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I can't find the answer on this forum, but does anyone know whether or not the Peter Watkins boxset is just a box of their standard DVD cases.

justeleblanc wrote:I can't find the answer on this forum, but does anyone know whether or not the Peter Watkins boxset is just a box of their standard DVD cases.

Bingo.

I have never quite understood the Kino/Criterion divide that seems to have built up over time. Both companies deserve to be appreciated by lovers of film. Both have their shortcomings; Kino sometimes disappoints with its transfers and Criterion does not always reach the lofty goals of its mission.
Years ago, I went to see movies at Facets even when its small, uncomfortable theatre felt like a stifling steam bath in the summer and an igloo in the winter. Ultimately, the film is the thing. In an ideal world, all transfers would be pristine and all outstanding films would see the light of day.
It is from this perspective that I react to jsteffe's comments above. I respect his defense of Criterion. But I question the need to marginalize Kino because of the "inherently limited market" of silent films and in the next breath laud Criterion for its risk-taking. You can't have it both ways. Taking risks includes issuing little-known works that deserve to be whisked from obscurity as well as better-known films that are not easily accessible. So I hope and wait to experience the visions of early Sternberg and Kim Ki Young, Borzage and Imamura and someone currently completely unknown to me. Any label that gives us the opportunity to fall under the spell of great (and not so great) works of art-- even, with considerable trepidation, Facets-- deserves some praise.

justeleblanc wrote:

What A Disgrace wrote:Fact: Milestone is the sweetest and most generous bunch of people in the history of the world.

Its a fact.

Fact: Milestone's tears cure cancer.

Probably as off-topic here as anywhere else, but the Borders store near me is closing and everything in stock is 40% off. I got I Am Cuba: Ultimate Edition for $27 and Killer of Sheep for $24. Sweet!

I've gotta give Milestone credit on I Am Cuba. The packaging is unwieldy and sticks out like a sore thumb on my shelf (and I'm kinda OCD about these things), but they really did go all-out on this release. Now I actually have to find the time to watch it all...

Upcoming releases:

Lost in Beijing - May 13

The Willow Tree - May 20

Belle toujours - June 3

Sunflower - June 10

justeleblanc wrote:I can't find the answer on this forum, but does anyone know whether or not the Peter Watkins boxset is just a box of their standard DVD cases.

Speaking of which, does anyone know if that Watkins box has already gone OOP? There's only one available on Amazon marketplace, which doesn't bode well. Good god, it was just released last year. I'm glad I got new copies of Hana-Bi, Weekend, and New Yorker's Bresson films before they went OOP. I know they're a small label, but couldn't they keep some of their most prominent films in circulation?

Bete_Noire wrote:Speaking of which, does anyone know if that Watkins box has already gone OOP? There's only one available on Amazon marketplace, which doesn't bode well. Good god, it was just released last year.

The set doesn't appear to be OOP. It can be had for $58.51 shipped from DVD Empire. Enter the code 1406277 to receive $8.00 off, bringing the total down to $50.51. The coupon expires on 5/12, although they have new coupons every couple of weeks.

Cash Flagg wrote:The set doesn't appear to be OOP. It can be had for $58.51 shipped from DVD Empire. Enter the code 1406277 to receive $8.00 off, bringing the total down to $50.51. The coupon expires on 5/12, although they have new coupons every couple of weeks.

I'm willing to bet some lurking jerks in this thread seized the opportunity to order the last two DVD Empire had in stock. Guess we'll have to see if they receive more.

DVDEmpire is not the only source for a decent deal on the Watkins set. I ordered it a couple of weeks ago from Barnes and Noble with one their frequent coupons for $43. It shipped in 3 days. It was listed as a "usually ships within 2-3 days" item when I ordered it. That is what it currently states.

Are the other Bresson titles out of print? I thought L'argent was the only one not in print. Michael's Movie Mayhem is usually up to date and it does not list any others as discontinued. I noticed over the years that New Yorker titles dry up on several sites. They usually restock. This happened recently with La Belle noiseuse. It was out of stock on five or six major sites for at least two weeks before it became widely available again.

New Yorker's response to a question about Celie and Julie Go Boating:

Thanks for your e-mail. As of yet we don’t have a release date.

How did you get a response? They never respond to me.

Celine and Julie is among my favorite films, but I'm surprised that many forum members often voice such strong anticipation for the New Yorker release when there's been a very good BFI release for going on two years. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just curious: is it mostly for the new Rivette interview?

justeleblanc wrote:How did you get a response? They never respond to me.

A friend of a friend of a friend...

Gregory wrote:Celine and Julie is among my favorite films, but I'm surprised that many forum members often voice such strong anticipation for the New Yorker release when there's been a very good BFI release for going on two years. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just curious: is it mostly for the new Rivette interview?

I own the BFI as well, but I'm mainly looking forward to the Rosenbaum commentary and his interview with Rivette. I would also finally be able to watch this at friends houses, in hopes of converting more people into Rivette-heads.

I find the BFI release rather disappointing. I don't think it looks quite as good as the French DVD -- and it's extras are pretty paltry in comparison as well.

justeleblanc wrote:

Gregory wrote:Celine and Julie is among my favorite films, but I'm surprised that many forum members often voice such strong anticipation for the New Yorker release when there's been a very good BFI release for going on two years. I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just curious: is it mostly for the new Rivette interview?

I own the BFI as well, but I'm mainly looking forward to the Rosenbaum commentary and his interview with Rivette. I would also finally be able to watch this at friends houses, in hopes of converting more people into Rivette-heads.

A Rosenbaum commentary? Did I read that right?

Sorry, waiting to see if there will be a Rosenbaum commentary. It's plausible but just a guess.

justeleblanc wrote:Sorry, waiting to see if there will be a Rosenbaum commentary. It's plausible but just a guess.

Having just rented the BFI I've been meaning to pick it up, but should New Yorker come up trumps with a Rosenbaum commentary it'll be a no brainer! Have New Yorker communicated anything in respect of the release?

Its been confirmed that Rosenbaum is working on their DVD release. Specifically, they've said it will include an interview between Rosenbaum and Rivette, though my assumption is that Rosenbaum will do more with the disc than simply ask questions. A video intro, a commentary, a new essay, are all possibilities.

Has Godard's Week End gone OOP?

Tom Hagen wrote:Has Godard's Week End gone OOP?

Holy shit. And I just bought it dirt cheap like two months ago or something.

Tom Hagen wrote:Has Godard's Week End gone OOP?

Maybe now someone can release a new version that corrects New Yorker's incorrect correction.

Looks OOP to me.

It really bothers me that New Yorker enjoys pulling most of their art-house titles out of print and then offers no customer service as to why they have gone out of print. No email responses. Nothing.

It would also be nice to know what their plan is with much of their catalog. They really need to start licensing out their titles to companies willing to take care of their films if they plan on having any sort of business model on home video.

Tom Hagen wrote:Has Godard's Week End gone OOP?

Motherfucker! (Not you, Tom--my ire is directed at New Yorker.)

I nearly bought it, but then re-read the NY Times review when it came out. I guess I'll be picking up the Artificial Eye, even though it doesn't have the commentary track (of course, it doesn't have the other issues associated with a lazy PAL-->NTSC port, either...)

Did Moses und Aron ever receive the New Yorker DVD release that was rumored at one point in time (seems like a year ago, now)?