Forthcoming Lists Discussion & Random Speculation

[todcraproductions]

I emailed them to let them know, and that I also realized it was kind of a long shot, but I would be the happiest boy in the whole USA if they were to put out the Toshio Matsumoto box set. Or, rather, both, especially, since they just did the other one of various short films. And since apparently they found his very first film finally, with luck maybe it'll come out over here. (I mean, I could just import them, but that's a bit expensive. And one of them in the feature-length box isn't subbed. I have no idea about the shorts box.)

[FilmFanSea]

Any chance we'll ever see Renoir's Day in the Country??

Kino released it on VHS (paired with La Chienne), but IIRC, they don't have the DVD rights. I think it's very likely that Criterion will release it at some point.

But in the meantime, I would highly recommend the R2 PAL UK release from the bfi (which uses the French title, Partie de campagne).

[Cinéslob]

Now, given that Image and Criterion are presently tied at the waist, would it be too much to ask for Vertov's The Man With a Movie Camera to be given the treatment it deserves? Come on Criterion; you haven't released a silent film in some time, your last Russian release was Solaris (back in 2002!), and TMWAMC would be (I'd wager) as eagerly snapped-up as it is possible for a Soviet avant-garde silent to be.

Of course, if there were to be, say, a complete boxset of Vertov's surviving works forthcoming, I'd forgive Criterion for the Jules et Jim 'flipping' ordeal instantly, and would instead bombard their offices with tokens of my undying love for each and every one of their blessed souls. Really.

Oh, and before I forget to mention it; could we please have Sansho Dayu, as soon as possible? It can't be much longer now, can it?

[godardslave]

i would like to see more box sets from criterion next year. There havent been many recently.

[Mental Mike]

I have long waited for Wajda's Danton to get a good release from Criterion. I loved the Wajda WWII set!

[Matt]

Okay, I don't see that this thread is serving its original function anymore, so I'm going to close it. Any further discussion of what Criterion should and could release can go in Random Speculation.

[kappoka]

Monterey Pop (single-disc edition)
SRP: $29.95

Jimi Plays Monterey/Shake! Otis at Monterey
SRP: $29.95

The 400 Blows -
SRP: $29.95

Elevator to the Gallows
SRP: $39.95

Harlan County, U.S.A. -
SRP: $39.95

Grey Gardens (two-disc edition)
SRP: $39.95

[rwaits]

Gallows! Yes!! Where did you find this list??

[What A Disgrace]

With the current disc of Grey Gardens still in print, its a bit of a surprise to see a new edition of it. On the other hand, its not exactly unexpected, as Maysles related rumors have been buzzing about the board for months. Bonus for me; Grey Gardens is the only Maysles Criterion that I don't own. The other titles are no brainers.

I imagine we'll see individual Dreyer, Wajda, Cocteau, Eisenstein, Fassbinder, Cassavetes, and Bergman titles, from their respective boxes, in the coming months. Likely related to the Image Entertainment move.

[Tribe]

That list is likely from the Image Entertainment site...and it seems like they advertise new printings of Criterions as new releases. They did the same thing last month with Traffic.

Good, very good to see Harlan County though!!!

Tribe

[kappoka]

I think that as long as this union with Image lasts, this is what we will get. Many double dips and perhaps fewer releases at times. Harlan and Gallows are great, but the other ones don't knock your socks off. If you never purchased Grey Gardens, you are in luck!
I am still waiting to hear if there is anything new about 400 Blows. Probably not, but it makes the people that own the OOP a little angry today---or do you guys think that first 400 Blows will hold some value as a collectible?

[Gigi M.]

I really don't like what Criterion is doing lately. We need more titles instead of getting the same titles all over again. So basically only two new titles to be release on April? Ok, it's great that finally they're releasing spines on their own, but a 2 Disc of Grey Gardens, has to be a mistake. What more can they put on Grey Gardens:

- Audio commentary by filmmakers Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Maffia Meyer, and Susan Froemke
- Excerpts from a recorded interview with Little Eddie Beale by Kathryn G. Graham for Interview magazine (1976)
- Video interviews with fashion designers Todd Oldham and John Bartlett on the influence of Grey Gardens
- Behind-the-scenes photographs
- Trailers
- Filmographies
- English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

I thought the whole idea of Criterion was to "gather the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements". We don't unnecessary double dips, unless is the case of a barbone first edition a la M, or the Wages of Fear.

