Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol. 5

[jindianajonz]

Man, maybe the Criterion film club November selections should all be DVDs that deserve an upgrade and need to clear some stock, L'Avventura, Bicycle Thieves, etc.

How would we ever come to a consensus on a definition of "DVDs that deserve an upgrade"?

We'd hold a pre-vote vote to vet nominees, then send it to a committee, of course!

I'm beginning to wonder how rumors of an impending release affect their ability to deplete the current stockpile. Take Picnic at Hanging Rock, for instance- it's been rumored for quite some time, which has inevitably caused sales of the DVD to drop as people wait for the Blu-ray, which means the Blu-ray will take longer to come out.

I guess the only solution here is to talk all of your least favorite friends into buying titles you want to see upgraded.

[zedz]

Er... I Know Where I'm Going! anyone?

It would certainly be on my shortlist.

Though in that case, we do know that all the major Powell and Pressburgers are in a polite queue for full restoration and Criterion won't be upgrading it before then. And it's not next up.

[swo17]

What is?

[zedz]

I'm beginning to wonder how rumors of an impending release affect their ability to deplete the current stockpile. Take Picnic at Hanging Rock, for instance- it's been rumored for quite some time, which has inevitably caused sales of the DVD to drop as people wait for the Blu-ray, which means the Blu-ray will take longer to come out.

I guess the only solution here is to talk all of your least favorite friends into buying titles you want to see upgraded.

You're looking at the world through the distorting lens of the forum. 99.9% of potential purchasers won't have heard any such rumour, and won't even know that such a thing as a 'pending BluRay release rumour' even exists, and probably couldn't imagine why anybody would be interested in such a thing. If they want a copy of Picnic at Hanging Rock they'll just go out and buy one. At best, they might ask the shop clerk (or check down the page of listings on Amazon) if it's available on BluRay. He or she will say "nope." Amazon might come up with a fancypants overseas HD release burdened with terrifying warnings that it probably won't play on your machine, sucker.

[zedz]

What is?

Tales of Hoffmann, I believe. I would personally escort I Know Where I'm Going! to the head of that queue if I could!

[CSM126]

Criterion lost the rights to Tales of Hoffmann, so unless you know something the rest of us don't, that isn't happening.

[Drucker]

Criterion lost the rights to Tales of Hoffmann, so unless you know something the rest of us don't, that isn't happening.

It's not Criterion doing the restoration, it's Scorse's Film Foundation.

[HerrSchreck]

Criterion lost the rights to Tales of Hoffmann, so unless you know something the rest of us don't, that isn't happening.

It's not Criterion doing the restoration, it's Scorse's Film Foundation.

Ah, good ol Scorse. I remember I usedta play skully with him on Elizabeth Street back inna day.

[jindianajonz]

Criterion lost the rights to Tales of Hoffmann, so unless you know something the rest of us don't, that isn't happening.

It's not Criterion doing the restoration, it's Scorse's Film Foundation.

Ah, good ol Scorse. I remember I usedta play skully with him on Elizabeth Street back inna day.

Don't be ridiculous; he was obviously abbreviating Martin Scorsissers

[swo17]

How is anyone going to know who you're talking about if you don't spell it right? It's Scoresissers.

[FrauBlucher]

All these years I thought he spelled it Martin Scorewithsister. No wonder wacky stuffed popped up when googled.

[Moe Dickstein]

As Aunt Linda said - "watch and learn Martin Scork-se"

[colinr0380]

What is?

Tales of Hoffmann, I believe. I would personally escort I Know Where I'm Going! to the head of that queue if I could!

I know it pales in comparison somewhat to the more celebrated Powell and Pressburgers but I would dearly love to see the, even more stylised than Tales of Hoffman, Oh...Rosalinda!! get even a DVD release some time!

[knives]

Yes, that would be phenomenal. It's such a fantastic movie on all levels.

[Tommaso]

+1 for "Rosalinda", even though it doesn't really make full use of the potential that is inherent in this updated version of the well-known "Fledermaus"-story. But I still can't understand why the earlier "The Elusive Pimpernel" is equally neglected, too. There are more exciting P&P films, but the final Mont Saint Michel sequence alone should make that film worthwhile (and the visuals are gorgeous throughout).

[Minkin]

Continuing the Morris speculation from the Facebook/Twitter thread:

Any chance of Criterion picking up The Fog of War from Sony? Or has that been binned with the other millcreek/echobridge titles?

Other than Morris and Shoah, does IFC own any other exciting pre-90s titles (seems that they prefer documentaries)?

[ianungstad]

The Hired Hand (Peter Fonda)

plus most of the early films of John Sayles.

[ptatler]

plus most of the early films of John Sayles.

Eclipse 40: The Deleterious Dullery of John Sayles

[jindianajonz]

Eclipse 39: Early Fassbinder will be angry that its getting replaced

[Harmonov]

Continuing the Morris speculation from the Facebook/Twitter thread:

Any chance of Criterion picking up The Fog of War from Sony? Or has that been binned with the other millcreek/echobridge titles?

Other than Morris and Shoah, does IFC own any other exciting pre-90s titles (seems that they prefer documentaries)?

Fog of War is now out of print, so methinks this will be possible.

[Matt]

No Sorcerer from Criterion; Friedkin says Warner Bros. is putting it out on BD (and, I assume, DVD) in April 2014. Theatrical re-release from Paramount to precede.

[Moe Dickstein]

Anyone on top of the Phantom Pages today?

[Matt]

Anyone on top of the Phantom Pages today?

No need, they're already announcing titles:

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion [thread]
Nashville [thread]
Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project [thread]
Grey Gardens [thread]

[Finch]

Terrific lineup for December; thrilled that Grey Gardens made it into this year's lineup.

[swo17]

Great choices for '70s list participants!