'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[Kowalski]

Whatever the case, Altman deserves to have the last half dozen of his unissued films put out on dvd. hell, I know they don't have the rights but I would love to see an Altman Eclipse set. Prêt-à-Porter, Beyond Therapy, Streamers, Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Health, ECT

[pauling]

I'd love to see Las Hurdes as an extra with, perhaps, Nazarin but since Kino has it I'm not going to hold my breath.

What does Kino have?

Sorry, Tribe, I should have made it clearer that Kino has Las Hurdes.

[loachparty]

Any chance Un Chien Andalou would get a release? The current DVD could use restoration, and it would have been nice to see it as an extra on any one of the Bunuel films already released by Criterion.

God that's a terrible DVD. We have an identical 16mm print at work: same bad cropping, same English intro titlecard, same audio track, same printed damage, same subtitles, everything. Except the DVD looks worse due to its crappy transfer. Would be nice if someone would drum up some better source material.

...Hurdes really, really needs a domestic DVD release. One with all available soundtracks, if any of you are family with that debate...

[Tribe]

I'd love to see Las Hurdes as an extra with, perhaps, Nazarin but since Kino has it I'm not going to hold my breath.

What does Kino have?

Sorry, Tribe, I should have made it clearer that Kino has Las Hurdes.

But that's only the VHS release of Las Hurdes, right? The DVD release would usually be a separate "right"...does Kino have that right also? In any event, a nice release of Las Hurdes would be fantastic.

[criterionaficionado]

i concur with Tribe...Bring on Las Hurdes ASAP. How about this for a CC release; Las Hurdes/L'Age D'Or/Un Chien Andalou bunched up together? (of course, it'll never happen). Los Olivados would be an excellent addition, too.

[Taketori Washizu]

Babenco's Pixote is just crying out for a Criterion release. The New Yorker DVD has been out of print forever. A new transfer with a Babenco commentary track would be swell.

[Gregory]

That's a good suggestion. If they're frightened of releasing any Cinema Novo they could start out with a post-Cinema Novo like Pixote, which has the advantage of having been distributed all over the world. They could tout it as a successor to Shoeshine and Olvidados and a predecessor to City of God, and so on. It's also been out on DVD already, which seems to be a plus for Criterion.
It couldn't hurt to suggest to them via their web site.

[Harmonov]

Wonder if Criterion will purchase any of the films from New Yorker films now that they've shut down. From their site:

After 43 years in business, New Yorker Films has ceased operations.

We would like to thank the filmmakers and producers who trusted us with their work, as well as our customers, whose loyalty has sustained us through the years.

Apparently, their films will be sold at auction:

Mr. Talbot, 82, said in a telephone interview that the company was going out of business because its library was being sold. It had been pledged as collateral on a loan taken out by its former owner, Madstone Films, which bought New Yorker Films in 2002.

The library could be auctioned off as early as next week, he added.

Criterion...open up the wallets.

Edit: I guess I was a little late in posting that. I was unavailable this week until now, so that's my excuse. Sorry for the redundancy...

[kaujot]

I wonder if this will affect titles like "A Man Escaped," which Mulvaney told us to inquire about a "a few months later." Was the deal already finished and rights transferred, or what?

[Perkins Cobb]

It's also been out on DVD already, which seems to be a plus for Criterion.

Hyar.

Seriously though, for once I'd approve, since the New Yorker DVD of Pixote looks so shitty.

[PfR73]

First, if Criterion releases The Gingerbread Man, O.C. and Stiggs, or basically any of his other insanely craptastic films on DVD I will personally send Peter Becker a box of my own feces in the mail. Who else is with me?

Second, the three MGM films turned out to be Pasolini' Trilogy of Life.

Third, That Cold Day in the Park is the closest Altman came to horror? Images! And in some circles Dr. T.

It's obvious that this is an Altman box consisting of Buffalo Bill And The Indians, OC And Stiggs, & Fool For Love, which all need upgraded anamorphic transfers from the original MGM releases.

On second thought you might have been joking with this comment. I apologize if that was meant to be ironic.

Yes, it was meant to be ironic. I know the consensus had already determined those MGM films must be the Pasolini trilogy. Altman is my favorite director & I would certainly buy such a box set, but I know it would probably never happen & would not be a popular decision even if it did.

I just couldn't let Domino Harvey be the only one to post snarky comments.

[Taketori Washizu]

The Gingerbread Man and OC & Stiggs would never be in Altman's ten best, but they aren't that bad. Ready to Wear was worse, in my estimation.

