Criterion and MGM

[zedz]

Was M. Butterfly directed by some other David Cronenberg?

[knives]

It doesn't exist.

[domino harvey]

The M stands for Missing

[Cash Flagg]

Scanners is also Cronenberg's worst film, so there's another reason why Criterion shouldn't bother with it.

Uhh.. have you not seen Fast Company?

Or The Dead Zone?

[Gary Gnu]

Okay, I'd hate to say this debate over Cronenberg's worst film is irrelevant... But I have to vouch for Scanners. Cronenberg's my favorite director, but I legitimately hate The Brood. (I got through Stereo and Crimes From The Future, mind you.) Scanners was groundbreaking for being both an interesting piece of body horror, as well as the commercial success that was necessary in launching Cronenberg's career. I hope to God that Criterion doesn't (finally) side with the IMDb community on this one. (Avatar's the best movie ever, right??)

swo, I can't say for sure that Criterion's procured the rights to your recently misplaced quarter, but I do know for sure that you're not ever going to see that quarter from the same distributor again. I think your quarter was licensed by Miramax, anyway; so your post belongs in that thread.

[swo17]

I hope to God that Criterion doesn't (finally) side with the IMDb community on this one.

Rest assured, when Criterion ends up not releasing Scanners, this will be the reason they cite.

Sorry dudes, take it up with the IMDb community.

Really lame of the quote function not to have a future tense setting.

[Gary Gnu]

I hope to God that Criterion doesn't (finally) side with the IMDb community on this one.

Rest assured, when Criterion ends up not releasing Scanners, this will be the reason they cite.

Sorry dudes, take it up with the IMDb community.

All joking aside, I'm sorry for you loss, swo17.

[kneelzod]

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.

Has there ever been any indication that THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT is or has been on one of those aforementioned lists of MGM titles licensed and / or considered for license by Criterion? It'd be one thing if there were a decent existing DVD of the film, but the only previous release is 4x3 letterbox. I'd be happy with a bare-bones MGM Blu-ray, but the film's reputation seems to be growing in recent years, particularly with the lionization of Jeff Bridges, making it not altogether out of the realm of possibility to see some Criterion love bestowed on the film.

[rossbrew]

Would love to see more 70's American films like Thunderbolt available on CC....looking forward to Heaven's Gate...

[SamLowry]

Would love to see more 70's American films like Thunderbolt available on CC....looking forward to Heaven's Gate...

only after

Lenny
Smile
Carnal Knowledge
& Return Of The Secaucus 7

[iceberg58]

The Long Goodbye

[atcolomb]

The Long Goodbye

Saw The Long Goodbye on the MGM-HD channel....looked very good for a 1970's film.

[Anthony]

I recently saw Bruce Beresford's "Black Robe" (1991) on MGM HD. It looked pretty darn good. Does any know if MGM controls the US distribution rights? Their logo appeared at beginning of the film. I believe this film would make a great addition to the CC.

[isakborg]

I'll second that.

[duck duck]

On netFlik Carnal Knowledge starts with a "Studio Cannel" logo and looks like shit.....

[JPJ]

Doesn't anyone else love Ivan Passer's Cutter's way?One of the best films of the eighties and also great film about Vietnam war(the war is never actually mentioned).This one really needs to be in the Criterion collection.

[Arthur House]

On netFlik Carnal Knowledge starts with a "Studio Cannel" logo and looks like shit.....

It's an Avco Embassy title (like The Graduate, Darling etc.). Canal owns their library which has been licensed for DVD in the U.S. to MGM (amongst other companies). So S.C. is who Criterion would have to talk to in regards to doing their own editions.

According to Wiki, these following of interest titles* are part of the Avco Embassy Library:

Long Day's Journey Into Night
Zulu
Darling
The Thirteen Chairs aka 12+1
Carnal Knowledge
Scanners
Crimewave

*I dumped stuff like The Producers & The Graduate on the grounds MGM probably won't turn them loose.

[atcolomb]

Zulu was released by Criterion as a laserdisc many years ago in a good transfer made for its time, so maybe they can get the rights back again for a blu-ray release.

[MoonlitKnight]

I second "Long Day's Journey"... particularly since it got dumped onto DVD in pan-n-scan the first time around.

[kneelzod]

Doesn't anyone else love Ivan Passer's Cutter's way?One of the best films of the eighties and also great film about Vietnam war(the war is never actually mentioned).This one really needs to be in the Criterion collection.

Big fan of CUTTER'S WAY as well...I spent a day in Santa Barbara this past summer hunting down locations from the film.

Is the war never explicitly mentioned in the film? Even if no one says the word "Vietnam," Alex Cutter's (John Heard) broken body--minus 1 leg and 1 arm--is a pretty significant acknowledgment of the war and it's role in the narrative and impact on the primary characters. Aren't there also ample mentions of his veteran status in the screenplay, co-mingled with the resentment he feels towards his wife Mo (Lisa Eichhorn) and pals Bone (Jeff Bridges) and George (Arthur Rosenberg), none of whom served?

[hearthesilence]

I second "Long Day's Journey"... particularly since it got dumped onto DVD in pan-n-scan the first time around.

Jesus, what a crappy looking DVD. It may have been the same transfer or master used for the last VHS release. I hope Criterion gets this, such a great set of performances, it's probably my favorite film adaptation of an O'Neill play.

[Perkins Cobb]

In Newton Thornburg's Cutter and Bone, Bone is a Vietnam vet, although Thornburg leaves it as mostly subtext, like the film. Terrific novel, by the way, with a different and perhaps better ending than the film.

Didn't realize the Long Day's Journey DVD was one of those Artisan botch-jobs. Yes, it needs a CC rescue. The performances are mesmerizing.

[SamLowry]

I second "Long Day's Journey"... particularly since it got dumped onto DVD in pan-n-scan the first time around.

I'd third or fourth that, but Darling is my first choice, particularly if Criterion could get their hands on the original uncensored print, but given that they released Salo & If... blu rays with edits, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Calvin]

I'd like to see Criterion get their hands on Kore-eda's Nobody Knows after their stellar job with Still Walking.

[eljacko]

I'd like to see Criterion get their hands on Kore-eda's Nobody Knows after their stellar job with Still Walking.

I believe this is owned by IFC, who released it under an agreement with MGM back in 2005. It appears to still be under that arrangement, as the DVD is still available on Amazon.

Far more interesting to me would be a new release of Maborosi or After Life, which exist in a really awesome set in Japan, with English subtitles, but no blu, and the US DVDs are out of print (and really awful). It would also be really great to include the earlier documentaries, or DISTANCE, which has no R1 release at all (though, once again, the R2 has English subtitles).