Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[malcolm1980]

Who knows, maybe its Pasolini's version????

Pasolini's Arabian Nights? That would be interesting.

[domino harvey]

I can't believe Disney licensed Aladdin to Criterion!

[davebert]

I can't believe Disney licensed Aladdin to Criterion!

Well if Disney's finally in the game, that renews my hope for a Pulp Fiction CC. I have cover art already mocked up for it if anyone wants to see.

[portnoy]

This board needs more fake CC covers.

[Antoine Doinel]

I can't believe Disney licensed Aladdin to Criterion!

Well if Disney's finally in the game, that renews my hope for a Pulp Fiction CC. I have cover art already mocked up for it if anyone wants to see.

What's wrong with the current edition?

[davebert]

This board needs more fake CC covers.

It really does. I remember the days years ago when those were all over the board, and they were usually good for a laugh.

Antoine: The current edition is not Criterion. That's what's wrong.

[patrick]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current Pulp Fiction set, Criterion or not, other than the lack of Tarantino commentary - and I doubt even Criterion could pull that out of him.

[domino harvey]

All of you guys seriously need to give your joke detectors a tune up

[CSM126]

All of you guys seriously need to give your joke detectors a tune up

They need to actually get joke detectors in the first place, methinks.

[davebert]

To be fair, it was a pretty lame joke to begin with. TGIF, am I right?

[Tommaso]

a deep "study and analysis" of the film w commentary or extras will read sorta silly, unless it simply consists of tales of its construction w anecdotes from those who were there.

Indeed, but it's in this department where all studies of the film are lacking more or less. I read a lot about this film in the available books on Powell's work, but none of them cared (or was able) to tell which sequences precisely were directed by Powell. Powell himself only mentions that he only did some of the outdoor scenes, especially with the djinn, but I doubt that very much. All the scenes with Veidt, especially that with the 'mechanical woman/goddess' who kills the Sultan, look so very much like something straight out of "Hoffmann" that I'd really like to know more. The film is often overlooked as a formative influence on a lot of Powell's later 'fantasy' work I'd say. So if they came up with a Christie commentary, I might be tempted to buy it again. If it's lean on extras, than there's indeed no need to update. The existing disc is a marvel.

And how often do I have to repeat that we first need "The Elusive Pimpernel" and "Rosalinda" on disc??

[ptmd]

According to the latest Criterion newsletter, "Stanwyck's back. And this time, she's being Mann-handled."

I guess that means The Furies is coming. Great news!

[domino harvey]

[Gigi M.]

The Furies?

Criterion first Western?

[domino harvey]

First person who asks if Juno is coming from Criterion: automatic ban.

[Des Esseintes]

I won't ask. The debate over "Brick" made my soul cry. But I will say that I found Cody's top ten comments really charming and unpretentious, definitely one of the best lists yet.

[Narshty]

Shit! It must be The Furies. That's phenomenal news.

Criterion are digging way deeper into the Paramount vaults than they ever did for Universal or Fox. Can't wait for the von Sternberg silents Eclipse set.

[Antoine Doinel]

Shit! It must be The Furies. That's phenomenal news.

Criterion are digging way deeper into the Paramount vaults than they ever did for Universal or Fox.

Well, considering that Paramount cares very little for their classics catalogue, it's probably much easier for Criterion to root around in their vaults.

[Derek Estes]

I've been waiting for Mann to (re)join the collection for years. And I've been waiting to see The Furies for years! This is tremendous news.

[Via_Chicago]

This is cool and all, but it once again opens up the Paramount can of worms. Certainly, one could argue that Paramount would never release it, and that's a fair argument. But then, had they decided to release it themselves, it'd sell for considerably less...

That said, I'm glad Criterion is finally releasing a Western. I hope it opens the floodgates for more Westerns in the future (though releasing a silent or two hasn't opened those floodgates...). I'm also hoping Criterion has the good sense to release this at the lower price-point. A $39.95 sticker price is going to doom any chances this puppy has of pushing discs (I once had a patron at the cinema I run ask me about Anthony Mann's Reign of Terror when buying a ticket: "So, how much is Anthony Mann worth?"), so I hope to God for their sake that they don't add commentary or anything, because I fear it will doom the whole Westerns enterprise.

[zedz]

Fantastic news: this is way up the top of my need-to-see list. After the Yoshida news I think I need to lie down.

[stroszeck]

Eh, Furies is okay. But what would've got me really really excited (and would probably fit more into the Criterion canon) would've been something along the lines of THE GREAT FLAMARION! Long live von stroheim!!!!!

[GringoTex]

"So, how much is Anthony Mann worth?"

A lot more than Ang Lee and Alex Cox.

[Via_Chicago]

"So, how much is Anthony Mann worth?"

A lot more than Ang Lee and Alex Cox.

Well, true that. The patron dilluted the effect of his joke the next night when he asked when buying tickets for La Marseillaise: "So, how much is Jean Renoir worth?"

[sevenarts]

Count me in for the Mann, no matter what it costs. Now we just need good discs for Reign of Terror and Man of the West and I'll be happy.