Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[ChunkyLover]

I am pretty excited about The Virgin Suicides getting a UHD, because it is a Paramount title and they, so far, haven't licensed those rights (although it is possible that American Zoetrope made this happen and not Paramount being open to licensing UHD rights.)

There was Capelight releasing a "The Running Man" 4K in Germany (as far I can tell that was the first Paramount UHD license).

[dwk]

I don't think The Running Man is a Paramount title in Germany. (They do not appear to be mentioned on previous Capelight releases of The Running Man.)

[FrauBlucher]

What are the extras to likely be carried over from The Raging Bull laserdisc?

[dwk]

Raging Bull's laserdisc extras:
Audio commentary by director Martin Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker (Criterion licensed this commentary to MGM.)
Historic Jake La Motta boxing and interview footage
The shooting script and original storyboards
Publicity and production photographs
Original theatrical trailer

So, I'd say everything but the stills, script, and storyboards. So, not much.

[ChunkyLover]

I don't think The Running Man is a Paramount title in Germany. (They do not appear to be mentioned on previous Capelight releases of The Running Man.)

You sure? Paramount's logo is on the back of their releases (including the 4K) and say "licensed from Paramount Pictures".

[dwk]

I don't think The Running Man is a Paramount title in Germany. (They do not appear to be mentioned on previous Capelight releases of The Running Man.)

You sure? Paramount's logo is on the back of their releases (including the 4K) and say "licensed from Paramount Pictures".

Oh, my mistake then. I just looked at couple releases on Blu-ray.com and didn't see Paramount mentioned on the ones I looked at, but I clearly didn't look at all of them.

[JakeStewart]

It’s been over a decade since I last watched it, but Raging Bull has never been one of my favorite Scorsese films. It’s overly forgiving attitude toward LaMotta, who is an objectively terrible person, always rubbed me the wrong way. It might be time for another viewing, though.

[therewillbeblus]

Did I see a different version of Raging Bull? I recall there being a less forgiving attitude towards LaMotta than Travis Bickle

[JakeStewart]

I think the “forgiveness” at the end of Taxi Driver can be read more as a biting commentary on society’s attitude on vigilante justice as well as drawing attention to how news media can warp our views of even the most clear-cut situations. By quoting the Bible at the end of Raging Bull, that forgiving attitude is unambiguously meant to be sincere. That’s my take on it, at least.

[therewillbeblus]

I agree on Taxi Driver, but LaMotta is never really given room to grow as a character- he's aggressive, jealous, and insincerely apologetic with aims only to get his needs met. The ultimate portrait of him in the denouement is one that sympathizes but more with pity over a pathetic figure than an "overly" forgiving position of empathy. Scorsese isn't asking or expecting us or his victims to forgive him, just acknowledging that Christian forgiveness exists, is a worthy position to consider, and that as a filmmaker he can demonstrate that value from an "objective" space. I think DeNiro gives a great performance but there's no real character there to engage with, and for the record I don't think whatever 'serious' endgame Scorsese is trying to achieve with this film is very effective, as I admire the film for its superficial qualities only

[Drucker]

Haven't watched Raging Bull in years so can't comment, but I caught Bringing Out the Dead the other week in 35 and it's definitely one of my favorite Scorsese films upon this revisit. The ghost that haunts Cage throughout the film is incredibly effective, and the literal use of spirits is very powerful. Additionally, the film is a romp at times, with supporting work by John Goodman and Ving Rhames absolutely sensational. Would love for it to get released.

[therewillbeblus]

It definitely cultivates a rare and challenging tone, affirming the kind of dark comedy people in high-intensity acute professions understand as it permeates their milieus and morphs their psychological outlooks. I don't think I've ever seen a film get this so right, actually

[ryannichols7]

I also find it hard to believe Devil in a Blue Dress would be the first Sony title licensed to both Indicator and Criterion. or that Paramount will suddenly start licensing out 4K titles out of nowhere, when they haven't licensed anything new to CC in ages

As was established with Watermelon Man, all that Indicator's release indicates is Criterion wasn't interested at the time Indicator licensed it. As Devil in a Blue Dress was initially licensed likely 2+ years ago, prior to Criterion's sharper focus on African-American filmmakers, it seems perfectly reasonable Criterion could have subsequently nabbed the US rights (and, depending how Sony's deals are laid out, possibly the 4K rights in the UK?).

