Criterion Random Speculation Vol.2

[justeleblanc]

Re: Bottle Rocket

Pessimistically, I can see the argument that Sony Picture Classics and Sony/Columbia are two very distinct units which doesn't bode well for a release (Similar to the Warner/New Line situation).

Optimistically, I see Wes tying his Fantastic Mr. Fox contract with Sony to allow Bottle Rocket to be released by Criterion.

Realistically, I am doing nothing but random internet speculating.

Well, after reading the newsletter and noting that Sony and Criterion are good friends apparently, there's no doubt about it. I'm sure, since Anderson already has an easy in for every one of his films... Even before they are done, I'm sure Criterion will go ahead and realease it along side of Mr. Fox...

... or Mr. Fox will not be a Criterion. Sony will release a SE of both titles on their own.

[Gigi M.]

Aside from lack of extras, what makes the currently available DVD of Bottle Rocket the worst piece of junk ever? I thought it had good colors, sharpness and detail, and before now I haven't heard anyone else say otherwise.

You're probably right about the transfer. However, it was release on the verge of the DVD era in 1998 with absolutely no extras, just plain subtitles. I think is a great film that really deserves a better dvd. Hopefully Criterion one day will do some justice.

[keeproductions]

... or Mr. Fox will not be a Criterion. Sony will release a SE of both titles on their own.

I guess in my randomly-speculating mind I see Sony keeping Mr. Fox for themselves, but that Wes arranged for Bottle Rocket to be freed up for Criterion release.

But as others have said, Bottle Rocket is already on DVD with a great transfer. I'm glad to have it, and that could be the end of it.

[oldsheperd]

The transfer is good, but BottleRocket was originally a short film. It would be nice to see the short film.

[chaddoli]

The transfer is good, but BottleRocket was originally a short film. It would be nice to see the short film.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0109322/videosites

[justeleblanc]

The transfer is good, but BottleRocket was originally a short film. It would be nice to see the short film.

That comment was soooo January 11th at 6:48 pm.

[justeleblanc]

I'm not sure if this has been said before, but Criterion's release of Tout va bien and Letter to Jane is more troubling than anything else. If all of the Dziga Vertov Group films are owned by the same people, than isn't it possible that Criterion decided to only release this one, and rejected all of the other Godard/Gorin films, meaning that these will probably never be released onto DVD.

Not that I was incredibly hopeful, but it would have been a nice thought.

[backstreetsbackalright]

Criterion's release of Tout va bien and Letter to Jane is more troubling than anything else. If all of the Dziga Vertov Group films are owned by the same people, than isn't it possible that Criterion decided to only release this one, and rejected all of the other Godard/Gorin films, meaning that these will probably never be released onto DVD.

It could mean anything, but I think we're jumping to conclusions if we interpret Letter To Jane's release as Criterion passing on the rest of the Dziga-Vertov catalog. The 1969-1971 films would make a very neat set without Jane's help.

[otis]

Recent posting on the Godard discussion group http://lists.topfive.com/listinfo.cgi/g ... opfive.com:

Regarding other dziga vertov period titles that haven't appeared on DVD up to now, all i can say is that Gaumont "has" reprinted them for the recent Brazilian Groupe Dziga Vertov retrospective, and i've learnt from friends who had been lucky enough to see them that they looked just gorgeous. I tend/hope to interpret Gaumont's reprinting towards a possible future DVD release.

[What A Disgrace]

Random, baseless speculation: could Criterion, through their Universal deal, release a boxed set of Ernst Lubitsch's collaborations with Maurice Chevalier, including The Love Parade, The Smiling Lieutenant, the French language Une heure près de toi (does anyone know anything about this film?), and One Hour With You?

[bjeggert82]

I would LOVE to see The Smiling Lt. on Criterion DVD, or just a plain Universal DVD. This movie is hilarious, and needs to be seen by more people. I saw it on TCM a while back, and have been writing TCM about it every once and a while hoping for some insight on a DVD of this film. Criterion doing this would be a dream...

[Michael Kerpan]

Someone should certainly release a sparkling release of "Smiling Lieutenant". wonderful film.

[bjeggert82]

Any more Kobayashi would be welcome. I've never seen The Human Condition Trilogy, but I've heard good things. Come to think of it, more Nakadai would be welcome too... I just Harakiri and Samurai Rebellion last year with the Criterion disc releases, and I've loved their work together. If it's a possibility, I hope it's followed up on.

[Nihonophile]

Taschen is the new Criterion.

[LightBulbFilm]

What is the deal with MGM and Criterion? Will they not allow Criterion to release any of their films anymore?

Also I recently suggested Sons of the Legion (1938) to Mulvaney...

[Cinephrenic]

Paramount has Ophul's Letter from an Unknown Woman.

Japanese classics playing at American Cinematheque featuring Janus Films titles. What is interesting to see (for me at least) is Kobayashi's Black River.

http://www.americancinematheque.com/arc ... assics.htm

[otis]

Paramount has Ophul's Letter from an Unknown Woman

How d'you mean like? They're going to release it (hope, hope)? Or they just own the rights?

[Gregory]

Paramount has Ophuls' Letter from an Unknown Woman.

That's news to me. Universal produced it and I can't think why they wouldn't still have the DVD rights. Universal owns the pre-1949 Paramount catalog, not the other way around. Is this some strange exception? I've been wondering the last several years why Criterion hasn't licensed it from Universal.

[Cinephrenic]

New 35 mm print! LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN, 1948, Paramount, 86 min. Was there ever a more swooningly romantic film than genius French director Max Ophuls' American masterpiece? And a love story that sidesteps all the sentimental Hollywood contrivances too often afflicting movie romances of the era? Shy young girl, Lisa (Joan Fontaine) grows into womanhood while nurturing a lifelong love-from-afar for debonair composer and worldly lothario, Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan) who lives upstairs in her building. Even after she enjoys a brief tryst with Brand, Lisa's dreams seem destined to evaporate into thin air. Ophul's device of Brand, finally learning of Lisa's deep feelings from a letter to him, as he readies for a duel-at-dawn, bookends the narrative with a tragic anguish that is extremely moving.

http://egyptiantheatre.com/archive1999/ ... ourFou.htm

[Derek Estes]

Paramount, owns it through Republic, which at some point became the owner, much like the Warner produced film Pursued, also owned by Paramount.

[bjeggert82]

Paramount has Ophul's Letter from an Unknown Woman.

Japanese classics playing at American Cinematheque featuring Janus Films titles. What is interesting to see (for me at least) is Kobayashi's Black River.

http://www.americancinematheque.com/arc ... assics.htm

Kurosawa's Drunken Angel is also mentioned there... That's exciting. I realize it's been known that this a likely upcoming Criterion disc, but the fact that a new print is circulating is exciting.

[pzman84]

Anyone know what #331 is?

[blindside8zao]

gozu

[Gregory]

The reason I've been waiting for another release of Letter From is because the Wildside DVD has forced French subs.

[justeleblanc]

Anyone know what #331 is?

I thought Late Spring.