Criterion and MGM

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
Post Reply
Message
Author
rrenault
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:49 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#526 Post by rrenault » Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:06 am

This may be off topic with regard to MGM, but will Criterion ever release Face to Face?

User avatar
Murdoch
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:59 pm
Location: Upstate NY

Re: Criterion and MGM

#527 Post by Murdoch » Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:10 am

Olive Films is scheduled to release it some time this year, I think before summer.

felipe
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 11:06 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#528 Post by felipe » Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:13 am

SamLowry wrote: Lenny
That's a really great film and I hadn't thought about Criterion realeasing it. I hope they will.

User avatar
Derek Estes
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: Portland Oregon

Re: Criterion and MGM

#529 Post by Derek Estes » Sat Apr 09, 2011 1:47 am

Darling is technically a Studio Canal film, so that isn't going to happen unfortunately. My Beautiful Launderette is a terrific film as is Prick Up Your Ears. Never cared for La Cage, or The Bird House. Blood Simple is Universal. I would also love to have seen Criterion puck up Women In Love.

Arthur House
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:20 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#530 Post by Arthur House » Sat Apr 09, 2011 11:23 am

The Loved One is an MGM production now controlled by Warners, whose fine 2006 DVD of the film is now OOP.

User avatar
SamLowry
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:14 pm
Location: California

Re: Criterion and MGM

#531 Post by SamLowry » Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:15 am

I did a search on IMDB for MGM home video titles, though a few came up as being released by Warners (ie. The Loved One) on DVD on Amazon, though out of print now (possibly rights revert back?)

Darling was released on MGM dvd (censored version) in the US, which is still in print. IMDB states that Criterion has the home video rights (laserdisc) for the US....I would love to see a Criterion blu ray (w/ a restored original cut, nude scene/s intact).

I'd also love to see Criterion put out more British 50s - mid 60s stuff (Losey/Pinter/Richardson/Reisz...Small Back Room/Billy Liar/If... on Blu). I was a bit disappointed with the Basil Dearden set on Eclipse....I was hoping that Criterion might release Victim, League of Gentlemen & The Mindbenders on Blu Ray.

As for The Loved One, I had begged Criterion to put this out before Warner did (to no avail). The Warner DVD looks pretty good, but it's only 2 hrs (apparently there was a 3 hour Road show version at some point). Many cameos didn't make it into the version on the Warner's DVD (Jayne Mansfield, Ruth Gordon, ). Since it's now out of print, it would be nice (if Warner's lost the license) if Criterion finally picked it up.

More I'd really like:

Jesus Of Montreal
Prisoner Of The Mountains
Eat Drink Man Woman
Electra
Iphigenia
The Secret Of Santa Vittoria
Never On Sunday

Possibilities that don't move me as much:

Claire Denis' Chocolat
Louis Malle's May Fools
Flight Of The Innocent
Night Of The Shooting Stars
My Father's Glory/My Mother's Castle
Life & Nothing But

User avatar
Jeff
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
Location: Denver, CO

Re: Criterion and MGM

#532 Post by Jeff » Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:42 pm

SamLowry wrote:I did a search on IMDB for MGM home video titles, though a few came up as being released by Warners (ie. The Loved One) on DVD on Amazon, though out of print now (possibly rights revert back?)
All pre-1986 MGM films are owned outright by Warner. This does not include the libraries of United Artists or other MGM/UA subsidiaries, only actual MGM films. Warner has not lost the rights to The Loved One, they have just chosen to take it out of print along with dozens of other titles. I wouldn't be surprised to see them reissue it through the archive at some point.
SamLowry wrote:Darling was released on MGM dvd (censored version) in the US, which is still in print. IMDB states that Criterion has the home video rights (laserdisc) for the US....I would love to see a Criterion blu ray (w/ a restored original cut, nude scene/s intact).
Darling was originally released by Avco/Embassy (later Embassy-Nelson). During the 80s and 90s they had their own home video label, and were later distributed in conjunction with New Line. Criterion handled the laserdisc versions of many of their films, and Embassy-Nelson distributed several Janus films on VHS in return.

