Criterion Random Speculation Vol.4

[Caligula]

The Ophuls set was also supposed (according to Kim Hendrickson) to be issued late 2007/early 2008.

[Cronenfly]

Is there a usual time of day on the 15th for the new titles to be posted, or does it vary?

[domino harvey]

They post them before they leave work, around 5-6 Eastern

[Cronenfly]

So, are Death of a Cyclist and Blast of Silence it for April? I've never encountered screenshots from forthcoming releases surfacing without official announcements; how common is this?

[Jeff]

So, are Death of a Cyclist and Blast of Silence it for April? I've never encountered screenshots from forthcoming releases surfacing without official announcements; how common is this?

I think that this is the first time that someone has caught the screenshots early, but they used to put up cover art early all the time. I expect those two titles will be officially announced tomorrow, and I would be surprised if there aren't a couple more as well. They aren't done (or even started) making March announcements yet. Souvenir just happened to catch them in the process of uploading some of the elements.

[arsonfilms]

So, are Death of a Cyclist and Blast of Silence it for April? I've never encountered screenshots from forthcoming releases surfacing without official announcements; how common is this?

Pretty uncommon. I also think its unlikely that those will be the only two, especially this early in the game.

[Cinephrenic]

Also, taking into account on how weak the titles were in the last month's announcements.

[domino harvey]

Also, taking into account on how weak the titles were in the last month's announcements.

There has to be a box coming this month, Ophuls or Gorin or one we never heard about.

[Jobla]

I hope that WISE BLOOD shows up soon.

[Cinephrenic]

I'm going to have to bitch and say "are these all we are getting for April?

[denti alligator]

I'm going to have to bitch and say "are these all we are getting for April?

Man, I don't know, but I would be genuinely surprised if this were it.

[domino harvey]

We've seen stunted release announcements before, but I just have this feeling that this is it-- which makes no sense unless they just planned very poorly and whatever else was supposed to come out by now has been delayed.

[Awesome Welles]

I think there is more. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ophuls announced next.

[arsonfilms]

I'd love to think so too, but its really very rare for an announcement to come after everything else has already been laid out.

[Tommaso]

Somehow I have the very bad feeling this will be Eclipse Vol.11.

[Awesome Welles]

God I hope not! They wouldn't do that, surely?

[Tommaso]

After Post-War Kurosawa and Lubitsch Musicals, it would seem only logical. I mean, "Border Radio" and "Antonio Gaudi" really deserve the full treatment, whereas "No regrets for our youth" is certainly a rather unimportant film, or am I getting something wrong...?

Lets put it this way: They seem to want to keep the real fringe stuff for the main Collection, and put all the good things into Eclipse. Well, at least it's cheaper for us, the buyers...

[colinr0380]

I was under the impression that No Regrets was the title added to the Kurosawa set (along with the truly lesser known One Wonderful Sunday) to intice people to re-purchase the other films (as well as getting all the films available in the US)

[justeleblanc]

Facets tells me that they don't hold the DVD rights to release Godard's Numero Deux. Has anyone who has contacted Criterion about this title ever get a response from them?

[Paupau]

From the main page of beaver:

April Criterions:

Death of a Cyclist (Bardem, 1955)
Blast of Silence (Allen Baron, 1961)

The Red Balloon (Albert Lamorisse, 1956)

The White Man (Albert Lamorisse, 1953)

Paddle to the Sea (Bill Mason, 1966)
Eclipse 10 - Silent Ozu (I Was Born But..., Passing Fancy, Tokyo Chorus)

[tavernier]

I posted this in the Red Balloon thread, but here goes:

Criterion press release for April contains these additional 3 titles, all $14.95:

THE RED BALLOON
Newly restored and available for the first time on DVD, Albert Lamorisse’s exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children’s films of all time. In this deceptively simple, nearly wordless tale, a young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable, yet the world’s harsh realities finally interfere. With its glorious palette and allegorical purity, the Academy Award–winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers, young and old, for generations.

Title: The Red Balloon
CAT: CC1746D
UPC: 7-15515-02882-0
ISBN: 978-1-60465-030-3
SRP: $14.95
Prebook: 3/25/08
Street date: 4/29/08

WHITE MANE
In the south of France, in a near-desert region called La Camargue, lives White Mane, a magnificent stallion and the leader of a herd of wild horses too proud to let themselves be broken in by humans. Only Folco, a young fisherman, manages to tame him. A strong friendship grows between the boy and the horse, as the two go looking for the freedom that the world of men won’t allow them. Long unavailable in the U.S., this extraordinarily shot wonder from Albert Lamorisse, the director of The Red Balloon, is a work of technical sophistication and immense natural beauty.

Title: White Mane
CAT: CC1747D
UPC: 7-15515-02892-9
ISBN: 978-1-60465-031-0
SRP: $14.95
Prebook: 3/25/08
Street date: 4/29/08

PADDLE TO THE SEA
Based on Holling C. Holling’s beloved Caldecott-awarded children’s book, William Mason’s stunning film follows the adventures of a tiny, wood-carved canoe as it forges its own path from Lake Superior through the Great Lakes and down to the Atlantic Ocean. Buoyed by beautiful photography and a sense of true wonder about the sun, Earth, and water, the Academy Award–nominated Paddle to the Sea is an unforgettable tribute to the forces of the natural world, as well as a thrilling journey across the waves and rapids of North America.

Title: Paddle to the Sea
CAT: CC1748D
UPC: 7-15515-02902-5
ISBN: 978-1-60465-032-7
SRP: $14.95
Prebook: 3/25/08
Street date: 4/29/08

[Tommaso]

I was under the impression that No Regrets was the title added to the Kurosawa set (along with the truly lesser known One Wonderful Sunday) to intice people to re-purchase the other films

Precisely. And I'm simply annoyed at someone not only so shamelessly trying to steal my money, but also being successful with this strategy... I'll buy this set although I initially swore not to (so much for determination...), because I desperately want to see "No regrets" and the lesser "One wonderful Sunday" (which I actually also quite like) in a watchable edition, but they won't win much sympathy from me. But I'm far more annoyed at the leanness of proper CC releases from January to April.

[Thomas J.]

I desperately want to see "No regrets" and the lesser "One wonderful Sunday" (which I actually also quite like) in a watchable edition

It seems to me that renting would be the way to go. That's what I'll do.

[NABOB OF NOWHERE]

Also, taking into account on how weak the titles were in the last month's announcements.

I have to say that relatively speaking,and I stress the 'relatively', I do rather find the last two month's output...how shall I say?? Poo poo kaka?

[Tommaso]

It seems to me that renting would be the way to go.

This isn't possible for anyone not living in the US.