Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 4

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
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allthingsshining

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#251 Post by allthingsshining » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:45 pm

jindianajonz wrote:
Matt wrote:Sure, some person on Facebook cites an unnamed "higher-up" who still doesn't commit 100%. Where do I pre-order?
I thought the same thing, but it's actually a dude from terrencemallick.com that posted it (see link). That gives it a tad more credibility, in my eyes
I am the dude from terrencemalick.org , paul, and the story is this, unrelated to Criterion's announcement, I wanted to get further evidence of WB's intentions toward Badlands. I contacted the V.P. of the home release division. He sent me the message that it "most likely will be Criterion." This makes me think then that it will not be anytime soon, since the film, to my knowledge, hasn't been restored, and to get the Criterion treatment, this is a must. That obviously takes time. Film editor Billy Weber told me that him, Art Director Jack Fisk, Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek have all given either interviews or provided commentary already for a British release, or, he may just be referring to the featurette currently online at Youtube, Absence of Malick. Since that came out in 2003, he may have meant something created sooner than that. Not sure.

The VP at WB then wrote me that he expects Badlands to see a release "sometime this year."

So, we have confirmation from the Malick camp and now we have one from a credible source at WB as of today, but not Criterion, which would be typical until they post a cryptic shot from their screening room (like they did with The Thin Red Line), or a clue of some sort.

I did follow-up my email with a request about the state of Badland's original print, if there has been any work done on it by Warner Brothers etc., but haven't heard back from him yet. When I do, I will post it asap.

ianungstad
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:20 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#252 Post by ianungstad » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:45 pm

Janus films is screening "The Telephone Book" at the Tribeca theater in NY on January 25th, with a Q+A following the screening. Did we know that this was in the works? I've never even heard of this film but it sounds fun and the log line gives off a Waters-esque vibe:

Super rare 35mm film screening of a forgotten classic from the New York Underground! Producer Merv Bloch in person for post-screening Q&A with Janus Films’ Brian Belovarac.

Sexually frustrated gamine Alice (Sarah Kennedy) is freed from her apartment-bound malaise when she receives the world's greatest obscene phone call from one "John Smith," sending her on a picaresque journey through the Manhattan white pages in search of its maker. As Alice encounters ego-crazed porn directors, perverted psychologist and priapic shut-ins, her trip grows more and more deranged, interrupted by first-person interviews with phone freaks and climaxing in one of the nuttiest half-hours of 1970s cinema. The sole directing credit of Saturday Night Live writer Nelson Lyon and produced by Merv Bloch, creator of some of the movie industry’s best ad campaigns, The Telephone Book is hilarious and disturbing in equal measure.

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SpiderBaby
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:34 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#253 Post by SpiderBaby » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:50 pm

Anybody else thinking Criterion has Valerie and Her Week of Wonders now?

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ccfixx
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:37 pm
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#254 Post by ccfixx » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:29 pm

I don't know about Criterion, but I have it from Second Run. ;)

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SpiderBaby
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:34 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#255 Post by SpiderBaby » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:31 pm

I'm just thinking how many films that was Facets dvds at one time do they have.

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Jeff
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#256 Post by Jeff » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:33 pm

allthingsshining wrote:I contacted the V.P. of the home release division. He sent me the message that it "most likely will be Criterion." This makes me think then that it will not be anytime soon, since the film, to my knowledge, hasn't been restored, and to get the Criterion treatment, this is a must. That obviously takes time.
Criterion actually licensed Badlands along with a very few other Warner titles a couple of years ago, but I believe something (not related to elements I think) threw a wrench in the works and the deal was jeopardized. When and if the titles materialize remains to be seen. I don't know that the film really needs to be "restored" per se. It will just need a new HD scan with Criterion's usual cleanup. Usually in licensing situations, I think Criterion does the scan and gives the HD master back to the studio as part of the deal. I don't know if that's how it would work with Warner or not. Both MGM and Fox have licensed titles to Criterion in the past then changed their minds and decided they wanted them back and Criterion has acquiesced (for a price or a higher profile title). When that happened with Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Fox even got custody of the supplements Criterion had already prepared. I could see something like that potentially happening with Badlands. I suspect the HD master is actually already done and they just haven't sorted out the legalities of who's going to distribute.

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Lars Von Truffaut
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:50 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#257 Post by Lars Von Truffaut » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:46 pm

CSM126 wrote:Wouldn't it be hilarious if that is why Wenders was in the office and the road movies were a red herring?
Well, seeing as how this week's Friday Repertory Roundup mentions Kings of the Road, I presume it is indeed forthcoming. I can't think of any other reason for posting about a film not in the collection. I know this has happened before with Le Havre, though we also know that it is a Janus property and they've since made a poster. Then there are others like Rohmer's Le rayon vert which hasn't otherwise been speculated on, as far as I know. Has anyone else picked up on these F.R.R. hints and have any further insight?

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knives
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#258 Post by knives » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:00 pm

Considering this Eclipse set and Marketa I wonder how many films Criterion licensed from Barrandov and if it's only limited to these '60s films.

albucat
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2011 12:06 am

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#259 Post by albucat » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:11 pm

When I saw saw La rayon vert this past summer there was no Janus logo. Not that it necessarily means anything, but I was surprised to see that listed.

