MoC Forthcoming, Wishlist, and Random Speculation

[ellipsis7]

We're going to be releasing a lot of *messy* films this year.
about 13 hours ago via web

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

What's this hint on Twitter about "messy films"?

Imamura?

I can't believe that went over my head - "I like to make messy films" as per the post above - especially as I've been reading more on Imamura's background. Exciting news, nonetheless. Even if it's work already available in the Criterion box. I mean, I'm hoping that this means more Imamura.

[Michael Kerpan]

If this is a reference to Imamura, I hopes this means we can look forward to a Blu-Ray of Eejanaika (one of his most gloriously messy films).

And then there is Ozu's Hen in the Wind, Ozu's (often, in a nmber of ways) very messy, proto-Imamura-esque film. Ironically, this dates to the period before Imamura took much interest in movies, so he may never have seen this film (which might have given him a somewhat different perspective on that director).

[zedz]

Imamura's films don't come much messier than the neither-fish-nor-fowl A Man Vanishes. Just sayin'.

And what seem to me the most likely Imamura candidates - BluRay versions of the titles in Criterion's box set - wouldn't constitute "a lot" in my opinion. Also just sayin'.

(And I'm pretty sure we'll see Hen in the Wind from BFI soon enough.)

[knives]

(And I'm pretty sure we'll see Hen in the Wind from BFI soon enough.)

We already have. It's on the An Autumn Afternoon disc.

[Peacock]

Pretty sure one will be Ballad of Narayama. I hope another is Eejanaika and, presuming there's no more than three, A Man Vanishes like zedz also hopes, but it's probably more likely to be Pigs and Battleships right?

5 Imamura Blu-rays and no Oshima or Yoshida makes a sad Peacock, but hopefully this'll change at some point!

[perkizitore]

Well, my bet is on The Eel and Ballad of Narayama.

[Zot!]

a lot

would have to mean more than two. I'm going to wish for a Blu of my personal favorite, Black Rain. Saw this in a new print after seeing only VHS of it, and it was awesome. Have not seen the Animeigo DVD, but here's hoping I can skip it.

[tajmahal]

We're going to be releasing a lot of *messy* films this year.
about 13 hours ago via web

Could be an Eclipse-style boxset. Nick did pose the question some time ago about a bare-bones Naruse set. He was only running it up the flagpole, but perhaps 2011 might see some Eureka budget boxsets.

[What A Disgrace]

Any chance of releasing Joe May's Indian epic?

[Finch]

Some Gremilion or the two surviving Yamanaka films would be very welcome, especially when minor Lang is apparently regarded as good enough for the collection.

[Zazou dans le Metro]

Some Gremilion .......... would be very welcome, especially when minor Lang is apparently regarded as good enough for the collection.

Go on make my avatar smile... I dare you

[med]

a lot

would have to mean more than two. I'm going to wish for a Blu of my personal favorite, Black Rain. Saw this in a new print after seeing only VHS of it, and it was awesome. Have not seen the Animeigo DVD, but here's hoping I can skip it.

The AnimEigo DVD is perfectly watchable with some decent supplements. The only negative thing I can say about it—and about AnimeEigo's Ballad of Narayama release, too—is that the image is a little soft.

Anyway, a Blu of Black Rain or Ballad would be lovely, but I would hope to see some Imamura that is currently not available in English-friendly editions. Eijanaika and A Man Vanishes would be at the top of my own personal wishlist. As for currently available English-friendly releases, I'd prefer The Eel over Ballad or Rain, but that's just me.

Speaking of Imamura, how is Zegen? That's one I can never find much information about.

[Michael Kerpan]

Zegen (and some of the documentaries) are things I have not yet managed to see (the documentaries got shown at the Harvard Film Archive, but I couldn't make the screening). There is (or was) an unsubbed DVD of Zegen, but I never bought this (not knowing much about it).

FWIW -- The current Japanese DVD of Eel is subbed -- and longer than the version released in the US (and looks much better than previous releases).

