criterionforum.org

Coming November 26ht
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON (1989)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Adrian Martin
• The Making of Mountains of the Moon
• Theatrical Trailer
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

REVENGE OF THE ZOMBIES (1943)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver and Gary D. Rhodes
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

NO. 1 OF THE SECRET SERVICE (1977)
• Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the InterPositive
• NEW Audio Commentary by Alan Spencer, Creator of Sledge Hammer
• Interview with Editor John Luton
• Video Essay by Filmmaker/Historian Chris O'Neill
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

I’ve seen all of these and they’re not very good— Kino Lorber isn’t even releasing the only entry that rises to the level of okay, Curtiz’ the Kennel Murder Case

Just watched The Canary Murder Case... ugh. I can't believe Paramount actually released it in this state to theaters. A mediocre
last minute silent to sound transition film. The silent footage is clumsily edited into the re-shot sound footage, which has all the actors
saying their lines with a pause in between sentences just in case the microphone didn't pick them up. Louise Brooks looks luminous in the
close-ups until her poorly dubbed voice (by another actress) starts talking. Jean Arthur is completely wasted in just a couple of scenes,
and frankly Philo Vance's 'solution' to the mystery has so many lapses in logic (including a completely unnecessary ploy to catch the murderer
which seems to have been added just to pad out the running time) that I actually hoped he would be proven wrong. I read somewhere that
William Powell hated playing Philo Vance in these early films because all he was required to do was stand around and 'look thoughtful.'
Myrna Loy is sorely needed here.

dwk wrote: Tue Oct 01, 2024 3:57 pm Coming November 26ht
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON (1989)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Adrian Martin
• The Making of Mountains of the Moon
• Theatrical Trailer
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

REVENGE OF THE ZOMBIES (1943)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver and Gary D. Rhodes
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

NO. 1 OF THE SECRET SERVICE (1977)
• Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the InterPositive
• NEW Audio Commentary by Alan Spencer, Creator of Sledge Hammer
• Interview with Editor John Luton
• Video Essay by Filmmaker/Historian Chris O'Neill
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

Mountains of the Moon is such a gem. I can’t believe how neglected it was back in 1990

JSC wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2024 6:23 pmThe silent footage is clumsily edited into the re-shot sound footage, which has all the actors
saying their lines with a pause in between sentences just in case the microphone didn't pick them up.

This was done in the (very) early period of the talkies because studios were concerned about the fidelity of the soundtrack — dialogue might be incomprehensible if it weren't spoken slowly and with pauses between lines. An additional factor is that playback /amplification systems in theaters newly outfitted for talkies often had severe limitations that a quality home video transfer (thankfully) doesn't replicate.

Today’s announcement is the Stallone disaster movie Daylight on UHD

A film whose trailer I think about roughly 50% of the times I drive through the Holland Tunnel.

I saw it when it came out, and I’m pretty sure it was the first disaster movie I ever saw (and that I only saw it because it was the only non-R rated movie playing that weekend). And even without the reference points of both better and worse examples that came before it, a thirteen year old kid could recognize it was a pretty tired movie. Though looking at the credits now I’m realizing the Viggo Mortensen must have played the cocky rock climber, and Claire Bloom must have been half of the elderly couple. Those names would have meant nothing to me then, of course, but it is kinda light on star power for a movie like this (I mean, Dan Hedaya and Judging Amy are in it too, but we’re a long way from Fred Astaire and Jennifer Jones getting eighth billed)

I saw it again a few years ago and found it surprisingly effective. Stallone in particular nearly plays against type as someone without a macho or commanding attitude, who uses patience and understanding rather than bullishness to get people to safety. I appreciated that, plus the solid craftsmanship and excellent FX. One of the best of that crop of late 90s disaster flicks.

I have to say, when going through the KLSC sale I sorted by 4Ks first and...man this label has really gotten to the trenches on what to put out, I hate to say it. there's still been good releases, but after a very strong list of titles initially from MGM (via Criterion) and Paramount, it has gotten rough quick. as has the quality, judging from the 4K threads

domino harvey wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:23 pm Today’s announcement is the Stallone disaster movie Daylight on UHD

I would be curious about revisiting this one some time since I remember quite liking it back in the day, and I only have a pre-recorded VHS tape of it in my collection at the moment, albeit a widescreen one! I would be curious about how the special effects /CGI might stand up though!

domino harvey wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 7:59 pm Though looking at the credits now I’m realizing the Viggo Mortensen must have played the cocky rock climber, and Claire Bloom must have been half of the elderly couple. Those names would have meant nothing to me then, of course, but it is kinda light on star power for a movie like this (I mean, Dan Hedaya and Judging Amy are in it too, but we’re a long way from Fred Astaire and Jennifer Jones getting eighth billed)

Without going back to check, yes Mortensen was I think playing a character who was a multi-millionaire with a Texan drawl and smooth relaxed demenour who seems to have everything under control and all of the resources one would wish for to escape such a situation... until he doesn't (a modern remake of this would have to have him as an Elon Musk-type, confident in the qualities of his electric car to survive the floodwaters before it ironically electrocutes him, or something like that!). Despite his not being a star name, the film may also be playing off of Mortensen's (over?) handsomeness and chiselled features as the guy we can all look up to and admire as well, which I wonder whether it was a kind of a very fast response to the (over?) handsome, but not quite yet a full film star, George Clooney being an action hero in ER around the same time.

