Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 6

[hearthesilence]

I'm guessing they no longer have the original camera negative for those particular shots, but if they did, it would probably make more sense to scan those and blow them up digitally, correct? It will still take a hit in quality as each pixel/particle would be expanded, but at least they wouldn't need to re-copy those shots on to new film in the process of blowing them up (i.e. the final product wouldn't be generations removed from the original negative, with the additional grain and degradation that comes from that).

[Zot!]

Perhaps it's a courtesy to the reader, but the idea that a film restorer wouldn't know what a optical blow-up is without consulting the DP is hilarious. I tend to agree, that unless you could identify the original negative it was blown-up from, just leave well enough alone.

[Drucker]

Criterion just teased a picture of them restoring Dressed to Kill on Facebook and Instagram.

[Minkin]

Not rumored, it's one of about a half dozen remaining MGM titles on the "secret list" of acquisitions

I was thinking of this Criterioncast rumor page from nearly five years ago. It was also on the old Forthcoming list, under the "Distinct Possibilities" section before it was all revamped (but whatever, rumored or not, its great news). Criterioncast also had their companion list of possible MGM films - of which Roma, Europa Europa, and Burn haven't been announced yet. I'm assuming this first wave of MGM titles is different than a newer deal that we've seen some titles from lately (Mad World, Black Stallion, Dressed to Kill, etc).

That Tribeca link includes a 5 minute sample of the DJ event (of which the Lloyd estate really loved and plans to do more showings/other films). I must admit that it is pretty entertaining, and I'd certainly watch it if it were included as a secondary audio track on the forthcoming disc (although who knows how likely that would be with all of the music clearances). The Street Fighter II effects were probably the highlight.

[domino harvey]

There were five initial MGM licenses, then a further 25 in 2009, and an additional pair in 2010. I'm not privy to MGM licensing details beyond this period, but from that initial 32 licenses, one was eventually abandoned and five remain unannounced/unreleased (including the French Lieutenant's Woman, which I foolishly just publicly confirmed earlier because I thought Criterion themselves had already dropped a clear hint in the past? Whoops!)-- the titles you mentioned may or may not be part of that list, I was sworn to secrecy years ago and I'm gonna try to not slip up again (cue organ music)

[vidussoni]

There were five initial MGM licenses, then a further 25 in 2009, and an additional pair in 2010. I'm not privy to MGM licensing details beyond this period, but from that initial 32 licenses, one was eventually abandoned and five remain unannounced/unreleased (including the French Lieutenant's Woman, which I foolishly just publicly confirmed earlier because I thought Criterion themselves had already dropped a clear hint in the past? Whoops!)-- the titles you mentioned may or may not be part of that list, I was sworn to secrecy years ago and I'm gonna try to not slip up again (cue organ music)

Are you allowed to mention which title was abandoned? :-k

[Minkin]

There were five initial MGM licenses, then a further 25 in 2009, and an additional pair in 2010. I'm not privy to MGM licensing details beyond this period, but from that initial 32 licenses, one was eventually abandoned and five remain unannounced/unreleased (including the French Lieutenant's Woman, which I foolishly just publicly confirmed earlier because I thought Criterion themselves had already dropped a clear hint in the past? Whoops!)-- the titles you mentioned may or may not be part of that list, I was sworn to secrecy years ago and I'm gonna try to not slip up again (cue organ music)

Are you allowed to mention which title was abandoned? :-k

My guess would be How I Won the War - as most people here had thought it was guaranteed to be forthcoming from Criterion, and then it ended up on the idiotic MGM DVD-R line (to which everyone was obviously disappointed). I'm guessing elements, expensive restoration, or something held it up.

Whatever newer deal with MGM that is currently going on seems to be focused on re-releases of already existing titles (with Criterion doing new transfers + extras). Thus we've seen a second blu-ray emerge on the market in Region A for a few films. I assume that Criterion licensed a bunch more of their former laserdisc titles or films that directors pushed for, etc. Looking through the old laserdisc list might give some ideas as to what to expect. I'd at least hope for Sid & Nancy + Great Escape (which desperately needs a new transfer/restoration) + Carrie. I'd assume the James Bond films were clearly off the table, as I doubt those hilarious Criterion commentaries will ever make it to disc again. Crazy times these days - as nearly everything is up for grabs.

Don't blame yourself Domino, I think the French Lieutenant's Woman rumors have been going way back.

[dwk]

Didn't Jonathan Turell confirm The French Lieutenant's Woman during an interview with The Playlist, like 6 years ago?

