I was going to post the same thing - hopefully they add that hashtag in somewhere - put the whole "accidental ASMR" thing and get itself a whole new base of fans.
@@syanhche's fantastic still love everything sideways one of the greatest actors on the planet deserves every accolades he can get smart witty humble you name it he's got it
@@songsthatarecatchy For his role in "The Holdovers", in which Giamatti plays a cranky teacher who bonds with a student and the school chef when they're left alone over Christmas break.
@@trinaq Sorry to disagree. While I love Paul Giamatti (I loved him especially in John Adams), his performance in The Holdovers is fairly pedestrian and almost caricature, taking whole pages from the architype that Giamatti always played. It's not bad by any stretch of imagination, but it's the kind of role he played almost his entire life. I love the guy and think he's a great guy, and if you listen to him talk about his life, he comes across as an extremely humble person too. I just don't think he's anywhere close to the greats.
@@covechgoan amazing brilliant man very likeable and humble too great sense of humor does not take himself too seriously like that about him check out the interview he had on CBS Sunday Morning very touching
0:24 Carnival of Souls (1962) directed by Herk Harvey 1:14 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger 1:55 Rashomon (1950) directed by Akira Kurosawa 2:20 Solaris (1972) directed by Andrei Tarkovsky 3:30 Cat People (1942) directed by Jacques Tourneur 4:26 Seconds (1966) directed by John Frankenheimer 5:28 Blue Velvet (1986) directed by David Lynch 6:48 Wings (1966) directed by Larisa Shepitko
I love that someone of Giamatti’s rep opens by calling himself a professional entertainer and picking something like “Carnival of Souls.” Seems down to earth.
I grew up on LI NY and Queens (through age 4 or so), and grew up watching Chiller and Creature Features from nearly age 3 or so, somehow my parents had no trouble seating me in front of the TV in a high chair or whatever, and I saw tons of those movies, but never saw Carnival of Souls until maybe 2004 or so. I'd heard of it for decades, however. One of my fave Chiller movies I saw as a kid all the time on TV was MANSTER, a total cheezeball movie but had that disturbing scene of an eye (soon to be a second head) growing out of Peter Dynely's shoulder! That s--t was f'd up! I remember turning off the TV and running out of the room! Har! Mainly though at age 3 and 4 I was mainlining Godzilla movies, and anything to do with dinosaurs. The Lost World, etc. Anything involving Ray Harryhausen. Even scarier than the films being shown was the bloody Chiller six finger feckin' hand coming out of the swamp or whatever the animated opening of Chiller. That shit used to make me break out in a cold sweat and cry and shit! It was no joke. Whoever came up with that shit hated kids, let's face it! Haha!
@@bluemooninthedaylight8073very knowledgeable down to earth man concerning movies science fiction many things saw an interview he had on CBS Sunday Morning watch that an amazing humble man quite brilliant
Can we take a second to recognize how genius this channel is? It’s like looking through a window and nostalgia being on the other side. There’s an art to picking your movie out like you would a book. Read the front read the back and see if it peaks your interest. There’s an art to that man and I miss those days of going to the library or blockbuster. Because physically finding a good movie, feels more rewarding than scrolling through different titles on Netflix at home.
@@aclark903 I agree, that is why I said "in a way." But there are some films that for me at least created a religious experience. A perfect example is The Shawshank Redemption.
@@Wyrmwould Not King’s finest. Much prefer #SalemsLot. King usually can’t get past his irrational and passionate loathing of all things #evangelical, but at least in Salem’s Lot he has a modicum of sympathy for Catholics.
I love his choice to call himself a "professional entertainer" rather than actor. It somehow seems more grounded, less ego-ridden. I can't imagine Giamatti would get caught fawning over himself and his colleages as culture-shaping artistes.
He was painted blue in Big Fat Liar and played a character nicknamed "Pig Vomit." Hard to be pretentious after those experiences. Amazing actor, though. He has risen above.
Paul's voice is so soothing...I'm here for those ASMR vibes! I also enjoyed his movie picks...first time where I've seen the majority of someone's choices.
I'm always thrilled to hear someone mention Val Lewton's Cat People. One of my grandmother's last gifts to me was that movie along with Night of the Hunter. Anyway, great episode..love Giamatti! He needs to do more movie talk.
I wish Paul were the sort of wounded ego to read RUclips comments on a channel that features him. BUT... I love him in Duets, loved him in Sideways, loved him in John Adams, loved him in American Splendor, loved him in The Holdovers, and so many more amazing roles where he elevates the films he's in. I LOVE that he is somehow a reclusive introverted readaholic philosopher and an A-list Hollywood movie star respected by his peers for taking the actual hard roles that don't make him the glamorous super hero protagonist. Paul's character creating a scene pouring a spit bucket of merlot down his gullet, going back to the motel with the latest Barely Legal, and still getting Virginia Madsen's brilliant soulful beauty to read his novel... I wish we had a million more movies like these and fewer Avengers flicks. Bravo!
