Forthcoming Lists Discussion & Random Speculation

[Jeff LeVine]

I agree that this appears to be a very unexciting month. Yet my wallet is happy!

[ellipsis7]

I think he was referring to the Godard, not your initial post...

[The Invunche]

Will you please just trust me. Why would I post something that was 'rumor' or 'speculation'?
Do you think I need attention that much?

I can't tell if this is sarcasm.

[porquenegar]

Grey Gardens has been on my wishlist for a while now. I'm glad I held off.

[Gigi M.]

Hmmm. Well gigimonagas dont buy it, do you have some kind of compulsion to HAVE to buy the updated version?? They put the film out with extras, this isnt a screw job by Criterion, its been a few years since this original release so they have added new extras, new footage, whatever. Sell your copy now and buy that one, or just stop complaining. Aparently you dont care much about the film, because if you did you wouldnt be throwing a fit over it. Unless your just realllllly cheap!! OH and why are you paying the MSRP anyways?

And why is there so much talk about these single discers from sets anyways?

Theyre not getting new spine #s, nothing new is going to be on them. They are just for the people who are to cheap to get the box sets, yet still want the film, which doesnt bother me, but its nothing special at all.

ARGH!!!

Well my friend, you obviously missed my point. I'm complaining because as much as I admire Grey Gardens, I don't believe we need of another edition with just a few more extras at a ridiculous price. We need more titles, more Mizoguchi, Ozu, Eisesnstein, etc. I'm excited about Elevator to the Gallows (amazing film) and Harlam Country, which I've not seen yet.

So, if this is the year to re-release old titles, why not start with the films that really are in need of a better edition: Amarcord, Andrei Rublev, High and Low, etc.

Sorry, but I just want more titles. Not movies that I already own.

Hope you understand.

[buskeat]

The musical "Grey Gardens" is opening in New York in March. No, really. Honest! Maybe that has something to do with the re-release. More people will have heard of the documentary as a result of it. Who knows?

[zedz]

Well my friend, you obviously missed my point. I'm complaining because as much as I admire Grey Gardens, I don't believe with need another edition with just a few more extras at a ridiculous price.

Isn't it a lot more extras (at least another featuresworth of outtakes) at the same price? I take your point though. I'm thrilled to see improved and expanded editions of old titles, but not at the cost of new titles.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing to be concerned for April about is the dearth of new blood. The release of single titles from box sets is a sensible business move and doesn't invalidate the box sets (unless they start adding new material, which would be pretty sleazy); Grey Gardens is a great film that deserves more attention, and I don't see how any fan of the film could fail to be excited by the prospect of what amounts to a whole new film about the Edies.

From past experience, Criterion has done these rereleases proud: they're not just exploitative repackages with different cover-art and one or two new, useless 'featurettes', but thorough, definitive rethinks and vast improvements of the existing sets.

As for Ascenseur, I think it fully warrants the extended treatment. It's a crucial precursor to the Nouvelle Vague, has one of the most important soundtracks ever recorded (a feature on this is obligatory), and there's that big Moreau interview to fit in there too, of course. Oh, and it's a terrific film. The extras on the Malle set hardly seem exhaustive, and they're heavily skewed towards Au revoir les enfants, so there's plenty of scope for substantial extras here as well.

But I think the Kopple is the big news, given how scarce documentaries and films by women are in the collection. More!

[stroszeck]

This is horrible. To me, January THROUGH April has yielded nothing but disappointments and the new "slate" of films which include 2 re-issues are not that great. I recently saw Elevator to the Gallows, because of all the fan-fare on this forum -- and let me tell you, aside from the score, it wasn't that great. Jeanne Moreau looked beat up as hell and the whole thing felt like Jean Luc-Godard meets Antonioni.

