Criterion and Sony

[justeleblanc]

I'd love to see Ishtar as well!

[ryan11]

I'd love to see Ishtar as well!

You might be interested in listening to this recent discussion about Ishtar.

[jaredsap]

Great news about the contents of the Noir box set. =D> Especially looking forward to seeing The Sniper.

Jared, any news about when it will come out?

If you mean news I can share, no. But a date is pretty much set.

[ianungstad]

BTW, are there any plans for A Song to Remember, Nightwing, Two Rode Together, The Reckless Moment, and (are you ready for this?) Ishtar?

From emails with Michael Schlesinger at Sony, I'm 90% certain Max Ophul's The Reckless Moment is one of the titles licensed to Criterion. The reply Mike sent me when I asked about the film was sort of confusing. Either the film has been licensed to Criterion, or Columbia doesn't have the rights to the film anymore. Considering that it's screened a few times over the last few years courtesy of Columbia, I think Criterion would be the more likely answer. I'll have to see if I still have his email in my account but he basically said that Sony wasn't releasing the film on home video because they did not have the home video rights but to stay tuned for news regarding a DVD release, which is very similar to what he sent me a few weeks back about Repulsion.

[Jeff]

Sony indeed has the theatrical, but not home video, rights to The Reckless Moment. Still, a company that wanted access to decent elements would likely have to go through Sony, so his "stay tuned" comment is somewhat encouraging.

Jared, who does have the video rights? Is it PD?

[beamish13]

As promised, I queried Marilynne Robinson about "Housekeeping" on DVD. She said that she hadn't heard about any plans for it, and that she thought that it seemed unlikely in her estimation to ever be released. Let's hope that she just hasn't been contacted by Criterion yet for an interview.

[carax09]

As promised, I queried Marilynne Robinson about "Housekeeping" on DVD. She said that she hadn't heard about any plans for it, and that she thought that it seemed unlikely in her estimation to ever be released. Let's hope that she just hasn't been contacted by Criterion yet for an interview.

You should've put her in a headlock until she promised to release it!

[jaredsap]

Sony indeed has the theatrical, but not home video, rights to The Reckless Moment. Still, a company that wanted access to decent elements would likely have to go through Sony, so his "stay tuned" comment is somewhat encouraging.

Jared, who does have the video rights? Is it PD?

Sony has NO rights to THE RECKLESS MOMENT in the USA. They are owned by CBS. We do have beautiful prints and elements since we have all rights to most international territories, but if the film was ever licensed to Criterion, it would have nothing to do with Sony.

[Jeff]

Sony has NO rights to THE RECKLESS MOMENT in the USA. They are owned by CBS. We do have beautiful prints and elements since we have all rights to most international territories, but if the film was ever licensed to Criterion, it would have nothing to do with Sony.

Ah, that clears things up. When The Reckless Moment screened in Denver last year, this note was on my email invitation:

The Reckless Moment will be presented in a rarely screened 35mm print (big thanks to CBS Television and Sony Pictures for making that happen).

I suppose you guys just loaned the print and CBS licensed the rights for that screening.

I wonder if it is possible that Criterion has licensed it from Paramount, but Sony is letting Criterion restore their elements?

[jaredsap]

I suppose you guys just loaned the print and CBS licensed the rights for that screening.

Exactly. I constantly loan out our RECKLESS MOMENT prints for screenings that CBS has cleared the rights to. As far as I know, CBS doesn't have any prints themselves.

I wonder if it is possible that Criterion has licensed it from Paramount, but Sony is letting Criterion restore their elements?

The film has already been restored (I believe by Sony, but I can't say for certain). If Criterion licensed the film they wouldn't need to undertake any restoration.

I would not read anything into Mike's comments.

[HistoryProf]

I don't see _Gloria_ mentioned here...never too much Cassavetes and this is the one film Gena starred in that had some commercial success/appeal...one of my favorite movies as a kid and the reason why i'll always have a soft spot for Ms. Rowlands. She's a true queen of cinema that's never gotten her due imo. Would love to see this in the Criterion Collection!

So any chance this is in the works? any way to suggest it be?

I actually asked about Hardcore several months ago. Got a "No."

I want Blue Collar more, anyway.

What's the deal with Blue Collar? I would LOVE to see that get the Criterion treatment....Pryor, Keitel, and Kotto all in the collection in one fell swoop!

[Napier]

I do believe Keitel is already in the collection. As a Brooklyn accented Judas.

[Buttery Jeb]

I'm seeing a few mentions of a Sony "New Hollywood" box set, featuring films from Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider's BBS Productions, including "Easy Rider," "Five Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens," "The Last Picture Show" (again), "Drive He Said" and the Monkees' "Head." No word yet on specs or street date.

Wondering if this knocks all of these titles out of the running. "Easy Rider" and "Picture Show" are well-traversed titles already; but the Rafelson/Nicholson films would have been sweet Criterion fodder, and a Collection-endorsed version of "Head" (my favorite rock film of the '60s) would have been the best damn DVD news I've seen all year.

Jared, anything you can share with us on this would be most appreciated.

-BJ

[Tribe]

I do believe Keitel is already in the collection. As a Brooklyn accented Judas.

He's also in Bad Timing.

