Criterion Random Speculation Vol.2

[pzman84]

Yes. Just found out. Sorry for any confusion.

[Cinesimilitude]

so how about a criterion dvd of "Marriage: Italian Style"?

there's no dvd of it in any region, and the company that owns US distribution (Embassy Pictures) also owns distribution rights to 8 1/2, the Long Good Friday, and Divorce Italian Style, so obviously criterion has had dealings with them before, and It would be an excellent companion dvd to divorce italian style.

thoughts?

[Narshty]

The three you cite may have been distributed (theatrically? on video?) at some point by Embassy, but according to the back of the cases Criterion got them from Corinth Films, Anchor Bay Entertainment and Cristaldifilm SNC respectively. Rights situations can change with a bewildering lack of consistency - if anything, those examples are great at showing how licences can ping-pong back and forth between numerous distributors.

[Cinesimilitude]

I searched a bit harder, and it seems the film is distributed right now by Jef Films, a very low quality, VHS like distributor. Criterion should easily be able to find better film materials, and have no problem releasing it if Jef Films got to.

[davida2]

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

I'd not expect anything soon, unless Mulvaney gets a strong upsurge in Kobayashi requests, but - based on what I've seen - I'd love to see Criterion release a lot more of his work, much of which has been impossible to see.

[tavernier]

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

I'd not expect anything soon, unless Mulvaney gets a strong upsurge in Kobayashi requests, but - based on what I've seen - I'd love to see Criterion release a lot more of his work, much of which has been impossible to see.

Has anybody ever seen Kobayashi's Fossil? I've heard wonderful things, but it's never been available for showing anywhere. It sounds perfect for Criterion.

[AZAI]

This is totally random, as ever, but isn't it a good idea for CC to pay a little tribute to Scorsese? He's been active in quite some special features and Last temptation is a long time ago.

Of course I don't mean his big films, but there are plenty of really marvelous early shorts and docs that are unreleased and would be a marvelous addition. Especially Italianamerican and American Boy are greatly missed in our DVD dominated world. It would be a great opportunity to thank him for his efforts as director, but also for his exstensive contribution to the awareness of film history.

All these are moreover made outside the studiosystem and since all his other releases all pretty much have their 'definitive' release, it would be great for Criterion to jump on it.

just a thought....

[justeleblanc]

Another bit of random speculation but Godard's NUMERO DEUX has become one of my favorite Godard's recently and one that I think would fit fairly well into the collection. It would also pair well with ICI ET AILLEURS in a similar fashion to how TOUT VA BIEN and LETTER TO JANE paired with each other.

I haven't seen COMMENT CA VA yet so I'm not sure if the three would make a decent trilogy or not, but as of now NUMERO DEUX and ICI ET AILLEURS would make a nice addition.

[Narshty]

Now that Swamp Water's been announced by Fox for a UK R2 release, what are the chances Criterion might have snaffled it for the R1 market?

[domino harvey]

Another bit of random speculation but Godard's NUMERO DEUX has become one of my favorite Godard's recently and one that I think would fit fairly well into the collection. It would also pair well with ICI ET AILLEURS in a similar fashion to how TOUT VA BIEN and LETTER TO JANE paired with each other.

I haven't seen COMMENT CA VA yet so I'm not sure if the three would make a decent trilogy or not, but as of now NUMERO DEUX and ICI ET AILLEURS would make a nice addition.

Comment Ca Va is almost unwatchable and this is coming from someone who thinks Godard is the greatest of directors. that said, it would fit in well with those other two films, however, I can't see anyone much less Criterion releasing these inpenetrable films and expecting to recoup any money.

[justeleblanc]

Another bit of random speculation but Godard's NUMERO DEUX has become one of my favorite Godard's recently and one that I think would fit fairly well into the collection. It would also pair well with ICI ET AILLEURS in a similar fashion to how TOUT VA BIEN and LETTER TO JANE paired with each other.

I haven't seen COMMENT CA VA yet so I'm not sure if the three would make a decent trilogy or not, but as of now NUMERO DEUX and ICI ET AILLEURS would make a nice addition.

Comment Ca Va is almost unwatchable and this is coming from someone who thinks Godard is the greatest of directors. that said, it would fit in well with those other two films, however, I can't see anyone much less Criterion releasing these inpenetrable films and expecting to recoup any money.

I'm sure the disc would make money, maybe not much. I'm not sure if that would be the deciding factor though. I just figured NUMERO DEUX would be an interesting pick for Criterion since it is a reflexive (pun intended) analysis (same there) of the French New Wave. And I love the film's obsession with anal sex and shit. Come on, even SALO made money.

[domino harvey]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'D buy the set.

I've always thought Detective, Passion, and First Name: Carmen would make a good 80s Godard boxset.

