'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.2

[Michael Kerpan]

Was hoping for the exact same thing, most especially because Cure and Charisma are probably my favourite of his films. But then any K. Kurosawa in the collection, even something as uneven as Seance, would make me giddy like a little girl.

Agree -- except for Seance. ;~}

[Mr Sausage]

Are you a fan of Seance? There was so much to like, but the 'thriller' aspect of the plot felt awkwardly incorporated, sometimes demanding that characters act in ways not consistent with their personality. Especially the medium's sudden push to enlist her husband in a ruse, a desire that did not seem to come from her.

Everything before the girl's death is superb, tho', as is the last twenty minutes or so. Just wish the thriller plot had been better integrated with the mood and the characters set up in the first half. Still, I'll buy a CC Seance the day it comes out. No one films ghosts as well or as frighteningly as K. Kurosawa. Images like the red girl rising up behind the medium in the restaurant corridor, and the muddy child pointing the accusing finger, provoke a cold horror while being poignant at the same time. K.K.'s slowly revealed, lingering horrors are so effective that it's hard not to feel a slight contempt whenever some other horror movie tries the old jump-scare routine.

[Cinephrenic]

Honestly, I kinda don't care if some HVe get reissued by Criterion at this point. I rather see a bunch of other titles (preferrably new) that still needs to see the light of day. But that is my opinion.

[mfunk9786]

Shit shit shitty shit

(we can curse here)

[flyonthewall2983]

Looks like The Game is coming

I don't see why this comes as a news to so many people, Criterion pretty much confirmed it already in January.

And a link in the previous page confirmed it as well.

[Cinephrenic]

Dreyer's The Master of the House is appearing with Janus Films credits at BAM/PFA screenings.

[CJG]

Dreyer's The Master of the House is appearing with Janus Films credits at BAM/PFA screenings.

Miracle in Milan as well.

[ianungstad]

Image has solicited a number of titles they've licensed from Sony to be released in December. They are all barebones budget releases with MSRP of 9.98.

While there hasn't been any indication that Image will release some of these films as special editions in the Criterion Collection, there are four titles that I hope eventually make the transition:

Adaptation (Spike Jonze)
The People vs Larry Flynt (Milos Forman)
The Fisher King (Terry Gilliam)
The Collector (William Wyler)

The People vs Larry Flynt would be a wonderful addition to the Criterion Collection! I hope Image knows that it's in their best interest to let Criterion handle some of these titles as special editions with MSRP of 39.99-49.99

There can't be that much profit in budget releases? There are few other titles that might be alright that I'm not really familiar with : Apt Pupil (Bryan Singer) Odessa File (Ronald Neame) etc.

[zedz]

I can't imagine why Criterion would want to compete with their parent company at those prices!

[ianungstad]

Would they be competing though? Image has only solicited these on dvd. A few of the titles have blu rays solicited but none of the ones I mention do.

I also don't think that the market for budget editions would cannibalize the sales of a special edition all that much.

[Jeff]

I can't imagine why Criterion would want to compete with their parent company at those prices!

Image isn't Criterion's parent company (they don't own any part of Criterion, and as of last year were past due on a substantial amount of money owed to Criterion). They are more like Criterion's pimp. Criterion doesn't have any more to lose in competing with Image than they do with any other companies. I'll admit though that a company selling $10 discs is discouraging when you make a $40 product.

[petevoelker]

I've asked about The Collector many times in the past so the thought of it coming to CC sends a thrill up my leg! It would be the second film adaptation from one of John Fowles' novels rumored to be in the works from CC. The other of course being The French Lieutenant's Woman.

[swo17]

Criterion has been competing against Image's single disc edition of 8 1/2 for years. Even with a comparably priced barebones EAH edition.

[zedz]

But isn't it Image that has licensed the titles mentioned, not Criterion? Can you really imagine Criterion going to their pimp (nice analogy!) and saying, "You know that bunch of films you've just released? How about letting us release them too?"

I would have thought that Image's announcement of these titles would make them all less likely as forthcoming Criterions, not more likely.

[swo17]

You know that bunch of films you've just released?

What are "films" in this analogy?

[kaujot]

Wasn't it Image that announced The Last Emperor, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, etc?

[zedz]

You know that bunch of films you've just released?

What are "films" in this analogy?

You don't want to know.

[Jeff]

But isn't it Image that has licensed the titles mentioned, not Criterion? Can you really imagine Criterion going to their pimp (nice analogy!) and saying, "You know that bunch of films you've just released? How about letting us release them too?"

I would have thought that Image's announcement of these titles would make them all less likely as forthcoming Criterions, not more likely.

You're probably right, zedz. I suspect that Criterion is completely out of the equation on the Sony deal.

Image has their high-priced "escort" in Criterion, but if you can't afford that kind of pleasure, they'll be happy to "give you a Sony" for ten bucks.

[zedz]

Image has their high-priced "escort" in Criterion, but if you can't afford that kind of pleasure, they'll be happy to "give you a Sony" for ten bucks.

I trust this answers your question, swo.

[ianungstad]

Image are releasing barebone editions of To Die For (Gus Van Sant) and Age of Innocence (Martin Scorsese) as well. It would be unfortunate if Criterion is left out.

I don't see the point of budget releases of old catalog titles on dvd. You would think anyone who wanted the films would already own the Sony discs. If you wanted consumers to double dip, you would think they would be focusing on blu rays and special editions.

[Cinephrenic]

I would love to see them work on Girl, Interrupted.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

I would love to see them work on Girl, Interrupted.

I'd like to interrupt them, if they are.

[fdm]

There can't be that much profit in budget releases? There are few other titles that might be alright that I'm not really familiar with : Apt Pupil (Bryan Singer) Odessa File (Ronald Neame) etc.

Speaking of Odessa File, it would be nice to see some of the Sony titles that used to be anamorphic widescreen/full-screen flipper discs, that then became just full-screen only, single-sided discs, become anamorphic widescreen again. Also hopefully the transfers will be at least as good as what was previously available. (And yeah, I don't think the Sony/Image deal has much to do with Criterion; there have already been a few ex-Sony blu-rays announced as coming soon from Image.)

[Matt]

I don't see the point of budget releases of old catalog titles on dvd. You would think anyone who wanted the films would already own the Sony discs. If you wanted consumers to double dip, you would think they would be focusing on blu rays and special editions.

Obviously they're selling or they wouldn't bother. Some people just like to watch movies, and not everybody has bought everything on its initial release date. Look at the people on this very forum gnashing their teeth because they didn't get around to buying MoC's Michael or Abhijan in the last 5-6 years, or the scramble every time Criterion loses the rights to a title that's been in print for years, or the panic that ensued when Paramount began pulling pretty much their entire collection out of print.

[ianungstad]

Just in case anyone cares, I asked Image Entertainment about the Sony titles and they confirmed that none of the titles will be released by Criterion. Too bad as they picked up some good titles. Maybe they'll license the special features for The Fisher King from Criterion someday...