Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[aox]

This is great news because it means that Universal isn't claiming sole dominion over the titles that they've already released on Blu-ray. Fear and Loathing isn't a personal favorite of mine, but if this means that Universal might let Criterion take a crack at Blu-rays of Spartacus, Traffic, and the aforementioned Do The Right Thing, I'm all for it.

didn't even think of that! Yes!

[bugsy_pal]

I'm going to go with Wall Street for this one....

[souvenir]

I'm going to go with Wall Street for this one....

If it was Wall Street the image name wouldn't be "wacky lizard" but probably "wacky gecko" or "wacky gekko" I'd think.

[aox]

Wouldn't Jurassic Park make more sense?

[swo17]

Dudes, seriously.

[Murdoch]

Coincidence.

[HistoryProf]

Agreed about it being F&L.

edit: And I haven't bought a previous blu-ray version, and will be buying this. Should be a good release.

i'm with ya. Never bought the Universal blu due to the terrible reviews and assuming this would happen eventually....won't be a day/date buy, but i'll pick it up on sale at some point.

[Cinephrenic]

No, it's a collection of Geico insurance tv spots.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

David Icke FTW

[bugsy_pal]

Dudes, seriously.

OK, I'm swayed - that crop does appear to indicate that it's F&L... If the lizard had more rounded finger pads like a real gecko, I would stick to it being Wall Street.

Am I in a minority who think that Gilliam's movie is just not that good? I've been a fan of the book for decades and I found the attempt to translate it to film a noble effort, but in the end a failure. They did a good job of recreating things like a barroom full of lizards - but it reads a lot more funnier than it appears on film - to me.

[Kirkinson]

Am I in a minority who think that Gilliam's movie is just not that good?

You're probably part of the majority (or at least a plurality) of this forum, a minority of Criterion buyers in general, and a majority again of the general public. I like it a lot, though I admit I find it difficult to argue with its critics. But in any case, since it's stuffed to the gills (visually) and the current Blu-ray doesn't rise to that challenge, I very much welcome Criterion's effort. I just hope Brazil is forthcoming eventually.

[movielocke]

what are all the Universal licensed DVDs?

[petevoelker]

Am I in a minority who think that Gilliam's movie is just not that good? I've been a fan of the book for decades and I found the attempt to translate it to film a noble effort, but in the end a failure. They did a good job of recreating things like a barroom full of lizards - but it reads a lot more funnier than it appears on film - to me.

I agree, it's right up there with Requiem for a Dream, as all of the pseudo hipster movie buffs favorite film.

[matrixschmatrix]

Am I in a minority who think that Gilliam's movie is just not that good? I've been a fan of the book for decades and I found the attempt to translate it to film a noble effort, but in the end a failure. They did a good job of recreating things like a barroom full of lizards - but it reads a lot more funnier than it appears on film - to me.

I agree, it's right up there with Requiem for a Dream, as all of the pseudo hipster movie buffs favorite film.

Well that's just a meaningless way to criticize a movie- people I don't like like this movie, therefore the movie isn't good?

[Roger Ryan]

The transfer on the Criterion DVD issue of F & L was atrocious, easily the worst I've seen from the company (very blurry; lots of halos). The Universal Blu-ray is an improvement on that, but I would hope a Criterion issue would correct past mistakes and surpass the current Blu (no complaint on Criterion's extras, of course, which were phenomenal, although I don't really need those extras in higher definition).

[eerik]

what are all the Universal licensed DVDs?

films licensed from Universal Home Video

[aox]

I personally love this film and think it is one of the funniest films of the 90s. And it is seriously one of the best editions CC has released just considering the commentaries alone.

My only disappointment is that I won't be able to sell my DVD edition for 80% of the cost of a blu upgrade. This will be the first time that has happened. Amazon Market has used copies going for only $4. Can't win them all.

[jedgeco]

And I wouldn't be so quick to gang up on Criterion over this, Universal likely insisted on having the first crack at sales. I wouldn't be surprised to see Do the Right Thing and Dazed and Confused eventually.

Agreed. This is great news because it means that Universal isn't claiming sole dominion over the titles that they've already released on Blu-ray. Fear and Loathing isn't a personal favorite of mine, but if this means that Universal might let Criterion take a crack at Blu-rays of Spartacus, Traffic, and the aforementioned Do The Right Thing, I'm all for it.

This would certainly follow the history Universal & Criterion on DVD -- Universal released poor, movie-only versions of DtRT and Spartacus and let those hang on the market for a year or two before licensing an SE to Criterion.

Also, agree with whoever above that Last Temptation would be a fantastic Blu-ray upgrade. I always thought the DVD looked pretty fantastic until I put it in recently and was reminded once again how much Blu-ray has raised my standards.

[agnamaracs]

what are all the Universal licensed DVDs?

films licensed from Universal Home Video

Don't forget "In the Mood for Love" and "Traffic." Those were USA titles, and USA is now Focus...

[PfR73]

I highly doubt Criterion will release Do The Right Thing. The Universal Blu-Ray has pretty much all the special features from the Criterion DVD release & even adds some new ones. Unless Criterion would create even more new special features, the only thing they'd really be able to add would be better color timing & that's not an issue the general populace knows enough or cares enough about to result in enough sales to justify Criterion spending money to release it.

However, since the Universal releases of Traffic & Spartacus are lacking many/most/all of the Criterion special features, those are now in the realm of strong possibilities & I certainly hope Criterion releases both of them.

[oldsheperd]

It would be nicer if Criterion could get their hands on Clockers and Crooklyn and release SE Blus of those since the DTRT Blu has all the bells and whistles.

[jsteffe]

My only disappointment is that I won't be able to sell my DVD edition for 80% of the cost of a blu upgrade. This will be the first time that has happened. Amazon Market has used copies going for only $4. Can't win them all.

True, the Amazon Marketplace has become a decided buyer's market due to the terrible economy. But on the positive side, it means you can get really cheap used copies of a lot of great DVD titles if you're so inclined...

[MitchPerrywinkle]

I still haven't seen the film, but I did get around to reading Thompson's book last Summer. Though I liked the book, I had to stop reading it before I went to bed because it kept giving me nightmares. So I'm a little hesitant to watch the film, but I will get around to it eventually.

[eerik]

Waiting for the newsletter. Criterion posted on their twitter that we should love this month's wacky animal. :-k

[kinjitsu]