[Lino]

I agree. This is their weakest month in years.

[Michael]

Well.. actually I'm exhilarated about the new edition of Grey Gardens. I could never get enough of this astonishing film..one of the most watched films in my house.

[cdnchris]

That's weird that they're releasing another Malle on its own so soon after releasing a box set of his films. Why'd they release it separately? Or is it because they differ in themes or something (other than Damage, I'm not that familiar with Malle.)

[redbill]

I went to a Grey Gardens "screening" (they just projected the DVD) last summer, and Albert Maysels was there. He said he was working on a new documentary about his life. He was also working on something for The Gates, so those are 2 possibilities for extras. But I can't imagine anything new related to Grey Gardens though...

[Michael]

I posted this last July:

One of my favorite films of all time.

Coming Soon! - Grey Gardens DVD Scrapbook! Want to know what the Marble Faun is doing these days? Read on.

Several paragraphs quoted from Women's Wear Daily (July 26, 2005):

Three decades after Maysles and his late brother, David, made what has become a cult classic film with the Beales, Jacqueline Kennedy's cousins, he is putting together a "Grey Gardens" DVD scrapbook to be
released by the end of the year.

Maysles said in a telephone interview that the film has inspired "Grey Gardens" parties at which people dress up like the characters and recite favorite lines such as, "C'mon in, we're not ready," or "They can get you in East Hampton for wearing red shoes on a Thursday," and "The hallmark of aristocracy is responsibility.

In addition to unused footage, the release will have a `where are they now?' quality. Jerry Torre, the handyman who befriended the Beales at their dilapidated estate, Grey Gardens, and is now a New York City cab driver, recently tracked down Maysles and invited him for a sentimental journey. The filmmaker obliged with camera in hand.

Could this be one of the new extras?

[justeleblanc]

So if I have the Truffaut box set, am I supposed to buy yet another copy of 400 blows? This will now be my third. Criterion is beginning to really piss me off.

[Lino]

Well, noone's forcing you.

[cgray]

It's going to be hard for them to keep a reputation of putting out "definitive editions" if they expect people to double dip x3 for some of these releases. agreed, it looks like there could be some fun new stuff for grey gardens.

[redbill]

Albert talked about the interview with Jerry, and that's what I was referring to with the new doc he was making. I don't remember him saying it was specific to Grey Gardens though.

Something else that's possible, is David's daughter was there, and she was making a documentary about her father. The funny thing about her was she said she didn't know that her father (he must have died when she was young) and uncle were filmakers until she took a film class in college...

[Cinephrenic]

I can afford another porn classic without buying the boxset...yaaaay.

Elevator to the Gallows
SRP: $39.95

Harlan County, U.S.A. -
SRP: $39.95

Good to know that these are going to be 2-discers.

[Cinesimilitude]

GALLOWS! GALLOWS! GALLOWS!

WOOOOOHOOO!!!!

seriously, I can't wait for it. I wonder what the individual 400 blows will have for cover art.

[Narshty]

Well, The 400 Blows is a definite. At last it's been freed from the shackles of its bland sequels.

I'll be very curious to see the updated specs on Grey Gardens. The original disc was never in need of a rescue job, but I don't think even Criterion would have ploughed on with the upgrade unless they'd put together something major in the meantime. It's a wonderful film.

I hope this signals a new trend in splitting up past boxsets. I'd love to have The Silence and Veronika Voss on their own.

[cgray]

Good to know that these are going to be 2-discers.

Not necessarily. Pickpocket had a 39 MRSP and was a one-discer. I thought we had concluded that the presence of a commentary, and not the number of discs, was the deciding factor (though it seems that a 2-discer w/o commentary will always still be at least the $39 MSRP).