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Posted: **Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:10 am**

Olive Films is scheduled to release it some time this year, I think before summer.

Posted: **Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:13 am**

SamLowry wrote: Lenny

That's a really great film and I hadn't thought about Criterion realeasing it. I hope they will.

Posted: **Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:47 am**

Darling is technically a Studio Canal film, so that isn't going to happen unfortunately. My Beautiful Launderette is a terrific film as is Prick Up Your Ears. Never cared for La Cage, or The Bird House. Blood Simple is Universal. I would also love to have seen Criterion puck up Women In Love.

Posted: **Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:23 pm**

The Loved One is an MGM production now controlled by Warners, whose fine 2006 DVD of the film is now OOP.

Posted: **Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:15 am**

I did a search on IMDB for MGM home video titles, though a few came up as being released by Warners (ie. The Loved One) on DVD on Amazon, though out of print now (possibly rights revert back?)

Darling was released on MGM dvd (censored version) in the US, which is still in print. IMDB states that Criterion has the home video rights (laserdisc) for the US....I would love to see a Criterion blu ray (w/ a restored original cut, nude scene/s intact).

I'd also love to see Criterion put out more British 50s - mid 60s stuff (Losey/Pinter/Richardson/Reisz...Small Back Room/Billy Liar/If... on Blu). I was a bit disappointed with the Basil Dearden set on Eclipse....I was hoping that Criterion might release Victim, League of Gentlemen & The Mindbenders on Blu Ray.

As for The Loved One, I had begged Criterion to put this out before Warner did (to no avail). The Warner DVD looks pretty good, but it's only 2 hrs (apparently there was a 3 hour Road show version at some point). Many cameos didn't make it into the version on the Warner's DVD (Jayne Mansfield, Ruth Gordon, ). Since it's now out of print, it would be nice (if Warner's lost the license) if Criterion finally picked it up.

More I'd really like:

Jesus Of Montreal
Prisoner Of The Mountains
Eat Drink Man Woman
Electra
Iphigenia
The Secret Of Santa Vittoria
Never On Sunday

Possibilities that don't move me as much:

Claire Denis' Chocolat
Louis Malle's May Fools
Flight Of The Innocent
Night Of The Shooting Stars
My Father's Glory/My Mother's Castle
Life & Nothing But

Posted: **Sun Apr 10, 2011 4:42 pm**

SamLowry wrote:I did a search on IMDB for MGM home video titles, though a few came up as being released by Warners (ie. The Loved One) on DVD on Amazon, though out of print now (possibly rights revert back?)

All pre-1986 MGM films are owned outright by Warner. This does not include the libraries of United Artists or other MGM/UA subsidiaries, only actual MGM films. Warner has not lost the rights to The Loved One, they have just chosen to take it out of print along with dozens of other titles. I wouldn't be surprised to see them reissue it through the archive at some point.

SamLowry wrote:Darling was released on MGM dvd (censored version) in the US, which is still in print. IMDB states that Criterion has the home video rights (laserdisc) for the US....I would love to see a Criterion blu ray (w/ a restored original cut, nude scene/s intact).

Darling was originally released by Avco/Embassy (later Embassy-Nelson). During the 80s and 90s they had their own home video label, and were later distributed in conjunction with New Line. Criterion handled the laserdisc versions of many of their films, and Embassy-Nelson distributed several Janus films on VHS in return.

StudioCanal bought the Avco/Embassy/Nelson library in the late 90s and signed a long-term distribution deal for that particular library with MGM at that time. Other prominent titles in this library include This is Spinal Tap, The Producers, The Graduate, Carnal Knowledge, and dozens of others. MGM has the right to distribute these in the U.S., but they don't have the right to sub-license them to Criterion.

SamLowry wrote:I'd also love to see Criterion put out more British 50s - mid 60s stuff (Losey/Pinter/Richardson/Reisz...Small Back Room/Billy Liar/If... on Blu). I was a bit disappointed with the Basil Dearden set on Eclipse....I was hoping that Criterion might release Victim, League of Gentlemen & The Mindbenders on Blu Ray.

I'd imagine that any future mainline releases of British films from that period will come out in Blu-ray. Small Back Room and Billy Liar aren't possibilities since they are StudioCanal properties that Criterion lost the rights to.

Posted: **Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:08 pm**

MoonlitKnight wrote:
Tom Hagen wrote:Perhaps some of the hesitation in picking up Truffauts and Bergmans from MGM is that Criterion already has plenty of unreleased films and Blu upgrades to do for both of them.
Indeed, Criterion's already sitting on like 9 or 10 Bergman titles (mostly from the 50s).

On the other hand it is a pity many of the MGM Truffauts have not be taken up by Criterion. They have issued a large number of Godards, a few Truffauts, and no Chabrol. I don't know if this reflects a personal preference of a high-ranking Criterion personnel, but I for one would like to see this corrected.

Posted: **Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:17 pm**

Derek Estes wrote:Darling is technically a Studio Canal film, so that isn't going to happen unfortunately. My Beautiful Launderette is a terrific film as is Prick Up Your Ears. Never cared for La Cage, or The Bird House. Blood Simple is Universal. I would also love to have seen Criterion puck up Women In Love.

BLOOD SIMPLE is MGM's now

Posted: **Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:58 pm**

Got this from thedigitalbits

LOS ANGELES, CA April 14, 2011 – MGM announced today that the company has renewed its worldwide Blu-ray Disc and DVD distribution pact with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment through 2016. As part of the new agreement, Fox will now oversee electronic-sell-through for MGM titles and will continue to handle MGM's vast and extensive movie and television library, as well as distribute several upcoming new release productions in the home entertainment market, including the next JAMES BOND film, set for global theatrical release on November 9, 2012."