[pzman84]

Breathless, Le Petit soldat, My Life to Live, Les Carabiniers, Pierrot le fou, Made in U.S.A., and Two or Three Things I Know About Her should all be released via Criterion before we get into Godard's 80s films.

[justeleblanc]

Breathless, Le Petit soldat, My Life to Live, Les Carabiniers, Pierrot le fou, Made in U.S.A., and Two or Three Things I Know About Her should all be released via Criterion before we get into Godard's 80s films.

As long as you mention Le Petit Soldat and Les Carabiniers, you might as well include La Chinoise and A Married Woman and just complete his first 15 films onto R1 DVD.

This is going completely off subject, but I really think Godard after the Dziga Vertov period is a much wiser and more honest Godard than his presence in the 1960s. I love the New Wave, but I don't think he really started working creatively until he started to work with Mieville. But true, I would rather see Criterion release Pierrot before Sauve qui peut.

[domino harvey]

Made in USA will never be released in the US because the author of the book it's based on refused to sell overseas (read: American) rights. shame since it's real good and as it is considered the twin film to Two or Three Things... it would make for an excellent dual release.

and Detective ranks with his best 60s work if you ask me.

[justeleblanc]

Made in USA will never be released in the US because the author of the book it's based on refused to sell overseas (read: American) rights.

IMO that's no loss.

[HerrSchreck]

This is totally random, as ever, but isn't it a good idea for CC to pay a little tribute to Scorsese? He's been active in quite some special features and Last temptation is a long time ago.

Of course I don't mean his big films, but there are plenty of really marvelous early shorts and docs that are unreleased and would be a marvelous addition. Especially Italianamerican and American Boy are greatly missed in our DVD dominated world. It would be a great opportunity to thank him for his efforts as director, but also for his exstensive contribution to the awareness of film history.

All these are moreover made outside the studiosystem and since all his other releases all pretty much have their 'definitive' release, it would be great for Criterion to jump on it.

just a thought....

I personally would love to see CC do the rest of the world a favor & bring TAXI DRIVER back into the fold, bringing back Scorcese's old LD commentary... but most importantly, truly utilize all the advantages of DVD over VHS & LD, which the current "special edition" certainly does not do (bitrates down in the 3's & 4's)

[Cinephrenic]

Made in USA will never be released in the US because the author of the book it's based on refused to sell overseas (read: American) rights

Obviously, nothing is "Made in USA" anymore.

[domino harvey]

Made in USA is a great film, justeleblanc.

[justeleblanc]

Made in USA is a great film, justeleblanc.

Of his first 15 films, it's his weakest punch. I've watched it twice and I don't think there's anything there.

[Anonymous]

This is totally random, as ever, but isn't it a good idea for CC to pay a little tribute to Scorsese? He's been active in quite some special features and Last temptation is a long time ago.

Of course I don't mean his big films, but there are plenty of really marvelous early shorts and docs that are unreleased and would be a marvelous addition. Especially Italianamerican and American Boy are greatly missed in our DVD dominated world. It would be a great opportunity to thank him for his efforts as director, but also for his exstensive contribution to the awareness of film history.

All these are moreover made outside the studiosystem and since all his other releases all pretty much have their 'definitive' release, it would be great for Criterion to jump on it.

just a thought....

I personally would love to see CC do the rest of the world a favor & bring TAXI DRIVER back into the fold, bringing back Scorcese's old LD commentary... but most importantly, truly utilize all the advantages of DVD over VHS & LD, which the current "special edition" certainly does not do (bitrates down in the 3's & 4's)

A new criterion Taxi Driver would be great (might actually be possible considering it doesnt look like Columbia has any intent on releasing an updated version of this)

[AZAI]

Not re-visiting is not a reason for columbia to drop the rights for this moneymaking classic (and they'll probably will revisit it with some sort of Ultimate Special Blu-ray/HD-DVD edition). Especially because we aren't talking about a classic for scholars and cinephiles, but a 'must have one in my big home theatre just like Scarface, because it is so cool' kinda classic. As long as it will continue to consistently make money over the years, Columbia won't drop it from it's back catalogue.
If there is any feature film of Scorsese that might be a very very remote possibility for Criterion it would be Ages of Innocence, because that is a truly neglected film in DVD land. But again, I'm not getting my hopes up for that.

His shorts are a much more realistic choice for CC, but I'm repeating myself here.

[pzman84]

Is it just me or did anyone else notice all the March films:

The Children Are Watching Us
Murmur of the Heart
Lacombe Lucien
Au revoir les enfants

Have something to do with kids?

[justeleblanc]

Is it just me or did anyone else notice all the March films:

The Children Are Watching Us
Murmur of the Heart
Lacombe Lucien
Au revoir les enfants

Have something to do with kids?

John Wayne Gacy was born in March.

[toiletduck!]

And was born a child.

-Toilet Dcuk