'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[AisleSeat]

Regarding South Korean cinema of the 60s and 70s, we have no plans yet, but we're investigating. Feel free to check back, and thanks for your e-mail!

Best,
Jon Mulvaney

This is good news. Mulvaney's response implies that Criterion is interested in Korean film, but has yet to strike a deal. The Housemaid, as mentioned earlier, would be an excellent selection.

I respectfully disagree about the Korean films. I adore Korean cinema (I have more than 130 Korean films) but most of the great (and not so great) Korean films are already out on good R3 dvds with eng subs. Take for example Im Kwon Taek. The Im Kwon Taek Collection from Taewoon is magnificent and very cheap. My opinion is that Criterion should concentrate on Japanese films (like it does now) because most Japanese R2 dvds don' t have eng subs. (especially the old classic films).

Classic Japanese film is a Criterion staple, and will probably continue to be so for several more years, if not longer. With the addition of cinema from other Asian countries, particularly South Korea and China, as well as other countries from around the globe, the Collection will better represent the remarkable scope and breadth of world cinema in all it's differing forms, styles and languages, and, as such, will be appreciated all the more. Here's here to Criterion's interest in Korean cinema.

[Feego]

Anderson vs. Anderson: A Debate on Why Brewster McCloud is Awesome -- P.T. Anderson and Wes Anderson contemplate whether it is the presence of Robert Altman or Bud Cort that accounts for McCloud's awesomeness (discussion ends with broken noses and torn corduroy)

They would both be wrong. Shelley Duvall and Jennifer Salt made Brewster McCloud awesome, with a little help from Margaret Hamilton too.

[kaujot]

Is Health any good?

[stereo]

It depends who you ask given its notorious flop status. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised and consider it vastly underrated; like most of Altman's work of the period it is entirely dated (think A Perfect Couple for example), but as a social satire of the era it has a lot to recommend. You won't know until you try it. Certainly worth a proper DVD release. I love Altman's work with Carol Burnett and really wish The Laundromat would come out someday; you can't even find a bootleg of that one.

[Kowalski]

There is a nice region 2 release of Altman's STREAMERS.

[HelenLawson]

What about Quintet? I've been dying to see it but would Criterion even bother?

[Jeff]

What about Quintet? I've been dying to see it but would Criterion even bother?

It's available in the very reasonable Robert Altman giftset from Fox. You can also view it online at Amazon. I can't see Criterion bothering with a special edition.

[Awesome Welles]

There is a nice region 2 release of Altman's STREAMERS.

It also has a decent looking stand alone release in the UK, though I have never seen it but Metrodome are pretty good in my experience.

[Cinephrenic]

Maybe they just licensed Nashville from Paramount?

[Forrest Taft]

Maybe they just licensed Nashville from Paramount?

Or That Cold Day in Park, also a Paramount title, no?

[kaujot]

Maybe they just licensed Nashville from Paramount?

Lord let that be true.

[AisleSeat]

Maybe they just licensed Nashville from Paramount?

Lord let that be true.

I second that. Nashville would be a fantastic addition to the Collection.

With last year's release of This Sporting Life and the earlier Billy Liar, what are the chances Criterion might release more new wave British cinema? Three films that come to mind but have yet to receive RI DVD releases are: Room at the Top (Clayton, 1958); A Kind of Loving (Schlesinger, 1962); and The L-Shaped Room (Forbes, 1962).

[jaredsap]

The L-Shaped Room (Forbes, 1962)

FYI, this is owned by Sony in most of the world (including USA).

[Cinephrenic]

More "Kitchen Sink" cinema or some more British New Wave films would be great.

[skweeker]

I'd like to add my vote for Altman's Countdown, which is not available on DVD. Duvall's good in that.

[ianungstad]

Another likely candidate for the Altman could be the OOP Pret-a-Porter from Miramax.

[Matt]

Another likely candidate for the Altman could be the OOP Pret-a-Porter from Miramax.

It's better left out of print, if you ask me (which you didn't).

[kaujot]

All this talk of Altman reminds me just how few of his many films I've seen. The man was a robot. I'm convinced of it.

