Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 4

[mfunk9786]

If they part with anything though, Eyes Wide Shut doesn't seem to be too far out of the realm of possibility. Especially because it needs a new HD remaster desperately, and Warner probably wasn't interested in footing the bill for one. It's also in need of more features, the Warner release is on the scarce side. I am actually thinking this is something that could happen.

Which would blow my mind. It's such an underrated masterpiece, even now.

[swo17]

Not to encourage unrealistic expectations, but during the recent Wexner chat I believe it was hinted that there was more to the Warner deal than just Badlands.

[Brian C]

I like the current Blu for Eyes Wide Shut - I don't think it needs an upgrade at all, much less "desperately". I think it looks like it's supposed to look.

But regardless, Warner's not giving it up, so it's a moot point.

[med]

Is that a screenshot? I don't think Kubrick started using Futura until A Clockwork Orange, so that would rule out Spartacus. (Assuming it's a screenshot.)

[knives]

It is from Eyes Wide Shut hence the talk about it, but it was probably just them being witty.

[mfunk9786]

I like the current Blu for Eyes Wide Shut - I don't think it needs an upgrade at all, much less "desperately". I think it looks like it's supposed to look.

But regardless, Warner's not giving it up, so it's a moot point.

Criterion acquired other stuff from Warner that we don't know about. Warner has a boxset out that they can still include their edition of Eyes Wide Shut is, but it needs a revisit from a scholarly perspective. And the Blu-ray has a lot of electronic noise issues, particularly with blacks, etc. The master that they used was from the old DVD, and there were issues with that too. It looks worse than the A Clockwork Orange transfer, which is nothing to write home about either, and is a decades-older film.

[knives]

There's a million arguments you could make for how or why Eyes Wide Shut is or should be in the collection. It certainly is good enough of a film to warrant a higher profile, but the argument of it needing a new edition is bunk for many reasons. Not only do we already have an adequate edition, but there are thousands of other films in more need of editions (not even new considering how many films have never been released to the home video market).

[ianungstad]

It doesn't mean anything. There's a big Kubrick exhibit about to open next week in L.A. and Tom Cruise and various collaborators have been doing press interviews prior. Criterion always tweets or make Facebook posts about a certain director if they have a big movie premiere or exhibit bowing somewhere on the globe or if it's their birthday.

[ryannichols7]

I'd rather see them do Barry Lyndon before Eyes Wide Shut, but I totally wouldn't rule that out. if Warner's offered it to them, I really couldn't see them say no to that. they could add plenty of supplements and improve the heck out of the transfer.

[mfunk9786]

Not only do we already have an adequate edition, but there are thousands of other films in more need of editions (not even new considering how many films have never been released to the home video market).

That old chestnut. Let's just stop perpetuating this myth that this has ever stopped Criterion from releasing a film that they want to release

[swo17]

Food for thought: Every single film Kubrick ever made except for his first two mediocre shorts is either already out on Blu-ray or about to be. Some of them three times over!

[knives]

Not only do we already have an adequate edition, but there are thousands of other films in more need of editions (not even new considering how many films have never been released to the home video market).

That old chestnut. Let's just stop perpetuating this myth that this has ever stopped Criterion from releasing a film that they want to release

That's not what I said and your editing of my post alters the meaning of what I said. I clearly was referring to arguments that you yourself were making and how they are faulty. You can't say, "...it needs a revisit from a scholarly perspective," and than call what I mentioned a faulty argument via being a myth.

[Noiradelic]

Criterion acquired other stuff from Warner that we don't know about.

Likely to be films by living directors, which unfortunately excludes Kubrick.

[captveg]

I'd rather Criterion spend time on films that need them. Warner's releases for all their Kubrick films are just fine, IMO.

[ryannichols7]

Criterion acquired other stuff from Warner that we don't know about.

Likely to be films by living directors, which unfortunately excludes Kubrick.

the "pre-code" title shames this post.

definitely hope Spirit of the Beehive comes on Blu-ray. been holding off on it for awhile.

[Peacock]

Somebody posted a list of the precode WB titles on FB a while ago... (this is really just random speculation) and the two that struck me as most likely choices were Lubitsch's Merry Widow and Browning's Freaks... but the latter may be too big for WB to license out as they put it out on disk relatively early on and it's pretty well known outside of the cinephile crowd.

[oh yeah]

As far as this Eyes Wide Shut talk goes: I doubt Warner would give up any Kubrick, but I sure wish it was true. I must disagree with some here: EWS is not at all done justice by the blu and/or DVD already out. Anyone who saw the film projected in 35mm can confirm that it's one of the most grainy and unique-looking films put out by a major studio in the past few decades. The DVD/blu rays of EWS aren't unwatchable by any means, but they clean up much of the grain that gives the film its fascinating visual texture, rendering it far less powerful and beautiful. Here's a picture of what the film ideally should look more like on home video, which it largely doesn't look like on the polished, very clean-looking Warners discs. (Also see toward the bottom of the page here for a very good discussion of this whole issue).

[Brian C]

Criterion acquired other stuff from Warner that we don't know about.

But let's be realistic here ... if we were making a list of extremely safe bets, "Warner will not give up a Kubrick title" would rank very very high on that list.

[Jeff]

Of course the Kubrick estate, Jan Harlan and Christiane Kubrick, are just as powerful as any living filmmaker and still have a lot of influence at Warner. They've worked with Criterion a couple of times recently, and if they were particularly pleased with the experience, it wouldn't be unheard of for them to request that something like Eyes Wide Shut or Barry Lyndon get farmed out to Criterion.

I don't think that tweet was necessarily alluding to any forthcoming release, but I also don't think that anything is outside of the realm of possibility anymore.

[CSM126]

It would be worth it to me just to get both the widescreen and full frame versions of the film in HD (I still cling to the old FF DVD).

[TheBeast]

If criterion were doing any Kubrick film it would most likely be Barry Lyndon because all the home releases have been barebones. But it's probably not likely that criterion would release a kubrick film until like 2015 or something.

[Cinephrenic]

We haven't even got a Spartacus Blu-ray from Criterion and you guys talking about Warner. Dream on... bring on Hawks and Capra.

[ianungstad]

TCM recently screened the french horror film Carnival of Sinners aka The Hand of the Devil directed by Maurice Tourneur courtesy of Janus films. The print seems to be in very good condition. The director has one of those phantom pages on the Criterion website. The film was pretty good, it would make a good pairing with a blu upgrade of The Devil and Daniel Webster.

Even better would be to pair it up with Night of the Demon directed by his son Jacques Tourneur.

[knives]

I really hope they don't go with that stupid American title when they do eventually release it, but it has been on their Hulu for a while.

[Oedipax]

It would be worth it to me just to get both the widescreen and full frame versions of the film in HD (I still cling to the old FF DVD).

I was thinking the same thing. MoC did it with Touch of Evil, maybe Criterion can it with EWS (and The Shining and Full Metal Jacket, some day).