Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.3

[Dona Santa]

Any info on if any other Home Vision Entertainment releases will be making their way into the mainline? I would kill to see Blackmail is my Life, Cure and All about Lily Chou Chou given the treatment

[jedgeco]

While I'm not sure what 2012 will bring in terms of upgrades, I wouldn't be surprised if it's less.

I would be shocked if it were less than 1-2 a month. With 600-ish titles, Criterion is now a pretty mature product line and has released the vast majority of the "cannon" titles that it has access to. Reissuing a undisputed classic that is a proven seller (e.g., Wild Strawberries, Rashomon) is almost guaranteed to be more profitable than a new title, given that most new titles are usually going to be films that are some margin less popular.

[vsski]

I would be shocked if it were less than 1-2 a month.

While you are probably correct with your assumption, at least on the lower end of your range, so far the upgrade rate seems half of that of 2011. In 2011 if I counted correctly Criterion upgraded 24 of its existing titles (not counting those when it was a complete new BR/DVD edition), which is on average 2 per month. For the first three months of 2012 only 3 such upgrades have been announced, 1 per month. So unless they announce a lot more upgrades in the rest of the year, it will be less.

At the same time I fully expect them to upgrade some of their core titles like the Ozus, Kurosawas, Truffauts and Bergmans, the only question is how long will it take them to do so.

[movielocke]

the lack of upgrades so far on the 2012 schedule is the most disturbing trend of the year to me. All new editions are good, but we need at least two a month in upgrades (without having to redo the entire release). I'd happily sacrifice half of the new releases for more bluray upgrades of canonical catalog titles.

[zedz]

I'd happily sacrifice half of the new releases for more bluray upgrades of canonical catalog titles.

What a terrifying prospect.

[jwd5275]

With 600-ish titles, Criterion is now a pretty mature product line and has released the vast majority of the "cannon" titles that it has access to.

I seriously question this. For example last year we got the Chabrols which have never had a R1 release and we got the long out of print Vigo (which is as canonical as it gets).

[Cinephrenic]

They just can't handle the load guys. Strictly economics. Even the major studios can't even handle their classics catalogs in a timely manner on Blu. Look at Universal.

[Perkins Cobb]

I'd happily sacrifice half of the new releases for more bluray upgrades of canonical catalog titles.

What a terrifying prospect.

Seriously. Where'd we get this guy?! Despite my initial skepticism, I've actually been pretty happy with the balance Criterion has struck. Although if I got a vote and if it were economically feasible, I'd call for no further Blu upgrades until Criterion was done releasing, well, let's say every French, Italian, and Japanese film made before 1980. For starters.

With 600-ish titles, Criterion is now a pretty mature product line and has released the vast majority of the "cannon" titles that it has access to.

Well, there's still Delta Force, Bolero, Breakin', Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, Alien From L.A., Cyborg, Masters of the Universe, Ninja III: The Domination, and of course that Chuck Norris Eclipse set.

[Thomas Dukenfield]

With 600-ish titles, Criterion is now a pretty mature product line and has released the vast majority of the "cannon" titles that it has access to.

Well, there's still Delta Force, Bolero, Breakin', Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, Alien From L.A., Cyborg, Masters of the Universe, Ninja III: The Domination, and of course that Chuck Norris Eclipse set.

I sure hope Criterion is gonna release their cannonical titles. I'd sell my own blood for Blus of Alien from LA and Ninja III and Breakin 2. Then again, I have a lot of blood.

[jwd5275]

and of course that Chuck Norris Eclipse set.

Nooooo! They can't relegate Chuck Norris to Eclipse, I need Missing in Action and Invasion USA in a mainline boxset.

[Perkins Cobb]

We larf, but Love Streams is also a Cannonical title.

[cinemartin]

As is King Lear.

[Murdoch]

I hate to do this but it's really bugging me - "canonical" is a word, "cannonical" is not.

[jwd5275]

I hate to do this but it's really bugging me - "canonical" is a word, "cannonical" is not.

That is exactly why we moved from a discussion of film 'canon' on to Criterion having access to the Cannon film catalogue...

[zedz]

As is King Lear.

And Ruiz's Treasure Island! Okay, settled, let's have a Cannon box set. 'Misguided Grabs for Prestige' sounds like a good title to me.

[Perkins Cobb]

And Ruiz's Treasure Island! Okay, settled, let's have a Cannon box set. 'Misguided Grabs for Prestige' sounds like a good title to me.

The Cannon Canon, of course.

[ianungstad]

I hope Disney licensing Criterion the rights to Rushmore is an indication that we'll see some new spine numbers out of that catalog as well. I noticed on Amazon that High Fidelity is completely out of print in region 1. It would make for a great Criterion release.

[SamLowry]

let's have a Cannon box set

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
Heaven Can Wait
Revenge Of The Pink Panther
Deathtrap
The Last Of Sheila
8 Heads In A Dufflebag

Unless you mean Dyan Cannon's directorial efforts, both of which could fit on one disc.

[Professor Wagstaff]

The Cannon Canon, of course.

Lincoln Center beat you to the punch.

[Thomas Dukenfield]

And Ruiz's Treasure Island! Okay, settled, let's have a Cannon box set. 'Misguided Grabs for Prestige' sounds like a good title to me.

The Cannon Canon, of course.

Don't forget that Polanski's Pirates was distributed by Cannon. I'll let you put the pieces together on that one.

[Perkins Cobb]

The Cannon Canon, of course.

Lincoln Center beat you to the punch.

And I saw Shy People in that series -- I knew that gag was too good to be my own!

[duck duck]

I think that some re-releases are justified because of either being early and not meant to be watched on a 50" TV, or because they are non-anamorphic. The only thing that pisses me off at Criterion disc is when I play them and the actual film only takes up 1/6 of my TV. I'm even willing to buy a Blu of Armageddon (Steve Buschimi rocks) just to have the director's cut in anamorphic, unless if the only difference is that horrid animal crackers scene, that should never have existed.

[flyonthewall2983]

What Cannon titles would be seriously considered for the CC? Barfly?

[Oedipax]

What Cannon titles would be seriously considered for the CC? Barfly?

King Lear, one would hope.

[beamish13]

I think these two Cannon titles would be excellent additions to the Criterion catalog.