"Twentieth Century Fox is a valued partner that has taken great care of the MGM library for many years with the highest degree of integrity," said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of MGM. "They are a tremendous asset to the studio as we look towards the future."

"MGM and UA have made enormous contributions throughout the history of film, and we're proud to be part of that legacy," said Fox Filmed Entertainment's chairmen and CEO's Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. "We're delighted that we are extending our partnership with the studio under the leadership of our friends Gary and Roger."

Twentieth Century Fox began managing MGM's international home video distribution in 1999. The flourishing partnership expanded in 2006 when MGM signed a worldwide distribution pact with Fox. Fox's home entertainment group has enhanced the MGM legacy by maximizing key franchises and legendary films from the library that include JAMES BOND, ROCKY and WEST SIDE STORY. Additionally, Fox leveraged MGM's deep catalog to offer a selection of never before released classic films and TV shows via CreateSpace's DVD On-Demand service.

"The MGM brand has become part of our DNA," said Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "We are privileged to handle this incredible library of acclaimed films, many that rank as the most commercially and critically successful films of all time."

Odd this news coming out after Sony announced they were distributing the next Bond movie.

Posted: **Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:09 am**

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Odd this news coming out after Sony announced they were distributing the next Bond movie.

Not really. Sony has theatrical distribution, Fox has video (via MGM). That's how it was for Quantum of Solace.

Posted: **Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:20 am**

Didn't know that, figured Sony did since Casino Royale was.

Posted: **Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:31 am**

Call it a pipe dream, but I really hope Criterion considers getting the rights back for Silence of the Lambs

Posted: **Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:32 pm**

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Didn't know that, figured Sony did since Casino Royale was.

Yeah, the whole history of how this has been arranged is odd.

In 2004-05 MGM partnered with Sony in both theatrical and video distribution. Out of this agreement came Rocky Balboa and Casino Royale.

Then in late 2006 / early 2007 MGM moved to Fox for video distribution. So Quantum of Solace was still co-produced and distributed theatrically by Sony/MGM, but released on video by MGM through Fox.

Posted: **Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:21 pm**

I like the Fox deal quite a bit, more out of nostalgia for all the UA titles that were on CBS/Fox VHS back in the day.

Posted: **Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:18 am**

SamLowry wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned a number of titles in their Avant Garde & World Cinema series.

+ Romeo Is Bleeding - a bit of a fave of mine due to my unhealthy obsession with Lena Olin, who's turn in Romeo is one of her best

Posted: **Sun Apr 17, 2011 3:08 pm**

That's certainly one glorious performance of calculated evil that Lena Olin gives in that film - it says something when Gary Oldman is playing only the second most deranged role in a film!

Since Criterion have a pre-existing relationship with Peter Medak (having issued The Ruling Class), I think this one would more than deserve a place in the Collection, even if just as an example of the 1990s neo-noir renaissance (although The Last Seduction is still the supreme example of that particular subgenre).

Posted: **Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:26 am**

Video in the vein of the Crash one I posted earlier, this time for Thunderbolt And Lightfoot. If Criterion got on this, my glee for some previous releases would pale in comparison. Doubtful any of Clint's films as a director would make it in, but all would be forgiven if this were included.

Posted: **Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:52 am**

Wouldn't mind it, but there are other more pressing Cimino's to be had (unfortunately, Lion's Gate owns one of them).

Posted: **Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:16 pm**

blackcauldron wrote:Is there any word on when, and if, MGM will still release to Criterion their masterpiece "Koyaanisqatsi"? I read that its director told an audience that Criterion would release it, but that was several years ago.

I was at a screening of "Koyaanisqatsi" in Uppsala, Sweden. I had a chance to ask Philip Glass about a Criterion release of the film. His laconic answer was "Eventually". Don't know how to interpret that, given the fact he wasn't answering any more questions.

Posted: **Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:54 pm**

Cold Bishop wrote:Wouldn't mind it, but there are other more pressing Cimino's to be had (unfortunately, Lion's Gate owns one of them).

Yes! I love Cimino's work. He's long overdue for some recognition. Criterion, please get out decent releases of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Deer Hunter, and Heaven's Gate! (Actually, it's rumored by reliable sources that Criterion is well underway with a special edition of Heaven's Gate. Woot!)

Posted: **Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:22 am**

jorgenlundmark wrote:I was at a screening of "Koyaanisqatsi" in Uppsala, Sweden. I had a chance to ask Philip Glass about a Criterion release of the film. His laconic answer was "Eventually".

Frustrated! Have been dreaming of a trilogy box set for years, even moreso on Blu now! I guess, "eventually" is better than "not happening" at least

Posted: **Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:39 pm**

daniel p wrote:Frustrated! Have been dreaming of a trilogy box set for years, even moreso on Blu now! I guess, "eventually" is better than "not happening" at least

Hopefully, they'll just release Reggio's entire filmography, since his only other film is Anima Mundi.

Posted: **Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:48 am**

Naqoyqatsi is also in production. It's a trilogy box. (Woot!!) Maybe it'll contain Reggio's other works, as well.

Posted: **Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:03 pm**

Has Criterion ever mentioned the possibility of Europa Europa? Or any Verhoeven (Flesh + Blood, Spetters, etc)?

Posted: **Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:03 pm**

Gary Gnu wrote:Naqoyqatsi is also in production. It's a trilogy box. (Woot!!) Maybe it'll contain Reggio's other works, as well.

I expect Naqoyqatsi will be included, but it's not licensed from MGM.

felipe wrote:Has Criterion ever mentioned the possibility of Europa Europa? Or any Verhoeven (Flesh + Blood, Spetters, etc)?

Criterion hasn't mentioned Europa Europa, but that doesn't mean it's not happening.

No Verhoeven.

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