Criterion and StudioCanal

[perkizitore]

I am surprised that they haven't snatched Le Cercle Rouge yet, now that the UK Studio Canal blu-ray has been announced.

[rwaits]

Every time I try to tell myself I'm only buying blu from here on out this crap happens and I start thinking the crazy thoughts. That list of remaining Canal titles scares the hell out of me 'cause I only own a couple of those titles... :-k

[knives]

Still want/need nine of those in print ones. I thought Jodie Foster owned the US copyright to La Haine, website says Universal.

[scotty2]

Production companies listed on imdb.com for La haine include Canal+ and Studio Image. May not mean that StudioCanal owns home video rights though.

[Noiradelic]

So I guess this leaves the following StudioCanals still in print but vulnerable (corrections welcome):
2 or 3 Things I Know About Her
Army of Shadows
Big Deal on Madonna Street
Le cercle rouge
Classe tous risques
Le duolos
Fanfan la Tulipe
La haine
Hopscotch
Made in USA
Mafioso
Masculin feminine
Mouchette
Robeson Box
The Two of Us

The possibly-SC Rialto list I'm assuming you culled most of this from also includes Au hasard balthazar and Last Year at Marienbad (unless there's something you know I don't...).

[scotty2]

What I know is that I own them and forgot to put them back on the list I've been keeping (I remembered the Melvilles).

[Tom Hagen]

Still want/need nine of those in print ones. I thought Jodie Foster owned the US copyright to La Haine, website says Universal.

Perhaps she can threaten some beatdowns if anyone tries messing with the rights.

The good news about this latest wave of OOPs is that with today's purchase of the Bunuels, I officially earned my $50 gift card from Criterion. It's like the feeling of getting that tenth latte or sub sandwich for free magnified by several degrees.

[lady wakasa]

I KNEW this was coming.

Criterion, I *cannot* afford this right now...

[rwaits]

I controlled myself and just ordered one. Backordered at DD. I wonder if they'll get any more in.

Can those of you who are more familiar with the Bunuel releases give me your opinions? The only film on the list I've seen is Discreet Charm, which I was kinda lukewarm on. Then all the others are lower-tier. Is it too much to hope, based on what Lionsgate has given us so far, that future Blu releases could surpass these relatively old Criterion discs?

[HistoryProf]

I'm not well versed in Bunuel, but can say that I was absolutely enthralled with That Obscure Object of Desire and consider it among the best films on that list. I've repeatedly kicked myself for selling it a few years ago when I was forced to unload a bunch for financial reasons, but ordered it today the minute I heard the announcement. Diary of a Chambermaid is the other I own, and I enjoyed it immensely.

I've had Milky Way on my wishlist for some time, so will probably order that as well - from what I gather it is considered one of his best by most fans, though contrary opinions of course exist. That is a newer release, so I would not hesitate to get that one. If SC is going to release any of these on blu, I would bet the house on Discreet Charm and Phantom of Liberty - those are the best known, but the latter is the weakest of the lot in my humble opinion. I personally have decided to not buy those two with confidence that blu rays will eventually be forthcoming. but of course i'm probably wrong

[matrixschmatrix]

A lot of the Bunuel can be got super cheap on amazon, if you're willing to accept used- I don't think any of them are more than $15, before shipping.

[tojoed]

A lot of the Bunuel can be got super cheap on amazon, if you're willing to accept used- I don't think any of them are more than $15, before shipping.

The Bunuel box is only £23.97. I agree with Matt, it's the way to go. There are loads of extras, a lobby card for each film, good transfers ( except "Tristana", but there isn't a good one anywhere), and, of course, it's in fabulous Viridiana Pink.

[matrixschmatrix]

A lot of the Bunuel can be got super cheap on amazon, if you're willing to accept used- I don't think any of them are more than $15, before shipping.

The Bunuel box is only £23.97. I agree with Matt, it's the way to go. There are loads of extras, a lobby card for each film, good transfers ( except "Tristana", but there isn't a good one anywhere), and, of course, it's in fabulous Viridiana Pink.

Damn, that wound up leading to a few pretty spectacular sets- this one and this one, notably- that are also super cheap. Are there reviews of them anywhere?

[perkizitore]

The Melville set is great, highly recommended!

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Can those of you who are more familiar with the Bunuel releases give me your opinions? The only film on the list I've seen is Discreet Charm, which I was kinda lukewarm on. Then all the others are lower-tier. Is it too much to hope, based on what Lionsgate has given us so far, that future Blu releases could surpass these relatively old Criterion discs?

If anything, get That Obscure Object of Desire and The Milky Way. They cover two of Bunuel's favorite topics: sex (Obscure) and religion (Milky). Plus, Obscure has Fernando Rey in a superb performance. For me, those films distill Bunuel perfectly. They also have a good dose of humor which helps makes them enjoyable. I highly doubt that Lionsgate can do one better as Milky Way had a superb interview with Ian Christie that fully laid out the film and Obscure Object had those excerpts from Jacques de Baroncelli’s rather obscure La Femme et le Pantin. Only CC would do extras like that! If anything, should you hate the films, you can sell them at a profit as they'll be OOP.