Now I don't know about others on this site, but I am fed up with Image's involvement in Criterion. I didn't think their 'fusion' would be as horrible as it has turned out -- is the goal to just re-issues DOUBLE discs or new prints of all the movies in the collection? Or are they gonna shell out a couple more Ozu's and Antonioni's and maybe even a Pabst (or two). Heck I wonder how expensive the rights to any of Jodorowsky's works, which were clearly in limbo and ready to be snatched up by CC, were? I mean in the least they should've picked up the rights and released a bare-bones disc like they did with Secret Honor!

Sorry about the rant, I'm frustrated.

And where the hell is the Tati boxset?

[jorencain]

I recently saw Elevator to the Gallows, because of all the fan-fare on this forum -- and let me tell you, aside from the score, it wasn't that great.....the whole thing felt like Jean Luc-Godard meets Antonioni.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[headacheboy]

I for one am pleased to see The 400 Blows released as a single title outside of the box. While I'm a huge fan of Truffaut I happened onto a movie marathon (in my own abode, mind you) of all the films involving Antoine Doinel about four months prior to Criterion's release of The Adventures of Antoine Doinel. While they were pleasant, I've not been too terribly motivated to buy the box. I'm sure the booklet is interesting but I can't find a sole who will buy me the darn thing! (My partner ignored that on my list again at Christmas; if you wanna swap the 20th Century Fox Film Noir titles for this drop me a line!)

The 400 Blows is a fine work and I'm pleased that Criterion is moving this direction, giving us the option to buy titles singularly or with the box--as you've already read, people undoubtedly want some of the titles in the Trilogy box by Bergman (although I swear to you the whole box is needed!) or Fassbinder's set as well.

Since it appears that April will be a very sparse month, that gives me time to catch up on a few old titles I've let pass me by and it allows me to buy the whole damn set of Pete Townshend mini LPs being reissued in Japan.

Sometimes a slow month is good. And I'll bet you that within another three months, 80% of us will be falling over each other to claim 2006 as the best year ever for new Criterion titles! They need a light month in April so they can prepare to knock us on our behinds with some important and amazing titles!

[justeleblanc]

The musical "Grey Gardens" is opening in New York in March. No, really. Honest! Maybe that has something to do with the re-release. More people will have heard of the documentary as a result of it. Who knows?

I'm actually beginning to think this could be a big seller for Criterion. The musical could spark a surge in DVD sales -- didn't Criterion release Solaris around the release of the movie? It seems to be a nice companion to Harlan County. And 400 Blows could be a nice companion to the Malle. It's not a terrible month, but with so many films that haven't seen the light of day on DVD, I'm a little annoyed that Criterion is spending 2006 rereleasing their catalogue. Maybe that means an amazing 2007 selection.

[kekid]

I share the frustration of many members about the Criterion releases for the first four months of 2006, and April in particular. My frustration arises from not being able to decipher the logic of what they are doing. Their choices are not governed by the availability of material. While a lot of what we discuss in this forum is speculative, a few things are known with fair certainty. We know they have access to many Ozu's and Mizoguchi's. They have chosen to release these at an extremely slow pace. Effectively only two new releases are going to be issued in January and in April. At this rate 2006 will have fewer new releases on this great label than we have seen in past years. They must have done some research to feel that issuing DVD's individually from previously released boxed sets is going to be more profitable than maintaining a rate of about 4 new releases per month. I am glad I invested in a multi-region DVD player.

[Gigi M.]

I share the frustration of many members about the Criterion releases for the first four months of 2006, and April in particular. My frustration arises from not being able to decipher the logic of what they are doing. Their choices are not governed by the availability of material. While a lot of what we discuss in this forum is speculative, a few things are known with fair certainty. We know they have access to many Ozu's and Mizoguchi's. They have chosen to release these at an extremely slow pace. Effectively only two new releases are going to be issued in January and in April. At this rate 2006 will have fewer new releases on this great label than we have seen in past years. They must have done some research to feel that issuing DVD's individually from previously released boxed sets is going to be more profitable than maintaining a rate of about 4 new releases per month. I am glad I invested in a multi-region DVD player.

That's exactly my point. Thank you.

