Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[yoloswegmaster]

I'm not sure something like Mean Streets or After Hours would require a "major restoration'." So I'm going to guess The Crowd.

There is a chance that they are referring to the title itself being major rather than the restoration work. I'm fine with it being Mean Streets, After Hours, or Dog Day Afternoon, though I wouldn't be upset if it were 25th Hour or Dead Presidents.

[dwk]

I suppose, but if that is what they meant, they phrased it awkwardly.

[senseabove]

From this interview, but given that Strand is still listed as having the rights at the American Cinematheque screenings, that might just be wishful thinking.

[cdnchris]

Unless there was something in the background I'm missing Chan Is Missing was licensed from Strand, so it appears it's possible.

[therewillbeblus]

I really can't see Criterion releasing The Doom Generation, but this restoration and publicity gives me confidence that somebody will soon. Honestly I'd rather see a lot of companies get it over Criterion since they've been consistently lacking in the extras dept

[senseabove]

Ah, didn’t realize that about Chan! Wonder if Strand will be releasing the new Weerasethakul restorations or those will get sublicensed as well…

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

I spoke with someone who worked at Strand in the past and mentioned they shrank their operations in the last two years from an already small company. Wouldn’t be surprised if Strand continues to license to Criterion as they seem uninterested in releasing much on disc these days.

[yoloswegmaster]

According to a user on the BR forum, Typhoon Club is with Criterion:

Someone in the Radiance Discord chat bought the Japanese release and simply said "The product details mention Criterion releasing it in the US" or something similar to that. Was back in November.

[beamish14]

I keep hoping that a 4K of Kiss of the Spider Woman will come to Criterion by way of Strand

[therewillbeblus]

According to a user on the BR forum, Typhoon Club is with Criterion:

Someone in the Radiance Discord chat bought the Japanese release and simply said "The product details mention Criterion releasing it in the US" or something similar to that. Was back in November.

I scanned through, and that's incorrect. It was only mentioned that 'there will be a U.S. release' and then a few people guessed Criterion because they're the main U.S. label who has released Toho films. But that was speculation from users, not from the product details - so this is a bad game of Telephone. That person could've easily searched in the discord to check the facts before making that post, takes two seconds

[Crimlaw25]

Only two filmmakers define NYC and its relation to a clue:

Woody Allen and Sidney Lumet.

Since Allen is unfortunately, unlikely, Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon would be the probable choice.

The only other possibility is Wise/Robbin’s long rumored West Side Story.

[FrauBlucher]

Scorsese doesn't define NY??

[therewillbeblus]

Or Spike Lee, Abel Ferrara, Noah Baumbach...? Honestly, Lumet wouldn't have come to mind before a few handfuls of others

[yoloswegmaster]

I think I figured out the mystery NY title and I'm kicking myself for not realizing it sooner. What other films out there does a better job of encapsulating New York and is a certified NY classic like

Spoiler

Kevin Connolly's Gotti?

[Grand Wazoo]

I think I figured out the mystery NY title and I'm kicking myself for not realizing it sooner. What other films out there does a better job of encapsulating New York and is a certified NY classic like

Spoiler

Kevin Connolly's Gotti?

This has to be it. All five boroughs are mentioned!

[Crimlaw25]

For me, as born and raised New Yorker, Scorsese absolutely defines NY.

Hopefully, Mean Streets.

[Soothsayer]

I have a feeling it may be Downtown 81.

[jazzo]

Could it be A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?

[sabbath]

Could it be A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?

Unlikely. I can't think of a case when Criterion did an in-house restoration for a 20th Century Fox film.

[senseabove]

I spoke with someone who worked at Strand in the past and mentioned they shrank their operations in the last two years from an already small company. Wouldn’t be surprised if Strand continues to license to Criterion as they seem uninterested in releasing much on disc these days.

Odd, since they were still acquiring titles as recently as last year with Rodrigues’ Will o the Wisp–which, in a perfect example of why they drive me crazy, I don’t think ever played the Bay Area and appears to be headed straight for their typical DVD-only treatment. Just remembered we’ve seen Altered Innocence license titles from Strand too, so here’s hoping they soon wither away entirely and Altered Innocence can take their place.

[Walter Kurtz]

They were working on a major restoration of a yet to be announced NYC classic.

On The Town (1949)

[Calvin]

A Gregg Araki box set is "hopefully" coming down the line

[yoloswegmaster]

A Gregg Araki box set is "hopefully" coming down the line

This was already posted yesterday.

[Crimlaw25]

Time Out’s list of classic NYC movies:

Taxi Driver tops the list, and Dog Day Afternoon is #3.

https://www.timeout.com/film/best-new-york-movies

[Calvin]

They All Laughed will have its day!

Hopefully. It's Bogdanovich and the Warner DVD is OOP, so it wouldn't surprise me if Criterion had acquired it.