Criterion Random Speculation Vol.4

[Narshty]

I suppose Blow-Out could still show up in box with Dressed to Kill and Carrie, but those two already have good special editions. Criterion's laserdisc of Carrie had a commentary from DePalma and the mattes removed at his request though.

While we're pipe-dreaming I'd love to see them licence The Fury from Fox as well, half because I love the film to pieces, half for the outraged reaction from this forum.

[Steven H]

Fantastic news about Husbands and the P&B! Age of Consent, however, I never understood the love for. I've watched it twice trying to find anything at all to like, except for Mason wearing his age so well.

[Tommaso]

Fantastic news about Husbands and the P&B! Age of Consent, however, I never understood the love for. I've watched it twice trying to find anything at all to like, except for Mason wearing his age so well.

GREAT! I haven't seen "Age of Consent", but anything by Powell is definitely worth having (and people are raving about Helen Mirren in this film...). I only hope Sony gets the transfer right on this one (and AMOLAD, of course).

[colinr0380]

I suppose Blow-Out could still show up in box with Dressed to Kill and Carrie, but those two already have good special editions. Criterion's laserdisc of Carrie had a commentary from DePalma and the mattes removed at his request though.

While we're pipe-dreaming I'd love to see them licence The Fury from Fox as well, half because I love the film to pieces, half for the outraged reaction from this forum.

Not from me - Amy Irving running down a street in slow motion in her nightgown is only one of that film's many pleasures (though I'm always reduced to irrational hope and then blubbering tears in wanting Carrie Snodgress's Hester to make it through! On a sad note, I hadn't realised Snodgress had died in 2004 until now)

[tryavna]

Age of Consent, however, I never understood the love for. I've watched it twice trying to find anything at all to like, except for Mason wearing his age so well.

Age of Consent left me a little cold, too, Steven. I've only seen it once, but I recorded it off of TCM and plan to revisit it before long. As with nearly all of Powell's films, it's hard to actively dislike it, and there are some nice touches here and there (like the opening shot that sends up Columbia's logo). But as you say, the main strength is Mason's performance. Well, that and Mirren's undeniable sexiness....

I think the main problem is that it doesn't fully embrace the whimsiness that's lurking there, in the same way that Weird Mob does. As of now, it's probably my least favorite post-quota-quickie Powell. (I haven't seen The Queen's Guards yet, though.)

[tojoed]

I suppose Blow-Out could still show up in box with Dressed to Kill and Carrie, but those two already have good special editions. Criterion's laserdisc of Carrie had a commentary from DePalma and the mattes removed at his request though.

While we're pipe-dreaming I'd love to see them licence The Fury from Fox as well, half because I love the film to pieces, half for the outraged reaction from this forum.

Not from me - Amy Irving running down a street in slow motion in her nightgown is only one of that film's many pleasures (though I'm always reduced to irrational hope and then blubbering tears in wanting Carrie Snodgress's Hester to make it through! On a sad note, I hadn't realised Snodgress had died in 2004 until now)

I also love The Fury, it contains the best performance Carrie Snodgress ever gave, not forgetting the final parody of Zabriskie Point. What are the chances that this film is a hit with criterionforum.org?

[What A Disgrace]

Wow, great news about Husbands. I wish Criterion were able to put together a second Cassavetes' box, with the rest of his significant films and this included, but I'll take what I can get. I just hope Sony does the film right.

The film is playing at the Belcourt Theater in Nashville next weekend, as part of a series of films curated by Harmony Korine...I intend to catch it.

[Gigi M.]

I'm surprise no one hasn't even mention the three MGM Kubricks, which would make a killer set. To this guy who doesn't want to get in trouble, is not like they're going to know is you. The Internet is big place, so give us a hand.

[dadaistnun]

I'm surprise no one hasn't even mention the three MGM Kubricks, which would make a killer set.

They are all color films . . .

[Person]

To this guy who doesn't want to get in trouble, is not like they're going to know is you. The Internet is big place, so give us a hand.

Yes, but as soon as he informed us of the titles, at least one clown shoe (probably a new member) would blab it all over the net, IMDb, etc. Is practicing patience so hard these days? Also, has the concept of a 'wonderful surprise' also vanished from the minds of men? I love it when Criterion suddenly announce that they are releasing great films that I never thought they'd acquire the rights to, ie. The Naked Prey. Knowing eight to twelve months or more in advance from reliable sources can be cool, but if that was the norm, I'd get a bit fed up with it.

Jameson281 has been as generous as he has been careful and prudent. Don't badger the guy!

[justeleblanc]

SALO is the second film (after HOUSE OF GAMES) licensed from MGM as part of the 5-picture deal the made in exchange for letting MGM have the RAGING BULL commentary. My hunch is the remaining three will come out as a box set from either Criterion or Eclipse.