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jwd5275
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:26 pm
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#260 Post by jwd5275 » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:54 pm

It is being distributed by Film Desk, who likely will put it out through Zeitgeist as they have in the past.

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Dona Santa
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:39 am

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#261 Post by Dona Santa » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:35 am

This may be a long shot but I'm hoping the release of the Organizer will eventually result in a CC of The Working Class Goes to Heaven

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htshell
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:15 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#262 Post by htshell » Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:12 am

Excellent month! So excited for Frampton (can't believe more people aren't) and the CNW set, though annoyingly I ordered the Second Run Party and the Guests last night.

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ptatler
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#263 Post by ptatler » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:42 am

htshell wrote:Excellent month! So excited for Frampton (can't believe more people aren't)
I know. The only modicum of April excitement seems to be focused on HAROLD AND MAUDE which is great and all but hardly off the beaten path.

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DeusEx
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:38 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#264 Post by DeusEx » Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:11 pm

The Frampton and the Ozu upgrade alone make this one of the best months in years for me. Interested in Alambrista and the Monicelli as well.

Calvin
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:12 am

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#265 Post by Calvin » Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:55 pm

I've just watched Rosemary's Baby and spotted that, in the scene where Minnie (Ruth Gordon) gives Rosemary the tanis root necklace, Minnie herself is actually wearing a medallion.
Last edited by Calvin on Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Perkins Cobb
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:49 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#266 Post by Perkins Cobb » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:17 pm

DeusEx wrote:The Frampton and the Ozu upgrade alone make this one of the best months in years for me. Interested in Alambrista and the Monicelli as well.
Yeah, all of these are very welcome. With the Czech set, a great month -- many more obscurities than we've gotten all at once in a long time.

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SamLowry
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:14 pm
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#267 Post by SamLowry » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:41 pm

*CG* wrote:I'm just thinking how many films that was Facets dvds at one time do they have.
I say we all chip in $100 and ask Criterion to buy out Facets so their catalog can get the proper release it truly deserves....

Just imagine Blu Rays loaded with pertinent extras:

Bill Douglas
Raul Ruiz
Bela Tarr
Frantisek Vlacil
Eliseo Subiela
Andrezj Wajda
Luis Bunuel
Alexander Sokurov
Aventurera
Christ Stopped At Eboli
Fantastic Planet
The Decalogue
Heimat
...

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zedz
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:24 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#268 Post by zedz » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:56 pm

SamLowry wrote: Just imagine Blu Rays loaded with pertinent extras:

Bill Douglas
[. . .]
Fantastic Planet
No need to imagine in these two instances, just pick up the fabulous UK editions.

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knives
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#269 Post by knives » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:04 pm

It's not possible for everyone to pick up the Blu of the later though (I believe all of Douglas is R0).

Thomas Dukenfield
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:42 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#270 Post by Thomas Dukenfield » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:51 am

ianungstad wrote:Janus films is screening "The Telephone Book" at the Tribeca theater in NY on January 25th, with a Q+A following the screening. Did we know that this was in the works? I've never even heard of this film but it sounds fun and the log line gives off a Waters-esque vibe
Holy shit. Thanks for the info. I love this movie; it's a bit like a cross between Robert Downey Sr. and Godard. I see where you would get Waters from the description (a la Dirty Shame), but it seems more concerned with the mechanics of sexual perversion rather than the camp celebration of those perversions (although it is very funny).

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MrGregoryArkadin
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#271 Post by MrGregoryArkadin » Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:16 am

...it's a bit like a cross between Robert Downey Sr. and Godard.
Speaking of the man, anyone heard anything about Putney Swope? Only good part of the Golden Globes the other night was Robert Downey Jr.'s quick reference to his father's 60's output (How Breaking Bad wasn't even nominated is a terrible thing, but expected).

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knives
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:49 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#272 Post by knives » Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:19 am

Putney Swope is already available in a good edition.

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CSM126
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Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#273 Post by CSM126 » Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:13 am

knives wrote:Putney Swope is already available in a good edition.
Criterion are releasing it anyway.

stroszeck
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:42 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#274 Post by stroszeck » Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:31 pm

Any chance of a boxset, (at this point I would even take an Eclipse set) of Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, Ju Duo and Red Sorghum? Zhang Yimou's chinese films are shockingly underrated and unavailable in decent, lavish dvd editions in R1 land.

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Wu.Qinghua
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:31 pm

Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.

#275 Post by Wu.Qinghua » Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:20 pm

stroszeck wrote:Any chance of a boxset, (at this point I would even take an Eclipse set) of Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, Ju Duo and Red Sorghum? Zhang Yimou's chinese films are shockingly underrated and unavailable in decent, lavish dvd editions in R1 land.
I have no clue, but I can't remember not even one single mainland CC release. And I have to admit that in my opinion neither Red Lantern nor Red Sorghum fit into the conceptual outline of the eclipse series as they can't truly be considered to be "lost, forgotten or overshadowed classics", can they?

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