'Forthcoming' Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.1

[Person]

Secondly, I am not the biggest fan of Howard's End, but I saw a 70mm print of the film during its theatrical release and it is visually quite memorable.

Forgive me, but how the hell does a Merchant-Ivory film get the 70mm treatment? It's not Lawrence of Arabia. I'm just surprised considering how intimate and modest the films are that they'd get such a treatment.

Loads of 'non-epic' films over the years have had 70mm blow-up, 6-track surround sound presentations. Blowing up a 35mm 1.85:1 movie to 70mm isn't a big deal, it's doesn't make it look better. It's primarily to accomodate a 6-track surround mix.

[StevenJ0001]

Yes, the sound on 70mm blowups was the most dramatic advantage; not just the discrete surrounds and bass track, but also the fidelity was incredible compared with 35mm optical tracks. I believe the projected image was also brighter, though, and therefore probably had more vibrant color, given the larger frame size/less enlargement required, and the power of the projectors.

Here is a great list of films which had 70mm/six-track Dolby magnetic sound prints struck. Those were the days!

And as a footnote, the most lavish Merchant-Ivory films were extremely opulant and visually impressive, regardless of what you may think of them dramatically. And hearing those actors' voices in rich Dolby magnetic sound was a treat before we had access to such sound quality from 35mm prints and at home.

[Jun-Dai]

Howards End was 2.2. In addition to the sound mix, you would theoretically have the advantage of a higher-resolution print stock. I believe most of the film grain comes from the capture stock, though, so I can't imagine there'd be that much advantage. I think part of the reason for doing 70 mm prints was that a lot of the bigger drive-in theaters had only 70 mm projectors.

I remember that after the Castro got rid of their great programmer a number of years back, they tried to do a "70 mm" series just like they always do, but somehow half of the films in their 70 mm program were films that had not been shot in 65 mm or VistaVision (e.g., Bridge on the River Kwai, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2, Titanic). When I was trying to figure out what was going on, I found out about 70mm blow-ups.

Blow-ups
Grant's Blow-Up Blog

[beamish13]

Could "Hausu" be headed for Criterion? Janus just made a new HD-Cam of it that's set to debut this Friday at midnight at L.A.'s Silent Movie Theatre.

[CSM126]

Could "Hausu" be headed for Criterion? Janus just made a new HD-Cam of it that's set to debut this Friday at midnight at L.A.'s Silent Movie Theatre.

That was established as a "yes" some time ago.

[Antoine Doinel]

Howards End was 2.2. In addition to the sound mix, you would theoretically have the advantage of a higher-resolution print stock. I believe most of the film grain comes from the capture stock, though, so I can't imagine there'd be that much advantage. I think part of the reason for doing 70 mm prints was that a lot of the bigger drive-in theaters had only 70 mm projectors.

I can only imagine how disappointing a drive-in double bill would be with Howard's End tacked on the end of it.

[swo17]

I dunno, I find a nap can often be very refreshing.

[psufootball07]

I wonder if Howards End is being CC or stay in the "James Ivory" Collection. Either way it would have been great to have Au Revoir les Enfants, Kwaidan or Picnic over this. Maybe next time everyone on the forum can collaborate to help choose the option.

[Dadapass]

Got this today from Mulvaney

Thank you for your email! We do hope to release at least one Bruno Dumont film that you mentioned in 2010.

It is still being determined which Nagisa Oshima titles will be released on the Criterion mainline and which will be released on Eclipse, though the "Sun Trilogy" will most likely be released in the Criterion line.

The Dumont films I asked about were La vie de Jesus and L'Humanite.

[CSM126]

And no mention of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence for Oshima films. WHY'D YOU LICENSE IT, THEN? And why'd you put out a press release making mention of it?

Is this going to be the new Gray's Anatomy, sitting around for half a decade before you remember you have it?

[Cinephrenic]

Got this today from Mulvaney

It is still being determined which Nagisa Oshima titles will be released on the Criterion mainline and which will be released on Eclipse, though the "Sun Trilogy" will most likely be released in the Criterion line.

The "Youth Trilogy" is The Sun's Burial, Cruel Story of Youth and A Town of Love and Hope, correct?

[AisleSeat]

Got this today from Mulvaney

It is still being determined which Nagisa Oshima titles will be released on the Criterion mainline and which will be released on Eclipse, though the "Sun Trilogy" will most likely be released in the Criterion line.

The "Youth Trilogy" is The Sun's Burial, Cruel Story of Youth and A Town of Love and Hope, correct?

Indeed, those three fittingly comprise a "Youth Trilogy". But Mulvany noted a "Sun Trilogy" set, and some might argue A Town of Love and Hope is a little less "sun" than the other two, while deeming Night and Fog a more appropriate fit.

