The award-winning actor talks about his childhood experience seeing CARNIVAL OF SOULS and his love for low-budget horror treasures, shares how BLUE VELVET ignited his desire to become an actor and why RASHOMON always moves him to tears, and praises the performances in John Frankenheimer’s SECONDS.
Shop Paul's Closet Picks! www.criterion.com/shop/collec...
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.*
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
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!
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.
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
Nice to hear Mr. Giamatti using his "indoor" voice as he makes his selections.
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.
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 !!!
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
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.
The Holdovers was one of the most wonderful films Ive seen in years, an absolute modern classic in the style of an old Classic.
He speaks as if he is afraid of waking up the other movies. How cute.
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.
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!!!
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.
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 KZhead, with English Subtitles: kzhead.info/sun/l5SoksiyeIuZqqs/bejne.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.
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.
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
Its been so lovely to slowly realise this man is my favourite actor 😊
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.
This series really is the best thing on the internet.
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.
even at 8 minutes it's too short. i love paul's voice, and then words he says
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.
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 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.
'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.
Giamatti's voice is so soothing
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.
I wish Paul were the sort of wounded ego to read KZhead 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. 🥇
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Anything with Paul in it is excellent. He is one of my favourite actors ever. He is amazing.
What a fantastic series of choices. Need to see Giamatti in a David Lynch movie.
The fact that Paul name checked WPIX channel 11 Chiller Theater made me love him even more!!! Great movie choices, too!!!
Figuratively, the most favorite videos on KZhead. The only thing that I always will watch in any circumstances. This episode is particularly mesmerizing.
This is all the ASMR I ever needed. I also LOVE Paul's podcast CHINWAG! It is awesome!
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....
One of the most iconic voices in cinema!
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)
This man is a gift to the world.
Just watched The Holdovers yesterday, and Paul Giamatti is such a brilliant actor. Great picks as well.
Seconds was already on my watchlist but it's just been bumped to the top, thanks for the recommendation Mr. Giamatti
i love this guys voice
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???!!!!!
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!
Giamatti ASMR and Criterion? Perfection
5:27 David Lynch mentioned 🥳🥳
"Hi. My name is Paul. And this is my ASMR channel."
This man has my heart!! I feel like Carnival of Souls doesn't get talked about nearly enough
Thanks Mr Giamatti. You’re a fantastic actor and an interesting person. Always inspiring.
There's two movies starring Giamatti that I would love to see added to the Criterion collection: Sideways, and American Splendor.
Would love him to get the deserved Oscar for "The Holdovers"
Paul Giamatti is a national treasure, I hope he wins the Oscar this year.
I trust the taste of Paul Giamatti absolutely. And I feel certain that he would say, "Are you *sure* you want to do that?"
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)
What an amazing voice this man has! Great picks too!
My heart stopped when he picked a Larisa Shepitko film!!! Wings is terrific, and The Ascent (1977) is one of the best anti war films ever made. What a man of culture!
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.
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
Awesome. For me, Paul Giamatti became John Adams in that mini-series - and it made me search out his other roles. Great to see him here talking about film and his interests in movies.
He even makes his picks like a professional actor, so smooth and engaging.
Absolute legend! Looking forward to this! ❤
omg I could listen to Paul talk about movies like this for hours. So relaxing!
Clicked so fast when i saw this in my feed... Give Paul the whole closet! He can Criterion & Chill...
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.
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.
Blue Velvet helped push Giamatti into acting. David Lynch with the assist!
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.
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._
There is a calmness to this video that I really like :) love paul giamatti.
"I'm a great admirer of the guy who wrote the book that it's based on..." that reminded me of Mr. Giamatti and Stephen Colbert nerding out about Sci-Fi literature. I see abunch of people commenting on P.G.'s voice - he read the audiobook for Philip K. Dick's _A Scanner Darkly._ I really recommend it :)
I love these personal moments from his life he flashes back to remembering where he saw these movies.
A real treat this was and great to see a longer "in the closet" video too. We all need more content with Paul Giamatti
Very exciting. Always enjoy Paul’s pov. Enjoy his podcast too! …Colonel Blimp is a fun flick.
I watched The Holdovers last night... You deserve the Oscar...
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.
A truly brilliant role he played in The Holdovers! Classic!
Paul Giamatti is one of the best actors alive today. I hope he wins the oscar.
Thanks for bringing us into your childhood with Carnival of souls, tootsie rolls, and WPIX’s chiller theater. Solaris is a favorite, interesting. Maybe Mr. Giamatti will do some science-fiction and horror in the future. One can only hope.
SOLARIS for sure. Read the Stanislaw Lem novel too!
He did a sci-fi movie called Cold Souls, a long time ago.
I can't believe he picked "Seconds". I love that movie so much and never see it get mentioned.
Ben Wheatley chose it too
Soderbergh said it’s the best film to watch to know how to make a film.
I loved the line in The Holdovers by his character "That's why I dont go to parties, that was disastrous"
Love Paul Giamatti. His performance as Einstein in that Verizon commercial was BRILLIANT!
That's great to see him here.Just watched Cinderella Man the other night and Paul was so good in it.😊
"oh hello". Such a signature Paul intro.
I appreciated the flowers for Murray Hamilton, one of the greatest character actors ever. He also did a lot with a few minutes of screen time as Mr. Robinson in The Graduate when he ripped into Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin.
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 ❤👊
Gotta love him! Amazing picks! 😍
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.
TLADOCB is one of my favourite movies, great to see Paul chose it for his collection.
fr adding this to an asmr playlist, I want an hour of this
So glad that Paul is a Val Lewton fan!! I love 'the Body Snatcher'.
Kent Jones' documentary on Lewton is one of the all-time great supplemental features on a Criterion (or any other) physical release!
"The Body Snatcher" is my favorite Lewton film, too, and I had the pleasure of telling Boris Karloff's daughter that it is my favorite of her father's performances.
Been waiting for this one for a while!!!