StudioCanal bought the Avco/Embassy/Nelson library in the late 90s and signed a long-term distribution deal for that particular library with MGM at that time. Other prominent titles in this library include This is Spinal Tap, The Producers, The Graduate, Carnal Knowledge, and dozens of others. MGM has the right to distribute these in the U.S., but they don't have the right to sub-license them to Criterion.
SamLowry wrote:I'd also love to see Criterion put out more British 50s - mid 60s stuff (Losey/Pinter/Richardson/Reisz...Small Back Room/Billy Liar/If... on Blu). I was a bit disappointed with the Basil Dearden set on Eclipse....I was hoping that Criterion might release Victim, League of Gentlemen & The Mindbenders on Blu Ray.
I'd imagine that any future mainline releases of British films from that period will come out in Blu-ray. Small Back Room and Billy Liar aren't possibilities since they are StudioCanal properties that Criterion lost the rights to.

kekid
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:55 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#533 Post by kekid » Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:08 pm

MoonlitKnight wrote:
Tom Hagen wrote:Perhaps some of the hesitation in picking up Truffauts and Bergmans from MGM is that Criterion already has plenty of unreleased films and Blu upgrades to do for both of them.
Indeed, Criterion's already sitting on like 9 or 10 Bergman titles (mostly from the 50s).
On the other hand it is a pity many of the MGM Truffauts have not be taken up by Criterion. They have issued a large number of Godards, a few Truffauts, and no Chabrol. I don't know if this reflects a personal preference of a high-ranking Criterion personnel, but I for one would like to see this corrected.

kneelzod
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:33 pm
Contact:

Re: Criterion and MGM

#534 Post by kneelzod » Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:17 am

Derek Estes wrote:Darling is technically a Studio Canal film, so that isn't going to happen unfortunately. My Beautiful Launderette is a terrific film as is Prick Up Your Ears. Never cared for La Cage, or The Bird House. Blood Simple is Universal. I would also love to have seen Criterion puck up Women In Love.
BLOOD SIMPLE is MGM's now

flyonthewall2983
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Re: Criterion and MGM

#535 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:58 pm

Got this from thedigitalbits
LOS ANGELES, CA April 14, 2011 – MGM announced today that the company has renewed its worldwide Blu-ray Disc and DVD distribution pact with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment through 2016. As part of the new agreement, Fox will now oversee electronic-sell-through for MGM titles and will continue to handle MGM's vast and extensive movie and television library, as well as distribute several upcoming new release productions in the home entertainment market, including the next JAMES BOND film, set for global theatrical release on November 9, 2012."

"Twentieth Century Fox is a valued partner that has taken great care of the MGM library for many years with the highest degree of integrity," said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of MGM. "They are a tremendous asset to the studio as we look towards the future."

"MGM and UA have made enormous contributions throughout the history of film, and we're proud to be part of that legacy," said Fox Filmed Entertainment's chairmen and CEO's Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. "We're delighted that we are extending our partnership with the studio under the leadership of our friends Gary and Roger."

Twentieth Century Fox began managing MGM's international home video distribution in 1999. The flourishing partnership expanded in 2006 when MGM signed a worldwide distribution pact with Fox. Fox's home entertainment group has enhanced the MGM legacy by maximizing key franchises and legendary films from the library that include JAMES BOND, ROCKY and WEST SIDE STORY. Additionally, Fox leveraged MGM's deep catalog to offer a selection of never before released classic films and TV shows via CreateSpace's DVD On-Demand service.

"The MGM brand has become part of our DNA," said Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "We are privileged to handle this incredible library of acclaimed films, many that rank as the most commercially and critically successful films of all time."
Odd this news coming out after Sony announced they were distributing the next Bond movie.

User avatar
captveg
Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#536 Post by captveg » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:09 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Odd this news coming out after Sony announced they were distributing the next Bond movie.
Not really. Sony has theatrical distribution, Fox has video (via MGM). That's how it was for Quantum of Solace.

flyonthewall2983
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Re: Criterion and MGM

#537 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:20 pm

Didn't know that, figured Sony did since Casino Royale was.

User avatar
MitchPerrywinkle
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:26 am

Re: Criterion and MGM

#538 Post by MitchPerrywinkle » Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:31 am

Call it a pipe dream, but I really hope Criterion considers getting the rights back for Silence of the Lambs

User avatar
captveg
Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#539 Post by captveg » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:32 pm

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Didn't know that, figured Sony did since Casino Royale was.
Yeah, the whole history of how this has been arranged is odd.

In 2004-05 MGM partnered with Sony in both theatrical and video distribution. Out of this agreement came Rocky Balboa and Casino Royale.