Speaking of a terrific actor in a small, tiny supporting parts: Paul Giamatti 🙌 That's how I discovered this mesmerizing actor and he absolutely steals the show in every supporting role-and he knocks it out of the park when he leads, too! The only actor where I go out of my way to watch everything he's done. 🥇
Anton Walbrook is always incredible in everything he’s part of (that I’ve seen, mind.); Gaslight, The Queen of Spades, 49th Parallel, Le Ronde, The Red Shoes, Lola Montes, et al.
@@uberbabeINCIf you are a Walbrook fan, Masquerade ( 1934) starring him is a must see. It is a lavish, Pre-Code style Comedy from Austria. Never released on home media in the US, it is on RUclips, with English Subtitles: ruclips.net/video/d0obdzAYcws/видео.htmlsi=SD4VJknxBgJUOkp-
Paul Giamatti has a down to earth way of playing erudite characters that universalizes them, makes them relatable to audiences regardless of their class. The fact that he first remembers watching “Carnival of Souls” on WPIX - a channel I watched all the time as a kid - makes this man who comes from multiple generations of highly educated people accessible to me, the son of a postal worker.
Back in 1986, opening night of the film on LI here, Levittown, the Lumberton of the northeast, suburbia ground zero, I knew something was up when half the very small audience for it walked out of it after maybe 20 minutes or so. Right after Dennis Hopper first shows up. After DUNE I was worried for Lynch, with good reason, and when I saw half the audience (mostly older folks) bail, I was even more worried! But I was with a friend who was also a Lynch fan, and we both thought it was brilliant. We felt like David had punched us in the gut, or whatever. Walked out feeling totally disoriented, like after a bad trip. I would try to dress like Jeffrey for a year or two afterwards, too! Wearing a black blazer and a pink semi skinny tie, etc, and chinos.
Paul has done one of the better "closet picks" in this series. He did a fine job explaining why the films he chose affected me as well as giving precise info which drew me closer to purchasing.
I'm convinced that Paul is one of those actors who reserves his energy for the Stage or whenever he's in front of the Camera, and I love him for that. Just shows how committed to the craft he is.
I've read his co-stars say before he's pretty shy. It takes him a while to open up and even then he remains reserved. Definitely one of those in the acting field who are introverted in life and extroverted on the stage.
This is the most comforting closet video I’ve ever watched, I feel like I’ll come back to it if I ever feel stressed out. Paul had some fantastic picks as well.
Excellent taste and choices. Giamatti didn't fail to prove what i always thought of him: a well educated, well spoken, deep person. With an incredible acting talent, may i add. This was a great episode. Thanks!
It's a tribute to the man, that I feel comfortable addressing him as "Paul." With that being said: LOVE Paul's picks... and his musings on these great films. How do I get INTO that closet???!!!!!
Figuratively, the most favorite videos on RUclips. The only thing that I always will watch in any circumstances. This episode is particularly mesmerizing.
The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, The Negotiator, Man on the Moon, Big Momma's House, Big Fat Liar, American Splendor, Sideways, Cinderella Man, The Illusionist, 12 Years a Slave, Love & Mercy, The Holdovers and so many other great films. Paul Giamatti is one of the most underrated actors of all time. Excellent picks and I even loved his Top 4 picks on Letterboxd. You can truly tell when an actor has great taste because it shows how much they study and makes them the great actor that they are!
I love these picks. Blue Velvet, Seconds, Cat People and Rashomon! Whenever I hear or read Val Lewton's name I hear it in Marin Scorsese's voice. Val Lewton rules. I could listen to Paul talk in this hushed tone about Criterion's titles for hours.
Even the 1983 remake of Cat People has great charm now, at this distance....One weird Horror movie! (....And of course Natascha Kinski is just 💀💀💀 gorgeous!)
Paul Giamatti has one of the most sublime voices. It's always evocative of subtext -- though he may not always intend it. I have a very finicky ear for sounds and very few people have that "it" factor with their voice that places them in that category of hypnotic but engaging... unless he's stepping on the gas in a role. Then it's among the most frenetic and unhinged. This is a voice that's capable of great good or great evil -- well-suited to his craft.
Wow I could listen to Paul continue to talk about movies he loves for another hour. What an actor, what a wonderful memory he has of films he loves. I love this series and I hope it can continue for many years to come. I treasure my Criterion DVDs and BluRays. Streaming can never ever approach the value that a Criterion release provides a film lover.
