Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[cdnchris]

(and while I haven't seen The In-Laws, I certainly feel as though there were far more deserving WB titles than this one!)

In all fairness it is actually a pretty good flick, Falk and Arkin have great chemistry, and it really has this freeform, make-it-up-as-they-go feel that makes it quite fun. It's also pretty funny. I'd be happy to see them release it (of course, I would also love it if they released the Beatty Heaven Can Wait so take from that what you will). But having said that, yeah, if they had access to release McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Magnificent Ambersons, or Greed and passed on those for this, then they probably chose poorly.

I was somewhat surprised by this title because, at least as I always figured, it was a bigger catalogue title for Warner so it seemed likely to be an eventual Archive release at some point, if not an actual in-store release like Get Carter. The fact Criterion was able to get it tells me Warner is willing to let them at a lot of their stuff.

[criterion10]

The fact Criterion was able to get it tells me Warner is willing to let them at a lot of their stuff.

Bring on The Devils! \:D/

[starmanof51]

In all fairness it is actually a pretty good flick, Falk and Arkin have great chemistry, and it really has this freeform, make-it-up-as-they-go feel that makes it quite fun.

I don't like resorting to this, but I feel a little vindicated that it's considered "collection-worthy". It's probably a top 20 comedy for me, about as quotable as people tend to feel stuff like Big Lebowski or Blazing Saddles are.

[carmilla mircalla]

Criterion should go for Freebie And The Bean if Warner is letting them have at it. Maybe Blue Collar can be on the table once again as well.

[knives]

(and while I haven't seen The In-Laws, I certainly feel as though there were far more deserving WB titles than this one!)

In all fairness it is actually a pretty good flick, Falk and Arkin have great chemistry, and it really has this freeform, make-it-up-as-they-go feel that makes it quite fun. It's also pretty funny. I'd be happy to see them release it (of course, I would also love it if they released the Beatty Heaven Can Wait so take from that what you will). But having said that, yeah, if they had access to release McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Magnificent Ambersons, or Greed and passed on those for this, then they probably chose poorly.

I was somewhat surprised by this title because, at least as I always figured, it was a bigger catalogue title for Warner so it seemed likely to be an eventual Archive release at some point, if not an actual in-store release like Get Carter. The fact Criterion was able to get it tells me Warner is willing to let them at a lot of their stuff.

I also suspect it is an excuse for another Cassevetes release as Big Trouble isn't worth it alone.

[RSTooley]

Not sure if I'm supposed to post this here or in the new thread, but...

Downhill Racer upgrade!

[jwd5275]

Jellyfish Eyes
Speedy

[RSTooley]

Speedy

[Drucker]

Glad to see Downhill Racer get an upgrade, and hopefully The Furies is next!

[jwd5275]

Burroughs coming too

[sir_luke]

If those four are the whole month, it's a very odd month.

[Drucker]

If those four are the whole month, it's a very odd month.

Historically, December has been very light. Not weird at all.

[ptatler]

If those four are the whole month, it's a very odd month.

And an inexpensive one for me (other than SPEEDY; even with knowing all along that this was coming, it's still a a very exciting release).

Historically, December has been very light. Not weird at all.

Except maybe December 2013, which saw the WCF box, NASHVILLE, INVESTIGATION, and GRAY GARDENS upgrade.

[FakeBonanza]

Well uh... That's December all right.

[sir_luke]

If those four are the whole month, it's a very odd month.

Historically, December has been very light. Not weird at all.

Sorry for my poor phrasing. I was trying to remark more on the selection of releases. Besides, as ptatler mentions, Speedy, the others seem more like odds and ends thrown out at once. But maybe it's just me, after experiencing the thrill of the October and November announcements.

[dwk]

Samantha Fuller confirmed on Twitter that Criterion will be releasing A Fuller Life in 2016.

[criterion10]

They still haven't updated the website with the usual "[Insert month here] Titles Announced!", so maybe we'll still get another title (although probably not).

Edit: They did post a finalizing tweet though.

[ryannichols7]

lightest December in a few years here. since 2011, maybe?

one more upgrade/boxset would make this a fairly decent month

[Luke M]

Yikes, this has to be one of the weakest months on record.

[domino harvey]

Criterion's just going retro and giving us an old fashioned December release slate

[tenia]

So, that's only 1 (real) boxset for 2015 ? Quite a step backwards compared to the previous 4-5 boxsets per year.

[carmilla mircalla]

One of the worst lineups I have ever seen but I got a huge laugh thay one of the special features for Jellyfish Eyes is a trailer for the sequel.

[HistoryProf]

they are working on The In-Laws

Wow, Warner really let them at their library, didn't they? This one is a big surprise (at least to me).

Yeah, this is certainly news to me (and while I haven't seen The In-Laws, I certainly feel as though there were far more deserving WB titles than this one!). This could also mean that the extent of WB's licensing potentially extends much further than the 15 or so titles that suddenly went OOP and were rumored to have been licensed to Criterion.

My recall may be tinged by nostalgia, but I have very fond memories of The In-Laws and thought it was hilarious as a youngin who saw it with his dad and then again repeatedly on HBO in the early 80s. Peter Falk and Arkin are really pretty great in it and it's quite funny.

That said, if they chose something like this INSTEAD of McCabe and Mrs. Miller i'll forever hate them. How this hasn't been redone on blu ray yet is really hard to understand.

[Finch]

Burroughs is a nice surprise but zzzzzzz... about the rest. Fitting end to a boring year from Criterion.

[criterion10]

Fitting end to a boring year from Criterion.

Let's not be too hyperbolic. There were a good amount of exciting releases from Criterion this year, even if few had the "wow" impact of something like The Apu Trilogy.