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jaredsap wrote:

HerrSchreck wrote:Just this incomplete list of janus titles should put to bed the notion that the fact of Janus right-holding/distribution creates the probability of a CC release.

Virtually all the major titles on this list are out in Criterion editions.

Um - not true. Where're my Criterion editions of such classics as Enter Hamlet, Bariera, and Nurse on Wheels?

(Where the hell did Janus get those movies anyway? They all have less than 100 votes on imdb)

jaredsap wrote:

HerrSchreck wrote:Just this incomplete list of janus titles should put to bed the notion that the fact of Janus right-holding/distribution creates the probability of a CC release.

Virtually all the major titles on this list are out in Criterion editions. Of course Janus distributing a new print of a major title creates the probability of an eventual CC release. We all know Janus owns more titles than they know what to do with (hence Eclipse). But when you see a new Janus print of e.g. JEANNE DIELMAN show up, it's a no-brainer. Ditto DILLINGER IS DEAD.

I don't know what list you're looking at, but I got up to just before #80 on the list and counted about 40 not in CC's.. and stopped because the excercise was just tedious. "Major" is a subjective qualifier, my statement is simply, having your film distributed by Janus does not guarantee a CC edtition, and I can't see how you could read that list and conclude otherwise.

HerrSchreck wrote:I don't know what list you're looking at, but I got up to just before #80 on the list and counted about 40 not in CC's.. and stopped because the excercise was just tedious. "Major" is a subjective qualifier, my statement is simply, having your film distributed by Janus does not guarantee a CC edtition, and I can't see how you could read that list and conclude otherwise.

All I mean by major film is a film made by a director someone here has actually heard of. Most of the forty titles you found are unknown films made by nobodies with under 50 votes that we have no idea if Janus really distributed (let alone still owns).

The titles on the list that illustrate your point are TWO ENGLISH GIRLS (except it's likely coming from Criterion next year), DONKEY SKIN (except Janus doesn't own it anymore and the DVD was put out by Koch Lorber) and some old Bergman (all of which will be forthcoming in some capacity, I'd bet). Okay, there's also one Kurosawa title, one Skolimowski title and one Olmi title which we have no idea if Janus still owns.

While I agree nothing is ever guaranteed, I challenge someone to name an instance from the past decade where Janus toured a new print and then the title vanished (i.e. there's no indication Criterion is working on it).

I've refrained from seeing Demy's Donkey Skin, is this a children's fantasy film or worth seeing?

Is there any chance that any of the earlier Coens stuff might make it into the Collection? I know MGM just "re-released" Blood Simple in a Director's Cut or something, but it seems to me that it or Raising Arizona could benefit from an extra features-loaded edition.

It's a shame that someone of their caliber isn't in the Collection. I know all about the rights issues with the studios, but it seems to me that there are enough Coenphiles out there that would explode with joy at the opportunity to get something of theirs in a grand edition.

Once again, what the hell do I know?

Cinephrenic wrote:I've refrained from seeing Demy's Donkey Skin, is this a children's fantasy film or worth seeing?

I didn't like it but I didn't care for Umbrellas either. It aims for the same timbre as Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast only with cheapo effects.

Cinephrenic wrote:a children's fantasy film or worth seeing?

Why do you think the two are mutually exclusive?

The sentence could have been better put, but it's my personal perference in regards musical/family films. The info I read on the film from the web didn't seem to attract my attention, so I wanted to know if it was something worthwhile to the general census of the forum.

It's nice to look at, I'll say that much.

in your opinion, what do you guys think February will bring?

Well, we know "The Exterminating Angel" is coming in February, unless they lied to us in the newsletter. If the clue really was a two-fer, then "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" will also be released in Feb.

Valentine's Day, and lots of broken hearts

Cinephrenic wrote:I've refrained from seeing Demy's Donkey Skin, is this a children's fantasy film or worth seeing?

I think it's marvelous. Magic, fairy godmothers, incest, a donkey that shits jewels, a helicopter, gorgeous colors and costumes, and Catherine Deneuve strutting about wearing an animal carcass. The end result is very charming with a mischievous surrealist bent. A couple of the songs are rather forgettable, but the others are truly wonderful. It ought to appeal to any fan of La Belle et la Bete.

canti10 wrote:in your opinion, what do you guys think February will bring?