[evillights]

Some Gremilion or the two surviving Yamanaka films would be very welcome, especially when minor Lang is apparently regarded as good enough for the collection.

We don't have any Grémillon planned at the moment.

I'm sorry, but the opinion on my end, and I think among the rest of the team, is that the Indian Epic is MAJOR Lang, one of his greatest works, and, as such: yes, we regard it as "good enough for the collection." Hopefully our release will provide some context for those who haven't appreciated this pair of films in the past. For those who have always loved these two pictures (even revered them — and I'm in that category), our goal is to make the release a vindication of sorts: to match the obsessive esteem in which they're held by their admirers (and hardcore 'Langians') with the respect they've been denied in other quarters.

It's been a long-time dream of ours to come out with an edition of the Indian Epic and, hopefully, someday, we'll be able to do a Blu-ray edition (given that these are two of the most beautiful — and hallucinatory — color-films of all time).

ck.

[knives]

While we have you on the phone, so to speak, have you tried to get the original versions of the Indian epic? I can't think of a better extra possible.

[peerpee]

Right or wrong, I'm afraid we're planning on putting our modest resources into this release as it currently stands, and a future HD upgrade of the Lang films, instead of producing a 6-disc boxset of all the different Eichberg, May, and Lang versions which would struggle to sell about 190 copies over 7 years because it would have to be priced at £49.99.

I wish we were able to definitively nail every release by bolstering them with a heavenly array of grade-A supplements and previous versions of the same source material, but aside from taking us 3 times as long to put together, it would be as commercially insane as trying to launch the two Lang films theatrically around the UK.

If anyone wins the lottery and fancies commanding us to go nuts on something, we're here and waiting, but until then we're trying our very best to keep the interesting stuff regular and if you're not mad about this release I hope you get the hots for what we have planned for the rest of the year!

[knives]

Ah, that's very understandable if just as unfortunate. I hope this release as is goes well enough for you to consider picking up the other versions.

[artfilmfan]

FWIW -- The current Japanese DVD of Eel is subbed -- and longer than the version released in the US (and looks much better than previous releases).

I have the Japanese release of the director's cut; but it is not subbed. Is there another Japanese release that came out recently?

[Michael Kerpan]

Mental lapse time -- actually I got the Madman DVD of Eel from Australia (back when they had a sale). I found this quite satisfactory. I _think_ it is the same fully restored version that first appeared on the Japanese DVD.

[skeets kelly]

If anyone wins the lottery and fancies commanding us to go nuts on something...

no joke, this is one of the things i have on my list if i ever win the lottery.

and, also, i am very excited about those new langs. i think they're really great films, lots of fun, and fake-ass tiger aside, absolutely stunning.

but, then again, i prefer temple of doom over raiders of the lost ark.

[Finch]

but, then again, i prefer temple of doom over raiders of the lost ark.

Even though Temple of Doom is a thoroughly mean-spirited, racist and hysterical film that badly rehashes moments from Raiders (for my money, the best Hollywood film of the 80s)? Spielberg and Lucas went through messy, protracted divorces while shooting Doom, and does it ever show in the movie. It left me utterly exhausted, and not in a good way. I always felt that the only thing that Temple of Doom has going for it is the opening but I'll admit that the darkness of the film at least makes it more intriguing than the bland Last Crusade.

[domino harvey]

Weirdest thread digression ever, but Temple of Doom is probably the only Indiana Jones movie I think I could sit through again as an adult, probably for many of the reasons others hate it

[knives]

Basically what domino said. I remember Crusade just being weird and childish ala Return of the Jedi and that Raiders is simply a good The Spiders/insert adventure serial here proxy, but as much as I was bored by Temple as a kid I do remember all of those set pieces Spielberg does so well being the best of my childhood and hell I'm entertained by mean spiritedness.

[jamie_atp]

If George could special edition it and take out 90% of the girl's screaming i'd probably really enjoy it.