New Yorker

[eez28]

Mason & Dixon, too. Great book.

Dangit, I knew I had recognized that one but I just couldn't place the name.

[tavernier]

There should be a new thread: Guess the Contents of Domino Harvey's Library.

[domino harvey]

I Am Cuba: Delayed Again #-o

[tavernier]

Got The Freethinker, Edvard Munch SE and Absolute Wilson yesterday....haven't had time to look at them but at least they're finally available!

[Gigi M.]

I Am Cuba: Delayed Again #-o

My copy just shipped from Amazon.

[domino harvey]

I Am Cuba: Delayed Again #-o

My copy just shipped from Amazon.

What the blazes, Amazon sent me a delay notice this morning, I've had it pre-ordered for months now. Clearly Amazon likes you better than me.

[Gregory]

Regarding the Killer of Sheep packaging, I'll toss in the inevitable "I'd buy it even if they released the disc in a brown paper bag" comment. It's still something of an outrage, though. Both this and I am Cuba should have been releases for the ages, and it's hard to figure out why they went all-out on one and saved money with this packaging: cardboard sleeves inside a flimsy slipcover. For the first time I'm tempted to cut the outer box up and put the contents into a double Amaray case.
While I'm on the subject of the I am Cuba set, the style of that elaborate packaging doesn't even seem appropriate, to me. It strikes me as a kind of imperialist kitsch, which is ironic in light of what the film shows us.

[eez28]

For the first time I'm tempted to cut the outer box up and put the contents into a double Amaray case.

Oh please don't turn into this guy. Makes me want to cry to see that box get slaughtered.

[tavernier]

I Am Cuba: Delayed Again #-o

My copy just shipped from Amazon.

What the blazes, Amazon sent me a delay notice this morning, I've had it pre-ordered for months now. Clearly Amazon likes you better than me.

I got mine! Amazing package.

[domino harvey]

The universe is weird, Killer of Sheep has shit packaging and arrives in pristine condition, I Am Cuba comes in a sturdy box with slimlines and all three discs were loose and rolling around in my copy. Well, it was nice to have it in my hands for five minutes before printing out the return label.

[kekid]

The universe is weird, Killer of Sheep has shit packaging and arrives in pristine condition, I Am Cuba comes in a sturdy box with slimlines and all three discs were loose and rolling around in my copy. Well, it was nice to have it in my hands for five minutes before printing out the return label.

I received my second copy of "I am Cuba", and it too had badly scratched discs, not seated in the spindle. I don't know how many Times I will need to return to get one good copy.

I consider "I am Cuba" packaging quite poor. It fails both my primary expectations. It does not protect the discs (as described here), and it takes too much shelf space. (As far as I am concerned, aesthetics of packaging become relevant only when the functional requirements are met.) The discs have arrived in such poor condition that I have not even bothered to throw them in the DVD player to see how the movie looks.

[domino harvey]

I'm glad to see it wasn't just because my UPS man throws the package upstairs against my door. I was surprised the packaging was so big, if I ever get a good copy, it'll have to rest on top of the bookcase like the Homicide file cabinet.

[kekid]

Amazon replied to my second return that they have got a flurry of returns on I am Cuba, and would refund money rather than keep sending replacements. They said they are working with the supplier to see if the problem can be remedied, but there are no guarantees.

[HerrSchreck]

Not. Good. For. Milestone. (maybe this explains the shit packaging for SHEEP... took a huuuuuggggge hit on their superexotic rube-goldberg-style laser-firing cigar box, which doesn't hold discs worth a damn but cost a fucking fortune to manufacture.)

This s/b a lesson-- Corresponding Object superpackaging (Apehead for PLANET OF THE APES, Cigarbox for I AM CUBA.. which, though beautiful is really pretty stupid when you think about the film's beauty and pedigree) is for mass market items like JOSIE & PUSSYCATS or STAR TREK, and kids.

SO I think this means Milestone is cancelling the big fake shiny goosebumped rubber Soy Sauce Chicken they were going to package DRAGON PAINTER in? (the fonts & colors were nice w CUBA, but isn't the cuba = cigars thing bordering on hilarious?)

[domino harvey]

Amazon replied to my second return that they have got a flurry of returns on I am Cuba, and would refund money rather than keep sending replacements. They said they are working with the supplier to see if the problem can be remedied, but there are no guarantees.

I got my second set yesterday via one-day UPS shipping. The main disc was safely lodged in the slimline! The other two were not, but the scuffs were much much more minor and I knew that if I sent the set back again, I would just be refunded rather than sent a new set, so I'm holding on to this one. Still, Milestone put so much effort into being "different," only to show that if they'd used cheaper, normal packaging, they would have had loyal consumers singing their praises. As it stands now, they can get fucked.

[domino harvey]

also, I'm afraid that the bad word of mouth is going to result in low sales and then we'll never see the other titles Milestone is working on get released, like To Sleep With Anger.

[thethirdman]

I purchased my I am Cuba box at Borders based on the comments I read here. I do not care for the size of the package, but at least most of the copies were in very good shape. I had to adjust the interior slimcase holder slightly after I opened the box.
I was surprised by how many copies they received. Curiously, they did not receive any copies of Killer of Sheep at the half dozen Borders near me. They are reportedly having a 40% box set sale on Dec. 3 and 4 with a coupon. That brings the cost down to around $27 before tax. I would suggest buying this set in person rather than online.

[MichaelB]

also, I'm afraid that the bad word of mouth is going to result in low sales and then we'll never see the other titles Milestone is working on get released, like To Sleep With Anger.

To Sleep With Anger has been available from the BFI for ages.

[domino harvey]

also, I'm afraid that the bad word of mouth is going to result in low sales and then we'll never see the other titles Milestone is working on get released, like To Sleep With Anger.

