Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

[Tribe]

He's saying that Criterion releasing a film lends it a certain cachet, and more and more the inverse (a film not released by Criterion is of less interest) is true. It may sound a little far-fetched, but we've all seen a milder version of what he's talking about (think the dot com forum)

Yeah, there certainly is some truth to that...but I'd say that mindset is going to be limited primarily to the general DVD buying public...the purchaser who doesn't necessarily have the inclination to search out and make up their own mind what is a "classic" or "important" film. He or she has heard of the Criterion Collection brand from media sources and assumes that a release must be important as a result.

No doubt, Criterion has done a good job of exploiting their brand and associating it with so-called "important" movies presented in quality editions with extras. We all know they don't always succeed in terms of importance (at least as measured by any form of consensus from this Board), quality and extras....but I don't think anyone doubts they don't try,

[Jeff]

Yes. Thomas J. has proffered this argument many times, and I think we've discussed it ad nauseam. He's right by the way. Criterion has created the impression in the mind of the more simple-minded consumer that if they release a film it is important, if they don't it's not.

What is patently absurd, is criticizing them creating this impression. It is their job. Every company on earth wishes they could market themselves as the gold standard for their product. It is equally absurd to suggest that now that they have created that impression, they have some sort of civic duty to select increasingly eclectic films to expose people to. If people are stupid enough to buy in to the notion that "Criterion=good/Not Criterion=not good," that is the idiot consumer's problem. Criterion exists for the reason that every other for-profit corporation exists -- to make money. That is the entirety of their raison d'etre. The fact that they release many great films in superior editions is simply the reason they make money.

Is there some sort of unfortunate "hegemony of cinema" as Thomas J. always warns? Yeah, probably. Criterion doesn't have any obligation to change it though. If it really bothers you, blame film professors and idiotic young film nerds. The idea that Peter Becker and Jon Turrell have some sort of sacred obligation to the cinematic community is just plain stupid. They owe their employees a paycheck every month, nothing more.

[Lemmy Caution]

[swo17]

Criterion has created the impression in the mind of the more simple-minded consumer that if they release a film it is important, if they don't it's not.

The only problem with this argument is that it is impossible to distinguish between a film that Criterion has not released because they find it unworthy, and one that they have simply not gotten around to yet. By this logic, barring the fact that we all knew Marienbad was coming, up until two days ago, to the average consumer, it was on the same cinematic level as Rob Schneider's The Animal.

There are some circumstances where I identify with this criticism though. For example, Criterion's Godard releases tend to marginalize anything post-'60s, suggesting that his earlier films are more "important" than his later ones. Which, whether you agree with this assertion or not, Criterion certainly seems to be taking a side. But when it comes to really obscure directors or films that still haven't seen the light of day, I think it's fairly obvious that if there are any reservations against releasing them, it has more to do with financial concerns, rights issues, etc. than any inherent lack of quality in the films themselves. And that's OK. Criterion is a DVD company, not Thomas J.'s dream factory. And "worthy" is of course subjective. I'm sure there are plenty of months when none of the releases interest me, but others of you are over the moon about them. Honestly, if they release even just 5 films or so in a year that I think are great, then I'm pretty much satisfied. And this month, they just announced two of them. So, um, \:D/

[Tribe]

Criterion has created the impression in the mind of the more simple-minded consumer that if they release a film it is important, if they don't it's not.

The only problem with this argument is that it is impossible to distinguish between a film that Criterion has not released because they find it unworthy, and one that they have simply not gotten around to yet. By this logic, barring the fact that we all knew Marienbad was coming, up until two days ago, to the average consumer, it was on the same cinematic level as Rob Schneider's The Animal.

I think Jeff was making a different point. It's the perception of the average DVD purchaser and the media prompted in no small part by Criterion's efforts. I don't think anyone has said the perception is warranted or based on fact.

[aox]

I don't feel like reading 21 pages of a thread, but was this question:

Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

ever answered?

[zedz]

I don't feel like reading 21 pages of a thread, but was this question:

Why Won't They Release Only What I Want?

ever answered?

Yes, back on page 3. It's Because They Hate You.

Oops, spoiler.

[colinr0380]

Hmmmm... Colin, your periodic use of my monniker viz me-isms is getting...unusual?

Just taking the opportunity to show that I can use emoticons too!

[HerrSchreck]

Following Schreckian logic I suppose it could be worse:



But otherwise:

With the revelation of the Mystery Embarassing Spine Number, your animated scene is eerily prophetic-- now change Gigli to Button.

[colinr0380]

In the interests of full disclosure I should mention that I found that scene on another site a couple of years ago and have held on to it for the appropriate occasion! I was previously tempted to post it when reading the attempts to rehabilitate Gigli's reputation in old posts from the a_film_by site! (I don't think From Justin To Kelly would even get that attempt!)

On Button, I suppose it is typical that they answer my prayers for a Fincher Criterion by releasing this. I'm sure I'll pick it up (I'd like to have a complete collection of his films) but am back to sincerely hoping for a release of The Game.