[perkizitore]

If the Belle De Jour blu-ray is any indication, these will get a significant PQ upgrade in the future. However, if you are really interested in extras buy the Bunuel Criterions now and you can sell them and get the SC blu for free with your earnings!

[colinr0380]

Damn, that wound up leading to a few pretty spectacular sets- this one and this one, notably- that are also super cheap. Are there reviews of them anywhere?

The Melville set is great, highly recommended!

It look as if the extras for Army of Shadows are ported over but does the Optimum set carry over the extras from the BFI discs of Le Doulos, Le Cercle Rouge and Leon Morin, Priest? It seems that Bob le Flambeur is also featureless compared to the Criterion disc.

So the only enticing Melville from that set would seem to be Un Flic, which Optimum has helpfully duplicated in their excellent Alain Delon set.

On the Chabrol I cannot really comment on the quality of the first Arrow boxset since I had already picked up the Region 1 Pathfinder Chabrol Collection which contains Ten Days' Wonder, Innocents With Dirty Hands and La Rupture instead of Juste Avant La Nuit, Noces Rouges and Madame Bovary (all available separately from Arrow).

But then remember that Arrow's second Chabrol set contains La Rupture and Innocents With Dirty Hands too!

[domino harvey]

We talk about the Arrow sets in the Chabrol thread, they're both definitely a good deal, though the transfer for Les Biches in the first set is effed up

[Minkin]

So I guess this leaves the following StudioCanals still in print but vulnerable (corrections welcome):
2 or 3 Things I Know About Her
Fanfan la Tulipe
La haine
Au hasard Balthazar
Made in USA
Mafioso
Mouchette
Robeson Box
The Two of Us

Robeson Box: Only The Proud Valley from the set is Studio Canal
The Two of Us & Fanfan- Rialto, but Pathe and TFI (or did they sub-license?)
This is the first I've heard mention of Au Hasard Balthazar, Mouchette, the two Godards and La Haine. These titles have been secured as StudioCanal? If we are going by whatever Rialto owns as well, shouldn't Elevator to the Gallows be listed as well?

Anyone can feel free to smash my small investigation.

[tenia]

So I guess this leaves the following StudioCanals still in print but vulnerable (corrections welcome):
2 or 3 Things I Know About Her
Fanfan la Tulipe
La haine
Au hasard Balthazar
Made in USA
Mafioso
Mouchette
Robeson Box
The Two of Us

Robeson Box: Only The Proud Valley from the set is Studio Canal
The Two of Us & Fanfan- Rialto, but Pathe and TFI (or did they sub-license?)
This is the first I've heard mention of Au Hasard Balthazar, Mouchette, the two Godards and La Haine. These titles have been secured as StudioCanal? If we are going by whatever Rialto owns as well, shouldn't Elevator to the Gallows be listed as well?

Anyone can feel free to smash my small investigation.

From the French releases point of view, La haine is 100% Studio Canal, but Elevator to the Gallows is Arte Editions, like a whole bunch (all of them, I think) of Louis Malle that are in the main line.

For the Godard, Made In USA is released by Studio Canal. 2 or 3 things is also Arte Editions.
The Bresson are both Arte.

[scotty2]

Made some deletions on the list.

Does anyone have good information (as on StudioCanal imprint on the packaging) for:

Classe tous risques
Mafioso
Masculin feminin

[Peacock]

Well Masculin-Feminin doesn't show up on Studio-Canal's website so i'm presuming they don't have anything to do with the title (thankfully, as it would be one of several oop,going oop, eventually going oop that I don't have yet!)

[tojoed]

It look as if the extras for Army of Shadows are ported over but does the Optimum set carry over the extras from the BFI discs of Le Doulos, Le Cercle Rouge and Leon Morin, Priest? It seems that Bob le Flambeur is also featureless compared to the Criterion disc.

Yes, the extras from the BFIs are on all those discs. "Bob le Flambeur" has an introduction by La Vincendeau. I would think this set is essential for any Melvillian who didn't buy the discs individually.

[Cash Flagg]

Classe tous risques - Rialto & TFI
Masculin feminin - Rialto & Argos

[scotty2]

Thanks for the info. It looks like with this group they are getting to the end of the line, though when (I'm afraid "if" is probably out of the question) they go OOP is anyone's guess. Another blu-ray would be gone.

Army of Shadows
Big Deal on Madonna Street
Le cercle rouge
Le doulos
La haine
Hopscotch
Last Year at Marienbad
Mafioso
Robeson Box (The Proud Valley/Native Land)
Stage and Spectacle (Elena and Her Men)