Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[dwk]

I seem to recall someone saying that Happiness might now be back with its producers. If so, waiting for the studio's rights to expire could explain the hold up.

While we are dealing with baseless rumors, word on HK film twitter, is Eastern Condors is getting released this year and Criterion might be doing two of WB's Golden Harvest titles next year (The Blade and Pedicab Driver)

[ryannichols7]

they did just squeak out Romeo and Juliet, and Lars Von Trier isn't exactly a saintly figure himself. but I don't see it, if anything Radiance seems a lot more likely to go for this

I agree with you though Matt, the big thing though is that since we get so little indication from Criterion now of what's forthcoming (no newsletter, no NYE clue, no screenshot clues) it's understandable that any sliver of a rumor is exciting. their social media at this point is arguably more of a promotional tool for the channel than the actual discs - Vive L'Amour was tweeted out the other day in one of their now regular "good morning" tweets, but that's just promoting it on the channel. Film Movement released it on an overpriced, barebones disc edition. it's just an odd approach all around

[yoloswegmaster]

I seem to recall someone saying that Happiness might now be back with its producers. If so, waiting for the studio's rights to expire could explain the hold up.

While we are dealing with baseless rumors, word on HK film twitter, is Eastern Condors is getting released this year and Criterion might be doing two of WB's Golden Harvest titles next year (The Blade and Pedicab Driver)

The rights could revert back to the producers since it's the film's 25th anniversary this year, and we know about a similar case that happened last year when the rights for Lost Highway reverted back to David Lynch/MK2 after 25 years.

Another baseless rumor on the HK front is that Encounter of the Spooky Kind 2 (and presumably the first film) could be released by Criterion. Irongod said that it was possible for the second film to get a release later and that he's pushing for it to happen, and it's important to note that the second film is with WB. He doesn't specify what company but I would bet it being Criterion since no other label has licensed the Golden Harvest titles from them besides them.

[beamish14]

Criterion might be doing two of WB's Golden Harvest titles next year (The Blade

Please, god, let this happen. Give us a 4K of this perfect jewel of a film

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Criterion might be doing two of WB's Golden Harvest titles next year (The Blade

Please, god, let this happen. Give us a 4K of this perfect jewel of a film

I spoke with feihong about this before, but The Blade is one of the most perfect films of the 90s. It gets better upon each viewing and would love a Criterion release. And Pedicab Driver is an absolute delight. I mention this again and again, but the one film Criterion needs to license from Warner is Too Many Ways to Be No. 1. One of those special films that needs to be seen by more people.

I looked online and the people posting about these films are all reputable folk involved in that niche online community. I was told Criterion/Janus hasn’t announced Eastern Condors yet as they were doing a new scan, but wouldn’t be surprised if they just license the existing Fortune Star 2K.

I wonder if Criterion would do Spooky Encounters? Seeing as Shout is releasing Hong Kong films, I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes from them, especially seeing as they have a Warner relationship.

[chucktatum]

I attended a panel on Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio in Beverly Hills tonight. Afterwards, I got a moment with GDT and asked if the B&W version of Nightmare Alley is still getting released on disc because it doesn't look great on Hulu. He agreed with that and said, "It's coming from Criterion."

[guyetgenevieve]

I attended a panel on Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio in Beverly Hills tonight. Afterwards, I got a moment with GDT and asked if the B&W version of Nightmare Alley is still getting released on disc because it doesn't look great on Hulu. He agreed with that and said, "It's coming from Criterion."

If true, would this be the first disc of a Searchlight release post-Disney acquisition?

[black&huge]

sounds great hopefully it'll be around the time Criterion also puts out Aronofsky's DC of The Fountain and Dominik's DC of the Assassination of Jesse James.

[therewillbeblus]

Is this a different edit or just a B&W version like Parasite?

[yoloswegmaster]

It's just a B&W version like Parasite.

I don't have much of an opinion on this since I haven't seen the film but I'm personally hoping that we see a release for Pinocchio come first since Nightmare Alley already has a 4K release.

[therewillbeblus]

I think it's a terrible movie, and I'm surprised they're prioritizing a recent, mostly-forgotten box office flop regardless of GDT's name on it. Why not unearth something rare with the Mimic DC

[ryannichols7]

this is the same company that kicked off it's UHD licenses from Netflix with Okja, I'm unfortunately not at all shocked

[tenia]

And I suspect this and GDT name explains why this kind of movie, and why this one and not, indeed, one like Mimic.

[swo17]

But Oscar nominations

[Finch]

If they're expanding effort on Del Toro's duds, they might as well 4k upgrade his best film by asking Sony to let them release the UHD of Devil's Backbone with a spine number (and also get Volver). It's probably more of an academic question anyhow but did Fox do a HDR and/or Dolby Vision pass on the 4k restoration of the OG Nightmare Alley?

[Aspect]

The Devil's Backbone truly is his best film - an elegant and delicate ghost story. His Nightmare Alley was indeed terrible, but then again I haven't really loved anything he's made since Pan's Labyrinth.

[DarkImbecile]

You all will come around to the truth one of these days in a horribly ironic moment of self-recognition after it’s already too late

[bainbridgezu]

You all will come around to the truth one of these days in a horribly ironic moment of self-recognition after it’s already too late

I move to canonize this post as part of the Criterion Collection

[therewillbeblus]

I haven't really loved anything he's made since Pan's Labyrinth.

He's a director I appreciate more than I like- I don't really love anything he's done, though Pan's Labyrinth is at close as he's gotten to greatness. However, the passion he brings to his work makes me want to see him win - awards, box office, whatever. Even Pacific Rim, his worst film, is made instantly better by the disclosure that he made a movie inspired by the movies he'd make in his head as a kid playing with toys. As someone who did that every day for hours a day for so many of my formative years, there's so much to love about that rationale, even if it's not communicated well in the actual product.

I thought his Pinocchio was pretty bad too..

[CSM126]

Nightmare Alley is a masterpiece, and I would love a packed special edition from anyone, so if this is true it’s good news.

[jake99]

It's just a B&W version like Parasite.

I don't have much of an opinion on this since I haven't seen the film but I'm personally hoping that we see a release for Pinocchio come first since Nightmare Alley already has a 4K release.

Having seen both versions in theatres, they play drastically different. It was lit to be filmed in Black and White, so the shots draw your eyes to different parts of the frame when in color or B&W. My fiancé hated the film when we saw it in color, but came out of the B&W version, which hasn’t been made available streaming or on the prior disc, thinking it was one of the best films of the year.

This isn’t just a random gimmick like other films, this was made to be seen in B&W, but Disney didn’t have confidence in releasing it that way.

[yoloswegmaster]

'The Murder of Mr. Devil' and 'Coach to Vienna' are the latest additions to the Channel that open with the CC and Janus logos. It's interesting to note that Witchhammer opens with both logos as well, despite it already being included in Severin's Folk Horror boxset.

[pzadvance]

'The Murder of Mr. Devil' and 'Coach to Vienna' are the latest additions to the Channel that open with the CC and Janus logos. It's interesting to note that Witchhammer opens with both logos as well, despite it already being included in Severin's Folk Horror boxset.

The Heroic Trio as well

[Elizabeth Corday]

https://twitter.com/TheDiscFather/statu ... aS0wA&s=19

Hmmmm

[dwk]

That is for the French release from Carlotta. Which is available for pre-order on Amazon.fr