Everyone is great in Seconds. My fourth favourite film ever. Murray Hamilton is indeed terrific. Rock Hudson is insanely good - John Randolph, Will Geer doing polite-persuasive-creepy, Jeff Corey, Salome Jens, Richard Anderson, Karl Swenson, Wesley Addy as the polite-sinister butler. Heck, I bet Leonard Nimoy was great, in the scene they deleted. Super mention of a neglected film, Mr. Giamatti. I remember I recommended Seconds to someone - they took the Criterion disc home and told me what happened later on...he went home, watched Seconds, was rocked to the core, went out for a late night beer and to think, then came home and watched the film again. And again within 48 hours. Anyway, I recently re-watched another hidden gem, Duplicity, with another great Giamatti performance - thanks for all the wonderful films, sir!
That’s a great anecdote about “Seconds”. I also loaned a copy to a friend who returned it weeks later. I asked her what she thought. For approximately 2 minutes she was only able to make hand gestures and facial expressions before she could articulate how astonished she was… both times she watched it!
@@uberbabeINC Any movie can end up being meh for any viewer, including Seconds…but when it affects a first-time viewer, it can hit pretty hard. We haven’t even mentioned the ‘wet’, claustrophobic cinematography by a master who handles wide open vistas just as well, the music, and the opening titles sequence. I think this is one of those times the movie tops the original novel (like Jaws, Die Hard), but the novel was great, too; slight letdown after seeing the film. The guy I recommended Seconds to needed a little cajoling to buy a copy (around 2012). Would he really like it, he wondered. I said “Well, what are your favourite movies? What do you like?” He said his fave film was Rosemary’s Baby, and I just handed him Seconds and said “You’re good, you’re fine, it’s….yes, yes.”.
@@uberbabeINC Yep. Seconds, and Hud - a great double-bill for watching a great cinematographer succeed by taking an exact opposite approach, as befits the requirements of two very different films, and nailing it.
Paul’s picks: 1. Carnival of Souls (1962) 2. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) 3. Rashomon (1950) 4. Solaris (1972) 5. Cat People (1942) 6. Seconds (1966) 7. Blue Velvet (1986) 8. Wings (1966; by Larisa Shepitko)
Paul has actual real things to say about his picks. Fascinating. He is a serious movie fan. This is very different from most of the other Criterion Closet guests. Get him back in there for Part II. Please.
i can't believe it took me this long to realize criterion closet is somehow both the perfect stuff to engage w/ and to fall asleep to. paul giamatti asmr while i dream of the films i love it
Giamatti deserves the Oscar. I love the choices he’s made. Anton Walbrook is a big favorite of mine since I him in “The Red Shoes.” Val Lewton’s films are scary without showing a thing. Beautifully filmed.
Truly deserving of his nomination and if he takes home the Oscar. Hearing him talk about how much he loves Blue Velvet, made me think he’d be great in a David Lynch movie.
Wonderful choices from the Mighty Paul. Probably only chance I'll get to say this so thanks for American Splendor, Paul. A masterpiece I enjoy once a year since its release. Best wishes from Scotland, Paul. Be well ❤👊
Thank you, Paul, for The Holdovers and your eclectic filmography. I've loved your work from Jon Adams to to Big Fat Liar. Never had a film move me to tears through nearly the whole film...and love it. So thanks again for _The Holdovers._
I've been watching Giamatti closely for many years before anyone else has - especially with films like Cinderella Man, Man on the Moon, and even worked with him on Sideways. He's truly a gem of an actor and human being and he's so deeply underrated in his craft, yet always continues to deliver fantastic performances nonetheless.
So glad to see Paul Giamatti in the Criterion closet. Love all of this picks especially Carnival of Souls, Rashomon, and Blue Velvet. I always look forward to these videos.
Welcome to The Baby’s Sleeping, with Paul Giamatti! He is seriously one of those actors that you know is great. But it’s not until you sit down and actually watch him perform that you are reminded and surprised by how truly special he is. Such a remarkable and soulful “professional entertainer”. 😊
Excellent, distinctive selections. I've seen CARNIVAL OF SOULS several times; so creepy and unsettling. Amazing the director never made another film. I hope Mr. Giamatti wins the Best Actor Oscar for THE HOLDOVERS, my favorite movie of 2023.
Director Herk Hervey was working on filming another move but he had a disagreement with the lead actor and the actor quit killing the film. He eventually taught theater at the unniversity of Kansas for years.
Criterion’s first ASMR vid
I was going to post the same thing - hopefully they add that hashtag in somewhere - put the whole "accidental ASMR" thing and get itself a whole new base of fans.