[MoonlitKnight]

Now, now. I thought "Button" was one of the better films from a year in which there were very few truly outstanding ones (for me, anyway). I can take or leave Fincher, personally (loved "Seven" and "Button;" didn't care for "Alien3," "Fight Club," or "Panic Room;" still haven't seen "The Game" or "Zodiac"). This is hardly a blemish on Criterion's good name...especially considering they've released "Chasing Amy" and those 2 Michael Bay flicks. :-"

As for the title of this thread, I've requested several titles over the past few years that have presumably not even gotten a second glance (Rudolph's "Welcome to L.A.," "Remember My Name," and "Trouble in Mind;" Truffaut's "Two English Girls;" Duigan's "The Year My Voice Broke;" Leigh's "High Hopes" and "Life Is Sweet;" Schlesinger's "A Kind of Loving;" etc.), yet there have also been quite a few that they HAVE subsequently released ("Mala Noche," "El Norte," "The Exterminating Angel," "Simon of the Desert," "Night on Earth," "Sawdust and Tinsel," etc.), so I guess it all sort of evens out. Who knows? Maybe they'll pick up some more of my personal requests in the future.

[bunuelian]

I thought the answer was more along the lines of, "People are stupid," but dressed up as "Blame the media," which is, roughly speaking, the same thing.

[movielocke]

because I'm bored waiting for new title announcements today, and it'd be annoying to simply complain they haven't announced yet, I figured I'd rate the months of 2009 so far:

January
Rossellini History films
Taking of Power by Louis IV
Magnificent Obsession
El Norte
Last Emperor Bluray

February
Exterminating Angel
Hobson's Choice
Simon of the Desert
Shadows SD single release
Faces SD single release

March
The Last Metro
Generale della Revere
dodeskaden
Danton
400 Blows Bluray
Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu

April
In the Realm of the Senses
Empire of Passion
Science is Fiction
The Hit
Wages of fear Bluray

May
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wise Blood
Imamura Boxset
Friends of Eddie Coyle
Alexander Korda's Private Lives

June
Bergman Island
My Dinner with Andre
Last Year at Marienbad
Seventh Seal Bluray

July
Repulsion
Human Condition
2 or 3 Things I know about her
Made in USA
For All Mankind Bluray

Jan - A
Feb - B-
Mar - A+
Apr - B
May - A
June - B
July - C+

[Fiery Angel]

July only a C+???

[Cinephrenic]

July only a C+???

If they had released Repulsion and Human Condition alone that month, I'd still give them an 'A'.

[domino harvey]

lololololol @ March being an A+ and July being a C+

[Tom Hagen]

Let's be honest: March was completely phoned in. And I am an unqualifed Truffaut fanatic!

[Mr. Ned]

lololololol @ March being an A+ and July being a C+

So true. If anything, those two scores should be switched. July features some great releases that have been anticipated for a long time, not to mention TWO Godard titles. March just seems like a filler month in comparison.

[knives]

Repulsion alone gives July that C+ let alone Human Condition and more Godard for those who like that. How is June a B if they're only releasing Dinner with Andre and Last Year at Marienbad and giving Seventh Seal a second spine? Two films an above average month does not make. Also agree that march was dump month (even if I enjoyed Il Generale).

[Perkins Cobb]

Oh, man, is this a geeky exercise.

And June is like a C-, seriously.

[domino harvey]

Oh, man, is this a geeky exercise.

And June is like a C-, seriously.

If they really cropped Andre to 1.66, it's an F

[knives]

You have to give them Marienbad, that makes it at least a D even with the Andre screw up, or did you not like the cover?

[Cinephrenic]

It's going to be a tough weekend again. No announcements

[movielocke]

the grades/ratings were all based on purchases or rentals for me, what I like and am interested in.

So March, two purchases so far (Shimizu, 400 Blu), renting all the others, likely to purchase Last Metro, so it's the high water mark of months so far.

May, two purchases (Button blu, Korda), and rent the imamura, maybe buying them if I like them.

July has the Godards and Human Condition but I don't like any of the films so no interest, Repulsion and For All Mankind are rentals, but not high priority to me, so overall not that excited about the month, an eclipse would have been welcome.

June, didn't care for Marienbad, but the last dvd transfer was so bad I'll rent it the blu to see if my opinion changes, Andre is a definite rental, Seventh seal blu would be a buy except the bluray includes Bergman island and is more expensive, so it's downgraded to a rental and a 'maybe' buy at a Deep discount sale for example, if it'd been priced at the same price as 400 Blows, it'd have been a definite purchase.

April, In the Realm of the Senses blu I'll buy eventually but don't need right away, and rent Passion, Painleve and Wages blu

February, rent Simon of the Desert and Hobson's choice, don't need to buy Exterminating Angel, though I quite like the film, one of Bunuel's best from his post thirties films.

January, one purchase (Rossellini set), and rent all the others, really more of an A minus

So my rankings are in terms of how interested I am in the months releases, not the perceived prestige of the titles/directors in question.

[ianungstad]

Thanks for sharing your shopping list. [-X