Criterion Random Speculation Vol.3

[Matt]

Volume 3, continued from this thread and this thread.

[Dr. Mabuse]

With Universal soon will be releasing titles on HD-DVD that are currently inprint at Criterion (Fear and Loathing and Dazed and Confused), could this mean that Criterion will focus on DVD-format while the war between HD-DVD and Blue-ray continous? And could we see more titles licensed out to Criterion for DVD-format?

[zedz]

Slightly related, and also suggested by the Dazed release, is the possibility of major studios licensing out their special editions to Criterion. There are plenty of instances where significant films are given a bare-bones release with no intention of generating a double-dipping Special Edition six months later, so why not let Criterion do the extra features legwork, enhance the value / prestige of your property and pick up a tidy fee in the bargain? (This is assuming that the studios' DVD divisions are run by rational beings, of course, and there's plenty of evidence to the contrary).

This isn't going to be economically feasible for Criterion in most cases, but I'm sure it was for Dazed, and there are some other obvious contenders. It would be great if Criterion could take Universal's new masters and put together a proper von Sternberg / Dietrich box, for example, and such a high-priced item surely isn't going to compete too strenuously with the ultra-cheap Dietrich Collection, especially if it trails along 12 months later. Sloppy seconds with Marlene is probably better than . . . actually, maybe I'd better leave that metaphor hanging.

[Doctor Sunshine]

With Universal soon will be releasing titles on HD-DVD that are currently inprint at Criterion (Fear and Loathing and Dazed and Confused), could this mean that Criterion will focus on DVD-format while the war between HD-DVD and Blue-ray continous? And could we see more titles licensed out to Criterion for DVD-format?

It's a nice thought but DVDs are so cheap to produce and the HD and DVD pipelines must be so similar I can't imagine any studios would bother getting a 3rd party involved.

[Tommaso]

Slightly related, and also suggested by the Dazed release, is the possibility of major studios licensing out their special editions to Criterion. There are plenty of instances where significant films are given a bare-bones release with no intention of generating a double-dipping Special Edition six months later, so why not let Criterion do the extra features legwork, enhance the value / prestige of your property and pick up a tidy fee in the bargain?

This precisely is what they did with "Kagemusha" and "Ran", both of which were available before in more or less bare-bone fashion from a major label. Which makes me hope that we will finally see the Criterion treatment of Kurosawa's "Dreams"...

[Gigi M.]

Please, let it be Derzu Uzala first. The Kino disc is disgusting.

[Dr. Mabuse]

I believe Dreams is still the property of Warner.

[Tommaso]

Sure, but "Ran" is also available from Universal (at least in Europe) although the Criterion is out. Same goes for "Kagemusha". That's why I hoped for a Criterion -"Dreams". Well, perhaps Warner does a nice double-set of "Dreams" in the future. They are not that bad for a major.... and their DVD of "Dreams" is at least watchable. It just does not live up to the standards we're used to anymore....

As for "Dersu": as an alternative to Kino you might go for the Ruscico version. I haven't seen it, but they are generally quite fine and have already saved some films that Kino managed to feck up. See the Ruscico thread elsewhere on this forum (Boutique labels).

[Dr. Mabuse]

=http://www.hometheaterforum.com/chat/w ... live chat with Warner Bros, feb 21, 2006: "We do not license product to third parties. It's a strict company policy."

[Gigi M.]

It appears that Herzog' AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD is now OOP from Anchor Bay. Only Amazon is carring it. Criterion maybe?

[kaujot]

I'd doubledip on it. Actually, I just checked Anchor Bay's website, and they have a "buy it" link that asks if you want to get it from Amazon, Chapters, B&N, Best Buy, etc., so I don't think it could be out of print.

[Cinephrenic]

Do you think the EclipseDVD announcement is coming up for October?

[FilmFanSea]

Do you think the EclipseDVD announcement is coming up for October?

Yeah, October of 2014.

[portnoy]

There is no such thing as Eclipse. Sorry, guys. Your precious Criterion Collection will continue to be 'corrupted' with genre and cult films.

[Cinephrenic]

Actually Criterion themselves announced a "new line" in their newsletter coming this fall.

[backstreetsbackalright]

i can feel eclipse in my blood, it must be coming

That, or maybe you should switch to Chiclets for a while.

[Dr. Mabuse]

Four open spine numbers (349 to 352), let the speculation begin...

Could there be a boxset in the making?

[Gigi M.]

Four open spine numbers (349 to 352), let the speculation begin...

Could there be a boxset in the making?

What are you smoking?

349 - Kicking & Screaming
350 - Seduced and Abandoned
351 - The Spirit of the Beehive
352 - Jigoku

[Jeff]

The October announcements make the rest of the year pretty easy to predict, no?

My bets:

November
The Third Man
The Fallen Idol
The Double Life of Veronique
Border Radio

December
Yojimbo
Sanjuro

[Cinephrenic]

November
Pandora's Box
Border Radio
The Double Life of Veronique
Pierrot le fou

December
Yojimbo
Sanjuro

What's up with $39 on Hands Over the City?

[Gigi M.]

What about Army of Shadows? I'll bet we'll see it this year.

[Jeff]

What about Army of Shadows? I'll bet we'll see it this year.

A long shot at best. Rialto's theatrical roll-out only started a couple of months ago, and is currently scheduled through October. I would say don't look for it until Spring of 2007.

[What A Disgrace]

Here's my guesses, yo.

November
Pandora's Box
Samuel Fuller box (first 3/4 films, since Fox owns Fixed Bayonets)
The Third Man

December
Cabiria
Yojimbo
Sanjuro

I'm not getting my hopes up, but there's always a chance that Criterion could announce one of the expected re-releases in the next day or so, also.

[Jeff]

Here's my guesses, yo...

Criterion have already confirmed Border Radio and Veronique for "this fall." I forgot about that Fuller set, which Kit Parker's site still has listed for 2006.

[Cinephrenic]

We got at least one Bresson, Kurosawa, Ozu, Bergman, Powell & Pressburger, Bunuel, and i'm thinking we will see at least one Godard. That being Pierrot le fou.