Then in late 2006 / early 2007 MGM moved to Fox for video distribution. So Quantum of Solace was still co-produced and distributed theatrically by Sony/MGM, but released on video by MGM through Fox.

flyonthewall2983
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Re: Criterion and MGM

#540 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:21 pm

I like the Fox deal quite a bit, more out of nostalgia for all the UA titles that were on CBS/Fox VHS back in the day.

User avatar
HistoryProf
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:48 am
Location: KCK

Re: Criterion and MGM

#541 Post by HistoryProf » Sun Apr 17, 2011 12:18 am

SamLowry wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned a number of titles in their Avant Garde & World Cinema series.
+ Romeo Is Bleeding - a bit of a fave of mine due to my unhealthy obsession with Lena Olin, who's turn in Romeo is one of her best ;)

User avatar
colinr0380
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK

Re: Criterion and MGM

#542 Post by colinr0380 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:08 am

That's certainly one glorious performance of calculated evil that Lena Olin gives in that film - it says something when Gary Oldman is playing only the second most deranged role in a film!

Since Criterion have a pre-existing relationship with Peter Medak (having issued The Ruling Class), I think this one would more than deserve a place in the Collection, even if just as an example of the 1990s neo-noir renaissance (although The Last Seduction is still the supreme example of that particular subgenre).

flyonthewall2983
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
Location: Indiana
Contact:

Re: Criterion and MGM

#543 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:26 pm

Video in the vein of the Crash one I posted earlier, this time for Thunderbolt And Lightfoot. If Criterion got on this, my glee for some previous releases would pale in comparison. Doubtful any of Clint's films as a director would make it in, but all would be forgiven if this were included.

User avatar
Cold Bishop
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 9:45 pm
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Criterion and MGM

#544 Post by Cold Bishop » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:52 pm

Wouldn't mind it, but there are other more pressing Cimino's to be had (unfortunately, Lion's Gate owns one of them).

jorgenlundmark
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:36 am

Re: Criterion and MGM

#545 Post by jorgenlundmark » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:16 am

blackcauldron wrote:Is there any word on when, and if, MGM will still release to Criterion their masterpiece "Koyaanisqatsi"? I read that its director told an audience that Criterion would release it, but that was several years ago.
I was at a screening of "Koyaanisqatsi" in Uppsala, Sweden. I had a chance to ask Philip Glass about a Criterion release of the film. His laconic answer was "Eventually". Don't know how to interpret that, given the fact he wasn't answering any more questions.

User avatar
Gary Gnu
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:50 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#546 Post by Gary Gnu » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:54 pm

Cold Bishop wrote:Wouldn't mind it, but there are other more pressing Cimino's to be had (unfortunately, Lion's Gate owns one of them).
Yes! I love Cimino's work. He's long overdue for some recognition. Criterion, please get out decent releases of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Deer Hunter, and Heaven's Gate! (Actually, it's rumored by reliable sources that Criterion is well underway with a special edition of Heaven's Gate. Woot!) :D

User avatar
daniel p
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:01 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Criterion and MGM

#547 Post by daniel p » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:22 pm

jorgenlundmark wrote:I was at a screening of "Koyaanisqatsi" in Uppsala, Sweden. I had a chance to ask Philip Glass about a Criterion release of the film. His laconic answer was "Eventually".
Frustrated! Have been dreaming of a trilogy box set for years, even moreso on Blu now! I guess, "eventually" is better than "not happening" at least :|

User avatar
Gary Gnu
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:50 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#548 Post by Gary Gnu » Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:39 pm

daniel p wrote:Frustrated! Have been dreaming of a trilogy box set for years, even moreso on Blu now! I guess, "eventually" is better than "not happening" at least :|
Hopefully, they'll just release Reggio's entire filmography, since his only other film is Anima Mundi.

User avatar
Gary Gnu
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:50 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#549 Post by Gary Gnu » Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:48 pm

Naqoyqatsi is also in production. It's a trilogy box. (Woot!!) Maybe it'll contain Reggio's other works, as well.

felipe
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 11:06 pm

Re: Criterion and MGM

#550 Post by felipe » Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:03 am

Has Criterion ever mentioned the possibility of Europa Europa? Or any Verhoeven (Flesh + Blood, Spetters, etc)?

Post Reply