And first action sequence lol
❤
That'd be Kim Cattrall's, it's very popular on the unintentional ASMR playlists.
*Please use your headphones to get the best experience from this video.*
I want Paul to speak to me as I fall asleep. What a calming voice.
he's got a great podcast!
It's an actorly affectation, it's irritating
@@John-lp5xh who hurt you?
@@kfw9257 you know I'm right, you know it makes sense
He reads A Scanner Darkly!
He speaks as if he is afraid of waking up the other movies. How cute.
I thought that it was because he respected the criterion collection as a library.
It is technically a library of sorts. 😊
Happy to see Paul Giamatti getting tons of recognition that he deserves. I also love his movie choices.
I just love this guy❤
@@syanhche's fantastic still love everything sideways one of the greatest actors on the planet deserves every accolades he can get smart witty humble you name it he's got it
@@syanhcyou are correct
I've always loved his performances. I kinda wanna see Blue Velvet.
I first saw PG in SAFE MEN and it was one of my favorite slow-burn comedic performances of all time. Been a huge fan ever since.
Elite picks and admits to being bored the first time he watched Solaris. Fucking legend.
Because it is boring but an important film nonetheless
I've tried on multiple occasions... don't think I ever even made it halfway
I ❤ it
You'll need a lot of caffeine to watch Tarkovsky's movies.
It's boring but I like it as well
If Cillian Murphy doesn't win the Oscar this year, then I'd love to see Paul win. His performance was truly layered and unforgettable.
For what role?
@@songsthatarecatchy For his role in "The Holdovers", in which Giamatti plays a cranky teacher who bonds with a student and the school chef when they're left alone over Christmas break.
@@trinaq oh yeah I saw that advertised but I can't stand Christmas movies....
@@trinaq Sorry to disagree. While I love Paul Giamatti (I loved him especially in John Adams), his performance in The Holdovers is fairly pedestrian and almost caricature, taking whole pages from the architype that Giamatti always played. It's not bad by any stretch of imagination, but it's the kind of role he played almost his entire life. I love the guy and think he's a great guy, and if you listen to him talk about his life, he comes across as an extremely humble person too. I just don't think he's anywhere close to the greats.
@@zxbc1Oh really? Pedestrian? Not nearly as pedestrian as your critique.
I'm happy Paul Giamatti got nominated for The Holdovers. He's a truly underrated actor.
At his best as Harvey Pekar
I don't think he's underrated. I think folks know he's one of the very best American actors working today.
@covechgo He's underrated that he's not in more projects that get a lot of attention and recognition.
Always has been...
@@covechgoan amazing brilliant man very likeable and humble too great sense of humor does not take himself too seriously like that about him check out the interview he had on CBS Sunday Morning very touching
0:24 Carnival of Souls (1962) directed by Herk Harvey
1:14 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger
1:55 Rashomon (1950) directed by Akira Kurosawa
2:20 Solaris (1972) directed by Andrei Tarkovsky
3:30 Cat People (1942) directed by Jacques Tourneur
4:26 Seconds (1966) directed by John Frankenheimer
5:28 Blue Velvet (1986) directed by David Lynch
6:48 Wings (1966) directed by Larisa Shepitko
Thank you. Hard to understand him speak.
Yes, thank you! He didn’t say the title Blue Velvet, I had to freeze and enlarge the screen to read the title.
@@williamneal9076 Just so everyone knows, they list the movies he chose at the end of the video
You rock!
thanks I knew someone was making this list. Glad Paul mentioned some of my all time fav films and the rest I need to watch !!!
Nice to hear Mr. Giamatti using his "indoor" voice as he makes his selections.
I love that someone of Giamatti’s rep opens by calling himself a professional entertainer and picking something like “Carnival of Souls.” Seems down to earth.
I think op is acknowledging that Paul Giamati is a humble man who had some good unique choices.
@@kevinr.3542 Yes.
Why say 'rep' but spell out professional instead of pro.
@@zebunker I think because he said the word. I don’t mine abbreviating my words, but I usually try to use the same term a person did.
Being “chemically altered” is exactly the way i would expect Paul Giamatti to describe being intoxicated
I assumed he meant he put an extra cube of sugar in his tea that day
More like on drugs, I would presume.
more like being high
well yeah intoxicated just means being on any substance
And he calls himself a “professional entertainer.” What a guy.
Paul Giamatti's shout out to Chiller Theater on WPIX Channel 11 in NY is the icing on this cake.
