Criterion Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol.2

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
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oldsheperd
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#26 Post by oldsheperd » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:40 pm

If you go to dvdempire's site and look up Phantom of Liberty, it shows the statue of liberty butt thing as being the cover. Unfortunate.

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Cinephrenic
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#27 Post by Cinephrenic » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:50 pm

Why is this unfortunate? Great poster art I think. Shares the style with The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. Fits the theme and humor perfectly.

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Lino
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#28 Post by Lino » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:54 pm

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

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My wish came true!

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FilmFanSea
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#29 Post by FilmFanSea » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:56 pm

oldsheperd wrote:If you go to dvdempire's site and look up Phantom of Liberty, it shows the statue of liberty butt thing as being the cover. Unfortunate.
I thought it was the head of a penis ... (and the droopy torch implies impotence)

Either way, it's perfectly Buñuelian.

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bunuelian
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#30 Post by bunuelian » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:11 pm

Except Bunuel hated it.

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oldsheperd
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#31 Post by oldsheperd » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:35 pm

Bunuel hated it. That's why its unfortunate. However, it does fit in with Discreet Charm.

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Lino
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#32 Post by Lino » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:53 pm

Of course they do. They're both from the same artist.

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Buttery Jeb
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#33 Post by Buttery Jeb » Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:48 pm

Well the cover isn't up on Criterion's website, so for all you who don't like it, you still have a chance.

"Don't Player Hate, Congratulate"

-BJ

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Cinephrenic
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#34 Post by Cinephrenic » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:05 pm

Except Bunuel hated it
Most directors don't like the posters and marketing type stuff of their films. Besides, where did you hear that?. Was it from his writings?

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godardslave
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#35 Post by godardslave » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:07 pm

Buttery Jeb wrote:Well the cover isn't up on Criterion's website, so for all you who don't like it, you still have a chance.

"Don't Player Hate, Congratulate"

-BJ
Yes, this happened with the Three war films [wadja] box set as well, DVD empire put up one cover on its site, and then after a few weeks a modified [and in this case improved] official cover appeared at the official criterion site.

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Gregory
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#36 Post by Gregory » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:16 pm

I think it's a lot better than the Rialto poster:

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oldsheperd
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#37 Post by oldsheperd » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:26 pm

I got no problem with the cover. It's been used alot. It would be nice if it was different. Maybe the Eiffel Tower wearing a dress.

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bunuelian
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#38 Post by bunuelian » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:04 pm

Yes, I think it might have been in My Last Sigh, though I could be mistaken.

The Rialto poster is hideous, so they (theoretically, at this point) chose the lesser evil.

todcraproductions
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#39 Post by todcraproductions » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:44 am

I think it's in Objects of Desire where he mentions his Poster Hatred. I'm sort of torn, myself. I kind of like (at least the Discreet Charm one), but could see where Bunuel wouldn't, as it doesn't really have much/anything to do with anything and seems to be more saying "WHOA LOOK SURREAL FILM HERE!!11". But it IS an intriguing image, so... yeah. I've got one of the US original posters for Discreet Charm but it's as much for the film itself, one of my favorites, than the image.

As for Phantom of Liberty I'm overjoyed that Criterion's releasing it finally, but I'm not so enamoured of that particular poster design, though it is Clever. And, hey, at least it's not the Rialto "Kinkiest Comedy!" design, which has been scientifically proven to make the Baby Jesus Cry.

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bunuelian
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#40 Post by bunuelian » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:25 am

Acutally I think the Rialto poster might make the Baby Jesus masturbate.

You're right, it's the Discreet Charm image Bunuel was so mad about. I suspect he didn't have any involvement in the marketing of his films, and was annoyed at the artwork that ended up selling them. It's reasonable to assume that he didn't like the butt with torch any more than he liked the lips with legs. My main point is that these images aren't especially "bunuelian," if I may be so bold.

I have the French poster for "Obscure Object"with the sewn-up lips on my bedroom wall, which he probably didn't like either (although at least it makes you squirm, instead of laugh).

I'd buy this disc if it had a huge picture of G.W. Bush with the words "Jesus is Lord!" printed underneath it.

J M Powell
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#41 Post by J M Powell » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:20 am

bunuelian wrote:I'd buy this disc if it had a huge picture of G.W. Bush with the words "Jesus is Lord!" printed underneath it.
Come to think of it, Bunuel would probably have gotten a real kick out of that.

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GringoTex
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#42 Post by GringoTex » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:09 am

bunuelian wrote:Except Bunuel hated it.
The Phantom of Liberty Poster has become iconographic. Doesn't really matter what Bunuel thought about it 30 years ago- it was the right choice for Criterion to make.

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oldsheperd
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#43 Post by oldsheperd » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:17 am

I'd prefer Dubya being crucified with a crown of money on his head.

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exte
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#44 Post by exte » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:40 pm

bunuelian wrote:Acutally I think the Rialto poster might make the Baby Jesus masturbate.
Is that really necessary?

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justeleblanc
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#45 Post by justeleblanc » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:17 pm

bunuelian wrote:I have the French poster for "Obscure Object"with the sewn-up lips on my bedroom wall, which he probably didn't like either (although at least it makes you squirm, instead of laugh).
Where can I see what that looks like, I can't seem to find it.

todcraproductions
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#46 Post by todcraproductions » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:54 pm

It usually shows up on eBay quite often. Of course, I just did a search, and it's not up there now, but that's where I've seen it quite frequently. (Also tried a google image search -- mostly just got variations on the Butt, usually croppings, but one or two where the torch is replaced with an opened umbrella.) But basically, it's a pair of disembodied lips with string wrapped around them like a parcel.

It's been a little while since I've seen it (haven't done a "bunuel" search on ebay for a while), but I remember liking it a little bit more than the Buttmingo.

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justeleblanc
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#47 Post by justeleblanc » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:41 pm

Thta's a great OBSCURE OBJECT poster!!

kevyip1
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#48 Post by kevyip1 » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:46 am

Yep, great cover for Hoop Dreams.

OTOH, they just can't get enough of these big closeups of heads:

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Last edited by kevyip1 on Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Cinephrenic
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#49 Post by Cinephrenic » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:48 pm

OTOH, they just can't get enough of these big closeups of heads:
Well they got the butt. :lol:

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mbalson
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#50 Post by mbalson » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:43 pm

Today at work I noticed a one page ad in a crappy industry magazine. It seems to show Life Aquatic with slightly different cover art. Click for larger version.

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