To Sleep With Anger has been available from the BFI for ages.

I know, but once I heard they're working with Burnett, I've held off on picking up the BFI because I'm sure there'd be commentary etc. It's a great movie though and if didn't materialize within the next year I'll probably cave and pick up the BFI.

[kekid]

I purchased my I am Cuba box at Borders based on the comments I read here. I do not care for the size of the package, but at least most of the copies were in very good shape. I had to adjust the interior slimcase holder slightly after I opened the box.
I was surprised by how many copies they received. Curiously, they did not receive any copies of Killer of Sheep at the half dozen Borders near me. They are reportedly having a 40% box set sale on Dec. 3 and 4 with a coupon. That brings the cost down to around $27 before tax. I would suggest buying this set in person rather than online.

Thank you. I will try that. How did you get the coupon?

[thethirdman]

Here is the coupon.

[Gregory]

This s/b a lesson-- Corresponding Object superpackaging (Apehead for PLANET OF THE APES, Cigarbox for I AM CUBA.. which, though beautiful is really pretty stupid when you think about the film's beauty and pedigree) is for mass market items like JOSIE & PUSSYCATS or STAR TREK, and kids.
SO I think this means Milestone is cancelling the big fake shiny goosebumped rubber Soy Sauce Chicken they were going to package DRAGON PAINTER in? (the fonts & colors were nice w CUBA, but isn't the cuba = cigars thing bordering on hilarious?)

Yes, it struck me right off as completely inappropriate to the film, even if considered ironically. I would have much preferred a life-size Fidel head package.
As for the Killer of Sheep package, mine is falling apart already after it was unable to withstand being carried in my bag along with a medium-sized book and some papers last Friday. I don't really care much about this per se, except that it seems disrespectful to package such a long awaited release this way (not to pile on).

[kekid]

Here is the coupon.

Thank you.

[drdoros]

I wasn't going to get online and respond to some of the criticisms here of the boxes for I AM CUBA and KILLER OF SHEEP, since I usually feel that everybody has a right to complain if we screw up. But I at least want to explain the thinking behind our boxes and if there is any fault, it is Milestone's and not New Yorker's.

First, I AM CUBA was always an over-the-top experience. It is not a subtle film. And the fact that the most famous scene involves a cigar factory and that some of the participants from the film remembered that Kalatozov was very fond of Cuban cigars, led us to think that we should try something unique and most importantly, fun. For this, I make NO apologies. With god-knows-how-many DVDs coming out every week, there is a huge struggle to get attention for older films and it's tough for a small independent with no advertising budget to get their releases noticed and reviewed. The slim boxes were chosen because otherwise, the cigar box would have been double the size and weight and its big and heavy enough already! As for the discs coming scratched, that is not a factor of the slim boxes but of human error. Every single one of the 30,000 discs (10,000 x 3) has to be put in by hand. Of the 5,000 sold so far, we have heard of two complaints here, possibly the same two people it seems on Amazon, and one more nice guy from New Jersey who did email me last night after I published my response on Amazon. (I'm sending him new discs.) That's five so far. There will probably be more than that of course since after 100 releases (mostly through Image until a couple of years ago) we know this happens even on single disc releases, BUT...

Anyone who knows Milestone, knows we're a small company where you can just email and tell us your problem. Amy, Nadja, Victor or I will take care of it personally. I think anyone who buys I AM CUBA will love the new master with both the Spanish soundtrack AND the Russian overdub track -- we did listen to people's requests about the Spanish-only track after the first edition -- and especially all the bonus features. If anyone wants to express there opinion on the contents, that would be great.

With Killer of Sheep, we are now close friends with Charles Burnett and know that he is is a socially-concerned being. To reflect that, we wanted a small, elegant packaging that was made entirely of recycled paper with as little consumer waste possible. It wasn't an attempt to be cheap, just to try something different and be environmentally responsible. It looks like KOS is selling very well and there should be a re-printing next year. I promise if that happens, it will be a different box and anyone who does not like the current packaging this year can email me when the new edition comes out and we'll send them the new packaging for free. Again, we are a small company who likes to hear from our customers for better or worse and take everybody's concerns seriously.

Like I am Cuba, I hope some of you will open KILLER OF SHEEP and find that it's an incredible edition. Charles Burnett, myself and the fllm's archivist Ross Lipman spent weeks on the video mastering and editing, improving vastly even on the wonderful film restoration Ross did at UCLA. Every scratch and dust mark on the film was discussed over many hours as everybody wanted a beautiful video transfer, but we still needed to retain the rough, documentary feel that was Charles's original intent. It was the same on MY BROTHER'S WEDDING and the short films.

I happen to love Criterion and are best friends with the owners for over twenty years and am their biggest fan, but I do know there is no way they would have spent the enormous amount of money (and seven years of effort) to finance the music clearances, buy a new internegative so the film could be released in theaters, pay for Charles Burnett to finally re-edit MY BROTHER'S WEDDING to the way he always wanted it to be, help UCLA pay for the restorations for KILLER OF SHEEP, SEVERAL FRIENDS and THE HORSE, and now contributing time, money and connections to help Charles get his next film project going.

I make no excuses. My saying is that if I don't make two mistakes by lunchtime, I'm not working hard enough. If you have complaints, it would be good to hear from you. Compliments would be fine too, of course.

Dennis
Milestone Film & Video
[email protected]

[skuhn8]

Damn, that's a hearty response. Good stuff. If I thought there was even a 5% chance of I AM CUBA making it all the way to Hungary unscathed I'd purchase in a heartbeat...but as it stands I have to hold off till a tighter presentation comes about (cigar themed slipcase for the three slimlines? ).