Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[ryannichols7]

Isn't The Before Trilogy coming out this year?

throw in that for November or December and there we go. three boxsets all at the end

as for a silent, I'd be very surprised if the Kid/First National shorts aren't announced for November considering all the hints for it

[Minkin]

"There is hope" for a Pan's Labyrinth Criterion.

Definitely a title from the WB library that makes sense for them to inquire about, especially since the pre-New Line folded-in Blu-ray is degrained and digitally smoothed over so poorly.

Two years ago, this Spanish language interview with del Toro, he said that Bleak House 2 would be included on the Criterion Pan's Labyrinth.

"Estamos viendo que para el Criterion de El laberinto del Fauno, ahí poner la 2a parte de mi tour por The Bleak House, ahí estaría ese featurette".

Awesome! I scoured the Devils Backbone disc trying to find the Bleak House tour part 2, hoping it might be an easter egg or something, but eventually gave up that it was hidden anywhere. Glad they still plan on including it. I can't imagine Criterion going after WB and not including Pans Labyrinth as part of that deal. This seems like direct confirmation of Criterion having the rights.

As for this month's announcements, only A Special Day wasn't hinted at (or not on my list -at least thanks to my last minute Idaho addition). Quite a lot of films that people have been bitching & moaning about for ages, and for good reason! (though I do wonder what they'll move onto next, probably Dead Ringers (which is almost a guarantee, and probably explains the piecemeal approach to the Cronenberg shorts), Elephant Man and Grand Budapest Hotel ). All 2 disc DVD sets this month as well! I was hoping for Haxan/Equinox/Carnival of Souls, but the Kwaidan upgrade has been hinted at probably the longest for any blu upgrade title (having lost that Amazon poll to Howards End). Great month.

[mfunk9786]

I still have to imagine that we're an entire year or two away from The Grand Budapest Hotel.

[Minkin]

I still have to imagine that we're an entire year or two away from The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Thus we get to enjoy one - two years+ of complaints every month!

I know Dead Ringers and Elephant Man haven't been otherwise brought up in this thread, but I do think they are extremely likely at this point. I can't imagine Criterion licensing a ton of films from WB and not including their OOP films (Dead Ringers + The Unbearable Lightness of Being). Speaking of which, My Own Private Idaho is licensed from WB, correct?

As for more Lynch, Elephant Man is with Paramount, thus is up for grabs. I could also imagine Blue Velvet is highly likely as part of Criterion's MGM redux deal that's been going on lately. What are the rights situations for Lost Highway and Inland Empire?

Also, Sophia Loren finally joins Criterion!

[CSM126]

I thought Paramount licensed Elephant Man to WB?

[RSTooley]

At this point, is there really any reason to believe that Cristian Mungiu's Beyond the Hills and 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days will join the collection? It seems like I have been hoping for these two for years...

[knives]

That's honestly the most likely reason to be hoping. Many IFC titles have had such a long wait.

[The Narrator Returns]

Not to mention Mungiu has a phantom page.

[swo17]

I believe 4 Months was first hinted at around the same time as French Lieutenant's Woman...

[cdnchris]

My Own Private Idaho is licensed from WB, correct?

Yes. Both Warner and New Line are indicated on the sell sheets.

[The Narrator Returns]

My Own Private Idaho is licensed from WB, correct?

Yes. Both Warner and New Line are indicated on the sell sheets.

Ooh, I hope this means more New Line titles are coming (like Birth, and some movies that aren't Birth).

[ryannichols7]

My Own Private Idaho is licensed from WB, correct?

Yes. Both Warner and New Line are indicated on the sell sheets.

Ooh, I hope this means more New Line titles are coming (like Birth, and some movies that aren't Birth).

a bluray of Short Cuts would be great.

[ryannichols7]

Criterion finally revisits contemporary Asian cinema, and this is what we get?

and yet they let those Hirokazu Kore-eda titles stay out to dry...

[flyonthewall2983]

And maybe finally one for Cronenberg's Crash

[DrunkenFatherFigure]

I have to mention that I caved and bought the MoC DVD of Kwaidan two weeks ago, so.... you're welcome. #-o

[Kauno]

I have to mention that I caved and bought the MoC DVD of Kwaidan two weeks ago, so.... you're welcome. #-o

It is an excellent DVD-set, I think.

[MoonlitKnight]

Yeah, I think Mulholland Drive is pretty huge. No complaints here. It's always at the top of the best films of the 2000's lists.

It's still my favorite film of the 21st century so far.

[Frumaster]

I've been disappointed by the announcements several times this year, but their October line-up is superb. MD, Kwaidan, and The Brood at the same time!!?!?!? By the way, the old Kwaidan release was so horrible that I consider it a new addition to Criterion.

Usually I am disappointed by lack of commentaries, but for MD I would actually prefer not to hear a commentary.

[aox]

Kind of shocked Apu wasn't a Oct release. Really hope it is early Nov for the B&N sale.

[sir_luke]

I think it's guaranteed to be on the November slate and included in the sale

[HistoryProf]

Not so much a prediction (but you never know) but a wish The Emigrants & The New Land.

Glad i'm not the only one beating this drum!

Who needs boxsets when we can have Jellyfish Eyes?!!

I must have missed the clue or whatever, but was this really confirmed? why would they release such dreck?

[sir_luke]

Yeah, HistoryProf, it's been confirmed several times / in several different ways. It's currently available to rent on iTunes under the Crit banner for one.

As to why they would release it, it can only be because of interest in Murakami's other work, or as a compromise in order to acquire other stuff he's only indirectly related to. I understand the film's purely academic importance as a major contemporary artist's first foray into a different medium, but I can't imagine Criterion releasing it on that merit alone. Because in all other ways, it looks very bad.

[swo17]

Who needs boxsets when we can have Jellyfish Eyes?!!

I must have missed the clue or whatever, but was this really confirmed? why would they release such dreck?

Yeah, HistoryProf, it's been confirmed several times / in several different ways.

We even have a thread for it.

[Cinephrenic]

W.C. Fields set was recently disco'd from Universal, perhaps a Criterion set on the way?

[movielocke]

Not so much a prediction (but you never know) but a wish The Emigrants & The New Land.

Glad i'm not the only one beating this drum!

Looking forward to that pair of releases as well, I'm hoping for each a two disc set: original and international (ala the leopard).

That said, having finished up all the supplements and the great essay for here is your life, I think we'll get troells second film next, before emigrants and new land, it's mentioned numerous times and I'm now dying to see it.


***

November has a lot on deck for an impressive month, bicycle thieves, spinal tap, apu, lloyd, coens and malick.