Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[zedz]

Personally, I think the Baumbach matches the clue precisely, but the Holland guess is so far off it's practically random (like, what's the point of including all the different kinds of laughter if we're just supposed to take "ha" from them, and what in the clue suggests two "Europe"s?)

Anything is unprecedented the first time it happens. The first time a clue referred to an Eclipse set, or a re-release, or a mere Blu upgrade, unwritten 'rules' were being violated. Actually, I think creating buzz for an eventual Criterion endorsement is a canny marketing move. I'm sure IFC couldn't be more delighted.

[bamwc2]

But if the artist only wanted us to narrow in on France, then why include all of Europe? I feel a little silly spending my time arguing about the implications of a doodle, but if the clue is for Frances Ha (which does seem like a strong candidate for a future release) then why not just include an outline of the country of France? I really think that there's going to be an announcement in the next two months or so that will seem very obvious in retrospect and leave us all wondering why we didn't see it sooner.

[Roger Ryan]

...but if the clue is for Frances Ha (which does seem like a strong candidate for a future release) then why not just include an outline of the country of France?...

For the pun to work, the reader must think "France is 'Ha'". Therefore, there would need to be other countries shown in order for the reader to identify that France is something different from the others. I'm not saying this interpretation of the clue is definitive, but just showing the outline of France with a "Ha" inside wouldn't really sell it.

[neal]

I really think that there's going to be an announcement in the next two months or so that will seem very obvious in retrospect and leave us all wondering why we didn't see it sooner.

I'm just going to file this away in case the forum's in need of some unnecessarily mean-spirited humor when Frances Ha is announced in two months or so...

You mean... like Frances Ha!?

[Donald Brown]

I'm going to start rejecting the logic of all future clues, regardless of how obvious they are, and assume they're hinting at The Decalogue, since that's the title I want most. A drawing of Europe? Europe > East Europe > Poland > Decalogue.

[bamwc2]

...but if the clue is for Frances Ha (which does seem like a strong candidate for a future release) then why not just include an outline of the country of France?...

For the pun to work, the reader must think "France is 'Ha'". Therefore, there would need to be other countries shown in order for the reader to identify that France is something different from the others. I'm not saying this interpretation of the clue is definitive, but just showing the outline of France with a "Ha" inside wouldn't really sell it.

Roger, when you put it that way, it does make a lot more sense. I'm still not convinced on any title, but this interpretation now seems much more plausible.

I'm just going to file this away in case the forum's in need of some unnecessarily mean-spirited humor when Frances Ha is announced in two months or so...

There's no shame in being wrong on an honest interpretation. If it is Frances Ha, then I'll freely admit my mistake.

[neal]

I'm just going to file this away in case the forum's in need of some unnecessarily mean-spirited humor when Frances Ha is announced in two months or so...

There's no shame in being wrong on an honest interpretation. If it is Frances Ha, then I'll freely admit my mistake.

Oh, I know. I just found the wording of that sentence amusing considering the fact that there appears to already be a large contingent that

1) thinks that the answer is obvious (Hell if I know...)
2) was already wondering why you couldn't see it
3) probably thinks, given Frances Ha's theatrical release date, that your timeline is about accurate.

I certainly didn't intend to deride your actually participating in the actual discussion. Hell, I can't even claim to have ever put forth a possible solution to any of these clues, plausible or not.

[Lowry_Sam]

Well Frances Ha just played at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Anyone stay through the credits?

Personally, I'd much rather see Europa, Europa on blu (especially if it's paired with Olivier, Olivier), but I think it's quite a stretch & given that the previous clue was a literal translation of the image, it would make sense that this was too. On the other hand, it has yet to be released in theaters....and to go back to the precedent line of arguing, would this be the first time Criterion has hinted at releasing a contemporary film before it's theatrical release?

...or maybe it is the To Be Or Not To Be upgrade after all.

[colinr0380]

You're all going to be upset when they announce National Lampoon's European Vacation with a special introduction from Chevy Chase in which he complains about Community non-stop.

[willoneill]

You're all going to be upset when they announce National Lampoon's European Vacation with a special introduction from Chevy Chase in which he complains about Community non-stop.

Why would that make me upset?

[Feego]

Guys, cut the crap. It's clearly an unprecedented quadruple clue. There.

[Lowry_Sam]

You're all going to be upset when they announce National Lampoon's European Vacation with a special introduction from Chevy Chase in which he complains about Community non-stop.

Why would that make me upset?

It would upset most of us because there are many other Warner's titles we'd rather see Criterion release first....and if Criterion wanted to release an Amy Heckerling title, they missed the boat on Clueless (a Paramount title) and Fast Times At Ridgemont High (a Universal title).

[willoneill]

You're all going to be upset when they announce National Lampoon's European Vacation with a special introduction from Chevy Chase in which he complains about Community non-stop.

Why would that make me upset?

It would upset most of us because there are many other Warner's titles we'd rather see Criterion release first....and if Criterion wanted to release an Amy Heckerling title, they missed the boat on Clueless (a Paramount title) and Fast Times At Ridgemont High (a Universal title).

I was just trying to be funny ...

[Lowry_Sam]

I was just trying to be funny ...

...and I was just using it to name-drop 2 titles I actually wouldn't mind seeing in the collection, but wouldn't have ordinarily mentioned it because of their existing availability, but given the trend of the discussion (The Tree Of Life & Brazil), decided to.

[antnield]

(Wacky tuna)

[Derek Estes]

Rossellini/Bergman?

[jsteffe]

La Terra Trema?

[ptatler]

Rossellini/Bergman?

Yes. STROMBOLI/VOYAGE TO ITALY/EUROPA '51

[ptatler]

One of the most famous scenes in STROMBOLI involves a tuna fishing marathon.

[jsteffe]

Yes. STROMBOLI/VOYAGE TO ITALY/EUROPA '51

That's a better solution for all the clues in the picture.

[ptatler]

That's a better solution for all the clues in the picture.

Yes. And the confirmation of one of my wildest dreams come true. Given the new prints circulating, I imagine these'll be Blus (unlike the War Trilogy).

[TMDaines]

I've known these have been becoming for a while but hopefully this is a sign that they are imminent.

[zedz]

I hope this will be a complete Rossellini / Bergman box set rather than just the big three. If not, you can probably kiss the remaining films goodbye, since they won't even make for a persuasive Eclipse set (two disc 'Leftover Ingrid' anyone?)

[oldsheperd]

The image also has to do with Bergman and fish out of water.

[TMDaines]

I hope this will be a complete Rossellini / Bergman box set rather than just the big three. If not, you can probably kiss the remaining films goodbye, since they won't even make for a persuasive Eclipse set (two disc 'Leftover Ingrid' anyone?)

99% sure there's no plans for the other two, sadly.