I grew up on LI NY and Queens (through age 4 or so), and grew up watching Chiller and Creature Features from nearly age 3 or so, somehow my parents had no
trouble seating me in front of the TV in a high chair or whatever, and I saw tons of those movies, but never saw Carnival of Souls until maybe 2004 or so. I'd heard
of it for decades, however. One of my fave Chiller movies I saw as a kid all the time on TV was MANSTER, a total cheezeball movie but had that disturbing
scene of an eye (soon to be a second head) growing out of Peter Dynely's shoulder! That s--t was f'd up! I remember turning off the TV and running out of the room!
Har! Mainly though at age 3 and 4 I was mainlining Godzilla movies, and anything to do with dinosaurs. The Lost World, etc. Anything involving Ray Harryhausen.
Even scarier than the films being shown was the bloody Chiller six finger feckin' hand coming out of the swamp or whatever the animated opening of Chiller. That shit
used to make me break out in a cold sweat and cry and shit! It was no joke. Whoever came up with that shit hated kids, let's face it! Haha!
👋 couldn't find Chiller Hand
@@thiscorrosion900 yep,, I was born in 1960 raised in Huntington L.I. your post brought back memories
I could’ve done with hours of Mr Giamatti reminiscing about those films that he loves. Wonderful.
Good old pig vomit.
I can't believe his first pick was Carnival of Souls! One of my all time favorites, such an inspiration. Love this guy 👍
Awesome film
He would be absolutely wonderful to watch movies with.
@@bluemooninthedaylight8073very knowledgeable down to earth man concerning movies science fiction many things saw an interview he had on CBS Sunday Morning watch that an amazing humble man quite brilliant
I love that quirky movie. Glad to know that I was not the only one who had that film impressed upon them at a young age. Never forgot it.
Can we take a second to recognize how genius this channel is? It’s like looking through a window and nostalgia being on the other side. There’s an art to picking your movie out like you would a book. Read the front read the back and see if it peaks your interest. There’s an art to that man and I miss those days of going to the library or blockbuster. Because physically finding a good movie, feels more rewarding than scrolling through different titles on Netflix at home.
Its been so lovely to slowly realise this man is my favourite actor 😊
He's whispering politely like he's in a church or library. And, in a way, he is.
Yeah, but I still feel it’s better to worship #Jesus than #HerkHarvey..
@@aclark903 I agree, that is why I said "in a way." But there are some films that for me at least created a religious experience. A perfect example is The Shawshank Redemption.
@@Wyrmwould Not King’s finest. Much prefer #SalemsLot. King usually can’t get past his irrational and passionate loathing of all things #evangelical, but at least in Salem’s Lot he has a modicum of sympathy for Catholics.
@@aclark903 no, to hell with jesus. Art is the real god.
This series really is the best thing on the internet.
I love his choice to call himself a "professional entertainer" rather than actor. It somehow seems more grounded, less ego-ridden.
I can't imagine Giamatti would get caught fawning over himself and his colleages as culture-shaping artistes.
He was painted blue in Big Fat Liar and played a character nicknamed "Pig Vomit." Hard to be pretentious after those experiences. Amazing actor, though. He has risen above.
Paul's voice is so soothing...I'm here for those ASMR vibes! I also enjoyed his movie picks...first time where I've seen the majority of someone's choices.
Good luck Mr. Giamatti at the Oscars, have a fantastic time. New Englanders will be rooting for you!
The embodiment of Connecticut
No chance he's white, male and heterosexual. Won't work for the academy.
I'm always thrilled to hear someone mention Val Lewton's Cat People. One of my grandmother's last gifts to me was that movie along with Night of the Hunter. Anyway, great episode..love Giamatti! He needs to do more movie talk.
I wish Paul were the sort of wounded ego to read RUclips comments on a channel that features him. BUT... I love him in Duets, loved him in Sideways, loved him in John Adams, loved him in American Splendor, loved him in The Holdovers, and so many more amazing roles where he elevates the films he's in. I LOVE that he is somehow a reclusive introverted readaholic philosopher and an A-list Hollywood movie star respected by his peers for taking the actual hard roles that don't make him the glamorous super hero protagonist. Paul's character creating a scene pouring a spit bucket of merlot down his gullet, going back to the motel with the latest Barely Legal, and still getting Virginia Madsen's brilliant soulful beauty to read his novel... I wish we had a million more movies like these and fewer Avengers flicks. Bravo!
Paul Giamatti in 'Sideways', one of my all time favorite characters.
Thomas Haden Church also with an amazing performance.
I hated the Academy when they didn't nominate Paul as Miles.
@@SamElliottsStache You really care what the "academy" thinks?
If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I'M NOT DRINKING ANY F*CKING MERLOT!!!
The monologue about pinot noir delivered by Virginia Madsen though...
That was an awesome movie.