[Oggilby]

Just from checking out YouTube, there's a crappy "remix" video using Un Chien Andalou with nearly pristine footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM0DuzmwVAE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Still cropped from full aperture to academy, but the image quality seems to be off a pristine 35mm fine-grain. Very little damage, too.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

I wonder if this will affect titles like "A Man Escaped," which Mulvaney told us to inquire about a "a few months later." Was the deal already finished and rights transferred, or what?

I asked them about this and some other NYer titles when I e-mailed them so hopefully I'll hear about it soon.

[Matt]

I wonder if this will affect titles like "A Man Escaped," which Mulvaney told us to inquire about a "a few months later." Was the deal already finished and rights transferred, or what?

I asked them about this and some other NYer titles when I e-mailed them so hopefully I'll hear about it soon.

What's happened with Criterion titles previously available from New Yorker is that New Yorker let their rights lapse and then Criterion picked them up from the foreign/original rights holder. There have been, to date, no deals between Criterion and New Yorker, and I would expect that is still the case. New Yorker lost their rights to those Bresson titles a while ago.

[kaujot]

Ah, good to know.

[DrunkenGaijin]

Things have been quiet around here...my two cents...

Since New Yorker is no longer, does anyone want to second my desire to see Zhang Yimou's "Red Sorghum" come to Criterion?

Also...for any Chan-wook Park fans...what are the chances of us seeing a release of "I'm a Cyborg, but..."

I haven't seen it and it's starting to seem like a long wait for such a recent film.

[knives]

I'd kill for Cyborg, my disc is in cardboard among other problems, but I doubt criterion would pick it up as it's new, Korean (they seem to want to suck Japan dry first), and not really what they normally pick up. Still would love it though.

[ksmred2]

Whenever I see a news of some sort of Japanese films making it on to Criterion, I can't help but to feel a little jealous inside; having consistently wished Korean films could be a part of the family as well. I know Japan has by far a better and richer history in cinema (can't deny that), and the Japanese filmmakers such as Kurosawa, Ozu, Teshigahara, etc have not only influenced their films but film in general; yet I have a strong feeling Criterion is ruling-out Korean films, as well as films from other Asian countries. Also, when contemporary films by Bay are in the Criterion family, this hurts more than anything; and makes me more fired up that Korea deserves some love too. It's like a big fat slap in the face. Personally, I would love to see Kim Ki-duk, Kim Ki-young, Park Chan-wook, Lee Chang-dong, etc representing my country for Criterion. This is more of a wish (dream) than anything, but I am dying to see Korean film on Criterion. I admit I am biased and unconvincing, but most of all, no matter how ridiculous and funny it might sound. it's a pride that I feel.

[What A Disgrace]

I just bought MoC's La Notte, so expect a Criterion release to be announced next Friday.

[beamish13]

Anybody know what's up with "At Play in the Fields of the Lord"? It seems like Universal is just sitting on it until Criterion will pick it up.

[psufootball07]

I just found out that Straw Dogs the release with no extras is now OOP, will the Criterion be coming back in print or is it more likely to get an updated re-release with a blu-ray version as well?

[ianungstad]

It seems like most of those tiles that went to MGM like How to Get Ahead in Advertising, Straw Dogs, Sid and Nancy are now OOP. I doubt that we will see any of them come back unless they sign another MGM deal...which I suppose is always possible.

[Rich Malloy]

I'd kill for Cyborg, my disc is in cardboard among other problems, but I doubt criterion would pick it up as it's new, Korean (they seem to want to suck Japan dry first), and not really what they normally pick up. Still would love it though.

Amazon.co.uk presently has the OOP Tartan blu-ray in stock. At least, according to their website. And my purchase and shipping notice tell me that a copy is on its way. I'll confirm upon receipt.

I'm not a huge Park Chan-wook fan and passed on this release when it first came out (back when Tartan was still a going concern). Plus, the disc was priced around £18, a bit too rich for a blind-buy. I caught part of it late one night on IFC, I believe, and found it fairly captivating. I'd kept the release in my "saved" basket at Amazon - although no copies were available for purchase - and about a month ago Amazon dropped the price to £11.98 and indicated that it had 7 copies in stock. I dallied and by the time I'd decided to purchase, all copies were gone. Last week, Amazon indicated it had more in stock, and I made a purchase. Shipping notice received, still awaiting the disc.

I've had the "Seventh Seal" blu-ray/sd Tartan release since it came out, but for those of you who didn't pick it up... might be worth watching Amazon just in case. Shame they never got round to releasing "A Tale of Two Sisters" blu-ray before going under.

[Erikht]

I must admit that I have not read all the posts in this thread, but I did a search and wonder if anybody else would be interrested in a Powell and Pressburger box from Eclipse?