Criterion Random Speculation Vol.2

[blindside8zao]

did everyone see the "I Kill" news? DCburghy to direct.

[souvenir]

did everyone see the "I Kill" news? DCburghy to direct.

He said last night that this was absolutely untrue, that he told the producer he wasn't interested.

[blindside8zao]

wow, I wonder what happened with that?

[flyonthewall2983]

Is it worth asking JM about Crash, now that Cronenberg slipped up?

I'd hope so.

[justeleblanc]

From JM today:

CRASH was released by Criterion on laserdisc, but this release is now out-of-print. We have no plans for a DVD release of CRASH at this time.

[FilmFanSea]

I don't normally post JM replies to my emails anymore, but even the faint possibility of an Edward Yang film in the collection is cause for celebration:

Dear Brian,

We hope to add Yang to the collection in the future, but nothing is certain at this time.

best,
JM


On 12/1/05 I wrote:


Edward Yang is among the most under-represented of modern directors on the DVD medium. Along with Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Tsai Ming-Liang, his films define the Taiwanese New Wave. Yet, outside of the seminal Yi Yi (in a typically horrible transfer from Fox Lorber), none of his films has been released on disc in Region 1 (and I'm unaware of any extant DVDs from anywhere in the world with English subtitles).

The Criterion Collection would do a great service to film lovers everywhere by releasing the films of this great auteur. The single greatest need is for a release of what is probably Yang's magnum opus, A Brighter Summer Day (1991), but just as important are such renowned films as Taipei Story (1985) [which features director Hou in an acting role] and Mahjong (1996). Since Yang studied engineering at the University of Florida, film (briefly) at USC, and lived in Seattle, he is fluent in English, and would make a great interview subject. Also, Jonathan Rosenbaum has been a great champion of his films (in fact, he ranked A Brighter Summer Day among the ten greatest films of the 1990s).

I would enthusiastically encourage your acquisitions department to explore licensing the films of Edward Yang.

[Buttery Jeb]

This should be marked tentative, as I got it from second hand sources. But, I've heard tell that Criterion will be putting out their edition of "Last Year at Marienbad" in the first half of '06.

-BJ

[stroszeck]

This should be marked tentative, as I got it from second hand sources. But, I've heard tell that Criterion will be putting out their edition of "Last Year at Marienbad" in the first half of '06.

FINALLY! =D> I've been waiting SO long for this CC. Mulvaney was not any help whatsoever! Maybe now we can look forward to PANDORA'S BOX, the EARRINGS OF MADAME and maybe, perhaps maybe some Jodorowsky?????

[Gregory]

This should be marked tentative, as I got it from second hand sources. But, I've heard tell that Criterion will be putting out their edition of "Last Year at Marienbad" in the first half of '06.

But I agreed with what you said yourself in the thread on Last Year at Marienbad:

"Last Year" is still stuck in the black hole of scheduling that is the Rialto Pictures' release slate, recently pushed aside yet again for (you guessed it) Louis Malle's "Elevator to the Gallows."
In other words: until it comes to a theater near you or anyone else, I wouldn't expect a new DVD.

Rialto is listing dates/months of its releases up through April and Last Year at Marienbad is not one of them. Plus it usually takes another 6 - 9 months for the DVD to come along.

[zedz]

I don't normally post JM replies to my emails anymore, but even the faint possibility of an Edward Yang film in the collection is cause for celebration:

Dear Brian,

We hope to add Yang to the collection in the future, but nothing is certain at this time.

best,
JM

Indeed. Thanks for posting this. Even the faint prospect of light at the end of that particular tunnel is gratifying.

[colinr0380]

Yet, outside of the seminal Yi Yi (in a typically horrible transfer from Fox Lorber), none of his films has been released on disc in Region 1 (and I'm unaware of any extant DVDs from anywhere in the world with English subtitles).

There is a UK Region 2 DVD out from ICA Projects of Yi Yi (under its English title A One And A Two). I'm not sure about the quality of the transfer etc (it does seem to have burned-in subtitles), but it does have a commentary track where Tony Rayns is interviewing Edward Yang. This is a DVD Times review of the DVD.

