Criterion Random Speculation Vol.4

[domino harvey]

since i already have 2 versions vivre se vie, i will just have to take domino harvey's word. however, the only issue i was addressing was the availability of where a dvd copy of vivre se vie could be purchased. if the discussion was about who gives good commentary, then i would have mentioned those comments in the designated forum/chat. but, nonetheless, i appreciate, as always, domino harvey's "EXPERT OPINION" since DH knows the most about anything and everything...

There are like dozens of the Australian DVDs available on eBay at any given moment. As for the rest of your post, feel free to cross-post your comments Up Your Ass.

[Dante Vescio]

Is White Dog showing up in Criterion.com this month or in May?

[CSM126]

How would we know?

[Dante Vescio]

I'm only asking for opinions.

[Cinephrenic]

I'm only asking for opinions.

You asked if White Dog is showing up this month or in May. Not much of an opinion, but a question. However, in my opinion, they should release this in July.

[domino harvey]

In my opinion, some dogs are cool

[a.khan]

Sorry if I'm repeating an earlier question; but is there any chance we could see Egoyan in the Criterion Collection? I know he's well represented on DVD, but if "Exotica" can ever make it to the collection, then that would be fantastic. It's his best film, IMHO.

[What A Disgrace]

In my opinion...leggo-yan my Egoyan.

[criterionaficionado]

i do hope white dog does come in july from CC.

NOW TO ADDRESS AN EARLIER POST -- Domino Harvey, i didn't mean to touch a nerve so i do apologize. I was just joking. as for david hare, i was actually just commenting on where you could get a copy of vivre se vie on dvd because that is what i perceived you might have been interested in.

[criterionaficionado]

david hare, i know about those stupid dvd's already you idiot and where to purchase them. if your brain was strong enough, you could see that i was actually sticking up for you pal!!!

thanks for the VALID info but i am not in the market for vivre se vie, i thought you were. i didn't imply that you are an idiot, that is at least until now (lol).

now, can we stick to movies? by the way, i agree about your assessment on commentaries for the most part.

perhaps this has been addressed already so i apologize ahead of time. has there been any mention of why criterion has not put out a boxset for godard films similar to the truffaut boxset?

take care.

[criterionaficionado]

I have to say i am very impressed with your knowledge and right assumptions on the fact that we are getting as you put it "top grade transfers light years ahead of R1."

I knew deep down we were not going to get a boxset of godard a la truffaut from criterion so it was just wishful thinking on my part.

I am looking forward to getting White Dog, although i suspect it might not come out until this fall and possibly next year, say 1/09 (just a hunch).

The guy maddin release mentioned in the 3/08 CC newsletter sounds exciting, although what would really wet my appetite would be a silent boxset composed of; greed, big parade, the crowd, docks of new york and wedding march - of course that is just fantasy on my end so i am not delusional (that assertion has been questioned as well). just food for thought.

[Jeff]

I read somewhere that Criterion picked up a bunch of Paramount titles like White Dog and Wise Blood. Has anyone heard/read anything about Criterion possibly giving us The Friends of Eddie Coyle? What are the chances they would if they haven't already picked it up?

Criterion has acquired a block of Paramount titles. We have a thread regarding those titles, and I recently compiled this list of the known and suspected Paramount-licensed films. Eddie Coyle has been rumored by a couple of sources, but has yet to be confirmed by Criterion.

Criterion does have the rights to Wise Blood, but it is not licensed from Paramount. Janus acquired the distribution rights to Michael Fitzgerald's Ithaca Films, making Criterion the DVD distributor.

[kaujot]

How about Pinter's Betrayal? Anyone have any info on the status of that one?

[Rupert Pupkin]

generally the August/Summer batch of new Criterion is around a kind of theme of independent cinema and/or cult rare movie discovery - I remember the batch with Clean/Shaven, Bad Timing, etc..., and last year Sweet Movie...