Exterminating Angel and an Eclipse of Mexican Bunuel and one or two others.

it looks like next year, every month will bring grand titles from a major director. Like Jan is Rossellini Month, and now people think that Feb will be Bunuel month. I can't wait for Bergman month with his grand titles. Or maybe I'm just dreaming too much,....

canti10 wrote:I can't wait for Bergman month with his grand titles.

Yeah, God knows they haven't released any of his good shit yet.

I found out about two more forthcoming Paramount titles from Criterion.

This info comes from a recent visit to the Paramount lot by the Home Theatre Forum. I was told this by two of the people on that site who attended via private message.

Criterion and Paramount will be putting out the silent film Wings on DVD as well as the french thriller The Confession by Costa Gravas. Great news on both IMO! I wonder how many films in total the Criterion/Paramount deal will bel. Legend films got 36...so it's possible the Criterion deal is just as big.

With The Wedding March and whatever Sternburg stuff comes out, it seems that they've picked up a number of silent titles via Paramount, which surprises me somewhat to be honest.

ianungstad wrote:Criterion and Paramount will be putting out the silent film Wings on DVD.

That's a huge coup, I'm surprised they let Criterion get a hold of that one to be honest. A lot of people blind-buy all the Best Pic winners, this'll be big business

domino harvey wrote:That's a huge coup, I'm surprised they let Criterion get a hold of that one to be honest. A lot of people blind-buy all the Best Pic winners, this'll be big business

Surprises me too, but very pleasantly of course. I wonder whether they plan to put this into Eclipse, though. Sort of a themed 'Great American Silents'-box or something, together with the Stroheim and one or two Sternbergs. If in the main line, more cause for joy and hopefully an indication that this year's disappointing release schedule was something they will not continue.

There is just no way they bury Wings in Eclipse-- they'll surely cook up a huge platter of extras for that title

I had posted this a week or so ago in the newsletter thread...but will repost it here since it is more appropriate.

Here is an email response I got from director David Markley about 1991:The Year that Punk Broke being on Criterion. It seems to be in the early stages for DVD development. I would love to see this documentary on the label, so hope things run smoothly with Universal. :

thanks for the message and the interest in the film. yes, I agree about Criterion being a great match, but so far there is nothing official as far as a release goes, but there is an interest there. it's far too early to say anything more, and I don't like to count chickens before the eggs hatch. I would guess this would take a little time to become a reality if all goes well with everyone involved, so keep your fingers crossed. I am naturally excited about this possibility and will keep fans posted via the 1991 TYPB myspace

domino harvey wrote:

ianungstad wrote:Criterion and Paramount will be putting out the silent film Wings on DVD.

That's a huge coup, I'm surprised they let Criterion get a hold of that one to be honest. A lot of people blind-buy all the Best Pic winners, this'll be big business

All the members of the HTF that attended got to sit down and ask 1 on 1 questions with the home entertainment brass at Paramount, so it's possible we may get a few other nuggets over the next week. Or not...depends how many asked about MIA classic films vs. questions about Blu Ray.

Anyways, Paramount also confirmed that progress is being made on a DVD for The African Queen...so it seems they are releasing that one themselves. Which is good news too IMO. No release date set though.

Great news re. Wings and The Confession.

Would love to see Criterion include Chris Marker's short doc Le deuxieme proces de Artur London with the Confession.

Interestingly, on his Immemory CD-ROM Marker cites Wings as the first film he ever saw.

I can't remember -- has it been reported that Criterion may be working on some Robert Downey stuff? I was in Kim's Video & the clerk mentioned that "the Criterion people" had recently checked out Pound and some other Downey titles. It would certainly make sense for them to round up the restored '60s films (screened at Anthology last month) into an Eclipse set.

Re: the Paramount info, I'm just as curious to know what the remaining Legend titles are (they've only released, what, 17 so far?), given that their taste seems to be more eclectic than Criterion's.

Criterion must think our forum has some kind of intelligence agency for gathering info regarding upcoming releases.

I think they are putting out Putney Swope and going to add them as shorts.