This man has my heart!! I feel like Carnival of Souls doesn't get talked about nearly enough
Speaking of a terrific actor in a small, tiny supporting parts: Paul Giamatti 🙌 That's how I discovered this mesmerizing actor and he absolutely steals the show in every supporting role-and he knocks it out of the park when he leads, too! The only actor where I go out of my way to watch everything he's done. 🥇
Paul Giamatti name-dropping Anton Walbrook put a huge smile on my face.
Same for me, such an underrated actor.
Anton Walbrook is always incredible in everything he’s part of (that I’ve seen, mind.); Gaslight, The Queen of Spades, 49th Parallel, Le Ronde, The Red Shoes, Lola Montes, et al.
@@uberbabeINCIf you are a Walbrook fan, Masquerade ( 1934) starring him is a must see. It is a lavish, Pre-Code style Comedy from Austria. Never released on home media in the US, it is on RUclips, with English Subtitles: ruclips.net/video/d0obdzAYcws/видео.htmlsi=SD4VJknxBgJUOkp-
I mean he had to look for the name on the back and he also thought Anton hadn’t been in a lot. So not as cool as you think
@@bobbymcfee2974I'm tired of your shit. Quit being a dickhead. It's not like he NEEDS to know everyone's filmography. He liked the guy. Good enough.
Paul Giamatti has a down to earth way of playing erudite characters that universalizes them, makes them relatable to audiences regardless of their class. The fact that he first remembers watching “Carnival of Souls” on WPIX - a channel I watched all the time as a kid - makes this man who comes from multiple generations of highly educated people accessible to me, the son of a postal worker.
I wouldn't call Pig Vomit erudite, lol.
'Blue Velvet' is a classic. I could listen to his picks for hours. Great actor 🍻
Back in 1986, opening night of the film on LI here, Levittown, the Lumberton of the northeast, suburbia ground zero, I knew something was up when half the very small
audience for it walked out of it after maybe 20 minutes or so. Right after Dennis Hopper first shows up. After DUNE I was worried for Lynch, with good reason,
and when I saw half the audience (mostly older folks) bail, I was even more worried! But I was with a friend who was also a Lynch fan, and we both thought it was
brilliant. We felt like David had punched us in the gut, or whatever. Walked out feeling totally disoriented, like after a bad trip. I would try to dress like Jeffrey
for a year or two afterwards, too! Wearing a black blazer and a pink semi skinny tie, etc, and chinos.
Paul has done one of the better "closet picks" in this series. He did a fine job explaining why the films he chose affected me as well as giving precise info which drew me closer to purchasing.
I'm convinced that Paul is one of those actors who reserves his energy for the Stage or whenever he's in front of the Camera, and I love him for that. Just shows how committed to the craft he is.
I agree. Kind of similar to how a singer reserves their singing voice for the tour
I've read his co-stars say before he's pretty shy. It takes him a while to open up and even then he remains reserved. Definitely one of those in the acting field who are introverted in life and extroverted on the stage.
I heard he got wild and crazy with Damian Lewis on the set of Billions between takes. A lot of fart jokes and stuff like that!
He and Bob Odenkirk should make a movie about 2 guys competing for the funniest way of screaming "GODDAMMIT!"
This is a great idea. haha
J.K. Simmons pops up at some point.
Giamatti's voice is so soothing
This is the most comforting closet video I’ve ever watched, I feel like I’ll come back to it if I ever feel stressed out. Paul had some fantastic picks as well.
even at 8 minutes it's too short. i love paul's voice, and then words he says
Excellent taste and choices. Giamatti didn't fail to prove what i always thought of him: a well educated, well spoken, deep person. With an incredible acting talent, may i add. This was a great episode. Thanks!
The fact that Paul name checked WPIX channel 11 Chiller Theater made me love him even more!!! Great movie choices, too!!!
It's a tribute to the man, that I feel comfortable addressing him as "Paul." With that being said: LOVE Paul's picks... and his musings on these great films.
How do I get INTO that closet???!!!!!
Anything with Paul in it is excellent. He is one of my favourite actors ever. He is amazing.
Figuratively, the most favorite videos on RUclips. The only thing that I always will watch in any circumstances. This episode is particularly mesmerizing.
The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, The Negotiator, Man on the Moon, Big Momma's House, Big Fat Liar, American Splendor, Sideways, Cinderella Man, The Illusionist, 12 Years a Slave, Love & Mercy, The Holdovers and so many other great films. Paul Giamatti is one of the most underrated actors of all time.
Excellent picks and I even loved his Top 4 picks on Letterboxd. You can truly tell when an actor has great taste because it shows how much they study and makes them the great actor that they are!
And his John Adams miniseries.
Big Fat Liar should get a Criterion release. 😂
He was the highlight of Howard Stern’s “Private Parts” movie as well
Watched The Negotiator for the first time recently, went into it not expecting much but I really enjoyed it.
