Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 4

[warren oates]

I like Human Nature. Count me as one of the few reluctant fans of Charlie Kaufman's work who appreciates his writing in spite of the overweening neurotic navel-gazing that drives most of the highly acclaimed stuff. Human Nature by contrast has lower surface ambitions, less (self) obsessive thematic concerns and more of a crass sense of humor. One of the funniest shorts Gondry ever made, "One Day," stars David Cross as a walking talking turd. I love that short and I'd place the humor that works for me in Human Nature in the same category. Certainly not the worst Gondry has ever done. Not Green Hornet bad. And perhaps less visually inventive than The Science of Sleep (which oftentimes seemed like a collection of music videos Gondry never got to make), but more satisfying as a whole.

[zedz]

Certainly not the worst Gondry has ever done. Not Green Hornet bad.

Well, it looks like Criterion have got the pull-quotes sorted now!

[cdnchris]

That could be their first reason for their "Three Reasons" video.

Yeah, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has a Blu-ray release already that's stocked with all those bonus features, while those two films didn't (same goes for Crumb). Though I suppose that, if/when given the opportunity to add Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which is largely considered one of the five or ten best American films of the '00s to the canon, Criterion couldn't exactly say 'no' with a straight face.

It's true, in comparison the Eternal Sunshine release is pretty loaded and I don't think I could think of other things to be added, but I was simply saying they're not past re-releasing titles that already received decent editions. Limiting it to just Focus Features titles both Monsoon Wedding and Topsy Turvy had decent DVD special editions previously and Criterion simply ported everything over and added a few items, like Nair's shorts and a (friggin' awesome) Leigh short to the respective titles, along with some new interviews.

[matrixschmatrix]

Did The Thorn in the Heart ever get a US release? That or Dave Chapelle's Block Party seem like they would be more interesting releases than any of the bigger name Gondry films, to me at least.

[tavernier]

Did The Thorn in the Heart ever get a US release?

Oscilloscope released it on DVD a couple of years ago.

[ryannichols7]

i really wouldn't know how to feel if they got Eternal Sunshine, given that there are tons of Focus titles (Lost in Translation, Far From Heaven, Broken Flowers, Lust Caution) that are way more in need of a nice disc. and I know some of those have features, but they're often fluff or could be much improved upon. Eternal Sunshine is good as is, but if Focus and Gondry said they wanted Criterion to do an edition...there's no way they could decline that. everyone would bitch about it probably, but they'd buy it in large numbers.

I do hope Science of Sleep does get an edition though, maybe with Jonze commentary though the film is obviously way more emotional and...serious

[zedz]

I do hope Science of Sleep does get an edition though, maybe with Jonze commentary though the film is obviously way more emotional and...serious

Just a duplication of the French edition would make for an extraordinary package: B-Roll version of the film (with its own commentary); feature commentary; making of; plus over an hour of other bits and pieces.

[HistoryProf]

I actually dreamt last night that Dreyer's Passion of Joan of Arc was released on blu ray fully remastered and loaded with new extras. it was wonderful. Though I knew it was only a dream, it had me second guessing whether this was ever actually supposed to have been in the works? I seem to recall it being rumored from the beginning of the blu transition. Anyone know anything about where this stands? It's one of my all time favorite film, but I sold the DVD a couple of years ago thinking a blu would surely be imminent and now I hate that I don't own it...but there's no way i'm going to rebuy it - though that might inspire an announcement I guess.

[mfunk9786]

Psst... check out the other boutique label that's posted about a lot here

[TMDaines]

I remember when Criterion made a Facebook post about Joan and Pandora's Box potentially coming to Blu-ray a couple of years ago. I'm still holding off the latter because of this.

[mfunk9786]

Wait, the latter? Where is Pandora's Box getting a Blu-ray release?

[swo17]

TMDaines is right.

[mfunk9786]

I read it as "holding off on the latter" meaning that there was a Blu-ray release coming out internationally that he was holding out on. But I suppose he didn't mean it that way.

[Murdoch]

TMDaines is right.

Hopefully that means Joan and Pandora's Box will be on next year's schedule since it seems they've been working on it for a while now.

[Drucker]

TMDaines is right.

Hopefully that means Joan and Pandora's Box will be on next year's schedule since it seems they've been working on it for a while now.

We know that a huge restoration is being undergone of Joan and that MOC are specifically doing their own and not waiting for its completion. Probably safe to assume Criterion are waiting.

[HistoryProf]

TMDaines is right.

ok good...at least in this instance it turns out i'm not crazy after all. I could have sworn Criterion had said that Joan was coming on blu a while back...had no idea it was that far back - but that post was inevitably the impetus for me to sell mine off....only to wait 3 years or more to replace it.

[ianungstad]

Rialto Pictures is listing the 1966 spaghetti western Django as a forthcoming release on their website. I don't think this is a Studio Canal title. (Could be wrong) The film seems to be currently available on home video from Blue Underground. I would assume the Blue Underground release will be going out of print soon if they lost the rights. Is this film any good? I know that Criterion's relationship with Rialto has been on life support since the Lionsgate/Canal deal but the non-canal titles should still be up for grabs by Criterion?

[Jeff]

I'd imagine Rialto has just licensed theatrical rights for Django from its Italian owners for a limited run at the end of the year to capitalize on the Tarantino film. I think Blue Underground's video rights are probably secure.

[knives]

I believe the Blue Underground release recently went OOP actually.

[htshell]

FYI, the press release says a Rialto / Blue Underground release.

[duck duck]

Blue Underground was dedicated to releasing films that weren't available anywhere and what ever Lustig got for Anchor Bay after those deals expired (that's why there hasn't been a new film released in years). So Django is not likely a Studio Canel film, I would second the Tarantino connection. And yes, Django is an awesome film if you like spaghetti westerns. Beware of any other film with Django in the title because they have no connection to the original film. It's a bit like Emmanuelle as far as stealing titles goes.

[nickoberg]

i would love an eternal sunshine and/or science of sleep release. the SUNSHINE 2 disc set was really cool, could be better! i have been really wanting to see the b-roll version of SCIENCE, not even sure what that would mean for this movie.

[onedimension]

Since next Monday will bring the first announcements for 2013, what are we expecting for the new year?

Restoration-wise, I know 'The Tin Drum' & Col. Blimp are likely to come on disc next year; the two Monte Hellman films have been mentioned; 'On The Waterfront' and 'Badlands' have been clued;

I hope this is the year of Rublev, at least 1 Rivette, and blus of Antonioni's semi-trilogy..

[matrixschmatrix]

It's about time for more Chaplin, isn't it? I'm hoping Ministry of Fear finally comes up, too, and some of the other rumored ones (A Man Escaped, Wenders Road Trilogy, etc)

[Calvin]

Hopefully the Apu Trilogy will be a Q1 release. Maybe we'll find out more from
the Wexner Centre event in a few weeks.