Criterion Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol.2

[Antoine Doinel]

Despite all my bitching about the new design, if Criterion keeps up what they've done for the November releases, my head will be completely turned around on the matter. The covers across the board are gorgeous and perfectly compliment the new design perfectly. Wow.

[Cinesimilitude]

hey! sliding doors isn't THAT bad. I enjoyed it.

But yeah, definitely getting pandora's box and veronique.

[Jeff]

I like the Veronique cover - spit bubbles and all. I suppose some version of this image would have been more evocative though.

[godardslave]

need the pics in the thread

Cant decide if i like Pandora's Box or Not.
That usually means i will like it in about 1 week, once i get used to the cover.

[Jeff]

Despite all my bitching about the new design, if Criterion keeps up what they've done for the November releases, my head will be completely turned around on the matter. The covers across the board are gorgeous and perfectly compliment the new design perfectly. Wow.

Notice that they've now added a degree of translucency to the "Wacky C" on the Veronique cover. In my mind, that goes a long way towards making it more subtle.

[arsonfilms]

Maybe since they were punning on the title of Pandora's BOX, they also meant "book" to be interpreted loosely as yet another literary adaptation -- which The Fallen Idol is.
Unless, of course, they're still planning on issuing a coffee-table book, as other posters have predicted. Or perhaps all the extras haven't been listed yet and a real honest-to-goodness book is still coming.

Actually, I wasn't really even thinking about the newsletter. I was just thinking of how bitchin' it is that we might get three releases with substantial literary supplements. In fact, Fallen Idol makes mention of TWO books (even though press books are usually pamphlets, it might include the origianal short story).

[Cinephrenic]

New, restored high-definition digital transfer

A Sense of Carol Reed, a 2006 documentary featuring interviews with director Carol Reed's friends and collaborators Illustrated Reed filmography

Original press book

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

PLUS: A book featuring new essays by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien, author David Lodge, and Reed biographer Nicholas Wapshott

Either they were referring to the press book or Graham Greene in the newsletter.

[Jeff]

I'm reluctant to respond seeing as how there are four pages of discussion on this in the Newsletter thread, but I guess I'm a sucker.

If Cinephrenic's speculation is correct, then why would they say "coming this October?" Just a typo?

Also, I can't imagine that "book" refers to Greene, seeing as how The Fallen Idol is based on one short story ("The Basement Room") from the collection Twenty-One Stories. I don't suspect that it's the press book either, since calling those things a book is a stretch to say the least.

I suppose it's possible (though still unlikely) that "one book, one box" refers to the notion that all Criterion titles will be packaged with a separate book in a slipcase box as has been speculated elsewhere in this forum. Perhaps this policy would begin with the October titles. Still, I don't know what this would have to do with the "Janus Films: Fifty years, fifty films" campaign.

[dadaistnun]

They're V/W's magic marbles

Really more of a rubber ball; Weronika bounces one in a stone archway early in the film & the dust from the ceiling falls down on her face.



As far as a book is concerned, there's one out in France about the making of the film that looks like it a lot of behind the scenes photos as well as recent interviews with most of the cast & crew. I'm tempted to buy it (even thought my French doesn't extend beyond "merde"), but it sounds like the author may be working on getting an English translation done.

[tryavna]

Actually, I wasn't really even thinking about the newsletter. I was just thinking of how bitchin' it is that we might get three releases with substantial literary supplements. In fact, Fallen Idol makes mention of TWO books (even though press books are usually pamphlets, it might include the origianal short story).

Ah, gotcha! I misread your original post, but I certainly share your enthusiasm.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

I should have guessed that they would have chosen that to be the cover for Pandora's Box. I was hoping for something a little more imaginative, but the off-centering is a nice touch. In any case, I'm sure Criterion will be making a lot of coin with it. The Veronique cover is mediocre. The cover for that Carol Reed film is great!

[toiletduck!]

I love the 'wacky C' on Pandora's Box. It almost invokes a sense of negative space (the tab as well, to a lesser degree). The learning curve on a new design for these guys is quite impressive.

-Toilet Dcuk

[souvenir]

Not to nitpick, but does the Rohmer box (the one holding the discs and books) seem a little flimsy to anyone else? It's also a little too big with some empty space so maybe that's the problem instead of it being flimsy.

[godardslave]

you're nitpicking.

[fdm]

Dunno, since mine's not even been shipped yet, but I've never been much of a fan of cardboard packaging... (imho) too bad Criterion seems to have become so enamored with it. [I'll duck now, but that's how I feel about it.]

[Narshty]

They've altered the back covers now as well - in terms of layout they're all uniform which is a bit of a shame.

[Gigi M.]

I'm a reviewer at digitallyobsessed.com, and my review copy [of Seven Samurai] just arrived. Stay tuned.

How's the packaging?

[Jonny Pasadena]

Well, actually, the wife just called from home, and knew I'd be schoolgirl giddy to learn that it arrived in today's mail. I'll get a look this evening, and will report back.

[Matt]

Thumbs down on the Six Moral Tales box. Not only is it too wide (allowing the contents to slosh around inside), it's also too tall, allowing the same vertically as well as horizontally. The whole package now looks really sloppy.

[criterionsnob]

My Six Moral Tales box just arrived and I don't mind the extra space in the box. It allows you to get the tip of your finger in to slide out an individual title instead of having to tip the entire box over and slide everything out to get at what you need.

No damage to my box, which was shipped from Amazon.ca in a big box with lots of padding. The set looks great! Can't wait to dig in.

[Matt]

According to DVD Beaver, Amarcord is packaged in a "4-tired digipak inside cardboard box."

Gotta love those digi-paks!!!

And no, I have no idea what a "4-tired digipak" is.

[tavernier]

I'm a reviewer at digitallyobsessed.com, and my review copy [of Seven Samurai] just arrived. Stay tuned.

How's the packaging?

I know you love those digipaks, so you'll be happy (same with AMARCORD and PLAYTIME). =P~

[Gigi M.]

Thanks Tav, nice to see Playtime got the same treatment.

[Matt]

Thanks Tav, nice to see Playtime got the same treatment.

So I guess it's safe to say that every Criterion will be in a digipak from here on out. [-(

As much as I despise digipaks, it will certainly make spotting bootlegs easier.

[Gigi M.]

So I guess it's safe to say that every Criterion will be in a digipak from here on out. [-(

Do you have a problem with that sir?