Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 4

[SamLowry]

As I'm sure you know, Fellini's La dolce vita has already been released (and re-released) by Koch Lorber with a small nation-state's worth of special features.

The Koch Lorber release, while not bad, is rather unexceptional..It's a 3 hour widescreen movie on a single dvd (which has either aspect ratio or letterboxing issues)..and that nation-state must be so small it's not yet identifiable to Google Earth. The new restoration adds 10 minutes to the Koch Lorber print (not to mention it's a restoration from the original Italian negative) and the whole porno cum rights ownership lawsuit/s thing prevented a 50th anniversary theatrical/blu ray release. So now that Paramount may have ownership (it's listing it on its website) & now that Paramount may have made a deal with Criterion for Harold & Maude and Rosemary's Baby (as well as other titles), it stands to reason that one of the most requested films for Criterion to release (as well as the companion piece to 8 1/2) might be included in a new Paramount deal...

Lewis' La dolce vita is a no-go too: no one wants to hear commentary on their porno.

As far as Criterion releasing classic porno, porno based on classic World cinema titles, or possible cult hybrids thereof, you should have no worries, Criterion only releases pornos by Pasolini, Oshima or directors pretending to be Andy Warhol.

[Volta]

Wasn't Gangs of New York butchered by the Weinsteins? Perhaps Scorsese and Criterion are bringing out the director's cut?

I'm trying to think of an iteration of that movie that would be interesting.... I'm blanking.... :-k

[aox]

5 Lines= The Five Points = Gangs of New York

Mostly joking.

Wasn't Gangs of New York butchered by the Weinsteins? Perhaps Scorsese and Criterion are bringing out the director's cut?

I think Scorsese has too much pride to let this happen. He has claimed the theatrical cut is 'his' final cut.

[bringmesomechemicals]

If the feature at the center of the picture is representing the rock in Pina, it would be the first 3D film for the collection. Perhaps the five lines in the drawing are meant to show depth, representing the third dimension.

[knives]

It would actually be the second 3D film to enter the collection.

[jedgeco]

5 Lines= The Five Points = Gangs of New York

Wasn't Gangs of New York butchered by the Weinsteins? Perhaps Scorsese and Criterion are bringing out the director's cut?

I think Scorsese has too much pride to let this happen. He has claimed the theatrical cut is 'his' final cut.

Scorsese did circulate a VHS to some friends of his longer, "preferred" cut, but I think that Scorsese's too professional (for lack of a better term) to get into a public spat with his producers/financiers.

See this for a discussion of the longer cut.

[matrixschmatrix]

Keep in mind that's from Jeffrey Wells, whose authority is questionable to say the least.

[jedgeco]

Keep in mind that's from Jeffrey Wells, whose authority is questionable to say the least.

Yeah, but Wells wrote it back when he used to do some actual reporting, and before blogging turned him crazy, so I have no reason to doubt that the VHS of the workprint existed (plus, there's screencaps). Whether it's better than the theatrical version, I have no opinion.

[bringmesomechemicals]

I was thinking that maybe they were actually going to release a 3-D disc, rather than just releasing a film that had been shown in 3-D, like Flesh for Frankenstein.

[starmanof51]

The five lines make lanes making "Five Corners". Image has Handmade Films and put out crap editions.

Well, it was one of their laser releases, and I do tend to think they have an itch to recreate their laser catalog to the greatest extent possible. It's a worthwhile thought.

[duck duck]

Ok, now it's time to bitch about no Chaplin clues in the New Years picture.

[jwd5275]

What? You wanted another clue for the already hinted Gold Rush taking up space...?

[duck duck]

No, a light bulb, a blind lady, or a fat drunk guy would have been fine. Or just a basket of flowers.

[Cinephrenic]

We probably just get another two Chaplin this year... Gold Rush and City Lights.

[Volta]

I'm pretty sure we're due to see Limelight before City Lights. (That is if Criterion is releasing them in order of their appearance in the previous MK2 set.... It may be a coincidence so far.)

[SamLowry]

Perhaps the five lines in the drawing are meant to show depth, representing the third dimension.

Or perhaps the lines are demarcating the breaking of commandments in 2's.....on second thought, the lines seem very connected to the cars...maybe the violation of the commandments are happening in the cars, as there are 10 cars....but why would Criterion put 6 episodes on 1 disc, 2 on another, 1 each on discs 3 & 4 and none on 5.....Probably because Criterion will not only release the complete Decalogue, but also the corresponding movies in the box set and the 5th disc will be all extras.

[Jgh8xxx]

Has anyone suggested the Dardennes' "La promesse" as the car transport clue from the New Years Newsletter? A car transport plays a significant role in the plot, and on the 2012 drawing Criterion posted to Facebook looking at the schedule people seemed to see it as one of the listed titles. Also, we know Mulvaney has said that there are some definite possibilities for the Dardennes in the collection. Also, I'm not sure who holds the rights, but I seem to remember something about it being a company Criterion is known to have a partnership with. This seems to me definitive evidence that the car transport in the drawing suggests La promesse by the Dardennes.

[zedz]

By "definitive" do you mean "circumstantial"? Otherwise, interesting suggestion.

[Jeff]

I'm fairly certain that Criterion has the rights to La Promesse, so I suppose that probably is what the clue is pointing to. So much for my Wenders theory.

[swo17]

Kid with a Bike is probably also a possibility.

[foofighters7]

I asked about 'La Promesse' about a year ago I think, but never heard anything back from JM.

Rosetta and 'La Promesse' need released, especially 'Rosetta' since it's MIA on R1. 'La Promesse' has been OOP for quite awhile as well.

I was mostly joking with the GONY possibility since I also doubt Scorsese would want to release a longer cut/directors cut since he seems to have said what is there is there as far as the film, but it would be interesting.

I wasn't joking as much about 'An Inconvenient Truth'. The Iceberg thing seems to be melting which made me think of AIT. I don't know how they could expand on the current release but seemed plausible.

[zedz]

Re: the 'iceberg' - I have to go with the 'wet rock' = Pina theory, since if they wanted to indicate an iceberg, they'd put it in the ocean. Icebergs don't end up beached like whales.

[foofighters7]

yeah you're prob right.

[chrisandy]

I wasn't joking as much about 'An Inconvenient Truth'. The Iceberg thing seems to be melting which made me think of AIT. I don't know how they could expand on the current release but seemed plausible.

Almost positive the iceberg theory has been proven as A Night to Remember (which already has a release date)....

[Calvin]

Just had a brainwave that the seagulls could signify Victor Erice's El Sur. The house is nicknamed the seagull, probably due to the wind vane...