I hope two of them are PAULINE AT THE BEACH and A TALE OF SPRINGTIME, I'd love to see Criterion release a Comedies and Proverbs and Tales of the Four Seasons box.

Maybe the third is Godard's KING LEAR?

[Awesome Welles]

I'd love to see Criterion release a Comedies and Proverbs ...box

That would be amazing!

[domino harvey]

Maybe the third is Godard's KING LEAR?

Criterion's never shown an interest in late-period Godard, I doubt they're gonna start anytime soon

[Cinephrenic]

Maybe the third is Godard's KING LEAR?

Criterion's never shown an interest in late-period Godard, I doubt they're gonna start anytime soon

Well they did release Tout va bien, although not as late as you wish, but there is a chance we might see his later work on Eclipse, if not Criterion.

[Cronenfly]

More Rohmer would be nice, but MGM owns only Pauline and Springtime to my knowledge, and even if there was a third title it would not make for three titles that could be boxed together naturally (as Jameson has indicated the three titles will). It would involve licensing titles from both Les Films de Losange and MGM (licensing titles for boxsets from multiple rights holders being something Criterion rarely seems to do), which is the only context in which the MGM Rohmers would fit in (one each in the Four Seasons and Comedies/Proverbs), and that still doesn't account for the non-existent third Rohmer.

And I don't believe MGM owns any other Godards, so that rules King Lear out.

My money remains on the Trilogy of Life.

[domino harvey]

Well, I'm still crossing my fingers for Killer Klowns From Outer Space

[Cronenfly]

Well, I'm still crossing my fingers for Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Don't count out Body of Evidence, Mata Hari, and Bolero.

[tavernier]

Yes! We need McDonna, Sylvia Kristel and Bo Derek in the collection.

[souvenir]

Are the outstanding MGM licenses confirmed to be foreign language films?

If not, and I know they already have decent DVDs from MGM, but a long shot could be more Altman. The Long Goodbye, Images, Thieves Like Us, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, and some others are controlled by MGM. Wishful thinking, I'm sure.

[Harmonov]

If not, and I know they already have decent DVDs from MGM, but a long shot could be more Altman. The Long Goodbye, Images, Thieves Like Us, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, and some others are controlled by MGM. Wishful thinking, I'm sure.[/quote]

Any of these would be incredible additions to the collection. Love me some Altman. I doubt Thieves Like Us would be one of the titles since it was just released last April by MGM.

[justeleblanc]

Cronenfly, I had interpreted that the MGM titles would be part of boxes, but not necessarily in the same box. Since the other titles in the Comedies and Proverbs and Four Seasons were Fox Lorbers, it would make sense that Criterion would already own those.

As for late period Godard, Domino, you're right. Criterion are total hipster-posers when it comes to their appreciation of Godard.

[Cronenfly]

Cronenfly, I had interpreted that the MGM titles would be part of boxes, but not necessarily in the same box. Since the other titles in the Comedies and Proverbs and Four Seasons were Fox Lorbers, it would make sense that Criterion would already own those.

Jameson wrote:

My hunch is the remaining three will come out as a box set from either Criterion or Eclipse.

it's three films connected in some fashion, so it would make sense to release them as a set.

While I can see where you might think that the titles could be part of multiple boxes, it seems to me that Jameson is implying they're more likely to be three more closely related titles that are part of one box (like the Trilogy of Life) rather than multiple. As well, there's no third MGM Rohmer title, which would break the unity of the three titles Jameson is hinting at.

I can't see Criterion tackling all that Rohmer either (though the sets could come out over a few years, I guess, and given the year-long break between the release of the MGM-licensed House of Games and Salo, that's entirely possible). As well, Criterion would still need to mix licenses for the sets if they did the Comedies/Tales, from MGM and Losange (the Six Moral Tales were all direct Losange licenses, no more Fox Lorber middleman), which they might not be able to do, depending on the terms of the MGM licenses (i.e. no mixing) or their own preference to not mix titles.

[Tom Hagen]

Perhaps someone was able to convince Woody Allen that his work deserves the Criterion treatment. Doubtful, I know. But a Criterion set including, say, Hannah and Her Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanors, plus another mid '80s film would be outstanding.

[justeleblanc]

Cronenfly, you have me convinced.

Though on another subject, does anyone know whether the MGM hold on Pauline at the Beach will expire and then revert back to Losange. Does anyone know where I can find that information out. I'd hate to wait for Criterion to release a box set that will never come out.

[bjeggert82]

So I'm watching TCM, and Tim Roth just co-introduced David Lean's Hobson's Choice, which I believe is an MGM property. It was annouced a couple years back by MGM for release, but then cancelled last minute. Anyhow, the Janus logo appeared before the film... This would be one helluva Criterion release. Certainly a little known picture from Lean's filmography.