Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[Flike]

I really, really enjoyed Che (crosses fingers). Contemporary releases like this I can get behind, just wish the year didn't seem so packed with them.

[Cameron]

Yeah, the motorcycle diaries is pretty terrible. I love Soderbergh's Che, but even that film's detractors have to admit that it's more artistically viable than the fucking motorcycle diaries.

[knives]

Chinga la puta madre

For those of us (namely myself) who don't speak Spanish and used an online translator for this...please briefly explain!

I'm not sure what he may be referring to, but it basically means some ones mother is a whore.
Also since Criterion tends to group releases together does this mean we'll get Gray's anatomy when they release this?

[LQ]

Yes, the online translator helped me sort out the mother-whore-business; I was interested in what swo was referring to.

[ianungstad]

IFC just recently terminated their agreement with Genius products right? i believe they already have signed with another distributor but I suppose key titles could have been licensed to Criterion. Great news on Che! Now if only the deal includes My Winnipeg, The Boss of it All, Antichrist, etc.

Good possibilities here.

[swo17]

Yes, the online translator helped me sort out the mother-whore-business; I was interested in what swo was referring to.

Well yeah, literally, it means words I would never dare utter in the company of a woman. But figuratively, it means, um, I'm excited.

[oldsheperd]

I'm guessing its "pinCHE Huevos"

[LQ]

Yes, the online translator helped me sort out the mother-whore-business; I was interested in what swo was referring to.

Well yeah, literally, it means words I would never dare utter in the company of a woman. But figuratively, it means, um, I'm excited.

Thanks for the explanation, my Spanish vocabulary just doubled in size. Didn't mean to stray too far OT!

[kaujot]

IFC just recently terminated their agreement with Genius products right? i believe they already have signed with another distributor but I suppose key titles could have been licensed to Criterion. Great news on Che! Now if only the deal includes My Winnipeg, The Boss of it All, Antichrist, etc.

Good possibilities here.

I hadn't heard about this. Also great news if they can work out a licensing deal with Criterion.

[Antoine Doinel]

IFC just recently terminated their agreement with Genius products right? i believe they already have signed with another distributor but I suppose key titles could have been licensed to Criterion. Great news on Che! Now if only the deal includes My Winnipeg, The Boss of it All, Antichrist, etc.

Good possibilities here.

They've signed a new agreement with MPI. If the clue is Che, it's probably a one off, rather than something that will develop into a trend.

[justeleblanc]

Someone please explain this relationship between IFC and Criterion. As far as i know, there is no relationship.

Second, Joe Swanberg is a hack, and is one more sign of Criterion's downward track.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Someone please explain this relationship between IFC and Criterion. As far as i know, there is no relationship.

Second, Joe Swanberg is a hack, and is one more sign of Criterion's downward track.

Hasn't IFC only licensed "Solo Con Tu Pareja"?

I haven't seen this, but I have low expectations. Everything he's directed after Traffic stunk pretty bad.

Also, I haven't seen the newsletter, but please don't tell me Joe Swanberg is this month's top ten pick...

Now with more Criterion foray into contemporary cinema, who wants to bet that The Brother Bloom will get a Criterion release? I just have a gut feeling. It would be a real shame considering how awful it was.

[justeleblanc]

Could it also be Polanski's CHE?

[jmj713]

Please let it be Soderbergh's Che! Criterion is the only company that would (very likely) release a mult-disc set containing, apart from numerous extras, both the two films as separate entities and as a complete film. I can see it being a four-discer.

[swo17]

That might be a bit of a stretch (the two separate versions) though not impossible I suppose. I'm just hoping we get this thing on Blu-ray.

[kaujot]

I would imagine to save costs that they'd present it the way Soderbergh intended, as one complete film. Weren't the parts separated in the first place merely because of marketing concerns?

[cdnchris]

Second, Joe Swanberg is a hack, and is one more sign of Criterion's downward track.

I'll be honest: I don't know who he is.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Second, Joe Swanberg is a hack, and is one more sign of Criterion's downward track.

I'll be honest: I don't know who he is.

He's your typical trust-fund kid/douche who went to film school. He even admits to not having seen many films in the Criterion Collection, and it shows in his choices. They're all pretty much fall backs for entry level cineastes.

[mteller]

Clearly this is CHElsea Girls.

Or possibly a double release of The Young Girls of RoCHEfort and The Umbrellas of CHErbourg.

[jmj713]

The reason for two separate films as well as a single film is that, to my understanding (since I haven't seen the films), the two films use different aspect ratios. It would be weird. Separate and combined is the way to go!

[oldsheperd]

Does anyone have an idea if that supposed "contentious" Q&A from the New York premiere was recorded?

[kaujot]

He's your typical trust-fund kid/douche who went to film school. He even admits to not having seen many films in the Criterion Collection, and it shows in his choices. They're all pretty much fall backs for entry level cineastes.

I can't comment on his douche-ness, but what's wrong with his choices? I love every release he picked, with the exception of The Harder They Come, as I haven't seen it. I guess I just don't understand how Brakhage is a fall back. Or Pialat. Or Fishing with John. Nevermind that much of the collection could be described as "for entry level cineastes."

The reason for two separate films as well as a single film is that, to my understanding (since I haven't seen the films), the two films use different aspect ratios. It would be weird. Separate and combined is the way to go!

Regardless, it would cost them a lot more to produce (to secure the rights, etc.) and the release would be priced accordingly.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

He's your typical trust-fund kid/douche who went to film school. He even admits to not having seen many films in the Criterion Collection, and it shows in his choices. They're all pretty much fall backs for entry level cineastes.

I can't comment on his douche-ness, but what's wrong with his choices? I love every release he picked, with the exception of The Harder They Come, as I haven't seen it. I guess I just don't understand how Brakhage is a fall back. Or Pialat. Or Fishing with John. Nevermind that much of the collection could be described as "for entry level cineastes."

I might be little hard on the guy because his movies suck. But yeah, his movies suck.

And don't get me wrong, I love some of those films too, but those are all typical film school viewing. Then again, a lot of the collection is.

[cdnchris]

Or maybe it's the Omar Sharif film

This was actually the first film that went through my head and was more than puzzled, though I guess having Palance as Castro is sorta neat. I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware of a Polanski Che film. EDIT: I just understood what Polanski "Che?" film that was referred to before in a previous post.

Once I got my act together I figured it was probably the Soderbergh film and, though I haven't seen it (waiting for video), it makes more sense and could potentially be a nice release.

I didn't think of it originally until going back through the thread but I do hope it's not The Motorcycle Diaries.

[justeleblanc]

My hunch is Motorcycle Diaries since it's a Focus title. I haven't seen it so I don't know if it's any good.

I did however see CHE, and that film is pretty weak, even for Soderbergh's standards. In fact, this whole business model of Criterions, which is releasing films onto DVD that already have decent DVD editions, or that will already have decent DVD editions is a complete farce.

If only Tamara still worked there. Good times.