Criterion and Sony

[domino harvey]

They also knock it way down after a couple months, so just wait. Sony almost never does slipcovers so there's no reason to jump on one of their titles on release date unless you've gotta have it right then

[MichaelB]

Any elderly couple film confronting mortality simply has to be called Before Twilight!

I doubt anyone will care that there's a Polish film by that title set in an old people's home, but there is.

(It's also rather good, if I remember rightly, although I missed most of the in-jokes - it's a home for retired actors, and virtually everyone is played by the Polish equivalents of Olivier, Gielgud, Ashcroft et al.)

[colinr0380]

Any elderly couple film confronting mortality simply has to be called Before Twilight!

I doubt anyone will care that there's a Polish film by that title set in an old people's home, but there is.

Thanks Michael, and I'm sure we all care - I definitely wouldn't know much at all about Eastern European cinema beyond some of the major titles without your posts!

[eerik]

Sony's asking near-Criterion prices for what is presumably a bare-bones disc, but I'm sure it will come down over time. Warner and Sony have collaborated on boxed sets before, so it's certainly not out of the question -- with or without the participation of Criterion.

Special features announced for Before Midnight:
• Commentary with Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater
• Revisiting Jesse & Céline
• Q&A with Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater

[ShellOilJunior]

It'll be interesting to hear Delpy talk about her trademark oral fixation.

[ianungstad]

Last year Sony did new 4k transfers for a number of library titles. They put out new blus for most of the films themselves but let Criterion release On the Waterfront. The only other title from the press release dated last year that has failed to materialize is the 4k remaster of Groundhog Day. Would Sony license that out? I'd be curious to know why it was never released. (I assume the restoration was done since this is the films 20th anniversary.)

This initiative includes an effort to remaster select productions in 4K, including TV series such as Breaking Bad and features such as Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters and Glory. Sony is also continuing restoration work on classic movies in 4K, including soon to be completed Funny Girl and On The Waterfront.

FYI; Sony is also debuting a 4k restoration of Orson Welles The Lady from Shanghai at the London film festival next month.

[Calvin]

There are a few other unreleased 4K transfers that Sony have created.

[isakborg]

Perhaps someone out there can tell me if the recent Sony unfortunately full screen European DVD release of Vaghe Stelle Dell'Orsa represents all the use that will be made of the 4K scan of the film. (Or was that release in fact not related to the 4K scan?) A properly done Blu-ray would be most welcome. Criterion perhaps?

[Roger Ryan]

There are a few other unreleased 4K transfers that Sony have created.

I suspect Sony is going out of their way to create 4K transfers of older films to have product for their 4K televisions and the exclusive Sony 4K Media Player.

Given that the Media Player only works with Sony-brand TVs and the company is focused on download sales for future content (understandable at this point since Blu-ray can not support 4K resolution), I'd be surprised if some of these recent restoration/transfers make it to physical media at all. Note this bit of copy from the Sony site:

In addition to the preloaded videos, feature films will be available to download for rent or purchase through the Video Unlimited 4K service. 24 hour rentals start at $7.99, and purchases start at $29.99. Choose from a collection of titles, including new releases, classic movies and TV episodes (purchase only). 4K Ultra HD rental offerings will be available during the same time periods as DVD and Blu-ray™ rentals from other industry providers.

[ianungstad]

Actually most of the 4k's have been spoken for by Sony or licensed to other studios including Criterion. The only MIA ones are:

Bunny Lake Is Missing
Cowboy
Groundhog Day
The Lady from Shanghai
Lost Horizon
Sandra
Alamo Bay

I would also point out that Sandra; Alamo Bay and Lady from Shanghai are recent restorations and are on the fall festival circuit. If we exclude those three; there's actually very little that's been sitting on the shelves. Bunny Lake; Groundhog Day; Lost Horizon all seem likely to have been licensed to either Criterion or Twilight Time.

[med]

Twilight Time has Alamo Bay

[Roger Ryan]

I guess I was thinking more about how Sony might handle some of their releases going forward if they are successful in setting up an exclusive HD delivery program on-line. I would hope they retain their relations with other companies willing to provide Blu-ray releases.