[pzman84]

Cheer up folks! May will bring the 100th birthday of Rossellini and June will bring the 100th Birthday of Billy Wilder. We know Criterion is planning to release some of their titles, so better months may be ahead!

[rwaits]

God...we're really a bunch a spoiled brats, aren't we??

[kekid]

Thank you, pzman84, for reminding us of better days to come. If we know anything at all by reading posts in this forum, it is that Criterion has mysterious ways, and few of our predictions come true. However, I am delighted that we will see DVD issues of Viridiana, Fists in the Pocket, several Malle's, and The Passenger in the first half of this year. Life could be worse than that. Now if someone can tell us about the "The Conformist"........

[kappoka]

The bad news for 2006 so far is that we are in the first few days and yet Criterion's half of the year has already brought us much more disappointment than we are used to. The good news may be that output is increasing and we have to be in for a great month sooner or later. They can't possibly keep pulling an April all year. Have to be optimistic about some killer months ahead (crossing fingers).

[pzman84]

The year hasen't been all bad. I mean, haven't we waiting for The Virgin Spring, La bête humaine, Young Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Arkadin and Viridiana for some time? I do realize what they did to Viridiana's cover was horrible and April's slate of films is inexcusable, but so for they have done nothing unforgivable. Can you mention something that Criterion has done for 2006 that borders on what Universal did for the Marx Brother's Box Set? I do realize I am sounding like a cheerleader right now, but I just don't want to hear the broken record again: at the beginning of the year Criterion sells out and, by the end of the year, they have further enhanced the art of cinema. Yes, we need more Mizoguchi and Ozu. Also, where is that Eisenstein box set we have been waiting 6 years for? However, yelling in cyberspace will not help. By the end of the year, unless Criterion decides Cheaper By the Dozen 2 warrents three discs, you will be talking about how this was Criterion's best year.

[What A Disgrace]

Release dates are up on Image's website...Grey Gardens, Harlan County, and Elevator to the Gallows are all April 25. The new individualized titles are all April 11.

[kappoka]

I just have to hold out hope that one of these 2006 months will be like no other....a Mega-Month to counter April---Tati, Eisenstein, Antonioni, Mizoguchi, Erice all in one month. It has to happen!...maybe...

[Doctor Sunshine]

But then, of course, everyone'll be be complaining about not being able to afford food and such.

[Cinephrenic]

I don't think its the releases themselves in the last few months, but the lack of them. There are still so much foreign titles to get out, but at this rate it may take years to see releases.

[Toshiro De Niro]

i am disappointed too. I would like to collect all that criterion releases and I'm sure that single releases will be different in some little way, but I most likely will not buy them and now i probably will not buy every single release anymore. It would be ok if the single editions were identical to previous editions.... Also: I think people should watch all movies and shorts from the Doinel set- it's a great experience.
Also, for me to still have a lot of respect for Criterion they should give discount to previous owners of Grey Gardens.

[ByMarkClark.com]

Actually, I thought that late 2005 and Jan and Feb 2006 were very strong for Criterion. But I must agree that April brings the lamest batch of titles in ages. I am not a fan of double-dipping unless there's a truly compelling reason to do it (marketing considerations are not reason enough, imho). Now that Criterion is splitting up its boxed sets, I'm concerned this will make buyers hesitant to purchase new sets. And I don't understand the ongoing delays with announced titles like PLAYTIME and JOUR DE FETE.

But in a strange way, I'm also sort of releived! Months like this, when I will probably only buy 1 title, give me the opportunity to go back and pick up some of the older titles lingering on my want list!

[swimminghorses]

this from a question I sent Criterion:

"so we bought the one disc in good faith and now a two disc pops
up. it sounds like the double dipping of the major studios, what's up?"

and this is the reply from someone answering for an out of town JM:

"Thanks for your note which was forwarded to me.

This is a concern of ours and we're planning on offering the new supplements
separately for all those who already own the disc so as not to "double dip."

As the title hasn't been officially announced, we don't have specific
details but will make them available shortly. Just curious, how did you
find out about the new release?"