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I love the Breathless cover. I wish the wacky C wasn't intruding on part of Godard's name, but you can't have everything. I think it's really stylish and reminds me of the textual play that Godard seems to enjoy doing.

There's no way they could have gone with a still from the film; every iconic image from that film has been used to death.

This is what I was thinking; the Breathless cover is a ballsy choice (especially going vertical) and I kind of like the idea of it, but perhaps it would have been more appropriate for another film. I honestly was expecting something very similar to the previous cover, with the image of Belmondo and Seberg walking down the street. I love the font choice, so at least it's not a complete wash.

Under The Volcano looks too "Photoshop-y" to me, and Mala Noche doesn't really stand out at all. However, I'm really looking forward to seeing both films.

justeleblanc wrote:the godard looks like the book cover for GODARD on GODARD.... alittle.

A little. In that they both have words on them.

I guess if there is anything that we can be thankful for, it's that they didn't use this image. (And that they refrained, as usual, from using original poster art for Under the Volcano. Eeeesh.)

Disappointed in the Breathless cover. The rest are decent.

The Breathless cover looks like a car's licence plate perhaps as a reference to Michel's stealing of cars.

They can always throw Godard and the strip of celluloid on the back!

justeleblanc wrote:the godard looks like the book cover for GODARD on GODARD.... alittle.

And not dissimilar to the French DVD cover for "Histoire(s)".

EDIT: why did I feel inclined to phrase that as "not dissimilar"? Something about things Godard(ian) calling out for (pre)post-structuralist evasion, use of the double negative to obscure meaning or suggest some less-than-apparent depth, or merely to signify hesitation on my part to contend forthrightly? All of the above, most likely.

patrick wrote:Under The Volcano looks too "Photoshop-y" to me

And so it should since I bet that's what they created them in.

Well, of course they probably used Photoshop to create it, but I'm objecting more to the overuse of filters/effects on it that makes the whole thing look too "artificial." I know I'm being a bit obtuse (probably because I'm horrible at using Photoshop).

I must say that I am disappointed with the Breathless artwork. I think they should have commissioned some new original artwork. It's not very good but I think I prefer this artwork.

EDIT: Actually I hate the linked artwork. But I stand by specially commissioned artwork, just not this.

I know the starkness of a two panel compilation can feel like amateur hour, but I think the harsh division of UNDER THE VOLCANO is pretty effective. Bold and creepy.

That said, its shrouded-in-blackness look (see also: F FOR FAKE, HOUSE OF GAMES) does tend to yell Photoshop.

I really like the latest covers. The split between Finney and the skeleton that seems, with the Mexican setting, to suggest a day of the dead theme as well as being the obvious foreshadowing of the main character's death (I like the comparison of the dark glasses with the empty eyesockets of the skull). Not knowing anything about the film does this festival come up at any point?

It seems that the October release of the disc is just in time for the festival!

The Mala Noche cover feels a little like Flesh For Frankenstein - an objectifying feel of splitting an object of desire into the best bits! I like the way that the 'M' in Mala is sort of cuddling up to the crook of the guy's neck and the final 'E' in Noche is hooking around the nipple! (A call back, or forward, to the use of the nipple clamps in Idaho? )

Just a pity about the Breathless cover. Don`t really like the red on the left side of the cover as well as the wacky C intruding in Godard`s name. Hope they change the color of it...

But hey, I`ve been waiting too long for a Criterion release of this that I won`t let that spoil this great news.

The Breathless cover seems a perfect match to Godard's reflexive credits and overall emphasis on words, both spoken and onscreen - though that emphasis crops up in later releases like My Life to Live and Band of Outsiders.

The Mala Noche cover reminds me too much of the Night on Earth cover, which I also found uninspired. It's like Criterion has developed a standard "American indie director" template that applies to Jarmusch, Van Sant, and god only knows who else...

Breathless cover... ballsy, perhaps, but ultimately foolish. Much too standoffish a facade for one of the most inviting and charming art films ever. I can't imagine it drawing the interest of anyone not already in-the-know. I don't buy any of the conceptual justifications, either.

I bet we'll see a new cover before this hits the shelves.

duane hall wrote:I don't buy any of the conceptual justifications, either.

me either. there's a way to make a statement with a cover and have it still be a cover, this "experiment" isn't anything at all

colinr0380 wrote:Not knowing anything about the film does this festival come up at any point?

Absolutely! Under the Volcano takes place over the course of a single day. That day? The Day of the Dead (my birthday, in fact).

too bad it falls on a Thursday this year, would've been a great release date

I quite like the Breathless cover, though I was anticipating something entirely different. I agree that they did go a bit overboard with the Photoshop effects on Under the Volcano. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with Days of Heaven. Still, this is the most exciting month of releases for me.

While I do like the Under the Volcano cover, I can't help but think it would be better if they got rid of the skull and just had Finney's mug take up the whole cover. I find his visage far more eye-grabbing an image than the wacky Day of the Dead decoration. Not to mention that this kind of cover (close-up of lead actor/actress split-screened with some other image) is becoming something of a habit for Criterion (Sweetie and Clean Shaven had the same deal) of late.

CSM126 wrote:Not to mention that this kind of cover (close-up of lead actor/actress split-screened with some other image) is becoming something of a habit for Criterion (Sweetie and Clean Shaven had the same deal) of late.

but then Eric Skillman mentions in his blog:

These also fall into the category of what seems to be a nervous design tick for me, the split 'em down the middle comps

.

I agree that an original illustration (paging Caitlin Kuhwald ) would have been the best way to go for Breathless. Barring that, this poster (which has been mentioned here previously) has not been used to death, and could have turned out very well. I'm not sure what they were going for here. It was certainly a ballsy move, but I can't help but be disappointed. If Eric Skillman is responsible, I'll be very curious to hear his thought process about this one on the blog.

I like Under the Volcano fine, though I too am tired of the two-panel images. The shot of Finney with the dark shades is iconic to the film, so I can see why they wanted to go with it. A version of it was used on the VHS cover. Perhaps the dimensions of that still made them feel they had to fill the space with something else at the bottom. It's a shame they couldn't just license this image from the Penguin Modern Classics book cover.

I'm surely setting myself up for disappointment with my expectations for the Days of Heaven cover. There is so much potential for greatness there.

I can't complain about any of the art though. Other than the The Miracle of Ace in the Hole, this is the most exciting month of Criterion releases in years for me.

LightBulbFilm wrote:I absolutely hate these damned figure-8 packs. I miss the old days.

Those ****ing cases put cracks in both discs of Phantom India. Pass it on.

Also, if they foul up the Days of Heaven cover I am going to kick them right in the Wacky C.

(Note: I don't mind the Breathless cover so much, but my favorite version is the French Gaumont/Columbia.)

agnamaracs wrote:

LightBulbFilm wrote:I absolutely hate these damned figure-8 packs. I miss the old days.

Those ****ing cases put cracks in both discs of Phantom India. Pass it on.

Also, if they foul up the Days of Heaven cover I am going to kick them right in the Wacky C.

(Note: I don't mind the Breathless cover so much, but my favorite version is the French Gaumont/Columbia.)

I am now scared to remove my Phantom India discs.