'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[AfterTheRain]

In addition to those mentioned earlier this week, Revanche [Blu-ray] now appears when searching for Criterion [Blu-ray] on Amazon.

That's not surprising, as major films always get listed well before any announcement is made. It had already been announced as Criterion's first first-run effort and was just shortlisted for the foreign language Oscar a few days ago. It certainly won't come out in April, though.

Perhaps it might show up in either May or June. That's my guess.

[arsonfilms]

In addition to those mentioned earlier this week, Revanche [Blu-ray] now appears when searching for Criterion [Blu-ray] on Amazon.

That's not surprising, as major films always get listed well before any announcement is made. It had already been announced as Criterion's first first-run effort and was just shortlisted for the foreign language Oscar a few days ago. It certainly won't come out in April, though.

Perhaps it might show up in either May or June. That's my guess.

The theatrical run hasn't even started yet. It'll be a bit, I'd wager.

[Antoine Doinel]

Yeah, I think it's supposed to be released theatrically in the spring so I'd wager a fall BR release.

[kekid]

I looked at the Amazon listings for the Blu Ray of Kwaidan, Picinic at Hanging Rock, etc., and all they say is, "sign up to be notified when this item becomes available". They have been doing this for many frequently requested titles. I do not think these listings are any indication of firm information that these titles are in the making. I am keeping my expectations low. If someone has more definitive information, please let us know.

[Rupert Pupkin]

regarding the "notifiy when available" on amazon.com I'm wondering if everyone can create a page/reference for a title even when there's no official announcement for a Blu-Ray release (being a Criterion or not). For instance, I've searched The Dreamers (Bertolucci) on blu-ray and it's listed on amazon.com without a release-date. The thing is that I have not seen the Dreamers on BR announced on other sites, altough the perspective to see Eva Green in BR is...

Back to Criterion, I've been so amazed recently by the gorgeous transfer of the Blu-Ray of Chungking Express.
While watching "Miramax" logo at the beginning I was wondering if Criterion team thinks about releasing some Atom Egoyan's movies, such as Exotica (which is out of print now and was also produced by Miramax). A Blu-Ray transfer of Exotica could be fantastic and a great inclusion to Atom Egoyan in the Criterion catalog, since he is - IMHO - one of the finest cineast of the last decades with David Cronenberg. (not mentionning the perspective to see Mia Kishner in HD... )
Until yet Exotica has no luck on DVD (Miramax z1 is non-anamorphic transfer; the z2 Belgium is anamorphic but color are not accurate in comparison to the Miramax and compression is really bad; only the z2 TF1/Ocean is a bit better (anamorphic)

[El Manchego]

Is anyone here familiar enough with Janus' holdings to know if they have anything else licensed from Video Mercury? We've seen a half dozen Spanish-language films added to the collection over the last three years that have come from Janus/Video Mercury and I'm curious if there could be any more on the horizon.

[stereo]

Amen on Atom Egoyan.

[loachparty]

Amen on Atom Egoyan.

An Exotica / Adjuster one-two punch would be awesome.

I'm more a fan of the earlier stuff but Zeitgeist has it covered I guess. Though my copies of the discs (Family Viewing, Speaking Parts, Calendar) were manufactured poorly, the plastic at the hole in the center of the DVDs was cracked / split on all of them. Meant to return them for new ones but never got around to it. They played fine anyway.

[ryan11]

They've certainly got some competition. The Axiom editions are very nice, and include extras as well as tasty booklets.

There is also the recently released Australian Wim Wenders box set. Individual titles are available, but the boxset includes 13 films plus two rare films The Island and From The Family of the Reptiles.

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This set can be picked up very cheaply at them moment.

[Taketori Washizu]

Polanski's Repulsion? Maybe it has been mentioned before but can Criterion get a hold of a decent print and finally release a proper DVD for the North American market? If Cul-De-Sac is coming, it would only be proper that Repulsion should come out too.

[Dante Vescio]

Polanski's Repulsion? Maybe it has been mentioned before but can Criterion get a hold of a decent print and finally release a proper DVD for the North American market? If Cul-De-Sac is coming, it would only be proper that Repulsion should come out too.

May Criterion hear you, and fast.
The Tenant would be great too, but I think that's not happening. Or is there a chance?

[ranaing83]

Has anyone heard anything new regarding the Gorin films? Specifically Poto & Cabengo. I really want to see it, and it seems that there isn't any extant version of the film available for home viewing (does anyone know of any?).

[mfunk9786]

Polanski's Repulsion? Maybe it has been mentioned before but can Criterion get a hold of a decent print and finally release a proper DVD for the North American market? If Cul-De-Sac is coming, it would only be proper that Repulsion should come out too.

May Criterion hear you, and fast.
The Tenant would be great too, but I think that's not happening. Or is there a chance?

