MoC Forthcoming, Wishlist, and Random Speculation

[Steven H]

I'm a big fan of Chinmoku, and it was one of many fantastic Shinoda films released in Japan last year. All of these films, with the exception of Petrified Forest, are worth the import price.

[Michael Kerpan]

I would say that Orin would be the best-seller of that batch of Shinoda's. Certainly it is the most visually wonderful -- from start to finish.

[Steven H]

Orin is incredible. Some of those telephoto shots, with the sea behind a blind Shima, struggling to walk, are just perfect. I would love to see that one get out there in the west for more people to see. I have a pretty intense like for Buraikan and Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees as well.

[Matt]

Well, I did my best to make the article salvageable. The original version read like an ad, which usually fails the Wikipedia smell test and gets articles listed for deletion quite quickly. I wish I had more to fill the article with--perhaps if someone could provide more history on the organization?

I added a bevy of the requested citations on the deletion page for the MoC entry. I'm a librarian, it's what I do.

[Michael Kerpan]

"Buraikan" in a two-fer set with Yamanaka's "Kochiyama Soshun" (which have some story overlap) might be nice. ;~}

"Cherry Trees" is just a bit too weird for my taste -- but then so are some of the Shindo films, so what do I know. ;~}

[zone_resident]

If Silence is in the works, that is great. It is one of my favorite films of all times. New/improved Lang releases are also good news. More old R1 releases to upgrade! But "mystery" Murnaus are still in the dark. I hope that at least one of them will be brand new to DVD (like City Girl).

[Tommaso]

But "mystery" Murnaus are still in the dark. ).

Why still in the dark? The list says they will be "Nosferatu" and "Tabu". I'm interested in why they are double dvds. I only hope that they will not just repackage the old Eureka disc again as they did with "Faust". Anyway, definitive versions of "Tabu" and "Nosferatu" are very, very much appreciated of course. I guess "Nosferatu" will even have the original music, as this was rumoured for a long while here as an object of the ongoing restoration work. But still, I would have preferred to finally see "City Girl". And the Lang "Woman in the Moon" will be worthwhile only if they make it heavy in the extras department, otherwise you can stay with the divisa disc, or with the Kino if you don't care for the original titles.

[zone_resident]

But "mystery" Murnaus are still in the dark. ).

Why still in the dark? The list says they will be "Nosferatu" and "Tabu"... But still, I would have preferred to finally see "City Girl".

My mistake, I had not carefully checked the items up to Funeral Parade of Roses. Yes, there is no more mystery.. Kind of disappointing (for region-free viewers) that we don't have a single "new" Murnau. Nevertheless, looking forward to the improved releases of Nosferatu and Tabu.

[BrightEyes23]

slightly disappointed that of all Shinoda's to be released, its one that is available with an AMAZING transfer AND english subs in Japan, but its an excellent movie nonetheless, in fact, this might be my favorite Shinoda film.

[FilmFanSea]

I'd rather give up now, than release a Besson film before a Bresson film in the Masters of Cinema Series. Sorry, but Besson isn't likely.

Nobody likes Besson...

Enough already! MoC's founders would hardly classify Besson as their particular type of filmmaker, and neither would I.

I mean, Luc Besson - come on! Aside from Leon, La femme Nikita and the Big Blue - which, interesting films though they are; could hardly be considered masterpieces - what else has he done worth noting?
Messenger: Joan of Arc? Taxi (which he produced)? the Transporter (which he wrote)? Let's not forget his bastardisation of Ong-bak!

Nope. No master of cinema here. Merely a caterer to the varied in taste masses, who occasionally makes a decent film.

Well, I hope all you haters are happy now. Just look what you've done:

Luc Besson to Retire from Filmmaking

[BrightEyes23]

very good point about the Shinoda, 2 films in the collection, hopefully more, hopefully more from other Japanese New Wave filmmakers in general, Oshima, more Imamura??

I don't know what kind of features could be added, perhaps a docu on the history of the christianization of japan?

[yoshimori]

slightly disappointed that of all Shinoda's to be released, its one that is available with an AMAZING transfer AND english subs in Japan.

Agreed. Though I imagine myself as a collector - I think I own every available Shinoda DVD - the only way I'd re-buy Silence is if either a) the new print were shown to be a massive improvement, which I doubt it will, given the r2j's quality, or b) Shinoda-san himself and a hot-looking translator popped out of the box to grant me my own personal 3-day interview.

[What A Disgrace]

Nick...can we really, honestly, and truly look forward to two disc special editions of Nosferatu, Tabu, and Grey Gardens?

Wow.

[Scharphedin2]

Do I get a prize for guessing the Mizoguchis?

Perhaps a clue as to the 5+4 Mizoguchi films we all want to see arrive:

http://adg.invisionzone.com/index.php?s ... st&p=10631

Here is another possible clue (although admittedly it is pretty far out): Raro Video in Italy has recently released Utamarro and His Five Women. Usually, Raro has English subtitles on its releases, but in this case they do not. Could it be because MoC has the English rights in Europe?

[Lino]

Nick, do MoC plan to revisit the Eureka release of Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler in the future?

And who owns the distribution rights for The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse in the UK?

I repeat my questions. And please can I get an answer now?

[denti alligator]

Nick, do MoC plan to revisit the Eureka release of Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler in the future?

And who owns the distribution rights for The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse in the UK?

I repeat my questions. And please can I get an answer now?

He suggested to me (to the forum?) at one point that as soon as Eureka stock run dry they would try to incorporte Mabuse into the MoC catalogue, with new artwork and a booklet, of course. Not sure if that's still the plan, but since the Eureka version just came out a little over a year ago and since it's probably not the hottest seller, my guess is it will be a while before this happens.

[Dr. Mabuse]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there were also talk about a Fritz Lang box-set. Hopefully that will include Dr. Mabuse - The Gambler. As for extras, a new commentary track would be welcomed. You could do no better than David Kalat. I'm sure he'll jump at the chance to compare the new restoration to the Sheppard restoration that Image released.

[What A Disgrace]

You know, I think it would be useful; for referencing purposes in reviews if anything, if MoC discs came with disclaimers about the disc's transfers, much like Criterion's.

Or, perhaps even better, if said disclaimers were simply posted on the website, for referencing already released discs.

[shirobamba]

Do I get a prize for guessing the Mizoguchis?

Now Annie is up for a prize for guessing the Mizos. 8 + coming next year!

Hurray!!

[Lino]

Do I get a prize for guessing the Mizoguchis?

Now Annie is up for a prize for guessing the Mizos. 8 + coming next year!

I didn't even get a congratulations PM...

[godardslave]

I didn't even get a congratulations PM...

thats because you keep changing your name and no-one knows who you are anymore.

[Lino]

The poster for Nosferatu found on this page would make a beautiful MoC DVD cover, IMHO.

[Via_Chicago]

The poster for Nosferatu found on this page would make a beautiful MoC DVD cover, IMHO.

Isn't that what the BFI used for the cover of their edition of Nosferatu?

[Lino]

I don't think so. But the colors and design are similar.

[colinr0380]

I was wondering who owned the rights to Moloch and Taurus in the UK? Since Artificial Eye have released The Sun I've found myself interested in seeing the other two films, even though they all stand alone. Perhaps MoC could look into them?