The Hawk is Dying.
He even makes his picks like a professional actor, so smooth and engaging.
I love these picks. Blue Velvet, Seconds, Cat People and Rashomon! Whenever I hear or read Val Lewton's name I hear it in Marin Scorsese's voice. Val Lewton rules. I could listen to Paul talk in this hushed tone about Criterion's titles for hours.
Even the 1983 remake of Cat People has great charm now, at this distance....One weird Horror movie!
(....And of course Natascha Kinski is just 💀💀💀 gorgeous!)
Paul Giamatti has one of the most sublime voices. It's always evocative of subtext -- though he may not always intend it.
I have a very finicky ear for sounds and very few people have that "it" factor with their voice that places them in that category of hypnotic but engaging... unless he's stepping on the gas in a role. Then it's among the most frenetic and unhinged.
This is a voice that's capable of great good or great evil -- well-suited to his craft.
Just watched The Holdovers yesterday, and Paul Giamatti is such a brilliant actor. Great picks as well.
Wow I could listen to Paul continue to talk about movies he loves for another hour. What an actor, what a wonderful memory he has of films he loves. I love this series and I hope it can continue for many years to come. I treasure my Criterion DVDs and BluRays. Streaming can never ever approach the value that a Criterion release provides a film lover.
Thanks Mr Giamatti. You’re a fantastic actor and an interesting person. Always inspiring.
Everyone is great in Seconds. My fourth favourite film ever. Murray Hamilton is indeed terrific. Rock Hudson is insanely good - John Randolph, Will Geer doing polite-persuasive-creepy, Jeff Corey, Salome Jens, Richard Anderson, Karl Swenson, Wesley Addy as the polite-sinister butler. Heck, I bet Leonard Nimoy was great, in the scene they deleted.
Super mention of a neglected film, Mr. Giamatti. I remember I recommended Seconds to someone - they took the Criterion disc home and told me what happened later on...he went home, watched Seconds, was rocked to the core, went out for a late night beer and to think, then came home and watched the film again. And again within 48 hours. Anyway, I recently re-watched another hidden gem, Duplicity, with another great Giamatti performance - thanks for all the wonderful films, sir!
That’s a great anecdote about “Seconds”.
I also loaned a copy to a friend who returned it weeks later. I asked her what she thought. For approximately 2 minutes she was only able to make hand gestures and facial expressions before she could articulate how astonished she was… both times she watched it!
@@uberbabeINC Any movie can end up being meh for any viewer, including Seconds…but when it affects a first-time viewer, it can hit pretty hard. We haven’t even mentioned the ‘wet’, claustrophobic cinematography by a master who handles wide open vistas just as well, the music, and the opening titles sequence. I think this is one of those times the movie tops the original novel (like Jaws, Die Hard), but the novel was great, too; slight letdown after seeing the film.
The guy I recommended Seconds to needed a little cajoling to buy a copy (around 2012). Would he really like it, he wondered. I said “Well, what are your favourite movies? What do you like?” He said his fave film was Rosemary’s Baby, and I just handed him Seconds and said “You’re good, you’re fine, it’s….yes, yes.”.
Seconds is quite possibly the biggest hidden gem discovery I've had in the past couple of years, always sing its praises whenever I get the chance.
James Wong Howe #UndisputedMaster
@@uberbabeINC Yep. Seconds, and Hud - a great double-bill for watching a great cinematographer succeed by taking an exact opposite approach, as befits the requirements of two very different films, and nailing it.
Seconds was already on my watchlist but it's just been bumped to the top, thanks for the recommendation Mr. Giamatti
What an amazing voice this man has! Great picks too!
omg I could listen to Paul talk about movies like this for hours. So relaxing!
This is all the ASMR I ever needed. I also LOVE Paul's podcast CHINWAG! It is awesome!
Clicked so fast when i saw this in my feed...
Give Paul the whole closet! He can
Criterion & Chill...
Amazing actor. Terrific in anything and everything he's been in.
The Holdovers was one of the most wonderful films I’ve seen in years, an absolute modern classic in the style of an old Classic
This man is a gift to the world.
I trust the taste of Paul Giamatti absolutely. And I feel certain that he would say, "Are you *sure* you want to do that?"
I would've thought it would be impossible for me to love this guy even more than I already did, but Carnival of Souls, Val Lewton, Murray Hamilton....
God Giamatti! 🙌🏻
Thanks for your performances and recomendations!
Receive this hug from Spain!