[justeleblanc]

Got this today from Mulvaney

The "Youth Trilogy" is The Sun's Burial, Cruel Story of Youth and A Town of Love and Hope, correct?

Indeed, those three fittingly comprise a "Youth Trilogy". But Mulvany noted a "Sun Trilogy" set, and some might argue A Town of Love and Hope is a little less "sun" than the other two, while deeming Night and Fog a more appropriate fit.

What's this obsession with trilogies. Why not release all four and call it a night.

[Cinephrenic]

It's a informal trilogy anyhow. They could just release a themed box.

[swo17]

Which version are you holding your breath for? Also, sadly, I don't think there are enough of his films for Criterion to release for anyone to have time to even commence an eyeroll.

[AisleSeat]

In regard to future Oshima releases, I tend to think Criterion should pair the Cruel Story of Youth and The Sun's Burial, and leave it at that. Forget the trilogy. These two match well, as each was filmed in lurid color and showcase Oshima's provoking, unflinching, finger-in-the-eye grittiness, a vision that is searing and disturbing even by today's standards.

A Town of Love and Hope, on the other hand, doesn't quite reach a similar apex; moreover it's in black and white, which tends to set it apart. It certainly deserves a DVD release, but I'm more inclined to see it come out via Eclipse.

As for Night and Fog, the reason I suggested it might be included in a trilogy with Cruel and Sun's Burial was that it, too, was filmed in color and features young people in the throes of angst with life as they know it. Nevertheless, it's a very different film in that it's virtually a stage drama that happened to be filmed. Night and Fog has its legion of admirers, to be sure, but, phew, this film is "so" political, and the issues of student activism it delves into have long ago passed and are little relevant today. Even with my long standing interest in Japanese history, I found it tedious at times, and that's saying something.

[James]

Can anybody tell me what Celine and Julie Go Boating's status is as far as either the New Yorker release (I've heard they are done making movies) or the possibility of a Criterion release?

[Michael Kerpan]

Any US DVD of Celine and Julie is in limbo -- since New Yorker (which had pretty much finished this project) got liquidated to pay off the debts of the holding company that bought it.

The UK DVD is passable. The French set is better -- but not subbed.

[tojoed]

It is stupid that no one has put out a first-rate DVD of City of Sadness -- or any other HHH film -- except for the lovely (English subbed) French release of Millennium Mambo.

Artificial Eye's Three Times is first rate.

[Michael Kerpan]

It is stupid that no one has put out a first-rate DVD of City of Sadness -- or any other HHH film -- except for the lovely (English subbed) French release of Millennium Mambo.

Artificial Eye's Three Times is first rate.

Good to hear, but...

I don't think I can triple dip on this particular film (I have a rather poor Chinese release and the mediocre US one already).

[justeleblanc]

When was the last time anyone asked Mulvaney about HHH?

[tojoed]

I'm expecting an announcement of an Eclipse set of Kon Ichikawa comedies.

I'm basing this on the grounds that Mulvaney didn't say no when I asked him. In fact, he didn't even reply to my e-mail.

[Adam]

The "Youth Trilogy" is The Sun's Burial, Cruel Story of Youth and A Town of Love and Hope, correct?

Indeed, those three fittingly comprise a "Youth Trilogy". But Mulvany noted a "Sun Trilogy" set, and some might argue A Town of Love and Hope is a little less "sun" than the other two, while deeming Night and Fog a more appropriate fit.

What's this obsession with trilogies. Why not release all four and call it a night.

Town of Love and Hope is not part of the informal "Youth" trilogy, though it's pretty great. It's his first film. the "trilogy" are the three films after - Sun's Burial, Cruel Story of Youth, and Night and Fog in Japan. At least, according to the program notes at the recent screenings at LACMA. I think a Criterion box of these first 4 would be brilliant.

[Cinephrenic]

What you guys think Criterion will do with the remaining Imamura as they said a Eclipse set will come sometime?

Early Imamura (all Nikkatsu titles)
Stolen Desire
Nishi Ginza Station
Endless Desire
My Second Brother

The Profound Desire of the Gods (main line?)

They also have Eijanaika. I don't know if it could be a mainline title, I haven't seen it.

[Doctor Sunshine]

What you guys think Criterion will do with the remaining Imamura as they said a Eclipse set will come sometime?

Early Imamura (all Nikkatsu titles)
Stolen Desire
Nishi Ginza Station
Endless Desire
My Second Brother

The Profound Desire of the Gods (main line?)

They also have Eijanaika. I don't know if it could be a mainline title, I haven't seen it.

I think you probably have it right. The one Eclipse set of his early stuff (Immatura Imamura? That's right. I feel good about myself right now.) and then a couple stand alones. I haven't seen any of those but depending on the strength of his early stuff they may or may not move his first film to the main line seeing as Criterion has a thing for debuts.