'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[Tom Hagen]

Was the Pasolini trilogy confirmed? I know that there was the big "three related color titles that Criterion has not released before" clue, and I know that there was rampant Pasolini speculation in response to that clue, but was anything actually confirmed?

[jaredsap]

I'm pretty certain it's MGM.

I don't doubt you, I'm just curious as to what your reasoning is.

During the brief period when Sony controlled MGM's library, we had all media rights to CUL-DE-SAC in North America.

Also, if Cul-de-sac is an MGM property, and if Criterion is definitely going to release this one, wouldn't this mean that yet another MGM deal is in the works? (The first one being House of Games, Small Black Room, and the upcoming Pasolini trilogy).

THE SMALL BACK ROOM is not an MGM title.

If so could this mean that we can see Love Streams?

I pray. LOVE STREAMS is indeed owned by MGM.

[justeleblanc]

Was the Pasolini trilogy confirmed? I know that there was the big "three related color titles that Criterion has not released before" clue, and I know that there was rampant Pasolini speculation in response to that clue, but was anything actually confirmed?

Good question. I thought they were confirmed but I may be mistaken. Three color films boxed together does rule out a bunch.

And while we're on the subject of MGM, it's worth noting that they also hold the rights to Malle's Thief of Paris.

[ianungstad]

I asked Criterion a month or so ago and got confirmation of the 3 Pasolini films. I had also asked about the possibility of Pasolini's Medea which I got a no.

They did not say that the three films were going to be a box set, unless anyone has heard differently?

[justeleblanc]

My mistake about SMALL BLACK ROOM. I meant THIEF OF BAGHDAD.

I thought I remember hearing it was a box set, which is why I was all excited about the possibility of it being PAULINE AT THE BEACH and seeing another Rohmer box set. But for many reasons this fantasy of mine wasn't realistic.

[Matt]

My mistake about SMALL BACK ROOM. I meant THIEF OF BAGHDAD.

Thief of Bagdad is also not an MGM film. Janus Films now controls the London Films catalog in the US.

[Tom Hagen]

The inside scoop was that Criterion traded the Scorsese commentary from the Raging Bull LD for five MGM titles which include House of Games, Salo, and the three yet-to-be-announced color films that are releated in some way.

[justeleblanc]

My mistake about SMALL BACK ROOM. I meant THIEF OF BAGHDAD.

Thief of Bagdad is also not an MGM film. Janus Films now controls the London Films catalog in the US.

Dah! I know there was a fifth film.

[ellipsis7]

I thought I remember hearing it was a box set, which is why I was all excited about the possibility of it being PAULINE AT THE BEACH and seeing another Rohmer box set. But for many reasons this fantasy of mine wasn't realistic.

Unfortunately Tamara confirmed to me earlier this year, no more Rohmer apparently at all is planned currently...

[justeleblanc]

I thought I remember hearing it was a box set, which is why I was all excited about the possibility of it being PAULINE AT THE BEACH and seeing another Rohmer box set. But for many reasons this fantasy of mine wasn't realistic.

Unfortunately Tamara confirmed to me earlier this year, no more Rohmer apparently at all is planned currently...

Yeah, I remember hearing that as well.

For what it's worth, Koch Lorber is releasing a 2-disc special edition of Chabrol's Madame Bovary, which I think is still an MGM property.

[Matt]

For what it's worth, Koch Lorber is releasing a 2-disc special edition of Chabrol's Madame Bovary, which I think is still an MGM property.

I don't mean to keep coming after you, but I don't think Koch Lorber is in the business of licensing films from other US distributors. It's more likely that MGM's rights (which they acquired when they bought Samuel Goldwyn Entertainment in 1997) have lapsed. I think KL is licensing the film directly from MK2 (or whoever the hell owns the European rights at this moment).

[Cinephrenic]

It would just nice if studios listed their catalog to the rights they control.

[justeleblanc]

For what it's worth, Koch Lorber is releasing a 2-disc special edition of Chabrol's Madame Bovary, which I think is still an MGM property.

I don't mean to keep coming after you, but I don't think Koch Lorber is in the business of licensing films from other US distributors. It's more likely that MGM's rights (which they acquired when they bought Samuel Goldwyn Entertainment in 1997) have lapsed. I think KL is licensing the film directly from MK2 (or whoever the hell owns the European rights at this moment).

Blasted! Once again you have proven me wrong.... but you haven't heard the last from me (mu hahaha!)... sigh.

Either way though, it is nice to know that MGM isn't renewing all their titles. It does bode well for those of us who would like to see more than just a bare bones release.

[Cinephrenic]

How about Far from the Madding Crowd (1967)? Not on DVD?

[jaredsap]

PERFORMANCE and DEMON SEED are owned by Warner Bros. Even if they weren't already on disc, WB does not license their titles to Criterion.

But I agree that WHITE OF THE EYE would make a nice Criterion release.

[flyonthewall2983]

Forgive me for being a little behind on this, but is there now absolutely no chance Cronenberg's Crash will ever get the CC treatment now?

[Tootletron]

Who owns Bunuel's Tristana, and why isn't it on dvd in Region 1?

Forgive me for being a little behind on this, but is there now absolutely no chance Cronenberg's Crash will ever get the CC treatment now?

A better question is, who would buy it?

[Cinephrenic]

Who owns Bunuel's Tristana, and why isn't it on dvd in Region 1?

Criterion does.

A better question is, who would buy it?

You must be smokin' crack. Please tell me you are???? =P~

[luridedith]

A better question is, who would buy it?

Are you kidding me? I'd pre-order it in a second.

[flyonthewall2983]

A better question is, who would buy it?

Are you kidding me? I'd pre-order it in a second.

I'd pre-order it in half that time.

[Narshty]

Forgive me for being a little behind on this, but is there now absolutely no chance Cronenberg's Crash will ever get the CC treatment now?

Since New Line essentially folded earlier this year and Warner have subsumed them into their own corporation, then, for all intents and purposes, no.

[fortunato]

this might be completely crazy, but i wouldn't mind seeing an "i was a teenage werewolf/i was a teenage frankenstein" criterion double feature.
those two films really helped push along the horror industry at the time by injecting it with a bit of gusto. while they're certainly "schlock" films, they exemplify that sort of DIY ethic that has always been at the spine of the horror genre.
and truly, they really are a lot of fun.

[Harmonov]

Since the Collection is releasing Melville's Le Doulos and Le Deuxieme Souffle, how about Leon Morin, pretre? It seems to be thematically up Criterion's alley and it is Melville and Belmondo. It appears Kino used to have the rights to it. The DVD seems to be out of print as well.

Any thoughts?