Paul’s picks:
1. Carnival of Souls (1962)
2. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
3. Rashomon (1950)
4. Solaris (1972)
5. Cat People (1942)
6. Seconds (1966)
7. Blue Velvet (1986)
8. Wings (1966; by Larisa Shepitko)
Paul has actual real things to say about his picks. Fascinating. He is a serious movie fan. This is very different from most of the other Criterion Closet guests. Get him back in there for Part II. Please.
Paul, you're an all-time great! Looking forward to more!
Love Sideways, American Splendor, Barney's Version, Win Win, etc, etc... Damn, he made a lot of movies...
The Negotiator (1998)
What a great introduction to film! Carnival of Souls.
What a fantastic series of choices. Need to see Giamatti in a David Lynch movie.
As a fan of both, I just can't picture Giamatti in a lynch movie.
There is a calmness to this video that I really like :) love paul giamatti.
Would love him to get the deserved Oscar for "The Holdovers"
Love Paul Giamatti. His performance as Einstein in that Verizon commercial was BRILLIANT!
"Hi. My name is Paul. And this is my ASMR channel."
i can't believe it took me this long to realize criterion closet is somehow both the perfect stuff to engage w/ and to fall asleep to. paul giamatti asmr while i dream of the films
i love it
There's two movies starring Giamatti that I would love to see added to the Criterion collection: Sideways, and American Splendor.
One of the most iconic voices in cinema!
5:27 David Lynch mentioned 🥳🥳
Everybody's favorite uncle 🙂Loved the comment on Blue Velvet. Incredible movie.
Brilliant first choice, Herk Harvey's supernatural cult classic!
Giamatti deserves the Oscar. I love the choices he’s made. Anton Walbrook is a big favorite of mine since I him in “The Red Shoes.” Val Lewton’s films are scary without showing a thing. Beautifully filmed.
i love this guys voice
Paul Giamatti is one of the best actors alive today. I hope he wins the oscar.
About time ❤🎉
Truly deserving of his nomination and if he takes home the Oscar. Hearing him talk about how much he loves Blue Velvet, made me think he’d be great in a David Lynch movie.
Giamatti ASMR and Criterion? Perfection
Blue velvet is cool but not for a first date. LOL Made that mistake.
"MOMMEEEEE!!!"
Wonderful choices from the Mighty Paul. Probably only chance I'll get to say this so thanks for American Splendor, Paul. A masterpiece I enjoy once a year since its release. Best wishes from Scotland, Paul. Be well ❤👊
Paul Giamatti is a national treasure, I hope he wins the Oscar this year.
Thank you, Paul, for The Holdovers and your eclectic filmography. I've loved your work from Jon Adams to to Big Fat Liar. Never had a film move me to tears through nearly the whole film...and love it. So thanks again for _The Holdovers._
Thank you Paul. An actors, actor. Carnival of Souls - great choice.
I love Paul Giamatti. He does have one of those voices that soothes, but can also make anything sound interesting. Loved him in the film, Win Win.
I've been watching Giamatti closely for many years before anyone else has - especially with films like Cinderella Man, Man on the Moon, and even worked with him on Sideways.
He's truly a gem of an actor and human being and he's so deeply underrated in his craft, yet always continues to deliver fantastic performances nonetheless.
So glad to see Paul Giamatti in the Criterion closet. Love all of this picks especially Carnival of Souls, Rashomon, and Blue Velvet. I always look forward to these videos.
I'm so happy he picked Rashomon! It's my favorite Kurosawa film. It's absolutely hauntingly beautiful.
Anton Walbrook - yes. Love all of Mr. Giamatti's work.
He's become one of my favorites, over time. I've always wanted to ask him if he's noticed that directors like to have him eating in most of his roles.
If you haven't checked out this man's podcast, do so immediately. Him and his cohost have some great guests and even better conversations.
I love Paul Giamatti, ever since "Sideways" (where he got robbed by not being nominated).
One of my favourite episodes. Paul is legend and evidently very funny and articulate.
I watched The Holdovers last night... You deserve the Oscar...
Welcome to The Baby’s Sleeping, with Paul Giamatti!
He is seriously one of those actors that you know is great. But it’s not until you sit down and actually watch him perform that you are reminded and surprised by how truly special he is. Such a remarkable and soulful “professional entertainer”. 😊
I love that he sounds absolutely awestruck the entire time
Excellent, distinctive selections. I've seen CARNIVAL OF SOULS several times; so creepy and unsettling. Amazing the director never made another film. I hope Mr. Giamatti wins the Best Actor Oscar for THE HOLDOVERS, my favorite movie of 2023.
Director Herk Hervey was working on filming another move but he had a disagreement with the lead actor and the actor quit killing the film. He eventually taught theater at the unniversity of Kansas for years.
I love these personal moments from his life he flashes back to remembering where he saw these movies.