'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[Svevan]

I've been holding off on buying Algiers because I think it's a great candidate for Blu - it's one of those sets that defines what Criterion is. Important and fairly well-known film, excellent sups, beautiful packaging. Deluxe in every way, like Breathless. Would be very sad if it didn't make it to Blu (esp. if I hold off buying it for that reason).

[Cinephrenic]

I don't think anyone has asked.

[Svevan]

Asked Criterion? Well maybe we should hop on that. I don't have a Facebook anymore, so that's out.

[Napier]

Asked Criterion? Well maybe we should hop on that. I don't have a Facebook anymore, so that's out.

I asked them earlier after you guys mentioned it. No reply....

[HistoryProf]

it's been asked about at least 5 times since the sale started and they haven't responded. I suspect it's reached the category of the daily questions about Badlands, despite their finally admitting they don't have the rights it still gets asked for every single fucking day. People don't seem to understand the part about how just because one movie by a director is in the collection, the rest aren't automatically available.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

I suspect it's reached the category of the daily questions about Badlands, despite their finally admitting they don't have the rights.

Beg pardon? This has been verified?

[Cinephrenic]

Same here. I thought this was verified by Criterion themselves.

[cdnchris]

I thought they said that nothing was final, implying that they're working on it. But I have trouble keeping track of all of these things.

[swo17]

Still a possibility, but not a done deal.

[felipe]

Now that MoC is releasing Make way for tomorrow on blu-ray, do you guys think Criterion will release it in the US?

[Peacock]

No.

[med]

About as likely as MoC releasing a Blu edition of Hausu since Criterion is releasing one.

Things *could* change, but since they've started releasing Blus, Criterion hasn't put out a SD title only to follow it months later with a Blu edition. Titles like Pierrot le fou and The Last Emperor don't count since the DVD editions came out before Criterion went Blu.

[captveg]

Yeah, that's a precedent that has yet to be set. Criterion BDs started with #450 (Bottle Rocket), and no DVD-only release since then has had an upgrade.

[med]

Wasn't Make Way for Tomorrow one of the many acquisitions they'd been sitting on for years (and, as such, w/o Blu rights)? Had they acquired it much more recently, they might've done a Blu version of it. Especially considering they're releasing practically everything in the format these days.

[swo17]

I think it's possible that if Criterion were only now getting around to announcing MWFT, it could very well have been on Blu-ray as well, but since they missed that opportunity, I don't see it being terribly high on the list of recent SD-only candidates for upgrade.

I am curious though to what extent MoC might have coordinated with Criterion on this one, and whether it will be locked to Region B.

[Matt]

I think it's possible that if Criterion were only now getting around to announcing MWFT, it could very well have been on Blu-ray as well, but since they missed that opportunity, I don't see it being terribly high on the list of recent SD-only candidates for upgrade.

I think even if Criterion did want to put out a Blu-ray of the film so quickly after the SD release, they're well aware of the great amount of ill will that would generate among people who bought the DVD but would have bought a BD if it were available. That alone might keep a BD on the shelf for a while.

[Brian C]

I think even if Criterion did want to put out a Blu-ray of the film so quickly after the SD release, they're well aware of the great amount of ill will that would generate among people who bought the DVD but would have bought a BD if it were available. That alone might keep a BD on the shelf for a while.

This is easily rectified by a having good trade-in program, if they really wanted to do it.

Back when they started up the Facebook page, they said at one point that any SD-only titles would need at least a year before any upgrade. Obviously that doesn't mean that the SD titles will be upgraded after a year, but we're getting pretty close to that point with Make Way. And we're already there with Z, which so far has been my pick for "That's DVD only? Really?"

[Matt]

This is easily rectified by a having good trade-in program, if they really wanted to do it.

Try as they might (and they have), Criterion seem just unable or unwilling to devise a trade-in program that doesn't lose them money and yet seems reasonable to the average consumer. Warner Bros. will give you the whole Blu-ray for $5, at that price (not including shipping) Criterion will just sell you an empty case. Now, I know it's disingenuous to compare a giant corporation to Criterion, but it's the same marketplace, after all. $20 (+ $5 shipping) for a disc-only upgrade is just way too steep, especially when you can get the whole, factory sealed shebang for the same price (or less) during the B&N sale.

[aox]

especially when you can get the whole, factory sealed shebang for the same price (or less) during the B&N sale.

Or from a third person company in the Amazon Marketplace all year, and I am not talking about 'used' discs. I haven't paid more than $27 (after shipping) for a brand new single disc CC BD even once, by shopping in the Marketplace. In many cases, it has been a few dollars less.

[Cinephrenic]

I just watched Vincere. I can't believe Criterion didn't pick this one up.

[Norbie]

I'm tempted to get "The Battle Of Algiers" but what about a re-release? Is there any whispers in the hall about a re-release planned within the next two years or so?

Going on gut instinct and personal opinion, the current three-disc set is one of the best and most complete sets Criterion has ever released. I would be very surprised if they ever returned to it for a re-release; what could they possibly add? I'd say pick it up now and enjoy the hell out of it!

I assume he is talking about a Blu-Ray release.

I'm sorry for not making myself clear. Yes, I am thinking about a Blu-ray release. The same goes for Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray release. If there isn't anything in the works for a release in the next 2 or so years i'll probably get what CC has now.

I don't like asking these questions because the is always something going on behind the scenes thats not available to most of us. How many knew that a BR release of Apocalypse Now was coming out in the next few months or so? But anyway, i'm blabering so i'll stop now.

[Cinephrenic]

Just rent it. If you like it, then buy it on Blu when it comes out.

[Tribe]

Just rent it. If you like it, then buy it on Blu when it comes out.

This is no place for sage advice like that.

[Cinephrenic]

I know. But I tried.

[Flike]

Is there any chance of Criterion putting the Zatoichi films out in physical form? Watched the first few on Hulu finally and was impressed -- cute series. They looked really good, though I hate slogging through the Hulu ads, and I'd imagine people would eat up a set or sets just on the basis of them being Samurai fare from Criterion.