[ianungstad]

Since we are re-stating the obvious; I'd also like to bring up those very Criterion-y titles that Warners discontinued in one fell swoop a few months ago:

Dreams (Akira Kurosawa)
Blow Up (Michelangelo Antonioni)
The Breaking Point (Michael Curtiz)
Barcelona (Whit Stillman)
Magnificent Ambersons (Orson Welles)
The Asphalt Jungle (John Huston)
A Face in the Crowd (Elia Kazan)
Klute (Alan Pakula)
Day for Night (Francois Truffaut)
Before Sunset (Richard Linklater)
Cat People (Jacques Tourneur) .
Before Sunrise (Richard Linklater)
The New World (Terrence Malick)

You pretty much have to assume that some low rank employee punched in a few keyboard strokes and had these officially discontinued without knowing that it would be pretty easy for the average joe to read the tea leaves and figure out a chunk of Criterion's licensing deal with Warner Brothers. (probably many more titles in addition to those listed above)

[movielocke]

Ah but which four of that list will they actually bother releasing before the licensing deal expires in five or six years?

[sir_luke]

The Before trilogy has been confirmed, right?

[hearthesilence]

Not quite but they're actively trying to do a trilogy box set. (Remember, Sony's got the rights to #3)

[cdnchris]

Sony's Twitter account did post a Tweet about how Criterion was releasing the trilogy, though the Tweet simply linked to a quick sound bite from Ethan Hawke saying that Criterion was trying to get the rights to them. And since I assume it was an intern or something that posted it who knows how definitive that is.

[PfR73]

There were five initial MGM licenses, then a further 25 in 2009, and an additional pair in 2010. I'm not privy to MGM licensing details beyond this period, but from that initial 32 licenses, one was eventually abandoned and five remain unannounced/unreleased (including the French Lieutenant's Woman, which I foolishly just publicly confirmed earlier because I thought Criterion themselves had already dropped a clear hint in the past? Whoops!)-- the titles you mentioned may or may not be part of that list, I was sworn to secrecy years ago and I'm gonna try to not slip up again (cue organ music)

Are you allowed to mention which title was abandoned? :-k

Don't blame yourself Domino, I think the French Lieutenant's Woman rumors have been going way back.

Yeah, French Lieutenant's Woman has already been reported by several forum members over the years, including ianungstad & Antoine Doinel. So you should be safe.

[John Doe]

Not quite but they're actively trying to do a trilogy box set. (Remember, Sony's got the rights to #3)

The Before trilogy was confirmed recently by Criterion producers at the SCMS Montreal conference.

[Gregory]

Sony's Twitter account did post a Tweet about how Criterion was releasing the trilogy, though the Tweet simply linked to a quick sound bite from Ethan Hawke saying that Criterion was trying to get the rights to them. And since I assume it was an intern or something that posted it who knows how definitive that is.

There was also this, posted at Blu-ray.com and here a couple months ago:

A pal is at the SCMS conference, where Criterion just mentioned that the Before Trilogy is coming this year

[Derek Estes]

Day For Night would not be coming from Warners. Warners was taken to court for the last release, because it conflicted with an expired agreement.

[jwd5275]

Day for Night was streaming from Warner Archive Instant recently. It is coming from WB.

[FakeBonanza]

What are the odds that Criterion has exercised the IFC option on The Duke of Burgundy? It's been several months since its limited US release, and as far as I can tell, there is no wider on-demand, streaming, or home video release in sight. I suppose Criterion did pass on Berberian Sound Studio, and subsequently it didn't get any North American home video release, so that is a possibility.

Unfortunately, I have no legitimate option to watch Burgundy as it stands, but it seems to have been very well received. Maybe Criterion would be more likely to express interest in this film.

[ianungstad]

MPI released Berberian Sound Studio on dvd.

[doh286]

iTunes has an expected streaming release date for The Duke of Burgundy: Oct. 1. I don't know why it's getting such a late release on there. Could it be related to a future Criterion release?

[CSM126]

Day for Night was streaming from Warner Archive Instant recently. It is coming from WB.

Why would Criterion do the restoration and not release it themselves? Kind of a nonsensical idea.

[The Narrator Returns]

I think he's just saying that it's being licensed from Warners, not that Warners is releasing it, although I could be wrong.

[jwd5275]

It is coming (to Criterion through licensing) from WB.

[Ribs]

NPR has confirmed Apu to be a November release.