'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[MoonlitKnight]

Oshima's MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE coming "this year" according to a reply Criterion posted to a Twitter user.

http://twitter.com/okoku/status/14232441344" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://twitter.com/Criterion/status/14235450947" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hopefully, at long last as well, "Insignificance"? [-o<

[Mikos Stenopolis]

Quick question: who did the artwork on the upcoming Ozu releases?

[MyNameCriterionForum]

Adrian Tomine, much to my chagrin

[Michael Kerpan]

No, I don't think the problems with Criterion's Good Morning had anything to do with source problems. They botched the colors completely and also (I would guess) wildly over-did digital flaw sharpening (which caused almost unbearable flickering). Since HVE (a Criterion "relative" of sorts) had issued a passable video --more film flaws but better (but still somewhat inaccurate) color and far less flicker. Getting colors right on old Japanese films is clearly hard -- but Criterion has had a particularly spotty record on this score. One hopes this era has, at last, passed. ;~}

[HistoryProf]

I love this guy's wishlist for future Criterion releases - predicated on the recent crumbs the major studios have swept this way...it's all just so bad it's good...

And no, i didn't sit through the whole thing, just a few seconds on each of the ten....major props for including 200 Motels....but then the Monkeys?

[Jeff]

That's got to be the first time Kubrick has ever been described as prolific.

[Cinephrenic]

Lol. Should we expect posthumous releases from the prolific director?

[MyNameCriterionForum]

"Pasuhloni" ? Is that like, a kind of lunchmeat?

As for the list: I'd shit my pants if CC released Gone in 60 Seconds and Head, the latter being one of the most subversive musical films ever made, and one of the funnest.

[THX1378]

Ok so the guy in the video talks about Criterion being in talks to release some of the AIP catalog, I wonder if it's true. Which of the AIP catalog would we want to see them release?

[CSM126]

Ok so the guy in the video talks about Criterion being in talks to release some of the AIP catalog, I wonder if it's true. Which of the AIP catalog would we want to see them release?

Finally, the long awaited DVD release of Elves...

[Jeff]

Ok so the guy in the video talks about Criterion being in talks to release some of the AIP catalog, I wonder if it's true. Which of the AIP catalog would we want to see them release?

The AIP catalog is owned by MGM. I'm sure he is referring to MGM's licensing agreement with Criterion. I wouldn't expect any AIP titles from that deal though. Sorry, Blacula.

[mteller]

I love this guy's wishlist for future Criterion releases - predicated on the recent crumbs the major studios have swept this way...it's all just so bad it's good...

This guy is really fixated on 1968-1977.

What is that "Cinderella duh nuh nuh duh nuh nuh Cinderella duh nuh nuh..." thing he does before each pick? It's so annoying.

[Matt]

What is that "Cinderella duh nuh nuh duh nuh nuh Cinderella duh nuh nuh..." thing he does before each pick? It's so annoying.

That's John Waters on something from the Polyester laserdisc. It's been so long since I've even owned the disc that I've forgotten exactly what it is (and I was usually drunk when I had that disc in). I think maybe it was a clip from the commentary that played when you selected a menu option. It was really annoying then, too.

[Buttery Jeb]

It's a memory of a certain scene from Disney's "Cinderella," with Waters' attempt to emulate the music cue.

I think Criterion played a loop of the actual piece of music over the color bars, as an easter egg.

[MoonlitKnight]

Well, I for one would love to see SOMEONE release "Barry Lyndon" on blu-ray, if Warners won't. :-" "Little Big Man" wouldn't be a bad choice, either.

[Cinephrenic]

Barry Lyndon is Kubrick's underrated masterpiece. I wish it was on Blu-ray too!

[kaujot]

Well, it is in HD on Netflix now, so...

[Person]

A great British movie is The System (1964, Michael Winner) starring Oliver Reed and photographed by Nicolas Roeg. It's a deceptive film - it seems light a frivolous but the psychology of the people turns darker, more reflective. I used to slag off Winner but this film is superb. A brilliantly handled transgressive piece of early 60s British cinema. Roeg's cinematography is precise, bold unlike his later phantasmagoric work as a director yet it impresses. Ollie is superb, a career-defining role for the legendary hellraiser.

[knives]

Do you think they'll put an isolated score track on the Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence DVD?

[Cold Bishop]

Winner has always had his moments. I really like the silent 15 minutes that open The Mechanic. Too bad the rest of the movie is 70s tough-guy kitsch.

[Jeff]

Kent Jones from Dave Kehr's blog comments

Regarding the World Cinema Foundation, we showed three features and one short in Cannes this year. Many people already know A RIVER CALLED TITASH by Ritwik Ghatak, but we also had TWO GIRLS IN THE STREET, one of Andre de Toth’s Hungarian films, Ermek Shinarbaev’s great film MEST (REVENGE), and THE ELOQUENT PEASANT, a beautful short by Shady Abdel Salam, who made AL MOMIA (otherwise known as THE NIGHT OF COUNTING THE YEARS), which we restored last year. The films will be making the rounds and soon we’ll have completed our agreement with Criterion to create a box set.

[HistoryProf]

Am I imagining that The Last Wave is among the group of titles expecting to be given a blu upgrade in the next year? I hate that I don't own this one, but for some reason I've been passing on chances to get it in the recent sales (like B&Ns 50% off, etc) thinking it was likely to get an upgrade. Is this wishful thinking? It's becoming increasingly difficult to rationalize getting anything from 2005 on back for this reason....I wish they were more transparent with their plans. Though I suppose that would make selling catalog titles a bit harder on them, so I do understand not making known something like Black Orpheus was getting redone.

anyhoo....Last Wave? just buy it already or wait?

[Cinephrenic]

Why would you think this (The Last Wave) would be one of the titles coming next year, expecially when we have titles like Rules of the Game and La Strada not on Blu yet? Just buy it. I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. It is safe to say that this is a minor catalog title with probably no immediate release priority.

[Highway 61]

Buy it already. Picnic at Hanging Rock will inevitably be re-released first.

[Cinephrenic]

Kent Jones from Dave Kehr's blog comments

Regarding the World Cinema Foundation, we showed three features and one short in Cannes this year. Many people already know A RIVER CALLED TITASH by Ritwik Ghatak, but we also had TWO GIRLS IN THE STREET, one of Andre de Toth’s Hungarian films, Ermek Shinarbaev’s great film MEST (REVENGE), and THE ELOQUENT PEASANT, a beautful short by Shady Abdel Salam, who made AL MOMIA (otherwise known as THE NIGHT OF COUNTING THE YEARS), which we restored last year. The films will be making the rounds and soon we’ll have completed our agreement with Criterion to create a box set.

I'm expecting these will be several 'world cinema' or similar sets. Can't wait for these...