

[Rob P S]

I said it in the other thread.

 

[Mike Levine]

The Criterion packaging just keeps getting better. This release has great cover artwork and contains a beautifully printed and informative booklet.

 

[MichaelBryant]

I've noticed a bit of flickering in the background which is not present on the Japanese DVD. It runs throughout the film from beginning to end and is more noticable in the dark scenes. Does anyone else see this? I'm just curious as to whether my disc is defective or if this flickering is maybe from the film elements.

 

[Justin_S]

Michael, the flickering you mention is present on my copy as well, so I guess it would be from the source materials. The transfer is director approved, so I guess this flickering isn't a problem.

Anyways, I've been through a few of the extras, and in typical Criterion fashion, they've gone above and beyond the call of duty. Great, great, great extras on this set, and I can't wait to check out the rest of them!

 

[Will K]

I haven't checked out the extras yet, but this disc looks great! The image is crisp and the colors are bold. I forgot just how subversive this movie is. Hard to believe they got away with that sequence at the end with those "addicts" enslaved to Mugwump jism. Visually speaking, very provocative.

Didn't notice any flickering on my copy, incidentally.

 

[Joseph Young]

Anyone else jsut think "Que?" when watching this movie?

It's David Cronenburg and William S. Burroughs.

A collaboration between these two auteurs, if you've any familiarity with their work, is probably the very last place on earth you should expect anything less than unusual.

 

[Todd Terwilliger]

This one slipped off my radar as well! I can't wait to get it!