Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[yoloswegmaster]

Titles are up:

Bo Widerberg boxset
Drylongso
Dreams 4K
Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart

[FrauBlucher]

See you next month. Last one out shut the lights

[Pavel]

Happy that this month only has relatively obscure films (excepting the Dreams upgrade, the most popular on Letterboxd is Elvira Madigan with 2.4K and most others have less than a thousand). Always great when Criterion focuses on things which haven’t been released on blu before

[therewillbeblus]

Wish Elvira Madigan was getting a solo disc since I'm not particularly fond of the other three in the set, but it's a major and welcome release. Starting to think The Princess Bride upgrade leak was a mistake..

[Calvin]

It had been a long time since I've wanted everything announced for a month and this is the second in a row. The Widerberg set is particularly welcome.

[Finch]

Can't remember the last year prior to this one where I've wanted so little from Criterion's announcements, last month being the big exception. On the plus side, gives me more time to go through Shout's 11 movie Shaw boxset coming in June.

[Randall Maysin Again]

The Criterion: $39.95 For a Bite-Size Three Musketeers Bar Collection

[FrauBlucher]

Seeing It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World currently on TCM makes me feel Criterion will release a UHD version sooner rather than later. Not really a fan, but this would look amazing in that format

[SeizureMilk]

Considering Criterion’s newly established relationship of releasing Wayne Wang and the fact it’s been recently restored, would it be possible that we could expect a release of Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive in the near future?

[Matt]

The two films they’ve released are distributed by Strand Releasing. Life is Cheap… is currently on the Criterion Channel, but it’s distributed by Arbelos Pictures, who have their own (very good) DVD/Blu-ray line.

[SeizureMilk]

Ah yes, forgot about that thank you Matt.

[AxeYou]

Blue Velvet is up for UHD home video licensing from MGM. I don't believe Kino snatched it up in their MGM deal, did they?

West Side Story (1961) is a another title that I've seen rumors about.

I hope this is the right thread: Park Circus published a "Home Entertainment: New MGM UHD Master List" on May 16. These are described as "a new selection of popular MGM classics, now available for home entertainment licensing in stunning 4K."

https://www.parkcircus.com/latest/P2711 ... aster-List

(They are a legit site. My local rep theater rents 35mm prints from them.)

These are titles not yet released on 4K anywhere or confirmed to have a 4K resto:

- 1984
- Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
- Blue Velvet
- The Context (AKA Illustrious Corpses)
- Creature
- A Dry White Season
- Fargo
- Moonstruck
- Moulin Rouge
- Sid and Nancy
- Valley Of Death
- West Side Story (1961)
- When Harry Met Sally

[SeizureMilk]

I agree with the idea of Blue Velvet, cautious but optimistic for West Side Story, but out of the titles, I'd imagine that Moonstruck seems the 2nd most likely upgrade, then Sid & Nancy, then A Dry White Season if they were to get 4k restorations.

[AxeYou]

With MGM offering UHD licensing, does it imply that a 4K restoration is already done?

[Roscoe]

There's a 4k release of the 1961 WEST SIDE STORY available on iTunes.
I'm assuming the Moulin Rouge on that list is the Huston version, rather than the Luhrmann, as it is without the exclamation point.

[beamish14]

There's a 4k release of the 1961 WEST SIDE STORY available on iTunes.
I'm assuming the Moulin Rouge on that list is the Huston version, rather than the Luhrmann, as it is without the exclamation point.

Yep, Luhrmann’s is Fox/Disney.

Huston’s is one of his most visually sumptuous films. I’ve been tempted to get the BFI for a while, but I guess I’ll hold off

[Matt]

I bought the BFI and don’t regret it. It’s marvelous. I figured if Criterion (or some other US boutique label) was going to put it out they would have done so in the last 3+ years.

[therewillbeblus]

I bought the BFI and don’t regret it. It’s marvelous.

Agreed, I don't see any reason not to get it

[FrauBlucher]

For those that have seen Lynch/Oz (if any) what are your takes?

[FrauBlucher]

For those that have seen Lynch/Oz (if any) what are your takes?

This opens in NY's IFC theater in June

This afternoon I went to see a screening of Werckmeister Harmonies. It was terrific seeing it on a big screen. I've only seen it on the Facets DVD. The bluray and possibly UHD should be an absolute treat. I'm very curious to see what kind of supplements get added. Could Jonathan Rosenbaum be involved. And maybe Tarr's shorts as well. I'm confident CC will go all out for this one

[Rupert Pupkin]

not so sure if this is the 4K restoration...

"The Doom Generation" is available at amazon.com : available in UHD (but no info when the movie starts (with the Strand logo) about a 4K restoration and director's "new" cut :
I'm not familiar with US rating; does 18+; as it appears on amazon.com means "uncut" "uncut" ?
the movie about 1h23 (color are vivid; as vivid like True Romance) but it could have more details and more "grain film like texture".


besides, on Strand movie web page, the "Doom Generation" is shown with coming soon to DVD and blu-ray logo on its web page.
Does that mean that a Criterion release is kaput ?
https://strandreleasing.com/films/the-doom-generation/

[Kracker]

The UHD is referring to the streaming purchase. and there's nothing that confirms a Criterion release is coming in the first place.

Streaming on Amazon it does open with the Strand Releasing logo and there are restoration credits at the end so it is the new directors cut but content-wise it looks to be the same movie as the UNRATED DVD cut.

[Elizabeth Corday]

Oh I pray
Every day
Heroic Trio collection will appear

Wasn't there rumors about Dog Day Afternoon too?

[SeizureMilk]

Wasn't there rumors about Dog Day Afternoon too?

[yoloswegmaster]

Criterion/Janus performed the 4K restoration for Ousmane Sembène's Ceddo, which will screen at the Ritrovato festival later this month. Lee Kline and Alain Sembène will be there to introduce the film.