[David M.]

Given that the Media Player only works with Sony-brand TVs and the company is focused on download sales for future content (understandable at this point since Blu-ray can not support 4K resolution), I'd be surprised if some of these recent restoration/transfers make it to physical media at all.

Blu-ray is being extended to support 4K.

[Yaanu]

Given that the Media Player only works with Sony-brand TVs and the company is focused on download sales for future content (understandable at this point since Blu-ray can not support 4K resolution), I'd be surprised if some of these recent restoration/transfers make it to physical media at all.

Blu-ray is being extended to support 4K.

They've had 50+ GB Blu-Ray Discs for a while now. They've just never had anything to do with them until 4K became a thing.

[John Doe]

"Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Criterion Nov. 4 said they have signed a multi-year distribution and administrative deal. Under terms of the agreement, Sony will handle distribution, replication, inventory management, shipping and accounts receivable for Criterion.

David Bishop, president of SPHE, said Criterion’s 30-year legacy of delivering important classic and contemporary films into the home entertainment market is buttressed by the exacting standards each Blu-ray Disc and DVD release must meet.

“This is why SPHE is honored that Criterion has chosen to partner with us to ensure its future legacy by duplicating and efficiently distributing products equal to the high standards it demands,” Bishop said.

The Criterion Collection features more than 150 movies. Each film is presented uncut, in its original aspect ratio, as its filmmaker intended it to be seen. Criterion uses state-of-the-art telecine equipment and select colorists during the film-to-video digital transfer, according to CEO Jonathan Turell.

Whenever possible, Criterion works with the original directors and cinematographers to ensure that the look of the releases does justice to their intentions.

Turell said Criterion’s bonus material enables viewers to appreciate the films in context, through audio commentaries by filmmakers and scholars, restored director’s cuts, deleted scenes, documentaries, shooting scripts, early shorts and storyboards.

“We’re proud to release many great films from Sony’s library in Criterion and very much look forward to continuing our long relationship,” Turell said. “We think they are an ideal partner as we look forward to expanding our direct relationships with our key customers.”

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[ianungstad]

Who wants to bet that this will result in Criterion releasing first run titles from Sony Classics in the not too distant future.

[Harmonov]

Is Linklater's Midnight Trilogy now in play?

[Matt]

This is fantastic news. I do hope a distribution relationship with one major studio does not jeopardize Criterion's relationships with others (Universal, Fox). I wouldn't really expect so, but then again it seems that half of the business decisions in Hollywood are made out of spite.

[Jeff]

Is Linklater's Midnight Trilogy now in play?

No more so than before. Criterion has been licensing Sony films for a few years now, and I'm sure they'd love to handle Before Midnight. The first two films still belong to Warner though.

This is fantastic news. I do hope a distribution relationship with one major studio does not jeopardize Criterion's relationships with others (Universal, Fox). I wouldn't really expect so, but then again it seems that half of the business decisions in Hollywood are made out of spite.

I don't think it will. It's all one big key party of rights and distribution in the home media world these days. Fox distributes for MGM, Warner distributes for Paramount, dogs and cats living together, etc.

[bainbridgezu]

Who wants to bet that this will result in Criterion releasing first run titles from Sony Classics in the not too distant future.

Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive would be a great place to start.

[FrauBlucher]

This is tremendous news. Plus, I would expect Grover Crisp to play a role in CC's restoration endeavors.

[Drucker]

Who wants to bet that this will result in Criterion releasing first run titles from Sony Classics in the not too distant future.

Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive would be a great place to start.

And hopefully The Lady From Shanghai 4k Restoration isn't too far behind.

[FrauBlucher]

And hopefully The Lady From Shanghai 4k Restoration isn't too far behind.

And hopefully, some of Capra's best.

[britcom68]

Besides using the new Sony deal for releasing Tootsie and The Big Chill, are there any other titles that Sony is known to be working with Criterion at the moment which have not been announced or authoritatively rumored? We'd all love The Lady from Shanghai, but that could go the way of From Here to Eternity and be released directly by Sony themselves.

[Sandman]

And hopefully The Lady From Shanghai 4k Restoration isn't too far behind.

Amen to that!