So I think his character was being used as a bait and switch one as the 'perfect' hero who gets casually offhandedly bumped off (another example was the bait and switch between Steven Seagal and Kurt Russell in Executive Decision from the same year), leaving as Mr Sausage notes the more quiet and less flashy Stallone dad character to have to step up to the plate and instead of having all the superficial traits of a hero, actually having to grow into one through adversity. How successfully (or even at all) that idea comes across in a film where it is inevitable that Sylvester Stallone is the big star who will obviously be the main character throughout (with an optional sacrificial death at the very end being the only possibility), and with all the advertising screaming out "STALLONE" in a font inextricably tied together with the title(!), is debatable though!

(I also wonder if it is a low key continuance of a theme from Stallone's previous Cliffhanger, which was more specifically about someone initially traumatised by having all the skills and experience but still being unable to save someone in the opening, but which trauma is something that underpins the main character's motivations throughout the rest of the film)

Drucker wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:42 pm A film whose trailer I think about roughly 50% of the times I drive through the Holland Tunnel.

The film was something that came to my mind when hearing about those horrific reports of flooding in China, where people filmed themselves inescapably trapped in tunnels, which is a new development that any modern film would have to factor in. But what a bad way to go.

Dante's Peak UHD was today's announcement

Drucker wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:42 pmA film whose trailer I think about roughly 50% of the times I drive through the Holland Tunnel.

I still think about the science knowledge it imparts about electricity and rubber

dwk wrote: Sun Oct 06, 2024 3:26 pm Dante's Peak UHD was today's announcement

Another film with a grouchy older actress in a supporting role! Although the ur-mother of all these have to be Betty White's late period 'badass' roles in Hard Rain and Lake Placid.

December 3rd
The Train (1964) 60th Anniversary - Same Disc as Disc 2 of the 2023 UHD release
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) 50th Anniversary - Same Disc as Disc 2 of the 2022 UHD release

December 10th
Hatari (1962) 4KUHD Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master
Pray for Death (1985)
Rage of Honor (1986)
Rambling Rose (1991)
The Beast Within (1982) Kino Cult #22

December 17th
Snake Eyes (1998) 4KUHD Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master
Internal Affairs (1990) 4KUHD Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master
Cherry 2000 (1987)
Miracle Mile (1988)
Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023)
Monte Walsh (1970) BD Re-Release
Shout at the Devil (1976)
The Killer is Loose (1956)
The Claim (2000)
Blood and Lace (1971) Kino Cult #23
For Love or Money (1963)
The Ballad of Josie (1968)

Recently added on 10/4/24 to the "While Supplies Last" sale list:

The Appaloosa (1966)
The Champagne Murders (1967)
Death Takes a Holiday (1934)
Desert Fury (1947)
Female on the Beach (1955) - Was just added, but already showing up without a link for purchase, so may already be OOP
The Flame of New Orleans (1941)
Foxfire (1955)
The General Died at Dawn (1936)
The Gingerbread Man (1998)
The Good Fairy (1935)
The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972)
The House of the Seven Gables (1940)
Iceman (1984)
The Interpreter (2005)
Madame X (1966)
Man Without a Star (1955)
The Midnight Man (1974)
Newman's Law (1974)
The Strange Door (1951)
Thunder Bay (1953)

More OOP based on previously being in the "While Supplies Last" sale and now no longer appearing on the website:

4D Man (1958) (DVD still available)
Candy (1968)
Tentacles (1977)
Who? (1974)

I haven't had a chance to check the list for a couple weeks, so some of these may have been known to be OOP already.

Thanks for sharing these!

Highly recommend (again) the General Died at Dawn, that should be first priority. The Good Fairy is excellent as well. The French version of the Chabrol is superior but not included on Champagne Murders but it’s not like anyone else is going to put this out. Desert Fury is good and very, very gay. House of Seven Gables (isn’t this Fox?) and Death Takes a Holiday are ZZZZZZ. I’ve also seen the Appaloosa, the Interpreter, Man Without a Star, the Gingerbread Man, and Madame X but don’t remember anything about them, so let’s call that a good sign that I don’t need them

This prodded me into finally picking up Female on the Beach, which is an enjoyable, small scale late period Joan Crawford noir that mainly exists for stud shots of Jeff Chandler - Letterboxd tells me it’s actually on Criterion Channel right now if anyone wants to test drive. It’s still in stock on Amazon and BN at half off, so it’s okay if it’s gone from KL right now. Snatched up Thunder Bay too, an exceedingly minor Mann/Stewart collab but the completist in me says hi

Coppola to Kino: Drop Dead, Lost in Translation UHD cancelled.

dwk wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:41 pm Coppola to Kino: Drop Dead, Lost in Translation UHD cancelled.

I would wager this is another Lost Highway scenario...

EDIT: a better comparison would be One False Move

Babe 4K announced. I don’t get it, isn’t the whole selling point behind this label putting out films the studios wouldn’t touch? Am I supposed to believe Universal wouldn’t put out Babe?

I, for one, am looking forward to the Babe UHD release getting cancelled in 2027.

I’d love to know if George Miller’s original cut of Babe: Pig in the City still exists

beamish14 wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2024 6:44 pm I’d love to know if George Miller’s original cut of Babe: Pig in the City still exists

I assume that will be announced tomorrow. Was really hoping for an Arrow release bundling the two films together.

Babe: Pig in the City UHS is today's announcement.

beamish14 wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2024 6:44 pm I’d love to know if George Miller’s original cut of Babe: Pig in the City still exists

I’d never heard about this and I find it hard to imagine, for what’s already the most George Miller movie (and likely my favorite).

If my memory is correct, I think the original cut was much darker and PG-13 and he had to cut it down?