I did indeed forget about Watermelon Man, and while I could say that an exception was probably made there due to the Peebles family, an exception could probably be made for Carl Franklin too. it's certainly not out of the question the Criterion of the Ashley Clark era would really go for this, but as echoed by others, One False Move I would've expected first, nor would I have expected either of these films to be Criterion's first Sony licensed-4K title

I don't believe this until these announcements are up on the site though, I think it's weird how a user just leaked these titles, half of their covers (all of which look like works in progress/placeholders) on here and bounced. it's getting posted across media and this forum is making news like I haven't seen in awhile. maybe I'll look like the fool in the morning, but it all just feels way too suspect to me. The Virgin Suicides seems to be the real giveaway - Paramount has not licensed anything to Criterion at all since they took the titles out of print last year, and they also haven't licensed anything at all in the US (someone correct me if I'm wrong) since they launched their Paramount Presents line. yes, Sofia Coppola is a living filmmaker who can certainly step in and work with them, we've seen this many times, but I'd be surprised if this was a bigger priority than moving Lost in Translation (the far more popular/acclaimed film, even to this day) to UHD or Marie Antoinette, both films coming from licensors who Criterion have a far more stable relationship with.

and no boxset would really surprise too. but again, maybe I'll look like the fool tomorrow and we'll really have Okja of all movies be the first streaming service film on UHD.

[Computer Raheem]

Potential validity to this leak - The Virgin Suicides' page appears to have been upgraded with new screenshots

[andyli]

Kind of surprised to see The Virgin Suicides getting the UHD treatment. I was hoping to see a new scan of Lost in Translation some time soon.

[eerik]

I have nothing to gain from posting false information. I do not have social media pages to gather likes, shares, follows, or any other superficial internet fame. I've been a member here for well over a decade, I appereciate the small community we have, and thought I'd post what I knew here. I do love The Virigin Suicides, it had a special place in my formative late teens. Probably my personal favourite by any of the Coppolas. Maybe I like it too much and wished the 4K upgrade into excistence, I don't know. I did, however, underestimate the excitement for new Criterion discs in 2022, and how fast and far the list I posted here would spread. But it is what it is.

[pzadvance]

I just bought the indicator Devil in a Blue Dress so that all but confirms that of course an upgrade is forthcoming

[DimitriL]

I think the “forgiveness” at the end of Taxi Driver can be read more as a biting commentary on society’s attitude on vigilante justice as well as drawing attention to how news media can warp our views of even the most clear-cut situations. By quoting the Bible at the end of Raging Bull, that forgiving attitude is unambiguously meant to be sincere. That’s my take on it, at least.

I think it’s unambiguously meant to be Catholic and Christian, anyway. He’s certainly returned over and over to the question of what that means. (I think The Irishman is kindred to Raging Bull, especially, ending in virtually the same kind of purgatory.)

[yoloswegmaster]

Lauren Tamaki's name has now been removed from Summertime's page as the credited artist for the new Blu cover. I'm now wondering if this is related to the hold-up for July's announcements.

[Peter McM]

Lauren Tamaki's name has now been removed from Summertime's page as the credited artist for the new Blu cover. I'm now wondering if this is related to the hold-up for July's announcements.

Why don't they just make the announcements with a "cover art coming soon"--I think they've done it before.

[swo17]

Maybe they saw that everyone hated the leaks and decided to just pack it in

[Furstemberg]

Totally here for them scrambling at the last minute to change all the announcements.

[FrauBlucher]

April Fools day turned into April Fools month

[Brian C]

If we're gonna list off which Scorsese titles Criterion should prioritize, why not go with his best film not yet on blu*, Bringing Out the Dead

*or, period

Now here’s a spicy hot take I can get behind.

[swo17]

Announcements are up and they're all legit--4 UHDs!