Unless they really feel they have a surplus of bonus material at their disposal, I can't see why Criterion would need to update the Paramount disc - the picture quality is nothing to shake a stick at. Although, maybe the fact that it's OOP is enough motivation.

[Harmonov]

Cul de sac won't be happening Mulvaney says...at least at this time.

[Awesome Welles]

After my asking Mulvaney for an update on Scorsese short films and whether it will include American Boy (and, yeah, I asked for Limite, one can dream!) here's his response:

Hi Francesco,

I can't tell you a scheduled date for a release of Martin Scorsese's short films, but it will probably include "American Boy."

To the best of my knowledge we have no current plans for "Limite."

I hope this helps, and thanks for your e-mail!

Best,

JM

[Zazou dans le Metro]

(and, yeah, I asked for Limite, one can dream!) here's his response:

To the best of my knowledge we have no current plans for "Limite."

JM

Well regarding Limite - seeing as MoC seem to be out-gunning Criterion already for the second year on the trot perhaps we can hope from that source.

[HerrSchreck]

I dunno that we'll ever see Limite, owing to the state of the elements even "restored". There's only so far you can go with it.

PLus the film has like zero recognition factor... and there's noplace to go in marketing terms with it, since Peixoto never made another film, not even a short (as far as I know anyway). It's kind of like the JJ Parker/Dementia (1953) scenario... but at least that had the drive-in nostalgia/horror factor to help it along (not to mention the fact that it's edited stepchild version-- Daughter of Horror-- has the distinction of being onscreen during the blob when the raspberry preserves monster attacks the cinema).

Though I'd LOVE to be proven wrong. The film is deeply affecting-- some parts oare sublime, especially the way the score interacts with the images. A beautiful marriage of silent image and score almost as moody as Ep's Usher.

[Tommaso]

True, re: the elements; but the truly bad deterioration occurs only for a relatively short moment during that boat trip IIRC. But clearly CC would be too afraid to release it in this state even if they cared about the film, but I wouldn't be so pessimistic regarding MoC or the BFI (the latter were not afraid to give us loads of truly early silents which were not always in such good shape either);at least the recent Epstein announcement/hint should give one hope. And after all, there is always Kino. Remember their "Coquille et le Clergyman" on the first Avantgarde set? That one didn't look much better than "Limite", if at all. Which gives me the thought that the Peixoto might well form the centrepiece of an Avantgarde Vol.3 set, if there should ever be one. People who have had the guts to put out that Isou film shouldn't have any doubts about Peixoto.

[myrnaloyisdope]

Ooh...would love to see Limite on DVD, Criterion or no Criterion. That Erik Satie score is possibly my favorite film score, incredibly evocative, and so perfectly suited to the action on screen.

If we can't Limite, how about Ganga Bruta???

[HerrSchreck]

True, re: the elements; but the truly bad deterioration occurs only for a relatively short moment during that boat trip IIRC. But clearly CC would be too afraid to release it in this state even if they cared about the film, but I wouldn't be so pessimistic regarding MoC or the BFI (the latter were not afraid to give us loads of truly early silents which were not always in such good shape either);at least the recent Epstein announcement/hint should give one hope. And after all, there is always Kino. Remember their "Coquille et le Clergyman" on the first Avantgarde set? That one didn't look much better than "Limite", if at all. Which gives me the thought that the Peixoto might well form the centrepiece of an Avantgarde Vol.3 set, if there should ever be one. People who have had the guts to put out that Isou film shouldn't have any doubts about Peixoto.

That's actually something I could completely and totally see-- Kino putting it as a Menilmontant-or-Venom And Eternity-type central feature in a future Avant Garde set.

[Tommaso]

Another afterthought: given the fact that Lobster was involved (again, if I remember correctly) in the resto, and that arte TV has shown the film, perhaps the most likely candidate is arte/absolut medien or arte France. arte/absolut were not afraid to put out "Odna", for which I'm eternally grateful, and that print looks even worse than "Limite".

[HerrSchreck]

Another feasible route for sure.. course, in deference to the red headed stepschild that is the dollar (v euro especially) here's hoping it's an R1 when it does come.

[luridedith]

No Drowning By Numbers, No Baby Of Macon, No Prospero's Books :

I am not aware of any current plans for Greenaway films other than "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover." I hope this helps, and thanks for your e-mail!

Best,

JM

[kaujot]

Frankly, I don't think anything can be gathered from responses like that one. We got a "We have no plans for a High and Low reissue" about three months before the reissue was announced on their "Coming Soon" page.

[knives]

How long has the wait been for Cook, I heard about it coming over to criterion over a year ago. The transfer can't be that bad. Also how long does it usually take for hints to come out usually because I'm really interested in that Pigs and Battleships film that was hinted at about two months ago.