Criterion Random Speculation Vol.4

[Michael Kerpan]

Deserving deluxe treatment is one thing -- and being able to find people who can provide valuable critical commentary and background information that would justify a bonus release is another. Even assuming such people exist -- there is the issue of time and expense. I'd rather bare releases sooner than augmented ones much much later.

[Thomas J.]

It's not so much a question of 'big names' vs 'small names', as of course Godard, Ang Lee, Teshigahara and Malle are big names as well. It's just that "No regrets for our youth" seems to me a far more important film than "Antonio Gaudi".

Yes, you're right, I was just getting sloppy with my language. Anyway, we're basically making the same argument that ANTONIO GAUDI has been overlooked more than NO REGRETS FOR OUR YOUTH, which is ironic considering which lines each was released on.

[denti alligator]

I'm a bit concerned about the last two month's announcements of only three titles per month. When was the last time Criterion released fewer than four titles in a month? 2003? What's going on here? Speculate, randomly.

[jbeall]

What's going on here? Speculate, randomly.

Huckabee will get the GOP VP nomination.

Carmen Sandiego is hiding out with Osama bin Laden western Pakistan.

Lee is buried in Grant's tomb.

Jon Mulvaney is undercover in Africa, looking through film vaults to find films deserving of the criterion treatment.

[Le Samouraï]

Mr. Becker probably cashed in his complete Criterion collection on eBay and now lives a quiet life on some remote southsea island.

Or maybe Criterion are just gearing up for their release of a HD line?

[M]

I'm a bit concerned about the last two month's announcements of only three titles per month. When was the last time Criterion released fewer than four titles in a month? 2003? What's going on here? Speculate, randomly.

They weren't juggling Eclipse and one-off Janus releases then though. I'm concerned too, especially since many of them thus far in 2008 seem like afterthoughts. They're hanging in with Last Emperor and Thief of Baghdad.

[colinr0380]

When was the last time Criterion released fewer than four titles in a month? 2003? What's going on here? Speculate, randomly.

Umm, December with Two-Lane Blacktop? Then August 2007 with The Milky Way, Cria Cuervos and House of Games.

All just to say that you shouldn't panic unnecessarily.

[domino harvey]

When was the last time Criterion released fewer than four titles in a month? 2003? What's going on here? Speculate, randomly.

Umm, December with Two-Lane Blacktop? Then August 2007 with The Milky Way, Cria Cuervos and House of Games.

All just to say that you shouldn't panic unnecessarily.

December is almost always a low-key month though. There's no denying that Criterion's output since January has been slowly shrinking

[colinr0380]

They weren't juggling Eclipse and one-off Janus releases then though. I'm concerned too, especially since many of them thus far in 2008 seem like afterthoughts. They're hanging in with Last Emperor and Thief of Baghdad.

Afterthoughts? This Sporting Life, Death Of A Cyclist, the Varda set, Pierrot Le Fou, rehabilitating Walker?

December is almost always a low-key month though. There's no denying that Criterion's output since January has been slowly shrinking

There was a time when Criterion did not release anything in December. We seem to have this post-Christmas debate on an annual basis now up to when the June or July titles get announced and everyone complains that they've put too much out!

Surely there are titles in their back catalogue to go back and discover if nothing on the new slate interests you? I've got a ton of stuff I want to pick up, including Ivan's Childhood, Sawdust and Tinsel and Drunken Angel etc so am glad for the leeway!

[M]

Afterthoughts? This Sporting Life, Death Of A Cyclist, the Varda set, Pierrot Le Fou, rehabilitating Walker?

I said many, and I'm thinking more of Mafioso, Antonio Gaudi, Naked Prey, yes Death of a Cyclist, and the upcoming Malle films. But part of my point was that at the same time Criterion now is also producing substantial Eclipse sets, which should be factored into an assessment of the quality of their total output.

[domino harvey]

Surely there are titles in their back catalogue to go back and discover if nothing on the new slate interests you?

I'm not bitching, I'm just stating the obvious. Especially after a stellar, packed January, it's really strange that their release calendar has been so sparse these last few months

[denti alligator]

I'm not panicking. It's just that, Decembers aside, the past couple months' announcements have been very sparse for ANY month, let alone two in a row.

On the one hand this is good news, because it's easier on the pocketbook.

On the other hand, I'm itching for Ophuls, Gremillon, Fuller reissues, more Naruse, People on Sunday, Trafic, White Dog, The Wedding March, Vampyr, von Sternberg silents, etc, etc.

[domino harvey]

I can't figure out why they haven't released the Gorin set-- didn't he complete his extras for that at least a year ago? If a political Parisian can't get his films released on the 40th anniversary of Mai 68, it may never happen

[arsonfilms]

I suspect that the lowered output for the upcoming months is unintentional. We already know that some of the projects already in the works are pretty extensive. Given the recent announcement delays, I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of those projects had been slated to be announced already but simply weren't ready. This would explain the absence of Before the Rain, which we all thought was a sure thing, as well as the hints at a Bunuel set that never materialized. There are at least three non-Eclipse boxsets in the works, and I'll bet that these and the reissues are the culprits for the limited flagship line releases.