It does suggest that Mr Rayns could also lobby Criterion (or Masters of Cinema!) for other releases.

[Napoleon]

Yet, outside of the seminal Yi Yi (in a typically horrible transfer from Fox Lorber), none of his films has been released on disc in Region 1 (and I'm unaware of any extant DVDs from anywhere in the world with English subtitles).

There is a UK Region 2 DVD out from ICA Projects of Yi Yi (under its English title A One And A Two). I'm not sure about the quality of the transfer etc (it does seem to have burned-in subtitles), but it does have a commentary track where Tony Rayns is interviewing Edward Yang. This is a DVD Times review of the DVD.

It does suggest that Mr Rayns could also lobby Criterion (or Masters of Cinema!) for other releases.

I've had that disk for years and will never watch it as the video quality is awful (8/10 for video? come on DVDTimes!). I think that its oop as well.

[FilmFanSea]

I've had that [ICA Projects Yi Yi] disk for years and will never watch it as the video quality is awful (8/10 for video? come on DVDTimes!). I think that its oop as well.

Unfortunately, the version I now own--the superior Korean Starmax release--is also OOP. Is there some kind of global conspiracy against Edward Yang???

[oldsheperd]

There is a conspiracy against him and a War On Christmas by those evil Liberals!

[Gigi M.]

So, spine 331 is missing right in front of Viridina. Another Buñuel maybe?

- Tristana
- The Exterminating Angel
- The Milkey Way
- Simon of The Desert

Can any of these titles be the missing spine? Maybe!

[zedz]

So, spine 331 is missing right in front of Viridina. Another Buñuel maybe?

- Tristana
- The Exterminating Angel
- The Milkey Way
- Simon of The Desert

Can any of these titles be the missing spine? Maybe!

Any of those would, of course, be welcome, but I don't think Criterion has ever had consecutive spine numbers by the same director that weren't released simultaneously.

Anyway, if the Malles are 327-330, wouldn't 331 presumably be Fists?

[What A Disgrace]

So, spine 331 is missing right in front of Viridina. Another Buñuel maybe?

- Tristana
- The Exterminating Angel
- The Milkey Way
- Simon of The Desert

Can any of these titles be the missing spine? Maybe!

Any of those would, of course, be welcome, but I don't think Criterion has ever had consecutive spine numbers by the same director that weren't released simultaneously.

Anyway, if the Malles are 327-330, wouldn't 331 presumably be Fists?

Presumably, but Fists in the Pocket is 333 (no cover art yet). 331 is still blank.

[zedz]

Presumably, but Fists in the Pocket is 333 (no cover art yet). 331 is still blank.

Ah. So we get to go on guessing.

[What A Disgrace]

Presumably, but Fists in the Pocket is 333 (no cover art yet). 331 is still blank.

Ah. So we get to go on guessing.

Don't forget wishing. Desperate wishing.

I want a two disc set of Sjostrom's The Phantom Chariot. With the second disc being a devoted collection of his earliest shorts.

Speaking of which, can anyone hook me up with a resource; preferably through PM, (though I may not be able to respond, for some strange PC related reason), of what films of Sjostrom's career still survive?

[mmiesner]

i actually figured the Malle set was going to eat 5 spine numbers - 1 for the box set, 3 for the films, and 1 for the extras disc, whatever it would be. the announcement did say it was a 4 disc box set. if not, i vote for Tristana or Last Year at Marienbad. but those can come whenever.

[mikeohhh]

I say Harlan County USA. Let's put money on this!

[justeleblanc]

I can't disclose my sources, since I got in trouble last time.... but 331 is The Day The Clown Cried. I also know there will be a "How to Talk Like Jerry Lewis" Easter Egg if you select the hat of the tall Nazi on the "Special Features" menu.

[Mental Mike]

You're all wrong 331 is Berlin Alexanderplatz...

[denti alligator]

You're all wrong 331 is Berlin Alexanderplatz...

Naw. That would need at least two spine numbers. We expect Criterion to couple it with Peter Jutzi's version (1931).

[godardslave]

331 is empty!!! lets speculate!

334 is also empty!

and 335...!

and 336.......

wait a minute.
I'm spotting a pattern here.