'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[Flike]

Wait, why would they have to replace the old releases if presenting a new transfer in the box? How silly.

[Mr Sausage]

With so many upcoming Criterion releases being confirmed, I feel like a Kremlinologist in 1989. I already miss the sense of secrecy created by Mulvaney and the politburo. But to strain the analogy even further, I feel that we are witnessing the end of an empire. The emerging pattern for these new choices is to be post-1970, requiring no costly restoration, and most commonly English-language. Old criterion, new criteria. We can no longer have high expectations that Criterion will restore truncated classics and resurrect neglected ones. Given the current dismal economic realities, it is probably unreasonable to expect otherwise, and time to be appreciative for what they have accomplished. In the larger picture, it is of course the studios who have failed us. Film was the newest and greatest art form of the 20th century, but it has never truly been treated as such. While even a minor literary classic such as McTeague will probably never go out of print, the milestone film which it triggered, Greed, still awaits a DVD release.
An era is passing, and the treasures of too many great international films and directors will remain lost to us.

It's not a new direction, it's a return to the old direction of when they were releasing Laserdiscs.

[Tommaso]

Film was the newest and greatest art form of the 20th century, but it has never truly been treated as such. While even a minor literary classic such as McTeague will probably never go out of print, the milestone film which it triggered, Greed, still awaits a DVD release.

In a way, it's not exactly a new trend as your example indicates. The milestone film that you're talking about NEVER got released to a wider audience, not even in the cinemas. And that was in 1924. In this respect, 80 years later we have even come to some sort of appreciation of film as a work of art which needs to be respected and, if necessary, restored. I fully agree that we might see the end of this era, at least as far as CC is concerned, or 'private businesses' as opposed to state-funded archives and editions. In other words: our hopes must lie with the likes of the BFI and Edition Filmmuseum, and we can only cross our fingers that other countries will follow suit with similar labels.

[MoonlitKnight]

Tristana and Deep End have been confirmed as future Criterion titles.

Excellent. These are 2 titles I've been suggesting to them for the past couple years. =D>

Now bring on "The Red Desert," "Cul-de-Sac," "My Life to Live," and "Weekend"! [-o<

[psufootball07]

If Red Desert or somehow La Notte is paired with Vivre sa Vie, I will cum in pants the day it is announced.

[zedz]

Is The Deep End being referred to the one with Tilda Swinton?

Not that I disliked that movie, it was a very slick, well-done thriller... but it's so minor I can't imagine Criterion messing with it. I also seem to remember that looked very good-certainly not in need of an upgraded transfer, or anything. Also, in his email, Jon writes "Deep End", not "The Deep End". I think that's a telling distinction.

But if Criterion were releasing the Tilda remake in preference to the Ophuls original, it would be a sort of emblematic moment for the Criterion's-lost-the-plot contingent! I think the Skolimowski was recently restored and it's a no-brainer (especially for all you Can fans).

[Matt]

I will cum in pants the day it is announced.

What are you, in junior high? Step it up, señor.

[cdnchris]

BluRay.com has announced a French (unnamed company, no details) Blu of Lola Montes. Still no sign of this for Criterion. Or Red Shoes. And is the UCLA print Stagecoach actually confirmed as a Blu?

I think everyone just assumes it will be one (just like people assume a lot of titles will be) since it's a higher profile film. I'll believe it when I see an announcement but it would be pretty odd not to release it as a Blu-ray.

[Antoine Doinel]

And is the UCLA print Stagecoach actually confirmed as a Blu?

I had asked if Stagecoach would be getting a Blu release in my interview with Mulvaney and there didn't seem to be a decision either way at this point. This might be a good time for people to drop a note to Mulvaney saying you would like to see it in Blu.

[Cinephrenic]

They might was well close doors if they don't release it on Blu-ray because it would simply be a pointless release.

[psufootball07]

So its a solid two weeks away from the 15th, but what is expected of December, only 2 releases that month I believe.

Any chance of Revanche, Che or The War Trilogy?

[Antoine Doinel]

Revanche will probably be 2010, so my guess is the Kurosawa box and Che.

[Tommaso]

And if we're VERY lucky, also a Kurosawa Eclipse set.

[Cinephrenic]

I'm guessing Walkabout re-issue and on Blu-ray. That would make my year.

[James]

By Brakhage Vol. 2
Walkabout
L'humanité
La vie de Jésus

The first two probably on Blu-ray.

[Flike]

By Brakhage Vol. 2

Hey, that's my monthly imaginary release. Also: Kurosawa box, Che and Stagecoach, most likely. Pretty meaty month.

[psufootball07]

Ummm, pretty sure I stated it, but there are only likely 2 releases in December.

[zedz]

I don 't understand why they wouldn't hold the Kurosawa box for the actual centenary (March), when they're much more likely to get a free ride, publicity-wise. This is also more in line with the Japanese licensing window, if they're thinking Blu.

[swo17]

I agree, but in the interview with Antoine, which like, just happened, he said it was "slated to be released by the end of the year."

[cdnchris]

I took that to mean next year, though I've misread things before.

[aox]

Maybe he meant the Chinese New Year.

[zedz]

I took that to mean next year, though I've misread things before.

Me too. Wasn't Antoine's discussion about titles for 2010?

EDIT: Shouldn't be talking about you in the third person: Antoine, can you clarify?

[anvilscepe]

Antoine, do you happen to have a transcript of your interview with Mulvaney? My apologies If it's already been posted, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[tojoed]

There's a link to it on Page 20 of this thread.

[James]

Ummm, pretty sure I stated it, but there are only likely 2 releases in December.

I don't know where you received this information.