This is all guesswork mind you, but in the past Criterion had a history of delaying titles that weren't ready even after they'd already been announced. I think now they are simply waiting to announce until they know that something will be ready to go on time.

[jbeall]

I can't figure out why they haven't released the Gorin set-- didn't he complete his extras for that at least a year ago? If a political Parisian can't get his films released on the 40th anniversary of Mai 68, it may never happen

That's why I've been pestering them about a Czech New Wave set; this year is also the 40th anniversary of the Prague Spring. Given the importance of '68 for so much of the world, they could roll out lotsa stuff that responds to that year, even a 1968-themed Eclipse set.

[HelenLawson]

I expected Criterion to take advantage of the U.S. Congress's generosity and dangle more carrots in May. I was planning to use that refund check for some bold blind purchases. June better be good, otherwise I might just have to do the completely un-American thing and save.

[Tommaso]

On the other hand, I'm itching for Ophuls, Gremillon, Fuller reissues, more Naruse, People on Sunday, Trafic, White Dog, The Wedding March, Vampyr, von Sternberg silents, etc, etc.

Precisely, all these were hinted at, and in addition of course Kobayashi's "Human Condition" (once announced to come in EARLY 2008), "Shanghai Express", and "Mishima". And when did we get the last Renoir from them?

I could understand their release schedule becoming smaller and less attractive if all these things were already out or if someone else had released them. But if all these films are apparently secured by CC, I can't understand why they wait and sit upon them, unless they secretly opt to release them as Blu-Rays, and only as Blu-Rays.

[HerrSchreck]

With Milestone Kino & Flicker Alley staying on the ball w Balls, at least the old reliable standby's are still delivering. I just wish Image would get back on the ball with silents. They usedta be so heavy in that zone, and now barely a tiny bubble each year.

[Jeff]

I could understand their release schedule becoming smaller and less attractive if all these things were already out or if someone else had released them. But if all these films are apparently secured by CC, I can't understand why they wait and sit upon them, unless they secretly opt to release them as Blu-Rays, and only as Blu-Rays.

I don't think that the Criterion staff is just sitting around twiddling their thumbs. There are only about 40 people who work there, and they can only work on so many projects at a time. These projects have a production time of many months. Snags often occur at multiple points along the way, causing projects to be delayed.

If Criterion was going to "secretly opt to release them as Blu-Rays, and only as Blu-Rays," they would also need to have a secret desire for bankruptcy and massive debt. All of the major studios that are producing Blu-Ray are operating those divisions at a substantial loss. If Criterion had a few months like that, they wouldn't be able to make payroll. Even if they do eventually dip a toe into the Blu waters, they won't be doing it exclusively. Selling Blu-Ray discs of People on Sunday (MSRP $60?) is not a very good way to stay in business.

[domino harvey]

If Criterion was going to "secretly opt to release them as Blu-Rays, and only as Blu-Rays," they would also need to have a secret desire for bankruptcy and massive debt.

lol I seriously wish we had a separate subforum for people whining about the lack of Criterion Blu-Rays so I would never have to read about it

[arsonfilms]

Yes!

I know that Domino's statement was meant in jest, but I think it should seriously be considered. I love the total difference in tone between the Criterion Blu-Ray fervor and the HD and Upgraditis thread we have going.

Can we make it a rule though that until Criterion actually announces a Blu-Ray title we can no longer discuss it in this thread?

[buskeat]

With Milestone Kino & Flicker Alley staying on the ball w Balls, at least the old reliable standby's are still delivering. I just wish Image would get back on the ball with silents. They usedta be so heavy in that zone, and now barely a tiny bubble each year.

If I'm not mistaken, most if not all of the silents released by Image were through Film Preservation Associates, which now releases their stuff through Flicker Alley.

[McCrutchy]

Just a thought I was having...how about trying for a release of Sidney Lumet's The Offence from 1972? It seems like a good fit for a CC release.

*Obscure film that was unsuccessful upon release and was even held back in some major markets.

*Easily one of the best (if not THE best in my opinion) performances by Sean Connery--a film that he wanted to make and star in.

*Critically acclaimed and recently had a small stint theatrically, allowing for renewed critical analysis that could be incorporated into CC extras.

*NOT available on DVD in the USA, only available (to my knowledge) in the UK (R2-PAL) and Australia (R4-PAL) in identical "barebones" editions.

*The play the film is based on "This story of yours" by John Richard Hopkins, is no longer in print and could be reprinted for the CC release as an extra.

*Because of Sean Connery's admiration of the play and desire to take part in the film production, he may be more willing to give input on the film in the form of an interview or (possibly) an audio commentary than he would be for other films.

*The director is still living and might be willing to provide his own commentary.

The recent theatrical activity is also creating a slight feeling in me that someone is preparing for a new DVD release (either in the USA or the UK). It simply got me wondering...

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Just a thought I was having...how about trying for a release of Sidney Lumet's The Offence from 1973?

I doubt Criterion would expend too much energy on this, seeing as it was a UA release and thus Warner Bros. should have the U.S. rights.

[flyonthewall2983]

A long shot, but would there be a good chance that Altman's Popeye could get the CC treatment?