[jaredsap]

I'm seeing a few mentions of a Sony "New Hollywood" box set, featuring films from Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider's BBS Productions, including "Easy Rider," "Five Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens," "The Last Picture Show" (again), "Drive He Said" and the Monkees' "Head." No word yet on specs or street date.

Wondering if this knocks all of these titles out of the running. "Easy Rider" and "Picture Show" are well-traversed titles already; but the Rafelson/Nicholson films would have been sweet Criterion fodder, and a Collection-endorsed version of "Head" (my favorite rock film of the '60s) would have been the best damn DVD news I've seen all year.

Jared, anything you can share with us on this would be most appreciated.

Yes, this set is coming out from Sony. Thus none of the titles will be Criterion. But a lot of care has been put into the set -- including major new restorations! -- and it's nothing to scoff at.

[Ashirg]

Any extras on that boxed set?

[Buttery Jeb]

Yes, this set is coming out from Sony... But a lot of care has been put into the set -- including major new restorations! -- and it's nothing to scoff at.

Fair enough. The lack of immediate information made me concerned that this was just a repackaging of older releases with a few new films thrown in. Glad to hear it's not.

Much thanks for the quick response.

-BJ

[Arthur House]

I'm seeing a few mentions of a Sony "New Hollywood" box set, featuring films from Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider's BBS Productions, including "Easy Rider," "Five Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens," "The Last Picture Show" (again), "Drive He Said" and the Monkees' "Head." No word yet on specs or street date ...

Jared, anything you can share with us on this would be most appreciated.

Yes, this set is coming out from Sony. Thus none of the titles will be Criterion. But a lot of care has been put into the set -- including major new restorations! -- and it's nothing to scoff at.

Good news, but how does this set line-up with that Bogdanovich "Director's Choice" two-fer that just dropped? I ask because I was thinking of picking it up, but would rather not double-dip on "LPS." which I guess appears as a straight reissue w/"Nickelodeon" on the new set. Is this upcoming box going to have a better-looking version or perhaps the original cut?

[domino harvey]

I'm not sure what you mean by "straight reissue" but the LPS disc is a new one with new features

[Cronenfly]

The New Hollywood set is listed on Amazon (no release date); includes A Safe Place in addition to the other titles Jeb mentioned.

[jaredsap]

Any extras on that boxed set?

Yes.

Good news, but how does this set line-up with that Bogdanovich "Director's Choice" two-fer that just dropped? I ask because I was thinking of picking it up, but would rather not double-dip on "LPS." which I guess appears as a straight reissue w/"Nickelodeon" on the new set. Is this upcoming box going to have a better-looking version or perhaps the original cut?

As domino mentioned, the latest LAST PICTURE SHOW disc is new. It'll be the same one in the box.

[Arthur House]

I'm not sure what you mean by "straight reissue" but the LPS disc is a new one with new features

I meant that I thought the disc in the "Director's Choice" set was the old one reissued with the added bonus of "Nickelodeon" on an exclusive second disc (kind of like those Lionsgate Paramount discs where they pair two previously released semi-related films on a flipper with all the old menus/trailers/etc. ported over). Needless to say, I'm glad to be wrong.

PS to Jared: thanks for the confirmation.

[ianungstad]

I have not been able to get a confirmation on this from Mulvaney as of yet but I'm about 80% sure that Criterion is releasing Jason and the Argonauts. From talking to a source at Sony, there is a special edition of Jason in the works with the supplements from the CC laserdisc. I asked this source if Sony licensed the commentary and featurettes from Criterion, or if Sony licensed the film to Criterion. My source just said no comment and asked me not to post his emails on message boards. Mulvaney just seems to be ignoring my inquiries on the title. So, this is either coming from Criterion or as a special edition from Sony..but either way, it's nice that the Harryhausen/Bruce Eder commentary track and other goodies are going to see the light of day again. Just an interesting bi of speculation. I wouldn't make any assumptions until Mulvaney or someone else gives a definite answer.

[Cinephrenic]

I have not been able to get a confirmation on this from Mulvaney as of yet but I'm about 80% sure that Criterion is releasing Jason and the Argonauts. From talking to a source at Sony, there is a special edition of Jason in the works with the supplements from the CC laserdisc. I asked this source if Sony licensed the commentary and featurettes from Criterion, or if Sony licensed the film to Criterion. My source just said no comment and asked me not to post his emails on message boards. Mulvaney just seems to be ignoring my inquiries on the title. So, this is either coming from Criterion or as a special edition from Sony..but either way, it's nice that the Harryhausen/Bruce Eder commentary track and other goodies are going to see the light of day again. Just an interesting bi of speculation. I wouldn't make any assumptions until Mulvaney or someone else gives a definite answer.

I hope this holds out. This is such a fun loving film. I just read there a remake of Clash of the Titans is in the works.

[Tribe]

I have not been able to get a confirmation on this from Mulvaney as of yet but I'm about 80% sure that Criterion is releasing Jason and the Argonauts. From talking to a source at Sony, there is a special edition of Jason in the works with the supplements from the CC laserdisc. I asked this source if Sony licensed the commentary and featurettes from Criterion, or if Sony licensed the film to Criterion. My source just said no comment and asked me not to post his emails on message boards.

Dude, you come up with some of the best conjectures regarding future Criterion releases on a regular basis. This would be excellent news if it pans out.