[jaredsap]

Another likely candidate for the Altman could be the OOP Pret-a-Porter from Miramax.

It's better left out of print, if you ask me (which you didn't).

I think most everyone would agree. I can't imagine Criterion going for what is second only to QUINTET as Altman's absolute worst film.

[AfterTheRain]

With all this talk about the possibility of more Altman coming to the collection, does anyone think that The Gingerbread Man or Cookie's Fortune could get the treatment? The previous DVDs (I believe) have the director's commentary, so they can just port them over and then add new special features. Consider the possibilities.

[Cosmic Bus]

I think most everyone would agree. I can't imagine Criterion going for what is second only to QUINTET as Altman's absolute worst film.

Honest to God, Quintet is a big favorite of mine. The Long Goodbye and 3 Women are probably the only ones I enjoy more; possibly Images, as well.

[PfR73]

You're all wrong. Someone had posted awhile back that Criterion would be releasing 3 color MGM films that could be connected somehow. It's obvious that this is an Altman box consisting of Buffalo Bill And The Indians, OC And Stiggs, & Fool For Love, which all need upgraded anamorphic transfers from the original MGM releases.

[Cinetwist]

With all this talk about the possibility of more Altman coming to the collection, does anyone think that The Gingerbread Man or Cookie's Fortune could get the treatment? The previous DVDs (I believe) have the director's commentary, so they can just port them over and then add new special features. Consider the possibilities.

Of all Altman films, why would anyone want Criterions of those two? The Gingerbread Man is atrocious. Cookie's Fortune has its defenders, but is pretty much a Hallmark movie. Surely it'd be better to have some good stuff that doesn't have any dvd release.

[jaredsap]

You're all wrong. Someone had posted awhile back that Criterion would be releasing 3 color MGM films that could be connected somehow. It's obvious that this is an Altman box consisting of Buffalo Bill And The Indians, OC And Stiggs, & Fool For Love, which all need upgraded anamorphic transfers from the original MGM releases.

I discovered tonight that MGM (not Paramount, as someone here thought) also owns THAT COLD DAY IN THE PARK, an intriguing film -- the closest Altman ever came to horror -- and far more worthy Criterion endeavor than any of the three (already available) Altmans you named. So if Criterion does have access to MGM's Altmans, I don't see them e.g. upgrading the weak O.C. AND STIGGS before releasing THAT COLD DAY IN THE PARK (of which a decent 35mm print or OAR VHS doesn't even exist).

[Jeff]

You're all wrong. Someone had posted awhile back that Criterion would be releasing 3 color MGM films that could be connected somehow. It's obvious that this is an Altman box consisting of Buffalo Bill And The Indians, OC And Stiggs, & Fool For Love, which all need upgraded anamorphic transfers from the original MGM releases.

Well those do all need new transfers, but they're not much loved, except by us Altman completists. I can't see Criterion being interested in them. I believe that it has been confirmed that those three MGM color films are Pasolini's Trilogy of Life.

I discovered tonight that MGM (not Paramount, as someone here thought) also owns THAT COLD DAY IN THE PARK, an intriguing film -- the closest Altman ever came to horror -- and far more worthy Criterion endeavor than any of the three (already available) Altmans you named. So if Criterion does have access to MGM's Altmans, I don't see them e.g. upgrading the weak O.C. AND STIGGS before releasing THAT COLD DAY IN THE PARK (of which a decent 35mm print or OAR VHS doesn't even exist).

I forgot to include That Cold Day in the Park in my little Altman possibilities list a few posts back. It was originally distributed by Commonwealth United Entertainment, which was active from 1965 to 1971. They merged with Republic Pictures, who, at one point, released the VHS version of the film. I had assumed (and probably propagated the belief on this board) that Paramount ended up with the film when Viacom swallowed Republic. That would have probably meant that it was under license to Lionsgate now.

I'm sure that Jared has the inside scoop on this. It now looks like the Commonwealth library may have ended up with AIP somehow. That would explain how MGM got it. I wonder if decent elements exist. A DVD was released in Australia, but it sounds like it's a VHS dub.