I'm a huge fan of Nicolas Roeg's movies, and would like to know if there are some hints of a 16/9-anamorphic reissue of Walkabout (perhaps in the last Criterion newsletter ?) and how about the Criterion release of Insignificance (I think that it has been announced, but not totally confirmed) ? any info about Insignificance to be released on Criterion (I have the UK transfer on DVD but it sucks. The only good think is that it's an open-matte transfer, so that when Criterion will release it in the good ratio there will still be an interest to keep the UK DVD)

[miless]

Walkabout is due for a reissue (and Criterion would most definitely take advantage of having Roeg in the offices for Insignificance)

Insignificance was one of four titles that were announced by Image a while back. the other titles were The Hit, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and the already released The Last Emperor. it will probably come out in the next year, but Criterion have been known to sit on titles for vast periods of time (although they are probably being pushed to release these by Image).

[glaswegian tome]

I asked about Walkabout a few months ago. Tamara said no at the time, but maybe now.....

[Stefan Andersson]

Re: those von Sternbergs that CC may have licensed from Paramount. Wouldn´t it be very appropriate if CC also licensed the 3-4 minutes of THE CASE OF LENA SMITH they found recently in a Japanese antique shop? There was a whole book published about it.

OK, I know, no extras for Eclipse, but if CC worked with the people behind the book it might count as one title more, even if only as a fragment + stills, scholarly commentary etc. A sort of primer for the whole film/book about the film. Opinions?

[justeleblanc]

An email from Tamara confirms that yes, Criterion will be releasing Kaurismaki in the future. What and when is unknown.

[backstreetsbackalright]

An email from Tamara confirms that yes, Criterion will be releasing Kaurismaki in the future. What and when is unknown.

Wow, that's a very welcome change of tune! How was the verbiage on this one?

[justeleblanc]

An email from Tamara confirms that yes, Criterion will be releasing Kaurismaki in the future. What and when is unknown.

Wow, that's a very welcome change of tune! How was the verbiage on this one?

"We are planning to release some of those, but as far as I know a specific street date hasn't yet been scheduled"

Also, Wajda's Danton is coming as well.

[criterionaficionado]

I welcome the arrival of both kaurismaki as well as danton to CC.
where if i may ask did you LEARN this last piece of exciting news regarding danton?
I tell you what else they need to start working on...the mother and the whore (eustache) ASAP. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! of course the rights to this film continue to be a never ending battle as this (and other great pics) wander in space it seems.

[domino harvey]

New Yorker has the rights, and with their schedule of releasing two movies a year on DVD, I think we can all look forward to a lovely release of the film in 2113. It's academy ratio so those with access to ILL should just request the double-tape New Yorker VHS to tide you over.

[Cronenfly]

New Yorker has the rights, and with their schedule of releasing two movies a year on DVD, I think we can all look forward to a lovely release of the film in 2113. It's academy ratio so those with access to ILL should just request the double-tape New Yorker VHS to tide you over.

Is it possible that the rights to this, Celine and Julie Go Boating, Cruel Story of Youth, The Sun's Burial, My Dinner with Andre, 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her (the latter two already strongly rumoured), and other unreleased on DVD New Yorker titles could be acquired by Criterion, a la Woman in the Dunes, Tokyo Story, Tout Va Bien, The Lovers, La Jetee/Sans Soleil, Koko, Pickpocket, The End of Summer, Le Samourai, etc? I remember Criterion mentioning somewhere that they had to pay out a lot to get the rights to Le Samourai (a former New Yorker property, I believe), so I'm guessing that money is the issue (surprise, surprise) with a lot of the unreleased NY titles Criterion could potentially license. As David said, if Criterion wants a title to happen badly enough, it will. Someone lean on Noah Baumbach to flex some muscle around Criterion, please...I think I'm regurgitating another forum member's plea, but I can't think of anyone better to help The Mother and the Whore to happen.

[justeleblanc]

I can see a company like Project X sitting down and releasing New Yorker's Eustache catalog at some point, but I imagine both companies would have to do some clever budgeting (and hope for high selling DVD) in order to fund the undertaking. Unfortunately, I doubt the Peter Watkins discs were money makers, despite the time and energy donated to them.

Danton came from my same reliable sources.